Great video, lots of memories. In the 80s if going out to eat you'd head to South Croydon. Fantastic pizza bar, burger bar and even a vegetarian restaurant run by the Buddhists! I had a part time job whilst still at school in Heathfield Road and would visit the KFC at 4am for ribs when working nights during summer hols. Happy days.
The Bourne was crossed by the south bridge and it flowed Into a series of fish ponds roughly where the roundabout is. The ponds supplied the archbishops fish . The ponds lasted until the great stink of Croydon and they filled in and the Bourne /Wandle was covered over.
Thank you Peter. I do a talk on the history of Croydon Waterworks covering the post-stink era so can expand that a bit for next time. I have yet to put it to film - one day, perhaps. I also have a plan to do a history walk/film about the Wandle so I will be able to give the wider area more focus then.
Thank you for this interesting and enjoyable video of familiar landmarks, I used to drive along Southbridge Road so often. You pointed out the green plaque to Cecily Mary Barker, the creator of the Flower Fairies. Botanically accurate, the fairies too were true to life, modelled on the children who attended her sister's nursery school. Influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and reflecting her spiritual beliefs, she also painted some panels in local churches, some have not been located - another topic to research maybe, Phil!! Anyway, hope this extra info is of interest. I will look up your other Croydon walking tours, just the thing for a gloomy day like today!! Thanks, Phil.
Glad you enjoyed it, Christine! I will find some time to look into the painting of panels in local churches - that sounds interesting. Hope you find the other videos interesting 😊
The actor living in Southbridge Road was Leonard Gregory, my brother-in-law who sadly passed away some years back. He lived not in the corner house but in the one next door, a Queen Ann vintage.
I always liked looking at that music shop wedged in there. Croydon has some brilliant architecture and decent housing stock. So much unfulfilled potential that has been mismanaged over the past few decades. With the connections to London, it really should be more a highly desirable place to live. I love it. I guess I should be grateful most don’t, I wouldn’t be able to afford to live here if it had been gentrified.
@@philswallow Absolutely. I’ve lived around Croydon for most of the past 40 years. Just stumbled upon your channel and already enjoying finding out lots of new facts. Impressive knowledge and research 👍
Thanks Tristan, it's great fun doing this. I thought I knew quite a bit about the area but always discover more when doing the research and even filming this I noticed the anchors on the chimneys of the Tree House for the first time 😁
I was born in Croydon in 1965 and lived my first 11 years at The Waldrons in the middle tower block.Had an absolutely brilliant childhood round those parts and went to Howard Junior School just down the road.My dad and his mate used to drink in the Cricketers and we used to play in an old wooden stable block to the right of it where that small block of flats is now.Happy times
My dad drank in the cricketer's and I think lived in the waldrens one of the big houses, I used the crown and ceptre next to flyover and played snooker under the multi story called Riley's.
So the actor that lived at 88 Southbridge Road, was Leonard Gregory. (1944-2020). He played Jimmy Cooper, in the 1980 film "McVicar". He also appeared a few times in EastEnders, playing the part of D.S. West. There's a long list of other well known T.V shows he has played parts in too. He was also known as the Cartridge Man, and had devoted himself to the world of analogue replay, a great boost to the series lovers of the good old vinyl! He would often be seen driving around the area in his prestine Rover P4, with his dogs perched on the rear seat. I had the pleasure of chatting to him on a number of occasions, and was saddened to hear he had passed away in 2020, age 76. I enjoyed the video and will make a point of viewing your other productions of the local areas. There's more I would like to add,, but I think I've penned to much already!
Great, thanks Paul! I said to Graham when we were filming that someone will know and you have provided some excellent information there, much appreciated 😃
Thanks for creating this. I grew up in Sanderstead and then South Croydon, mid-60s to mid-70s... live in Los Angeles now, so it's really cool to see how the old places look now without having to suffer an 11 hour plane ride.
Another great video Phil. My Father used to work in Leon House for many years so always went along the Brighton Road past the Swan and Sugar Loaf to get there. And like you, used to get the 403 from West Croydon bus station or the Fairfield Halls, via Aberdeen Road up to Sanderstead. A lot of diverse architecture I had neve really noticed in any deal - Croydon is a real mix of very old, old and ugly modern!
Looking at the skyline Dave, I thought to myself, why didn’t they build to a plan? But the way the council has (not) been run, the answer is easy and we now see the result.
