My Grandfather Isaac White was born at 6 Clifford Grove Penge in 1866 are there any photos before demolition?
Jennifer Brown
I was also friends with Pamela and Brenda I went on holiday with Pamela to Bognor my name is P at Hawkes was edmonds.I now live in bexhill
Hi Does anyone remember The Crispin School in Penge? It was run by a woman called Isobel Jones. The teacher was Winifred Waters. I am going back to about 1949.? Email
Tommy brown stall was outside the flower shop I worked on that stall my name is mark ramsay markramsay
Yes I remember the perks. It was Billy perks who became bill wyman of the rolling stones. He now lives here in suffolk. I used to work with his mother molly when I lived in penge.
Hi Tracy
where you at rock hills in the 1980s please could you let me know big thanks lee
Well I'm a Penge boy.
St John's from 1953 -1959
Oakield from 1959 - 1966
Do you remember me?
Dave
I lived in Penge from 1952-1972. Born in the High Street in a flat which was then a yard run by Tomei & Son (who are my relatives and are still at Penge East Station). My grandad was William Tomei. We moved to 5 Lennard Terrace when I was 6 months old. I went to Frank and Peggy Spencer's dance school for ballroom dancing lessons when I was about 10 which was above Burtons in the high Street.
hi nikki do you remember twins called Justin and Nicola
hello anyone out there who use to go to kent wood school in the 1980s . my name is lee wilkes or anyone at this time at rockhills girl school , I am 48 now . and getting on a bit would be nice to hear from you all .lee.wilkes@mitie .com
Looking for anyone who knew Janet Thomas formerly Holmes who was of Beverly Road penge 1940/1950 She was my mother from a relationship with Cyril Ives. Hope someone will
Contact me as know little about my parents. Thanks Mark.
Hi Tony I am the Cyril Ives you mentioned in your post. I did live
. Some of my childhood in Laurel Grove after the Ives family moved from Clifford Grove. I grew up with Ray and Carol as brother and Sister and was away at boarding school for many years. It was a difficult time which has as far as I know never been talked about locally. Let me know if you would like to make contact.
Hi do you remember the Lomas family in arpley road
Hello Kay
Did you live at 60 Wordsworth Road, Penge, YOU DID?!. I Thought so, so did I hi, HOW ARE YA It's me, ha ha!!
Hello Mike.
Well, well! Talk about a blast from the past! How are you, how long is it since we sat in the Penge Wimpy Bar with Eddie Hunt those times? Must be 50 years or more. I moved up to Venner Road in March 1966 when I got wed and moved again to Orpington in1969. I joined The Army in1971 and served with The Aiborne Forces for 15 years but I'm out now. I Got injured on a jump and in Ireland too, so I'm on an MoD pension now. I hope you're well, any Family? I've got four and 10 grand children.. Well, cheers for now take care. TonyGodly
Hello yes,
I lived in Wordsworth Road from 1947 to 1966. Did you? If so and it was from those years I have stated then you may know a few of the people I knew too. Also you may have had your milk delivered by me between 1958 to 1960. It was during those years that I did a milk round with Mickey Reid from across Green Lane at the dairy in Torr Road. I don't know what else you may remember about that part of Penge and other parts too I remember a great deal and have sent in about four or five ''memories of Penge'' letters in the past These you can look up if you would like to. me email is
By chance came across this site.Although I went to the listed schools, a lot of us lived in the Upper Norwood end,Palace Rd,Palace Sq,Hamlet Rd ,Cintra Park etc.
Would be great to hear how the girls did in later life after the juniors School.Remember a few names, but will wait until I see responces.
We will all be 70+. Like me, many have moved out of the area some time ago
Hello, i lived in Anerley Road for 10 years from 1974-1985 i went to James Dixon primary school. Does anybody remember the Ratcliff family? I used to live opposite Betts park.
Hello, i lived in Anerley Road for 10 years from 1974-1985 i went to James Dixon primary school. Does anybody remember the Ratcliff family? I used to live opposite Betts park.
