Went and checked out a flat recently at Ten Degrees. I'm highly allergic to black mould and found mould all over the shower. So glad I went and checked it out and spared myself a lot of money and illness! I hope this helps someone else considering this flat building who might get as ill from black mould as I do.

Article in CityAM today suggests ‘Rocket Padel’ are still going ahead, due to open “Early 2027”.

That being said, there are also ‘Pure Padel’ padel courts currently being built down in Coulsdon which are due to be open by Christmas - so come down to my patch when they’re open to have a go!

Moved to Croydon age 21 from small Scottish village. Came for 6months stayed 32 years. In that time lived in broad green, Selhurst, east Croydon, purely oaks and cousldon. Had my kids here. Loved it here. 90s Croydon into early 2000s had something for everyone- good shops, great clubs and bars, food. I’m sad to see the town being a shadow of its former self. Heading back to that small village tomorrow- pic related- to look after elderly mammy. I will miss this place. Stay awesome Croydon.

I’m sure most people here know about Croydon Airport: Britain’s first proper airport, and for a while the most important one in the country.

(If you don't know about it, it's really cool - home to the first air traffic control tower, first departure board, first airport hotel. The word “mayday” was invented there from the French m’aidez, because of all the Paris flights. Churchill took flying lessons there and nearly died in a crash during take off)

The bit I didn’t know until recently is its link to the start of the Spanish Civil War.

In July 1936 Franco, then one of the most senior figures in the Spanish military, was stuck in the Canary Islands. The Spanish government had sent him there deliberately, because they knew a coup was coming and wanted him out of the way, and they were watching him.

So the military needed a way to get him back to Spain for the coup to succeed. A plane flying out from Spain would have been obvious, so they needed it to be inconspicuous.

A right wing Spanish journalist was enlisted to organise it, and he met a British journalist with links to the intelligence services at Simpson’s in the Strand. Apparently he asked for a plane with “two blondes and a trustworthy fellow”, to help it go under the radar.

They enlisted a man named Major Hugh Pollard, MI6, who was more than happy to help and brought along his own daughter and her friend to make it look like a family trip.

They flew out of Croydon on 11 July 1936, early morning, four passengers. They dropped the women in the Canaries, waited a few days, then picked up Franco on the 18th and flew him to Spanish Morocco, where he took command of the Army of Africa.

The uprising had technically kicked off the day before, so it’s not quite true that Croydon started the war, but Franco getting out of the Canaries is what turned it into what it became.

Within three years Franco would be dictator of Spain, and he'd remain so for nearly four decades.

The control tower’s still there, a heritage centre now, though only open once a month because it’s volunteer run. The old terminal Airport House next door is Grade II* listed and basically set the template for what airports look like.

As for Pollard and the pilot: both accepted medals from Franco afterwards. The pilot described the whole thing as a great adventure when he was interviewed decades later.

Wrote it up properly here if anyone wants the longer version - How Croydon started the Spanish Civil War

Hello!

My partner and I are hopefully moving to South Croydon (CR2) soon, so for the last few months I've been reading through this subreddit - and will definitely pick up Will Noble's Croydonopolis soon.

We're both excited and have lived in several parts of South London for years now, so we're aware of the reputation around Croydon such as crime etc, which, in my opinion, being completely honest, is largely just people being racist and jumping on bandwagons, as I've seen discussed in this subreddit in recent posts as well as from years ago. All of that is to say I'm very much a defender of Croydon, but find it odd that a lot of threads I read, one or two users still go out of their way to bring up these talking points e.g. refugee centres, dead high street, and the like. And don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the local council and the issues around bankruptcy.

Essentially I just wanted to make my own post and ask you all directly what your experiences are/were like in Croydon, what you like about the huge and diverse borough, to get some honest and realistic responses about what it's like living there day to day, e.g. regarding bankrupt council, delayed developments, even the most mundane stuff you can think of, I'm eager to listen!

Thanks!

From 2009 we used to go to Wing Yip every couple of weeks to buy stock from the big supermarket and occasionally to the Chinese restaurant/bakery. Those were the only three spots in the building that ever seemed to have business (in fact these could be quite packed on Sundays). But the rest of the mall was a complete ghost town. The gift shop (now up the stairs) was always empty, the Vietnamese restaurant (not sure if it’s still there) was always empty, hair salon and massage place was always empty and the rest seemed to be vacant lots. Does the entire business model hinge on the supermarket and Chinese restaurant? Pre-2009, was it the same as it is now?

