The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019 News Local History Planning and Festivals and Activities and Society Notices page 3 pages 4-5 Environment p6-7 Obituaries p8-9 The Park p10-11 page 12 Above our heads – f ightpaths over Wimbledon © Nigel Davies

CHRIS GOODAIR and TONY MICHAEL runway could be descending over a dependent on a third runway but explain the basics behind the recent wide arc from Lewisham through clearly the detail of the fl ightpath f ightpath consultation, and present Bromley, Croydon and Epsom. Those alignments will be affected by the Society’s response. approaching over Croydon and whether a third runway is built. Epsom would pass over Wimbledon, The application for Judicial AS WELL AS planning for a third with the consequential increase in Review by fi ve Councils (including runway, Heathrow Airport has been noise. Wandsworth and Richmond, but consulting on future fl ightpaths. These proposed fl ight not Merton) into the Government’s Current fl ightpaths follow a envelopes would contain the decision to build the third runway narrow east-west alignment with actual fl ightpaths, which will is presently before the High Court. 70% of incoming aircraft fl ying be determined after a further No judgment is expected before the over central London and along the consultation in the summer. publication of this Newsletter. Thames, while the same percentage The revised fl ightpaths are not The Society’s response to the of outgoing fl ights take off to the consultation on fl ightpaths west over Windsor. Those approaching over included a number of points: Under Heathrow’s proposals Croydon and Epsom would H
7;3@ published in January, much pass over Wimbledon, Government should specify the wider fl ight envelopes would be with the consequential maximum permitted aircraft noise permitted. Aircraft landing in a increase in noise. and air pollution fi gures at ground westerly direction on the southern level for 20 years (continued on p3)

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

Wimbledon Society contacts AGM Report President Tony Michael [email protected] THE SOCIETY held its 115th Annual General Meeting at the Upper Hall, Sacred Heart Presbytery, Edge Hill, Chairman Jeremy Hudson Wimbledon on Saturday 11 May 2019. [email protected] Chairman Jeremy Hudson opened proceedings, attended by 74 members, with Mayor Mary Curtin and Deputy Chairman John Mays other Councillors among our guests. The Chairman welcomed guests and members. He thanked Cassandra Taylor, who was standing down Hon Secretary Maureen Field from the Board, for her valuable contribution to the [email protected] Wimbledon Society especially as Chair of the Museum Committee, and Sheila Dunman who was standing Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge down as Deputy Chair of that Committee. [email protected] Introducing his report, the Chairman described the work of the Board and its Committees during 2018. The Planning & Environment Committee Secretary Liz Newman Society held a productive “Away Day” in November and [email protected] participated in local events such as Commons’ Open Day. The Society took a pro-active position on a number Membership Secretary Simon Ingall of signifi cant issues, including the Town Centre Plan. [email protected] The Museum Committee, chaired by Cassandra Taylor, and now Jacqueline Laurence, were delighted Museum Chairman Jacqueline Laurence with a record number of visitors to the Museum during [email protected] 2018, especially the response to the “Wimbledon in World War One” exhibition, which attracted 300 visitors Local History Michael Norman Smith over a 3-week period. The Planning & Environment Committee, chaired by Chris Goodair, actively pursued a number of important Website Asif Malik [email protected] local issues during 2018. Local planning applications were monitored, with 74 letters of objection or Wimbledon Society Newsletter observations sent to LBM planning department. The Activities & Events Section continued its popular Editorial team programme of tours, visits and talks, whilst the Local Sally Gibbons [email protected] History Group involved itself in research and local Nigel Davies Monica Ellison, Asif Malik, John Mays, Jeremy Hudson historical projects. Treasurer Corinna Edge presented the Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements Letters to the editor for the year ended 31/12/18. Please email [email protected] or write to Sally Gibbons c/o The Museum of Tony Michael was duly re-elected as President, with Wimbledon, 22 Ridgway, SW19 4QN Charles Toase re-elected as Vice President. Jeremy Hudson was re-elected as Chairman, with John Mays Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY as Deputy Chairman. Corinna Edge was re-elected as Treasurer and Maureen Field as Honorary Secretary. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Under our new Constitution three members of the www.facebook.com/TheWimbledonSociety @wimsoc Board stood down – Oliver Bennett, Corinna Edge, John Mays – and were duly re-elected. Jacqueline The name of the Wimbledon Society or that of the Museum of Laurence was elected as a Member of the Board. Wimbledon must never be used to promote personal activities or written work without written permission from the Society. Questions were requested from members about The articles and photos in this newsletter are copyright of those the Society’s work, before the address given by our credited or, where no credit exists, of The Wimbledon Society. No part guest speaker, Rob Cowan, Friends of Wimbledon of this newsletter can be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder. Town Centre. MAUREEN FIELD, Honorary Secretary

