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Breidenbach Co were wholesale perfumers occupying premises in Church Road (rear of the Gun Tavern) between 1900 and 1929. The firm was established in London in 1793. A 1930 trade directory lists Breidenbach Co Ltd, wholesale and export manufacturing perfumers, toilet soap makers, head office and factory at Tower Works, Church Road, Croydon. In November 1922 Reginald Blackwell Breidenbach (59) died at his home at Aberfoyle, Addiscombe Grove, East Croydon . The executors of R.B Breidenbach sold the firm to Eugene Rimmel Ltd in 1930.

This collection spans the years c1869 - c1890 and would therefore indicate that this is representative of a much earlier period in the history of the company and may not necessarily have any bearing on its business activity in Croydon.

It would appear that the volumes are not written in the same hand and although some are marked Mr Mortlock it is uncertain if they are all his work. Although, Mr Mortlock was in all probability an employee of the company at one time, the volumes are not necessarily representative of the official company records.

Walter Troake joined Croydon Tramway Company, and was aboard Croydons first electric tram in September 1901. He was also on board the last electric tram to run in April 1951. He retired in 1943, and was appointed to serve as NALGO retired members liaison officer in 1945. This volume dated 1957, is in tribute to the 12 intervening years working for NALGO. He died in 1963, aged 85.

John Blake lived at 65, Park Lane, Croydon. He appears on the 1851 census as an auctioneer, aged 69 alongside three servants named as Rebecca Standing aged 40 years, Sarah Standing aged 19years and Amelia Skinner aged 38years. His birthplace is given as Surrey, Croydon. He died at his residence in Park Lane on the 23rd February 1852 aged 72 years.

A tribute was published in The Surrey Standard of 28 February 1852 and was subsequently printed for private circulation. The Local Studies Library holds a copy. The following excerts from that publication sum up the character of the man and read Not only was he a great labourer in the business of life, but even his recreations would have been labours to many; for with the exception of the hours spent in social discourse with his numerous friends, whom he delighted to make happy around him, the pauses in his professional labours were chiefly devoted to important works for the benefit of others. His guardianship of the poor, the management of public charities, the duties of trustee for families not related to him, and the dispensation, with discrimination mixed with warm hearted benevolence, of his numerous private charities, were his mode of unbending or refreshing his mind after the labours of business

He had a strong natural common sense and sound judgement ...a natural simplicity of character...a straightforward plainess of manner and intention , and a candour and openness of heart, which enabled every one who knew him to see, as it were, beneath the surface of his character , and to percieve and feel the integrity and the benevolence that formed its basis. These qualities it was that gained him the warm esteem, and the most implicit confidence of all who knew him

It seems that in the absence of wife or children a large portion of Mr Blakes extensive possessions will devolve, we presume, on his nephew, and partner in business, whose amiable disposition, good business habits, and well known integrity, render him a worthy object to recieve the falling mantle of his lamented relative, and a fit successor to follow in his good uncles steps of charity and utility.

Jabez Spencer Balfour was born in Leith in 1834. Balfour was the most popular man in Croydon up to the years 1892, after which he was the most reviled. When Balfour moved to Croydon he lived at London Road then later at Wellesley House which stood approximately where Wellesley Road multi-storey car park is now. After Balfour took an interest in practically every movement in the town he was a natural choice for Charter Mayor in 1883. Balfour soon became top of the list for Burgesses of the Central Ward. Balfour became associated with a group of companies of which the Liberator Building Society was the principal one whoever this society failed in 1892 and Balfour fled to South America as a result of this. Due to the collapse of this society many thousands of small savers had lost their life savings. It wasnt until this happened and he fled to South America that the public found out he had swindled a huge number of people out of a huge sum of money through this building society. Balfour was eventually caught in South America, tried and sentenced to 14 years hard labour and was jailed on 28th November 1895. Balfour was accused of and found guilty of fraud. He was released in 1906 and died in 1916.

