With special thanks to Celia Newell Museum of Elinor Wood Oral history donors FAB Croydon Oral History Society Fairfieldians Park Hill Junior School Collection Steering Group Save the Campaign Frazer Ashford Sean Creighton Heritage Lottery Fund Stiles Harold Williams Borough of Croydon People Department Whitgift Foundation

THE FA IRFIELD COLLECTION THE FAIRFIELD COLLECTION

The long and varied history of Croydon’s stretches their personal experiences of Fairfield Halls, and ask questions. The children enjoyed back over 50 years, and the huge task of cataloguing and archiving handling objects from the Collection, including trophies, posters, programmes and a countless documents, leaflets and programmes accumulated over that framed picture of the Fairfield Corps of Stewards. time, is an ambitious undertaking. The pupils also took part in an art session to create their own artwork inspired by the Ashcroft safety curtain. This was designed by Henry Bird in 1982, using themes and motifs drawn from Croydon’s theatrical history. The Fairfield Collection project was set up with this goal in mind, along with the aim of collecting oral histories about the arts venue. Both of these aims have been made The Muse of Comedy and the Muse of Tragedy are shown drawing back the curtains possible through the dedication and enthusiasm of a team of 20 volunteers, who on either side to reveal the main scene. The takes its name from the have carried out the archiving and conducted 50 interviews, to provide a fascinating eminent theatrical figure Dame , who is pictured playing Ophelia in record of personal memories about Fairfield Halls over the years. Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

The project was established in the summer of 2016 to preserve the history of An exhibition about the Fairfield Collection opened at Croydon Museum in May 2017, Croydon’s Fairfield Halls and celebrate its rich cultural heritage, and is supported by showcasing objects from the Collection. Highlights include an Evening Standard Award a grant of £80,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. given to Dame Peggy Ashcroft and the signature book signed initially by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, followed by many performers at the venue. When the building closed for refurbishment in July 2016, all the valuable art works, Artwork from the Collection is on show in The Art of Fairfield exhibition, which runs busts and plaques were preserved for posterity, and assembled as the Fairfield until Saturday 28 October 2017 in the Exhibition Gallery. Collection, along with archive material such as planning ledgers, programmes and diaries, signed headshots and press clippings. Among the contributors are official photographer Frazer Ashford, who captured the stars of stage and screen on camera, actor and former Croydon resident Martin Jarvis Many of the volunteers previously worked as stewards at Fairfield Halls, and have and conductor Darrell Davison, whose father Arthur pioneered the Arthur Davison shown their continued support for the site and its heritage through their commitment Family Concerts at Fairfield Halls. There are also interviews with the volunteers to this project. Volunteers focusing on archiving learnt how to pack, condition check, themselves, who bring with them a wealth of experience, background knowledge and list and catalogue items, whilst those involved in gathering oral histories were trained entertaining anecdotes about their most memorable moments while on duty. in ethics and permissions, writing interview questions, using recording equipment and interview techniques. FAB Croydon were instrumental in securing the funding for the project to take place. However this project has very much been a partnership between FAB Croydon and The A touring exhibition was taken into school classrooms and residential care homes, who have supported the project by providing the activity room for encouraging people of all ages to engage with a selection of objects in the weekly sessions on archiving and oral history, along with training workshops, and use of Collection and share their experiences of visiting Fairfield Halls. the David Lean Cinema for the screening of a film specially commissioned for the final celebration event on 23 June, held as part of the Croydon Heritage Festival. A group of residents from the three Whitgift Trust homes - Whitgift House, Wilhelmina House and Whitgift Almshouses - gathered to hear about the history Archive material from the Fairfield Collection Project is held at the Museum of behind trophies awarded for boxing, wrestling and cricket, and to leaf through Croydon, and has been made available to the public. Visitors to the museum can programmes dating back to the official opening of Fairfield Halls in 1962. arrange to view items or research information on specific events that took place at Fairfield Halls, such as Lunch Time Concerts, pantomimes, and Friday Night is Music Former Fairfield steward Jim Howard organised a performance of songs by artists Night. Cataloguing all events which took place over the years is an ongoing task. who had appeared at Fairfield Halls over the years. After joining in with the chorus of these popular tunes, the residents were invited to take up the microphone and share The Fairfield Collection is on display in the Croydon Now Gallery, until Saturday 4 their memories with the group. November 2017. Further information can be found on the website set up to document the project and its progress: https://thefairfieldcollection.wordpress.com/ During a three-day exhibition tour to Park Hill Junior School, in Stanhope Road, Croydon, the pupils had the opportunity to hear from a number of volunteers about Report by FAB Croydon writer Angela Lord VOLUNTEERS

