Crofton Park
Encyclopedia
Crofton Park is a vibrant, mainly residential suburb and electoral ward
in the London Borough of Lewisham
. It is the original site of the former agricultural hamlet of Brockley. It is located 5.3 miles (8.5 km) south east of Charing Cross
, and is south of Brockley
and north of Honor Oak
. Major points of interest include the Rivoli Ballroom, the Brockley Jack Theatre and the Arts and Crafts Gothic church of St Hilda.
The area includes Blythe Hill Fields
which is one of a number of hills in South East London and which provide good views of the eastern side of the City of London. Crofton Park is bordered by Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries
to the north, and a section of Ladywell Fields to the south east.
The rapid pace of expansion of the area continued pre-World War I, with the building of more shops and facilities to support the growing population. A handsome Edwardian public library was built next to the railway station in 1905 and, eight years later, a local Cinema - the Crofton Park Picture Palace - first opened its doors. This later became the Rivoli Ballroom.
The 1901 census returns show Bertram Noakes as head of the household living in Brockley Hall with his five spinster sisters (Pauline, Elizabeth, Kate, Ada and Maude) and four servants.
Maude Noakes was the last survivor. An eccentric, she was well known for her large collection of pets. The old lady would bury her pets in the grounds of Brockley Hall and give each one a marked gravestone – even her pigs and cows!
Following Maude’s death in 1931 the property was quickly sold and demolished. Brockley Hall Road, Bearsted Rise, Horsmonden Road, Sevenoaks Road and the 1930s houses in Brockley Grove were built on the site of the Hall and its grounds by the building company Wates.
'A penthouse on one side sheltered some of the seats and on the other side was a staircase leading to the upper floor of an annex built at right angles to the main building... Within, the rooms are dark with low-pitched ceilings and redolent of beer and tobacco, of which is added the flavour of antiquity from ancient walls and beams.'
The association with highwaymen is cited in the account which continues:
'There was a particular staircase so constructed that it could be removed at night, and thus cut off access to the upper storey, in case of criminals being secreted there.'
The film star comedian Will Hay
recalled the old Brockley Jack in his unfinished autobiography, I Enjoyed Every Minute:
'Almost at the corner of the street was romance in the shape of a very old inn, several hundred years old, The Brockley Jack, a reputed haunt and "pull up" for highwaymen including the famous Dick Turpin
. I remember the place quite well - small rooms with the ceiling so low that even a man of ordinary height couldn't stand upright. Alas, the romance didn't long survive on arrival within the district for the place was condemned and pulled down to make way for a modern building.'
The modern Brockley Jack replaced the old wooden building with a more substantial structure of brick and stone in 1898. A representation of a whale's shoulderblade hangs on a high gable outside the front of the Jack. The real whale's shoulderblade (on which was once the pub's sign) is exhibited above the fireplace to the right of the bar.
as one of two ‘remarkable and inventive buildings’ which distinguish this part of South London. The other building being Charles Harrison Townsend’s Horniman Museum
at London
.
The war memorial in front of the church is in the form of the form of a granite Celtic cross and is inscribed with 141 names of the fallen. It was unveiled on 29 May 1920 by General Sir Ian Hamilton and dedicated by the Bishop Suffragan of Woolwich.
This library has now become a community library run by Eco Computer Systems (www.ecocomputersystems.org.uk)
The library takes computer donations and book donation to help with the running costs of the building.
A small group of local actors, David Kincaid, Peter Rocca and Michael Bottle, hit upon the idea of putting dramatic productions on in this back room.
So, in 1993, the first of these ventures took place. 'An evening with Chekhov', featuring two one-handers, 'On the harmfulness of tobacco' and 'Swan Song'. David and Michael starred and Peter directed.
There was no finance and virtually no facilities but the short run proved a big success, especially with local people.
Gradually, finance was secured and with the help of the brewery, Greene King, the room was transformed over the years into the vibrant little theatre, fully equipped, that it now is.
