Shirley Park at 60

Shirley Park

A new era beckons

The most important project undertaken during Headmaster Oliver Berthoud’s tenure was the announcement in 1959 that the school would relocate to Shirley Park, with work expected to finish by 1964. The original building at North End had been designed for fewer than 200 pupils and, by 1959, the school was endeavouring to accommodate over 600 boys. A modern chemistry block with a gym underneath, incongruous alongside the main building at North End, opened in 1958 and eased the situation but the school had clearly outgrown its premises.

The powers that be in Croydon were looking to redevelop the centre of the town and the relocation of Trinity School was a principal element in their plans. The school’s 11-acre site at North End, right in the heart of Croydon, was a prime location for redevelopment and thus will have raised a princely sum when it was sold.

Concurrently, the search for a new home for the school was underway and in March 1959, an agreement was reached with the owners of the Shirley Park Hotel, a site with well over 25 acres of land, more than double the land at North End. The hotel was to continue to operate until building work was scheduled to commence.

By the beginning of 1963, Shirley Park Hotel had been demolished, and the playing fields were beginning to take shape. However, the building work was hampered at the start of the year due to the Big Freeze of 1962-63, one of the coldest winters on record. Further disruption was caused by poor drainage on land that had formerly been a lake in the grounds of Shirley Park Hotel.

Architectural plans depicting the new buildings were prominently displayed at the school at North End, but it was to be a model made by the architect George Lowe that captured the imagination of the school community

A photograph showing the planned redevelopment of the site at North End appeared in the Easter 1963 magazine [photograph below courtesy of The London Press Exchange]:

Out with the old and in with the new

The last academic year at North End

The school safely embarked upon its last academic year at North End with a philosophical toleration of the cramped and noisy conditions at the old building. Momentary fears of premature demolition by a fire that spread on the afternoon of October 9, 1964, when the heating system suddenly reacted violently to the approach of winter were thankfully allayed.

In a nostalgic farewell to the old school buildings, the Founder's Day Supper in 1965 was held in Big School on March 19, attended by Old Mid-Whitgiftians, the Headmaster and selected members of the staff and prefects. It was the first and last Founder's Day Supper to be held in the school building at North End and was recorded on film [see film 11, 1964-1965 on our archive website. The supper is approximately 7 mins 34 seconds in. Contact archive@trinity.croydon.sch.uk for details on how to log in]. The Greyhound Hotel and the Café Royal were scenes of earlier Founder’s Day Suppers.

The last annual film show presented by the CCF at North End on October 23 and 24 1964 featured Tony Hancock in The Rebel. The programme also included the annual school film accompanied by music composed by members of the school and performed by the school orchestra. There was also a performance by the Corps of Drums in their contemporary ‘neo-Liverpudlian’ style, recently developed by them in rehearsals.

The Autumn 1964 term ended with the dramatic society's production of The Clandestine Marriage, a Christmas Concert and the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Work commenced on preparing for the move with members of staff instrumental in planning for the changes the relocation would bring.

Alan Turner, deputy headmaster and acting headmaster on three occasions, who taught at the school from 1935 to 1977, was to become intimately involved in the design of the new school at Shirley Park.

Each department considered what it needed at the new school. Jock Round, chemistry master from 1945 to 1973, was largely responsible for the planning of the new chemistry department. During the move to Shirley Park, Russell Emery, chemistry steward and former Sergeant Staff Instructor to the CCF, masterminded the packing of more than 200 tea chests of materials and organised the layout of the rooms on the top floor corridor at Shirley Park.

Kenneth Jones, 1952 said of Bob ‘Chips’ Brierley who taught wood and metalwork and technical drawing, “Bob Brierley made many constructive suggestions in the design of the school at Shirley Park, in particular, the workshop and drawing office, which he designed and furnished, and the swimming pool, having battled with the architect for a properly designed 25m bath.”

Derek Cooper 1954, editor of the Old Mid-Whitgiftian at the time said of groundsman Albert Wilcox: “The loving care with which he tended the wicket at North End will remain forever with all those who attended the school there and for the rest I have no doubt they will have even more recent memories of Albert attempting to bring the Shirley Park wicket to the state of perfection which he had obtained at North End.”

Christopher Bedford, 1964, the senior librarian, reported in the summer of 1964 that the books in the library were undergoing an intense review in preparation for the move to Shirley Park. The librarians were devoting much of their spare time tending to the books. They experimented with the use of new adhesives, materials and methods. Innovations included distinctive labelling of reference and junior books, the use of non-shrink adhesive tape that would not deteriorate, washable cloth repair tape in bright colours, acetate and PVC.

Five thousand books in the library were inspected and repaired where necessary and the index revised and augmented. Some sections of the library had to close for up to a week with restrictions on its use at other times whilst preparing for the move.

The librarians continued to enhance the library with new books, inviting suggestions from the school’s community. Michael Warren, 1965 and chief librarian sent out an appeal for string citing a dire need as copious quantities would be needed for the move to the new school – all contributions were gratefully received.

The editor of the summer 1964 school magazine, Peter Jones, 1965, wrote of the move: “It is perhaps fortunate that this issue of the magazine is not being considered solely on the merits of its original thought content; mention is inevitably made of the last term at North End. No excuses need be made; although the Great Move has been so long a topic of conversation, often to the annoyance of those leaving us this year, it remains an untarnished prospect for the majority.

“However, it is worth considering the view of those whose school career ends with North End. Inevitably it seems sacrilegious to hack down the trees and plough up the field in the name of progressive development. It is harsh for those who do not have the prospect of the palatial Shirley Park in mind.

“Of course, memories die hard, and days of joy and sorrow, anxiety and entertainment at the old buildings will long be recalled. The object in mind of those who are not leaving must be to establish the old traditional atmosphere in new surroundings. This is not an appeal to mere conservatism; change should take place but only for the better. It would be hard indeed to improve on the atmosphere so firmly established in the heart of Croydon; the sense of school being not just a nineuntil-four residence, but a second home, is an integral part of its undeniable success; it is also the central strength of the flourishing Old Boys' Association. Let the traditions – especially the unofficial ones – continue.

“Let Trinity School remain Trinity School in all that it means to its past and present members, otherwise Shirley Park could be an expensive shell of stone, steel and glass. If the transition is complete in its success, then regrets at the passing of the old era can be replaced with pleasure at the arrival of a new and better one, befitting its superlative environment.”

In order to facilitate the transition to the new school, the prefect body was strengthened in May and June 1964 with an additional 11 prefects, with promotions for selected existing members to senior prefect.

Staff and students returning to school at North End after the Easter holidays in 1965 were greeted with the sight of a brand-new cricket pavilion on the site of the old one, which had been destroyed by fire the previous term. Within a few weeks of the beginning of the summer term, the new pavilion was ready for use and though destined for a brief existence by virtue of the move to Shirley Park, it was nevertheless essential for the last cricket season at North End A full fixture list had been arranged, including a cricket week at the end of term, when the school XI played teams such as Sir James Marshall's XI and an OMWA past captains XI

The last Old Boys' Day at the old school took place on June 26, 1965, in rather cooler weather than usual. The vicar of Croydon officiated, and it was with a certain nostalgia that the school witnessed the laying of the commemorative wreaths on the memorial stone in front of the old buildings. The traditional cricket match that followed the ceremony was won by the school for the first time in thirteen years.

The last full week of term was unofficially named "Cove Week” because on July 13, 1965, the annual Cove Society outing took place, and on July 16, the Cove Society dinner was held in Big School. [A new Sixth Form society had been named the Cove Society following the retirement of former head of English, Joseph W Cove. Cove taught at the school for 42 years from 1919 to 1961.]

A farewell dance was held in Big School on July 19, 1965, featuring The Herd, a recently formed rock band. The band produced a sound that was capable of filling a hall ten times the size off Big School Refreshments, supervised by John Doubell, 1966, were served in the library with many attendees retiring there to rest their eardrums

“The impending move has influenced many of the prefects, who, spurred on by the enticing plans of the Shirley Park facilities, have worked even less hard than usual, with the aim of failing their examinations and coming back next year.” Anon

Demolition at North End

Thirty-four years after Whitgift Middle School moved into the premises vacated by Whitgift Grammar [now Whitgift School] at North End, the school – now Trinity School of John Whitgift – moved to their brand-new building at Shirley Park. The historic school buildings at North End were demolished to make way for the Whitgift Centre. The new shopping centre opened in stages between 1968 and 1970. Many alumni lamented the demolition of the school at North End, but others welcomed the move from a draughty, cold and overcrowded building.

