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Home , Museum of Wimbledon, Nova Pilbeam, Wimbledon Common

The Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015 History Essay Planning Local History Society Members Environment Around and About competition 3 Committee 4-5 pages 6-7 pages 8-9 pages 10-11 page 12 A REASON TO CELEBRATE THE MUSEUM As the Museum prepares to celebrate trumpet and the official coat of the its centenary with a special exhibition Wimbledon beadle plus, frankly, opening on 16 January, CASSANDRA a load of old rubbish. There was, TAYLOR, chairman of the however, enough suitable material to Museum Committee, create the bare bones of a museum. explains how the In the previous century Joseph Museum came Toynbee, the distinguished into being and anaesthetist and a founder of The the people who Village Club, had been keen to made it happen develop “not the exhibition of rare and so-called curious objects, but THE MUSEUM to develop and foster in the minds was officially of all classes of people an interest opened on 19 October in the common objects of Nature 1916 during the closing days of Founding father: Dr Francis Bather (above, which surround them”. He even the terrible Battle of the Somme courtesy of the Royal Society) ran the produced a small book called Hints for which soldiers had only Museum from 1916 to 1934; his secretary for the Formation of a Local Museum recently been training on the and later Museum curator Margaret Grant but unfortunately died in 1866 Common (see page 6). That a group (above left); a 1911 Coronation mug (below) before plans had reached the of philanthropic burghers should donated by Miss Bather to the Museum drawing board. have decided to pool their private The collection of items deemed collections and form a museum appealed for pictures, prints and suitable for display were examined at such a time is less incongruous objects of antiquarian value. on 3 March 1916 by Colonel than it might appear to us during The response was excellent though Plunkett, Dr Francis Bather and W this present WWI the results were Druce and subsequently displayed commemorative period. mixed. It produced in the Reading Room of the Club. In fact the idea of a an eclectic trove Because of wartime shortages museum had first been of watercolours, there was no money available for mooted in 1904, when maps, portraits and fixtures and fittings. The collection a sub-committee of interesting artefacts could be viewed by anyone let in The John Evelyn Club but also a miscellany by the Club’s caretaker, whose (later The Wimbledon of unsuitable items lack of supervision meant that Society) chaired by including a falcon’s some items ‘walked’ out with the Richardson Evans bell, a wooden ear odd visitor. (continued on p3)

For the latest information, go to www.wimbledonsociety.org.uk, www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk or the Facebook page. EDITOR’S NOTE

Wimbledon Society contacts President Norman Plastow Chairman’s report

Chairman/Website Asif Malik WE ARE approaching a milestone in the affairs of the Society. It was at our AGM in May 2014 that members present gave approval to the Executive Committee to investigate changing the status of Hon Secretary Sue Lang the Society from an unincorporated body to that of a company limited by guarantee. A group of EC members looked into this proposal with care, and recommended to the AGM earlier this year Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge that we should proceed with the change – the recommendation was accepted nem con. After much work by the EC group, with pro bono legal advice and consultation with our accountants, Planning Chairman John Mays we have reached the stage of incorporating a new limited company. Our name does not change and we are still The Wimbledon Society. The Charity Commission has accepted our application Museum Chairman Cassandra for registration. We now have a new company Taylor registration number and a new charity number. The final stage will entail the transfer of assets to the new company, and we plan to complete the process Local History Chairman Charles Toase by 31 December 2015. This is indeed a major step for the Society and will put us on a firm footing to face the future with confidence. The public consultation process for Crossrail 2 is Membership Secretary now in progress. If it does go ahead, the impact on Jennifer Newman Wimbledon will be hugely significant, and much of the current townscape in the central area will be transformed. We have been following the proposals with great interest, and you will see an explanatory Activities/Newsletter Distribution article on page 4, where we set out the Society’s Linda Defriez view. It is worth looking at the Crossrail website – www.crossrail2.co.uk, to find out more. We would encourage all members to send replies/comments by email to crossrail2@tfl.gov.uk or by post to Freepost, Crossrail 2 Consultations. Wimbledon Society Newsletter In the last Newsletter, we mentioned our search Editorial team for new members for the Executive Committee of John Stern the Society. There was a strong response and we are Nigel Davies Asif Malik, in discussion with some very promising candidates. Iain Simpson The door is still open, and we are inviting expressions of interest for this key role. If you would like to join us in ensuring that the Society is properly run, we are keen to hear from you. Please Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, 257 have a look at the note on the back page. Haydons Road, SW19 8TY ASIF MALIK

