EPW052805 ENGLAND (1937). Tamworth Road and surrounding area, Croydon, from the south-west, 1937

Steam loco pulling coal trucks, most likely destined for the gas works or Croydon A power station, both accessible via the Waddon Marsh junctions.

Rectory Grove ( it was then St John's Road ). Interesting comparative lack of trees in this picture since these houses were built in the late 1850's. Forty years after this photo in the 1970's it was gloriously lined with mature Beech and Horse Chestnut trees. Then with the impact of Tramlink TFL started routing buses ( and for that matter out of service Buses ) down what was technically a local Distributor road - 1,000 a week. Lorries followed and rat-running traffic escaping Purley Way jams. So the trees were in the way. Croydon council were supine before TFL and betrayed us utterly. I lived at No. 20 and have lovely memories until then.

Rear view of Grants department store. It towered over Surrey Street market.

The Whitgift school, now the Whitgift Cetre