Founded in 1937, the Association’s objectives were established:

“To promote the well-being of the community resident in the Riddlesdown locality for such purposes as may by law be deemed to be charitable and in particular by associating the Local Authorities, voluntary organisations and residents in a common effort to further health, advance education, and to foster a community spirit for the achievement of such purposes as aforesaid.”

The Committee nowadays interprets this rather long-winded statement as a mandate to maintain and improve the Riddlesdown environment, liaising with local authorities and services.

Click the link for the full Rules/Constitution of the RRA which were adopted at the AGM on 20 May 2022. Link to RRA Constitution.

The Association covers approximately 1,500 households from 31 roads with a membership of about 2,500 people.

Read what was happening in the first year of the RRA – 1937 – Link.

What Does the RRA do, You May Ask?

The RRA has been active since 1937 as a local community organisation. We are a non-political, voluntarily run and non-profit organisation, serving 1,400 households in Riddlesdown.

Below are a few examples of our aims and achievements:

• Working in conjunction with Croydon Council’s Officers, the Sanderstead, and Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward Councillors, to try and maintain and keep Riddlesdown, a ‘clean, tidy and a green’ place in which to live.
• To try and retain and increase tree numbers and improve grass verge appearance and green open spaces. To report to the Council, any highway and environmental defects.
• Overseeing and keeping a watchful eye on local environmental & planning matters, in order to try to maintain the pleasant and rural character of Riddlesdown.
• Working to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in Riddlesdown in conjunction with the local Police SNTs.
• Erecting and maintaining the “Riddlesdown” sign on Mitchley Avenue/Buttermere Gardens and the other three notice boards in the area (on the wall by St Edmunds Church, Mitchley Ave, on the Green at the junction of Lower Barn Rd and Mitchley Ave, and on the Green beside the railway station on Lower Barn Rd.)
• Keeping the local community informed of local events and activities and news, either by our Recorder magazine, this website, Facebook, our E-Blast newsletters and the notice boards.
• Working in consultation with the bus and rail operators to ensure good local public transport to and from, and within Riddlesdown.
• Working with Croydon Council, City of London Corporation and other land owners to retain the local Greenbelt, agricultural, all the woodland and ancient woodland, which makes up a large proportion of our area.
• Holding an annual children’s Christmas party and other social events our members would like.
• Producing a once yearly issue of a local community magazine – ‘The Riddlesdown Recorder’.
• Liasing with & working on joint projects with Riddlesdown Collegiate, the largest school within the Borough of Croydon.
• Working to promote our local retail shops, in Lower Barn Rd and Mitchley Ave, who are a lifeline for many people in the area.
• Working to liaise and promote the Riddlesdown community and leisure groups and organisations within our area, or nearby.

The above is just an example of what Riddlesdown residents’ get for their £5 annual membership!

Are you interested in getting more involved in your local community? New RRA members, volunteers, road stewards, sponsors and supporters are always warmly welcomed.

Our Magazine: The Riddlesdown Recorder

We publish this once a year (summer). It is free to members and delivered to all households, containing information and articles of interest to residents.

Click here for more information.

Our Committee

To see Committee members.

Our Road Stewards

Delivery of the Recorder and of other material is done by our loyal and hardworking band of road stewards. They also collect the annual subscription of £5. The road stewards are recruited and organised by John Rapp, Membership Secretary. Apply to John (8660 9531) or any Committee member if you wish to join the Association.

We are always in need of road stewards to replace those that unfortunately leave, or to lighten the burden of those with large patches. Please contact John if you can help.