I remember you Tony Godley, my name is Mike Perkins, i lived in the flats in Wordsworth Rd
Hi mate, reading some of the stories have bought back so many memories to me about Penge. I was born and raised in Blenheim Rd living in one of the nissun huts at the end of the road. I spent 10 years going to school with Paul Perks, his brother Bill was a little older than me, Paul and i went to Malcolm Primary school and then on to Oakfield Road, we were always in the same class and i my name was the one before his when the register was called, Perkins and then Perks. We played in the football team together, table tennis team together, in the same school house together (Elm), good times them.
I now live in New Zealand, but if anybody who knew Paul and i wants to get in touch with me please do so on my email address
There was a dance hall of sorts above Burtons in the 60s.
They used to have groups play there. On one occasion I remember going to see "The pretty Things"?? with my mate Eric Webb. There were only about ten people there, and I remember Tony Heasman? doing some sort of dance on his own.
The 21st Beckenham Scout troop met in the Hall and the air raid shelters were where all the troop's camping equipment was stored after it had been dried ready for the next foray. Metalwork had to be Vaselined. When we first used the shelters the heavy felt gas proof curtains were still in place. It was not long before the curtains acted as blankets under sleeping bags on top of ground sheets, We also had a two wheel ex Signals trolley stored in there which we used to walk to Frylands Wood. Addiscombe Lane Selsdon. That was a lot easier then the original wooden hand trek cart with restraining ropes we had previously struggled with. The hill down into Addiscombe village is very steep.
Memories
Burton Tailors had the Snooker Club over it from at least 1945.
Beside on the side road ? Arpley? was a range of villas with the front door straight onto the street.
These were owned by Burtons and rented out to employees.
A school friend Graham Butcher had a father employed in the Regent St Burtons flagship branch where I ordered my first three City suits at staff prices,
We met again in Coventry in about 1990 and he has returned to his family roots near the Huddersfield Canal at Burnley
I should know you, I went to Start John's (1953-1960) and then Oakfield until 1966. Did you have a sister called Kay?
Cheers!
Dave Pearce
Thanks for that - I thought I must have dreamt there was a Duponts in Penge!
I know your dad. I knew him as Curly Jones and many a time I used to look after the hall for him whilst he went for a drink with his mates.
Looking for any information on Ann Harriet Upton last known of 16 Evelina Road Penge in 1921. I am the Great Granddaughter of this person and would love to know more about her.I believe she was originally Ann Harriet Trout and that she re-married a Joseph Upton and that she have had another child. Please email me at
Madeleine Nichols' brother lived in blandford road, beckenham. I lived there from 1979 till 1975. I saw him about 5 years ago at a Penge reunion but it was disappointing not many people showed but her brother was there
Yes I remember it well, it was called Fine Fare.
Anyone have any memories of the driving school and off licence in green lane, in the 60 s to 80 s ?
Does anyone have any information on family by the name of Heasman who lived in Evelina Road Penge in the 1930's or of a family called Palmer. I am related to these people but know very little about them. Mabel Annie Heasman was knocked down and killed by a tram bus on 3rd Sept 1939. She was living with Frederick Palmer whose family lived in another road in Penge. Mable was originally married to Edward Heasman who is listed as a market trader but by 1939 he was already deceased. Mabel had two daughters Alice and Annie. Mable's mother was Ann Harriet Upton who died in 1921. Please email me if you have any information,
Does anyone have any recollection of my mother Alice Mabel Palmer/Heasman. She was living in Evelina Road Penge in the 1920's/30's. She later joined the ATS.
Please email me if you remember her.
email is
Mrs J Upton would love to hear more about your father-in-law who was possibly related to my grandmother Mabel Heasman who run over and killed in Penge in 1939. I wondered if Mabel's mother had remarried as I know Mabel had a brother called Percy who went off to Australia. I know so little about my maternal family and am trying to research a family tree which is proving extremely difficult. I would be so grateful for any information at all and you can email me on
Thank you so much do you know any other family members, was your father in law named Percy, I think Mabel mother may have remarried and had further children so maybe your father-in-law could be related that way.
If you know anything at all I would so much like any information regardless of how small. I know nothing of my family apart from she was supposed to be my grandmother. Please email me on
I believe Mabel Heasman is my Father-in-laws sister. I know nothing of her other than she was killed by a bus.
