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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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 161 - 170 of 242 in total
Looking to re-connect with Fiona Stewart (maiden name), daughter of Ken and Hilda Stewart. Fiona, my Mum (Lilian Holmes) and I used to visit you when we lived in New York. I now live in Canada. Where are you now? Regards, Diane
Tom Grossmith, my grandmother's uncle, had a business in Surrey Street in the late 1800s making gaiters and knickerbockers. When I was 15 I would cycle to Croydon from Wallington to try to find his shop. There was a butcher's shop at the Crown Hill end of Surrey Street and my mother would give me 15 shillings to get a leg of lamb. I soon found out that a leg of mutton only cost 12/6d so I would make half a crown for ...see more
My father came from Croydon, he was Peter Odonoghue, my grandparents lived in Stanley in Stanley Road with my Aunt Patrica (Pat). I remember going to Kennards arcade for the pony rides and one Christmas had a red cape brought from there. My mum's sister still lives in Thornton Heath. Sadly my parnets are now dead so I can't tell them about this site. Croydon brings lots of happy memories for me. I now live in Suffolk.
My dad Les Seary was a member of the Buffs that met at The Six Bells Pub and my mum Gwen would stay in the bar with the other wives why they had their meeting. I also remember going with my parents to your aunt and uncle's pub The Hare and Hounds and I thought it was wonderful as it was in the country.
How my brother, sister and myself enjoyed sitting outside the pub drinking our pepsi and eating our crisps and on special days a bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk! wonderful memories.
I was born in Thornton Heath in 1960, but now live on the Mitcham road, near the old Queen Vic pub. We know our house is over 150 years old, but have no photos of either the house, or surrounding area, which shows what it was like in the past. There are so few photos available from archive sources for this area, and would dearly like to hear from anyone who lived (lives) in the area, who may have a photo of anything between the Queen Vic pub, and Sumner Road.
I remember the Orchid Balloom in Purley, I had so many super nights there, dancing and meeting up with friends. My sisters and I went there almost every Saturday, jiving the night away. I even met my husband there, and we are still together, I came from Kenley in Surrey, not too far away from the Orchid. There are no such ballrooms to go to now, sadly. Oh, those were the very happy days...
I worked in British Home Stores way back from 1959 to 1966, in those days it was at the top of Church Street. I was a supervisor in the clothing department and our manager was Mr Denson, he employed a retired manager to work there for about three months to train me, his name was Mr Morse, he was very tough and precise but I certainly learnt a lot about underwear and clothing, how to work out and order from ...see more
Us oldies enjoy remembering the simple pleasures we had of Croydon, as someone said - the little zoo and the donkeys in Kennards arcade.
My favourite was that staircase in the middle as you went in by the doors, to me as a little girl it always seemed so grand.
Later on, about the year 1942, I saw little tables with manicurists sitting at the top of the stairs that adjoined the hairdressing ...see more
We lived in Earlswood Avenue, Thornton Heath from 1949-52 and used to walk or sometimes catch a 16/18 tram to Galpins Road, on the border of Th Heath and Norbury, where my brother and I attended Belmont School. It was run by a lady called Miss Jeffrey, and has long since closed. It was based in two houses in Galpins Road, both of which have now presumably reverted to residential status. I remember the last trams, ...see more
Reading childhood memories made me remember a few of mine. When war broke out I was 10 living in Lyndhurst Road, Thornton Heath. I used to wander up to the pond to an old shed in Thornton Road to watch horses have their horseshoe's replaced, I can still remember the smell and heat of the big soldering iron. Also, going back even further, being carried up the iron staircase at Croydon ...see more