Roundshaw

Year: 1975

Roundshaw

I lived on the Roundshaw estate through the 70's and have great memories of playing runouts. I knew every nook and cranny of that estate. I had many friends that lived on nearly every close. I lived in Wallington for nearly 20 years.  I loved going to Croydon shopping with my friends on a Saturday and walking across the fields at the back of the estate to the open air swimming pool, many a happy time there.  It has changed so much what with the new development. When I got married 26 years ago we ended up living on the 6th floor of Instone Close. It had a great view. We lived on the St Heliers estate for a while near the circle, then moved near to Bristol where I am now.

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

Also remember walking across the fields to the open air swimming pool , anyone remember the massive fire on the field in 1976?  I came home for my lunch from the junior school to see firemen with huge mats trying to put the fire out.  Me and a mate used to play on what we called the mud hills.  This trench and small hill thing ran from Cayley Close all along the back of the infant and junior school, what was it used for?
Lived on the 9th floor of Instone Close (179) from around 1972 until around 1975, then moved onto Cayley Close.  My parents were so proud to have their little garden after being stuck in the sky for 3 years.  Funny thing is I do remember playing runouts , but can't remember what it was you had to do!! Can you remember the van parked up at the bottom of Instone every evening selling the Evening news.  I used to ask to get the paper for my old man just so as I could buy some footy cards and eat the bubblegum on the way home. Can you imagine letting a kid of 8, 9 or even 10 walk across that field then the road to the open air swimming pool now, because that's what I was, no way would I allow my kids to do that walk now days. It's just not the same world!

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

Please remind me where Cayley Close was.

Moved to 46 Instone Close Xmas 1969 aged 7, lived there for 11 years. Runouts was a kind of hide and seek game, also played British Bull Dog in the 'middle'.

I do remember the van, got my mum's cigarettes there every night, bought sweets as well.  I thought it was a great place to grow up, felt very sad when they blew up Instone Close.  Do you remember the Cavalier pub in Wallington Square.  It used to be a regular hang out, never went near the merry-go-round.  My best friend lived on Goliath Close.

moved to 6th floor in 1982 with my husband spent 2 years there, loved my flat. the decks were a good place for us kids to hang out and play.

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

Cayley Close was, hmmm let me see; from the shops head for the ramps over by the Merry Go Round, along the first deck, can't remember the name of that ... up two more ramps (slopes) then you find yaself on Cayley Close.  I used to live opposite a family called the O'Brians, had a reputation but really they was good people when you think of the trash that walk the streets now days.  Instone was a great place back then, I remember looking out to the area opposite Instone off Mollison Drive.  They built flats on it back in the very late 70s (ish), sort of brown brick places but before that do you remember the fireworks display over there? As for the Merry Go Round, yes, it was a no go place, although when I was around 15/16 we still used to get some of our older mates to get us a snake bite and black (yuk).  How bout the small 'offy' next door? Cavalier, great days even my mum worked in there in the mid 70s , I got drunk in there a few times, I liked it in there anyway.  You seen what they've done to the Wallington Square now?  A school friend of mine lives on Goliath (I think).  Dawn Dutch had 2/3 brothers, Adam was one of them.

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

I do remember the firework displays and the building of the new flats, also the 'offy' near the shops, no mobile phones them days, we all used to cram into the telephone box with our 2ps and phone our friends. Moved to the west country 20 years ago and my mum and stepdad moved from Wallington 2 years ago to live near me.  But before that came back on a regular basis with the kids in the holidays so kept in touch with the place.  When mum moved from Roundshaw in 1980 she went to Spooner Walk opposite the Harrow pub. Spent a lot of time there, also Mellows Park.

Never really took to Wallington high street but have noticed the changes. Remember the big wide steps by the tower block leading to the square.  Really prefered Croydon.  Went to a youth club next to St Elepheges school, disco on a Sunday night, wish I could remember some of the boys' names.

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

I moved to Roundshaw when I was 3 or 4 so that would have been around 1984. We lived in a flat on Vulcan Close which was just off the airfield and then when my little brother was born we moved to a three bedroom house on Hinkler Close which is right next door to the big chimney and the boiler house, and stayed there until we moved into the new houses on Redwing Road.  So we have lived in Roundshaw for as long as I can remember really.  I'm moving next year, and I have fond and not so fond memorie of the old Roundshaw.  I always believed there were two sides of the estate, there was my side which was nearest the airfield and the park, and also the diary shop if anyone remembers!!  Back then it was a great place to hang out as a child, we skated, rode bikes, skated down the big slope near the diary, the houses were all so close so you could hear everybodys everything. The other side of Roundshaw was "the big shops" side, which was only a five minute walk away.  When I was growing up I didn't hang out in these parts, I felt the people were different and I could never get in the shops without some loudmouth little scally mouthing off some abuse at me, so I always saw that side as completely different. However, growing up and still today I always find myself defending Roundshaw to snobby people that have never even been to the estate.  I really never found it that bad. I also think growing up on an estate certainly makes you grounded and streetwise.

Year: Unknown

RE: Roundshaw

I would love to see any old pictures of the estate if any one has any of them, that would be great.  I'm especially interested in the Merry Go Round pub, which I only remember as boarded up after the fire, so if anyone has any pics of that, that would be great!

Year: 1970

RE: Roundshaw

I also lived in Instone Close, moved there in 1970 aged 9. I was on the ground floor no. 22.  I also used to go to the newspaper van to get my bubble gum cards.  Does anyone remember the ice cream man?  He used to walk along the deck with his cart shouting "ICE CREAM!"  I also remember the tailors dummy that was thrown down from the top somewhere (gave people a scare).  If anyone has photos especially Instone Close I would love to see them.
I'm now living in Portsmouth and am thinking of going to visit the place although I understand it has been redeveloped now.  It will be interesting to see what it is like there without the maisonettes and high blocks....Dave.

Year: 1959

RE: Roundshaw

I lived at 30 the Newlands just west of the old Croydon airport, when I moved there the airport was still open (just), there was the mail planes and the occasional commercial flights. My friends Mick & Christopher Williams and I played on the airport and were chased off reguarly by the airport police who drove black and yellow vans. When the airport closed it was a wonderful place to explore. We found all kinds of memorabilia, guns, ammo, aircraft parts etc. At where is now the the junction with Foresters Drive there used to be a pill box with walls about 3 feet thick, it was next to the spiked airport fence. I remember sitting on the roof one day when a boy climbing the fence slipped and the point went completely through his upper arm, the fire brigade had to hacksaw through it and the ambulance took him to hospital to get it removed. I live in Oregon USA now but visited Roundshaw Park, scene of so many boyhood football matches, and was saddened to see the old park keeper's shed covered in graffitti. Times have certainly changed.