I would love to hear how a lovely girl from Penge is. I haven't seen her in years but I hope she's ok. Her name is Sarah Bates and she had a sister called Emily. Just love to hear from her that's all. It could be to her benefit.
Thank you for your reply....Could you kindly get Sarah 2 text or ring me on ********1....Danny
Remember Reggie Ball very well.
I confirm. I worked in Kingsons
Hi tony, i knew your sister Kay and was a bridesmaid with your other sister Betty at Josie Tolleys wedding around 1958 time. I lived in maple court then.
Hope u got my posting. Any body remember me please email me
Hi My name is Peter conington. . I remember all the people u mentioned. Andrew Robson Chris cowell and Marilyn Hansen very pretty girl. John raum Richard Abery our goal keeper in our football team. Form master mr billinge sat next to Gillian Thomas. Email address.
morning i am looking for my dad his name is earnest Kemp aka sunny kemp . i think he had a brother who worked owned a stall atL ewisham market .i know my dad lived worked on Thicket road i think he had a car garage . i guess he must be 80 now or may have passed away . if anyone has any info on him or his family ? please email me
Hello. Are you Graham Smith Or John Raum, Did you mean Christopher Cowell.? I remember Andrew Robson, Marilyn Hansen, Lawrence (Lawrie'') Wright, David Fox, Andrew Bunn. Stuart Bryant, Richard Abery Gillian Thomas also rings a bell too. Was that about 1955/6? How about Kenny Watts, Phillip Sheppard, Raymond Ives, Rosemary and Raymond Outridge, Ann King. One of the classes I was in Had Allan Gardner, Anthony Mulvaney and one cocky git named David Roberson transferred to us.
I remember Betty. We were both bridesmaids at my aunts wedding. I was friends with younger sister called Kay.
same as anywhere else in LONDON
Recently in Penge High St.a shop sign for Oakley was uncovered ,does anybody know anything about the Bar/Cafe?
Brian
I lived at 32 Croydon Rd, Penge from 1940 -1947. I attended the South London School (Tower House) at 57 Croydon Rd, Anerly, SE 20. The school and my house are gone but does anyone have any knowledge or memory of the school?
Im don blizzard lived at 151 parish lane I knew everyone in penge do you remember the jacksons, debollers,hutchings, powell?
If I remember rightly, it was a pram shop. My old school-friend, Wendy Heyburn, said that her aunt had owned the shop.
Does anybody know anything about Oakley's ? The sign above 159 High St has been removed and the Oakley's name has now been revealed .
No, The Essoldo Cinema was on the corner of Clarina Road.
The Fifty Shilling Tailor was in in a row of shops just after the Kings Hall Cinema in Beckenham Road, just before Kenilworth Road. These were opposite the Grammar School. The Odeon Cinema was further along, past The Penge Concregational Church
You Did?! Wow! (Who are you?) Actually, I just thought I would ask. After all, probably about a hundred children started that school the same time as you. Could you by chance give your name as a clue, please? ( No, not ''Fred'' either)
Am I Jenny WHO'S Brother?! Probably not though,
that's mainly because I don't have a Sister named Jenny.
Three People have said That the Penge Empire was on the corner of Arpley Road, one even said that it was on the corner of Maple Road too. It was on the corner of Clarina Road. In the lower High Street next door to Waltons Chemist there was a Duponts Department Store that later became Olbys. On the other side down from the Co-op, there was a toyshop, Irene Stockwell, then a Turners Sweetshop and about four more before John Collier. There was no Dance Studio above John Collier as has been suggested either, there were only flats. There was a snooker hall above Burtons that may have been a dance studio once however. Would anybody care to comment on anything I have written so far? Some of you out there may know some stuff that I don't too, but we cannot discuss things if you don't comment about them, can we?
Hi, Tom.
My Name is Tony Godly, and I lived in Wordsworth Road Penge. That sweet shop on the bottom corner of Parish lane was called Todd's. and was exactly opposite Mr Rolfe's shop.