Mike Burnside was the theatre's first Artistic Director and, at that time, dinner was served in the interval. New plays were mixed with old favourites and the theatre went from strength to strength.
It is now in the very capable hands of Karl Swinyard and Kate Bannister who are producing quality theatre that appeals to a very wide audience.
For more details, see the Brockley Jack Theatre website.
is located in the middle of the area and provides services to Blackfriars
. Services operate through Blackfriars to St Pancras International
and other locations further north on the First Capital Connect
's Thameslink
network. Services are provided approximately every 30 minutes. On Saturday and Sunday the services currently operate to London Victoria station. In the southbound direction the service links to Catford
, Bromley
and Sevenoaks
. These services are provided by Southeastern
. Disabled access entrances to the station were opened from Marnock and Lindal Road in 2008. The station ticket office is open every weekday morning, and an automatic ticket machine is also available.
The South London Route Utilisation Strategy published by Network Rail in March 2008 proposed improvements to rail services along the Catford loop line (through Crofton Park). These include a Victoria to Bellingham service (recommended for introduction by December 2011), to provide an additional two trains per hour (peak times); four stopping Thameslink services per hour at this station.
There are three other local train stations within a 10-15 minute walk (depending on your location in the ward): Honor Oak Park, Brockley (on the London Bridge / Dalston Junction / Highbury and Islington Line (from Feb 2011), Catford (on the Blackfriars / Thameslink route) Ladywell, and Catford Bridge (both on the Hayes - Cannon Street and Charing Cross line).
is located in the southern end of area and provides good rail links to London Bridge station
, Crystal Palace
, Sydenham
, Forest Hill
and East and West Croydon
. On 23 May 2010 the station was added to the tube map as part of the East London line extension
(now known as the London Overground
) and with services to Surrey Quays
, Canada Water
, Whitechapel
, Shoreditch High Street
in Shoreditch
and Dalston Junction. New East London line services operate eight times an hour northbound, and four trains per hour southbound to both West Croydon station and Crystal Palace
. The station is operated by London Overground
. The line remains part of the National Rail network (not part of the tube) but is managed by a TfL franchisee rather than a franchise contract let by the Department for Transport.
. It is currently represented by two Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat who were elected on 6 May 2010 when the General Election and London Borough elections took place on the same day.
Across Lewisham Labour gained heavily from the other parties, taking the council from no overall control to a Labour majority of 24 seats. The Liberal Democrats lost a net of five seats, Crofton Park ward being the party’s only gain from Labour anywhere in London. This change was put down to the rapid gentrification
of the local area.
The team is sponsored by local firm JD & Sons with plans to expand the football club to cover youth level at U'14 and U'16 age groups and to also form a women's team in the near future.
(1852–1929), writer of the anthem, "The Red Flag
", lived in Stondon Park (which is on the border of Crofton Park and Honor Oak
).
The 1930s/40s British film, radio and music hall comedian Will Hay
(1888–1949) lived at 7 Eddystone Road and later 40 Merritt Road, Crofton Park as a child in the late 1890s. He also attended the nearby Brockley Primary School.
The comedian Spike Milligan
(1918–2002), lived at 50 Riseldine Road (which is on the cusp of Crofton Park and Honor Oak
) after coming to England from India in the 1930s.
Wards of the United Kingdom
A ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
in the London Borough of Lewisham
London Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
. It is the original site of the former agricultural hamlet of Brockley. It is located 5.3 miles (8.5 km) south east of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
, and is south of Brockley
Brockley
Brockley is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross.It is covered by the London postcode districts SE4 and SE14.-History:...
and north of Honor Oak
Honor Oak
Honor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
. Major points of interest include the Rivoli Ballroom, the Brockley Jack Theatre and the Arts and Crafts Gothic church of St Hilda.