The demolition contractors were given special instructions to preserve the statue of the school’s founder, Archbishop John Whitgift that stood above the tower arch and the stone on which it was mounted. A large glass memorial bottle, around 25 centimetres high was retrieved intact from behind the stone.

On November 5, 1965, at the end of the governors’ meeting, the bottle endured several unsuccessful attempts at disclosing its contents. Eventually, a glass cutter, aided by a sharp tap with a rolling pin, proved effective. The contents revealed a scroll and thirteen coins. The coins consisted of bronze, silver and gold pieces mostly dating from the 1860s.

The scroll, executed on parchment in blue and gold, recorded the laying of the foundation stone at North End on March 16, 1869, by Archbishop Archibald Campbell Tait of Canterbury, in the presence of twelve governors and attendant clergy. The inscription on the scroll describes the new building as "the commercial or middle-class school of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity in Croydon of the Foundation of John Whitgift, formerly Archbishop of Canterbury.”

The laying of the foundation stone at Shirley Park

The first stage in the building of the new school at Shirley Park was marked on Monday, June 8, 1964, when the foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey. The event was a stark reminder to the school community that the demolition of the school buildings at North End was a mere twelve months away. The effect on school life of the move to Shirley Park remained shrouded in mystery, but the general view was that there would be a considerable amount of change afoot.

The Archbishop of Canterbury arrives for the ceremony

Around 60 pupils, the staff, several Old Boys, and the Governors assembled at the site of the new school at Shirley Park to witness the laying of the foundation stone

Alderman Sir James Marshall, the chairman of the governors opened the ceremony. In his speech, he said he was aware of the sorrow that the move would cause to many, especially those educated in the present school buildings. But he continued, "It is the wind of change. We feel it is in the interest of the boys to move from the busy heart of Croydon to these delightful surroundings, and we are sure the move will have happy conclusions." Sir James welcomed the archbishop and thanked him for coming to the ceremony.

Before laying the stone, Dr Ramsey said, "This ceremony points both to the past and the future. To the past because Archbishop Whitgift was a great name in the history of Croydon and the country, because he served his church and his country. While he was a man immersed in great events and causes, he also showed great care for the individual. This was his motive behind the Whitgift Foundation. It is known of Archbishop Whitgift that he gave munificently to institutions of Croydon, and that he took a great personal interest in the scholars.

"This ceremony also points to the present day, and I feel it a great privilege to be laying the foundation stone. Masters and scholars alike will feel nostalgic, and well it is that this is so. Buildings have a spiritual and symbolic value to those who enjoy them. But we all must look forwards to the future. This is a sign of our determination to take a firm hold of the values learnt in the past and to transplant them into the twentieth century

"We must always be looking ahead. Trinity School has fine traditions. Let it be a school very adventurous in the use of new methods – not only those that impart knowledge. Let it be a school that cares for Christian values, one that encourages its pupils to go out into the world and serve their fellows, encouraging a width of sympathy of human interests. Our hope is that, with the aid of the architect, the contractors and all who are making this building possible, the new school will be flourishing on this site in the autumn of 1965."

The Mayor, Councillor Keith Edwards, welcoming the Archbishop and Mrs Ramsey to Croydon, spoke of the town’s ancient associations with the Archbishops of Canterbury who, for a thousand years, had been lords of the manor.

The archbishop then laid the foundation stone, and the ceremony closed with a service of dedication for the new buildings by Canon W Warren Hunt, Vicar of Croydon.

A time capsule was prepared and secreted behind the foundation stone, to be opened 50 years later. Contents included a school [red] house tie, commemorative postage stamps depicting Shakespeare and his plays, a whole school photograph and freshly minted coins.

On September 7, 2015, the time capsule was retrieved from behind the foundation stone for a special ceremony organised to mark 50 years since the school had opened on the site at Shirley Park. Alumni, pupils and staff together with the original architect’s assistant, Stuart Pickford, and the quantity surveyor involved at the time of the build, John Machell, all gathered to watch the ceremonial opening of the time capsule and the preparation of another to be opened in 2065.

Nine-year-old Joel Cuttle, the youngest student in the school at the time and Jane Berthoud, widow of Oliver Berthoud, Headmaster 1952-1972 and the school’s secretary when the capsule was buried, had the honour of opening the 50-year-old time capsule Joel and Jane then filled a new time capsule which included a Rugby World Cup ball from the competition in 2015 [the French team used Trinity’s 1st XV pitch and fitness centre whilst in England for their training], school magazines and a mobile phone. This time capsule was re-interred behind the foundation stone for opening 50 years later.

Joel Cuttle and Jane Berthoud discovering the contents of the 1965 time capsule

The first academic year at Shirley Park

On September 14, 1965, the school opened its doors to the school community. The first day in the magnificent new buildings went very smoothly despite teething problems that gradually came to light. The staff and students’ enthusiasm for their brand-new surroundings was not blighted by the many unfinished projects yet to come to fruition.

The music room (now the drama studio, behind Trinity Concert Hall) was unfinished for the start of the new term at Shirley Park so the musicians had to 'muddle through' for a few weeks. As things settled, the music facilities comprised the music room, music master's office and four practice/teaching rooms adjoining it. Beyond the swimming pool, there was a set of music practice huts and a rehearsal room.

The Sandison Room and Big School were used for large scale rehearsals while routine rehearsals took place in the music room, which housed a grand piano, newly bought for £850.

Big School (now Trinity Concert Hall) was not completed until the latter part of the Autumn term, 1965. Thankfully, the weather was unbelievably merciful, and rain never once impeded the open-air assemblies that took place in the area outside the library.

Due to the lack of curtains in Big School, house plays had to be cancelled. However, on the run up to Christmas, the dramatic society staged its first production in the greatly enhanced environment. The play chosen was an uncut version of Hamlet, the longest, and perhaps, Shakespeare’s greatest play. Colin Sell, 1968 played the leading role. Colin has since agreed with those who thought his portrayal

of Hamlet was rather too jolly. [Colin is a celebrated pianist and well-known for his role on the BBC’s comedy radio panel show I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue ]

Warwick Jones, 1969 said of the production, “I remember going offstage and the guy playing the part of the gravedigger, who doesn’t come on for about two and half hours, had a set of cards (which these days would have been confiscated for the pictures on them!) and he also smuggled in some bottles of brown ale. We all played cards backstage and by the time he went on as the grave digger, he was bouncing the rubber skull up and down during the very moving scene! It was an extraordinary performance.”

Big School was finally completed just in time for the school’s open day when parents and Old Boys inspected the fine new surroundings.

In November 1965, most boys in the school contributed a shilling towards the purchase of ten thousand crocus and two thousand daffodil and narcissus bulbs. These were planted at the rear of the buildings by amateur (and temporary) gardeners recruited from the Fourth and Fifth Forms.

In early spring, 1966, the boys’ hard work was rewarded by the appearance of hundreds of yellow, white and blue crocuses appearing on the grass verge near the classroom block, reminding the Fourths and Lower Fifths that their horticultural efforts the previous term had not been wasted. The fine weather towards the end of the Easter term enhanced the scenic surroundings of the school with a colourful array of flowers and budding trees.

Unfortunately, the new grounds at Shirley Park were littered with stones, pebbles, rubble and other detritus left by the contractors. Sports such as rugby could not be played on the school playing fields given the number of injuries sustained by players falling on stony ground. Games had to be relocated to the school’s playing fields at Sandilands.

The poor state of the sports grounds precipitated the movement of the annual sports day from the Spring to the Summer Term; a move originally intended to occur the following year.

The lake in the grounds of the former Shirley Park Hotel had been filled in to establish the lower playing fields and this area was prone to dampness.

Frank Drewett, head of PE and master in charge of rugby said: “The first years at Shirley Park were not good. The contractors had left rubble, stones and pebbles on the grounds which were responsible for many injuries.”

The pitches were still in a poor condition when Frank left in 1967. The stony grounds prevailed for many years. In fact, Laurie King, who left in 1977 remembered the whole school being involved in a massive ‘stone picking’ event in around 1970-71. Some 700 students formed a close-knit line as they scanned the fields shoulder to shoulder for stones and pebbles which were picked up and placed in buckets.

The playing fields were not the only sports facilities affected by adverse conditions. Frank said: “The gym-cum-cricket school and squash courts flooded, the swimming pool lights filled with water from the condensation and poor ventilation to the extent that boys wagered which ‘cows udder’ would burst next. The considerable teething troubles were softened only by the extraordinary tolerance and assistance offered by colleagues and boys.”

The first term’s swimming was certainly eventful. After a delay at the beginning of term caused by the appearance of bitumen on the bottom of the pool, the teething problems persisted with a fluctuating water level, a buckled ceiling, and a polo net that could not stop the ball. Perhaps the most memorable occasion was when the water almost disappeared completely.