We used that Mr Rolfe's shop to buy bottles of fizzy drinks on our way to Cator Park where we went to catch tiddlers and Sticklebacks in that river that came down from under that bridge in King's Hall Road. That Todd's shop was a murky place too, all the kids were frightened to go in there because they all looked dead!
Did you know The Blizzards, The James's and Tony Lane, all from Parish Lane too? Tony was my best mate during 1957 and 58 There were also a few more kids from around there, The Redmond and Crane Families both lived in Penge Lane - near ''The Alec''- both Families had three brothers and a Sister.
How do I log into ''in and around Penge''?
Ah, shut up misery!"
Ah, shut up misery!"
No, the Empire is nowhere. Don't you mean that the Empire WAS where Boots IS? Actually I thought that Boots was up on the right hand side of The High Street just past McDonalds, surely, or has Boots been moved? The Empire was on one Corner of Clarina Road, opposite Woolworths.
Did you mean the Empire WAS where boots IS ? The Empire is nowhere now, and I thought That Boots was up on the right of The High Street, just past McDonald's, surely(?) So, which is it? You people live there, not me. I have enough to do with just having to correct your grammar and spelling before I can understand it!. Some of your articles make People from Penge - excluding myself - look very silly.
Did you mean the Empire WAS where boots IS ? The Empire is nowhere now, and I thought That Boots was up on the right of The High Street, just past McDonald's, surely(?) So, which is it? You people live there, not me. I have enough to do with just having to correct your grammar and spelling before I can understand it!. Some of your articles make People from Penge - excluding myself - look very silly.
When all of a sudden............what?!
Yeah, it sounds like He was!
And......?
I have let you know, check my messages. My Sister Barbara lived with us at number 60, down on the left of Wordsworth Road. Or up on the right depending on whether you had walked up or down Parish line to get to Wordsworth Road
Hello. yes I have a Sister named BARBARA - NOT ''babra''. we lived in Wordsworth Road. Have you got a Brother named William, (we called him'' bill''), lived in Pawlene Road. Is that him? I went to Oakfield Road School with Him for four years. I delivered milk along your road from 1958 to 1960. I seem to remember some two or three Brothers too, The Meads. I got on with Peter, but could not quite see what Alan's problem was, was it being short, perhaps, who knows?
Yes, I remember the Market in Maple Road, Penge. I seem to also remember a Carol Snooks who I believe lived in Blenheim Road, number 37 (?) Was that Robert Snooks's Sister then? I didn't know Robert that well, only by sight and that He used to knock about with Fred Curtis. Did Robert live near or next door to that Morris Gang? What a Bunch they were, last thing I heard was when the Eldest of them, Melvyn, badly injured a small child and the Family was after his blood.
Does anybody know or remember a lady whose Name is Marion and who once attended St Johns school in Maple Road Penge until about 1956. This lady possibly then left St Johns School to go to Melvin Road School. It is not, incidentally, Marion Hansen though.
Is that you asking, Christine? If that IS you, then I only knew you briefly at St Johns School, Back in the 1950s. You were friends with another girl I was very fond of, Marion Upsdell.
No you are wrong. There WAS a Zoo, but it was part of The original Great Exhibition. There was a pet's corner in the park much later, near the main lake.
See my main article.
Yes, you are right! The Zoo was part of The original Great Exhibition, see my article. There was a a pet's corner in the park later, near the main lake.
Yes, there was an actual zoo at Crystal Palace. BUT, that was not in the Crystal Palace Park. No, that was in the original ''Great Exhibition'' of the 1930s. As a matter of fact there was some concern about all the wild animals being there when that fire broke out in 1936, but I don't know what happened about them. There was an actual report made about the fire that night, by the Station Officer at Penge Fire Station in Croydon Road. That was about three houses down on the left past Franklin road. It became an Ambulance Station later, and The Fire Brigade moved to Bromley Road in Beckenham. A Book, ''Penge'',by a lady Author named Pullen tells the story of that fire and has a picture of the inside of that Fire Station too. I think that Book is still available, it is very good too.