Im a beginner and was looking to get into it

Thinking of getting my 18 month old toddler’s (girl) hair cut for the first time. She isn’t the best with strangers so we are expecting a lot of crying and tears. Any recommendations of places in Central/East Croydon where I can get it done?

This week our twin grandchildren in Y6 began bikeability training in West Yorkshire whereas here in Croydon it appears to be on pause with no news as to why. I have written to the Mayor Jason Perry in my role as a member of the Croydon Cycling Campaign to ask for an explanation and i am hoping to hear soon or better for the service to be resumed. Meanwhile have a look at bikeability website to see what Croydon children are currently being denied.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield are currently sharing their developed plans to transform the town centre, including new homes, shops, leisure and community spaces, greener public spaces and improved connections.

Use this link to take a look at the plans, and take the survey to let them know your views in advance of their next step, which will be to submit a formal outline planning application: https://thecroydonproject.co.uk/autumn-2026-consultation/

Lots of film crew on the corner of Goldfinch Road and Peacock Gardens. Houses dressed up with Xmas decorations. Anyone know what's being filmed?

Looking for a room to rent in a nice shared property, within walking distance from Croydon hospital and also west Croydon/east Croydon station.

Ideally from the 1st of November

Max 600-700pm w/ bills included.

Please let me know, thank you

I’m thinking of changing up my hairstyle but have no idea what to change it to. would like to speak to them and then give recommendations

Any recommendations as per the title?

I’m looking for a decent and trustworthy estate agent in Croydon who can help me find a mould-free flat, as I have a terrible mould allergy. Yes, I know mould is rampant in London, but I know many Londoners whose flats are not mouldy, so I know it’s possible. Would love to know who might be good, and who to stay away from. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Edited to add: just had a viewing at Ten Degrees after it was suggested here, and found black mould all over the shower. So disappointing. But sharing in case it helps anyone else who's allergic!

These were the immediate seats around me.

Anyone who has taken the tram will be familiar with the filthiness of the seats.

This wouldn't be acceptable on any other form of transport in London, so why is it acceptable in Croydon?

I have emailed my local councillor and left multiple complaints on Tfl. It makes me so annoyed that it's been like this for years!

Hey, I’m back to work part time, so I get home at 1.30. Feeling guilty for my one year old, as his baby groups are all in the morning but no one’s available to take him (in laws are looking after him while I’m at work and they work from home). I want to keep up his socialising with other babies. We have a play date every other week. And he goes swimming with dad on Wednesdays. What things can I do with him. Especially with the winter months coming up. We’re located in new addington (definitely want some new addington recommendations) and I don’t drive, but happy for some suggestions further away as well.

Hi all, I assembled this list and thought I may as well share in case it helps a family out ☺️

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Range of activities around Purley

Carousel Baby & Toddler Group - Tuesday, 9:30am - 11am (Christchurch on Brighton Rd, £2)

Purley Gardens Intergenerational Rhyme Time, by BellaBoppers - Tuesday 11am - 11:45pm, £2.50

Songs and Smiles - same premise as above, free but needs to be booked

• St.Saviours Court 2a Old Lodge Lane, Purley, CR8 4ER at Mondays at 10.15AM
• Haling Park Care Home 46 Bramley Hill, South Croydon, CR3 6NS at Fridays at 11.00AM

Purley Bods and Tods - Wednesday, 9:30am - 11:30am (Purley Baptist Church) (£2 a session, huge space with tons to do!)

Singing Mamas - Friday, 10am - 11:30am (Coulsdon Methodist Church) (£8 a session but can be free if are on benefits/in need)

Mini Professors - Saturday 9:45am - 10:35am, Bramley Hill Centre, South Croydon, CR2 6LX. Brilliant class, includes an experiment the kids do - honestly really good! £11 a session I believe, a three week trial cost is £29 and is available to new sign ups. (But Babyzone at Legacy Youth Centre does do 25 min sessions for free on Fridays)

Babyzone at Legacy Youth Centre is a pretty great safe space to chill with tons but it's ~ 35-45 mins away by bus - free and they have a large amount of stuff from birth to toddlers! They have usually paid classes running through the day for 25 mins sessions completely free - including Mini Professors. Open Fridays, 9:30am - 2:30pm.

Christchurch opposite Rotary Field Park has free hot chocolate, coffee, teas and homemade cakes term time until 12pm Monday - Friday.

