Croydon - nightlife, accommodation, things to do and general chat
- Thread starter strung out
- Start date
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I know lots of younger people who are "boarding" (although that is the first time I have used that word in that context) but they seem to be doing it in play parks and skate boarding places. In fact, there turn out to be quite a few of those around, I have discovered now that i have a friend with a seven year old boarder
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
Wandle park skate park is Uber shit. Badly designed and located nicely out of the way in a secluded area that favours drug dealers and piss heads who can get on with their business uninterrupted. Not great for kids.
Leafster
.
When I think of "boarding", I tend to think of this...I know lots of younger people who are "boarding" (although that is the first time I have used that word in that context) but they seem to be doing it in play parks and skate boarding places. In fact, there turn out to be quite a few of those around, I have discovered now that i have a friend with a seven year old boarder
... but I guess it applies to skateboarding too.
And yes, that photo was taken just over the border in Whyteleafe. Although not today.
Leafster
.
Who needs expensive gear? Some of my fellow 'leafe residents made do with with woolly hats and "boards" from the local Estate Agent...We couldn't afford snow boarding. Besides, all that protective gear
GarveyLives
Well-Known Member
"Investigators have said they believe the Croydon tram crash was caused by the driver briefly falling asleep before speeding through a sharp bend, but tram operators had failed to properly understand the risks and put enough safety measures in place ...
... the RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) said drivers had been reluctant to report incidents or near misses to managers at FirstGroup’s Tram Operations Ltd, fearing disciplinary measures.
Another speeding tram had come close to overturning on the same junction nine days before, inspectors said ..."
Croydon tram crash 'caused by driver falling asleep and speeding'
The passengers who died in the crash were Dane Chinnery, 19; Philip Seary, 57; Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35; Philip Logan, 52; and Robert Huxley, 63, all from New Addington; and Mark Smith, 35, and Donald Collett, 62, from Croydon.
hash tag
Books, not bombs
First time back in town centre for a while today. Looking up, it didn't look to bad with the tops of buildings shrouded in mist. St George's walk is looking sad. I assume nestles tower is coming down. Walked past boxpark but forgot to go in. Hmvs was rather sad and run down like it won't last long...still spent lots though. It was quite an effort avoiding the scab tills in whsmith.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Stanley Halls in South Norwood (so, Croydon) is advertising for a Front of House and Bar Manager.
FoH and Bar Manager, Stanley Halls
FoH and Bar Manager, Stanley Halls
Miss-Shelf
I'll meet you further on up the road
Nestle is listed iirc
Chinese developers bought it from minerva recently.
Chinese developers buy Nestlé Tower in £60m property deal
Will be taking a bath on that if Westfield doesn't happen.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I don’t think it’s the nestle tower that is listed. It’s the SEGAS building.
Croydon’s SEGAS House: a listed building under threat - The Croydon Citizen
GarveyLives
Well-Known Member
This is 17 year-old Aren Mali, 17, from Kenley ...
... 29 October 2017, shortly before 7 p.m., he was stabbed to death after a fight which spilled into Whitgift Shopping Centre in the centre of Croydon, and became the the 21st teenager killed on London's streets in 2017. Aren was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem gave cause of death as a single stab wound.
Aren was a former student at St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, in Upper Norwood, and also previously studied at Thomas More Catholic School, in Purley. At the time of his death, it is reported he was a business student at Kingston College.
Aren was a keen football player and joined Whyteleafe Football Club in 2016, helping the U18s win the Kent Youth League cup.
Darren Kenny, Rocco Fung, and Andy Chute, Aren’s coaches at Whyteleafe, paid tribute to the “talented” central midfielder.
In a joint statement, they said: “It is with great sadness that we find ourselves writing about a tragic loss of a young life, Aren Mali. Aren was a talented member of our cup winning side.
“He was a confident lad, competitive and a drive to be successful. He was one of the leaders in our squad and a strong character, not scared to voice his opinion, but also prepared to work hard for his peers.
“Determined, respectful, and an intelligent team player and thoroughly decent young man. Always gave his best and understood that he had to sacrifice himself for the team at times.
“He hid his disappointment at being injured in the Kent Youth League final and got behind the boys throughout. A terrible waste of life for a fine young man.
“Aren was polite and respectful and wore our club shirt with pride and passion, and he is a loss to the larger football community and our thoughts are with his family, friends and team mates at this difficult time.”