The Penge Empire Theatre was on the corner of Clarina Road opposite Kingsons, the TV, Radio and Records Shop. On the corner of Arpley Road was Burtons Tailors and on the other corner was a sweetshop. Trust me
Frank Newton gave me a slap?! How and when, Frank?! You only hit the smaller kids at Cubs then (32nd Beckenham Pack, Penge Baptist Church). Have you forgotten about how that Boy Scout gave you that smack that evening at the Pack Meeting because you hit his younger brother.Yes! Didn't hit any smaller kids again, (or anybody your own size either anyway) did you? You always were a ponce, Newton. YOU gave ME a slap? Ho, ho Ho! Big girl!
That Junk Shop of Mr Jim Howard's was in Southey STREET. It was by an alley that had a large shed where The Browns used to put their market stalls away. He had a daughter named Minnie who ran the Logs round on her horse and cart. Minnie and her Husband, Frank, lived in Arpley Road. I know that because I delivered their milk for two years. Minnie and Frank also drank at ''The Alec'' Pub in Penge Lane on Saturday nights. I also delivered Bill Wyman's Mum's milk too. I lived in Wordsworth Road at the end of Southey Street for 20 years
Hello
My Name is Anthony Godly and I lived in Wordsworth Road, Penge, from about 1949 until 1966, when I got married. You were asking about a Family by the name of Ives that you say had lived in Clifford Grove. I don't know of a Family in that street - the one that led to Penge Rec' from Maple road - but I do remember the Ives Family from Laurel Grove though. There were Mister and Mrs Ives, their Daughter Carol and two Sons, Cyril and Raymond. I went to St. Johns School with Raymond from 1950 until 1956, and from there we went to The Boys' School in Oakfield Road until 1960. Would this be The Family you seek? Raymond is now 70, about three months older than me and we are still fairly well in touch. If you could leave your Surname I will contact Ray and ask Him if He remembers you. Is that okay with you? I myself have had two letters about ''my early life in Penge'' printed in ''The Francis Frith Memories'', you may find interesting too, You can write into it at Francisfrith.com
I'm looking for someone who went with Waynes to Bracknell. The surname was/is Grainger. Cheers
I used to buy my mars bars in Jollies the sweetshop during and after ww2. My mate Arthur Birch lived next door which was a junk shop owned by his dad
See you was a friend of Ricky Hards. He was also a friend of mine in the 50s He was a part of 'our gang' Others were Alex Smith, Ted Clayton Curly Burch. el al
To be more precise. On the left side going down Clarina Road was the TV shop Kingsons (Where I worked). Then came a small service station and I think Ricky Hards house was the second one past that
Somebody was kind enough to reply about my posting regarding Sarah Bates who is a beautiful lady. I'd love to see her again just for a drink or chat as I haven't seen her in 18 years. I live a long way away from Penge these days but she's very special to me and I'd happily drive down to London. If anyone knows Sarah could you please forward a Facebook or a twitter account address with her permission of course. Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Your name rings a bell I went to Malcolm Road then Beckenham grammar school, lived in Samos Road
Hi in my class I remember Andrew robson Chris cowley Marilyn Hanson . I sat with Gillian Thomas. To name but a few. I lived at 62 maple road. Until 1957. We moved to Orpington kent. Now living in larkfield near Maidstone kent.
I played in the football team & captained the cricket team. My teacher was Mr billinge
I was born in crampton road and went to Alexandra infants and juniors then Kentwood I think the supermarket was called Wallis as I can recall.
Hi my name is pete conington went to St johns 1951- 1958-9 any body remember me in Mr billing class
My Gran saw it for her honeymoon! 1953
I went to St Johns between 1946 to 1952.
I can still see Miss Catchpole. With her tweed skirt and blouse. Her hair was thick and grey and cutin a short bob.
I have often walked around the school in my mind and talked about it with my brother who also attended the school. Hi name was Barry.
In the High Street close to where Woolworths was was a large store called "Rogers". I remember as a kid, they had these containers flying across the store on wires, taking the money from the counter to the office then back again for the change for the customer. They fascinated me.
I also remember a second hand shop in Southey Road that up was run by a Jim Howard. Dressed in tight trousers and a waistcoat, typically 1920's. he sold all sorts of rubbish. I bought old one valve radios form him for parts to make crystal sets, as a kid.