Mary Alicia Neville-Kaye (16 January 1911 - 17 December 2007) attended Whyteleafe County Grammar School for Girls, 1921 - 1929 (see http://www.semperfidelis.org.uk/announcements.php checked 23 Jan 2008).

Mary joined the staff of Overbury School in September 1939 and was immediately evacuated to Brighton. Following her return to Croydon, she was evacuated to Lee in Devon in June 1940. The log book (SCH1/2/1) records that she rejoined the staff on 11 January 1943.

She was later, briefly, Teacher In Charge (14 June - 30 August 1949) at Overbury before becoming Head of Purley Oaks Infants School (30 August 1949 - 23 July 1954) and then the first Head of the new Fairchildes Infants School, New Addington from 31 August 1954 until her retirement on 09 April 1976.

She was awarded an OBE in 1984 for her forty year service with the St John Ambulance Brigade (see Croydon Advertiser 22 June 1984). At the time of her death she was resident at Whitgift House, Brighton Road.

The drawings relate to new school buildings (or additional building work) for which grants from central government were being sought. All eight schools were elementary schools (generally with separate sections for Boys, Girls and Infants) established by the voluntary educational societies. Seven were National Schools (Church of England schools run by the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church), and the eighth a British School (run by the British and Foreign School Society, along more nonconformist lines).

Croydon Book Society dated its history from 1788 or earlier (at which date it seems to have met every fortnight or so in the winter months). It is described in Garrows History of Croydon (1818), pp206 - 7.

The Book Society. This like many others in different parts of the country, is an association for the desirable purpose of affording to many resepctable and well- informed persons, who may not have the means of procuring the numerous publications of the present day, the opportunity of perusing instructive and entertaining books. According to the rules of the society, every member pays 16322 per annum, as a contribution, for the purchase of such books as the society may approve; which of course every subscriber is entitled to read, but necessarily for a limited time. At the expiration of every year, there is a meeting of the society, at the Kings Arms, when the books are disposed of amongst the members, to each highest bidder.

It was essentially a private circulating library: it functioned by buying books and magazines from its subscription income, circulating them among its membership, and then selling them to raise some additional income. In the early twentieth century, an Annual Dinner to raise some additional income. In the early twentieth century, an Annual Dinner incorporating a business meeting was held in December or January (normally with the Vicar of Croydon in the Chair): from 1940, this became a simpler Annual Meeting. The Society was wound up in December 1953, when its membership had dropped to 11, and no new Secretary could be found [Croydon Advertiser, 30/10/1953 pp1;6].

Dorothy Miles was born 7 March 1899. She was the daughter of Albert G J and Elizabeth Miles; and had younger siblings Marjorie (b 7 June 1902); Norman (b 1906); and Nancy (b 29 March 1912), who in 1919 was a pupil at Old Palace School. Dorothy was educated at Old Palace School and at the London School of Economics. She began work in the off ice of L H Turtle (toolmaker and cutler) at 6 Crown Hill, Croydon, in November 1915, and in 1919 was still there, as a secretary. She later worked for much of her life for Grants (as secretary to the Directors). In the course of 1919 she became engaged to Wallis Powell, who left later in the year for Australia to set up the firm of Foster Clark (food manufactureres): in the event, she never married.

The primary object of this society is the consideration and discussion of Social and Religious Questions in the light of the best thought of the day, with a view to the furtherance of the principle of Brotherhood in all the relations of life. For this purpose, meetings open to all, were held weekly with invited speakers. Walks, a reading circle and social gatherings were also held.

In addition, the society took up active social work, in various directions.

Appeal were made in the local press for assistance in providing treats for the poorest children of the borough. These included outings such as a trip by special tramcar to Gardners pleasure resort , Riddlesdown, free admittance to the matinees at the Theatre Royal Christmas Pantomime and a new year treat for children in Croydon Workhouse.

