Croydon

A Memory of Croydon.

My first time visiting this site and a message from "Simon" prompted me to add a message.
I too remember with fond memories the old Parish Church Infants School. I remember my first day to Facing the church was a pathway on the left leading to the school. I walked with my mum down the flagstone path (some were inscribed gravestones which I tried to skip over). The school gate had a brick archway to it leading into the playground Most of the classrooms had entry doors from the playground The hall doubled up a place for PE and dining when tables and chairs would be moved back a forth each day. This was in the 1960s when we had morning milk and milk monitors which was great fun as you were given the task to pierce each foil bottle cap with a special tool then insert a straw! The milk crate stop outside in the playground until milk time and during the winter months the milk was undrinkable as milk icicles used to poke up out of the foil tops. Im not sure if Mr Slater was the head of the Infants or Juniors The junior school was a brand new school in Warrington Road I remember Mr Kitley and faces but not names unfortunately We made a Cunard ship from cardboard and paper mace which found our class being photographed for The Croydon Advertiser as well as winning a trip to the Concorde Ship I think it was called.
I share memories of Mr Packman in his greengrocer store he ran with his wife. Also the sweetshop I think ran by elderly sisters. There was old school pick and mx red laces, sherbet spaceships, sherbets with liquorice stars, black jacks, jamboree bags so so many old sweets to choose from. A threepenny bit or a sixpence could but quite a lot! There was a walkway to the right of the shop with hand railings down the middle that we used to jump and roll over as well as roller skating down holding onto the rail although a bit dangerous. In the same parade of shops I think there was a barber and a household shop. at the other end of the garage was the driveway to Cromwell House flats I think built late 1950s early 1960s. I too remember the Firestation before the flyover was built and yes the fish and chip shop nearby great fish and chips by the way.
Down the road of Packmans shop you could get through to the local swimming baths which was used by the school. The old fashioned swinging door cubicles surrounding the pool itself. In its day of old with Alder's and Debenhams department stores, Surrey Street market Croydon was thought of a great place to live.

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