2 n NEWS n

Map from the Heathrow consultation FULHAM GREENWICH HEATHROW 4,000 - PECKHAM 0 - 1,000ft 1,000 - 2,000 - 3,000 - showing the proposed airport approach 2,000ft 3,000ft 4,000ft 5,000ft 5,000 - RICHMOND PUTNEY CLAPHAM 6,000ft DULWICH envelopes with height bands BALHAM FELTHAM TWICKENHAM EARLSFIELD + 6,000ft WIMBLEDON STREATHAM H
"<;5A3?: KINGSTON CHISLEHURST RAYNES PARK BECKENHAM MITCHAM NEW MALDEN As to the long-term future of SURBITON MORDEN WALTON ON THAMES THAMES DITTON Heathrow airport, we feel that CROYDON it is clearly in the wrong place. CHESSINGTON CARSHALTON Many developments in London are

WEST BYFLEET EPSOM reaching the end of their economic (if not structural) life after 30 to 40 years and are being torn down and LEATHERHEAD redeveloped. CATERHAM EFFINGHAM A long-term plan for the replacement of Heathrow is needed, given the increasingly DORKING rigorous fi nancial and performance penalties that should be applied, Heathrow (contd from p1) break this embargo should result in as mentioned above. With a new ahead. These should be progressively the airport being fi ned. airports plan for the southeast, lowered every three to fi ve years, Fines levied on the airport when accompanied by the high-speed stimulating the airline industry the performance criteria are broken, infrastructure lines that allow to improve aircraft performance. should be put into an amelioration high quality access, Heathrow Failure to achieve the required levels fund, operated by an independent airport should eventually be closed, should result in the airport being body, and used for sound proofi ng and become instead a major new fi nancially penalised. The airport’s and open space compensation. development project, a ‘western current scale of landing charges The levels of these fi nes should city district’, much as Canary Wharf should also be adjusted to penalise be progressively increased every fi ve is in the east. noisier aircraft. years, so there is eventually an even Proper planning for this new Noise and the pollution stronger fi nancial imperative to wider airport strategy needs to performance surveys should be close down Heathrow, and move the start now. undertaken by an independent body traffi c to new airports. and the fi gures made available to H
$<7@3 Addendum the public. Take offs, being noisier than The PEC had been concerned Night fl ights should be landings, should be in a westerly that Merton Council’s attitude to embargoed and any fl ights that direction, over the least populated the consultation might be one of areas rather than over central indifference. However two members London. For landings, a steeper of the Committee met with Cllr angle of descent should be explored. Stephen Alambritis (Leader of the Buildings under the new fl ight Council) and Jason Andrews (Council paths that are sensitive to noise Offi cer dealing with environmental should be suitably adapted with matters for Merton and other local grant aid raised directly from a levy Boroughs) and had a full discussion on the airport. on the Heathrow situation. Open spaces are highly vulnerable It was made clear that Merton to noise and cannot be ‘sound- had intervened appropriately and proofed’. Wimbledon Common, for would continue to do so. It was also example, is much higher than the agreed we would seek to involve the surrounding land, and so is closer Council when further interventions to aircraft noise. Flight paths should were necessary. therefore follow busy, noisy roads We await the outcome of the like the A3. public consultation.

