Shirley, London

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Shirley
Shirley Library.jpeg
Shirley Library
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Shirley
Location within Greater London
Population14,296 (ward, 2011) [1]
OS grid reference TQ361658
•  Charing Cross 10 mi (16 km)  NNW
London borough
Ceremonial county Greater London
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town CROYDON
Postcode district CR0
Dialling code 020
Police Metropolitan
Fire London
Ambulance London
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°22′53″N0°03′15″W / 51.3813°N 0.0543°W / 51.3813; -0.0543

Shirley is an area of south London, England, within the London Borough of Croydon. It lies north of Spring Park and Addington, east of Addiscombe, south of Monks Orchard and west of West Wickham, and 10 miles south-southeast of Charing Cross. Prior to the creation of Greater London in 1965, Shirley was in the administrative county of Surrey.

Contents

The Shirley area is split into Shirley proper (centred on Wickham Road), Shirley Oaks (to the north) and Upper Shirley (to the west); the suburbs of Monks Orchard and Spring Park are sometimes also considered to be sub-districts of Shirley. [2]

History

The name Shirley, first recorded in 1314, is thought to mean 'shire clearing', referring to its position adjacent to the traditional Kent-Surrey border, though it may instead mean 'bright clearing'. [2] It was long a small hamlet, with a large mansion (Shirley House) being built here in 1721; this was purchased by the businessman and member of parliament, John Maberley, in the mid-1800s. [2] Around this period the population was growing, with more housing being built. [2] St John's Church was built in 1856 to serve the needs of the growing community, replacing a smaller chapel dating from 1835. [2]

Shirley House was converted into the Shirley Park Hotel in 1912. [2] In the 1930s. House building in the area rapidly expanded, largely consisting of suburban-style semi-detached houses, with the Monks Orchard estate also being built in this period. [2] However some land escaped the building boom; Shirley Park Hotel was bought by the Whitgift Foundation in 1965 to become Trinity School in a new building constructed on the site. [2]

Neighbouring the Trinity School grounds is Shirley Park Golf Course. To the south of Shirley are large areas of woodland, including Addington Hills and Threehalfpenny Wood. Parks and open spaces are dotted across the area, including Miller's Pond in Spring Park. Central Shirley (along Wickham Road) contains a library, several shops and restaurants and two pubs - The Crown and the Shirley Inn.

Shirley Oaks

Shirley Oaks Hospital, built on the site of the former Children's Home Shirley Oaks Hospital.jpg
Shirley Oaks Hospital, built on the site of the former Children's Home

Shirley Oaks is situated north of central Shirley, abutting Monks Orchard. [2] The land here was traditionally the property of the Archbishop of Canterbury. [2] The area gets its name from Oaks Farm, which lay here circa 1800. [2] The area began to be developed in the early 20th century, with the opening of the Shirley Oaks Children's Home in 1903. [2] Following the closure of the Home in 1982, the site was demolished and replaced with modern housing by Heron Homes. [2] Part of the site was set aside for Shirley Oaks Hospital, a private healthcare centre which opened in 1986. [2]

Shirley Oaks Children's Home

The Shirley Oaks Children's Home opened in 1903 and was run by the London Borough of Lambeth until its closure in 1982. [2] It was the largest in the country. [3] The children's home consisted of 38 cottages on a 80 acres (32 ha) site; [4] it contained its own school. In 2014 allegations of abuse emerged, and the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA) was set up. Between then and 2020, 1,760 people have described suffering sexual, physical and racial abuse while at the home. [3] [5] Children were "drugged, tortured and sexually assaulted." [6] The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse "heard that despite widespread mistreatment of children, the authority (Lambeth Council) failed to investigate any allegations at the time." [7]

The Metropolitan Police inquiry, Operation Midland, which examined all the borough's children's homes, concluded at least 35 men and women had abused children over a 20-year period. SOSA believes that over a 60-year period, over 120 abusers were involved. [3]

To compensate victims of the abuse at Shirley Oaks (and also Lambeth Children's Home), Lambeth Council has set up a Redress Scheme open until January 2022. The scheme is assisted by child abuse lawyers Ann Olivarius and Jeff Anderson of AO Advocates. As of January 2020, £30.7 million has been paid directly to victims. [8]

Upper Shirley

The Shirley Windmill Shirley Windmill.jpg
The Shirley Windmill

Upper Shirley is situated to the south-west of Shirley proper and is centred on the junction of Upper Shirley Road and Oaks Road, adjacent to the Addington Hills and Shirley Park and Addington golf courses. [2] The settlement is thought to have originated in the mid-18th century, originally under the name 'Badger's Hole'. [2] The area was home to a brewery in the mid-18th century. [2] In 1865 the Surprise pub opened. [2] There was another pub in the area - The Sandrock - which was located at the junction of Upper Shirley Road with Sandpits Road, which closed in 2018. [9] The area is largely affluent, especially along Bishops Walk. [2]