In memory of Aren, the club organised a tribute match between the under 18s and under 16s on Wednesday 1 November 2017. A minute's applause was carried out before the game.
Heartbroken former classmates of Aren wrote an outraged letter to their teachers as they claim the school is refusing to hold a service in his memory.
The 17-year-old's friends suggest in the letter that they feel part of the reason why nothing is allegedly being arranged to remember him at Thomas More Catholic School is because he "wasn't the best behaved pupil".
They claim that they have been told that Aren "is no longer a student" and was "not here for most of Year 11" which has left them feeling confused.
The letter reads: "We are writing this letter regarding one of our school's pupils. You may wonder why we have put the word 'pupils' in bold writing.
"It is to emphasise that Aren Mali was a pupil at the school for five years. He played a big part in the school community.
"His death has not only affected certain members of Year 12 but the majority of the school, which includes the teachers.
"We are heartbroken that one of our friends was killed and taken away from us. What breaks out heart even more is the lack of consideration and empathy [over] the death of Aren.
"Being told that 'he is no longer a student' or 'he was not here most of Year 11' confuses us. We do not understand why this has been said or is an excuse to not have a memorial or service for Aren.
"One thing that has shocked us is how teachers [some of whom] have children themselves are failing to understand the severity of the situation and how we feel.
"We understand that Aren was not the best behaved pupil but he has sadly passed away now and his actions/behaviour cannot be held against him."
The letter goes on to point out that that school's motto "is to care" but that students feel that the school has not shown "any sort of care towards Aren".
It continues: "Aren was 17 and did not deserve to die so young and for no apparent reason.
"We cannot believe that his own school, which he grew up in and succeeded in, [is] not showing any compassion or supporting any of his friends.
"Instead [it is] acting as if everything is normal and [as though] nothing had happened."
The letter writers finish by saying they are "not asking for a lot" just a small service with a priest where "we can mourn Aren's death".
A 17 year-old man was arrested in Newcastle on 9 November 2017 and charged with murder the next day. A second 17 year-old man was charged with murder on 12 November 2017.
They are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on 12 February 2018.
... 29 October 2017, shortly before 7 p.m., he was stabbed to death after a fight which spilled into Whitgift Shopping Centre in the centre of Croydon, and became the the 21st teenager killed on London's streets in 2017. Aren was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem gave cause of death as a single stab wound.
Aren was a former student at St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, in Upper Norwood, and also previously studied at Thomas More Catholic School, in Purley. At the time of his death, it is reported he was a business student at Kingston College.
Aren was a keen football player and joined Whyteleafe Football Club in 2016, helping the U18s win the Kent Youth League cup.
Darren Kenny, Rocco Fung, and Andy Chute, Aren’s coaches at Whyteleafe, paid tribute to the “talented” central midfielder.
In a joint statement, they said: “It is with great sadness that we find ourselves writing about a tragic loss of a young life, Aren Mali. Aren was a talented member of our cup winning side.
“He was a confident lad, competitive and a drive to be successful. He was one of the leaders in our squad and a strong character, not scared to voice his opinion, but also prepared to work hard for his peers.
“Determined, respectful, and an intelligent team player and thoroughly decent young man. Always gave his best and understood that he had to sacrifice himself for the team at times.
“He hid his disappointment at being injured in the Kent Youth League final and got behind the boys throughout. A terrible waste of life for a fine young man.
“Aren was polite and respectful and wore our club shirt with pride and passion, and he is a loss to the larger football community and our thoughts are with his family, friends and team mates at this difficult time.”
In memory of Aren, the club organised a tribute match between the under 18s and under 16s on Wednesday 1 November 2017. A minute's applause was carried out before the game.
Heartbroken former classmates of Aren wrote an outraged letter to their teachers as they claim the school is refusing to hold a service in his memory.
The 17-year-old's friends suggest in the letter that they feel part of the reason why nothing is allegedly being arranged to remember him at Thomas More Catholic School is because he "wasn't the best behaved pupil".
They claim that they have been told that Aren "is no longer a student" and was "not here for most of Year 11" which has left them feeling confused.
The letter reads: "We are writing this letter regarding one of our school's pupils. You may wonder why we have put the word 'pupils' in bold writing.
"It is to emphasise that Aren Mali was a pupil at the school for five years. He played a big part in the school community.
"His death has not only affected certain members of Year 12 but the majority of the school, which includes the teachers.