Tony Atkinson, 1966, wrote a piece for the school magazine about a visit by the Bishop of Croydon on Friday December 10, 1965. The bishop officiated at morning prayers and conducted a private service of dedication in the new buildings.

“After the lesson and the hymn, the bishop spoke to the school community about their good fortune in inheriting such fine surroundings from the benevolence of its original founder, John Whitgift. He took as the keystone of his words a text from the Wisdom of Solomon in the Apocrypha, to the effect that man's stewardship of the world and everything in it can only be successfully achieved through wisdom. This wisdom, moreover, is obtained through the Holy Spirit, and has been the school’s heritage since the time of its foundation by a great leader of the Church.”

The opening editorial of the Christmas 1965 magazine reflected the mood of the school community:

“We have endeavoured to prevent the move to the new school from becoming the dominant feature in this issue, as it rather tended to do in last term's magazine. Clearly it is of great significance and cannot be ignored or pushed to one side: it has affected everyone in any way connected with the school, as well as influencing the future development of Croydon as a whole. But it is the continuation of all aspects of school life in the new surroundings which should be emphasised. As the Bishop of Croydon pointed out in his private service of dedication, we are now the proud possessors of vastly improved facilities, but they will be used for the same purpose as those at North End – the search for knowledge and wisdom.”

Rock bands The Herd and The Dyaks played at the school’s first dance held in Big School at Shirley Park The bands filled the school hall with their music much to the delight of those dancing on the beautiful new floor.

The final days of the Autumn term were brightened for the Sixth Form by the installation of a hot drinks machine dispensing tea, coffee and hot chocolate in their dining room.

The official opening of the school at Shirley Park

The official opening of the school took place on May 5, 1966, with Field Marshall Earl Alexander of Tunis, Lieutenant of London attending as the guest of honour. Other dignitaries included Sir William Hart, Chairman of the Greater London Council and Lady Hart, the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, and representatives of the Old Boys from both schools.

Earl Alexander inspected a guard of honour and was invited by Sir James Marshall to unveil a plaque in the entrance hall. After a short ceremony, the official party moved into Big School, where the parents and boys were assembled.

Lord Alexander inspecting the guard of honour

Alderman Sir James Marshall, chairman of the court of governors welcomed the guests. He spoke about the buildings at North End no longer being fit for purpose and that the new school at Shirley Park greatly enhanced the facilities available to students. He praised the architect Mr Lowe and the way in which the boys coped with the move.

Earl Alexander expressed his delight at visiting the town of Croydon. In his capacity as Lord Lieutenant of London, he was most impressed with the progressive nature of the district, with its many new buildings, the school being one of the finest.

The Headmaster, Oliver Berthoud, noted that this was the first Trinity School to be officially opened, despite Shirley Park being the third set of buildings to house the school’s community. Oliver Berthoud spoke of Earl Alexander's distinguished military career, noting that it was a fitting tribute to the great man that it was Europe Day on the day of the opening. “Europe owed much of its present freedom to the efforts of this man in the war.”

Impressions of Shirley Park

At first glance, one could be forgiven for perceiving the building at Shirley Park to be a concrete Sixties structure; in fact, it is clad in Portland stone, mined in the UK and transported to the site. An expensive material, Portland stone is mined on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, along the Jurassic Coast. A tied island, Portland can be reached via the A354. Portland stone, a type of limestone formed in a marine environment, has been quarried for centuries and has been used the construction of many famous buildings including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Palace of Westminster, the British Museum and the Bank of England. Further afield, Portland Stone was used in the construction of an iconic skyscraper in New York; the headquarters for the United Nations

When entering the school at Shirley Park for the first time, one is struck by the brightness and airiness of the building with its wide corridors and expanse of glass. Here lies a building fit for purpose. Unlike

the dark and dingy corridors of the school at North End, the school in Shirley is an impressive sight for visitors and prospective parents.

The fresh and welcoming atmosphere of the school is reflected by the staff – the place buzzes with friendliness and warmth.

Designed by architect George Lowe and built at a cost of £1,250,000 [approximately £30 million today], the new school could accommodate up to 750 boys When the school first moved into its brand-new premises from North End, it housed 626 pupils.

Shirley Park in 1965

It soon exceeded this number and by 2025, the school roll had grown to 1,000 students and included a co-educational Sixth Form from 2011. Another milestone in the school’s history was to take place in May 2025, when the Headmaster, Alastair Kennedy, announced that Trinity was to become fully coeducational. The first intake of boys and girls into Year 6 and 7 were to join the school in 2027, with all year groups becoming fully co-educational by 2031.

Interestingly, when interviewed on his retirement, Robin Wilson, Headmaster from 1972 to 1994, said: "I would not be too distressed if co-education came about at Trinity. Indeed, with a family of two daughters I suppose I would have been very happy if it did. We nearly became co-educational in the late 1970s but that was as much an economic motive as anything else. We haven't got that problem at the moment."

Robin was asked: “What about taking girls in the Sixth Form?” He replied: "I'd be very happy to have a co-educational Sixth Form if it was 50/50 boys and girls", but he pointed out at the time that it would be difficult to achieve.

The dust begins the settle

By the Easter term of 1966, the new facilities at Shirley Park were beginning to be more fully exploited. Steps had now been installed in the embankment by the classroom block so that boys could arrive at their next lesson dripping wet but not late from swimming lessons.

The Redgra pitch was now in use, although all hockey matches were still being played on the pitches at Sandilands [Sandilands playing fields have been used by the school community for generations]. The school sports day had to be delayed until the summer term of 1966 as the grounds were not ready; a move originally intended to occur the following year.

The first Founder’s Day at Shirley Park

The headmasters of Trinity and Whitgift made the decision to end the traditional Founder's Day march from the schools to the church, and to remove all CCF participation from the ceremony. Instead, the two school communities assembled outside the Parish Church on the morning of March 22, 1966.

After the dignitaries from the board of governors and the residents from the Whitgift Almshouses had taken their places, the members of both schools filled the pews. Pews at the rear were left empty. In the past, these would have been filled by the passers-by, attracted by the sight of the procession.

The move on film

You can view a film recording the move to Shirley Park, please contact our archivist Laurie King on archive@trinity.croydon.sch.uk for details on how to log into our archive website.

Under ‘Browse’, scroll to ‘Films’ and select ‘Film 12 The Move 1965’. The film starts with the demolition of North End and features the first day at Shirley Park 7 minutes and 15 seconds in. It is interesting to see the cars from that era in the background

Students and alumni on Shirley Park

The following was published in the Summer 1965 edition of the school magazine:

Sale of Trinity School, Croydon by ANON (4A)

“Owing to immense pressures on the staff, a decision has been made to sell Trinity School, which has recently proved uneconomical to run. This has only been made possible by the persistent encouragement of the pupils, who have provided much food for thought and have driven their elders to exasperation.

“The building, which is for sale by auction in a dilapidated state, is situated in the sordid environs of Croydon. Prospective buyers will be encouraged to hear that the town’s council has decided to construct a new sewage plant nearby for the convenience of ratepayers.

“Adjacent to the building is a generous expanse of grass which is good value for those who prize a plot of earth devoid of fertilizer and contaminated with industrial effluent. Included in the premises is an attractive maison de cuisine, which could be the pride of many an historian, who will also be able to visit many archaeological sites on Wellesley Road. An extremely opaque lake is provided which should appeal to pessimists of any degree, and, for the conscientious, there is a library where the naturalist will be able to examine a weird educational specimen known as the bookworm.

“In the past Trinity School has gained much recognition in Croydon, which it has chiefly acquired through regularly introducing a plentiful supply of pungent hydrogen sulphide gas into the invigorating Croydon atmosphere. Indeed, Trinity School at present is a most desirable establishment.”

The History Society uncovers Shirley Park

The Christmas 1965 edition of the Trinity magazine published this history of Shirley Park by Mervyn Kohler, 1966:

“At the end of 1964, the History Society at the school set out to uncover the history of Shirley Park. “Research revealed that Neolithic man left a hut circle at Shirley, and it is understood that an Iron Age trackway runs right through the school. However, habitation in historical times dates from the AngloSaxon settlement that gave Shirley its name. Shirley is derived from scir-leah, which is Saxon for pasture (lea) near the boundary (scir from sceran, to cut), and Shirley is near the Kent/Surrey boundary.

“Various documents mention Shirle in 1314, Sherlegh in 1498 and Shurley in 1539. In 1598, a deed provides money for the Whitgift Hospital from rents from a farm in Shirley. However, detailed knowledge only dates from the late seventeenth century when a ‘brick messuage’ (country house) occupied the Shirley Park site.