The volunteers have contributed additional displays and extracts from Barbara Caddy oral history interviews, with accompanying information and images on Fairfield Halls closed too soon for me. I was only a steward there in touchscreen monitors. Actors, staff, musicians, community groups and latter days for 18 months. Through working on the Fairfield Collection audience members all tell their stories and recall the most memorable project at the Museum of Croydon I realise even more what a fantastic moments in the history of Fairfield Halls. venue it was and hope it will be in the future.

The volunteers have risen to the challenges of the project with the help of Volunteer Manager Viva Msimang, Project Manager Nicolette Hamilton, Borough Archivist Lindsay Ould, Museums Collection Officer Emily Lansell and FAB Croydon trustees Kate Vennell and Fiona Satiro. John Clarke I became involved in the Fairfeild Halls Corps of Stewards in 1999 at the time of my retirement from full time work. I have lived in either Croydon or Caterham all my life. During the time at Fairfield I was Stella Bone involved in many aspects of the running of the Corps. From 2002 to I worked as a steward at the Fairfield Halls from May 2007 until its closing 2005 I was the Rota Secretary and involved in the development of in July 2016. I had been a user of the Halls since its opening in 1962. putting the system on a computer programme. Following that I was Stewarding is a voluntary job so you have to have personal motivation, Corps Chairman from 2006 until 2013/4. I was also a Chief Steward and loyalty and reliability. As the Halls closed we were asked if we would involved in many aspects of the running of the Corps’ other activities. like to work on the Fairfield Collection project as a lasting legacy of I got involved with the Fairfield Collection project because I thought the arts in Croydon. I have been working on archiving Fairfield historic it would be a good idea to investigate the full history of Fairfield. This documentation, show ledgers, stage door books and visitor books. As a has proved to be very interesting and worthwhile project. Lets hope Croydonian I have found the work extremely interesting, cross-referencing Fairfield opens on time. entries and collating information along with my own personal knowledge of the Halls. It has been very worthwhile. Ray Denvil

Andrea Bragg I am interested in cinema, theatre and dog walking. I live in Wallington Margot Fraser with my husband and two children, both of whom are nearing the end I became a steward at Fairfield Halls in 2009 and later elected to the of their education. I was looking for an outside interest and started stewards committee. I am privileged to be allowed to be part of the stewarding at Fairfield Halls about 3 years ago. I am sorry to see the halls heritage project; handling Fairfield artefacts, sorting and logging close but I am looking forward to them opening next year. information as a permanent reminder.

Gabby Bush Peter Hawkshaw I first became involved with Fairfield Halls as a steward in 2012 as a way I joined Fairfield in October 1998 and worked as a steward for of helping the community and extending my interest in theatre. I decided approximately three years. I liked meeting people and became a Chief to help the Fairfield Project to help ensure that the exciting history of the Steward. As I was now retired I often worked three or four sessions a venue is preserved. week. My memories of shows is hazy. I was more interested in people than shows. After becoming Chief Steward, I also worked as Assistant Treasurer, which I enjoyed until closure. I have liked archiving and particularly enjoyed looking at and working on the signature books. I Ines Canellas-Jäger was pleased to see records being entered onto the computer.

Nishika 4m VOLUNTEERS

Maureen Savage I was a steward for 8 years, I enjoyed what I did, the shows I saw and Jim Howard met some nice people. I also enjoy the archiving sessions. Fairfield Halls has always been an important part of my life. I attended many shows and plays over the years and in 2007 became a volunteer Sue Todd steward. This lasted until the closure in July 2016. In addition to this, I I joined the Corps of Stewards in late 2012 after moving to Sutton, had the privilege of performing in the Ashcroft Theatre, resurrecting and seeing the advertisement for stewards in the Fairfield Halls my singing career after approximately 45 years! The Fairfield programme. Although I grew up away from Croydon, I do remember Collection project has been an exciting adventure. I have learned my father listening to the BBC’s Friday Night is Music Night, often from much of the history in a friendly and supportive environment. The Fairfield Halls Croydon - little did I think that 50 years on I would spend experience reinforced my belief in the vital importance Fairfield has my retirement as a steward there! played in the life of the Borough of Croydon.