"We are heartbroken that one of our friends was killed and taken away from us. What breaks out heart even more is the lack of consideration and empathy [over] the death of Aren.
"Being told that 'he is no longer a student' or 'he was not here most of Year 11' confuses us. We do not understand why this has been said or is an excuse to not have a memorial or service for Aren.
"One thing that has shocked us is how teachers [some of whom] have children themselves are failing to understand the severity of the situation and how we feel.
"We understand that Aren was not the best behaved pupil but he has sadly passed away now and his actions/behaviour cannot be held against him."
The letter goes on to point out that that school's motto "is to care" but that students feel that the school has not shown "any sort of care towards Aren".
It continues: "Aren was 17 and did not deserve to die so young and for no apparent reason.
"We cannot believe that his own school, which he grew up in and succeeded in, [is] not showing any compassion or supporting any of his friends.
"Instead [it is] acting as if everything is normal and [as though] nothing had happened."
The letter writers finish by saying they are "not asking for a lot" just a small service with a priest where "we can mourn Aren's death".
A 17 year-old man was arrested in Newcastle on 9 November 2017 and charged with murder the next day. A second 17 year-old man was charged with murder on 12 November 2017.
They are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on 12 February 2018.
A beautiful building, with brass and nickel fittings and a rare example of ocean liner deco in Croydon. It would be a civic crime to lose this building.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Yeah, but quite a few "civic crimes" on demolition and rebuilding have been perpetrated in central Croydon over the decades!!
Still, Leon House is staying, although with zillion pound apartments. We should count our blessings that the sculpture in the foyer has survived, but will no doubt be off limits to non-residents. Much of this wonderful period in British architectural sculpture has been lost given the tendency for them to be integral pieces of buildings and not easily re-sited (or, indeed, thought worthy of retention.)
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I went on a National Trust (yes, really) guided tour of Central Croydon a while back.
It was fascinating. A lot of it was about the Fairfield Halls, which had not long been closed for redevelopment, so we were able to go in and look around backstage and stuff.
Here are the notes I made to myself, to share with my daughter, who pulled out at the last minute. I realise it doesn't necessarily make sense - it was just notes to prompt me, but I hope some people find it interesting
* There was an Archbishop Whitgift.
* Surrey Street Market was arguably the first such market.
* EC station is busier than Manchester or Birmingham.
* Croydon was one day's ride from London.
* Croydon became a London Borough in 1956. Previously, it was a county borough.
* Croydon Corporation was very ambitious for Croydon before WW2.
* there is a misconception that the building happened because of WW2 bombing. There was some bombing, but that wasn't the reason.
* Croydon Corporation compulsorily purchased lots of buildings - Sir James Marshall had lots of key roles, and drove through change in the 50s and 60s
* They had the powers to buy up properties
* bought up Edwardian and Victorian dwellings and playing fields and turned it into roads and car parks, including the multi storey
* there was lots of speculative building at the time - office space as part of moves outside of London, as people felt vulnerable in Central London after WW2.
* the "brown band* rules stopped speculative development and slowed down development in the 70s
* The Whitgift Centre was built on the playing fields of Trinity School
* the hexagonal building known as One Croydon was designed by the man who designed Centrepoint. It is a simple design of shifting floor plates on each floor
* Seifert
* it is not concrete so cannot be described as "brutalist". It is made from mosaic tiles
* it is listed locally, but not nationally
* St Georges Walk was affected by planning disputes. It was emptied to be redeveloped, but this did not happen.
* the source of the Wandle river is in central Croydon. It is an underground spring and there is a disused pumping station
* Richard Seifert also designed Corinthian House, with its V shaped columns raising the building off the ground. He wanted gardens beneath and around those columns, but got a car park. The building used to be lit up at night.
* Lunar House and Apollo House were developed in the 1970s by a reclusive tycoon who avoided publicity. They were speculative.
* in 1961, RAC House was torn down by Seifert's son
* Wellesley Road was supposed to be part of a ring road which was never completed. It is designed to keep pedestrians separate from the cars - subways and bridges but no pavements
* Whitgift Centre was built between 1965 and 70. There is still a Whitgift Foundation.
* It was one of the first shopping centres. People came from miles around to it. There are plans to redevelop it.
* Whitgift Centre was only roofed in the 1980s, when some of the architecture was also changed.
* Electric House is empty but is a listed building. It was the home of the electricity board who used to rent ovens and fridges to people to encourage them to use electricity.
