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 171 - 180 of 242 in total
I too remember the Godrey Talbot talk at Prize Giving. I also remember we were given the afternoon off school to get ready, and given book tokens before the event to purchase a book that would be presented on the night. I see now how lucky I was to live in the centre of Croydon, until I moved when I was 12 years old. I had such freedom. I would go Christmas shopping on my own after school with saved ...see more
I can remember that every time we went to meet my Granddad (he would wait outside Allders in George Street on Tuesday mornings after catching the 403 bus from Chelsham), we would have fish and chips in the BHS cafe and he would make my mum walk up to the top floor. We'd then either go into the top floor of Woolworths (which had a huge mosaic of a swordfish on the wall) or into WH Smiths, just so I could run ...see more
I left Croydon in 1954, as a child of 9. I remember Kennards as a place of wonder, full of joy. I specifically remember the day when they had a fish stream in their basement, a real stream, concocted of metal channells. I remember St Mary's Church and the school where I went, and of being caned. It was a wonderful time, and I miss it, and Rupert, and Sidney, and Tommy Smith.
We lived in Coney Hall and tended to shop in Bromley. As such, believe it or not, a trip to Croydon was a real treat. Kennards, Alders, the market .. what excitement. To cap it all I might catch sight of a trolleybus (654,630 I believe). You can just see the wires at the top of this picture. Sadly I don't think we ever had the need to travel on one.
I was a Girl Guide here from 1969 to 1975. We used to meet every Friday. Guide captain was Mrs Pamela Ferries. I enjoyed many camping trips to Kent/Sussex (travelling in the back of a removal lorry), what fun!
Oh yes, wonderful evenings spent waiting for the invitation to dance. I have photos of the exciting evening when the TV cameras came and televised us jiving. I even remember the site when it was a skating rink.
I used to go to West Croydon Methodist Church (mainly the Sunday School) when I was a kid, from about 1940-ish to 1946-ish. I am not sure if THIS is the same church and would love to know if anybody can identify it.
This part of Croydon was where I once lived, during and after the war. I have been searching for a photo of the Methodist Church which I attended as a child, mainly at their Sunday School. In this photo I can see the spire of the church and it is the nearest I've come across. This lovely old place must have been demolished in the late 1950s or some time in the 1960s as it has simply disappeared ...see more
My school days at John Ruskin began in 1941. The art master's name was Mr. Smoothie and we thought he was a riot because he wore coloured socks. I have fond memories of the wooden railway bridge that crossed to Wandle Park. Every summer in prewar days there was a fair in the field beyond the pond.
I attended John Ruskin Grammar school in the 1950's when it was in Tamworth Road. Our 'Art lessons' were held in a church hall across from Wandle Park and we had to walk across the railway footbridgre to get there and back. The art master was Mr Gee and we were at times late because we too had spent time on the railway bridge watching and waiting for the trains passing beneath us.