Welcome to the Cray 150 Publications website!
Cray 150 Publications aims to publish local interest books and to organise or support local events relating to the arts and heritage of Orpington and the Crays. On the pages of this website you'll find information about our books and a range of what we hope are interesting and informative local themed articles.
If you'd like to browse and buy our books why not visit the Croft Tea Room at 263 High Street St Mary Cray where in addition to their menu of super tasty treats you can check out their delightful range of artwork, books, jewellery and other giftware. You'll certainly find local interest books galore, because community publishing is our speciality at Cray 150 featuring the splendid work of local artists, photographers and writers.
The Croft Tea Room is open from Wednesdays to Sundays. You'll also find that copies of some of our local history books are kindly stocked for borrowing or for reference in Orpington Library and St Paul's Cray Library, and in Historic Collections at Bromley Central Library.
To purchase any of our books or make any enquiry about Cray 150 Publications you can always e-mail us [email protected]
.
Cray 150 Publications aims to publish local interest books and to organise or support local events relating to the arts and heritage of Orpington and the Crays. On the pages of this website you'll find information about our books and a range of what we hope are interesting and informative local themed articles.
If you'd like to browse and buy our books why not visit the Croft Tea Room at 263 High Street St Mary Cray where in addition to their menu of super tasty treats you can check out their delightful range of artwork, books, jewellery and other giftware. You'll certainly find local interest books galore, because community publishing is our speciality at Cray 150 featuring the splendid work of local artists, photographers and writers.
The Croft Tea Room is open from Wednesdays to Sundays. You'll also find that copies of some of our local history books are kindly stocked for borrowing or for reference in Orpington Library and St Paul's Cray Library, and in Historic Collections at Bromley Central Library.
To purchase any of our books or make any enquiry about Cray 150 Publications you can always e-mail us [email protected]
.
New Book ! [March 2026]
We are delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of a new local history book about the Crays district. Kind feedback from customers of the Croft Tea Room tells us that these books are a popular good read so it is our pleasure to offer them on local sale. (Our books can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or via e-mail [email protected])
Religion and Philanthropy in the Crays 1800 to Today [Price £2.95].When you walk or drive through the Crays you'll see all the different churches. Who were the villagers of old who worshipped in them? How did their lives and beliefs compare with ours today? Please enjoy a light read that might give you some interesting and possibly also surprising insights how church life has influenced and shaped the Crays.
Included in this book are extracts from the local history booklets full of fascinating folklore and fantasy penned by the Reverend Ralph ('Ray') Galer eighty years ago in the late 1940s. [Price £2.95].
We are delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of a new local history book about the Crays district. Kind feedback from customers of the Croft Tea Room tells us that these books are a popular good read so it is our pleasure to offer them on local sale. (Our books can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or via e-mail [email protected])
Religion and Philanthropy in the Crays 1800 to Today [Price £2.95].When you walk or drive through the Crays you'll see all the different churches. Who were the villagers of old who worshipped in them? How did their lives and beliefs compare with ours today? Please enjoy a light read that might give you some interesting and possibly also surprising insights how church life has influenced and shaped the Crays.
Included in this book are extracts from the local history booklets full of fascinating folklore and fantasy penned by the Reverend Ralph ('Ray') Galer eighty years ago in the late 1940s. [Price £2.95].
New Book! [March 2026]
We also are delighted to be publishing soon our new book Fast Train to London. The town of Orpington is celebrated for its splendid railway links into central London making Orpington railway station an exceptionally good hub for working people as well as shoppers and sightseers.
After your 'short ride in a fast machine' what is there to see and enjoy when you reach one of the main London termini at London Bridge, Cannon Street, Waterloo, Charing Cross or Victoria. Our new little book [Price £2.95] offers a selection of short picturesque and historically fascinating walks that you can enjoy in those vicinities of our great capital city.
We also are delighted to be publishing soon our new book Fast Train to London. The town of Orpington is celebrated for its splendid railway links into central London making Orpington railway station an exceptionally good hub for working people as well as shoppers and sightseers.
After your 'short ride in a fast machine' what is there to see and enjoy when you reach one of the main London termini at London Bridge, Cannon Street, Waterloo, Charing Cross or Victoria. Our new little book [Price £2.95] offers a selection of short picturesque and historically fascinating walks that you can enjoy in those vicinities of our great capital city.
Our Books
Here is a list of all our still available Cray 150 published books.
*** COMING SOON *** Spring, 2026
Religion and Philanthropy in the Crays, 1800 to Today
How has church life shaped the Crays during the last three centuries? A light local history read with some perhaps surprising insights and answers.
Fast Train to London
Short picturesque walks to enjoy after speeding from Orpington to London Bridge, Cannon Street, Waterloo, Charing Cross or Victoria..