2 RICHARD MILWARD ESSAY CHALLENGE The Great History Throw Down

MONICA ELLISON on the renewed topic or even an idea for one, that rewarding. Do not be daunted by the search for Wimbledon historians the competition will take place next idea of research, I found that most of year. This biennial award is for an the resources I needed were available THE RICHARD MILWARD Essay Award original article (between 1,000 and at the Museum of Wimbledon or will be made in Autumn 2016. Small 2,000 words) on a local history subject Library.” stirrings have been noted and we submitted by 19 October 2016. It is useful to bear in mind that with can assure anyone toying with a The prize commemorates the work every year that passes, another drops of Richard Milward (1924-2006), the into the history remit box, so that the brilliant master, lecturer, and prolifc story of more people, organisations, historian who, apart from his life as an societies, schools, churches, houses, undergraduate at Oxford, spent all his roads etc, become available as subjects years in Wimbledon, many of them in for a great essay. Email milwardprize@ the service of the Society. wimbledonsociety.org.uk for advice. Kirk Bannister, our winner in 2014, says: “If you have a love for our history Entry Forms and Terms & Conditions here in Wimbledon this essay contest is are available from the Museum of for you. Whether it’s an interest in some Wimbledon, 22 Ridgway, Wimbledon of the more notable past residents, or SW19 4QN, or online at: Inspiration: Richard Milward, who taught any aspect of Wimbledon’s past, then www.wimbledonsociety.org.uk and www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk history at Wimbledon College for 40 years writing an essay about it is incredibly

The Museum (continued from p1) develop it by the Council into a SOCIETY NEWS municipal Museum and Art Gallery A large audience attended a fell through because the annual Society incorporation conversazione in the Lecture Hall running cost of £1,650 was thought status where speeches were given by the exorbitant. GOOD progress has been made since President, Sir Thomas Jackson, the Thanks to the hard work of the AGM. The new company, called well-known architect who lived in successive Museum Committees ‘The Wimbledon Society’, has been Wimbledon, and Richardson Evans, the Museum is now established incorporated, and our application a local philanthropist. on a sound basis. A team of for registration with the Charity Just as the war ended, the Club volunteers oversees visitors during Commission has been accepted. This building was requisitioned for the weekend opening times and means we are on target to complete the process by the fnancial year end military use and the collection under Dr Pamela Greenwood, Head 31 December. was moved to Eagle House, apart of Collections, the curators of the All members will receive a letter from the stuffed birds which were various sections (archaeology, explaining the changes and setting sent to the Library. archives, books, manuscripts, out the details of the Society’s new The Museum did not reopen maps, natural history, portraits and bank account with the Charities Aid until 1920 when Margaret Grant, prints, watercolours and drawings) Foundation (CAF). The letter will ask who was secretary to Dr Bather and work on conserving and recording you to cancel your existing standing Almoner at the Cottage Hospital, was the items in their care. order and set up a new one in favour appointed curator. At the request of The special exhibition ‘The of the new CAF account. the village Club in 1924 the Museum Museum of Wimbledon – a In order to facilitate the transfer of was moved from the Reading Room Centenary Celebration’ will be members to the new company, the existing Society will be kept in being to the disused classrooms upstairs open from 16 January to mid-April. for at least two years. where it remains today. In addition to the normal opening In due course, the company’s It was closed during World War hours of 2.30–5pm on Saturdays articles and the rules will be II after which attempts to rehouse and Sundays the Museum will also published on the Society website. the Museum in Eagle House or be open from 11am on Sundays.

3 BRoxbourne

Tottenham Hale

PLANNING MATTERS

Euston St Pancras Crossrail 2: dramatic efect Angelon Wimbledon Crossrail 2 is up for consultation. The Broadway and Hartfield Road Victoria This is the Planning Committee’s Kings Road including the Prince of Wales Chelsea view of the published plans pub, shops, businesses etc. Central core of route Junction • The flats beside the ‘Fridge’ and Regional branches

CROSSRAIL 2 is a proposed new rail Route previously consulted fronting Hartfield Crescent. line serving London and the South Newly proposed route • The Queen’s Road Church and

