Pitlake, Surrey

Riddlesdown Secondary School

I was a founder pupil at the then called Riddledown Secondary School. I lived in Sanderstead and we used to walk from there up over the downs to school which was situated at the top. We always felt safe, even when we were a little late from school after staying back for sports practice etc (or probably in my case detention).... [more]

riddlesdown shops

It was so good to see the photos, the memories came flooding back.  When I was a child I too used to go for walks on the downs and into Kenley.  I lived in Derwent Drive near what was then called Riddlesdown Secondary Modern School.  The shops we used to go to at Riddlesdown.  My mother would send us there every... [more]

Riddlesdown in the 1950's

We lived in Dale Road, right near the bottom of Downscourt Road and we spent a lot of time on Riddlesdown because it was near to where we lived.  When we got a bit older, we used to walk along the downs towards Kenley or maybe even further along where there was a railway crossing.  We used to get pennies and... [more]

The Kent Family

My great grandparents lived in Carlshalton Road, Woodmansterne and bought up their family, including my Nanna, Dorothy, there. Their surname was Kent and they lived in the middle cottage of a terrace of 3.  

My Aunt Mary (who is now in her eighties) has very fond memories of visiting them there before and during the Second World War and... [more]

Village Life

As a child I lived in neighbouring Coulsdon, and Woodmansterne was a favourite cycle ride. Armed with jam sandwiches and bottle of pop, my sister and I would ride down Hatch Lane (even though you weren't supposed to), feeding the horses in the adjoining field. Then go on to Woodmansterne's park where there were playground equipment, and a huge fallen hollow... [more]

Catapults - mid fifties

This brings back when us local lads would venture into the bike shop where he also sold modelling bits and pieces. By far the best elastic for our catapaults (sprogs) was 1/4inch elastic, we had to convince the bloke that it was for model aircraft so that he would sell us a couple of feet.

I just remembered also, that... [more]

Hamsey Green

The building being constructed next to the co-op was a small supermarket that would be first named Coopers then, Fine Fare. The Shop next to the co-op on the right was Bill Croft the bicycle shop. Out of view to the left of the car park bollard would be where Trevors the Newsagents was located and where I was a newspaper... [more]

Hamsey Green/Warlingham

This is indeed Hamsey Green. The view is from the Good Companions car park. The two shops with awnings to the right of the image no longer exist, as the Coop built a shop there. One used to be a bike shop (left) and the other (right) a place that sold head stones for graves. The tall trees in the... [more]