* Norfolk house and Suffolk House were built in 1956 and were the first office blocks in Croydon.
* Journalists in 1960s described the Croydon skyline as like a mini Manhattan
* Robert Atkinson designed Croydon College after WW2. It was a technical college partly to train up the workers needed to rebuild Croydon.
* The college is a form of architecture more common in totalitarian states.
* the whole area was a civic area
* there is a gas tower
* the Nestle Tower was built on the site of the Greyhound Inn, and included a venue called the Greyhound where rock bands played. It then became a night club but is now empty.
* the whole site was railways sidings - from Queens Gardens to College Green. There are still signs of it.
* Atkinson also did Fairfield Halls.
* Fairfield Halls was built by the same people who built the Royal Festival Hall.
* The land was gifted to a railroad company - Croydon central station was in what is now Queens Gardens.
* 1923, the council took the land back
* 1935 there was a competition to build a civic centre, although the prize was less than the entry fee. The winner was never built, as it was too expensive.
* It was then considered as an air raid shelter
* in 1940 a Messerschmitt plane was brought to Queens Gardens and people were charged sixpence to look at it, which raised money to build a Spitfire.
* 1962 the Fairfield Halls were built.
* The Ashcroft Theatre was named after Peggy Ashcroft who was born in Croydon.
* There is a safety curtain which commemorates her and Croydon events.
* It also has the arms of the Whitgift Foundation, and the four seasons. It is held open by comedy and tragedy. Contains representations of Pierrot and Hamlet. Also representations of all the venues that used to be here, and a green man to signify nature.
* It has medallions of famous people linked to Croydon.
* It was painted by Henry Bird and will be protected during the redevelopment. It was painted on canvas panels. Henry Bird only painted three safety curtains.
* The theatre used to have Juliet balconies, but these are now boxed in.
* the theatre has the capacity for 750 and the main hall has a capacity of 1500.
* the acoustics in the main hall are perfect. There are holes in the seats to help the acoustics whether they are up or down.
* the stage is made of maple.
* there is a very narrow space for scenery, which has meant that some shows couldn’t come to Fairfield Halls. Both Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Dirty Dancing wanted to come but were unable to do so because of the scenery problem.
* the stage is technically a platform rather than a stage, and can be moved around and made bigger or smaller, with separate sections that can be dropped.
* wrestling was filmed there, with the stage at floor level
* the organ was made by Harrison Harrison in 1963, and it is still maintained and tuned by them.
* there is a Royal Box which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1962, but it is the worst seat in the house. The expectation was that the royals would attend to be seen, rather than to be able to watch the show themselves.
* there is a separate toilet for the Royal Box, which still has its original features.
* Prince Edward often visits for concerts but doesn’t sit in the Royal Box.
* The Beatles played here 3 times in 1963, but were not top of the bill.
* a series of photos have surfaced which were taken by a school child who was a son of one of the staff working at the venue. These were published as part of Fairfield at 50 celebrations. Until then, no-one knew they existed.
* the Arnhem Gallery has a glass roof, which meant the oil paintings which were in there melted in the heat and then went hard again when it cooled down. It wasn’t an art gallery for long.
* it has a minstrels gallery.
* the lobby was refurbished in 2010.
It was fascinating. A lot of it was about the Fairfield Halls, which had not long been closed for redevelopment, so we were able to go in and look around backstage and stuff.
Here are the notes I made to myself, to share with my daughter, who pulled out at the last minute. I realise it doesn't necessarily make sense - it was just notes to prompt me, but I hope some people find it interesting
* There was an Archbishop Whitgift.
* Surrey Street Market was arguably the first such market.
* EC station is busier than Manchester or Birmingham.
* Croydon was one day's ride from London.
* Croydon became a London Borough in 1956. Previously, it was a county borough.
* Croydon Corporation was very ambitious for Croydon before WW2.
* there is a misconception that the building happened because of WW2 bombing. There was some bombing, but that wasn't the reason.
* Croydon Corporation compulsorily purchased lots of buildings - Sir James Marshall had lots of key roles, and drove through change in the 50s and 60s
* They had the powers to buy up properties
* bought up Edwardian and Victorian dwellings and playing fields and turned it into roads and car parks, including the multi storey
* there was lots of speculative building at the time - office space as part of moves outside of London, as people felt vulnerable in Central London after WW2.
