Roads named after actors?

Does anyone know why Kemble, Cibber and Siddons Roads were named after actors, please?

Very interesting question indeed. I look forwards to seeing what the reasoning of this is. I know back long ago the developers used to name buildings and some small streets almost as part of the deal.

I’m going to start looking into this myself now. Don’t know who the people are that relate to the names though.

John Kemble (1757-1823) & Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) were siblings from an acting dynasty… Both famous in their day. Colley Cibber (1671-1757) was an earlier actor, playwright, actor manager - also Poet Laureate!

Might find this interesting

http://www.southlondonguide.co.uk/foresthill/lowerforesthill.htm

Don’t know but I fondly imagined that Ackroyd Road might be named after Dan but apparently not. I would like to think that Herschell Road is named after the astronomer but sadly am not aware of any local connection (though there used to be an observatory at the top of Honor Oak Park).

I’ll look up that website in a moment. Meanwhile Michael, your name is familiar. Were you by any chance at Alleyns School with my husband , Nicholas Elkin?

Me?
Can’t say I was. Alleyn’s was an option, but went elsewhere in the end. Curious to know who it may have been if we share the surname.

He left school 1963. Father drove jags. Mother at home. Same name as you.

Fascinating. Thanks very much.

This is really a question for local expert Steve Grindlay - but I’m not sure if he has joined. I have been meaning to buy his updated book on the area in any case, so if I can find it, I will see if it makes reference to this, or who was responsible.

https://www.amberley-books.com/sydenham-and-forest-hill-through-time.html

My thought is that there is nothing new in the Property world and these ‘popular’ names were used to make the area more attractive to potential buyers to get them to move here. I can see that Kemble, Como and Aylward were already called this in the 1893-1896 OS map:

http://maps.nls.uk/view/101202453

I agree Rob, this is definitely one for Steve Grindlay!

Has anyone made him aware of here yet, if not I can mail him with the link.

I did include him in a Facebook invitation but I’m pretty sure he will not monitor that. One of us could invite him - but best not all do it. I can leave it to you if you want

I’ll drop him an email Rob & let him know we’d love his wisdom if he’s able too.

Must admit, I find him so interesting & he’s told me the whole history of my shop from 1900.