The area includes Blythe Hill Fields
Blythe Hill Fields
Blythe Hill Fields park is a well treasured and beautiful area of open land commanding spectacular panoramic views of Central London, Kent and Surrey from one of South East London's numerous hills.-Friends:...
which is one of a number of hills in South East London and which provide good views of the eastern side of the City of London. Crofton Park is bordered by Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries
Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries
Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries were opened within one month of each other in 1858 and are sited on adjacent plots of previously open land. The two component parts are characteristic examples of the first wave of Victorian public cemeteries and are now part of the Brockley Conservation Area.The...
to the north, and a section of Ladywell Fields to the south east.
History
Before the area was built up in the late 19th century, the principal buildings in this part of Brockley were Brockley Farm, Brockley Hall and the Brockley Jack public house. The area expanded rapidly in the 1890s with the opening of a new railway line (informally known as the Catford Loop) and railway station which opened in 1892. It was the naming of the station which gave the area its modern and invented name of 'Crofton Park'. Despite this being the historic heart of Brockley, that name had already been used for two earlier railway stations further north - Brockley Station and Brockley Lane Station.The rapid pace of expansion of the area continued pre-World War I, with the building of more shops and facilities to support the growing population. A handsome Edwardian public library was built next to the railway station in 1905 and, eight years later, a local Cinema - the Crofton Park Picture Palace - first opened its doors. This later became the Rivoli Ballroom.
Brockley Hall
Brockley Hall, a large private residence, stood on land to the west of the road which now bears its name. The property had a somewhat obscure history. There was a house on the site before 1745 and probably long before that date. It was most associated with its final owners, the Noakes family who lived there for over 60 years. The Noakes were brewers and their ales were sold in many local pubs including The Brockley Jack which they owned and was just across the road from Brockley Hall. The Hall’s lodge stood in Brockley Grove on the approximate site of what are now the front gardens of nos. 24-28.The 1901 census returns show Bertram Noakes as head of the household living in Brockley Hall with his five spinster sisters (Pauline, Elizabeth, Kate, Ada and Maude) and four servants.
Maude Noakes was the last survivor. An eccentric, she was well known for her large collection of pets. The old lady would bury her pets in the grounds of Brockley Hall and give each one a marked gravestone – even her pigs and cows!
Following Maude’s death in 1931 the property was quickly sold and demolished. Brockley Hall Road, Bearsted Rise, Horsmonden Road, Sevenoaks Road and the 1930s houses in Brockley Grove were built on the site of the Hall and its grounds by the building company Wates.
Brockley Jack
The Brockley Jack was formerly a picturesque wooden building, and was said to have been a haunt of highwaymen. For much of the 18th century it was known as 'The Crooked Billet', for much of the 19th century 'The Castle'. The old Brockley Jack was one of the most photographed pubs in South East London. It was a long, low building with a bay window looking onto the front garden. It had been extended and altered many times during its long history. In the garden were rows of seats and tables beneath old trees, and a large but almost branchless tree stump carrying the pub's sign board. The sign was written on a whale's shoulderblade. A contemporary account, written at about the time of the building's demolition states that:'A penthouse on one side sheltered some of the seats and on the other side was a staircase leading to the upper floor of an annex built at right angles to the main building... Within, the rooms are dark with low-pitched ceilings and redolent of beer and tobacco, of which is added the flavour of antiquity from ancient walls and beams.'
The association with highwaymen is cited in the account which continues:
'There was a particular staircase so constructed that it could be removed at night, and thus cut off access to the upper storey, in case of criminals being secreted there.'
The film star comedian Will Hay
Will Hay
William Thomson "Will" Hay was an English comedian, actor, film director and amateur astronomer.-Early life:He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, in north east England, to William R...
recalled the old Brockley Jack in his unfinished autobiography, I Enjoyed Every Minute:
'Almost at the corner of the street was romance in the shape of a very old inn, several hundred years old, The Brockley Jack, a reputed haunt and "pull up" for highwaymen including the famous Dick Turpin
Dick Turpin
Richard "Dick" Turpin was an English highwayman whose exploits were romanticised following his execution in York for horse theft. Turpin may have followed his father's profession as a butcher early in life, but by the early 1730s he had joined a gang of deer thieves, and later became a poacher,...