* the "brown band* rules stopped speculative development and slowed down development in the 70s
* The Whitgift Centre was built on the playing fields of Trinity School
* the hexagonal building known as One Croydon was designed by the man who designed Centrepoint. It is a simple design of shifting floor plates on each floor
* Seifert
* it is not concrete so cannot be described as "brutalist". It is made from mosaic tiles
* it is listed locally, but not nationally
* St Georges Walk was affected by planning disputes. It was emptied to be redeveloped, but this did not happen.
* the source of the Wandle river is in central Croydon. It is an underground spring and there is a disused pumping station
* Richard Seifert also designed Corinthian House, with its V shaped columns raising the building off the ground. He wanted gardens beneath and around those columns, but got a car park. The building used to be lit up at night.
* Lunar House and Apollo House were developed in the 1970s by a reclusive tycoon who avoided publicity. They were speculative.
* in 1961, RAC House was torn down by Seifert's son
* Wellesley Road was supposed to be part of a ring road which was never completed. It is designed to keep pedestrians separate from the cars - subways and bridges but no pavements
* Whitgift Centre was built between 1965 and 70. There is still a Whitgift Foundation.
* It was one of the first shopping centres. People came from miles around to it. There are plans to redevelop it.
* Whitgift Centre was only roofed in the 1980s, when some of the architecture was also changed.
* Electric House is empty but is a listed building. It was the home of the electricity board who used to rent ovens and fridges to people to encourage them to use electricity.
* Norfolk house and Suffolk House were built in 1956 and were the first office blocks in Croydon.
* Journalists in 1960s described the Croydon skyline as like a mini Manhattan
* Robert Atkinson designed Croydon College after WW2. It was a technical college partly to train up the workers needed to rebuild Croydon.
* The college is a form of architecture more common in totalitarian states.
* the whole area was a civic area
* there is a gas tower
* the Nestle Tower was built on the site of the Greyhound Inn, and included a venue called the Greyhound where rock bands played. It then became a night club but is now empty.
* the whole site was railways sidings - from Queens Gardens to College Green. There are still signs of it.
* Atkinson also did Fairfield Halls.
* Fairfield Halls was built by the same people who built the Royal Festival Hall.
* The land was gifted to a railroad company - Croydon central station was in what is now Queens Gardens.
* 1923, the council took the land back
* 1935 there was a competition to build a civic centre, although the prize was less than the entry fee. The winner was never built, as it was too expensive.
* It was then considered as an air raid shelter
* in 1940 a Messerschmitt plane was brought to Queens Gardens and people were charged sixpence to look at it, which raised money to build a Spitfire.
* 1962 the Fairfield Halls were built.
* The Ashcroft Theatre was named after Peggy Ashcroft who was born in Croydon.
* There is a safety curtain which commemorates her and Croydon events.
* It also has the arms of the Whitgift Foundation, and the four seasons. It is held open by comedy and tragedy. Contains representations of Pierrot and Hamlet. Also representations of all the venues that used to be here, and a green man to signify nature.
* It has medallions of famous people linked to Croydon.
* It was painted by Henry Bird and will be protected during the redevelopment. It was painted on canvas panels. Henry Bird only painted three safety curtains.
* The theatre used to have Juliet balconies, but these are now boxed in.
* the theatre has the capacity for 750 and the main hall has a capacity of 1500.
* the acoustics in the main hall are perfect. There are holes in the seats to help the acoustics whether they are up or down.
* the stage is made of maple.
* there is a very narrow space for scenery, which has meant that some shows couldn’t come to Fairfield Halls. Both Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Dirty Dancing wanted to come but were unable to do so because of the scenery problem.
* the stage is technically a platform rather than a stage, and can be moved around and made bigger or smaller, with separate sections that can be dropped.
* wrestling was filmed there, with the stage at floor level
* the organ was made by Harrison Harrison in 1963, and it is still maintained and tuned by them.
* there is a Royal Box which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1962, but it is the worst seat in the house. The expectation was that the royals would attend to be seen, rather than to be able to watch the show themselves.
* there is a separate toilet for the Royal Box, which still has its original features.
* Prince Edward often visits for concerts but doesn’t sit in the Royal Box.
* The Beatles played here 3 times in 1963, but were not top of the bill.
* a series of photos have surfaced which were taken by a school child who was a son of one of the staff working at the venue. These were published as part of Fairfield at 50 celebrations. Until then, no-one knew they existed.
