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 heritage of Orpington and the Crays.
Please see below on our Home page a showcasing of our most recent community publications.
On the other pages of our website please find and enjoy a variety of local interest articles.
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 publish local interest books and to organise or support local events relating to the heritage of Orpington and the Crays.
Please see below on our Home page a showcasing of our most recent community publications.
On the other pages of our website please find and enjoy a variety of local interest articles.
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.
New Book (1)
To be published 17th August 2022
Next up in our very popular series of Cray Wanderers football history books we are proud to announce that Away-Days Cray will be on sale in August 2022 to coincide with Cray Wanderers kicking off the new 2022/23 season in the Isthmian Premier League with their first home games on 17th and 20th August. This attractive new book (Price £4.95) can be purchased at Cray Wanderers home matches or at the Croft Tea Room from 18th August.
When the Cray Wanderers go a-wandering there are many good stories to be told about the places they visit and the opposing teams they play. By horse & cart then motor vehicle and latterly aeroplane the Wands have played away games in many counties of the English mainland and across the sea, too. So from your armchair please enjoy a ride with the Cray Wanderers and discover some fascinating town and village facts that you may not have known before!
To be published 17th August 2022
Next up in our very popular series of Cray Wanderers football history books we are proud to announce that Away-Days Cray will be on sale in August 2022 to coincide with Cray Wanderers kicking off the new 2022/23 season in the Isthmian Premier League with their first home games on 17th and 20th August. This attractive new book (Price £4.95) can be purchased at Cray Wanderers home matches or at the Croft Tea Room from 18th August.
When the Cray Wanderers go a-wandering there are many good stories to be told about the places they visit and the opposing teams they play. By horse & cart then motor vehicle and latterly aeroplane the Wands have played away games in many counties of the English mainland and across the sea, too. So from your armchair please enjoy a ride with the Cray Wanderers and discover some fascinating town and village facts that you may not have known before!
Also Coming Soon! 17th August 2022
New Book (2) (Reprint: Second Edition)
Ken Collishaw: Cray Wanderers FC Goalscoring Legend
The first print run of this book, published in 2006, is sold out. A new print run second edition of the book will be published on 17th August 2022. Ken Collishaw is the all-time highest goalscorer for Cray Wanderers. He scored a total of 268 goals for the club between 1954 and 1965. The story of this remarkable local footballer deserves retelling in an updated new edition of the book containing several new photos and mementos that were not included in the earlier book. Price £2.95.
New Book (2) (Reprint: Second Edition)
Ken Collishaw: Cray Wanderers FC Goalscoring Legend
The first print run of this book, published in 2006, is sold out. A new print run second edition of the book will be published on 17th August 2022. Ken Collishaw is the all-time highest goalscorer for Cray Wanderers. He scored a total of 268 goals for the club between 1954 and 1965. The story of this remarkable local footballer deserves retelling in an updated new edition of the book containing several new photos and mementos that were not included in the earlier book. Price £2.95.
Our Books
Here is a list of all our Cray 150 published books to date.
Away-Days Cray (2022)
To be published on 17th August
Ken Collishaw 2nd edition (2022)
To be published on 17th August
Exciting Discoveries (2021)
Selected articles from Cray Wanderers football programmes from 1961 to 2021
Shirts that Stand the Strain (2021)
Adverts old and new in Cray Wanderers football programmes from 1900 to 2021
Our Covid Calendar (2021) *** SEE IMAGE ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Undertow (2021)
Michael Gould’s fictional story set in a London suburb and on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales in 1961.
The Tribute Programmes (2021)
Phil Babbs (editor) presents a selection of Cray Wanderers programme tribute articles 2010 and 2020.
Problem Solved! (2020)
Jerry Dowlen’s fictional short stories featuring Inspector Gledd the chess-playing Scotland Yard detective.
Crayons in my Scrapbook (2020)
Local football in the 1940s and 1950s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Let Us See the Goals Go In (2019)
Local football in the 1960s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Where Have All the Stars Gone (2019)
Local football in the 1970s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Beautiful Colours (2018) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Sign Here! (2018)
A review of blue plaques, monuments and town & village signs of special interest in the London Borough of Bromley.
There’s More to Say about Cray (2018)
More local history of the Crays told from the perspective of Cray Wanderers football club.
Here is a list of all our Cray 150 published books to date.
Away-Days Cray (2022)
To be published on 17th August
Ken Collishaw 2nd edition (2022)
To be published on 17th August
Exciting Discoveries (2021)
Selected articles from Cray Wanderers football programmes from 1961 to 2021
Shirts that Stand the Strain (2021)
Adverts old and new in Cray Wanderers football programmes from 1900 to 2021
Our Covid Calendar (2021) *** SEE IMAGE ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Undertow (2021)
Michael Gould’s fictional story set in a London suburb and on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales in 1961.