. I remember the place quite well - small rooms with the ceiling so low that even a man of ordinary height couldn't stand upright. Alas, the romance didn't long survive on arrival within the district for the place was condemned and pulled down to make way for a modern building.'
The modern Brockley Jack replaced the old wooden building with a more substantial structure of brick and stone in 1898. A representation of a whale's shoulderblade hangs on a high gable outside the front of the Jack. The real whale's shoulderblade (on which was once the pub's sign) is exhibited above the fireplace to the right of the bar.
St Hilda's Church
Situated in Stondon Park, St Hilda's Church dates from 1907. Designed by F H Greenaway and J E Newberry, it has been described by the architectural historian Gavin StampGavin Stamp
Gavin Stamp is a British writer and architectural historian. He is a trustee of the Twentieth Century Society, a registered charity which promotes the appreciation of modern architecture and the conservation of Britain’s architectural heritage...
as one of two ‘remarkable and inventive buildings’ which distinguish this part of South London. The other building being Charles Harrison Townsend’s Horniman Museum
Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is a museum in Forest Hill, South London, England. Commissioned in 1898, it opened in 1901 and was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend in the Arts and Crafts style....
at London
Forest Hill, London
Forest Hill is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It situated between Dulwich and Sydenham. The area has enjoyed extensive investment since plans to extend the East London Line to Forest Hill were unveiled in 2004....
.
The war memorial in front of the church is in the form of the form of a granite Celtic cross and is inscribed with 141 names of the fallen. It was unveiled on 29 May 1920 by General Sir Ian Hamilton and dedicated by the Bishop Suffragan of Woolwich.
Library
Crofton Park Library, originally known as Brockley Branch Library, was opened in October 1905 to serve the expanding local population. Its architect was Alfred L Guy, ARIBA and it was constructed by F J Gortham of Greenwich. The library is of an eclectic Edwardian free-style composition, its entrance facade is dominated by a broad Dutch-gable and an octagonal tower with a domed roof. The building sustained damage when the neighbouring Crofton Park Station was bombed in 1940 and 1945, losing two glass dome skylights and the leaded glass in the ground floor windows. The library was refurbished in the late 1950s.This library has now become a community library run by Eco Computer Systems (www.ecocomputersystems.org.uk)
The library takes computer donations and book donation to help with the running costs of the building.
Bars, restaurants and shops
There are a number of bars and restaurants in the area on Brockley Road, Honor Oak Park and Brockley Rise which are good places for dining that avoid going into central London. These include Babur - an excellent Indian restaurant on Brockley Rise, and Tapestry - a tapas bar on Honor Oak Park. Jam Circus, opposite Crofton Park Library, provides a good atmosphere for a quiet drink, and is open until midnight on most evenings as is the Mr Lawrence Wine Bar in Brockley Road. The Brockley Jack to the south of the main shopping area has recently been updated and refurbished and is part of the Greene King brewery chain. A second, smaller shopping area is located at the southern end of Brockley Rise, which includes a number of shops and restaurants and The Chandos pub. The newly refurbished Honor Oak pub is situated on the southern edge of the district.Brockley Jack Theatre
When the rebuilt Brockley Jack pub opened in 1898 it had a large function room at the rear of the building. The room has been used variously as a dance hall, a snooker room, a music venue and, by the 1980s, as nothing much at all.A small group of local actors, David Kincaid, Peter Rocca and Michael Bottle, hit upon the idea of putting dramatic productions on in this back room.
So, in 1993, the first of these ventures took place. 'An evening with Chekhov', featuring two one-handers, 'On the harmfulness of tobacco' and 'Swan Song'. David and Michael starred and Peter directed.
There was no finance and virtually no facilities but the short run proved a big success, especially with local people.
Gradually, finance was secured and with the help of the brewery, Greene King, the room was transformed over the years into the vibrant little theatre, fully equipped, that it now is.