* the Arnhem Gallery has a glass roof, which meant the oil paintings which were in there melted in the heat and then went hard again when it cooled down. It wasn’t an art gallery for long.
* it has a minstrels gallery.
* the lobby was refurbished in 2010.
Last edited:
ffsear
Well-Known Member
What period was that ? I would of thought it much shorter. I've run from Tower bridge to South Croydon in under 2 hours.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Dunno, but it must have been before the railway, so before the 19th century I suppose.
I just repeated the notes I had made when the guides were speaking
Hoss
...It was the blurst of times...
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. I remember when the Whitgift centre had the roof installed. It was very exciting for me as a kid to then have a covered shopping mall to hang out in [emoji41]I went on a National Trust (yes, really) guided tour of Central Croydon a while back.
It was fascinating. A lot of it was about the Fairfield Halls, which had not long been closed for redevelopment, so we were able to go in and look around backstage and stuff.
Here are the notes I made to myself, to share with my daughter, who pulled out at the last minute. I realise it doesn't necessarily make sense - it was just notes to prompt me, but I hope some people find it interesting
* There was an Archbishop Whitgift.
* Surrey Street Market was arguably the first such market.
* EC station is busier than Manchester or Birmingham.
* Croydon was one day's ride from London.
* Croydon became a London Borough in 1956. Previously, it was a county borough.
* Croydon Corporation was very ambitious for Croydon before WW2.
* there is a misconception that the building happened because of WW2 bombing. There was some bombing, but that wasn't the reason.
* Croydon Corporation compulsorily purchased lots of buildings - Sir James Marshall had lots of key roles, and drove through change in the 50s and 60s
* They had the powers to buy up properties
* bought up Edwardian and Victorian dwellings and playing fields and turned it into roads and car parks, including the multi storey
* there was lots of speculative building at the time - office space as part of moves outside of London, as people felt vulnerable in Central London after WW2.
* the "brown band* rules stopped speculative development and slowed down development in the 70s
* The Whitgift Centre was built on the playing fields of Trinity School
* the hexagonal building known as One Croydon was designed by the man who designed Centrepoint. It is a simple design of shifting floor plates on each floor
* Seifert
* it is not concrete so cannot be described as "brutalist". It is made from mosaic tiles
* it is listed locally, but not nationally
* Georges Walk was affected by planning disputes. It was emptied to be redeveloped, but this did not happen.
* the source of the Wandle river is in central Croydon. It is an underground spring and there is a disused pumping station
* Richard Seifert also designed Corinthian House, with its V shaped columns raising the building off the ground. He wanted gardens beneath and around those columns, but got a car park. The building used to be lit up at night.
* Lunar House and Apollo House were developed in the 1970s by a reclusive tycoon who avoided publicity. They were speculative.
* in 1961, RAC House was torn down by Seifert's son
* Wellesley Road was supposed to be part of a ring road which was never completed. It is designed to keep pedestrians separate from the cars - subways and bridges but no pavements
* Whitgift Centre was built between 1965 and 70. There is still a Whitgift Foundation.
* It was one of the first shopping centres. People came from miles around to it. There are plans to redevelop it.
* Whitgift Centre was only roofed in the 1980s, when some of the architecture was also changed.
* Electric House is empty but is a listed building. It was the home of the electricity board who used to rent ovens and fridges to people to encourage them to use electricity.
* Norfolk house and Suffolk House were built in 1956 and were the first office blocks in Croydon.
* Journalists in 1960s described the Croydon skyline as like a mini Manhattan
* Robert Atkinson designed Croydon College after WW2. It was a technical college partly to train up the workers needed to rebuild Croydon.
* The college is a form of architecture more common in totalitarian states.
* the whole area was a civic area
* there is a gas tower
* the Nestle Tower was built on the site of the Greyhound Inn, and included a venue called the Greyhound where rock bands played. It then became a night club but is now empty.
* the whole site was railways sidings - from Queens Gardens to College Green. There are still signs of it.
* Atkinson also did Fairfield Halls.
* Fairfield Halls was built by the same people who built the Royal Festival Hall.
* The land was gifted to a railroad company - Croydon central station was in what is now Queens Gardens.
* 1923, the council took the land back
* 1935 there was a competition to build a civic centre, although the prize was less than the entry fee. The winner was never built, as it was too expensive.
