Welcome to the Cray 150 Publications website!
Cray 150 Publications aims to organise or support local arts and heritage events.
Following the new national lockdown imposed by the government all our community venues and events are suspended until further notice.
To those customers who kindly have ordered our books we are doing our best to supply as soon as possible while our normal distribution process and points of sale are disrupted by the lockdown. The good news is that new local interest books are at the production stage and will be ready for publication when circumstances fully allow. Please see details below of our books currently published and in stock.
We sincerely hope that it will not be long until we all can re-engage with the community activities and friendships that we all enjoy so much.
Throughout this year we will display each month a colour image of The Roaring Twenties - a joyous turning back of the clock one hundred years to the 1920s.
Cray 150 Publications aims to organise or support local arts and heritage events.
Following the new national lockdown imposed by the government all our community venues and events are suspended until further notice.
To those customers who kindly have ordered our books we are doing our best to supply as soon as possible while our normal distribution process and points of sale are disrupted by the lockdown. The good news is that new local interest books are at the production stage and will be ready for publication when circumstances fully allow. Please see details below of our books currently published and in stock.
We sincerely hope that it will not be long until we all can re-engage with the community activities and friendships that we all enjoy so much.
Throughout this year we will display each month a colour image of The Roaring Twenties - a joyous turning back of the clock one hundred years to the 1920s.
Three Poems for February
The joys of winter
Joyce Ozsvald
The cloud curtains have parted
The sky is blue
Joy of joys
The sun shines through.
Snow glistens and twinkles
In sudden sunlight
Uplifting our spirits
Making smiles bright.
Birds flock to the feeder
A-twitter in flight
Fox looks forlornly
For a tasty bite.
Black cat wanders along
A now-drying path
Whilst tulips and daffs
Push through frozen earth.
The flurries of winter
Will soon be past
And the gentle warmth of spring
Will be with us at last.
Poems for February (1) by Joyce Ozsvald + photo by Steve Cotterell. (2) Doubra Fufeyin + her photo. (3) Carol Fenwick. Thank you to our local poets all. To find the Croft Poetry Club page please click on the tab above.
The joys of winter
Joyce Ozsvald
The cloud curtains have parted
The sky is blue
Joy of joys
The sun shines through.
Snow glistens and twinkles
In sudden sunlight
Uplifting our spirits
Making smiles bright.
Birds flock to the feeder
A-twitter in flight
Fox looks forlornly
For a tasty bite.
Black cat wanders along
A now-drying path
Whilst tulips and daffs
Push through frozen earth.
The flurries of winter
Will soon be past
And the gentle warmth of spring
Will be with us at last.
Poems for February (1) by Joyce Ozsvald + photo by Steve Cotterell. (2) Doubra Fufeyin + her photo. (3) Carol Fenwick. Thank you to our local poets all. To find the Croft Poetry Club page please click on the tab above.
The Snow I Know
@doubrafufeyin
Droplets fell, creating speckles. Like
the freckles on a bare beautiful face.
Glazing the earth and everything in
sight. With my mind I braced the cold.
I dared to explore the beauty in the
park long before dark. There is no
greater feeling. Now I am reeling with
excitement and my hearts
contentment knowing no bounds. on
these grounds today, I saw and fell in
love with nature all over again.
@doubrafufeyin
Droplets fell, creating speckles. Like
the freckles on a bare beautiful face.
Glazing the earth and everything in
sight. With my mind I braced the cold.
I dared to explore the beauty in the
park long before dark. There is no
greater feeling. Now I am reeling with
excitement and my hearts
contentment knowing no bounds. on
these grounds today, I saw and fell in
love with nature all over again.
St Mary Cray in the Snow
Carol Fenwick
There's beauty in the silver snow
That graces each great bough.
The frozen trees, makes the wood a forest.
As walking in St Mary Cray, my heart arrests.
At the feast of winter on display
It could even carry me away.
But beware the slippery paths and icy lakes.