East, linking Surrey to Hertfordshire Broadway adjacent property. via Central London. A new station Raynes • A site beside the Magistrates Court Park New Wimbledon is proposed at Wimbledon, because Malden on Alexandra Road. Kingston it provides a good interchangeHampton Court • Dundonald Road depot which is a Shepperton with various National Rail services, current railway facility. the Underground District Line and tracks emerge in London’s northern • Weir Road, currently in industrial/ the Tram. suburbs, the Crossrail 2 tracks will commercial use plus Homebase, Chessington South Up to 30 additional trains per remain in tunnel. eventually being used as a rail hour is the aim, reducing journey In order to build a pair of tunnels depot for ‘stabling’ trains. Epsom times and relieving pressure of some 20 miles in length, large • Gap Road, being the entrance to on central London rail termini, construction and working sites the twin tunnels. particularly Waterloo. and shafts will be needed in the • The present station entrance The current consultation shows Wimbledon area for 10 years remains. two new lines being built beside between 2020 and 2030, and along Redevelopment of these vacated the present four lines from Raynes the whole length of the tunnels. sites within the town centre would Park. These then pass alongside The following working sites are not be until completion in 2030. A the present Wimbledon station, being suggested for Wimbledon – new vehicular bridge is proposed occupying the site of the present day their existing buildings would need between Alexandra Road and Centre Court shopping centre. The to be demolished: Queen’s Road. new station will be 250m long, and • Centre Court shopping centre, but Although not programmed to lower than the existing platforms. not the listed Town Hall building. start until c.2020, the important Going towards London, the tracks • The ‘Fridge on the Bridge’ decisions on the basic design of the then drop down and enter a pair of building opposite the station, whole project, and how it affects tunnels, the portals being at Gap being shops, car park and offices. Wimbledon, need to be taken now. Road. From that point, until the • The conservation area between This project has very major > p5

the new building. The Society has the is locally listed and may date from Planning following concerns: parking in the about 1820. The Council’s Character applications 2015 area is restricted to a few meters and Assessment says it could be considered all surrounding roads are in CPZs; we for statutory listing. The proposal The Planning Committee has reviewed recommend the Council introduces would be detrimental to the property 150 applications this year and sent 20-minute free parking. The local and the entire row of cottages in which of more than 50 objection letters. In Jenkins shop will be afected and may it is set. We have encouraged the addition, letters concerning afordable have to close. We do not want another Council to approach English Heritage housing, council funding and general licensee in the Village area and the to list this historic terrace. policy matters have gone to Government associated noise and disruption from Waitrose, Alexandra Road: an both local and central. Here is a selection deliveries and rubbish disposal. application was made for a café in of our comments on recent applications: 5 Oldfeld Road: this application the supermarket when the original refers to the erection of a part single, planning permission had conditions The former King of Denmark pub part two-storey rear extension, a rear to protect local shops and cafés. The at 83 Ridgway: the Co-op wants to roof extension and a new bay window Society is concerned that this would open a store on the ground foor of to the front of the house. This house afect businesses in Leopold Road. > p5

4 PLANNING MATTERS implications for Wimbledon working sites need now to be David Merritt – town centre and its hinterland, explored. New Secretary for the which is why the present round Other points include: of consultation is so important. • The need for a brand new station Planning Committee For example, there is the increased complex with all the public JENNIFER NEWMAN relinquished accessibility which would stimulate transport lines and buses, and her role as Secretary of the new businesses and investment, better access, creating a new Planning Committee after a increasing the potential hinterland design character in the town’s number of years of successful and of the town centre, but may create heart. Retaining the present efficient tenure, to take up another significant redevelopment pressures. outdated station seems bizarre. position within the Society. Also, there are the implications • Building in foundations for a David Merritt, with a background of the actual construction process, major new development above in Government and commerce, how the major engineering works the tracks. has now taken over the reins and is will impact on the town and local • Returning a civic presence to using his skills to great effect. David people, how the loss and demolition the Town, lost in 1985. is originally from Yorkshire and of currently important sites will • Limiting the height of new moved to Wimbledon recently. He affect local life and the town’s development. says he is enjoying the work of the economic base. • Establishing a covered pedestrian Committee and looks forward to In its response to the route through from Alexandra future involvement in PC activities. consultation the Society has taken Road to the Town Hall, and then the view that this project cannot to a pedestrianised Broadway. POSITIONS VACANT be seen as merely a ‘rail project’, • Redesigning the outdated Raynes which is very much how it now Park station, with a large ground Volunteer Planning comes across. Instead, it needs to level concourse opening out and Committee Members be fully integrated into the Town’s linking the two halves of the THE PLANNING COMMITTEE is long-term planning future. shopping centre. looking for additional members. Demolition of substantial sites • Delivery and removal of the very The Committee meets monthly such as Centre Court will have a large volumes of machinery and on pre-planned Mondays between major impact on the town’s ‘offer’, excavated spoil etc, all to be via the 7.15 and 9.30pm at the Wimbledon and its local shops and businesses. rail network, to protect the local Museum (22 Ridgway SW19). We feel that such disruptive road system and environment. We examine the applications submitted to the Council proposals should not be the Details can be found on the TfL Planning Department and deal with a starting point for a new town plan, website. A copy of the Society’s letter number of other matters concerning and alternative alignments and is on the Society website. the wellbeing of Wimbledon. Examples are afordable housing, Local and Central Government issues and War 21 Herbert Road: an application amenity space, poor outlook, ground Memorials. On applications there is a for a new modern house as an end- vibration problems from rail trafc, loss rota system whereby members take of-terrace extension to an existing of green areas and a change to the scale one week’s applications and look for Victorian building, out of character of a small street – is of poor quality. aspects which may be inappropriate. in this road of period dwellings. Experience is not required – there Although a revised application was will be a period of induction and ‘shadowing’ during which a new submitted to the Council following member follows the work of a more refusal of the original plans, no experienced colleague. All the material change had been made. Committee’s work is via the internet Railway embankment opposite so access to a computer and some IT 2-4 Pepys Road, : an literacy is necessary. application for three blocks of 2x3 Interested applicants should contact storey semi-detached houses to be built the Committee’s Chairman, John on this land. This development – right Mays – [email protected] or on up to the back edge of the pavement 07850 69 77 23. with no setting back, inadequate