* It was then considered as an air raid shelter
* in 1940 a Messerschmitt plane was brought to Queens Gardens and people were charged sixpence to look at it, which raised money to build a Spitfire.
* 1962 the Fairfield Halls were built.
* The Ashcroft Theatre was named after Peggy Ashcroft who was born in Croydon.
* There is a safety curtain which commemorates her and Croydon events.
* It also has the arms of the Whitgift Foundation, and the four seasons. It is held open by comedy and tragedy. Contains representations of Pierrot and Hamlet. Also representations of all the venues that used to be here, and a green man to signify nature.
* It has medallions of famous people linked to Croydon.
* It was painted by Henry Bird and will be protected during the redevelopment. It was painted on canvas panels. Henry Bird only painted three safety curtains.
* The theatre used to have Juliet balconies, but these are now boxed in.
* the theatre has the capacity for 750 and the main hall has a capacity of 1500.
* the acoustics in the main hall are perfect. There are holes in the seats to help the acoustics whether they are up or down.
* the stage is made of maple.
* there is a very narrow space for scenery, which has meant that some shows couldn’t come to Fairfield Halls. Both Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Dirty Dancing wanted to come but were unable to do so because of the scenery problem.
* the stage is technically a platform rather than a stage, and can be moved around and made bigger or smaller, with separate sections that can be dropped.
* wrestling was filmed there, with the stage at floor level
* the organ was made by Harrison Harrison in 1963, and it is still maintained and tuned by them.
* there is a Royal Box which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1962, but it is the worst seat in the house. The expectation was that the royals would attend to be seen, rather than to be able to watch the show themselves.
* there is a separate toilet for the Royal Box, which still has its original features.
* Prince Edward often visits for concerts but doesn’t sit in the Royal Box.
* The Beatles played here 3 times in 1963, but were not top of the bill.
* a series of photos have surfaced which were taken by a school child who was a son of one of the staff working at the venue. These were published as part of Fairfield at 50 celebrations. Until then, no-one knew they existed.
* the Arnhem Gallery has a glass roof, which meant the oil paintings which were in there melted in the heat and then went hard again when it cooled down. It wasn’t an art gallery for long.
* it has a minstrels gallery.
* the lobby was refurbished in 2010.
I assume the disused pumping tower/source of the Wandle is that in Mathew's Yard.
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Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Yes, it is.
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
Yeah, that's nuts. I've run it in under two hours and it takes under an hour to cycle. Even if you walked it would only be four hours tops.
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
I went on a National Trust (yes, really) guided tour of Central Croydon a while back.
It was fascinating. A lot of it was about the Fairfield Halls, which had not long been closed for redevelopment, so we were able to go in and look around backstage and stuff.
Here are the notes I made to myself, to share with my daughter, who pulled out at the last minute. I realise it doesn't necessarily make sense - it was just notes to prompt me, but I hope some people find it interesting
* There was an Archbishop Whitgift.
* Surrey Street Market was arguably the first such market.
* EC station is busier than Manchester or Birmingham.
* Croydon was one day's ride from London.
* Croydon became a London Borough in 1956. Previously, it was a county borough.
* Croydon Corporation was very ambitious for Croydon before WW2.
* there is a misconception that the building happened because of WW2 bombing. There was some bombing, but that wasn't the reason.
* Croydon Corporation compulsorily purchased lots of buildings - Sir James Marshall had lots of key roles, and drove through change in the 50s and 60s
* They had the powers to buy up properties
* bought up Edwardian and Victorian dwellings and playing fields and turned it into roads and car parks, including the multi storey
* there was lots of speculative building at the time - office space as part of moves outside of London, as people felt vulnerable in Central London after WW2.
* the "brown band* rules stopped speculative development and slowed down development in the 70s
* The Whitgift Centre was built on the playing fields of Trinity School
* the hexagonal building known as One Croydon was designed by the man who designed Centrepoint. It is a simple design of shifting floor plates on each floor
* Seifert
* it is not concrete so cannot be described as "brutalist". It is made from mosaic tiles
* it is listed locally, but not nationally
* St Georges Walk was affected by planning disputes. It was emptied to be redeveloped, but this did not happen.
* the source of the Wandle river is in central Croydon. It is an underground spring and there is a disused pumping station
* Richard Seifert also designed Corinthian House, with its V shaped columns raising the building off the ground. He wanted gardens beneath and around those columns, but got a car park. The building used to be lit up at night.
