Shirley, London

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". It was long a small hamlet, with a large mansion (Shirley House) being built here in 1721; this was purchased by the businessman and member of parliament, John Maberley, in the mid-1800s. Around this period the population was growing, with more housing being built. St John's Church was built in 1856 to serve the needs of the growing community, replacing a smaller chapel dating from 1835. Shirley House was converted into the Shirley Park Hotel in 1912. In the 1930s. House building in the area rapidly expanded, largely consisting of suburban-style semi-detached houses, with the Monks Orchard estate also being built in this period. However some land escaped the building boom; Shirley Park Hotel was bought by the Whitgift Foundation in 1965 to become Trinity School in a new building constructed on the site. Neighbouring the Trinity School grounds is Shirley Park Golf Course. To the south of Shirley are large areas of woodland, including Addington Hills and Threehalfpenny Wood. Parks and open spaces are dotted across the area, including Miller's Pond in Spring Park. Central Shirley (along Wickham Road) contains a library, several shops and restaurants and two pubs - The Crown and the Shirley Inn. ==Shirley Oaks==

Shirley Oaks is situated north of central Shirley, abutting Monks Orchard. 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==

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 ==

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==

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 == References ==