5 LOCAL HISTORY Preparation for war on the Common

CHARLES TOASE reveals new material about the WWI camps

IN 1915 the War Office started planning large camps where soldiers could be trained and kitted out before being sent to France. One of the largest was on , which had a history of military gatherings dating back to the 18th century reviews of troops by George III and the annual meetings of the National Rifle Association in the 19th century. We have in the Museum a number of photographs of the camp in 1918, and some new material has now come to light that fills in the details. night operations, and meeting In October 1915 the War Wimbledon girls (particularly Dolly Office issued a specification for Candy). He arrived at the camp on buildings for “a camp of infantry at 24 April and left 24 May, marching Wimbledon Common”. There were through Wimbledon watched by to be 192 “barrack blocks” plus local people “showering packets eight for officers, together with of cigarettes upon us”. He was

a lot of ancillaries such as cook killed on the Somme on 4 October, of Merton courtesy Borough Photos London houses, 43 blocks of ablutions and just one of the third of a million The camps: barrack blocks and trenches latrines, and a rifle range for four who died there. Today there is a (top) and bayonet practice (above). battalions (which suggests there memorial on the Common to those Further images from the camp can were several thousand men being who were at the KRRC camp. be found under ‘Collections’ on the trained at a time). Horses were After the war ended, Wimbledon Museum of Wimbledon’s website, essential then, and 64 stalls were became the first of 20 “dispersal www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk provided for them, necessitating camps”. It was capable of handling eight dung-pits. The main part of 2,000 men every 24 hours, and most complaints from Wimbledon people. the camp was along Robin Hood men went through it in four hours. In 1920 Wimbledon’s MP Sir Joseph Road near Caesar’s Well. Judging by Each man was given a medical Hood was asking questions of the the photos, the training seems to check, his arms were collected, War Office, and in 1921 some of the have included bayonet practice and and he was offered either 52s 6d huts were removed, but in that year digging trenches. or being measured for a suit; he there were still 3,787 people in the The first huts were built in was given two new £1 banknotes, camp, according to the census. It October and November 1915 but a railway voucher to his home, took another two years before it was do not seem to have been occupied unemployment pay for up to 24 cleared completely in March 1923. until the following year. weeks until he got a job, £1 for However, some of it had gone The King’s Royal Rifle Corps his greatcoat (he could keep his before then; in 1920 Hawes held an moved there in April 1916; they uniform for a month, by which time auction at the camp of “domestic were sent to the front in May he would have received his new suit, and office equipment” from the for the Battle of the Somme; we or bought one with his 52s 6d). Royal Army Ordnance Corps depot have the diary of one of them, The camp remained on the there, including 40 marquees, 40 Ernest Gooderidge, who describes Common beyond 1918 for another beds, a billiard table, and 1,000 his time in Wimbledon, with five years, in spite of constant “tables various”.