The City of London: Wandering and Wondering
A walk in words around the City of the London past and present. This new second edition is an update of our now sold-out first book (2013).
*** ON SALE NOW - from January 2026 ***
Blossom Time, Sunshine Day
Life stories and poems from customers and friends of the Croft Tea Room.
Rotherhithe Old and New *** SEE IMAGE ***
The history and regeneration of Rotherhithe, London postal district S.E.16.
Twenty-Five for '25
Short stories by customers and friends of the Croft Tea Room.
Pitches at an Exhibition
The long and winding road to Flamingo Park where Cray Wanderers are now playing football.
Sign Here! (second edition October 2024)
A review of blue plaques, monuments and town & village signs of special interest in the London Borough of Bromley. This new (October 2024) second edition is an update of our now sold-out first book (2018).
From Clambercrown to the Goose Cathedral (2024)
Celebrating the life and works of the Kent author Jocelyn Brooke
Curiosities of the Crays (2023)
Curiosities of Orpington (2023)
These two local history light reads are full of information, comment and photos..
let sleeping dogs stand (2023)
Poems by Richard Bowdery. To purchase a copy please use this link:
richardbowderywriter.wordpress.com/poetry-books/
Undertow (2021)
Michael Gould’s fictional story set in a London suburb and on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales in 1961.
Problem Solved! (2020)
Jerry Dowlen’s fictional short stories featuring Inspector Gledd the chess-playing Scotland Yard detective.
Here is a list of all our still available Cray 150 published books.
*** COMING SOON *** Spring, 2026
Religion and Philanthropy in the Crays, 1800 to Today
How has church life shaped the Crays during the last three centuries? A light local history read with some perhaps surprising insights and answers.
Fast Train to London
Short picturesque walks to enjoy after speeding from Orpington to London Bridge, Cannon Street, Waterloo, Charing Cross or Victoria..
The City of London: Wandering and Wondering
A walk in words around the City of the London past and present. This new second edition is an update of our now sold-out first book (2013).
*** ON SALE NOW - from January 2026 ***
Blossom Time, Sunshine Day
Life stories and poems from customers and friends of the Croft Tea Room.
Rotherhithe Old and New *** SEE IMAGE ***
The history and regeneration of Rotherhithe, London postal district S.E.16.
Twenty-Five for '25
Short stories by customers and friends of the Croft Tea Room.
Pitches at an Exhibition
The long and winding road to Flamingo Park where Cray Wanderers are now playing football.
Sign Here! (second edition October 2024)
A review of blue plaques, monuments and town & village signs of special interest in the London Borough of Bromley. This new (October 2024) second edition is an update of our now sold-out first book (2018).
From Clambercrown to the Goose Cathedral (2024)
Celebrating the life and works of the Kent author Jocelyn Brooke
Curiosities of the Crays (2023)
Curiosities of Orpington (2023)
These two local history light reads are full of information, comment and photos..
let sleeping dogs stand (2023)
Poems by Richard Bowdery. To purchase a copy please use this link:
richardbowderywriter.wordpress.com/poetry-books/
Undertow (2021)
Michael Gould’s fictional story set in a London suburb and on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales in 1961.
Problem Solved! (2020)
Jerry Dowlen’s fictional short stories featuring Inspector Gledd the chess-playing Scotland Yard detective.
The Croft Tea Room (2016)
Carol Wells tells her story of opening and running St Mary Cray’s very popular Tea Room from 2007 to 2015.
Win in Eleven Moves (2016)
Jerry Dowlen and a lifetime interest in the game of chess.
Carol Wells tells her story of opening and running St Mary Cray’s very popular Tea Room from 2007 to 2015.
Win in Eleven Moves (2016)
Jerry Dowlen and a lifetime interest in the game of chess.
Dove on the Wing (2013) *** SEE IMAGE ***
A biography of Donald Ward (1909 – 2003) Bromley poet and pacifist. Written by Richard Bowdery and Jerry Dowlen in conjunction with Mike Floate of Newlands Publishing.
Jerry Dowlen is the Cray 150 Publications editor and webmaster, 2026. E: [email protected] Please note that we no longer are listing previously published books that are now fully sold out. Some of our local history books including those fully sold out are stocked by Bromley Libraries on the lending &/or reference shelves. .
A biography of Donald Ward (1909 – 2003) Bromley poet and pacifist. Written by Richard Bowdery and Jerry Dowlen in conjunction with Mike Floate of Newlands Publishing.
Jerry Dowlen is the Cray 150 Publications editor and webmaster, 2026. E: [email protected] Please note that we no longer are listing previously published books that are now fully sold out. Some of our local history books including those fully sold out are stocked by Bromley Libraries on the lending &/or reference shelves. .