3 n LOCAL HISTORY n

Dick Whittington, who lived with The Killing him and his 22-year-old daughter, Ennis Twyford. of Dick Alas poor Whittington strayed into the Giles’ garden, possibly Whittington loitering with intent. Charles Giles Junior (Charles Colman Tyrrell CHARLES TOASE reviews a crime, Giles) a bird-lover, killed the cat reveals a new perspective on “on the spur of the moment” Wimbledon Women and suf rage hitting it over the head with a stick. and resolves a puzzle. The RSPCA prosecuted Giles for “causing unnecessary suffering to IN 1939, there lived at 25 Copse the cat by killing it in an improper Hill a distinguished gentleman, manner”. The magistrates fi ned the Sir Charles Tyrell Giles. Educated son of their past Chairman the sum at Eagle House in the Village, he of £20 with 12 guineas costs.

later became a barrister and a JP Postscript: The Daily Herald of London © University who for 14 years was Chairman reported that Ennis Twyford ‘cut’ Elizabeth Malleson of the Wimbledon magistrates. her childhood companion, Charles He was also Chairman of the Colman Tyrrell Giles, when she others: Ann Martin, of the High Commons Conservators, County saw him at the police court. Two Street, and Mary Mannocie Councillor, Vice-President of years later Ennis married another, (Maconochie?) at No.6 Hillside. Wimbledon Cricket Club, and divorced, and later remarried. The However at No.7 Hillside two sisters Hon Secretary of the Wimbledon ‘boy next door’ died unmarried. signed, Emma and Ann Shaen. Literary & Scientifi c Society. Their brother William, a wealthy Sir Charles’ next-door neighbour lawyer, was very active in women’s at No.23, Sir Harry Twyford, was Wimbledon in rights. He was one of the founders also well known. He was Chairman of Bedford College, the UK’s fi rst of Brettles & Coates, the fi rm that the Vanguard higher education establishment for FIFTY YEARS EARLIER than we women. In 1891, a newly built wing “Alas, poor Whittington thought, Wimbledon played a part of the college was named after him, strayed into the Giles’ in women’s suffrage. Last year, as and his sister Emma was a guest at garden, possibly we celebrated the centenary of the ceremony. loitering with intent” (some) women getting the vote, there was a tendency to assume that the suffrage movement here Wimbledon – seat made Oberon stockings and began around 1903. who, to provide sporting Recent research reveals that of government facilities for staff, built the Wimbledon women were involved IN 1795 A SONG was published Oberon Sports Club. Notably, in an earlier movement in the called ‘Song of the general fast’. Sir Harry was Lord Mayor of 1860s. There was a petition to This included the phrase “to London in 1937/38. In this Parliament on the subject in 1866, be observed in England, Wales, capacity he owned an which was signed by seven local Wimbledon and the town of ‘offi cial’ cat called women. Mrs Elizabeth Malleson, Berwick upon Tweed”. Why should already well known to us as a Berwick and Wimbledon be singled prominent worker for women’s out for special mention? rights and education, is amongst In Berwick’s case the answer lies the signatories, along with two in the wording of legal documents other women from Camp Cottage and Acts of Parliament of the day: (now the clubhouse of the Royal ‘England, Wales, Scotland and the Wimbledon Golf Club). town of Berwick upon Tweed’ which

© stock.adobe.com We know little of two of the thus noted the status of the border

4 n LOCAL HISTORY n town which had changed hands between England and Scotland some dozen times in four centuries. But why list Wimbledon in the Song? The implication of this satirical lyric was that the government of the day ran the country from Wimbledon. It mocked Prime Minister, William Pitt (the younger) and his friend and Minister for War, Henry Dundas, along with “all the vile fraternity who plunged us into war”. Pitt was derided for holding Cabinet meetings at Warren House (now Cannizaro) the home of Dundas. Several of Pitt’s ministers who also lived close by, including William Grenville (Eagle House)

and Earl Spencer (Wimbledon Park Gallery Portrait © National House) were presumably part of the Illustration from 1795 by James Gillray of Henry Dundas and William Pitt entitled ‘God “vile fraternity”. save the King, in a Bumper or – an Evening Scene, three times a Week at Wimbleton’

n NOTES FROM AROUND THE TABLE n

Train Troubles hour the next train came William the William Morris Local History Group up, and the one engine then Morris and the House in the Broadway member Matthew Hillier, actually propelled the two and its windows along who curated the January trains at the rate of twenty Wimbledon with other stained glass 2018 Pasture to Platform five miles an hour, consisting Labour Party works and commissions Exhibition, is preparing of 35 trucks, upwards of 500 Group member Peter produced at the Morris’ a book about Wimbledon passengers, the incapacitated Walker has produced a works. It is hoped Station. At a recent engine, seven gentlemen’s booklet Celebrating 100 to cover this subject meeting he shared photos carriages, and six horses. years of Wimbledon Labour more fully in the next of coal yards, signal Bell’s New Weekly Party. His work highlights Newsletter. boxes, a horse bus etc. Messenger The following amusing 6th September 1840 press cutting is from his archive, and his comments The extract reflects the are added: novelty and newness of the railway. In a society Power of the emerging from the age Steam Engine of horse travel, the steam The one o’clock train was locomotive is referred to proceeding from Southampton as having been injured, as on Friday se’nnight, when near though it were an animal.