“At this time, the road from Croydon to West Wickham did not make the right-angle bend outside the school as it now does, but ran direct from near the junction with Upfield, straight across the site to the Wickham Road roundabout. Presumably the aforesaid house faced this road, i.e. south-west. John Best, a London embroiderer, owned this property He lived until the age of seventy or so, when his body was buried in Addington in 1721.

“In 1714, John Best had already conveyed the buildings to John Claxton, who built a new mansion in 1721. This house, after the French style of Mansard, was the building that was still in existence until 1962. Many additions were made (the hotel had fifty bedrooms), but the original part was clearly visible from the rear. The property was passed down to Claxton's son in 1740, and the fellow twice mortgaged it, his father repurchasing it each time, but still the former died intestate.

“The Claxton family, however, remained in possession and enlarged the estate until 1811 when it was sold to a colourful character by the name of John Maberly. Maberly was a banker, and MP for Rye. Surrey was well-known for its fox hunting and Maberly made Croydon the centre of this sport, which many London dignitaries attended. The Surrey Archaeological Collection records state: ‘The Old Surrey (hounds) are undoubtedly the most ancient pack in Surrey. In 1812, Mr Maberly took over and had his kennels at Shirley. Green coats and beaver hats were the costume of the hunt.’

"In October 1815, Colonel Joliffe fought a duel with Maberly, whom he accused of having run a fox to earth and dug him in his county. (Colonel Joliffe, also an MP, hunted from Wimbledon to Box Hill). No blood was shed. It was Maberly who altered the road to its present position. He built the new road to

the north of the house, invited the local magnates to dinner, and got the local farmers to block up the old road with wagons and dung carts. Thus, the new road was officially opened.

“Maberly also enlarged the ornamental lakes, planted trees on the heath (presumably Shirley Hills) and bought the adjacent Coombe Farm.

“In 1832 he was declared bankrupt, and the estates were auctioned in 1839. At the auction, the Shirley property was bought by the second Lord Eldon, whose grandfather had been Lord Chancellor, memorable for his ‘long service (1807-27), slowness of judgement, and opposition to reform’ .

“The second Lord died in 1854, and during the minority of his son, John Anson occupied the house. However, he was killed in a disastrous railway accident in 1873, when the north-bound Scottish Express was wrecked at Wigan. His remains were recovered and buried in Shirley Churchyard.

“After Anson's death the house was leased to Frederick Banbury, who was found dead in the rosary in 1890 (a presumed suicide).

“Sadly, a local villager drowned in one of the ornamental ponds. No ghosts, however, have yet been reported at Shirley Park

“The Eldon family eventually abandoned the house, and it was auctioned in 1908.

“In around 1913 Shirley Park became a luxurious, 4-star hotel, and the grounds were transformed into a golf course Shirley Park Golf course still survives alongside the new school.”

[Shortly after it was opened as a hotel, it was to become a convalescent hospital for officers wounded during the First World War. The Shirley Park Hotel was to reopen its doors as a hotel and golf club after the conflict ended in 1918 and was to operate until around 1962 when work was due to commence on the new school.]

Impressions of Shirley Park

An anonymous alumnus shared his impression of Shirley Park in the Christmas 1965 magazine:

“It came as quite a shock when returning to the school on business recently to discover that the place was still a school with hordes of small boys in black blazers necked with red, blue, green and yellow scurrying to and fro. I had rather imagined a total disintegration after the final break-up ceremony at North End, not merely because I was leaving but because the feeling of the old place disappeared as the once majestic if not artistic tower crumbled and slumped to the ground in dust, taking with it the grime-encrusted initial carvings of nearly a century.

“Yet here I was at Shirley Park, being shown round what is at least in name my school, pausing frequently to regain my sense of direction. This then was the building that had seemed to me just a myriad of lines on paper, I never assumed it would reach the stage of reality.

“I found myself tiptoeing along the corridors as if this were a museum and was shocked to see people enter the library without looking round and settle to work whilst I marvelled at the architect's imagination, shuffling lines to envisage this spacious light room, surely the best feature of the building.

“The bell rang, and I saw faces of friends appearing on all sides. Once again, I felt surprised that they were continuing the former North End routine. The same cackle came from the prefect's room, which

had lost the smell of paint and cement and had assumed its customary litter of dirty games kit. The sight of one of the members hobbling in, his leg in plaster, rewarded for some effort on the field, set mind at rest. Mrs Herriott still commands the kitchen, now surrounded by polythene and stainless steel rather than splintered wood and peeling paint. A cook's face appeared from the customary cloud of steam.

“Exploring further, I found a jungle of music stands, violin cases and scraps of Dido and Aeneas, elsewhere there were map sheets, rock samples and the famous pile of history books with variously inscribed dust jackets capped with an umbrella and a striped towel, sitting proudly on a smart new desk. In another room, the inscription a2 - b2 = 2ab induced more nostalgia. The Bunsen burners nickering, apron-clad boys watching the balance plumbline quivering, showed that the school was not overawed.

“I left satisfied in the knowledge that Trinity School, North End, had been transported to luxury but had remained as it had always been.”

Croydon

By Stephen Batchelor and Richard Tamplin

In 1964, Stephen Batchelor and Richard Tamplin jointly wrote an insightful piece about Croydon when they were in the Upper Sixth:

“The infrequent visitor to Croydon must be struck by the sudden rapid development of so many new buildings – buildings that have become only too stark and commonplace to us. At the moment, from nearly every vantage point, we are faced with a violent contrast between the old and the new, and what are the reactions to this?

“In a town of this sort, and Croydon dates back to well before the year 1000, we can find the really old building, which we should like to preserve, and the really new, standing side by side, the one dwarfing the other. This contrast poses a question: what will happen in the future? Will the new techniques of pre-cast concrete and stainless steel conquer the old bricks and mortar – or will they be generously permitted to hold their own?

“There is no positive solution to this problem, but if the Briton retains his sentimental attitude to what he affectionately regards as his heritage, then at least some of the old buildings can be assured of a comfortable retirement. But to preserve the occasional old building, which may be good in itself, with no thought for preserving the environment, is absurd. Far better to create a completely new, if somewhat brash, environment than to keep an anomalous museum piece for its own sake.

“The Grand Theatre in the High Street, the Davis Theatre at North End, the Eros Cinema, the Pembroke and the Civic Hall, have all surrendered to the conquests of glass and concrete office blocks, though only to be gloriously reincarnated in the shape of the elegant and awe-inspiring Fairfield Halls. The hideous mixture of houses along Wellesley Road and Park Lane has taken on a brilliant new look, though Norfolk House itself, the recent ‘pride’ of Croydon has become one of the least attractive buildings in the town. All over the place multi-storey car parks, blocks of flats, gaudy supermarkets and offices have been sprouting, but always at the expense of other buildings. When will the demolition stop? Although many of the new buildings are things of beauty in themselves, viewed enmasse they become hideous to a great extent – a veritable concrete jungle.

“Returning to the question of environment, what little Croydon has is being threatened by the new building. Old Town, lying to the west of the High Street, has an air which very few other parts of the town can equal. Yet most of Old Town will be destroyed when the new flyover to Duppas Hill is completed. While the new development is impressive and a few individual buildings are noteworthy, the atmosphere created is one of sterility.

“Just as the Royal Festival Hall for all its architectural splendour has been unable to create a South Bank environment, so the Croydon development has not increased the town's character. Unfortunately, the areas of arid character in Croydon are only too often the areas with strong residents' feelings and local interests which successfully oppose development. Viewed from a legal aspect there is nothing sub-standard in these districts, whereas regions like Old Town have defects which are only too obvious.

“But remembering that a town must grow, and that symbols of modern growth are, fortunately or unfortunately, towering office blocks and flyovers, underpasses and multi-level shopping centres, what will happen to Croydon? Will it, like most American cities, become merely a geographical location, or will it become a place to live in, using that word in its fullest sense? What will we see if we, in turn, leave and return as the infrequent visitor?”

We leave this section with a poem. Tragically, Edward Muir died of respiratory failure after having an epileptic fit in his sleep on June 2, 1970. He was just 18 old.

Forward

by Edward Muir, 1970, when he was in the Second Form in 1964

'Tis almost a century, since Trinity first stood, Amid beautiful countryside forest and wood, Down her years have passed nearly ten thousand boys, Working and playing and making a noise.

But Croydon has grown in the years between, And the forests and fields have gone, ‘till the green Which remained, was at Trinity fair, Which soon will give way, for offices there.

And now at Shirley Park, Trinity will rise Anew in her splendour against the blue skies, With classrooms most modern; elegant, not drab A new physics, biology and chemistry lab.