Any slip could lead to costly mistakes.
As I glance at wonderland, wintry, crisp
Staring at every single branch tip.
Know that spring won't be far away
Yet let's cherish the differing array
Of seasons like classical musical
Arrangements, each with a varied feel
And enjoy St Mary Cray in the snow
At times turning wheel,
While the wind gently blows.
Photo: River Cray (Steve Cotterell)
Carol Fenwick
There's beauty in the silver snow
That graces each great bough.
The frozen trees, makes the wood a forest.
As walking in St Mary Cray, my heart arrests.
At the feast of winter on display
It could even carry me away.
But beware the slippery paths and icy lakes.
Any slip could lead to costly mistakes.
As I glance at wonderland, wintry, crisp
Staring at every single branch tip.
Know that spring won't be far away
Yet let's cherish the differing array
Of seasons like classical musical
Arrangements, each with a varied feel
And enjoy St Mary Cray in the snow
At times turning wheel,
While the wind gently blows.
Photo: River Cray (Steve Cotterell)
Cray Wanderers F.C. - the Tribute Programmes
Our first published book of the new year!
Well done to Phil Babbs the author / editor of our first new book of 2021. Fittingly on the tenth anniversary of Cray 150 Publications we return to the topic of our renowned local football club Cray Wanderers to enjoy more items of remarkable history on and off the football field. Tributes are paid to leading personalities of the club past and present. Amongst many extraordinary and amusing stories you'll read of the Wands signing a new player on his one hundredth birthday! - and you'll be reminded of a local pub that was named after the team. Thank you Phil for a rattling good read (Price £4) and let's hope it won't be too long before lockdown ends and we can watch the Wands playing football again.
Our first published book of the new year!
Well done to Phil Babbs the author / editor of our first new book of 2021. Fittingly on the tenth anniversary of Cray 150 Publications we return to the topic of our renowned local football club Cray Wanderers to enjoy more items of remarkable history on and off the football field. Tributes are paid to leading personalities of the club past and present. Amongst many extraordinary and amusing stories you'll read of the Wands signing a new player on his one hundredth birthday! - and you'll be reminded of a local pub that was named after the team. Thank you Phil for a rattling good read (Price £4) and let's hope it won't be too long before lockdown ends and we can watch the Wands playing football again.
Problem Solved!
Published 1st December 2020
Problem Solved! is a new venture from Cray 150 Publications being a book of of short stories featuring the fictional Inspector Gledd, chess player and Scotland Yard detective. These light-hearted stories are intended to bring readers some precious good cheer and mirth from the pen of author Jerry Dowlen.
Jerry's work is based upon E.C. Mortimer's short stories of Inspector Gledd that were published before and during the 1939 - 1945 war.
Published 1st December 2020
Problem Solved! is a new venture from Cray 150 Publications being a book of of short stories featuring the fictional Inspector Gledd, chess player and Scotland Yard detective. These light-hearted stories are intended to bring readers some precious good cheer and mirth from the pen of author Jerry Dowlen.
Jerry's work is based upon E.C. Mortimer's short stories of Inspector Gledd that were published before and during the 1939 - 1945 war.
Crayons in my Scrapbook
Published 1st March 2020
Crayons in my Scrapbook sees author Jerry Dowlen revisit the 1950s to find multiple memories of favourite local footballers and teams. There is plenty of mention of Cray Wanderers – of course! – and special focus on London and Kent football clubs. It was an era when famous footballers like Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and Billy Wright were schoolboy idols. About to burst on to the scene were the likes of Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves. Rock n' roll and skiffle music was all the rage with the younger generation. A second television channel ITV was born. Floodlight football became another new addition to popular entertainment. Read and enjoy!
The book can be purchased from 1st March 2020 (Price £4.95) at Cray Wanderers home matches or at the Croft Tea Room, 263 St Mary Cray High Street.