Wimbledon the machinery of Se’nnight is an archaic © Nigel Davies Morris House William © the engine became accidentally word for week, while William Morris House (left) and the Helen of Troy stained glass injured, and the train (a very equally archaic is the window. The windows were given by William Morris to his friend long one) was consequently distinction and emphasis Chamberey C Townshend, a resident of Wimbledon, and then unable to proceed to its on the “gentlemen’s” presented to the William Morris Labour Hall (William Morris House) destination. In about half an carriages. in 1930/31 by his wife Emily and daughter Caroline Townshend.

5 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n Managing Wimbledon’s household waste © Jeremy Hudson © Jeremy

DID YOU KNOW that less than 1% of the conveyor belt. An eddy current end up at the Community Re-Use our ‘black bag’ waste goes to landfill? produced a magnetic field which Shop in Sutton. Currently, 34% Or that the Energy Recovery Facility removed aluminium from the rest. of Merton’s waste is recycled. (ERF) in Beddington, where that Dispiritingly, the material left then The national target, to be achieved waste is sent for incineration, went through a hand sorting by 2020, is 50%. produces 26MW of electrical power process, to remove items that We learnt some important tips: annually, of which 22MW is exported shouldn’t have got that far! Finally, K Contrary to popular belief, the to the National Grid? the separated materials ready for Council does not require ‘black This, and much more recycling were baled up ready to be bag’ waste to be in black bags, it information about Wimbledon’s sent to reprocessors. may simply be put straight into waste management, emerged Our tour was followed by a the designated wheelie bin. during a visit by members of the presentation from John Haynes, of K Contamination of recyclables, Society’s Planning & Environment South London Waste Partnership, especially by food, is a particular Committee to the Southwark the organisation responsible for problem for efficient waste Integrated Waste Management disposing of Merton’s household management; food containers Facility in Peckham, in February. waste. We learnt that our waste is should be washed before going The visit started with a tour of the separated into four streams. Food into the crate. facility. Appropriately attired in waste is sent to an Anaerobic K Although tea bags contain a tiny hi-vis jackets and hard hats, we Digestion (AD) plant in Chertsey, amount of plastic, this is not a witnessed the operation of the where it is processed to produce problem for the AD process and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) renewable energy and a nutrient- tea bags should be included in designed to separate materials rich biofertilizer. Paper and food waste. collected for recycling such as cardboard goes to various recycling K Local residents genuinely glass, paper and cardboard, steel centres, including the one at Garth struggling to accommodate and aluminium cans, plastic and Road (it was emphasised that only wheelie bins can request a tetra packs. ‘dry’ paper etc is beneficial – re-assessment (by calling 020 In a massive shed amid another reason for our wheelie 8274 4902) so that alternative tumultuous noise, conveyor belts bins). Glass, cans and plastic are arrangements may be made. sped in all directions. The sorting sent to a facility in Rainham, K As a general rule, if in doubt process started with spinning discs similar to the one we had just (about whether an item is which separated paper, cardboard toured. Finally, ‘black bag’ waste recyclable), leave it out. and glass from other materials. goes to the ERF in Beddington. Our thanks to Susanna Riviere Metallic items were then separated Large items such as mattresses, of the PEC for arranging this tour, by use of a magnet. Infrared beams washing-machines and fridges are and to SLWP for their hospitality. and air jets blew plastic items off re-used if possible; these mostly JEREMY HUDSON