Will memories linger where Trinity once lay? When skyscrapers tower in this modern day, Or will all be forgotten, and memories fade Of rugger and cricket and games that were played?

But no! 'tis the school, that old lady of grace, who In the hearts of her pupils will hold pride of place, Be it Croydon or Shirley, centuries past, centuries on, Home thoughts of Trinity will always live on.

Alumni on the move to Shirley Park

John Sinkins,1945

Writing for the Old Mid-Whitgiftian, John wrote, “When the school moved to Shirley Park, Oliver Berthoud was instrumental in arranging for the Old Boys to use the facilities there. The squash club and the swimming club are particularly indebted to him. His introduction of hockey at the school meant the formation of our own thriving hockey club. Oliver Berthoud has influenced greatly the activities of the Association.”

John Gamêt, 1950

“I had left well before the move to Shirley Park. However, on the comparison between the old and the new – no contest – new wins hands down! Magnificent.”

Paul Wright, 1954 to 1991

Paul Wright, French teacher for 37 years was the guest of honour at the 1992 Founder’s Day Supper. In his speech he said:

"In 1965 came the great move; we were to say goodbye to the aquarium windows of the classrooms which made observation from the corridor easier than with closed circuit television; goodbye to the marching down to the Founder's Day Service; goodbye to the girls from Boots sunbathing on their roof; goodbye to Albert's green and pleasant field.

"The site was soon indeed looking like the last days of Pompeii. Staff cars loaded to the gunwales and with sagging roof-racks tottered away like an army of inebriated ants. A colleague's wife reported that her fellow-workers in a nearby bank thought the staff were 'very kind to help in the move like this.' Little did they realise that it was loads of loot to be saved from imminent destruction. The senior chemist, Jock Round, an able carpenter, made fine furniture out of the teak benches of the chemistry labs.

"Rest assured, too, that the very workbenches on which you made your magic sticks for Bob Brierley were all distributed to good homes in the Borough for 15/- each, given to Home Missions.

"The North End buildings, the Greyhound Inn, the Cafe Royal, scenes of earlier Founder's Day Suppers, live on in the museums of our minds. The pages of your magazine recorded the Founder's Day Supper of 1924. The Chairman, proposing the toast to the President, said: 'He is a man of ideals. Without them, life would be an empty thing. The ideal of Mr. Clayton is to make good men of the boys for whose education he is responsible.’

"Oliver Berthoud continued those ideals with an insistence on standards of excellence in both endeavour and performance, using the truth as his yardstick, and showing an amazing understanding of all the people in his charge. Among those organising the move, he had the greatest task. At the first supper in this new hall in 1966, appreciation for the Headmaster ran very deep and he was visible moved.

"In your magazine's report [The Old Mid-Whitgiftian] of the event is a significant sentence: 'Surely the first new roots of a great tradition have been put down even more emphatically now that the Old Boys have gathered together in the new Big School to honour our Founder.

"The good traditions have remained. Even the organ suffered no mishap in its transplant up here. Its merriest moment was probably at the July 7 break-up when Robert Prizeman treated us to a feettapping medley of cinema organ tunes. The school spirit expanded into the opportunities of new buildings, officially opened by Earl Alexander of Tunis in May 1966. They accelerated the astonishing evolution I had witnessed from the 50s to the 90s. Mr Clayton's school had numbered about 300 in the 1930s. When I joined, there were 556 boys and 30 staff. Now, as you know, there are nearly 840 with 75 teaching staff.”

Pete Etheridge, 1965

“I only had one term at the new school, and I don’t remember any issues with the move other than the fact that my commute was a lot further and usually involved two buses (similar to my Sandilands journey); there was also a change of local pub. You can’t really compare the new and old; it depends on your comparison criteria.”

Dave Jordan, 1965

“I left in 1965 and never returned to the old school as it had been sold for 5 million pounds; a new school was built at Shirley Park, at a cost of one and a half million, after the Shirley Park Hotel site was purchased, thus giving the Foundation a vast amount of funds at the time. What is now The Whitgift Centre in the centre of Croydon is where my school once was.”

John Doubell, 1966

“It was sad to see the school demolished, but it was time to move to much better facilities at Shirley Park. While there was sadness at leaving such a magical place, there was enormous joy at the tremendously superior facilities at Shirley Park. As swimming and lifesaving were my main sporting activities, I preferred Shirley Park.”

Ben Hamlin, 1966

“I don't recall any feelings of nostalgia when we left North End behind. I was, by then a senior prefect and part of the management, caught up in the enthusiasm for Shirley. I was two terms into year 13 when we moved to Shirley. Fortunately, we had already 'christened' the rugby pitch with the house competition and a match against a Frank Drewett invitation XV that included two England/Harlequins stars. I had time, though, to admire Wally Waters' amazing analogue computer, to play Claudius in the school performance of Hamlet, to make a guest appearance as School Leftie in a brain's trust at the Cove Society, but most of all to have huge fun in the prefect's common room, with our collection of confiscated super balls - the craze of 1966. It was 1966 and all that. Anyone who says they didn't prefer the modernism of Shirley Park is kidding you!”

Blair Southerden, 1966

“First impressions of the new building were tremendous. Of course, everything was brand new and there were so many more facilities that we hadn’t had in the old buildings. We had a swimming pool, we had squash courts, we had a whole set of offices for the Combined Cadet Force, we had language laboratories, the geography rooms had been specially designed and equipped. It was such a major transition from what we’d had for the past few years, and it was just a wonderful environment to finish my school days in.”

Nick Dover, 1967

I was in the Guard of Honour when Earl Alexander officially opened the new school. I have a photo of this as well as others, but they are all hard paper copies in our UK home, and I am in South Africa.

Allan Duguid, 1967

We had a number of opportunities to visit Shirley Park during the year that the school was being completed so it wasn’t as if we just arrived there in September 1965. There were some opportunities to come to see the building in the last year of its construction to get an idea of where the classrooms would be and how the school would be organised.

The overriding impression on day one was one of coherence. If you think of the pictures that you may have seen of North End, it really was two main buildings and a few ancillary buildings dotted around the site. You were constantly having to go from building to building to lessons throughout the day.

The first overriding impression of the new building was that we didn’t have to go outside, we could saunter from one place to another; we wouldn’t have to race anywhere and it was much more convenient.

Mike Smith, 1967

“Moving to Shirley Park aroused mixed emotions. The old School had character but clearly limited facilities. The new school was a revelation, modern, well equipped, stylish in a way which still survives but removed from the bustle of the town.

“Big School as it was then known was not finished for the start of the Autumn term so assembly was held until half term in the area outside the library Fortunately, the weather was good for those first few weeks! The entrance was from the back with its black rubber flooring which has survived to this day.

“The sports fields were not totally functioning in the first year as they were stony and became too wet to use. Most of our 1st XV games were played at Sandilands. The exception was hockey where we had the advantage of the all-weather Redgra pitch.

“Oliver Berthoud was the central link to the two schools. He above anyone else in my view created the blueprint and identity for Trinity. He was committed to high academic standards, and it was almost taken as a given that pupils would go to university. His main interest was music and he and David Squibb created the foundation for Trinity’s eminent status in this field. If Whitgift was the sporty, minor public school, Trinity was focused on academic achievement, unshowy but worthy.

“Looking back, the transition to Shirley Park had a significant impact on the teaching staff. If the Masters at Croydon were elderly and often close to retirement, those at the new School, seemed from memory much younger.

“Fortunately the characteristic respect between staff and pupils was maintained during after the move and the relaxed relationship between the two remains an enduring quality of Trinity.”

Peter Webster, 1967

“As far as I recollect, the move to Shirley Park went smoothly. We completed one academic year at North End and began the next one in Shirley in the September. I recollect some familiarisation visits to let us see what was in store. The new school was ready for us, and we just moved in and carried on It was obviously a fantastic set-up with a vast range of facilities – all brand new.”

Dave Wiseman, 1967

“It was great when we moved up to Shirley Park because the old building was creaky and windy and we thought that this was really neat building and, for me, it was much nearer home as well so it was easier to get here. All the classrooms were new; all the equipment was new. It was only the teachers

and us that were the same. And, of course, because we’d moved up a year, we didn’t have to wear caps.

“At the old school, the classrooms were all over the place. They weren’t really organised into groups whereas, here, everything at Shirley Park was in one building. You didn’t have to go out in the rain to go to the science block or indeed take the long walk up the far side of the school to the dining house in the wind and rain.”

Richard Porcas, 1968

“The move to Shirley Park seemed to go very smoothly. I left North End at the start of the summer holiday, got my O-level results in the Summer, and started in the Sixth Form at Shirley Park in September 1965. I don't remember any problems, and the new building was vastly superior!”