The Tribute Programmes (2021)
Phil Babbs (editor) presents a selection of Cray Wanderers programme tribute articles 2010 and 2020.
Problem Solved! (2020)
Jerry Dowlen’s fictional short stories featuring Inspector Gledd the chess-playing Scotland Yard detective.
Crayons in my Scrapbook (2020)
Local football in the 1940s and 1950s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Let Us See the Goals Go In (2019)
Local football in the 1960s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Where Have All the Stars Gone (2019)
Local football in the 1970s featuring Cray Wanderers and other clubs from London and Kent.
Beautiful Colours (2018) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Sign Here! (2018)
A review of blue plaques, monuments and town & village signs of special interest in the London Borough of Bromley.
There’s More to Say about Cray (2018)
More local history of the Crays told from the perspective of Cray Wanderers football club.
Marvellous Dreams (2017) *** SEE IMAGE ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
So Long, C.U. (2017) *** SOLD OUT ***
More of Jerry Dowlen’s memoirs of working in the City of London.
The Best of Cray Chatter Volume Two (2017)
More selected articles from the Cray Chatter local football magazine 1980 to 2002.
From my Window (2016) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
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.
The Best of Cray Chatter Volume One (2016)
Selected articles from the Cray Chatter local football magazine 1980 to 2002.
Raising the Roof (2015) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
So Long, C.U. (2017) *** SOLD OUT ***
More of Jerry Dowlen’s memoirs of working in the City of London.
The Best of Cray Chatter Volume Two (2017)
More selected articles from the Cray Chatter local football magazine 1980 to 2002.
From my Window (2016) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
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.
The Best of Cray Chatter Volume One (2016)
Selected articles from the Cray Chatter local football magazine 1980 to 2002.
Raising the Roof (2015) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original art and poetry by members and friends of the Croft Poetry Club.
Wandering Through the Crays (2015) *** SEE IMAGE ***
A social history of St Mary Cray and its famous football club the Cray Wanderers. Articles, photos and memoirs by many current and former residents of the Crays.
Meandering Through the Millstream (2015)
A mini-booklet of selected articles from the church magazine of St Mary’s, St Mary Cray, from 1951 to 2015.
A Cray Compendium (2014)
Original writing and art by residents of the Crays and Orpington.
Dove on the Wing (2013)
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.
The City of London: Wandering and Wondering (2013) *** SOLD OUT ***
Jerry Dowlen’s personal history of the City of the London and his time working at Lloyd’s of London insurance.
Forever Amber (2011) *** SOLD OUT ***
Cray Wanderers FC History 1860 to 2010. Co-authors Jerry Dowlen and Peter Goringe; Editor: Mike Floate. Published to mark the 150th anniversary of London’s oldest football club Cray Wanderers.
Ken Collishaw: Cray Wanderers FC Goalscoring Legend (2006)
A short biography of star local footballer Ken Collishaw who played for Cray from 1954 to 1964. *** REPRINT (SECOND EDITION) COMING SOON! - August 2022 see details above.
After Football, Nothing Much Happens (2004)
A short biography of Donald Ward, Bromley poet and pacifist.
Jerry Dowlen is the Cray 150 Publications editor and webmaster, 2022. E: enquirecray150@gmail.com
A social history of St Mary Cray and its famous football club the Cray Wanderers. Articles, photos and memoirs by many current and former residents of the Crays.
Meandering Through the Millstream (2015)
A mini-booklet of selected articles from the church magazine of St Mary’s, St Mary Cray, from 1951 to 2015.
A Cray Compendium (2014)
Original writing and art by residents of the Crays and Orpington.
Dove on the Wing (2013)
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.
The City of London: Wandering and Wondering (2013) *** SOLD OUT ***
Jerry Dowlen’s personal history of the City of the London and his time working at Lloyd’s of London insurance.
Forever Amber (2011) *** SOLD OUT ***
Cray Wanderers FC History 1860 to 2010. Co-authors Jerry Dowlen and Peter Goringe; Editor: Mike Floate. Published to mark the 150th anniversary of London’s oldest football club Cray Wanderers.
Ken Collishaw: Cray Wanderers FC Goalscoring Legend (2006)
A short biography of star local footballer Ken Collishaw who played for Cray from 1954 to 1964. *** REPRINT (SECOND EDITION) COMING SOON! - August 2022 see details above.
After Football, Nothing Much Happens (2004)
A short biography of Donald Ward, Bromley poet and pacifist.
Jerry Dowlen is the Cray 150 Publications editor and webmaster, 2022. E: enquirecray150@gmail.com
