Purley - a walk around this town to share its history

[@patrickyorke3028]

Great video Phil, thanks. Lived in Purley from 63 to 85, went to Margaret Roper until 1969. Now live in Italy but never forget my roots. Thanks again.

[@philswallow]

Thanks Patrick!

[@GoBirds808]

got to live here for 7 months in 2006/07. Loved it. easy commute to London. a lot of great memories at the jolly farmers and such.

[@RockyValentino2013]

So glad I have found your channel. I lived as a kid in Kenley and used to go shopping with my dad and nan in the sixties into Purley. Also lived for a while in Caterham and Old Couldson. We used to go to the station and watch the fellas unload the racing pigeons (we knew how to live ha ha ha). I remember Norman Vaughn opening Purley library. Think that was about 1965 ish. Great memories!

[@philswallow]

It’s great to see how my films serve as a nostalgia trip - so many people have moved away from the area but like to check back in. Glad you found my channel!

[@EdwardTBurke-pv3qr]

Thanks for the video, Phil ! I lived on Foxley Lane, Purley in 1964, and then on Langham Dene in Kenley til 1969. So, much has changed, but I still remember walking these streets as a youngster.

[@SteveMorton]

We always enjoy these sort of guided walks around towns and villages.

[@philswallow]

Thanks Steve!

[@zeldaray5562]

Very nostalgic walk. I lived in Purley for many years. In the 50s the original Purley fountain was in the very busy roundabout. I didn’t realise the Astoria was gone. I went to see Doctor No there when I was 14yrs with my friend and fell in love with Sean Connery.

[@philswallow]

I remember seeing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang there!!

[@sarahwagland1559]

I remember getting snogged in the back row. Didn't see much of Never Say Never Again!

[@philswallow]

@sarahwagland1559 😂😂😂

[@andymcgarty3099]

Another great video. I lived in Purley for 25 years from 1990. It was a lovely town when I arrived. By the time I left it was horrid, full of just cheap fast food restaurants and charity shops. How many years have they waited for the old sainsburys on the corner to be redeveloped, its such an eyesore. We had a chance to redevelop the whole town at the turn of the century, but was met with so much apathy that nothing was done. And yes it does flood, with water rising from the Bourne from Caterham and the old river that ran along side the A23 towards Coulsdon. Became an almost annual event now.

[@philswallow]

Many thanks Andy. So many of these places are very different now and it will probably be a long time before any new identities emerge, certainly post pandemic, and all of the other current challenges. I take comfort from the buildings still standing though!

[@viewer1youtuber529]

Thanks Phil! You gave a good walk there but You forgot to show the railway lines in the corner of the Rotary Field!

[@philswallow]

I always leave a reason for a part 2! 😁

[@harvey455]

Fond memories of my mum taking me to watch Ghostbusters in the 80s

[@julieleverentz5846]

My hood! Thanks Phil, as always very interesting and informative. Look forward to the next one!

[@philswallow]

Thanks Julie!

[@moanyamech]

Purley squire ? Famous place :) another great video Phil lovely to see those once familiar streets again, youth club every tuesday, cinema, pub , friends who lived there. Great memories thanks once more

[@philswallow]

Thanks Dave

[@josmith6684]

😂me again i went to school in there 😂😂👍

[@stirlingmoss4621]

The Jolly Farmers ! My paternal Grandpa, Harry, used to park his horse and cart or the trap outside here from the 1920s to the late 1950s...sometimes with me aboard. The Dance family members from Lansdown/ Sydney Ave drank here too.

[@philswallow]

Have you got any old photos you could share?

[@stirlingmoss4621]

@@philswallow one or two perhaps. Such as..?

[@philswallow]

Well I’m always on the lookout for old photos of the Croydon area so that I can revisit them today and do a “then & now” comparison, that’s all

[@stirlingmoss4621]

@@philswallow good idea. How best to send them?

[@philswallow]

All of my links etc are here, email will probably be as good as any, feel free to message me if you want to chat anything through: bio.site/philswallow

[@peterclark9677]

The church is where my brothers 🎉remembrance service

[@peterclark9677]

I was born in Purley hospital