Purley memories
Here are memories of Purley and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Purley or a Purley photo.
Growing up in Purley
When I lived in Purley, there weren't many stores. I can remember when Sainsbury's opened across from Purley Fountain. There was a toy shop in the High Street called Morgan's. I stole a whistle from there when I was not very old. I can remember it to this day. It was yellow plastic with one of those pea things in that made the whistling noice. I must have taken it home but I was soon on my way back to Morgan's to return the whistle and apologise for stealing it!
We lived in Dale Road and there was a row of shops along the Godstone Road. A greengrocer's, Mr King's the grocers, Mr Nicholls newsagents, Mr Burrough's the tobacconist and a couple more than I can't remember. We were friendly with the Nicholls and went round there to watch the Coronation on their television. We did not have a television at the time. My Mom used to smoke and we often got sent round for 20 Churchman's No. 1.
Reedham Orphanage Purley
I do have some good memories of Reedham. My elder sister Suzanne and my younger sister Rosemary lived there for some years. We were born in Argentina. Who remembers Magot, assistant Matron!! Had some good times toasting cheese on bread over a candle in the tower. Listening to Luxemburg top hits after 12pm. Does anybody remember Mr Bristow, ooowww? I was dressed as an angel and driven to Reedham station to represent the Queen's horse called Angel Bright, as she was on her way to the races and waved to us. Have a newspaper cutting!. I remember Easterbrooks, Billy North and have a menu of the Mayors Lunch in London with loads of signatures. Oh, I also ran away a couple of times but didn't get very far!! Name was Paget.
War Memories
I, with my 2 brothers, was at Reedham from 1943-1944. My memories are happy ones. I recall walking in the lanes and being given apples. Reedham was bombed in 1944 and we were evacuated to Nottingham.
I Hate Reedham
The day after our trip to London, I woke in the morning and was told to immediately get dressed and put on my new shoes and overcoat by mother. We dropped Bernard at Aldersbrook School and then caught a bus into Wanstead Tube Station, from here by train we went south of the Thames exactly where I do not remember, but from a South London station we walked on to a very large house near a large lake. It turned out to be an orphanage. Again I had no idea where I was and again I guessed it was some orphanage. At last I did ask grumpy mother where we were, and she said, “You are staying here for some time to help you get better, it’s a convalescent home.” Today, probably for good reason, I have forgotten the name of the place. Again I was never told what was happening to me. As we arrived at the front door of the large imposing house after traversing the long driveway,... Read more
Growing up in Purley
I grew up in Lansdowne Road, Purley. On Suday evenings in the summer, we used to sit on the edge of the fountain and watch the traffic coming back from the coast. Sometimes the cars were lined up all the way back to the Regal Cinema! On VE Day, my brother Wally rolled up his trousers and paddled in the fountain. My dad used to drink at his local, "The Jolly Farmers", which is still there. We live in Canada now, but still have many happy memories of Purley.
Purley Fountain And High Street
I was born in Mayday but brought up in Lansdowne Road for the first two and a half years. I remember the fountain being in the grounds of the water works where Tesco is now situated. When I was nearly 3 we moved to above the old gas showroom in the High Street, Purley. The cinema that is there now used to be called the Astoria and I can remember as a very small child having tea in the restaurant. My great uncle Fred used to live in the flint cottages just along from the cinema. Where the Sainsbury's now stands used to be a big car park to service the train station. Also in my twenties I used to work for the Abbey National in the High Street. Sadly the High Street consists of banks, estate agents and building societies these days. I have not been back to Purley for many years but can remember that the High Street used to flood very badly due to the fact that... Read more
The Grocers Next to Morgan's!
Born in 1939 and living in Banstead Road during the war, I have many memories of Purley, Croydon and Coulsdon. An alleyway ran from the High Street to the station, where I used to meet my father in the evenings from the London train. Beside Morgan's was a little grocer`s which had a system of overhead wires and brass containers taking money to the cash desk. Sawdust covered the floor! Next to the cinema, further along, was the Food Office, where I went with my mother to collect our Ration Books. It was her that I first saw " balloons" that I had heard about, rather disappointing, I thought; probably put there to celebrate V.E. day. The United Dairies had a depot here, but the stable for the horses to pull the floats was further along, backing Whytecliffe Road. I remember being taken to see them. At the town end of the High Street was the Water Works, in the grounds of which stood the Air Raid Siren. This... Read more
Reedham School
I attended Reedham School from 1957 for a couple of years. My father had pased away and my mother sent me to Reedham, our home was in Harrow, Middlesex. I have read some of the other memories, mine were different. I was physically punished by prefects and staff, made to stand in dark rooms for talking in bed at night, had mail withheld and to be honest I have no good memories of Reedham at all. I only ever remember being called by my number J16 and having my long hair cut off short when I arrived. I am pleased to hear from some people their memories were good ones and they feel fondly towards their days at Reedham. I wish I could feel the same. Susan
Working in Dartmouth Road
I worked at the gas board showroom on Dartmouth Road. It was next door to the bank on the corner of London Road. As well as selling gas appliances and receiving payment on gas bills we used to sell bags of "shillingsis!" for consumers to feed their slot meters. Black men used to call them punch meters! I used to park on one of the side streets off Dartmouth Road and one day the handbrake broke and I had to leave it in gear. My uncle helped run "Days Garage" on Sydenham Park Road. It was originally owned by a Peter Day (no relation). Today there are houses built over the old garage. My neighbour worked in the china shop along Dartmouth Raod and I can remember the big station with a W H Smiths store alongside.