Mike Burnside was the theatre's first Artistic Director and, at that time, dinner was served in the interval. New plays were mixed with old favourites and the theatre went from strength to strength.
It is now in the very capable hands of Karl Swinyard and Kate Bannister who are producing quality theatre that appeals to a very wide audience.
For more details, see the Brockley Jack Theatre website.
Transport
The area boasts a good network of rail, overground and bus services connecting to Central London. In 2010, the Crofton Park Transport Users Group - CPTUG - was formed to campaign for improved bus and rail services and facilities.Rail
Crofton Park stationCrofton Park railway station
Crofton Park railway station is in Crofton Park, near Brockley, in the London Borough of Lewisham 10 km south east of London Blackfriars....
is located in the middle of the area and provides services to Blackfriars
Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London, England. Its platforms will eventually span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The current entrance is located on the...
. Services operate through Blackfriars to St Pancras International
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the...
and other locations further north on the First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006...
's Thameslink
Thameslink
Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
network. Services are provided approximately every 30 minutes. On Saturday and Sunday the services currently operate to London Victoria station. In the southbound direction the service links to Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
, Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
and Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks is a commuter town situated on the London fringe of west Kent, England, some 20 miles south-east of Charing Cross, on one of the principal commuter rail lines from the capital...
. These services are provided by Southeastern
Southeastern (train operating company)
London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise...
. Disabled access entrances to the station were opened from Marnock and Lindal Road in 2008. The station ticket office is open every weekday morning, and an automatic ticket machine is also available.
The South London Route Utilisation Strategy published by Network Rail in March 2008 proposed improvements to rail services along the Catford loop line (through Crofton Park). These include a Victoria to Bellingham service (recommended for introduction by December 2011), to provide an additional two trains per hour (peak times); four stopping Thameslink services per hour at this station.
There are three other local train stations within a 10-15 minute walk (depending on your location in the ward): Honor Oak Park, Brockley (on the London Bridge / Dalston Junction / Highbury and Islington Line (from Feb 2011), Catford (on the Blackfriars / Thameslink route) Ladywell, and Catford Bridge (both on the Hayes - Cannon Street and Charing Cross line).
London Overground
Honor Oak Park StationHonor Oak Park railway station
Honor Oak Park railway station serves the suburban area of Honor Oak in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is located between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass...
is located in the southern end of area and provides good rail links to London Bridge station
London Bridge station
London Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, London
Crystal Palace is a residential area in south London, England named from the former local landmark, The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936. The area is located approximately 8 miles south east of Charing Cross, and offers impressive views over the capital...
, Sydenham
Sydenham
Sydenham is an area and electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham; although some streets towards Crystal Palace Park, Forest Hill and Penge are outside the ward and in the London Borough of Bromley, and some streets off Sydenham Hill are in the London Borough of Southwark. Sydenham was in...
, Forest Hill
Forest Hill, London
Forest Hill is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It situated between Dulwich and Sydenham. The area has enjoyed extensive investment since plans to extend the East London Line to Forest Hill were unveiled in 2004....
and East and West Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. On 23 May 2010 the station was added to the tube map as part of the East London line extension
East London line extension
The East London line extension project is a British railway engineering project in London, managed by Transport for London. The project involves extending the East London Line and making it part of the mainline London Overground network...
(now known as the London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
) and with services to Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays is a name given to a largely residential area of Rotherhithe in south-east London, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks...
, Canada Water
Canada Water
Canada Water is a freshwater lake and wildlife refuge in Rotherhithe in the Docklands in south-east London. Canada Water tube and bus station is named after the lake, and lies immediately to the north, while Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is also adjacent, sitting immediately to the south...
, Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
, Shoreditch High Street
Shoreditch High Street railway station
Shoreditch High Street is a railway station in Shoreditch, London. The station is located on Bethnal Green Road close to Shoreditch High Street and is served by London Overground services running on the extended East London Line under the control of the London Rail division of Transport for London...
in Shoreditch
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
and Dalston Junction. New East London line services operate eight times an hour northbound, and four trains per hour southbound to both West Croydon station and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace railway station
Crystal Palace railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is located in the Anerley area between the town centres of Crystal Palace and Penge...