6 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n

20mph speed limit for observers considered that there was Wimbledon Masterplan, in which Wimbledon by early 2020 no need for more kiosks as most we advocated that The Broadway THE WIMBLEDON SOCIETY is people now use mobile phones and be pedestrianised in stages from supportive of lower suburban speed wondered if the real reason for the Hartf eld Road to the theatre. limits and we have noted that several applications was the advertising The full response can be read on other London Boroughs have panels that the kiosks would carry. the Wimbledon Society’s website. introduced comprehensive 20mph So this change is to be welcomed. limits in their areas. By contrast Merton has generally maintained 30mph limits '3D/?27;5
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apart from a number of 20mph limits Council use of pesticides Government Boundary in selected side roads WE UNDERSTAND that many local Commission England We were interested to see a Public authorities are taking steps to reduce (LGBCE) consultation Notice in the Wimbledon Times or completely stop the use of Readers may remember when the announcing that a comprehensive pesticides on the land which they own Boundary Commission England issued 20mph limit was to be introduced in and manage, including our its f nal recommendations on Mitcham. On enquiring with the neighbouring councils in Croydon and Parliamentary Constituency boundaries Council, we were told that a Lambeth. last year we were advised a “re-warding” comprehensive 20mph limit is to be The matter is still controversial. Under consultation would take place. rolled out across the whole Borough current UK law the use of Glyphosate is This is now in progress. The LGBCE by next year across all roads apart classed as legal. However, the World has still to conclude its work on Council from those main roads controlled by Health Organisation has branded it as numbers (i.e. the number of councillors Transport for London. “probably carcinogenic to humans” and in each Borough); at the time of writing Our only concern is how the lower accordingly we have written to Merton there is “election purdah” due to the limits will be enforced. Council to ask them to consider forthcoming European elections. Thus becoming a Pesticide-Free Borough. the announcement on numbers will be made and the next stage of the Planning rules consultation will start on the 4th June under review Merton Council’s transport f nishing ten weeks later. REFORMS TO PERMITTED consultation The Society will make development rights in 2013 have AS PART OF ITS REVISION to the representations both as to the ward allowed developers to convert of ces Merton Local Plan, the Council has boundaries and the voter numbers in into residences without planning undertaken a public consultation on each ward. permission. This has been criticised for transport issues. If any reader would like to make their allowing some landlords to turn of ces Wimbledon Society’s response views known please contact the Deputy into tiny housing units which are then includes support for: Chairman, details are on page 2. let to persons in greatest need. In P
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accounts and the annual report must be “respected”. includes ebikes. on But the Government is to withdraw We also noted that there was little in Wednesday 26th June, permitted development rights for new the Council’s proposals to encourage 7.30pm for an 8pm start telephone kiosks. We had seen nine pedestrian access to Wimbledon. St John the Baptist Church, Robin Hood Lane, Kingston applications for new kiosks in We directed the Council again to Vale, London SW15 3PY Wimbledon two years ago. Some our Vision 2040 response to the

7 n FESTIVALS n Family fun at the Museum in July

WE ARE HOLDING that archaeologists use on hand so a family drop-in that visitors can have a go at suitable for all identifying clay pipes and other ages at the archaeological objects themselves. Museum on You are welcome to bring in any 17 July, from 11am pieces of pottery and other finds for to 6.30pm, as part of the national identification too. Festival of Archaeology. It also For events in the Festival, running celebrates the 75th Anniversary of from 13-28 July 2019, visit www. the Council of British Archaeology, festival.archaeologyuk.org/fnd. You an organization that works to can search by area or type of activity © Pamela Greenwood © Pamela safeguard heritage for all. and see what else is happening Two very knowledgeable re- chance to try on some real and locally. And for this year’s theme of enactors dressed as a ‘Roman soldier’ replica kit and handle Roman archaeology, science and technology, and a ‘WWII army nurse’ (pictured) pottery and other finds. there is also #ArchaeoTech. will be there. Visitors will have the We shall have books and charts PAMELA GREENWOOD

Bookfest’s Spring Weekend

WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST’S Spring For author and journalist Mark Weekend was a splendid ‘taster’ Urban (pictured) this horrifying for the main Festival scheduled event presented a very particular this year for 3-13 October. Braving problem, for as he says in his squalls of rain and hail, audiences Introduction: “The man at the gathered, either in the Music Room centre of all this was someone I had at Southside House, or at the new not only met, but had spent hours arts centre at King’s College School, discussing espionage with.” Those where ticketholders were able to conversations were not for Mark’s use as a journalist, but as a writer and advisor to Skripal, who,

