Location

Virgo Fidelis has served the needs of the local and near communities of West Norwood, Upper Norwood and Crystal Palace area's in the London Boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth and Bromley for over 150 years. Visit Virtual Norwood,  Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and Crystal Palace for a history and local features of the area.

Probably most notable among local personality's John Logie Baird whom lived and worked in Crystal Palace for many years, only buying a house in Hastings for his family as a getaway from his factory in Crystal Palace where he developed the worlds first Color Television!

Early Years, Family support (working with Croydon's Social Service out-based at Fidelis), Play Centre, after school clubs, Junior and Senior Schools, Sixth Form and Adult Education and support for partners.

The 30 acre site is extensively used for education as well as the SScO Sport England local consortium, Boot Fairs, parish fetes, Sports and activity clubs and bookings for events such as wedding receptions etc.

The last vestige 5 acres of the 'Great Northern Wood' of Croydon survives within the site.

This region undertook great change in the 1800's. Urbanisation stretching and in-filling the open spaces. The population of England moving due to the Industrial Revolution to the metropolis area's and fueling extensive growth in regional cities such as London, this growth absorbed the surrounding towns & villages and in the case of London creating the Urban districts of London

Below are maps of Croydon Common and Croydon Town, of 1801, and the second the same view in 1980's. Much of the development had occurred and was in place within the 19th Century. Further rebuilding after  World War II and infilling occurring in the 20th Century.

Croydon Common 1801

Croydon Town 1801

Croydon Common 1980's

Croydon Town 1980's

This dramatically shows the urban development and growth of this period in this relatively small area. Reflected in most area's surrounding not only London but other Cities of England.

Copyright © 2007 - Virgo Fidelis Convent School
Last modified: 04-Mar-2008