Nostalgic memories of Kenley's local history
Share your own memories of Kenley 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 12 in total
I was born in one of these houses, my parents moved into the house in 1959,. It had been damaged by a bomb in October 1941. We would walk down to Little Roke Road to get rolls from the bakers every Saturday morning and there was a green we’d play on but not ball games as it was too sloped. We moved to Valley Road in around 1972
These steps led to my parents garden which had belonged to the church, but was sold to my parents with the house Bredune which I believe was the vicarage. I lived there for 12 years.
I lived in 11 Hayes Lane and have wonderful memories of the house and the garden which my father took beautiful care of. I have a hazy memory of a large mansion fire, burning in the distance which we could see from our upstairs windows. I also remember there was a train crash and my dad gave a survivor his raincoat to keep him warm, I must have been about seven at the time. I remember the big snow storm of 1947; ...see more
My dad was born in Lower Road, Kenley. Sadly he passed away in July 2012, but we often would sit and talk about Kenley. He remembered Roke School and playing up on the downs at Riddlesdown. He used to mention that there were caves in that area. My dad also was a choir boy at the church in St James Road at the junction with Godstone Road in Kenley. I also lived in Kenley for just over a year from 1986 to 1988. I also went to ...see more
I was born in a house in Oaks Way, which joined Oaks Road. We used to play on the green, but it was too slow and slopey for ball games. Every Saturday we were sent down to cross the railway and get fresh rolls from the bakers, on the other side of the railway line.
I was born in Kenley and went to the Primary school. I used the station to get to and from my first full time job in Waitrose, Caterham. My best friend lived opposite the station in Kita Ruma.
Born in a flat in Kenley, moved to Hillcrest Road, Whyteleafe, close to Kenley airport, a fighter station during the Second World War, were bombed out early in the war then moved to Old Coulsdon, Bradmore Way, overlooking the downs. I used to help out at the farm at the end of the downs, meeting parties that came up for teas, and on the swings. I went to school at Smitham junior and ...see more
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16. At the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service. While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple, Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox aged 67, who were both residents at the home got married here. Bill, a widower, had been married before, ...see more
When I was working for Nat West Bank in the 70s I used to travel on the train from Kenley Station every day to go up to Caterham and back. The up line terminates there while the downline goes via Purley to East Croydon and London, and I have stood on both sides of this platform hundreds of times waiting for the train to arrive. When I returned to Kenley in 1998 I found that apart from a lick of paint, it had not changed very much and probably has not now.
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16, at the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service. The steps in this picture are in Kenley Lane and are the back entrance to the churchyard. Where the two boys in the picture are was parallel with our back garden and there was many a time when my brother and I ran up and down these same steps.