'Community Publishing'
Cray 150 has steadily established itself as a respected and popular community publisher in the Crays and Orpington area of the London Borough of Bromley. More than fifty of our locally very talented artists, authors and photographers have seen their work in print - most deservedly so - under the Cray 150 stamp. Long may the list of names continue, and grow.
As summarised below on this Home page of our website, our publications have covered a number of local interest topics with special focus on Local History, Poetry and Sport (especially Cray Wanderers football club). We love to produce books with multiple authors - books that showcase local people's art, memoirs, poetry, stories and other forms of publishable work.
Photo: Jacky Cook and the Reverend Jane Winter with our Cray Compendium book (published in 2014) featuring contributions by thirty local residents.
Do please approach us if you have something that you would like us to consider for publication especially if it has a local interest element.
Cray 150 has steadily established itself as a respected and popular community publisher in the Crays and Orpington area of the London Borough of Bromley. More than fifty of our locally very talented artists, authors and photographers have seen their work in print - most deservedly so - under the Cray 150 stamp. Long may the list of names continue, and grow.
As summarised below on this Home page of our website, our publications have covered a number of local interest topics with special focus on Local History, Poetry and Sport (especially Cray Wanderers football club). We love to produce books with multiple authors - books that showcase local people's art, memoirs, poetry, stories and other forms of publishable work.
Photo: Jacky Cook and the Reverend Jane Winter with our Cray Compendium book (published in 2014) featuring contributions by thirty local residents.
Do please approach us if you have something that you would like us to consider for publication especially if it has a local interest element.
Cray Wanderers FC and the Crays
Cray 150 started in 2010 with the publication of Forever Amber the history of Cray Wanderers football club (1860 - 2010). The book marked the 150th anniversary of Cray Wanderers who are the oldest football club in London.
Since then a number of our published books have covered the history of Cray Wanderers FC and/or the social history of St Mary Cray and the Crays. These books include Wandering Through the Crays (social history), Where Have All the Stars Gone? (1970s local football) and Let Us See the Goals Go In (1960s local football). A full list can be found on our Buying Locally page - and the books can be purchased at Cray Wanderers home matches or at the Croft Tea Room, 263 High Street, St Mary Cray.
Cray 150 started in 2010 with the publication of Forever Amber the history of Cray Wanderers football club (1860 - 2010). The book marked the 150th anniversary of Cray Wanderers who are the oldest football club in London.
Since then a number of our published books have covered the history of Cray Wanderers FC and/or the social history of St Mary Cray and the Crays. These books include Wandering Through the Crays (social history), Where Have All the Stars Gone? (1970s local football) and Let Us See the Goals Go In (1960s local football). A full list can be found on our Buying Locally page - and the books can be purchased at Cray Wanderers home matches or at the Croft Tea Room, 263 High Street, St Mary Cray.
Art and Poetry
We have been pleased to publish four delightful anthologies of art and poetry featuring the work of members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club. The books are: Raising the Roof (2015), From my Window (2016), Marvellous Dreams (2017) and Beautiful Colours (2018). We hope to publish more collections in the future: all we need is more splendid works of art and poems, please!
Image: Artwork by Paula Piggott featured on the front cover of one of our books.
We have been pleased to publish four delightful anthologies of art and poetry featuring the work of members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club. The books are: Raising the Roof (2015), From my Window (2016), Marvellous Dreams (2017) and Beautiful Colours (2018). We hope to publish more collections in the future: all we need is more splendid works of art and poems, please!
Image: Artwork by Paula Piggott featured on the front cover of one of our books.
The Croft Tea Room 2007 - 2015
Author: Carole Wells Published: November 2016
The author Carole Wells is the now-retired original founder and owner of St Mary Cray's most popular tea room and community hub. In this beautifully illustrated book Carole describes the Tearoom's fascinating journey from derelict building to heart and soul of its community. Price £3.95. All sale proceeds go to the Tea Room.
