Croydon's myths and legends uncovered

By Matt Johnson

matt.johnson@essnmedia.co.uk

The myths and legends that surround the streets of Croydon have been uncovered in a new book by a former local librarian.

Steve Roud, who worked in the town's library for over two decades, has charted the folklore of every borough in the capital for his latest literary offering London Lore.

The book - Steve's sixth on the subject of folklore - took two years to write and is a detailed look at the myths, legends and superstitions from around London.

From the famed gypsies of Norwood to the poltergeists of Thornton Heath, Steve says his knowledge of the Croydon area helped him uncover some astonishing secrets.

Speaking from his home in Maresfield, East Sussex, Steve said: "Because I know the area so well - I worked in the local studies library for 25 years - I could have written a whole book about just Croydon.

"Of the other London boroughs, Croydon is the best represented [in the book]. It has a bit of everything; ghost stories, the Norwood gypsies, the Croydon fair, even people selling their wives."

Steve started writing London Lore in 2006, using his inquisitive instincts to help him research the material. The book brings to life the surprising, sometimes gruesome, history of the city.

He said: "If someone tells me a story I want to find out where it came from and how it developed.

"I could say there was a lifetime of research. Certainly it feels like it. Folklore turns up all over the place. You can't just read a book. It's also in newspapers like the Advertiser, you overhear things on the bus.

"Some people send me things. I spend a lot of time in libraries looking at old newspapers and books. There's oodles of stuff on the internet.

"Folklore is all around us. It's just a question of catching it when you find it."

London Lore is available now, published by Random House Books priced £20.