Meetings were held at Tamworth Hall, Tamworth Road on Sundays at 7pm and later at the Gymnasium Hall, 117b, High Street, Croydon. Members contributed a minimum of sixpence a year towards the necessary expenses. Its affairs were managed by a committee which was democratically elected and subject to retirement annually. The society had a motto; Every Social Question is at bottom a Religious Question.

The society was founded in 1904.

Harold Frederick Bing (of Rostherne, Alton road, Waddon) entered Croydon British Boys School, Tamworth Road, in 1905. He started at Standard I, and progressed through to Standard V, before entering secondary school by scholarship in 1910. He therefore missed out on Standards VI and VII.

The Historical Association is an independent national charity which has been supporting history since 1906. It has over 6,000 members representing teachers, academics, local historians and history enthusiasts. It has a strong national voice in secondary school education and advises on National Curriculum History at all levels.

It has over 50 local branches around the country, promoting life long learning and enjoyment of history. Branches have a lively series of talks by well-known historians, local walks and visits to places of historic interest.

Croydon Branch was formed in Feb 1955 but does not now exist. Details of current branches can be found on the associations website at www.history.org.uk.

Barbara M. Cooper lived in Purley and recorded in this diary a weekly record of bird movements in and around a local small wood. She recorded her diary between Dec 1949 - Jul 1950.

The Croydon Mothers and Infants Welfare Association had five main goals: to give ante-natal advice; to provide care during and after pregnancy; to help mothers during the first weeks of their childs life; to provide care during childs first year of life[including medical, close observation and treatment]; and to continue medical supervision of child to school age.

It was previously known as the Mothers Dinner Committee. The Association established a number of localised Welfare Centres to help mothers with children throughout the borough. In 1918 they acquired 49 St James Road West Croydon where they opened St Marys Maternity Hospital maintaining 17 beds. These beds were on a means-tested basis.

Built about 1869 no.49 St James Road West Croydon was originally named Argyll House. Later it became no. 135 and by 1890 had been renumbered to no.49. It remained a private residence until 1900 when the St Agnes Home for Crippled Girls moved there from 97, Sydenham Road. By 1901 they had moved to 7, Wellesley Road. After being unoccupied for a while, the house once again, became a private residence until 1918 with the opening of St Marys Maternity Hospital.

An extension was opened on 27 September 1930 with the original building becoming the administration block. The number of beds was then increased to 32.

The Association also provided convalescent care to any mothers, children and expectant mothers needing it. It further helped unmarried mothers with grants for the support of babies up to school age, and gave some financial help in the home during confinement [late stages of pregnancy]. It aimed to help provide support for children born into diminished circumstances, reduce infant mortality and educate mothers in child-rearing. The local Welfare Centres each had a medical officer, a nurse or a health visitor to advise and assess users health needs.

Baby Welcomes were established in January 1916. These were local committees responsible for ensuring there was a nurse at each Welfare Centre to weigh babies and teach mothercraft. Mothers were charged a penny a time. These sessions were followed up by a personal visit, where necessary. The Association aimed to promote the good health of mothers and children via conferences and other public events. An AGM was held every year, during which the principal officers were elected. The first AGM was 10 May 1916.

On 01 April 1937 the Association handed over the administration of St. Marys Maternity Hospital on St Jamess Road to Croydon Corporation [County Borough of Croydon Minutes vol. LV part 1, November 1936 - October 1937; Public Health Committee 13 April 1937 p.885] The Corporation having already taken over the assessment and collection of payments by mothers.

Under the National Health Service Act of 1946, most of the work carried out by the Association [with the exception of Family Planning Clinics] would be carried out by the Corporation. Therefore the Association was wound up and handed its assets to the Corporation. In 1948 St. Marys Maternity Hospital was transferred to the newly created National Health Service. The hospital closed in October 1985. It is currently the Westways Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit.