. The station is operated by London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
. The line remains part of the National Rail network (not part of the tube) but is managed by a TfL franchisee rather than a franchise contract let by the Department for Transport.
Bus
A number of bus services operate throughout the area providing links to the West End. Services include:- 171London Buses route 171London Buses route 171 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Go-Ahead London.-1952-1972:...
- Bellingham Catford to Holborn - N171 - Bellingham Catford to Tottenham Court Road bus station
- 172 - Brockley Rise to St Paul's
- 122 - Crystal Palace to Plumstead
- P4 - Brixton Station to Lewisham Station
- 284 - Lewisham Station to Grove Park
Local government
Crofton Park electoral ward includes the Honor Oak Park area and is one of 18 wards in the London Borough of LewishamLondon Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
. It is currently represented by two Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat who were elected on 6 May 2010 when the General Election and London Borough elections took place on the same day.
Across Lewisham Labour gained heavily from the other parties, taking the council from no overall control to a Labour majority of 24 seats. The Liberal Democrats lost a net of five seats, Crofton Park ward being the party’s only gain from Labour anywhere in London. This change was put down to the rapid gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
of the local area.
| Local election results for Crofton Park Ward, Lewisham Borough Council 2002, 2006 and 2010. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % 2002 | Votes 2006 | % 2006 | Votes 2010 | % 2010 | |
| TURNOUT | 25.56% | 30.05% | 64.8% | ||
| Candidates for the Labour Party Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
49.46% | 2,897 | 35.00% | 6,404 | 35.77% |
| Candidates for the Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the... |
15.78% | 1,670 | 20.18% | 5,833 | 32.58% |
| Candidates for the Green Party Green Party of England and Wales The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including... |
13.31% | 2,062 | 24.92% | 2,793 | 15.60% |
| Candidates for the Conservative Party Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
15.81% | 1,647 | 19.90% | 2,589 | 14.46% |
| Candidate for Lewisham For People Not Profit | n/a | n/a | n/a | 282 | 1.58% |
| Candidate for Local Education Action by Parents | 5.60% | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Football Team
Crofton Park Football Club was formed in May 2007 and is the area's local side. Playing under amateur status, the club is currently competing in the men's London and Kent Border League, Junior One Division. Home matches are played at Catford Powerleague at 14:00 on Sundays.The team is sponsored by local firm JD & Sons with plans to expand the football club to cover youth level at U'14 and U'16 age groups and to also form a women's team in the near future.
Schools
The recently (2007/8) rebuilt Crofton School - now renamed Prendergast Ladywell Fields College - is the main secondary school in the area and is located on Manwood Road. The area has a number of primary schools.Health
Community-based healthcare for the area is provided by Lewisham PCT. There is a modern teaching hospital a short walk away. There are two pharmacies in the area, as well as a local opticians.Famous residents
Jim ConnellJim Connell
Jim Connell was an Irish political activist of the late 19th century and early 20th century, best known as the writer of the anthem "The Red Flag" in December 1889.-Life:...
(1852–1929), writer of the anthem, "The Red Flag
The Red Flag
The Red Flag is a protest song associated with left-wing politics, in particular with socialism. It is the semi-official anthem of the British Labour Party, sung at the end of conference. It is the official anthem of the Irish Labour Party and sung at the close of national conference.-History:The...
", lived in Stondon Park (which is on the border of Crofton Park and Honor Oak
Honor Oak
Honor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
).
The 1930s/40s British film, radio and music hall comedian Will Hay
Will Hay
William Thomson "Will" Hay was an English comedian, actor, film director and amateur astronomer.-Early life:He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, in north east England, to William R...
(1888–1949) lived at 7 Eddystone Road and later 40 Merritt Road, Crofton Park as a child in the late 1890s. He also attended the nearby Brockley Primary School.