Colin Sell, 1968

“When we first came to Shirley Park, it was obviously a bit strange as it was completely different to anything we had before. The lovely old building that used to be Trinity School, right in the middle of Croydon, and the beautiful playing fields all had to go. We weren’t really sure what to expect because none of us were allowed in the new school until it was actually opened for us in September 12, 1965.

“It was clean and bright and new and we were suddenly aware that a school could be clean and neat. The only trouble was that you weren’t allowed to touch anything, or scuff anything, or draw pictures on anything because it was a new school so the masters were onto us all the time to make sure that we kept it as neat and clean as we possibly could. It was quite trying from that point of view but we really liked the atmosphere of the place.

“My impression of the new building was that here was a super piece of architecture that was purposedesigned for us boys. It was just a boys’ school then as there were no girls. From that point of view, we were all rather proud of it. Some of us were perhaps a bit cynical about it because it didn’t do to go round being proud of your school, but I think we were proud of it because it was such a fine setting.

“The canteen at North End was a bit crude because there wasn’t much space and the cooks had to do the best they could. When we arrived at Shirley Park, there was a bigger eating and kitchen area and the food was much improved. The great thing about it was Maisie. Maisie was one of the Irish cooks and she made a wonderful bread pudding. It really weighed us down, but it was delicious, and it still lingers on my palate now – it was great.”

Alastair Johnston, 1970 from 2015 interview

“My very first day at Trinity was a sunny spring day at North End in Croydon. I had visited the school with my father to ask the headmaster, Oliver Berthoud, whether a place was available for me. I had come down from Scotland with my family in 1964 and my father wanted me to attend Trinity or Whitgift. I am pleased to say Mr Berthoud said he’d welcome a Scottish boy to the school and suggested I started that week. I was made very welcome but, because I was very Scottish, everyone used to call me “Haggis”! It took many years for some friends to call me by my real name.

“Having gone through my old papers, I am amazed to say I found an essay written at the time about ‘The New School’. Everything was, of course, brand new and modern whilst everything at North End in the centre of Croydon was really antiquated. At that time, it seemed like going to a futuristic place compared with having been at ‘Hogwarts’. Everything worked at the new building and was fit for purpose whereas everything at North End, apart from the Science block, was fairly antiquated, albeit very beautiful.

“Anyone comparing the school 50 years ago to now would still recognise the school. Physically, the buildings are very much as they were then, albeit with additional space added, particularly extending the theatres and common room spaces. But many aspects are precisely the same. For example, if you look at the corridors by the quadrangle where the fishponds are, the black rubber matting is the very same rubber matting as all those years ago and the lockers are the very same lockers.”

Geoffrey Gowers, 1972

“I can remember still the smell of the new rubber floor tiles. Being one of the new boys to start that very first term at Shirley Park, I considered myself very fortunate to be educated at the brand new school.

“The sporting facilities were brilliant – Oh! That Redgra! The CCF was great – bouncing down the playing field slope once or twice on that old bungee powered glider. Education at Trinity for a sure foundation for life. “

Warwick Jones, 1969 – interviewed in 2015

“When I arrived at Shirley Park for the first time, I remember getting off the bus and just standing in front of the school and thinking ‘It’s different’! I don’t remember being overwhelmed at the great building, but I don’t think, at 13 or 14, that’s something that strikes you very much. I walked up the stairs, through the cloakrooms and into the school and that was it. I don’t remember what happened after that, maybe we went to lessons or were shown round but I really can’t remember.

“Shirley Park was just different to North End. Obviously, much lighter. The old school, or my impression of it, was quite dark, full of wood and stone, and very 19th Century whereas this was very 1960s – a lot of glass and a lot of straight lines. I don’t remember thinking it’s a fantastic building but I don’t think that, at that age, you do. It was just a school, and I had O Levels in the summer and I’d better get on with it.

“I used to get the 403 bus from South Croydon or the 54 bus to Shirley Park. Very few people had lifts from parents; some people walked; and some boys in the 6th form had cars, most of them unroadworthy! I remember one boy had a bubble car which he’d bought from someone else. At one point the car had been on fire and I don’t know why he bought it! Most people came by bus.

“We used to wear caps when we were outside school and I’m sure I remember the Headmaster made an announcement that he was going to cane some boys because they hadn’t been wearing their caps in Kennards Arcade. When we got to Shirley Park, you were allowed to not wear your cap in the Sixth Form. Of course, the more rebellious boys took their caps off as soon as they were outside but I didn’t ever do that.”

Norman Marks, 1969

“The building was almost ready when we moved to Shirley Park, but a few rooms were still being worked on.”

Michael Petty, 1968

“The decision to move the expanding School to Shirley Park in 1965 was the right one at the right time. The new facilities were outstanding – and warm. I was particularly impressed by the science laboratories, library and sixth form common room. The addition a swimming pool was wonderful; the weekly trek from North End to Hayling Park to use the Whitgift pool had become a trudge.

“The transition appeared to be seamless (I am sure it wasn’t). One minute we were being taught in the middle of Croydon and the next everything was up and running at Shirley Park. My only regret is

what subsequently happened at North End (noted as a ‘void of despair’) and the general demise of the town. But this was not just a Croydon problem. My adopted towns of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Stockton-on-Tees suffered similar fates in the 1960s at the hands of unimaginative, incompetent, and often corrupt politicians and town planners. It seems that Croydon continues to rethink and revise its plans for North End. If anyone is listening, I would propose a large park, Whitgift Park, with the reinstated Tree Walk running up to Wellesley Road. And naturally a museum to mark the achievements of the Whitgift schools.

Peter Woodroof, 1970

“Trinity provided me with a first-class education, for which I will always be grateful; traditional subjects were skilfully taught alongside the ever-increasing opportunities of the modern world. I spent my career working in higher education and always considered my Trinity training to be a gold standard, against which I could benchmark students applying for university.

“The last time I met Mr Berthoud was at the end of 1969. The school had the habit of inviting back leavers, normally after their first term at university. This was a nice touch, which I hope continues. Mr B listened to my tales from Sussex and wished me good luck for the future. As he shook my hand; he conceded that I did indeed have the longest hair of any boy in his School. Mission accomplished.”

“Being in the centre of Croydon for two years, and then regularly passing through it after that, I and other students were often able to explore the town. It was the sixties construction boom, and we found this fascinating.

“For example, there were the recently opened Fairfield Halls, St George’s Walk and related pedestrian and road underpasses, the Duppas Hill Flyover, and interestingly (at least for us) some of the country’s first multistorey car parks as built at Wandle Road and Tamworth Road.

“Later in the 1960s, the Whitgift Centre and related buildings were completed at the old school site; and Apollo and Lunar House (of moon landing age and name) were completed on the Croydon High School site in Wellesley Road, opposite the back of Trinity.

“In the sixties, as soon as we turned 16, many of us obtained a motorcycle in order to ride to school (and wherever took our fancy). The BSA Batam 125 seemed to be the favourite, along with a few bigger bikes for those over 17. I remember classmate Keith Moore would give us rides on his Norton 650; but it was also the time when Japanese bikes (Hondas, Suzukis and Yamahas) were arriving.

“Thanks to the CCF Motor Transport Division, I learnt to drive in the Shirley Park grounds before turning 17, and in my last year I was able to swap my fiddly high-revving Honda motorbike for an Austin Mini; that was until my classmate Phillip Marshall introduced me to the relative refinements of the Triumph Herald.

“Before we had our motorbikes and cars, buses were the main form of transport. Bus spotting was common for many - using the appropriate Ian Allan bus spotter’s book. Some of us even spent spare days travelling all over London using the Red Rover ticket that in the mid-1960s was available for three shillings for one day of unlimited travel. These were times when teenage days-out were done without our parents knowing where we were. By comparison, I have never given my children the same freedom.

“The move to Shirley Park in 1965 seemed to go well, but it meant more travelling for many of us. The new library was a delight, particularly the excellent array of magazines and newspapers. With a new swimming pool now available to use, if we arrived early (before 7 am) we were allowed to swim (naked) under the supervision of history teacher Len Monk.”

David Gleave, 1970

“I remember being taken, on the bus I assume, to look at Shirley Park before it was built, ‘this is where the new school will be.’ There was nothing to see really, I’m not sure work had even started on the foundations.

“It’s easy to invent false memories but I must have been very impressed by the new building. The library (chess matches again) was very exciting, a lovely space. You can imagine there must have been teething problems with a new building, but I don’t remember any.

“I still have fond memories of the building at Shirley Park, that may just be because I spent more time there but also because my two sons went there, returning to school as a parent is an entirely different feeling.

