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.

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.

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". The children's home consisted of 38 cottages on an site; 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. Children were "drugged, tortured and sexually assaulted." 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."

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.

Upper Shirley

thumb|right|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. The area is largely affluent, especially along Bishops Walk. 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.

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 and strong public interest. The school, now the John Ruskin College, later left the site and housing was built around the mill. 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

thumb|Trinity School of John Whitgift

Primary schools

  • Forest Academy
  • Harris Primary Academy Benson
  • Monks Orchard Primary School
  • Orchard Way Primary School
  • St John's Church of England Primary School

Secondary schools

  • Coloma Convent Girls' School
  • Orchard Park High School
  • Shirley High School
  • Trinity School of John Whitgift

Notable residents

  • John Maberly (1770–1839), Member of Parliament and owner of Shirley Park.
  • Ronnie Corbett (1930–2016), comedian, lived in Shirley for many years and died at Shirley Oaks Hospital.
  • John Surtees (1934–2017), world champion motor racing driver and motor cycle rider, grew up in Shirley.
  • Tom Wright (born 1957), architect, designed the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
  • Ian Wright (born 1963), footballer, formerly lived on Bishop's Walk.
  • Ben Haenow (born 1985), singer and X Factor winner, grew up in Shirley.

<gallery mode=packed>

File:Church Of St John Q26484116 West Front and Clock Tower.jpg|St John's Church, Shirley

File:Surprise, Shirley, CR0 (13620985163).jpg|The Surprise Inn, Upper Shirley

File:Wickham_Road,_Shirley.jpg|Shops on the eastern end of Wickham Road

File:White_Lodge,_Shirley.jpg|The White Lodge, a grade II listed building dating to 1840

File:Shirley_Inn.jpg|The Shirley Inn pub

File:Eastern_shops,_Shirley.jpg|Shops at the western end of Wickham Road

</gallery>

References