Snapshots from Shirley and Addington

A new local history book delving into the history of Shirley and Addington gives readers the chance to study the area's past through a series of pictures.

Swiss Lodge in Shirley Church Road, 1898.

Built as part of Archbishop William Howley's considerable improvements to the Addington estate.

Images of England's new Shirley and Addington edition is written and researched by Shirley resident Ray Wheeler, who is also the author of Norbury, Thornton Heath and Broad Green.

In the book's introduction, author Ray Wheeler talks about the area's humble beginnings and what the name of Shirley could have meant in Saxon times.

He says: "It was in Saxon times that Shirley was named, though there is not complete agreement about what the name means".

"Originally, either Scyr-Leaze or Sheer-Leaze from Leah, meaning 'meadow' or 'pasture', and Scyr meaning 'boundary', or Sheer meaning 'bright', hence Shirley meant originally 'Bright Meadow' or The pasture by the boundary'.

"In the Domesday Book of 1086 Shirley is mentioned as 'a Manor of Ham, near Croydon' and was owned by the Count of Mortain.

"In the 17th century, Shirley was a mall hamlet along the ancient route from Croydon to West Wickham, situated on the edge of the common near to where Shirley House was to he built."

The hook also looks at how the area has evolved over the years, including changes during the post-war era.

Mr Wheeler, who signed copies of his hook at Shirley Library on Saturday (March 22) adds: "The book comprises approximately 200 photographs of Shirley, Adding-ton, New Addington and Coombe dating from the Victorian period to the 1980s.

"Each picture is accompanied by the informative captions describing the history the area covered in this book.

"I have tried to ensure a wide variety of photographs ranging from street scenes to pumping engines, fox hunting to windmills and sport lo school chapels.

"Many of the photographs have come from the collection held at the Croydon Local Studies Library as well as a number from John Gent, myself and other community groups and individuals."

An ARP excercise taking place in Lorne Avenue in 1939.

This latest Images of England book is published by Ternpus Publishing Ltd, £11.99, ISBN 0-7524-2683-4.