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The 'Owlers Concert Party was formed when H.W Reynolds invited two of his fellow choristers at St. Luke's, Woodside, Tom Murch and Lionel Tobitt, to join a concert party to entertain soldiers in local war hospitals. Mr Reynolds' daughter Ella later became Mrs Tobitt. Their first concert was at Ingram Road War Hospital on April 1st 1916. The Party continued with a charitable purpose after WWI until 1941. It disbanded for three years before reforming in 1944 and continued until 1966 with an average of around 25 concerts a year. The repertoire consisted of both well known popular songs and original material.

A 50th Anniversary concert (their 1089th) at St Andrew's Hall, South Croydon, on 2 April 1966 in the presence of the Mayor of Croydon. However, following two more performances, the Owlers disbanded later that year after 1091 concerts. However Mr Lionel Tobitt immediately formed 'The Afternoon Owlers' to provide entertainment at hospitals, nursing homes etc. This continued until the mid-1970s.

The name 'The Owlers' was said to come from the fact that when a name for the group was under discussion, an owl could be heard on nearby Woodside Green.

Founded as St Peters National Infants School in August 1858. Evacuated to Crowborough, Sussex, September 1939, later to Barnstaple. Became St Peters County Primary School in September 1951 and later St Peters Primary School.

In 1880, the existing Volunteer Fire Brigade (which had absorbed earlier brigades) was dissolved by the Local Board of Health, and superseded by a Retained Fire Brigade: this consisted of paid permanent firemen, and 'retained' firemen, who were used and paid as required. However, as a result of some disagreement, a new Volunteer Fire Brigade was established by a Captain Blogg, with himself as Chief. Its main station was in Church Street, and it also had a sub-station at Broad Green, at 149 (later 7) St Jamess Road. This Volunteer Fire Brigade was disbanded in 1886; but the Broad Green station was taken over by the Retained Fire Brigade (by now run by the Borough of Croydon), and numbered as Branch Fire Station No 6. It continued to be manned, like some of the other branch stations, on a voluntary basis. In 1903, there was a general reorganisation of staffing arrangements, and the volunteers became known as Auxiliary Firemen. The Broad Green station was closed in 1907, following the opening of a new enlarged Central Fire Station.

Francis Hadfield, who was largely responsible for compiling, and later preserving these books, was a fireman at Broad Green for much of this period. He eventually became fireman-in-charge, before standing down in 1905. A photograph of him in firemans uniform is held in the Local Studies Library photograph collection.

Croydon Darby and Joan Club was established in April 1945, at the initiative of the Mayor of Croydon, George Lewin, and with the support of Sir Herbert Williams MP. The first President was Geoffrey Fisher, Archibishop of Canterbury. It was the second Darby and Joan Club in the country, the first being at Streatham. The club was a social centre for the elderly: membership was free to all old age pensioners, and it offered cheap meals and teas, hot baths, leisure facilities (a lounge, a billiard room, a sewing room, a library, a television room, etc), and events such as whist drives and outings. The club was initially based in Haling Cottage, 76 Brighton Road (leased from the Whitgift Foundation), which formally opened in July 1945. It subsequently moved to freehold premises at 'Parkhyrst', 58 Addiscombe Road, which opened in July 1948.

The club was a Limited Company without share capital. It was largely financed by voluntary contributions, including one-off and covenanted donations; and through a range of fundraising activities.

Ratepayers Associations developed throughout Croydon from the 1890s onwards, each normally covering a single ward. Originally simple residents pressure groups, they soon began to put forward candidates for Council elections. They were technically non-partisan and non-political, but in fact attracted Conservatives and Liberals, and were openly anti-Labour. (Labour candidates were generally the only ones at this time who stood under a party banner.) The Associations were in favour of low rates, and routinely criticised the Council for unnecessary expenditure.

The Croydon Federation of Ratepayers Associations was formed in June 1903 as a loosely organised umbrella body.

In the late 1930s, the Federation became a more cohesive, and more politically active, body. For some time, anti-socialist members of the Council had felt the need for a united policy, and this had led to the formation of the 'Twenty-one Club', a caucus named after the initial number of members. The Club was criticised for being 'secret', non-accountable, and exclusive; and in 1938, as an alternative solution, a new Committee of all non-Labour aldermen and councillors was established under the auspices of the Federation. The Federation therefore became virtually a party in its own right, which could, on occasion, dictate policy to the individual Associations.

After World War 2, the influence of the Federation was diminished by the growing number of Conservative Party candidates. In an attempt to embrace as wide a constituency as possible, the Federation changed its name, first to the Croydon Federation of Ratepayers and Residents Associations; and then (in October 1956) to the Croydon Federation of Ratepayers, Residents and Electors associations. However, by the late 1950s the Federation was moribund, and it appears to have been wound up in the 1960s.

The Presidents of the Federation in the period covered by these records were Cllr AH Harding (to November 1939); succeeded by Alderman EEL Arkell. The Secretary was Frederic S Parsons to April 1945, when he was succeeded by Cllr WT Holcombe.