“The sports pitches at Shirley Park were the preserve of the proper teams and that didn’t include me. My sports were played at Sandilands. Yes, there was a pavilion (round to the right from the entrance) and that is where we changed.”

Bob Hallewell, 1971

“At the end of my first year we moved out to Shirley Park. We were all given a map of the new school and some general instructions about what to do on the first day, but I obviously lost my map and forgot the instructions

“I seem to remember it was fairly chaotic, but I think we were supposed to gather in the canteen (probably wasn’t called the canteen, but I forget what it would have been named) and I eventually found my way to the new form room under the care of Mr Almond (“Tom”).

“At one point boys were encouraged to bring in a trowel in order to plant crocus bulbs around the grounds. Come Spring, one patch of crocuses spelled ‘BO’ (which we all found amusing).

“Looking back, the transition must have been very well organised – or apparently so.

“I preferred Shirley Park; it was much lighter, more open and better equipped.”

Ed Hughes, 1971

“We left North End and turned up at Shirley Park after the summer break, and that was that. We were given a plan of the school, so we could find our way around. It was quite clearly – even to the young - a huge step forward on what we had before, with things like a “language laboratory” and our own swimming pool, where previously we had been marched off to Council facilities. There were newfangled things like squash courts, sound-proofed music rooms and it would be fair to say that in terms of facilities, we moved forward a hundred years in one move.

“One odd footnote of interest: At North End, boys were ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN to have or use biros in any form. It was considered that this led to poor writing, and everything had to be done in pen-andink. In past times, the ink wells still fitted to all desks had been filled with a slightly glutinous ink that was not good for fountain pens. These came to predominate with the advent of cheaper, typically about seven shillings and sixpence ones, where “classier” ones could be a guinea or more – a great

deal more, unsurprisingly, if gold. The provision of free ink for use of pen-and-nib, dip as you go pens had pretty much died out. This meant that all boys carried, or stored in their lockers, bottles of Quink or Stephens ink, either back or blue. Some masters kept a bottle of ink on their desks for use by anyone who ran out, generally charged at a (pre-decimalization) penny. Pro-rata, this was quite expensive, so most of us carried more than one pen. The results arising from inherently leaky pens, spillable and breakable bottles and youthful exuberance can be imagined. Desks, floors, books and pretty much everything that wasn’t washable was covered in splodges of ink. Where it had ever been thus, I don’t suppose anyone took much notice of it.

“I guess at some point in the latter part of the construction of the new school - and in the specification of the largely light-in-colour furniture - someone must have had a lightbulb moment about how everything would look after a few weeks of use by essentially uncaring schoolboys. It was announced in one of the last assemblies in North End, that for next term in Shirley Park boys would be required to provide themselves with biros, and that the to-date mandated fountain pens and ink would be ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN. I can recall thinking at the time that this was a bit of a volte face. It must have been fully accepted, for I cannot recall ever seeing an ink spillage at Shirley Park.

“I have a feeling there were still works in progress, and no doubt some snagging, but insofar as it didn’t affect me, I took little notice and cared less.

“I preferred Shirley Park beyond all doubt. North End was characterful and matched the traditional thoughts one might have of a Public School. But in practical terms it was worn out, out-dated and had to go. I do recall that the sale/lease deal was not well-executed. I think fixed rents were agreed for long periods that did not allow for the high inflation that was around the corner, and that caused problems for the Foundation later.”

John M Harris, 1975

“I have always been interested in Natural History (my mother was a Biology Teacher, initially at St Anne’s College in Sanderstead and then at Coloma up the road from Trinity). On 9th June 1969 an article was published in the Evening News showing Oliver Berthoud with a female Mallard and her 12 ducklings in the quadrangle. Trinity had plenty of large plate glass windows which caused the demise of several birds. I used to take some of these home and inject them with formalin, pin them out and hang them in my bedroom. Mum didn’t seem to mind!

“As young boys we were all pretty innocent, but I do remember reading girlie magazines after school on the windowsills outside our classroom (Penthouse and Mayfair). I cannot recall getting caught!”

An interview with Jane Berthoud

Extracts from an interview with Jane Berthoud on her retirement in 1996

Jane Berthoud was the widow of former headmaster Oliver Berthoud from 1952-1972.

Interviewer: You've been working at Trinity for 33 years; in what ways has the school changed during the time you've been here?

Mrs Berthoud: The numbers have grown and, when I first arrived, it was a direct grant school which meant half of the pupils had their fees paid by the local authority, which was Croydon or Surrey. This changed in 1968 when the Governors decided to make the school fully independent and fee-paying, so that did affect the intake.

Interviewer: Were you surprised when the school dedicated the new music centre to your late husband, and is it something that the school has done in the past?

Mrs Berthoud: I was delighted but not totally surprised. I don't think the buildings at North End had any extensions that had a particular name. The new music and art centre was the first extension here at Shirley Park, and as it was developed shortly after my husband had died, it was decided that it would be named after him, particularly as he had a great interest in music.

Interviewer: What do you think the essential qualities of being the Headmaster's Secretary were during your time here?

Mrs Berthoud: Well, obviously you've got to have the technical skills but, in addition, you need a good memory, you need to be very discreet, and I think you need a good pair of feet because you are forever running from one building to another.

Interviewer: Do you think your job has become easier due to the modernisation of the school?

Mrs Berthoud: Certainly, the ever-developing office machinery makes life easier in one way, but in another it means that more work is expected of you. We find we have to learn to teach ourselves and to use these machines as we go along.

Interviewer: Can we expect to see you at the 400th Anniversary Celebrations and, if so, what are you particularly looking forward to?

Mrs Berthoud: I have certainly applied for various tickets, for the Gala Concert and Macbeth, and I think I've also applied to go on one of these guided walks, which I will be free to do while you are studying (laughs!).

Interviewer: What do you think has been your most memorable moment at the school?

Mrs Berthoud: I don't think I've got one that stands out in front of any of the others. All sorts of happy events have happened here. There's been the opening of the school, the opening of the additional extensions to the school and there are strange memories such as bomb scares. We have had cloud bursts, a great flood when no one could get through as the traffic on the dual carriageway was caught in about two feet of flood water. We've had snowstorms when we had to close the school. There was also the hurricane in 1987 when no one could get in because the trees had blown down everywhere, blocking roads and railways.

Mr Blandford: "The Underground" was flooded by the cloudburst to about three feet at one point, and they had the canoes up and down there. When referring to changes Mrs. Berthoud did not mention that she spent three years in the old school buildings at North End, so the biggest change must have been moving the school.

Mrs Berthoud: As Mr Blandford said, I worked for three years at North End and then the school closed there, and between leaving North End and coming up here, I did work in the Foundation offices. Moving house is pretty stressful but don't ever move schools, it's terrible.” [she laughs]

Timeline of an expanding school

14 years after the move to Shirley Park, the school community was beginning to outgrow its surroundings and in 1979 the library was extended, and music and art gained a new building. The Turner Building was added in 1987; the Shaw Building was built in 1994 together with a further extension to the library and a larger space for the common room. In 2006, the Religious Studies department gained a new suite of classrooms above a brand-new student entrance, followed by a Sixth Form Centre in 2011 and, more recently, a fabulous new Music School was opened in 2017. Here we follow this timeline of a developing school.

The Berthoud Centre, 1979

The provision for music badly needed more space and in 1979, a new music centre complete with recital room and practice rooms was opened and named after former headmaster and music lover Oliver Berthoud. The area also included a faculty for art.

The Berthoud Centre was officially opened by Dr Roy Strong, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The following excerpts about the opening appeared in the summer edition of the school magazine:

At 11.40 am, the school filed into the hall, attitudes towards the ceremony ranging from great enthusiasm to extreme cynicism. The official guests gradually made their way into the hall, as did the choir, led by Mr Squibb, and the ceremony began on time, at midday. The first to speak was the chairman of the governors, who welcomed everyone to the ceremony and invited the Headmaster to speak.

Robin Wilson, Headmaster, welcomed the widow of Oliver Berthoud, Jane Berthoud and her brotherin-law, saying that it was highly appropriate that the new block was to be called the Berthoud Centre, since one of Oliver Berthoud's main priorities had been the encouragement of music and art and design. He also welcomed the family of Colin Davison, the original architect for the centre. Sadly, Davidson was tragically killed in a car crash the previous year; the Head described him as full of imagination and vigour and always ready to listen.

After giving a brief history of the centre, Robin Wilson thanked Adrian Cave, who took over as architect after Colin Davison's death; W S Try Ltd, the building contractors, and all the parents who had helped in any way. Finally, he introduced Dr Roy Strong, describing him as an imaginative scholar, full of energy, enthusiasm and endeavour, and invited him to speak.