There are lots of hidden pockets in Croydon I never even ventured into in my youth, the Waldron’s looks posh! Just by the flyover too I would thought it would be noisy there. I once remembered visiting heath Clark college Denning avenue I think, and wondered where it would have been sited as it’s now longer visible on maps, demolished 20 years ago it seems?! I moved away from Croydon to Sussex in 1998 so it’s interesting to see you going back and rediscovering lots of these hidden gems ! thanks for a brilliant documentary channel. 😊
Thank you for your kind comments! I’ve probably just scratched the surface but it’s fun covering these areas and seeing what stories they have to tell. I’ll be heading eastwards at some point as there is a lot there that is still standing, thankfully
Where the new school is (Near the old Victorian Gate pillars) used to be Victoria House. I went there in the 1970's as I had learning difficulties. It used to be a red brick building. I'm not sure if in the Victorian times this estate was owned by the Drummond Family? If it wasn't then it would have been owned by another notable family.
I remember going up small streets from my school on Scarbrook Road to Duppas Hill where we did 'cross country running' on games afternoon. The streets have gone as has the school and the public swimming baths which were next door. I guess that you can still do laps of Duppas Hill recreation ground-always seemed such a steep hill to run up but really quite tame compared to what I ran up in future years
Great to read of your memories, David. I’ve never been to the recreation ground at Duppas Hill (that I can remember anyway), one for a future walk - I’m gradually covering all of Croydon!
So sad to see so many of the pubs I used to drink in are no more, I remember my first 'lock in, was at the star, my first full time job was at Graham Ford kitchens at the top southbridge road, I seem to remember there was a cracking kebab shop down southbrige rd.
You are correct! Well, it looks like it was behind the pub building - hope this map displays correctly: maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.6&lat=51.36627&lon=-0.09939&layers=170&b=ESRIWorld&o=100&marker=51.34968,-0.03297
I used to live opposite the Blue Anchor at no’s67 which was Linda’s Fruiterers! Such happy times now living on the IsleWight!
Great video, lots of memories. In the 80s if going out to eat you'd head to South Croydon. Fantastic pizza bar, burger bar and even a vegetarian restaurant run by the Buddhists!
I had a part time job whilst still at school in Heathfield Road and would visit the KFC at 4am for ribs when working nights during summer hols. Happy days.
Even if we took the cars down to Cinderellas at Bolney, we would still get KFC at that same time on the way back!
The burger bar was called crazy h , great food.
I went to Howard School from 1979 to 1986! Lovely to see it again.
Thank you for this Video,
i live here and never stop to apprieciate the Architechture.
It’s one of the best features in Croydon, there is brilliant architecture throughout the borough and I hope it remains that way!
@philswallow you've made me think, and actually open my eyes a little more. So thank you
You’re welcome!
The Bourne was crossed by the south bridge and it flowed Into a series of fish ponds roughly where the roundabout is. The ponds supplied the archbishops fish . The ponds lasted until the great stink of Croydon and they filled in and the Bourne /Wandle was covered over.
Thank you Peter. I do a talk on the history of Croydon Waterworks covering the post-stink era so can expand that a bit for next time. I have yet to put it to film - one day, perhaps. I also have a plan to do a history walk/film about the Wandle so I will be able to give the wider area more focus then.
These are great just discovred today . know the area well
Hope you come to South Norwood also has a lot of fantastic architecture
Thank you for this interesting and enjoyable video of familiar landmarks, I used to drive along Southbridge Road so often. You pointed out the green plaque to Cecily Mary Barker, the creator of the Flower Fairies. Botanically accurate, the fairies too were true to life, modelled on the children who attended her sister's nursery school.
Influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and reflecting her spiritual beliefs, she also painted some panels in local churches, some have not been located - another topic to research maybe, Phil!!
Anyway, hope this extra info is of interest.
I will look up your other Croydon walking tours, just the thing for a gloomy day like today!! Thanks, Phil.
Glad you enjoyed it, Christine! I will find some time to look into the painting of panels in local churches - that sounds interesting. Hope you find the other videos interesting 😊
The actor living in Southbridge Road was Leonard Gregory, my brother-in-law who sadly passed away some years back. He lived not in the corner house but in the one next door, a Queen Ann vintage.
Thank you John, much appreciated
I always liked looking at that music shop wedged in there. Croydon has some brilliant architecture and decent housing stock. So much unfulfilled potential that has been mismanaged over the past few decades. With the connections to London, it really should be more a highly desirable place to live.
I love it. I guess I should be grateful most don’t, I wouldn’t be able to afford to live here if it had been gentrified.
It is packed full of great history, let's hope it is preserved for future generations!