There are a number of Annual Reports for the Croydon Mothers and Infants Welfare Association held in the Local Studies Library at S70(362)CRO covering the period 1929-1946. A quote taken from the report of 1937 [June 1937 p.6 ] conveys how successful the association was as a fore-runner to modern day mother and baby clinics;

It has always been the aim of Organisers to make mothers very welcome at the Centres and so successful have they been that many mothers attend every week for the sake of having a friendly chat with the helpers and one another, whether their children really need skilled supervision or not

According to the petty cash account book the address for the South Croydon Division of the Liberal Association was 3a George Street, Croydon. There is however no entry in the street directories covering the period of the clubs activity to coroborate this.The minutes would indicate that the club met at various venues in Croydon.

Both men lived in Croydon area. Nicholas Baldwin was a shoemaker who died in 1639 and was buried on 17th Dec 1639

Croydon Domestic Mission opened July 1886 in Dennett Hall, 17 Dennett Road, Broad Green , West Croydon. The foundation stone for the hall was laid by Mr Fred Nettlefold of Norwood ( Nettlefold Sons Tool Manufacturers ).

The societys mission statement was:

The objects of the society shall be the intellectual, moral and religious improvement of the neighbourhood, and the amelioration of its condition, irrespective of creed. The operations of the society shall be conducted in an unsectarian spirit.

The 1888 street directory entry reads 59 Dennett Road, Mission Room. The street numbering had changed by 1939 and the entry in the street directory for that year appears between nos. 15 23 and reads as Dennett Hall, Randall Mrs Caretkr. (res). By 1955 the hall is numbered as 17.

The mission closed in 1959 and Dennett Hall was sold to the Full Gospel Church (also known as Assemblies of God ) for 1633,750. The sale was completed 21 December 1959.

Arthur Tooth (1839-1931) entered the Church of England in 1863. His religious beliefs and practices, in his parish of Hatcham, Kent, leant towards the extreme High Church: he came into conflict with the Church authorities, resulting in his imprisonment for 28 days in 1877, and the resignation of his living in 1878. He then bought Stroud Green House, Woodside, and transferred his community of nuns there from Hatcham. He intended to build a large hospital for inebriates, but only the chapel and one cloister wing were finished, and the convent in fact functioned as an orphanage. The property was sold in 1924 to Croydon Corporation, and the community moved to Otford Court, Kent where Father Tooth died in 1931. Croydon Council demolished the old Stroud Green House; laid the grounds out as a public park (Ashburton Park); and converted Father Tooths convent buildings into a public library (Ashburton Library), opened in December 1927.

The Inaugural Meeting of Croydon Microscopical Club was held in the Public Hall on 6 April 1870. The clubs name was changed to the Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club in 1877; and to the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society in 1902. Henry Long was Hon. Secretary of the Club from its foundation until 1874. Thomas Cushing was one of the founder members.

Croydon Amateur Boxing Club was formed at a meeting on 23 November 1928, held at the Queens Club, Poplar Walk, West Croydon. The founder and first Chairman was Peter Seaton MBE, later to become President of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA). He died on 29 April 1933, and was succeeded as Chairman by Frank Richards. Peter Seatons contribution to the club was recognised when a Memorial Fund was established for a new headquarters, to be named after him. The first President of the club was Colonel CG Allen: he was succeeded in September 1931 by Councillor EC Stuart-Baker.

The Club trained at both junior and senior levels. The juniors met on Thursday evenings at the British Legion Hall; the seniors met there on Tuesdays, and at the Queens Hall on Fridays. The first Annual Boxing Tournament took place on 27 March 1929 at the Central Baths Hall, Croydon, and became a regular event thereafter. The Club also took part in Inter - Club and Divisional Tournaments. In addition, charity displays were organised, for causes such as hospitals and the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The Club was always particularly strong at Junior Level. In December 1932 Jack Richards won the first gold medal for the Club in the 9st Schoolboy Championships of Great Britain: many further titles were subsequently won by other members.

The Club initially depended heavily on donations, both of money, and of equipment such as boxing gloves. The Taylor Cup was donated by John Taylor to be presented to the member of the Club gaining most points in competition boxing.