6 LOCAL HISTORY Wimbledon slave owners Cicely Cardew WHEN SLAVERY was made illegal, THE MUSEUM has some photos taken largely through the eforts of William in 1913 by Cicely Cardew. Who was Wilberforce of Lauriston House in she? And is there a connection with Southside, the government paid the character of that name in Wilde’s compensation to slave owners. Recent The Importance of Being Earnest? We research by members of the Group has have now identifed her as a niece of revealed that a number of Wimbledon Arthur Cardew, who lived at 4 North people benefted in the 1830s, View. In 1913 she was staying with the including the McEvoy family of The Kitchin family at 8 North View (Arthur Keir in Westside, already known to us had married Alexandra Kitchin, who as major owners of slaves working in incidentally, as a child, was Lewis the sugar and rum industry in the West Carroll’s favourite photographic Indies. Also in Westside was William subject). There is a family tradition Blake of Chester House (awarded that Oscar Wilde was staying with about £40,000), and the Drax family. These people did not necessarily the Cardews when Cicely was born Joseph Marryat (pictured) of own slaves themselves; in some cases in 1893; he had already written the Wimbledon House, Parkside, an MP they inherited the claim from an frst draft of The Importance of Being who had written pamphlets on the ancestor who may simply have had Earnest, but later changed the names slave trade in which he recognised the an investment rather than ownership, of all but one of the characters, and moral issues but pointed out that the at a time when it was thought of as gave the name Cicely Cardew to one economy of Britain depended partly on perfectly respectable. of the two girls. it, turns out to have had a considerable The real surprise, though, is that the There is another Wimbledon investment; he died before the name of William Wilberforce appears, connection – Cicely’s father Philip was compensation, and his son, also Joseph, with £1,263 9s awarded as “owner-in- a noted electrical engineer, and in was awarded over £100,000 (at least fee” (ie: outright owner), but there are 1898 went into partnership with Sir £8.5 million in today’s money), and his no details to establish whether this was William Preece (of Gothic Lodge) as relations were also “compensated”. the William Wilberforce. Preece and Cardew.

An obelisk in Wimbledon? ONE OF our Local History Group members came across details of the horse cab ranks (left) outside the town hall in 1883 and 1903; one of them was “opposite the Fire Engine Station [by the old town hall, where Centre Court is now], south side of the Obelisk in the Broadway”. What was the Obelisk? It is not shown on the large scale Ordnance Survey map of the 1890s, although other items such as a horse trough and a fre alarm post are shown.

Photos courtesy courtesy Borough Photos London CHARLES TOASE

All of the images on these pages can be found in the archives of the Museum of Wimbledon, and on the website www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk. Digital versions for this publication supplied courtesy of the London Borough of Merton. More historic photographs of this area can be found at www.merton.gov.uk/memories. An A2 foldout map of the Merton at War: Heritage Trail is available now at the Wimbledon Museum and local libraries. Details of the trail can be found online at www.merton.gov.uk/carvedinstone.

7 SOCIETY UPDATE Facebook makeover Excursions programme for the Society LINDA DEFRIEZ on the two excursions remaining in the current programme. Application forms will be found with this newsletter KIRK BANNISTER explains how and why the Society is getting social February: March: New Broadcasting House AS PART OF the Society’s drive to expand THIS GRADE II listed Edwardian theatre YOUR GUIDE for this 90-minute its visibility on the internet and give local was the project of the theatre lover and tour will bring to life this brand new residents more ways to engage with the entrepreneur, JB Mulholland. Built on multimedia broadcasting centre. Society online we are in the process of the site of a large house with spacious Among the things that should be updating our Facebook page. Facebook grounds, the theatre opened on 26 included on the tour are a camera’s has millions of users and its popularity December 1910 with the pantomime eye view via the big screen into is well established. There are already a Jack and Jill. some of the studios broadcasting to number of local Facebook pages for The theatre retains its baroque and the nation as well as hearing about Wimbledon with thousands of members. Adamesque internal features. The the rich history of the building and Facebook allows people to keep in golden statue atop the dome is Laetitia, the BBC. We will have a view over contact with their families and friends but the Roman goddess of gaiety and the state of the art newsroom and also allows people to become members was an original fxture back in 1910. you will hear about how BBC radio of groups and many of the most popular The statue was removed in World War drama is made. groups are local in nature. If you don’t II as it was thought to be a direction have a Facebook account it is well worth fnding device for German bombers, If you wish to book either of these getting one for all of these reasons. and replaced in 1991 after a campaign excursions, please do so using the Signing up for Facebook is a very simple which involved the Wimbledon Society. form supplied. process; essentially all you need is an email account. If you visit www.facebook.com you will be able to sign up, and you can put in as much or as little information about yourself as you wish. You will receive an email confrming your details and password that you have chosen and that’s really all there is to it. Once you log into your account you will be able to add friends and manage your privacy settings. To subscribe to The Wimbledon Society Photo by Simon Joseph group all you have to do is search for The Wimbledon Society and follow us. Recommended independent excursion to the Sky Garden at the Our Facebook group will tell you about top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, 20 Fenchurch St. This free visit can be booked our events, information about upcoming online at www.skygarden.london, up to four weeks ahead, subject to availability. exhibitions at the museum and relevant You will need to specify the names of your group of up to 10 and expect airport- news about what the Society is doing style security. There are stunning views of the City and beyond as the building within the community. We would also stands on its own so has no other tall buildings blocking the view. like people to interact with the page by commenting on our posts or telling us about information you think we would JANET KOSS like to hear about and what other visitors We were saddened to learn of the recent, sudden death of our friend and of the page might be interested in colleague Janet Koss. Janet was a member of both the Museum Committee learning about. We hope to see you there! and the Society’s Executive Committee as well as a long-standing and If you have any further questions learned supporter of the Local History Group. A tribute to her and her work about Facebook and how to use it there will appear in the next edition of the newsletter. are many good guides online.