I lived in Queenswood Road next door to a bomb site. There were loads of 'em in the fifties and us kids used to play in the houses that were condemned down Miall... Read more
My Three Years at Reedham
I recall walking past the gate-house with my mother on a Tuesday afternoon in March 1950. I was to start my lustrous career there for a period of three years, leaving in March 1953.
Starting there was an real shock to the system. I was eleven years old at the time and this was the first time in my life that I living under the roof of people I didn't know. Up to that time I lived with my parents, brother and sister and if and when we went on holidays etc I was always in the company of a family member. I remember seeing the actual school looking gray and forbidding as I got closer to it. Music has been and still is, a big part of my life.
Before going to Reedham I had lived in South Croydon and attended Bynes Road, Senior School. At a school concert I played a piano solo to quite a stunning reception by the audience. On the strength of that... Read more
Swimming at Reedham Orphanage
I went to Whyteleafe Grammar school. At the time it was an all girls grammar school. We used to go on a coach to swim at Reedham Orphanage. I didn't know how to swim and I can remember to this day, telling Miss Edwards, the phys ed. teacher who was very strict, that I had read in a book that if you put your shoulders under the water, you would be able to swim and I asked if this was true! She said why didn't I try it and see! I can't remember if it worked. All I can remember is that it was an indoor pool but it had leaves and stuff in the water and the water was not very warm.
Sunny Sunday Afternoons.
I remember every sunny Sunday myself and group of friends inclusing Maria M, Susan, Jules and others, we used to walk from Carshalton and Beddington through to Purley to go to the open air swimming pool. It was a fantastic time. We would take a packed lunch and spend the day there, it was brill, a really great memory.
Reedham Orphanage
My father died just before I was born and my mother had to put my brother and I into Reedham orphanage. I was still on a potty as I remember complaining that I was now old enough to go on the toilet and have some privacy. I remember a row of potties along a wall oposite the tiny 'grown up' toilets that had curtains not doors. I remember a little baby called Paula being shown to us. She was a black girl and so sweet and pretty.
I was at the orphanage for 2 or 3 years and then my mother (against the odds) got a council house in Plymouth and we joined her and my older sister.
I would like to visit the school and talk to other people who went there. Sadly my brother is now dead. Whilst at the orphanage, my brother Peter stole a giant Easter egg for me (donated to the school) and shared it with me. He was very naughty! I remember... Read more
Memories of Surrey
54 Oaks Road
I lived at 54 Oaks Road Kenley from about the age of 18 months with my twin sister Pamela and our brother Roger who was three years older. My maiden name was Brookbank.
I remember the back garden was very steep on several levels, and right at the top was a gate that led into the woods, and these woods eventually opened out onto a playing field. We used to play in the woods for hours as children, and were never frightened, and our mother didn`t have to worry about us in those days.
My father had a large garden roller which one day crashed down the steep garden, gaining momentum and smashed his motor bike which was parked at the bottom! He built a large conservatory on the back of our house which seemed huge to a little girl, and I can still remember our mother putting us to bed every afternoon for a sleep, but of course we just played and messed around!
I remember my father... Read more
Lived Here Twice
We lived here as a family from 1972 until 1985, where my parents ran an Old Folks Home, in Church Road.
In 1998 I took a flat in Valley Road, Kenley for two years after the breakup of my marriage, before in 2000 following my parents down to Worthing where they both subsequently passed away in 2003 and 2005.
Kenley was a very nice place to live, although running the business became very stressful for us as my dad over-extended himself.
These Steps
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16, at the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox 67 who were both residents at the home got married here.
The steps in this picture are in Kenley Lane and are the back entrance to the churchyard. Where the two boys in the picture are was parallel with our back garden and there was many a time when my brother and I ran up and down these same steps.
Going to Work
When I was working for Nat West Bank in the 70s I used to travel on the train from Kenley Station every day to go up to Caterham and back.
The up line terminates there while the downline goes via Purley to East Croydon and London, and I have stood on both sides of this platform hundreds of times waiting for the train to arrive.
When I returned to Kenley in 1998 I found that apart from a lick of paint, it had not changed very much and probably has not now.
A Late Wedding
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16. At the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service.
While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple, Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox aged 67, who were both residents at the home got married here. Bill, a widower, had been married before, but Doris who was also blind was still a spinster. It was very sweet and made the local press at the time.
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