My mum was a silver service waitress in Kennards' Blue Room restaurant which was adjacent to a fabulous Soda Bar.

I used to go and wait for her to finish serving lunches and the bloke at the Soda Bar would make me fresh waffles with jam and ice cream.

And, yes, the famous Kennards Arcade which ran from the North End down to Drummond Road sold a wide variety of exotic things, including animals and donkey rides were a highlight.

And, still on the subject of my mum, she moved from Kennards to M&S and became their store detective where she nicked many a rogue shoplifter.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

on the shop subject, I think croydon had the first self serve supermarket (tesco) west end of croydon.

Kids,tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.

Yes, had a drink with John Salako there.great place, was always a slightly older crowd, until i got old.

Think its "was" regarding Bishops king.

And many years later a business in the CP triangle gets in on the name too,...

Attachment: Palace Fires.JPG (882.55Kb)

I disengage, I turn the page.

My great grandfather was a master of ceremonies there and his brother, my great uncle Sid, was a master craftsman responsible for creating and building exhibition stands.

When the Palace burnt down Sid was distraught and suffered a complete breakdown. Tragic. But I remember him as a lovely, gentle man. Lived in Addiscombe.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.