8 OBITUARIES

found a further attraction on the Highs and lows set, one of ‘Hitch’s Boys’ – assistant director, Penrose ‘Pen’ Tennyson, of Hitch’s girl who was the great grandson of Alfred Lord Tennyson. The couple NOVA PILBEAM were married in 1939 when Nova 19 November 1919 – 17 July 2015 was only 19. Hitchcock was never fair or ONCE BRITAIN’S leading child and faithful to his leading ladies teenage star of stage and screen, and though Nova had been led Nova Pilbeam, died on 17 July aged to believe that she would star in 95. Though her starry name sounds his film version of Daphne du pure Hollywood, she was born in Maurier’s novel Rebecca, he choose Wimbledon. Her parents, Arnold in her place. This and Margery Pilbeam christened blow followed by the bankruptcy their only child Nova after her of Gaumont meant that Pilbeam maternal grandmother, who came missed her moment of international from Nova Scotia. Acting was in Nova Pilbeam, circa 1940 (above) courtesy stardom. Blow followed blow, as her blood, as her father had been Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images; Pen, who had been called up to an actor and was stage manager at 29 Ridgway (below) by Simon Joseph make films for the war effort, was the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. killed in a plane crash in 1941. Nova was educated privately in Though she went on filming during Wimbledon and Blackheath, which the war and later returned to the may account for her cut-glass accent, theatre, her ambition waned and so typical of early film and radio. she never reached the heights of She first appeared aged 12 at the the early days. In 1950 she married Savoy Theatre as Marigold, in Toad Alexander Whyte, a BBC journalist of Toad Hall. While still only 14, she and her daughter Sara was born won the lead role in Little Friend, a in 1952. Gaumont production directed by Nova lived at No.29 Ridgway Robert Stevenson and written by first version of ’s before her first marriage. She will Christopher Isherwood. The film The Man Who Knew Too Much. have her place on our walk Creative broke records and hearts and won Hitchcock later claimed that this Wimbledon – Arts and Artistes. Nova a seven-year contract with was the film that established him. Gaumont, along with a role in the It certainly established Nova who MONICA ELLISON

Waspish but how returning home to his “Edwardian many faults”. Ingratitude was not one monstrosity” in Leopold Road, of them. grateful Wimbledon, he was the victim of The Daily Telegraph obituary a mugging which ended with him recounted how after heart problems in BRIAN SEWELL receiving attention in St George’s 1994 Sewell confronted his condition 15 June 1931 – 19 September 2015 Hospital, Tooting. In recognition of the with habitual steeliness: “We’ve got care and sympathy he received from the you down as an atheist,” a Sister told MANY column inches covered the hospital, he turned this “best forgotten him the night before an operation. death of local resident Brian Sewell incident” into a paean of thanks and “No, no,” Sewell protested, “I’m an who died on 19 September 2015. The praise for the NHS. The framed press agnostic. But if something goes wrong, great renaissance art expert, waspish cutting hung for many months on the you must call a Roman Catholic priest.” Evening Standard columnist and wall of a visitors’ waiting room in the His plummy voice and outrageous scourge of modern conceptual art was Atkinson Morley Wing, a relief from the views will be missed by many. feared and revered in equal measure. lurid medical charts. Some years ago Brian described Brian confessed to being a “man of MONICA ELLISON