The close bond between photography © John Stone Skripal and Urban began apparently to implement his when the two men income, wished to write about day trip to Salisbury were part of a discovered that they had post-Cold War spying. As a result of revenge murder attempt carried out acquaintances in common this connection, Mark felt by Russia’s GRU (military constrained not to “blurt out over intelligence agency). It also suggests the airwaves” all he knew – and he that more than those two operatives appreciate the school’s superb state- knew a lot – about Skripal’s past life. were involved in the action. Equally of-the-art concert hall. The close bond between Skripal and thought-provoking is the notion that A highlight of the weekend was Urban began, we are told, when the the attack shows the mere tip of the Mark Urban’s Sunday afternoon two men discovered that they had GRU machinery, other branches of session based on his book The Skripal acquaintances in common – Soviet which are involved daily in Tapes. This is a bang up to date officers serving in Afghanistan at a poisonings of a different kind – account of events before and after time back in 1988 when Mark had cyber activities and interference in the infamous Sunday in Salisbury been embedded with a Soviet elections around the globe. This when a swapped double agent, the regiment on assignment there. riveting book gives the reader a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal The book confirms that the glimpse into the weird world of and his innocent daughter Yulia Russian hit-men who brazenly espionage. were poisoned with Novichok. recounted their story on TV about a MONICA ELLISON

8 n OBITUARIES n

Winter 2018/19 took its toll on some infuential members of the Wimbledon Society. MONICA ELLISON provides tributes which we were unable to include in our Spring issue of two very diferent men who both contributed greatly to the local community.

LEONARD MOSTYN respected organisation how the Village Fair 30 October 1926 – 16 December 2018 and well supported might be revived.” community group, Leonard served on WIMBLEDON HAS MUCH to be until his retirement the Board of the Village thankful for in the life of Leonard from the position in Hall Trust and was Mostyn who worked tirelessly on 2013. Current Chair of Trustees of behalf of many local organisations. Chairman, Clive Hilton Wimbledon Leonard played an active role in the notes that “this Almshouses. community and was perhaps best achievement was all the more Despite his public activities, known as one of WURA’s founding impressive, when one considers that Leonard was a very private man group, serving for many years as its for most of that period Leonard was devoted to the Arts. He and his wife Chairman. He was revered for his without the immediacy of internet Grace lived in Deepdale. A member vigorous lobbying on behalf of communication”. of NADFAS, he enjoyed their residents on a range of issues. One Leonard was also Chairman of the activities. The Mostyns were keen was Licensing and he made several Wimbledon Guild from 1986-1993. opera-goers both here and abroad notable court appearances, on the Guild Chairman, Sue Cooke reminds and loved trips to sunnier climes. In right side of the dock we should us that here too, he took a keen accordance with his wishes his add, opposing pubs seeking late interest in Guild activities long after funeral was a simple ceremony for night extensions. Leonard built up his retirement, “occasionally close family to whom the Society the reputation of WURA as a highly popping in to discuss, over a coffee, sends sympathy.

SIR JACK ZUNZ Witwatersrand University was Jack was ever ready to foster local 25 December 1923 – 11 December 2018 interrupted by WWII and projects such as that of the Town determined to do his bit, Jack served Hall re-development and the “NO ROOF IS MORE DRAMATIC – in Egypt and Italy with the South ongoing dream of a Wimbledon or symbolic of a country, as well as African Artillery. He came to London Concert Hall. a major city – than that of the in 1950 and met Danish engineer- He was predeceased by his wife Sydney Opera House in Australia. philosopher Ove Arup whom he Marion who died in a skiing accident Yet it nearly did not happen and it joined almost immediately and with in 1992 and is survived by his family, is thanks to Jack Zunz, that it did.” whom he remained throughout his to whom we express our belated (The Guardian – Elain Harwood 2-1-19) distinguished career. He became sympathy and recognition of his Simply put, nor was it the fault of Chairman of Ove Arup and Partners support over the years. Sir Jack, who died recently aged 94, in 1977 and was co-chair of the Arup that the iconic structure took Partnership from 1984 until 1989. seventeen years to complete. Neither Gregory Hodkinson, Arup Chairman was it the only world-class building said in a recent tribute “Jack had an he engineered, as Jack worked enormous, positive influence in extensively with Norman Foster on shaping Arup into the firm it is many projects contributing to the today, and on many of us personally. building of HSBC’s Hong Kong He was a great engineer, a great man headquarters and the Standard Bank and will be sorely missed.” Closer to building in Johannesburg, South home, Sir Jack, who was knighted in Africa, the country in which he was 1989, helped to create Stansted brought up. Airport’s first terminal and Britannic