The comedian Spike Milligan
Spike Milligan
Terence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...
(1918–2002), lived at 50 Riseldine Road (which is on the cusp of Crofton Park and Honor Oak
Honor Oak
Honor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
) after coming to England from India in the 1930s.
Nearest places
- BrockleyBrockleyBrockley is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross.It is covered by the London postcode districts SE4 and SE14.-History:...
- Honor OakHonor OakHonor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
- LadywellLadywellLadywell is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham.-History:The name Ladywell was in use by the 15th century, and maps dating to this period show the site of the original Ladywell, in front of the area later to be occupied by the Freemason's Arms and...
- Forest HillForest Hill, LondonForest Hill is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It situated between Dulwich and Sydenham. The area has enjoyed extensive investment since plans to extend the East London Line to Forest Hill were unveiled in 2004....
- CatfordCatfordCatford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
- NunheadNunheadNunhead is a place in the London Borough of Southwark in London, England. It is an inner-city suburb located southeast of Charing Cross. It is the location of the Nunhead Cemetery. Nunhead has traditionally been a working-class area and, with the adjacent neighbourhoods, is currently going...
- LewishamLewishamLewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
- GreenwichGreenwichGreenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
Nearest railway stations
- Crofton Park railway stationCrofton Park railway stationCrofton Park railway station is in Crofton Park, near Brockley, in the London Borough of Lewisham 10 km south east of London Blackfriars....
- Honor Oak Park railway stationHonor Oak Park railway stationHonor Oak Park railway station serves the suburban area of Honor Oak in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is located between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass...
- Ladywell railway stationLadywell railway stationLadywell railway station is in Ladywell, in the London Borough of Lewisham in south east London, in Travelcard Zone 3. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southeastern...
- Brockley railway stationBrockley railway stationBrockley railway station is on the main railway line between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass through the station. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:The line...
- Forest Hill railway stationForest Hill railway stationForest Hill railway station is situated in Forest Hill, part of the London Borough of Lewisham. The station is located on the South Circular Road ....
- Catford railway stationCatford railway stationCatford railway station serves the London suburb of Catford. Mainly used by commuters, it is on the line from mostly Kentish Town to Sevenoaks, between and in Travelcard Zone 3. Connections to London Victoria and are available at Peckham Rye....
- Catford Bridge railway stationCatford Bridge railway stationCatford Bridge railway station is on the Mid-Kent Line, serving Hayes line trains from Charing Cross to Hayes. It lies between Ladywell and Lower Sydenham stations, in Travelcard Zone 3. It is next to, and on a lower level than, Catford railway station on the Catford Loop line...
External links
- Brockley Central Community blog
- Crofton Park Community Link
- Crofton Park Local Assembly
- Crofton Park Library
- The Rivoli Ballroom
- The Jam Circus
- The Brockley Jack pub
- The Brockley Jack Theatre
- The Brockley Jack Film Club
- St Hilda's Church
- Full details of St Hilda's Church war memorial
- Crofton Park Baptist Church
- Crofton Park Transport Users Group
- Crofton Park Labour Party
- Facebook Group for Crofton Park Liberal Democrats
- Crofton Park Green Party blog
- Brockley Hall, 1863
- Brockley Jack, 1885
- Haymaking in Crofton Park, 1910
- Stondon Park, c.1912
- The Church of St Hilda, Crofton Park, (article in 'Ecclesiology Today' by Gavin Stamp, July 2008, pp.77-82)
- Saving London's Rivoli Ballroom, (article in 'Country Life', June 2008)
- Brockley and Crofton Park History (on Lewisham Council website)
- World War II V1 flying bombs and V2 rockets in SE4
- More information on the history of Crofton Park railway station
- Full English Heritage listing description for St Hilda's Church
- Full English Heritage listing description for the Rivoli Ballroom
- Full English Heritage listing description for Church Hall of St Hilda's, Crofton Park