Dr Strong began his speech by describing his school, where he was taught music by a science teacher, and contrasting it with Trinity, where music and art were rated just as highly as any other subject. He talked about enthusiasm, saying that both music and art depended a great deal upon it, and that while music was flourishing due to the perseverance of people like Sir Robert Meyer, the world of art and design had declined due to the lack of enthusiasm, which had resulted in the building of many of what Dr Strong termed ‘soul-less horrors'.

He went on to express the hope that the centre would educate the pupils visually, and that by studying the art and music of past ages, they would develop a visual sense, which would be useful later in life, if only for everyday tasks such as decorating and gardening. Finally, he urged every member of the

school to take advantage of the centre, and hoped that in forty years’ time, they would be able to appreciate the fact that the centre had helped them in some way.

The Turner Building, 1987

The Turner building, named after former deputy head, Alan Turner, officially opened in 1987. The new extension created a new classroom block for the maths and economics departments, a language lab, Sixth Form centre with café, prefects’ room and games room and the Mitre Hall [now known as the Mitre Theatre].

The official opening of the Turner Building took place on October 7, 1987. Notable guests attending were former politician Lord Michael Stewart, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Bernard Weatherill, the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, Director of Education, Mr Donald Naismith, Chairman of that year’s headmasters’ conference, Mr Martin Rogers, the headmasters from Whitgift and Bedford Modern School; General Secretary of the Independent Schools Joint Council, Dr Arthur Hearnden, Press Officer of the Independent Schools Information Service Miss Claire Austin and Alan Turner’s widow and their two sons Paul and Simon.

The first to speak from the stage was the Chairman of the Governors, followed by the Headmaster.

Robin Wilson gave a lengthy and compelling speech, thanking the guests for attending and often referring to literary masterpieces such as Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dickens’ Hard Times. Here are a couple of extracts:

“Today, we are celebrating the birth of a very major building, brought about within a short timespan by the readiness of the Governors of the Whitgift Foundation to use the resources with which the Foundation is blessed to enable its schools to respond rapidly to changing emphases in education, and hence to benefit the wider educational service as well.

“Throughout 1982, staff and three of the governors engaged in a comprehensive review of the future needs of the school and evolved a development plan, the first and major stage of which we christen today. The priority was clear. The heart of our work lies in the classroom, so the best working environment possible in all departments came first. After the most careful consideration by the full Court of Governors, approval was given in March 1984, and the building commenced in July 1985.”

Lord Stewart followed, remembering Alan Turner as he spoke. The school captain, Indy Kler, was the last to speak and took the opportunity to thank everyone.

Following the speeches those on stage and other invitees gathered in the foyer to witness the unveiling of the plaque commemorating the occasion.

The guests were then taken on a tour of the new building, followed by refreshments in the Mitre foyer.

The Shaw Building, 1994

Robin Wilson continued with the expansion of the school to meet the needs of the growing community. He had set his sights on improving the facilities for design and technology, art and indoor sports.

A magnificent state of the art building was the result comprising a large visual art and design & technology department on two floors that included an exhibition hall, pottery studio, darkrooms and sophisticated technical facilities. For indoor sport, there were two large sports halls, squash courts and a fitness and weight training equipment

The new building was officially opened on April 22, 1994, by President of the MCC, Dennis Silk, who unveiled the plaque honouring Peter Shaw, who as a governor of The Whitgift Foundation from 1957 to 1993 and chairman from 1991 to 1993 had taken great interest in the rich and varied life of the school.

Guests were taken on a tour of the impressive new building followed by lunch. Sixth Former Chris Tolman recalled comments from the guests over lunch:

“The mayor described the building as ‘Absolutely fantastic! There aren't enough superlatives. Brilliant.’

“Dennis Silk was ‘staggered’ that there were so many different things going on under one roof. He referred specifically to the ‘splendid work’ of those demonstrating the CDT facilities.

“The architect, too, was impressed – the completed building was almost exactly as his original version. He was especially pleased with the ‘Magic Corridor link’ between the two parts of the building and the ‘degree of freshness’ which was very much as intended. He hoped that pupils at Trinity would gain inspiration from the project.

“At the time of writing [for the school magazine], all the facilities, especially the fitness room, are being used to their full potential and the building is playing an extremely important role in the life of the school. Perhaps this report is best concluded with the words of the brochure of the Shaw Building: ‘The opening of the Shaw Building ... reflects an educational philosophy which sees it to be the business of the school to concern itself with all aspects of a developing young person, so that he can

leave us with a confidence and breadth of achievement that will stand him in good stead in his adult life.’”

Peter Fallows, 1997, a keen photographer, captured Dennis Silk sampling the gym equipment and a student working on a sculpture

Library and Common Room 1995

Named after Robin Wilson on his retirement at the end of 1994, the library was expanded and ready by the start of the summer term in 1995. The new enlarged common room was also in use. These projects would mark the last of Robin Wilson’s grand plans to further improve the facilities at Shirley Park for staff and students.

Robin Wilson’s portrait was originally hung in the extended library. It now resides in the Sandison Room along with other past headmasters of the school.

New entrance, RS department & Science Laboratory, 2006

It was to be a further nine years before further improvements were made to the school buildings. The majority of pupils at Trinity School take Religious Studies at GCSE and those not taking the formal qualification also studied the subject as it is considered an important part of the school’s curriculum and the development of students. The department needed more space and in 2006, a new entrance for students, together with a suite of classrooms for Religious Studies and a large science laboratory was opened for the school community from the beginning of the autumn term.

Esmond Lee, Head of Religious Studies at the time, waxed lyrical about the splendid new building in the school magazine. He said of the RS department: “The RS accommodation is especially generous, occupying the majority of the floor space of the new building. There is a well-equipped RS Office, a Sixth Form Reading Room and mini IT suite. The five dedicated classrooms are large enough to allow all sorts of arrangements of desks, from the standard pattern layout in rows, to conference-style configurations arguably a preferred arrangement for a subject in which the appreciation of the rainbow diversity of beliefs and opinions that students have is valued.”

Swimming Pool, 2007

The swimming pool underwent a much-needed refurbishment. Completed in November 2007, the pool now included an electronic timing system that helped with the judging of close finishes to races. Swimmers could also now receive instant feedback on their performance, resulting in a renewed enthusiasm the sport. The refurbishment was so successful that a visitor commented that they thought the school had built a brand-new pool.

Trinity Concert Hall, 2008

The vision and drive of the then Headmaster, Mark Bishop, and the Estates Manager, Robin McKinlay, resulted in the rebuilding of Big School in 2009. As well as being large enough to accommodate the school community for assembly, the new concert hall now had retractable concert seating enabling a capacity audience of 500 theatre-style. Every aspect of the newly named Trinity Concert Hall was refurbished with new staging, curtains, acoustic ceiling and walls and state-of-the-art lighting.

The inaugural concert in Trinity Concert Hall was fittingly grand and spectacular with music from Vivaldi, Rutter and Orff, showcasing both the quality of the new acoustics and the talent of the boys. The night began with the school’s two leading cellists, Daniel Benn, 2010 and Alexander Leadbeater, 2010, performing Vivaldi's Concerto in G Minor.

The evening was brought to an explosive finale with a thrilling performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in which the London Mozart Players (having recently become the school's associate orchestra) joined forces with a massed choir of boys and staff.

Sixth Form Centre, 2011

One of the most significant developments in the school’s history was the establishment of a coeducational Sixth Form in 2011. In preparation for the inclusion of girls, a new Sixth Form centre was built. Opened by the then Mayor of Croydon, Boris Johnson, on the first day of the autumn term in 2011, the centre includes a large common area, café, lecture room, conference room, IT suite and private study areas.

Strength & Conditioning Centre, 2015

On September 8, 2015, former rugby union player and England coach Sir Clive Woodward OBE opened a fully equipped strength and conditioning centre for the use of older students wanting to improve their physical condition. The centre was opened in time for the arrival of the French rugby squad who used the centre and the 1st XV playing fields during their training for the Rugby World Cup, 2015.

Sir Clive attended the school along with the Webb-Ellis Cup that had been driven to Trinity in a specially adapted Land Rover.

Music School, 2017

The new Music School was unveiled to great fanfare in the autumn of 2017, after months of renovation and building work.

The department has more than 30 soundproofed rooms, including a recital hall, three ICT suites, a recording studio, a Steinway piano suite (the first of its kind in the UK), a dedicated choir room for the Trinity Boys’ Choir, and a host of instrumental teaching rooms. The opening was officially marked by an evening of celebration and performance, with more than 500 guests including students, parents, governors, alumni, staff and locals attending.