Allotments (Churchfields Road/Dorset Road)

[jeannette]

Does anybody have any memories of the Allotments off Elmers End Road, now called Dorset Road Allotments (was Churchfield Road Allotments).

[jeannette]

Hi

That was a rather short introductory message - apologies!

I'm a member of Dorset Road Allotments and I'm trying to create a 'history book' for the allotment society to show how the allotment has changed over time and how people used the site.

What I know is that before the 1940s when Beck Lane houses were built, Beck Lane was a path through the allotments.

I know that the current Churchfields School was built on allotment land, and judging from old maps and a suspected aerial photograph on Britain from Above, that the houses on Elmers End Road opposite South Norwood Country Park were also built on the land.

I have stories from kids in the 1970s/80s who used to play in the river and from an old gent who remembers going down Beck Lane before the houses were built!

I'd be very grateful for any information people may have, including old photographs.

Many thanks

Jeannette

[The Historian]

I have emailed you a couple of images from the site.

Ian

[gowera]

Yes I remember it....my grandad has a pitch there  i could go with my eyes closed and show you ....i remember it was at the end of a road....no idea of the name....black gates and his allotment was on theright close to the railway...or was it a river....i think the river was at the end of the site.....havnt thought about it or been there for years please let me know what you have found out id love to see photos


there were sheads were they had tea.....

Grandad died in 1994....think i was about 7 when i used to vist....him there....he lived at 131 ravenscroft road....penge......bill! Stockwell xxx