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 arts & heritage of Orpington and the Crays.
In November 2023 at the annual marking of the fallen and injured in wartime and strife we need only switch on the television or radio or read the news to see that war and conflict is still very sadly rife in the modern day world. On a new page of our website we reprint the memories of Edward Babbs and John Walsh, former residents of St Mary Cray and Otford, recalling wartime in Britain 1939 to 1945.
Photo: Settle, Yorkshire, flowerpot festival 2023.
Cray 150 Publications aims to publish local interest books and to organise or support local events relating to arts & heritage of Orpington and the Crays.
In November 2023 at the annual marking of the fallen and injured in wartime and strife we need only switch on the television or radio or read the news to see that war and conflict is still very sadly rife in the modern day world. On a new page of our website we reprint the memories of Edward Babbs and John Walsh, former residents of St Mary Cray and Otford, recalling wartime in Britain 1939 to 1945.
Photo: Settle, Yorkshire, flowerpot festival 2023.
Our New Books! (October 2023)
Local authors Richard Bowdery and Jerry Dowlen who staged two successful full-house events at the Orpington Literary Festival in May 2023 have paired up again with two new little local history books Curiosities of the Crays and Curiosities of Orpington published in October 2023.
And the flow of our very popular football books is destined to continue with two new publications in the pipeline for the forthcoming 2023/24 season. Further details to follow soon.
As a community publisher we always ask local residents have YOU got a fiction story, a collection of poems, a personal or local history memoir that you've written, that you would like printed for the local community to see and enjoy. If so you can always get in touch with us and we will be pleased to try and help. Please see our Community Publishing page.
The Re-Opening of St Paul's Cray Library 8th August 2023
Cray 150 was proud to be invited to be part of the big community event at St Paul's Cray Library for the opening ceremony of the new enlarged premises in Mickleham Road. After the ribbon was cut by the Deputy Mayor of Bromley Borough there were speeches by executive officers of GLL and Bromley Libraries. A poem specially commissioned from Jerry Dowlen of Cray 150 was recited. An afternoon of celebratory special events included a children's reading event organised by Peter Bently.
Cray 150 Publications is very grateful to St Paul's Cray Library for all the kind support received since we were founded in 2010 including the staging of local history exhibitions and talks; poetry recitals by members of the Croft Poetry Club; and the presence of some of our local history books on the library lending shelves or in the reference section.
Cray 150 was proud to be invited to be part of the big community event at St Paul's Cray Library for the opening ceremony of the new enlarged premises in Mickleham Road. After the ribbon was cut by the Deputy Mayor of Bromley Borough there were speeches by executive officers of GLL and Bromley Libraries. A poem specially commissioned from Jerry Dowlen of Cray 150 was recited. An afternoon of celebratory special events included a children's reading event organised by Peter Bently.
Cray 150 Publications is very grateful to St Paul's Cray Library for all the kind support received since we were founded in 2010 including the staging of local history exhibitions and talks; poetry recitals by members of the Croft Poetry Club; and the presence of some of our local history books on the library lending shelves or in the reference section.
Our Books; Our Website
Please see further below on our Home page a list of all our community publications.
On the other pages of our website please find and enjoy a variety of local interest articles.
To purchase our books please visit the Croft Tea Room at 263 High Street, St Mary Cray where you will find a selection of local interest books, giftware and of course a menu of tasty food fare. The Tea Room is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
Please see further below on our Home page a list of all our community publications.
On the other pages of our website please find and enjoy a variety of local interest articles.
To purchase our books please visit the Croft Tea Room at 263 High Street, St Mary Cray where you will find a selection of local interest books, giftware and of course a menu of tasty food fare. The Tea Room is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
Poetry: New Book
let sleeping dogs stand - Richard DJJ Bowdery
Local writer and Cray 150 author Richard Bowdery has published (May 2023) his new book of poems.
You can purchase the book and find more details at: richardbowderywriter.wordpress.com/2023/05/10/how-to-purchase-your-copy-of-let-sleeping-dogs-stand/.
let sleeping dogs stand - Richard DJJ Bowdery
Local writer and Cray 150 author Richard Bowdery has published (May 2023) his new book of poems.
You can purchase the book and find more details at: richardbowderywriter.wordpress.com/2023/05/10/how-to-purchase-your-copy-of-let-sleeping-dogs-stand/.
Our Books
Here is a list of all our Cray 150 published books.
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/2023/05/10/how-to-purchase-your-copy-of-let-sleeping-dogs-stand/
When Harry Met Cray (2023)
Recalling the 1980s at Cray Wanderers and at other local football clubs in Kent and London.
Flash-Bang-Wallop! (2023)
Recalling the 1990s at Cray Wanderers and at other local football clubs in Kent and London.
Away-Days Cray (2022)
Adventures and stories of Cray Wanderers away match travels from 1894 to 2022.
Ken Collishaw 2nd edition (2022)
A nostalgic return to the 1950s and 1960s when Ken Collishaw scored goals! goals! goals!
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)
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) *** SOLD OUT ***
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.
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/2023/05/10/how-to-purchase-your-copy-of-let-sleeping-dogs-stand/
When Harry Met Cray (2023)
Recalling the 1980s at Cray Wanderers and at other local football clubs in Kent and London.
Flash-Bang-Wallop! (2023)
Recalling the 1990s at Cray Wanderers and at other local football clubs in Kent and London.
Away-Days Cray (2022)
Adventures and stories of Cray Wanderers away match travels from 1894 to 2022.
Ken Collishaw 2nd edition (2022)
A nostalgic return to the 1950s and 1960s when Ken Collishaw scored goals! goals! goals!
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)
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) *** SOLD OUT ***
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) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original writing and art by residents of the Crays and Orpington.
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.
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.
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: enquirycray150@gmail.com Some of our local history books are stocked by Bromley Libraries on the lending &/or reference shelves. .
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) *** SOLD OUT ***
Original writing and art by residents of the Crays and Orpington.
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.
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.
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: enquirycray150@gmail.com Some of our local history books are stocked by Bromley Libraries on the lending &/or reference shelves. .