Shirley Windmill

Upper Shirley's most prominent landmark is the tower mill, which was built by Richard Alwen to replace the first mill on the site (built by his grandfather William Alwen in 1808) after it burnt down in 1854. [10] By 1893, Alfred Rayson, the owner, was forced to abandon the mill as unviable. After closure the mill was allowed to deteriorate, being struck by lightning in 1899 and again in 1906. [11] [12]

In 1951 the mill and land were acquired by the Croydon Corporation. The mill was threatened with demolition when the new John Ruskin School was built but it was protected by its Grade II listed status [13] and strong public interest. The school, now the John Ruskin College, later left the site and housing was built around the mill. [2]

In August 1996, it was announced that the London Borough of Croydon was to receive a grant of £218,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the mill. [14] [15] The grant money has helped restore the mill to working order and open it to the public.

Shirley Windmill is open to the public on the first Sunday of each month June to October open in May on National Mills weekend (Sunday) and usually open for the annual Open House Weekend (Sunday) in September.

Local schools

Trinity School of John Whitgift Trinity School of John Whitgift.jpg
Trinity School of John Whitgift

Primary schools

Secondary schools

Notable residents

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Borough of Croydon</span> London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in south London, part of Outer London. It covers an area of 87 km2 (33.6 sq mi). It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name; while other urban centres include Coulsdon, Purley, South Norwood, Norbury, New Addington, Selsdon and Thornton Heath. Croydon is mentioned in Domesday Book, and from a small market town has expanded into one of the most populous areas on the fringe of London. The borough is now one of London's leading business, financial and cultural centres, and its influence in entertainment and the arts contribute to its status as a major metropolitan centre. Its population is 390,719, making it the most populous London borough and sixteenth largest English district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addington, London</span> Human settlement in England

Addington is a village and area in south London, England, within the London Borough of Croydon. It is south of Spring Park, west of Coney Hall, north of New Addington and east of Forestdale and Selsdon, and is 11.1 miles (18 km) south of Charing Cross and 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of the centre of Croydon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addiscombe</span> Human settlement in England

Addiscombe is an area of south London, England, within the London Borough of Croydon. It is located 9.1 miles (15 km) south of Charing Cross, and is situated north of Coombe and Selsdon, east of Croydon town centre, south of Woodside, and west of Shirley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Palace, London</span> Residential area in London, England

Crystal Palace is an area in South London, named after the Crystal Palace Exhibition building which stood in the area from 1854, until it was destroyed by fire in 1936. About 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Charing Cross, it includes one of the highest points in London, at 367 feet (112 m), offering views over the capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keston</span> Human settlement in England

Keston is a village in Greater London, England, located within the London Borough of Bromley, Greater London. Prior to 1965 it was within the historic county of Kent. It is part suburban, part rural in nature and lies on the edge of Hayes Common, just beyond the London conurbation to the south of Bromley Common. It includes the small hamlet of Nash to the southwest. The northern, more suburban part of Keston is sometimes referred to as Keston Mark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croydon</span> Town in South London, England

Croydon is a large town in South London, England, 9.3 miles (15.0 km) south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London, it is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an extensive shopping district. The entire town had a population of 192,064 as of 2011, whilst the wider borough had a population of 384,837.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Wickham</span> Area of south-east London, England

West Wickham is an area of South East London, England, in the London Borough of Bromley. It lies south of Park Langley, Eden Park Beckenham and Bromley town center, west of Hayes and north of Coney Hall, east of Spring Park and Shirley. 10.3 miles (16.6 km) south-east of Charing Cross on the line of a Roman road, the London to Lewes Way. Before the creation of Greater London in 1965, West Wickham was in Kent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monks Orchard</span> Human settlement in England

Monks Orchard is a suburb on the edge of the London Borough of Croydon, in the ceremonial county of Greater London, England, prior to 1965 it was located in the historical county of Surrey. It is situated about 10 miles (16.1 km) south south-east of Charing Cross, south of Elmers End and Eden Park, west of West Wickham, and north and east of Shirley and Shirley Oaks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coombe, Croydon</span> Human settlement in England

Coombe is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, situated south-east of central Croydon, between Addiscombe, Selsdon and Upper Shirley. Formerly a hamlet, since the growth of suburban development the area has become swallowed into the London conurbation and often does not appear on modern map.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Croydon</span> Area of London

South Croydon in south London is the area surrounding the valley south of central Croydon and running as far south as the former Red Deer public house on the Brighton Road. It is bounded by Waddon to the West and Selsdon and Sanderstead to the East. It is part of the South Croydon (CR2) post town and in the London Borough of Croydon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eden Park, London</span> Human settlement in England