The Club colours were a light blue vest, and black shorts with a light blue stripe.

The Selsdon Players were established during the development of Selsdon in the 1920s. They intended to perform two plays every year, with the intention of giving at least some of their performances in aid of charities. Their repertoire was largely formed of contemporary works, such as Spring Tide and We Got Rhythm. The group merged with the Croham Stagers (another local theatre group with similar aims and membership) in August 1963. The donor was a past vice-president and chairman of the Selsdon Players.

There were two Samuel Waghorn(e)s, perhaps father and son. The two sections of this book (written in different hands) appear to represent the work of the two individuals. Samuel Waghorn I seems to have been based in the Limpsfield or Titsey area of Surrey. His regular customers included the Biscoe family (of Hookwood, Limpsfield) and Sir John Gresham (of Titsey). His business was firmly rooted in the rural community, largely comprising work on agricultural equipment (wagons, ploughs, harrows, wheelbarrows, etc). He also received an income from the rent on two houses, one at Farley Common. Samuel Waghome II (c1789-1858) may have moved to Croydon in about 1819, when he first appears in rate books, occupying a cottage in a yard off the High Street (near Mint Walk). He stayed there until 1822, and then moved to a cottage in Old Town (Duppas Lane), where he remained until 1828. From 1826, however, Samuel also appears as the joint occupier with Richard Jones (an established coachbuilder) of what had been Jones house and shop on the west side of the High Street. After 1834, Waghorn was the sole occupier, and he subsequently expanded into the adjoining property as well. These premises (numbered 83 High Street by 1851, renumbered 146 High Street in 1886, and renumbered 252 High Street in 0 931) were to remain the firms headquarters for some eighty years.

Samuel IIs regular customers in the 1820s, as recorded in this book, included well-known Croydon names such as Robert Corney (his neighbour), John Dingwall, John Battersbee, etc; as well as customers further afield in Battersea, Vauxhall, Sussex, etc. He did occasional jobs for the Brighton Coach. Samuel IIs business had become slightly more urban and perhaps higher class than Samuel Is: there are more references to work for tradesmen and on drays etc, and also on chaises and carriages. To judge from his writing and accounting methods, Samuel II was also probably better educated than Samuel I.

Samuel II died in October 1858, aged 69, but the business continued to be known as Samuel Waghorne, presumably run by his widow, Harriet (c1789-1867), and their son, Thomas (c1822-1868). In Warrens Directory for 1865-6, the firm is named Waghorne and Son.

After the deaths in close succession of Harriet and Thomas, the business was taken over in 1868 by James T Miles, and renamed Waghorne and Miles. The firm prospered in the latter part of the nineteenth century as a builder of superior carriages of various types, and, from about 1902, of motor car bodies. In about 1906 it was bought up by Marchant and Sons, a firm of coachbuilders established at 34 Tamworth Road in about 1873. Marchant and Sons took over the High Street premises, and continued to operate from that address until the 1950s.

JR Bex, Builders and undertakers, was established by James R Bex in about 1889. It was based at Wyche Grove, South Croydon. The premises were initially unnumbered, but from about 1928 were assigned the number 25: after World War II, the firm extended its business into no 23 - previously a private house occupied by Walter J Bex - and used 23 Wyche Grove as its address. From the turn of the century until about 1916 it also had a timber yard situated on the opposite side of the road.

In about 1873 the firm was taken over by W Cullen and Sons Ltd and it subsequently operated under that name.

The firm appears to have run the two sides of its business in tandem. Some of its account books relate specifically either to building work or to funeral direction, but many relate to both.

Croydon Philharmonic Society was founded in 1914 (initially as Croydon Sacred Harmonic Society) by Alan J. Kirby (1889-1959) who remained its conductor until 1957. In 1937 it was at its peak, with 160 members.

The Croydon Wireless Society was founded in 1913 and was affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain. Meetings were held weekly on Mondays at 5 Altyre Road, East Croydon.