The Ladybird Book of New Addington's Secret Police
Anyone wondering about my Ladybird modernism obsession need wonder no further after watching this amazing 1962 Pathe news film.
It follows the story of the local policeman in New Addington, the estate I grew up on in Croydon. It's showing off a one man police station, this one in Overbury Crescent near Central Parade. The little buiding is a scandinavian modernist delight, and the office is pure Ladybird, with its grey filing cabinets, grey desk and grey policeman. The Mini traveler and police dog and kennel just adds to the cuteness. It's almost Postman Pat. But it's not. It's a policeman.
For years we heard rumours of 'plain clothes' police houses on the estate. I had no idea there were blatant ones like this too. This mild scene seems at odds with the 'rough estate' label of New Addington today, but goes to show how even in 1962 there were concerns enough that additional policing was needed on site to keep us locals in line.
My brother Ian pointed this out to me today (thanks Ian!). You can find out more about Ian and New Addington in my book Outskirts, which tells the story of growing up on the estate on the edge of London's countryside, and of the history and creation of Britain's green belts.
And now, for the film:
It follows the story of the local policeman in New Addington, the estate I grew up on in Croydon. It's showing off a one man police station, this one in Overbury Crescent near Central Parade. The little buiding is a scandinavian modernist delight, and the office is pure Ladybird, with its grey filing cabinets, grey desk and grey policeman. The Mini traveler and police dog and kennel just adds to the cuteness. It's almost Postman Pat. But it's not. It's a policeman.
For years we heard rumours of 'plain clothes' police houses on the estate. I had no idea there were blatant ones like this too. This mild scene seems at odds with the 'rough estate' label of New Addington today, but goes to show how even in 1962 there were concerns enough that additional policing was needed on site to keep us locals in line.
My brother Ian pointed this out to me today (thanks Ian!). You can find out more about Ian and New Addington in my book Outskirts, which tells the story of growing up on the estate on the edge of London's countryside, and of the history and creation of Britain's green belts.
And now, for the film:
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