Jordan James Babs Turner I saw an advert for Fairfield Stewards on the back of a Fairfield ticket Angela Lord so I applied! I started in November 2014 and enjoyed every minute I’ve been involved with Fairfield Halls in various ways; as an audience of it! It was lovely to help Fairfield patrons, and fellow stewards were member, local arts reporter and a performer, and I was interested great to work with. During my time as a steward I attended many in joining the FAB project to help document the venue’s history. I different types of show, concerts and exhibitions. I do hope that started by contributing to the blog and also talked to school pupils when the Fairfield Halls reopen that volunteer stewards will still be about the pantomimes which were a popular annual tradition. needed. One of my fellow Fairfield stewards mentioned that she was helping with the archives and how interesting it was. I decided to give it a go and it has been absolutely fascinating. Reading through the Fairfield programmes with all the varied events was so interesting, and Ian McKenzie looking through the books and autographs of famous people who had performed or visited there was a real eye-opener.

Richard Morrell As someone who has attended shows at Fairfield since 1964, the Marguerite Veldeman venue has provided much entertainment over the years and on I was a member of the Corps of Stewards for almost three years and retirement from work 10 years ago, I took up stewarding at the Halls, was a Chief in the Ashcroft Theatre during the last year. When Fairfield something I had wanted to do for a long time. After becoming a closed I volunteered for the Fairfield Collection Project to keep steward, I then became a Chief Steward, Training Officer and was involved with the Fairfieldians, and to learn more about its history elected the Corps of Stewards Chairman in May 2014, a position and the people connected with it. I worked initially on archiving some I held until the closure in July 2016. It was an amazing experience of the programmes, signature books and booking registers but then and I am delighted to be part of the Fairfield Collection heritage became involved in the oral histories, which I particularly enjoyed. project researching and discovering over 50 years of our arts and It was fascinating to meet people, hear their stories and learn more entertainment history. about them and what went on. It has been a great experience so far and I hope it will continue for some time to come.

Ron Morris Born 1928. Joined Fairfield Corps of Stewards August 1963. Resigned January 2014. Served on the committee as Rota Secretary during this time. Now helping with the Archives. PARK HILL JUNIOR SCHOOL REVIEWS

I really enjoyed the visit of the It was a mind blowing experience about volunteers from Fairfield Halls. It was Fairfield Halls and all the history. My FAIRFIELD WALLS absolutely extraordinary, to hear stories favourite bit was when we created a from volunteers, and draw our own safety curtain and when we got to listen safety curtains. to the experience of volunteers. It was Brick, steel and concrete, wood or stone      amazing. To me you are 5 stars! Walls join, they do not stand alone Danial 4A Thank you!      All that goes on, about, around They slowly capture sight and sound Absolutely amazing! 4A loved designing Divis Dhineyra 4A the safety curtains. We could not get As old cathedrals give one peace I loved the lesson and want to relive From prayers of old that never cease enough of the Fairfield Halls. Thank you for a great afternoon. the whole thing. So with and with halls           Years of performance dress their walls Inga 4A Jon 4A Each move and note an atom form To leave its mark becomes the norm I loved touching the things from the We liked how the safety curtain held museum and learning new words. all Croydon’s history and heritage! Comedy, drama, applause, music      This is spectacular. You should go To all its walls mem’ries will stick to Fairfield Halls. Manas 4A So fifty years of joy and pleasure      Of artists work and patrons leisure Yug 4A loved all the amazing facts Within those walls the past is sealed and looking at the artefacts. I leant I had a great afternoon. It couldn’t have so many new things! The history of Croydon’s Fairfield      been better. Everyone learnt lots of new facts and the session was absolutely Edeline Shibu Ron Morris brilliant. PHJS loved your activities! THANK YOU! Amazing! Best afternoon ever! Fairfield Volunteer Steward 1963 -2014      Couldn’t miss today! Hope every Fairfield Collection Volunteer 2016 - 2017 Eahra Kamran 4A afternoon is alike.     

This session was amazing! Majority of Hisham 4A PHJS loved the session with the Fairfield visitors. I have to admit I didn’t like it, I loved the lesson I learned so much I LOVED IT! more about Fairfield Halls.           Blossom 4A Maimunah 4A