The
Crystal Palace
Foundation

By Professor Roger Ward

Roger, brother of Ian Ward who owned Ball's newsagents on the corner of Westow Street and Central Hill from 1973 to 2001 describes his early life in Norwood.

In exploring his wider family's life in what he defines as S.E.19, he takes us back to a time when children of working-class families were beginning to take their places at grammar schools – in his case Archbishop Tenison's near The Oval – and how such experiences began to change people's horizons, assisted in later stages by access to grants to allow them to enter higher education.

For anyone familiar with the suburban landscape of Upper Norwood, this book will equally be something of a primary source because Roger gives some substance to the lives of people who lived in that neighbourhood. Those of us who lived further south on the lower reaches of Norwood shared their interest in the fate of Crystal Palace Football Club at Selhurst Park, which has been a lifelong commitment for Roger.

Read about Ball's newsagents, the Ward Family and of course Eric, the well known local celebrity. 

Roger gives detailed accounts of his life and events in South, Upper and West Norwood and of his RAF National Service career post World War 2.

Paperback 226 pages 53 illustrations