The Croydon Industrial Chaplaincy was formed in 1950, on the initiative of Bishop Cuthbert Bardsley, to work for the 'advancement of the Christian Religion in industry'. It was originally known as the Bishop of Croydon's Industrial Chaplaincy; but from the late 1960s was more usually called simply Croydon Industrial Chaplaincy. Although established under the auspices of the Church of England, it was not attached to a particular parish, and was intended to be non-denominational in character (in 1978 it acquired a United Reformed Church chaplain). The Chaplaincy was initially supported entirely by subscriptions and donations from businesses and individuals (an arrangement apparently unique among industrial chaplaincies); but from 1964 it became increasingly dependent on Church of England funding.

There was one full-time chaplain 1950-1967; two 1967-1979; and one again for the last few months in 1979. From 1960, a number of other local clergy also assisted on a part-time basis. The number of companies belonging to the scheme varied, but there were normally around 25. The chaplains undertook a programme of regular visits to the factories and shops of member companies; some pastoral work (visits to the sick etc); and events such as the Industrial Harvest Festival, held regularly from 1952 onwards. The work of the Chaplaincy was overseen by a small Committee, with the Bishop of Croydon as President. In 1969 an advisory Council was also established, to which all member companies could send delegates, but this seems to have ceased to meet after 1971. The Chaplaincy was wound up as a semi-autonomous body in March 1979, mainly for financial reasons. Its work, funds, and remaining chaplain (Charles Price) were taken over by the Archdeaconry of Croydon Training and Service (ACTS) Centre.

Full-time Chaplains: Rev Rex Bavington 1950-1954

Rev EC Wearne 1954-1958

Rev A Kenneth Sims 1958-1960

Rev T Roy Parsons 1960-1962

Rev Denis L Claringbull 1962-1971

Rev David Curwen 1967-1977

Rev Michael H Atkinson 1971-1979

Rev Charles EL Price 1978-1979

All the chaplains were Church of England priests, except Charles Price, who was a minister of the United Reformed Church.

Chairmen of Committee: Basil Monk 1950-1959

WG Thomas 1959-1961

Alec R Grant 1961-1964

Jack R Swift 1964-1970

Frank D Mann 1970-1973

Alec R Grant 1973-1977

Anthony Newell 1977-1979

The Local Defence Volunteers were formed in May 1940, and was renamed the Home Guard in July 1940. The Croydon area came under the 'Z Metropolitan Zone' (later 'Z Sector'); and an Addington Sub-zone was established. This was superseded by the 59th Surrey (Addington) Battalion, which was officially formed on 1 Feb 1941: as well as Addington, it covered the Sanderstead and Warlingham areas. The Commanding Officer was Lt-Col HE ('Joe') Peirce, JP. 'E Company' was based in Selsdon. The Home Guard was officially disbanded on 31 December 1944. There was a Stand Down Parade for 'Z Sector' on 26 November; and local parades for the individual battalions on 3 December.

Horne Brothers Ltd was a national chain of gentlemens outfitters, with about 15 branches at the date of this album. The Croydon branch opened in November 1938, at 38-40 North End, in premises ('Whitgift House') formerly occupied by Charles Baker, tailors and outfitters. It closed in February 1991.

Metal Propellers Ltd was established by Henry Leitner and Dr Henry Watts, two engineers who had collaborated in designing a hollow steel aircraft propeller (an improvement on the wooden propellers which were then standard). They established a syndicate called the Metal Airscrew Co Ltd during the First World War, to carry out experimental research work; and this resulted in the production of the 'Leitner-Watts' propeller, which successfully passed official tests in 1917 and 1918, and flew successfully in 1920. The firm was subsequently established as a manufacturing company under the name of Metal Propellers Ltd, and opened its general offices and works at 74 Purley Way, Croydon, in 1925. The Directors included Viscount Elibank, Captain HH Balfour (later Under Secretary of State for Air, and eventually Lord Balfour) and Air Vice Marshal Sir Godfrey Paine. Major General Sir Sefton Brancker (Director of Civil Aviation at the Air Ministry) also had an interest.

The company supplied propellers for the R101 airship. These were apparently not the propellers fitted when the R101 crashed tragically in October 1930; but the disaster was nonetheless a severe setback for the company, as the dead included both Sir Godfrey Paine and Sir Sefton Brancker.

As well as propellers, the company manufactured other items in stainless steel, for a range of domestic and industrial uses; and it eventually evolved into a general engineering company, specialising in stainless steel. It later became associated with Saunders-Roe Ltd, flying-boat builders. In 1960, it acquired the neighbouring company in the Purley Way, the Standard Steel Co (1929) Ltd, structural engineers; and in 1962 it merged with LA Mitchell Ltd, chemical and industrial drying engineers of Manchester. It closed down in 1973.

Phyllis Devereux (b 1914) joined the firm in 1930 as a trainee technical assistant to Dr Watts, having been recruited from Lady Edridge School. She left the firm in 1934.