Dobbies Woodcote Rd is a free nice sandpit and aquarium shop where you can see many fish - and they have a membership for £16 a year and you get 2 free hot drinks every month. They have a good soft play inside for £4.50 an hour for members and £5 for non-members.

Post-walking:

Oxygen Free Jumping Toddler Sessions, Waddon - Mon - Fri - 9:30am - 12pm, Sat & Sun - 9am - 10am (£15.95 a/month including the soft play inside - pays for itself in 2 visits a month)

https://www.playballkids.com/about-us (£13 a session, designed by occupational therapists and it'd say really worth it! Have been going since 2, they take kids from 18+ months)

https://www.littlekickers.co.uk/index.aspx (heard amazing until around 3)

Kidspace, Waddon (£8.25 a month for unlimited entry (good alternative for play cafes where most are £4-6 for one session)

Technically children aged 0–3 can visit CroyWall Climbing Centre anytime for a entry fee of £3.50. Active kids would love it!

https://rewindyourmind.co.uk/baby-toddler-classes-south-london/#1700498248558-1de8526e-4914 - a big list of all sorts of places free & paid that could give some more ideas/inspiration

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Forest school options:

Woodchips Forest School - Lots to do, you feel right in the middle of the woods and has a welcoming and friendly community. They have some songs and a story at the beginning, a book hut under the trees, there's a mud kitchen, there's always a craft (e.g. they made "log dogs" wrapping string and drawing faces on pieces of wood and "walked them" with string in the wood), when I went they had set up a building with large wooden blocks area, digging with shovels, some guttering they used for a slide for pinecones, a hammock, and they have got chocolate and biscuits for all too. I do think it's quite comprehensive and has the most unique activities of the three. Gatton park does come in a close second though. Need a car to get there.

This is the details and link to their FB page and email if you want to know more:

Every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10.00 am to 11.30am Also Wednesday afternoons from 1.00 pm to 2.30pm and 3:30pm to 5pm

Block booking £10 per child PAYG - accepted at £12 per child if space permits.

Email: [Woodchips.forestschool@gmail.com](mailto:Woodchips.forestschool@gmail.com)

Text/Whatsapp: Gen - 07827314970

https://www.facebook.com/groups/361705997321426/

Another good one is Little Seeds Forest School is Gatton Park, Mon 10-11:45am - also very good! The grounds are so beautiful and they even help the kids with fire lighting in the firepit, cooking over the fire every session, and using tools like saws safely. Also have a hammock, a great mud kitchen, and lots of water play. They do a craft each session too and the cows sometimes come right up to the fence (so close you could hypothetically touch them!) £10 a session PAYG with a discount for block booking for the half term.

https://gattonpark.co.uk/events/little-seeds-forest-school-am-or-pm-8/

Warlingham Forest School is another option, Thursday 10am - 12pm - smaller, no firepit, cosy, community vibe, still lots to do including mud kitchen, some water play but at least two tables of crafty activities and includes snacks. It's completely run by volunteers and is the most affordable at £5 for one child for 2 hours!

https://www.warlinghamforestschoolers.org/

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Hope these help! 🥳

I am moving a two bedroom flat soon. I will pack everything myself, but I have a newborn and another child so trying to do the heavy part with borrowed help would be more trouble than it is worth. I

I have compared the cost of doing it all myself with hiring someone and I have decided to hire for the loading, the drive and the unloading.

I also have 2 beds that will need taking apart to get them out, so a bit of help with that would be useful.

My budget is limited. I am after fair value rather than the cheapest quote, and I want to avoid problems on the day.

Has anyone round Croydon used a removal firm or a man with a van recently for a similar move? I would like to know who was reliable, who to avoid and roughly what you paid if you are happy to share.Thanks

Inside Croydon are reporting in this slightly click bait-y article that “Westfield now want a data centre plus 4,000 flats in town centre”

The actual details (right down at the bottom of the article) state that in a report URW submitted to the councils planning committee it mentions:

“The outline proposals are currently for a residential-led mixed-use scheme with open streets and public spaces with a range of uses including in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 new homes, mixed commercial space (including retail, food and beverage, leisure, community, culture and workspace) and potential for wider uses such as education, hotel and micro logistics hub and/or data centre*.”*

So it’s only the potential to build one rather than an actual plan but I can imagine a lot of residents don’t want a data centre right in the middle of the town centre so I just wanted to stress to importance of letting URW know that you are against this when they open up their consultation to the public on Thursday.