* Lunar House and Apollo House were developed in the 1970s by a reclusive tycoon who avoided publicity. They were speculative.
* in 1961, RAC House was torn down by Seifert's son
* Wellesley Road was supposed to be part of a ring road which was never completed. It is designed to keep pedestrians separate from the cars - subways and bridges but no pavements
* Whitgift Centre was built between 1965 and 70. There is still a Whitgift Foundation.
* It was one of the first shopping centres. People came from miles around to it. There are plans to redevelop it.
* Whitgift Centre was only roofed in the 1980s, when some of the architecture was also changed.
* Electric House is empty but is a listed building. It was the home of the electricity board who used to rent ovens and fridges to people to encourage them to use electricity.
* Norfolk house and Suffolk House were built in 1956 and were the first office blocks in Croydon.
* Journalists in 1960s described the Croydon skyline as like a mini Manhattan
* Robert Atkinson designed Croydon College after WW2. It was a technical college partly to train up the workers needed to rebuild Croydon.
* The college is a form of architecture more common in totalitarian states.
* the whole area was a civic area
* there is a gas tower
* the Nestle Tower was built on the site of the Greyhound Inn, and included a venue called the Greyhound where rock bands played. It then became a night club but is now empty.
* the whole site was railways sidings - from Queens Gardens to College Green. There are still signs of it.
* Atkinson also did Fairfield Halls.
* Fairfield Halls was built by the same people who built the Royal Festival Hall.
* The land was gifted to a railroad company - Croydon central station was in what is now Queens Gardens.
* 1923, the council took the land back
* 1935 there was a competition to build a civic centre, although the prize was less than the entry fee. The winner was never built, as it was too expensive.
* It was then considered as an air raid shelter
* in 1940 a Messerschmitt plane was brought to Queens Gardens and people were charged sixpence to look at it, which raised money to build a Spitfire.
* 1962 the Fairfield Halls were built.
* The Ashcroft Theatre was named after Peggy Ashcroft who was born in Croydon.
* There is a safety curtain which commemorates her and Croydon events.
* It also has the arms of the Whitgift Foundation, and the four seasons. It is held open by comedy and tragedy. Contains representations of Pierrot and Hamlet. Also representations of all the venues that used to be here, and a green man to signify nature.
* It has medallions of famous people linked to Croydon.
* It was painted by Henry Bird and will be protected during the redevelopment. It was painted on canvas panels. Henry Bird only painted three safety curtains.
* The theatre used to have Juliet balconies, but these are now boxed in.
* the theatre has the capacity for 750 and the main hall has a capacity of 1500.
* the acoustics in the main hall are perfect. There are holes in the seats to help the acoustics whether they are up or down.
* the stage is made of maple.
* there is a very narrow space for scenery, which has meant that some shows couldn’t come to Fairfield Halls. Both Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Dirty Dancing wanted to come but were unable to do so because of the scenery problem.
* the stage is technically a platform rather than a stage, and can be moved around and made bigger or smaller, with separate sections that can be dropped.
* wrestling was filmed there, with the stage at floor level
* the organ was made by Harrison Harrison in 1963, and it is still maintained and tuned by them.
* there is a Royal Box which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1962, but it is the worst seat in the house. The expectation was that the royals would attend to be seen, rather than to be able to watch the show themselves.
* there is a separate toilet for the Royal Box, which still has its original features.
* Prince Edward often visits for concerts but doesn’t sit in the Royal Box.
* The Beatles played here 3 times in 1963, but were not top of the bill.
* a series of photos have surfaced which were taken by a school child who was a son of one of the staff working at the venue. These were published as part of Fairfield at 50 celebrations. Until then, no-one knew they existed.
* the Arnhem Gallery has a glass roof, which meant the oil paintings which were in there melted in the heat and then went hard again when it cooled down. It wasn’t an art gallery for long.
* it has a minstrels gallery.
* the lobby was refurbished in 2010.
Captain Sensible used to clean the toilets in Fairfield halls.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
I guess that depends on which bit of Croydon you are counting from? And, presumably, before there was a roads system.
ETA or maybe I just misheard what was being said. It was a while back and I can't actually remember, but it was certainly said in the context of the development of a railway system between London and Croydon.
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
I go a pretty wobbly route to avoid the big hills. I assume there were some roads for the horses. Must have been before the canal though, as that is now the train line.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
It might not have been before the canal. In fact, maybe it was referring to the canal. Although I don't think so.
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