Author: Carole Wells Published: November 2016
The author Carole Wells is the now-retired original founder and owner of St Mary Cray's most popular tea room and community hub. In this beautifully illustrated book Carole describes the Tearoom's fascinating journey from derelict building to heart and soul of its community. Price £3.95. All sale proceeds go to the Tea Room.
Local History: Bromley and The City of London
Spreading our wings further than the Crays we have Local History books about the London Borough of Bromley and the City of London (the financial district a.k.a. 'Square Mile').
Details of these books can be found on the Sign Here! Best of Bromley and on the City of London pages of our website.
Spreading our wings further than the Crays we have Local History books about the London Borough of Bromley and the City of London (the financial district a.k.a. 'Square Mile').
Details of these books can be found on the Sign Here! Best of Bromley and on the City of London pages of our website.
Meandering Through the Millstream
Our little booklet takes a brief, nostalgic tour of Millstream, the former church magazine, during the period 1950 to 2015. There are reminders of the different front cover illustrations that have been produced during the years, including the superb drawings by John Blundell. And we have made a small selection of especially interesting and sometimes curious items that were printed inside the magazine by way of news stories or feature articles.
This booklet can be obtained from St Mary's Church, St Mary Cray.
Our little booklet takes a brief, nostalgic tour of Millstream, the former church magazine, during the period 1950 to 2015. There are reminders of the different front cover illustrations that have been produced during the years, including the superb drawings by John Blundell. And we have made a small selection of especially interesting and sometimes curious items that were printed inside the magazine by way of news stories or feature articles.
This booklet can be obtained from St Mary's Church, St Mary Cray.
. Wandering Through the Crays
A social history of St Mary Cray, Kent and its famous football club the Cray Wanderers.
Published on 18 April 2015 price £9.95. Copies may be purchased at the Croft Tea Room, St Mary Cray or at Cray Wanderers FC home matches.
A social history of St Mary Cray, Kent and its famous football club the Cray Wanderers.
Published on 18 April 2015 price £9.95. Copies may be purchased at the Croft Tea Room, St Mary Cray or at Cray Wanderers FC home matches.
A Cray Compendium
[Sorry! Fully sold out - October 2015] A collection of original art and writing from St Mary Cray and Orpington, Kent.
Published on 11 October 2014 .
[Sorry! Fully sold out - October 2015] A collection of original art and writing from St Mary Cray and Orpington, Kent.
Published on 11 October 2014 .
Forever Amber: Cray Wanderers FC 1860 - 2010.
Published in 2011. [ Hurry! Only a few unsold copies remaining.] The 150-year old history of our famous local football club Cray Wanderers - the oldest football club in London. The narrative story is illustrated with a superb array of old archive photographs and memorabilia, with emphasis on key periods in the club's development, leading players and personalities, trophies, and the search for a permanent home ground within the Crays district that will end the club's long exile since 1973.
Copies may be purchased at the Croft Tea Room, St Mary Cray, at Bromley Libraries or at Cray Wanderers FC home matches.
Copies may be purchased at the Croft Tea Room, St Mary Cray, at Bromley Libraries or at Cray Wanderers FC home matches.
After Football, Nothing Much Happens.
Donald ‘Ted’ Ward was Orpington’s most famous poet of the modern era. He moved into the area after the Second World War. Ted published several volumes of poetry from 1971 until his death in February 2003 when he was aged 93. In this short tribute book to Ted, we celebrate his poetic associations with our local town of Orpington and the surrounding countryside. We also recall fond memories of Ted as a football fan and friend for many years on the terraces of Cray Wanderers FC.
Ken Collishaw - Cray Wanderers FC Goalscoring Legend.
This book recalls the playing career of Ken Collishaw who was an outstanding local footballer in the 1950s and 1960s. Ken played centre-forward for Cray Wanderers and scored 268 goals for the Club. He also played for Bromley and Tonbridge. With the help of photographs and other archive material, and interviews with many Orpington and Cray locals who greatly admired Ken’s exciting football skills, this book offers a nostalgic journey into a bygone era of goals, goals, goals!