The Junior Imperial League (or 'Imps') was an organisation for young conservatives and imperialists. The Norbury Branch was established in 1924. Its activities included debates, dances etc, and particularly rambling. The group went on rambles in rural Surrey (around Coulsdon, Warlingham, Caterham, Tatsfield, Limpsfield, Merstham, Epsom Downs, Box Hill, Headley, Oxted, etc). Walks were normally about 10-15 miles in distance. There were two joint rambles with the Surbiton Branch (May and August 1935). An Annual Outing to Eastbourne took place in June 1935.

The Norwood Ladies Bible Association was founded on 5 September 1838, at the Chapel Road Congregational Church, West (then Lower) Norwood. It was presumably originally an independent body; but by the 1850s (if not earlier) it was affiliated to the British and Foreign Bible Society (founded 1804). By 1866, it was known as the Norwood Ladies Auxiliary to the BFBS. In 1895, the Auxiliary was reconstituted, and at the same time became a less exclusively ladies body: it was renamed the Norwood Auxiliary; a President (Ernest Tritton) and Vice-Presidents (most of the Anglican and nonconformist ministers of West and Upper Norwood) were appointed for the first time; and it also acquired a male Secretary and Financial Secretary.

The Associations stated object in its early days was to aid 'the circulation of the Bible in its own neighbourhood and throughout the world'. Initially, its main work was to encourage the spread of the Bible in Norwood: bibles were sold for weekly or monthly payments from a penny upwards. Later, although it continued to have some involvement in the local sale of bibles, the Auxiliary became more concerned with fundraising on behalf of the parent Society, to further the publication of the Bible in an increasing number of languages, and the sale and distribution of copies overseas. Fundraising was achieved through collections from individual church congregations, supplemented by subscriptions, work sales, collections made at lectures on missionary work, etc.

The Auxiliary had a Juvenile Association, and was associated with the Norwood Bible Union.

The Auxiliary was closely associated for many years with the Tritton family (who were responsible for saving many of these records). Joseph Tritton (a banker) and his wife Amelia lived in Norwood from about 1850. Mrs Tritton served as Treasurer of the Auxiliary from 1853 until her death in 1908. She was succeeded by her daughter, Jessie M Tritton, already an active worker for the Auxiliary, who was Treasurer 1908-1925. Joseph (d 1887), a prominent Baptist, was a Vice President of the BFBS (and seems to have been informally regarded as President of the Auxiliary); and his son, (Sir) Ernest Tritton (MP for Norwood), was elected President of the Auxiliary in 1895, and served until his death in 1918. He was succeeded by his widow, Lady Edith Tritton, until her own death in 1921. Meetings were frequently held at the family house at Bloomfield, Central Hill.

PRESIDENTS

(Sir) Ernest Tritton 1895-1918

Lady Edith Tritton 1919-1921

Admiral Horsley 1921-1925

Dr SW Carruthers 1925-(1938)

The Sanderstead Preservation Society was formed on Sunday 16 April 1961, when 19 local residents called a meeting to discuss opposition to the reported intention of the Coulsdon and Purley Urban District Council to develop land adjoining Sanderstead Pond for a clinic. The residents present felt that a specialist body was needed, as the Sanderstead Residents Association would not be able to focus its attention entirely on the problem. The S.P.S. was therefore founded, its stated purposes being 'the preservation and good development of Sanderstead, its natural beauty and its buildings of historical and architectural interest'. The society was non-political, non-religious and non-profit-making. In addition, the committee made it clear that the society was not in competition with the Sanderstead Residents Association, there being a member from each society sitting on the committee of the other.

The first campaign of the S.P.S. was a success. Canvassing of the whole of the Sanderstead area resulted in a petition of 1200 signatures, which led to plans for the development of the land next to Sanderstead Pond being dropped. The society also managed to protect the same land (called the Gruffy) when it was threatened by a car park, by providing an alternative site at the old Express Dairy. It was greatly responsible, in 1968, for the eventual designation of the Gruffy as an open space for all time, along with Kings Wood, Sanderstead Plantation and Croham Hurst.

Representatives from the S.P.S. attended development appeals and made suggestions for the future of the district. As well as opposing planning proposals, the society played a large part in nature conservation in Sanderstead - for example, the protection of old trees and the planting of new ones. It was also responsible for the clearing out of Sanderstead Pond, the organisation of a new, pumped, water supply, and the improvement of the surrounding area. Not all campaigns, however, were successful. The Society failed to remove Sanderstead from Greater London, and to block plans for a roundabout at the top of Sanderstead Hill.

The society published a book in 1972 called The Story of Sanderstead, by Basil H. Tripp; and, in 1970, instigated the week long Sanderstead Festival. The S.P.S. was affiliated to the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, the Surrey Amenity Council, the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society and the Civic Trust.

The Presidents of the Sanderstead Preservation Society were Godfrey Talbot, a well-known B.B.C. reporter and commentator who lived in Sanderstead, from 1961-1975; followed by G.S. Smart (1975-?).