Eden Park is a suburban area in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley, Greater London and prior to 1965, in the historic county of Kent. It lies south of Beckenham, west of Park Langley and Shortlands, north of West Wickham and Monks Orchard and east of Elmers End.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forestdale, London</span> Human settlement in England

Forestdale is a residential neighbourhood of southeast London in the London Borough of Croydon. It is sometimes considered to be part of Addington, its ancient and ecclesiastical parish. It is located south of Upper Shirley, east of Selsdon, south-west of Addington's historic centre, north-west of New Addington and north of Farleigh and is east of West Wickham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Croydon</span>

The London Borough of Croydon has over 120 parks and open spaces within its boundaries, ranging from the 200 acre (80ha) Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve to many recreation grounds and sports fields scattered throughout the Borough. Croydon covers an area of 86.52 km2, the 256th largest district in England. Croydon's physical features consist of many hills and rivers that are spread out across the borough and into the North Downs, Surrey and the rest of South London. Some of the open spaces in Croydon form part of the well-known London LOOP walks where the first section was opened on 3 May 1996 with a ceremony on Farthing Downs in Coulsdon. As a borough in Outer London it also contains some open countryside in the form of country parks. Croydon Council is associated with several other boroughs who are taking part in the Downlands Countryside Management Project. These boroughs are Sutton; and by Surrey County Council; the City of London Corporation; the Surrey districts of Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge; and the Countryside Agency. An additional partner is Natural Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodside, London</span> Human settlement in England

Woodside is an area in south London, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is between Addiscombe and South Norwood. It is south of South Norwood, west of Shirley and Monks Orchard, north of Addiscombe, and east of Selhurst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A2022 road</span> Road in south London and northern Surrey

The A2022 is a non-primary road in England. It runs south-west into the foothills of the North Downs from West Wickham in the London Borough of Bromley through Selsdon, Sanderstead, Addington, Purley, the Woodcote part of that town, Banstead in Surrey and Epsom Downs through which it descends to a similar altitude as at its beginning to end at Epsom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addington Hills</span>

Addington Hills is a park in Upper Shirley, London, England. It is managed by the London Borough of Croydon. It was part of the old parish of Addington before the suburb of Shirley was developed in the 1930s. The site consists largely of woodland on a gravel bed, with London's largest area of heathland at its heart. It is a Site of Metropolitan Importance. In the mid-18th century, it was a noted cricket venue used by the then-prominent Addington Cricket Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shirley Windmill</span> Windmill in south London

Shirley Windmill is a Grade II listed tower mill in Shirley, in the London Borough of Croydon, England which has been restored to working order.

Spring Park is a small area in London, England. It is within the London Borough of Bromley and the London Borough of Croydon, straddling the traditional Kent-Surrey border along The Beck. Spring Park is located north of Addington, west of West Wickham and south of Monks Orchard and Shirley.

References

  1. ↑ "Croydon Ward population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Willey, Russ. Chambers London Gazetteer, p 439
  3. 1 2 3 Hopkins, Nick (25 June 2020). "Over £46m paid to survivors of abuse at Lambeth children's homes". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Shirley Hell | Urban Concepts". Shirley Oaks Survivors Association. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Hopkins, Nick (25 June 2020). "'I have suffered all my life': survivors tell of abuse at Shirley Oaks children's home". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Shirley Oaks: Children 'drugged, tortured and sexually assaulted'," BBC, 30 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Shirley Oaks: 'Hundreds of children racially and sexually abused'," BBC, 29 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme Update," Lambeth Council, January 2020.
  9. ↑ "Closed pub home to a 'phantom preacher' will remain despite flats proposal". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  10. ↑ Farries, Kenneth G & Mason, Martin T (1966). The Windmills of Surrey and Inner London. London: Charles Skilton. pp. 199–202.
  11. ↑ "New guidebook to Shirley Windmill". Windmill World. Archived from the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  12. ↑ Arthur, George. "Windmills in Greater London". London's Industrial Archaeology, No 3. London: Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society.
  13. ↑ Stuff, Good. "Shirley Windmill, Croydon, Croydon". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk.
  14. ↑ "Shirley Windmill | Open House London 2019". openhouselondon.open-city.org.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  15. ↑ "Upminster Windmill to be saved | The National Lottery Heritage Fund". www.heritagefund.org.uk. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  16. ↑ "Goodnight from him: Croydon comedy legend Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85". Croydon Guardian.
  17. ↑ "Ronnie Corbett dies", The Independent, 31 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "This is what Croydon's Ben Haenow is up to 5 years after winning The X Factor". My London. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  19. ↑ "George Pilkington Mills - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk.
  20. ↑ "John Surtees OBE" (PDF). The RH7 History Group. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "Footballer's Croydon home up for £6million". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  22. ↑ Historic England. "The White Lodge (1293836)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 12 August 2020.
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