Croydon, Wandle Park c.1970

Photo ref: C201284

I grew up in Lower Church Street, next to the Pitlake ph. As kids we used to play all summer long in the park. By then the boating lake had been drained and it was just a big circular ditch with the island in the middle. The river was still there with, if I remember, three bridges crossing it. We used to go over the iron footbridge from Waddon New Road past the shelter on the right to the cabin for sweets and ices (by ...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.

This railway footbridge was one of my favourite places as an eleven and twelve year old lad, back in 1946 and 1947. I would stand for ages in the centre of this bridge just waiting for the next steam train to rumble and thunder beneath me. Clouds of steam and smoke would billow up, strongly smelling and smutty stuff but highly exciting too! I would try to count the trucks or carriages as ...see more