Nostalgic memories of Upper Norwood's local history
Share your own memories of Upper Norwood 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 1 - 10 of 11 in total
I lived in Flat(a) at 144 Church Road in the 1960s. I remember Crystal Palace Park with its pet corner and imitation dinosaurs. I also remember swimming in the new swimming baths with my family. There was a little shop with a toy train that went round its window display, a cinema where we saw Lady and the Tramp with our Dad and a little park with 3 paddling pools but I can't remember exactly where that was. Perhaps someone else can enlighten me. Jenny Tierney(nee Dodds)
I lived in South Vale until 1963. It was a real community with nice neighbours. I went to Rockmount school and spent hours playing in the park opposite it. The Crystal Palace grounds were fenced off but us kids used to climb over the fence! I remember the maze which was all overgrown and the statues of prehistoric animals which we used to climb on. We also used to play in the grounds of the Blind College and lots of ...see more
I moved to 12a Central Hill in 1966. It was a big house directly opposite the police station, with Woodland Road in between. We lived in a flat there. In its day it must of been a bit of a grand house and I'm wondering if anyone has any information or pictures of it. It was a cream coloured house. My mum worked at Woolworths along Westow Street. I went to Paxton primary school. I am desperate to find out more ...see more
I remember two cinemas in Church Road, namely The Rialto and The Albany. The first having a balcony and the Albany being just one single floor. Does anyone else remember this? I lived there between 1930 till 1942. Family name 'Albone'. I am now 85 and the last Albone in line. I lived on Central Hill - number 178. Happy Days . . . .
Is it possible that the roundabout in the photo is earlier than 1955? I cannot remember a roundabout there, just a small island which traffic worked around, but I could be mistaken.
There were two cinemas in Church Road; the Granada and the Century, almost next door to each other. The Granada had Sat morning programmes for kids, and I was a regular.
I remember there were two cinemas almost next door to one another. I think the seats cost 9d and 6d for kids on Saturday. We used to go to the chip shop at the top of Gipsy Hill on the way home and use our bus fare for the chips.
I worked in Woolworths in 1961 - it was very Victorian looking in those days .
We moved to 161 Aurelia Road from 6 Brampton Road, Addiscombe, I lived there for 24 years with my mother and father Margaret and Harry Spencer. My father was a plumbing and heating engineer and taught plumbing at Vauxhall College. Our neighbours were lovely Mr & Mrs Isaacs lived at 163, and 159 Mr & Mrs Lucas and my best friend Joyce, across the road upstairs lived Mr & Mrs Finlay and sons Jimmy, ...see more
This is now the Gipsy Hill roundabout at the end of Croxted Road at the junction of Aleyn Road, Gipsy Road and Dulwich Wood Avenue (formerly named The Avenue). This photograph is looking along the length of Dulwich Wood Avenue with Crystal Palace clearly in the background. A magnificent photo and very rare to find a photo of Dulwich Wood Avenue and the former triangular shrubbed triangle which is now an ...see more