@@philswallow Absolutely. I’ve lived around Croydon for most of the past 40 years. Just stumbled upon your channel and already enjoying finding out lots of new facts. Impressive knowledge and research 👍
Thanks Tristan, it's great fun doing this. I thought I knew quite a bit about the area but always discover more when doing the research and even filming this I noticed the anchors on the chimneys of the Tree House for the first time 😁
I was born in Croydon in 1965 and lived my first 11 years at The Waldrons in the middle tower block.Had an absolutely brilliant childhood round those parts and went to Howard Junior School just down the road.My dad and his mate used to drink in the Cricketers and we used to play in an old wooden stable block to the right of it where that small block of flats is now.Happy times
My dad drank in the cricketer's and I think lived in the waldrens one of the big houses, I used the crown and ceptre next to flyover and played snooker under the multi story called Riley's.
Brings back memories of working on these building in the area ,nice to see one of my front doors still there
So the actor that lived at 88 Southbridge Road, was Leonard Gregory. (1944-2020). He played Jimmy Cooper, in the 1980 film "McVicar". He also appeared a few times in EastEnders, playing the part of D.S. West. There's a long list of other well known T.V shows he has played parts in too.
He was also known as the Cartridge Man, and had devoted himself to the world of analogue replay, a great boost to the series lovers of the good old vinyl!
He would often be seen driving around the area in his prestine Rover P4, with his dogs perched on the rear seat.
I had the pleasure of chatting to him on a number of occasions, and was saddened to hear he had passed away in 2020, age 76.
I enjoyed the video and will make a point of viewing your other productions of the local areas.
There's more I would like to add,, but I think I've penned to much already!
Great, thanks Paul! I said to Graham when we were filming that someone will know and you have provided some excellent information there, much appreciated 😃
It was a pleasure!@@philswallow
Thanks for creating this. I grew up in Sanderstead and then South Croydon, mid-60s to mid-70s... live in Los Angeles now, so it's really cool to see how the old places look now without having to suffer an 11 hour plane ride.
Thanks Marco! Have you seen my Sanderstead videos, too?
@@philswallow I've seen one, and left a comment on it. I'll look for others... thanks!
Another great video Phil. My Father used to work in Leon House for many years so always went along the Brighton Road past the Swan and Sugar Loaf to get there. And like you, used to get the 403 from West Croydon bus station or the Fairfield Halls, via Aberdeen Road up to Sanderstead. A lot of diverse architecture I had neve really noticed in any deal - Croydon is a real mix of very old, old and ugly modern!
Looking at the skyline Dave, I thought to myself, why didn’t they build to a plan? But the way the council has (not) been run, the answer is easy and we now see the result.
@@philswallow Just about everything that council could have done wrong, they did! What a disgrace.
There are lots of hidden pockets in Croydon I never even ventured into in my youth, the Waldron’s looks posh! Just by the flyover too I would thought it would be noisy there. I once remembered visiting heath Clark college Denning avenue I think, and wondered where it would have been sited as it’s now longer visible on maps, demolished 20 years ago it seems?! I moved away from Croydon to Sussex in 1998 so it’s interesting to see you going back and rediscovering lots of these hidden gems ! thanks for a brilliant documentary channel. 😊
Thank you for your kind comments! I’ve probably just scratched the surface but it’s fun covering these areas and seeing what stories they have to tell. I’ll be heading eastwards at some point as there is a lot there that is still standing, thankfully
Where the new school is (Near the old Victorian Gate pillars) used to be Victoria House. I went there in the 1970's as I had learning difficulties. It used to be a red brick building. I'm not sure if in the Victorian times this estate was owned by the Drummond Family? If it wasn't then it would have been owned by another notable family.
One for my further research list!
Really enjoyed that. Brought back memories.😊 And yes, the Waldrons used to be quite posh! Not sure if it’s mostly converted flats now 😞
I remember going up small streets from my school on Scarbrook Road to Duppas Hill where we did 'cross country running' on games afternoon. The streets have gone as has the school and the public swimming baths which were next door. I guess that you can still do laps of Duppas Hill recreation ground-always seemed such a steep hill to run up but really quite tame compared to what I ran up in future years
Great to read of your memories, David. I’ve never been to the recreation ground at Duppas Hill (that I can remember anyway), one for a future walk - I’m gradually covering all of Croydon!
So sad to see so many of the pubs I used to drink in are no more, I remember my first 'lock in, was at the star, my first full time job was at Graham Ford kitchens at the top southbridge road, I seem to remember there was a cracking kebab shop down southbrige rd.
The kebab shop is still there but not much else, sadly.
My dad drank in the star and his brother did , great little pub ,and I used the kebab house awesome.
I believe the Skylark pub was formerly a laundry business? I remember hearing about it some years ago, but not sure if it was true?
You are correct! Well, it looks like it was behind the pub building - hope this map displays correctly: maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.6&lat=51.36627&lon=-0.09939&layers=170&b=ESRIWorld&o=100&marker=51.34968,-0.03297
@@philswallow Many thanks Phil.