Crayford

Crayford is a town in the London Borough of Bexley that was an important bridging point in Roman times across the River Cray, a tributary of the River Thames. The Roman name was Noviomagus Cantiacorum - the new market of the Cantiaci. As a parish (pre 1920) it included Erith and Slade Green which lie to the north. For centuries it was strongly associated with brick-making, the printing of silk scarves, ties and calico cloths, and for a short period carpet-making. After 1897 the Vickers Company that built military aeroplanes and armaments became the dominant employer building homes, a theatre and a canteen close to many workshops. The latter constructed during World War One became the town hall of the Urban District Council and remains a major landmark in municipal use.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Crayford is now well known for a different theatre, a small astronomic observatory and a greyhound racing track. The theatre was named in honour of Geoffrey Whitworth who played a key part in developing a British tradition of amateur drama and in building political support for The Royal National Theatre erected at Waterloo, London after his death.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A public house in the town centre called "The Bear and Ragged Staff" is well known as a venue for live pop/rock bands; it was briefly renamed "The Orange Kipper" in the mid-1990s, before public outcry convinced the owners to reinstate the traditional name.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On its way from Erith to Old Bexley, the "London LOOP" walk follows the River Cray across the Crayford Marshes and through the town centre. This section of the LOOP is based on an earlier signed walk, the Cray Riverway, and many of the signposts along it still carry the older route's name.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

London Borough of Bexley: The London Borough of Bexley is a London borough in southeast outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, and Dartford borough in Kent to the east. The River Thames is its northernmost boundary with the London Boro...

Roman: Roman or Romans has several meanings, primarily related to the Roman citizens, but also applicable to typography, math, and several geographic locations....

River Cray: The River Cray is a tributary of the River Darent in southern England. It rises in Priory Gardens in the London Borough of Bromley, then flows northwards past an industrial and residential area of St Mary Cray, through St Paul's Cray where there was once a paper mill, through Foots Cray, and enters...