9 ENVIRONMENT

Friends of . This has only recently begun to increase Fowl play from species escaped from captivity in locally. It arrived on Wimbledon the 17th century but the national Common in 2002 and to breed at invasive species increase began about 40 years Wimbledon Park in 2003. Flocks ago and now appears to be over. of more than 20 birds can now be DAVE DAWSON reports on the latest Although the park is not an seen at the Park. The Greylag is a problems caused by geese and others important breeding site for this native species which had died out. goose, large numbers arrive there It was reintroduced in the 1970s THE SECOND Great Britain Invasive in July for the post-breeding moult, to the south of Britain. Stray birds Non-native Species Strategy was most of which stay on over the were seen locally before it began published this year and reveals that autumn and winter, when flocks breeding in 2000 on the Common Britain has about 2,000 non-native of more than 100 geese occur. and 2001 at Wimbledon Park. It has plants and animals established The birds feed mainly on the short not established on the Common, in the wild, of which 200 or so grassland of both the golf course but there has been a progressive have thrived, spread and caused and public park. Concerned about increase at the Park, where flocks of problems. Some, like the Rabbit or the large amount of droppings, 50 or more birds can now be seen. Sweet Chestnut, have been here the golf course management have Experience tells us that the so long most people would be been trying to deter them without regulation of trade is the best way unaware they are aliens. success. A cull was carried out in July of preventing the arrival of problem It is rare for a problem invader 2010 and other less drastic measures species, but despite this advice, to be controlled successfully. By the have been tried both before and trade considerations prevail, so we time a problem is evident, it is often since. The club proposes culling the can expect more invaders soon. too late. The few exceptions include birds again to alleviate the problem, Attention tends to focus on new the Coypu, a large South American even though the earlier cull was problems, the old ones becoming rodent, which caused serious not successful. Official advice is that part of normality. Perhaps these problems in East Anglian wetlands culling is advisable only where a recent invaders will simply become following its introduction in the problem is significant, and then only part of our familiar landscape. 1930s but was eradicated by 1989. after all less drastic measures have Small numbers of another proved ineffective and knowledge American species, the Ruddy Duck, of the bird’s movements shows that escaped from Slimbridge to breed the reduction in numbers can be in the wild in the 1960s, spreading sustained. across western Europe. Its Now, those Canadian aliens have interbreeding with an endangered been joined by two other invasive European species, the White- species, which cause similar Headed Duck, threatened the nuisance: the Greylag and Egyptian genetic integrity of the European. Geese. Like the Canada Goose, the This species has a local dimension. Egyptian escaped from a private

It was first seen at Wimbledon Park collection in the 17th century, but it www.photo-natur.de Trepte, Andreas by Photo Lake and Wimbledon Common in 1999. On the lake, numbers rose to an average of five birds by 2006, but then declined to zero by 2010, since when none have been seen. It seems that the eradication programme, which began in 1999, has been a local success. The story is not so rosy for other invasive wetland birds. Canada Geese occur in large numbers at

Wimbledon Park. I have drafted a 3.0 License: CC-BY-SA ILIFF. DAVID by Photo policy paper on this goose for the Invaders: Canada Geese (above), Egyptian (top) and the native Greylag (above right).

10 WIMBLEDON COMMON

our iconic Grade II* listed Windmill. Skylarks, sails Immediate repairs were carried and saplings out to the roof and the remaining three sails were removed, changing Commons chief executive SIMON overnight the skyline of the LEE sums up a year in the life of Commons. Trustees are currently Wimbledon and Commons considering how best to fund the repairs and it may be that a fund- AS THINGS start to slow down on raising appeal will be launched to the Commons, autumn is a time to coincide with the Windmill’s 200th look back and reflect on the highs anniversary in 2017. and lows of our year. A volunteer programme was Wildlife on the Commons also launched earlier this year flourishes and this year the hard and, working with our Wildlife work of our staff and volunteers over and Conservation Officer, groups the last four years culminated in Sails appeal: the Windmill Trustees hope are meeting regularly to help with the triumphant return of Skylarks to raise funds to replace the sails scrub clearance on Putney Heath. to the Plain, and the successful The volunteers’ work is essential breeding of two juveniles. A special Museum’s 10 million strong beetle removing saplings allowing the thanks to our dog-walkers for collection, said: “To find such a heather, a rare habitat in London, keeping dogs on a lead on the Plain species on Wimbledon Common to thrive. during the bird nesting season. shows that the Conservators are We continue to improve our In June the Natural History taking good care of the site and communication with levy-payers and Museum, as part of our annual managing it for wildlife.” visitors, producing monthly updates BioBlitz event, confirmed that a With the highs come, of course, in the form of the Commons News “globally scarce” False Click Beetle the occasional low and this year that which is sent out by e-mail. If you’d had been found on the Commons. came in the most dramatic way in like to receive a copy, please e-mail Dr Max Barclay, who manages the early August when a sail sheared off rangersoffi[email protected]

