READING stories about Crayford Town Hall has prompted me to write.

I lived in Crayford for more than 50 years before moving to other pastures.

I was born in Crayford in the old Maiden Lane nursing home.

When I was a boy the town hall was the centre of most activities which went on around Crayford.

I remember if mum missed the rent collector you had to climb the stairs to pay it in the rent office.

My mates and I all went to school, first of all at the Barnes Cray tin hut, as we used to call it, then to the CofE school at the top of Maiden Lane.

Then we went to the central school - the war had just started.

I can remember as the war progressed we used to go to the town hall to sing in the school choir, when Crayford was saving to buy a Spitfire fighter, and we sang there again when Crayford was saving to buy a corvette ship - HMS Candy Tuft.

As we got older the regular dances held there attracted us, and we used to go often.

The thing I shall always remember about the town hall is that I met my late wife there. Crayford will be forgotten if they ever pull it down.

All I can say is Crayfordians, do not let it happen.

The town hall is the most historic building in the once lovely town of Crayford.

C Allwright, Ashford