Nostalgic memories of Croydon's local history
Share your own memories of Croydon 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.
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Displaying Memories 141 - 150 of 242 in total
My mother Kathleen Reeve used to work in Kennards and I remember that at the end of the day over the loudspeaker system they would play "Now is the Hour". In later years she always used to say how much she disliked that tune! I was only 7 but I too remember the arcade and the sights and smells and how wonderful it was for a child at Christmas time.
I was born in Croydon in 1945 and lived in Victoria Place near Duppas Hill Lane. I went to the Howard School, then on to St Andrews School. My friends and I used to go to a coffee shop in South Croydon, I think it was it was in Lower Selsdon Road. I remember you had to go up a few steps to the front door. Can anyone remember the name of this coffee shop? Thanks, Cliff (Kip) Carver.
I was born in Croydon in 1948, and lived there until 1960. Some of my memories are going to the fish & chip shop in Surrey Street and munching on the chips as we walked home to Edridge Road. Also, the Saturday mornings at the Classic Cinema in South Croydon. I used to go to Beulah Infant School, Thornton Heath, Howard Junior School and spent a year at Fairchilds Secondary School, New ...see more
I was stationed at Kenley in the RAF and used to go ice skating nearly every day, walking down from Kenley. I still ice skate, I have been to all the London ice rinks and Hampton Court and my regular one at Guildford. I am 84 next week.
I remember January 1951, my second year at Croydon Parish Church Infants' School, I was six. I was beginning to wonder where about a quarter of the class had gone. Then I fell ill and Dr Schofield (not sure which one, there were two brothers, Dr James and Dr Robert) said, "It's scarlet fever!" I was taken, with my Ration Book, to the Isolation Hospital at Waddon. I was there three weeks, and found out where ...see more
My dad had a shop in Kennards Arcade, mending, making and selling dentures. I helped him on Saturdays selling his own brand of denture cleaner called 'Sparkdent'. My first half-crown pay was spent on a Buddy Holly album that I still have. A family story goes that one of his lady customers came dashing in and asked for a new pair of dentures as hers had fallen into someone else's basket of veg/fruit in Surrey Street Market and she did not dare to ask them for them back!
I attended Ashburton Primary for a short time before transferring to Monks Orchard, The Glade. My parents moved from Colleridge Road, which was on the housing estate behind the fire station, to Longheath Gardens in about 1959/60. I remember walking to Monks Orchard with my friend, her cat would follow us but always stop at the main road and when we crossed the cat would watch for a while, turn and go back home. ...see more
I was born in 1949 in Northcote Road just across the road from the Gloucester. My uncle, Eddie Clements, lived there up until January 2012. He has just recently passed away. I have fond memories of the area. I went to Tavistock School in the 1960s. I spent many hours playing in Whitehorse Road Rec. Stanley Halls was a night out for me when I was not really old enough to get in. Later I moved to ...see more
I wonder if any one remembers the Surrey ice cream parlour, half way up Surrey Street on the left bottom of the steps leading up to the main road. Oh how I wished we could get ice. This was just after the war. I was born 1935. Also does anyone remember the lady who used to sell fresh boiled beetroots? This was later but I have no idea when. Anyone with any info please get in touch, my e-mail is: honkharling21@googlemail.com
My grandparents moved to Parsons Mead when grandad was transferred to Croydon Co-op. My mum, Eunice Moat, was head girl at Selhurst in about 1937. I went to Winterbourne In the infants we learnt the maypole dances. My partner was Trevor. The Junior girls were on the ground floor, the boys on the first floor. Classmates were Christine Ogilvie, Susan Hoppy, Lynda Payne, ...see more