Wimbledon and Putney Commons Stakeholder Group

THE CONSERVATORS have brought the idea from his previous their debates to the extent that some established a Consultation employment in Hampstead. meetings have had to be adjourned. Stakeholder Group of representatives The Conservators want to spread The difculties are illustrated from the various user groups who knowledge, understanding and by the recent resignation of the take advantage of the facilities of the information of the Commons to all Chairman, who although remaining Commons. Among those nominating users. They will remain responsible as a Conservator, has decided that the representatives are The Wimbledon from a legal point of view under the discord within the ranks is something Society, The Putney Society, Local Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act with which another should deal. Resident’s Associations, ecological 1871; the Stakeholders will provide It is understood that the and sporting interests plus the the general public’s perspective. Conservators are seeking assistance disabled and educational sector. It is clear that the Conservators from the Charity Commission to help The frst meeting of the Group took elected in February this year have solve the present impasse. place on the 1 October. enormous difculties in running The Stakeholder group will be The motivation is to enable the administration, frstly in terms chaired by Simon Lee and will meet the Conservators to have a better of fnance in that there will almost three times a year. The Wimbledon understanding of what users of certainly have to be an increase in Society will nominate a representative. the Commons want and how the the levy, and secondly in overcoming We have welcomed this initiative community can engage in improving strong disagreements within their own and will continue to support it. the facilities available. Simon Lee ranks. The vexed issue surrounding the Chief Executive of the Commons Putney Hospital continues to bedevil JOHN MAYS

11 AROUND AND ABOUT http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/Get some space in your life.

Christmas cards for sale POSITIONS VACANT £3 for pack of 10 Your Society needs you Don’t forget to pick up your special We are looking for members to join us in managing the Society’s afairs by Wimbledon Society Christmas cards becoming members of its Executive Committee. This Committee is responsible from the Museum of Wimbledon, for ensuring that the Society is properly run, keeping an overview of its main depicting two wonderful winter scenes activities through its principal committees – museum and planning. It also has a as captured by Simon Joseph. watching brief on other Society activities – newsletter, activities and excursions, and local history. The Committee meets six times a year in the Museum, usually on a Wednesday evening. If this is of interest, please contact Asif Malik at [email protected] or on 020 8946 6435 • • • • • • • • • • • Help wanted at the Museum Travelling Talks Team Leader. The post involves developing outlets for the talks, arranging engagements, ensuring suitable equipment is available or transporting the Museum’s equipment and delivering some of the talks. The candidate should be a good organiser and enjoy public speaking. There are currently four talks available with scripts and slide shows which can be embellished by the speaker. The programme has lapsed during the past two years but was extremely successful when set up and can easily be revived by someone prepared to take the initiative. Training will be given. If this position is of interest, please contact Cassandra Taylor at [email protected] or on 020 8946 1544

Autumn reception Our annual autumn reception was held WIMBLEDON PARK FARMERS’ MARKET on 19 November. An established event 45 Havana Road, SW19 8EJ in our social calendar, this allowed us Free entry for Society members in draw to meet supporters and friends, as well as thanking our many volunteers. The for a delicious Christmas Hamper informal event was attended by some 65 Since the year 2000, the Saturday people, including Deputy Mayor Pauline Farmers’ Market has provided Cowper (pictured below with Cllr Daniel us with a Countryfle selection of Holden and Chairman Asif Malik), MP free range and rare breed meats, Stephen Hammond and Councillors. fsh and shellfsh from the coast, award-winning cheeses from Bath, vegetables of every hue, fresh juices, as well as breads, cakes, pies of all shapes and size, fowers and plants. Many stall holders are Saturday regulars. Others make their journey to For entry into an exclusive free draw Wimbledon once a fortnight. Though to win a hamper of seasonal market now long established, it is surprising produce, bring this page to the Market that not everyone has discovered the Manager on either 5 December or goodies on ofer in the schoolyard of 12 December, leaving your name and Wimbledon Park Primary School. email address. Good Luck.

The Wimbledon Society was founded in 1903 and has had its present name since 1982. (Originally the John Evelyn Club, it was known as the John Evelyn Society from 1949-82.) A Registered Charity (No 269478), its main objectives are to preserve Wimbledon’s amenities and natural beauty, study its history, and ascertain that urban development is sympathetic and orderly. Annual subscriptions are at the following rates: Individuals £10; Families £15; Organisations: Non-commercial £25, commercial £50. Please send membership applications to the Membership Secretary. The Museum and Bookshop (020 8296 9914), 22 Ridgway, near Lingfeld Road, are open from 2.30 to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission free. 12