Nostalgic memories of New Addington's local history

Share your own memories of New Addington and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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I lived in Aldrich Crescent and to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Mrs Kelly collected contributions for weeks to pay for a coach to take the residents to the seaside for the day, which seaside? Memory letting me down, was it Broadstairs?
Hallo I worked at centroniics for 10 years my name is terry chapman I lived in King Henry,s drive also went to the Hilltoppers club good times the isolation of new addington was not an issue for me
It was and is a dump, a ghetto, one road in or out, nothing was there NOTHING. I attended Wolseley and Fairchild Sec Mod.
Long time ago i walked up that path. I was born in New Addington, 65 Castle Hill Avenue then moved to Gascoigne Road until 1973. went to Wolsey Primary then to Fairchildes Secondary Modern Girls School 1964 - 1968. The music room is on the right as you look at it and the main hall is directly in front
I went to Fairchild school around 1953 and left in 1956. I remember Mr Hedges, Mr Fuller, Mr Morgan. Friends were Carol Strickland, Angela Stevens (married Les Jarvis) Julie Cook. I wonder we're they all are now. I went to Pitmans evening classes in Croydon when I started work for Commercial Union Ins. After a short spell worked in London. I have lived in Bognor Regis for many years, now live in Lincolnshire
The mg midget in the picture belonged to an english teacher who was a bit of a snappy dresser .Always had matching flashy socks and tie , by the name of Mr smith . Not a bad chappy. Head master at the time Mr Ward drove an Austin Cambridge Cream/turqoise. Mr Anthony Fitness?athletics coach , drove a 3 wheeler bubble car cos his eyesight was so bad he wouldnt get a full licence. Other teachers I remember Mrs colquhoun ...see more
I was born at 138 castle hill avenue in 1954 and moved into 153 castle hill avenue shortly after my next door neighbours were called the burgess family the father drove a ford trader tipper lorry and my family was very friendly with them do any body remember the big fire in the workman's canteen opposite the phone box
I also went to Overbury from Wolsey probably in '55. Hanlon was there ( horrible little man - I remember a mass caning in front of the entire school because a toilet was vandalised and he was enthusiastic but unskilled - most of his blows landed on the teachers who were trying to hold down lads a good foot taller ). Ward was the Head Master - forever looking at the Golfers ...see more
Fairchildes was my senior school which I attended from 1969-1974. Came up from Wolsley School, lived in Dunsfold Way. One of my brother's had previously attended when it was still a segregated school, he's 10 years older than me so must have been end of the 50s. A couple of the teachers I had remembered him. I remember Mr. Rutter and Mr. Tindall. Mrs. Ford was the needlework teacher, Mr. Hanlon ...see more
I remember as a young boy Fairchildes school , we lived in Castle Hill Crescent and walked in all weathers to school. I remember Mr. Hedges, Mr. Breed, Mr. Watson, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Rutter Mr. Morgan, Mr. Best, Mr. Trinder, Mr. Smith, and Miss Davis plus of course Mr. Jones. I can't say it was the happiest days of my life. We used to live at 303 Castle Hill Crescent before moving to 411 Lodge Lane. I knew a ...see more