Croydon’s Box of Delights

26 September 2016

Croydon has been at the forefront of many exciting things in its time – world record breaking flights, innovation in aviation and rail – plus it has a rich history in arts and entertainment.  In fact, Croydon was...
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Next stop, Addiscombe

19 September 2016

If you hop on the tram at East Croydon and go just three stops on the Elmers End/Beckenham Junction branch, you’ll arrive in the heart of Addiscombe. We all know there’s a lot more to...
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Kinks in the Cronx (and other artists)

12 September 2016

Last week I discovered the rather fab 101 Records which can be found round the back of Centrale, on the same strip as Turf Gallery. I spent a good hour in there, flicking through...
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Croydon’s grand designs

4 September 2016

If you’re like me and enjoy a good nose round other people’s pads, or have rolling episodes of Grand Designs on the telly as background noise to relax, you’ll be looking forward to Open...
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251 poppies, 100 years on

30 August 2016

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, a battle that lasted 5 months, with a death toll of over 1 million French, German and British soldiers. The first day...
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A rainbow over Surrey Street

23 August 2016

Last year on August bank holiday weekend Angela and I got hitched at Croydon Town Hall. So what better way to mark our first anniversary than to celebrate at the inaugural Croydon PrideFest? That’s...
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The novel Hart of the Cronx

14 August 2016

I don’t know about you, but for me it’s a real treat when I read a novel where I know the location in which it’s set. I sort of feel like I’m an extra...
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A Dog and Bull story

9 August 2016

Once upon a time (let’s say Anglo-Saxon times), there was a market in Croydon, which went about its business of trading livestock and produce. In those days (or near about) a pub stood on...
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Stand by for take-off (in a wicker chair)

2 August 2016

The Purley Way, known as a Saturday traffic nightmare of DIY shoppers, is actually quite a fascinating place. Rich in history, it was once upon a time at the forefront of an exciting new...
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Wandle wonder

25 July 2016

This summer I’ve rediscovered Wandle Park. I have vague memories of being dragged round its rather grotty grassy expanse by my parents in my tweenage years, before hitting the infinitely more exciting Whitgift Centre...
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Boulevard of dreamy dinners

19 July 2016

Music trivia here… ‘Closed mouths don’t get fed on this Boulevard’ is a quote from which song? No idea? It’s that old classic song from Ace Hood ‘Hustle Hard’ of course silly, and leads...
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Art all over our Turf

13 July 2016

What connects the following? 1) Centrale Shopping Centre 2) Crazy golf 3) A mole picture in Wandle Park 4) A commemorative set of boulders 5) Croydon airport No? The answer is Turf. Not the...
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Riding a Cadillac to Utopia

8 July 2016

Bugeye, made up of two-thirds Croydon residents, is an indie-disco band, of which the singer and lead guitarist is the Croydonist’s very own Angela Martin. Currently being played on BBC 6 Music, they release...
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Tempting us to the edge of art

3 July 2016

The Tories have been swinging an axe at the arts budgets like a madman on amphetamines, ever since election (don’t worry this isn’t going to be a political rant, promise!). On top of this...
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In our back yard

29 June 2016

When I first visited Matthews Yard for a charity gig night a few years ago, it felt like I’d wandered through a portal to a different world just off Surrey Street Market. I’d lived...
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War of the Rose

23 June 2016

We chatted to Jonny Rose, founder of Croydon Tech City, and more recently Croydon Vs The World, to get the lowdown on what both ventures are all about, as well as finding out a bit...
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Croydon’s Comedy Kittens

19 June 2016

In case you didn’t know, Croydon Comedy Festival is currently on with a rather impressive line-up of both current and future stars of comedy. Now in its second year, the festival brings together film,...
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Meatballs, Zombies and adult Lego

14 June 2016

I have a secret I’m going to share. Deep breath. I. Like. The food. In. IKEA. Now, you’re probably thinking ‘so what’. But I like it enough that a few years ago I even...
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Lord of the Pies

10 June 2016

Many places claim to serve pies when what they actually serve is a stew with a pastry lid. THIS IS NOT A PIE. No, really it isn’t, well not a proper pie anyway. To...
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Park fiction, park fantasy

6 June 2016

If you happen to glance between where the foxgloves sway and the poppies turn towards the sun you may glimpse a fairy hiding amongst the flora… …Alright, I’m not on drugs, but if you...
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