Gerhard Jacob or “Jack” Zunz was House for BP. Group © Arup born in Germany, the son of Helene Closer still, as a Drax Avenue Jack Zunz, centre, with Ove Arup, left, (nee Isenberg) and Wilhelm Zunz. resident, keen Coombe Hill golfer and Michael Lewis, on site at the Sydney His engineering course in and Wimbledon Society member, Sir Opera House in 1964

9 n ACTIVITIES n Jennifer goes to the Stationers

The frst excursion organised by Jane Healey gives us the chance to welcome back JENNIFER NEWMAN with her description of the trip.

ON A SUNNY Spring afternoon, we met at the Church of St Martin- within-Ludgate for our visit to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. We were given a tour by very informative guides of this historic gem tucked away behind St Paul’s Cathedral which has been on the same site since 1606. The Stationers’ Company was Newman © Jennifer formed in 1403 when the Scriveners Society members are given an who had writing skills, the Lymners, introduction to the tour (above left); who decorated parchments and the a stained glass window in the church Book-binders asked the Lord Mayor (above); a view of the garden and of London if they could form a Guild. 200-year-old Plane tree (left) He agreed and, as they worked from fixed tables (or stations) in St Paul’s pre 1842, including Copyright Churchyard, they became known as registers dated back to 1557. Its the Stationers! foundations are built on the Roman When printing came to England Wall of London with the Old Bailey in the late 15th Century, the on the other side. Stationers had the good sense to Also backing onto the garden is embrace this new form of the Wren Church of St Martin- communication and to this day have within-Ludgate with many historic continued to adapt to the many features and its connection to changes in the communication America through William Penn and industry. The technology may have Stationers the monopoly on selling Pocahontas. changed from pen and ink to print Bibles, Prayer-books and Almanacs, The majority of Liverymen, or and on-line links, but the name has bringing the Guild great wealth. members, still work in or supply the remained the same. Today the Hall is not only the offices paper, print, publishing, packaging, Stationers’ Hall was rebuilt after of the Guild but, together with the office products, newspaper, the Great Fire of London and gardens, is hired out for meetings, broadcasting and online media completed in 1674. The Clerk George dinners and weddings to bring in industries. Many well-known names Tokefield saved the Archives and much needed income. were members of the Stationers silver by taking them by cart to his Stationers’ Hall also has one of Company; Wynkyn de Worde the home in Clerkenwell and the the few private gardens in the City, Assistant to William Caxton and Archives were returned afterwards, with its famous plane tree, thought Father of Fleet Street. Other famous but there was no sign of the silver. to be over 200 years old. At the end names were seen on the panelling: The Hall contains a number of of the garden is the oldest WH Smith, Rudyard Kipling and the rooms, including one known as the warehouse in the City dating back Prince of Wales. Stock Room, named after the to the late 17th Century. This now We had a lovely afternoon and English Stock Company set up by Act houses the Archive containing all our thanks go to Jane Healey for of Parliament in 1603. This gave the the historic papers and documents organising her first town excursion.

10 n ENVIRONMENT n Stuck in the mud

Following his article in the last The third reason is to improve crucial change. The recovery of Newsletter, DAVE DAWSON water quality. Excess nutrients lead water quality in our lake, without considers Merton Council’s plans to to murky, or even toxic, water. Silts any attention to silt, proves that remove silt from Wimbledon Park contain much nutrient, so it was desilting is not needed for water Lake as part of their food remedies, once thought that clear water quality. at an overall projected cost of £5m. depended on the removal of silt. We now know that most of the Incorrectly, Merton still think this. nutrients are locked away deep in VISITORS TO THE PARK don’t see the Our lake was murky, but it cleared the silt and do not enter the lake silt on the bottom of the lake, but around 2011, allowing submerged water. Last summer, the Watersports watersports users and anglers know waterweeds, fish and other Centre disturbed much silt when it’s there. Removing it won’t be waterlife to recover. A citizen removing waterweed from the lake. cheap; a good job would cost over science project last year found low Murky water returned. The lake is £7,000,000. Even a cheaper levels of nutrients in the lake water now recovering from that insult. alternative, that could halve the and the nitrate levels were much Desilting the lake would stir up area of the lake, would cost a third less than in the 1990s. This was the much more silt, certainly causing of that. So, what’s the pressing need murky water. Desilting might also to turn the lake into a construction Masts of boats get stuck distract us from working on the real site for a year, and why might we in the mud on the lake issue: nutrients in the water that destroy Capability Brown’s design? bottom. However, this mud drain into the lake. Three reasons have been put is only a little deeper than As none of the three reasons forward, but none are tenable. 50 years ago. Why is this stand up to scrutiny, should we be First, the project brief says the suddenly a problem? spending public money on desilting de-silting is required….”to manage the lake? the risk of flooding downstream”. This is nonsense; the silt on the bottom of the lake has no influence on flood risk. The second reason is to restore water depth. In the very long term, all lakes slowly silt up, but our lake has taken over 250 years to lose half its depth. So, we have another 200 years or so before it silts up. Silt traps on the three main inflows would buy us much more time to the lake, but for no obvious reason these seem not to have been contemplated un Merton’s project. The Watersports Centre was established in the early 1970s for inner London school children without access to good outdoor facilities. We are now told that there’s a problem, as masts of boats get stuck in the mud on the lake bottom. However, this mud was there from the outset and is only Merton’s Masterplan proposes to infll much of the lake with silt from the rest (the red a little deeper than 50 years ago. line around the lake shows the current shoreline). We would lose Lancelot Brown’s Why is this suddenly a problem? design and much valuable wetland natural habitat

11 n SOCIETY NOTICES n http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/Get some space in your life.

SAVE THE Greenwatch DATE! SUSANNA RIVIERE of ers suggestions on greening DINNER front gardens and helping Hedgehogs. DANCE Greening front gardens 19th October ATTRACTIVE FRONT GARDENS immeasurably enhance our 2019 streets. They can be a haven for a surprising amount of wildlife and increase property values. Sadly, the replacement of gardens with hard surfacing has reached epidemic The Society will hold a dinner dance proportions in Merton and elsewhere. This has become a on Saturday 19th October 2019 at 7.00pm serious environmental and aesthetic concern. at The Wimbledon Club on Church Road. Paving and concreting front gardens can cause f ooding, water and air pollution, hotter streets, more run-of to public This black-tie function for Wimbledon Society drains and detriment to the character of green and pleasant members and their guests promises to be a very residential roads. However, there are many ways that parking enjoyable event. It will also raise vital funds for the space can be provided while retaining the benef ts and forthcoming renovation of the Museum of Wimbledon. attractive aspects of a front garden, or adapting one that has Full details are shown in the f yer enclosed already been paved over: with this newsletter. Further information P
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so reducing heat, and at the same time allow rain water to f lter into the ground, reducing the load on main drainage. This is a brief overview of the subject. There is a comprehensive leaf et on Forecourts & Parking on the Wimbledon Society website and the RHS “How to Green your grey front garden” includes planting advice at

Surveyors, Valuers & Estate Agents www.rhs.org.uk/advice. Also, the Ealing Front Gardens project at www.ealingfrontgardens.org.uk is useful.

Helping Hedgehogs Hedgehog numbers are falling rapidly. One of their biggest problems is the fragmentation of their habitat. A viable population of hedgehogs needs access to at least 90 hectares of land. A simple solution to this is for people to At the heart of the community make holes We are pleased to support the Wimbledon Society in their fences Hedgehog Champion Acreman, Trevor © or not be too keen to repair existing fences. Sales 020 8947 9833 I Lettings 020 8879 9669 For more information see www.robertholmes.co.uk www.hedgehogstreet.org. © stock.adobe.com

The Wimbledon Society was founded in 1903. It is a Registered Charity (No 1164261), and a company limited by guarantee (No 9818707). Annual subscription rates: Individual £15; Couple/family £20; Af liated: £25. Membership application forms can be downloaded from the Society website or collected from the Museum. The Museum and Bookshop (020 8296 9914), 22 Ridgway, near Lingf eld Road, are open from 2.30 to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission free. Data Protection. The Wimbledon Society is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Of ce for Data Protection Purposes as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998, reg no: ZA244625. All personal information supplied to the Society by members will be used solely for communication with them concerning the Society’s Membership, Governance, Events, and only matters concerning the Society. It will not be shared with any other organisation, except where there is a Statutory obligation to do so. Full details of our Privacy Policy are published on our website. 12