The Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER JUNE 2015 Planning News Local History Society Members Environment Around and About Committee 3-4 page 5 pages 6-7 pages 8-9 pages 10-11 page 12 THE PROBLEMS WITH its own fans and the football community generally. Hundreds of residents from Wimbledon and Earlsfield have registered their objections to the plans as they currently stand, citing worries about the size of the development, its traffic and transport implications, flooding issues and lack of infrastructure planning. Importantly, a number of local resident groups have registered their concerns. They include, of course, the local Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association but also

Image Robson copyright Sheppard the Raynes Park and West Barnes An artist’s impression of the proposed AFC on Plough Lane Residents’ Association (RPWBRA) and Wimbledon East Hillside As we go to press, there is still Since then, several thousand Residents’ Association (WEHRA) no date set for a decision on the submissions have been lodged with – as well as, of course, our own controversial redevelopment of the Merton Borough Council. They Wimbledon Society. Greyhound Stadium in Plough Lane. include a 15,000-signature petition There is no question that on However latest indications from the from animal rights charity PETA large planning applications, cross Council suggest July or August. which says it supports the AFCW constituency support is extremely proposal, provided it means the end helpful. TOWARDS THE END of last year, of greyhound racing in Wimbledon. Many Statutory bodies have AFC Wimbledon submitted Several thousand emails have responded to the application: formal plans with Galliard Homes also been received from AFCW Greater London Authority: The to build a football stadium, to supporters from as far afield as Mayor of London’s Office says the ultimately accommodate 20,000 Hawaii, Russia, Australia and AFCW/Galliard Homes scheme fans, together with a 602-home South Africa – as well as local for Plough Lane contravenes the development on the site of the supporters, following a campaign London Plan on numerous grounds current greyhound stadium. by the club to rally backing from including lack of (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 AGM report 2015

President Norman Plastow THE SOCIETY held its 111th Annual General Meeting at Christ Church Hall on 16 May 2015. President Norman Plastow opened the proceedings, which were attended by some 70 Chairman/Website Asif Malik members, with MP Stephen Hammond, Mayor David Chung and Mayoress Irina Chung among the guests. Introducing his report for the year, Chairman Hon Secretary Sue Lang Asif Malik welcomed guests and members. He thanked all volunteers, particularly those stepping down, including Cyril Maidment, a former Chairman of the Museum Committee. Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge The Chairman was sad to report the deaths of several key members, including Alan Elliot, who made an enormous contribution to the Museum, Martyn Harman, a former Society Planning Chairman John Mays Chairman and Planning Committee Chair, Dr Elspeth Veale and Simon Boome, both keen supporters of the Museum. Honorary Treasurer Corinna Edge presented Museum Chairman Cassandra the 2014 Accountants and Trustees’ Annual and Accounts, reporting the healthy state of Society finances, underpinned by sucessful sales of the ‘Then and Now’ book. Local History Chairman Charles Toase Norman Plastow was re-elected President and Pat Keith, Charles Toase and Tony Michael as Vice-Presidents. The Chairman – Asif Malik, Hon Treasurer – Corinna Edge and Hon Secretary Membership/Planning Secretary – Sue Lang were also re-elected. Elected to the Jennifer Newman Executive Committee were Marsha Beresford, Linda Defriez, Monica Ellison, Janet Koss, John Mays, Jennifer Newman, Andrew Simon, Iain Simpson and Cassandra Taylor. Activities/Newsletter Distribution A proposal from the Executive Committee to Linda Defriez incorporate the Society as a company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity, was approved without dissent by members present, and that the Resolution to approve the incorporation was adopted. Members authorised the Executive Wimbledon Society Newsletter Committee to proceed with completion of this Editorial team (see page 12 for profles) process by the end of 2015. John Stern Members commented on the Society’s work Nigel Davies before the address by the guest speaker Philip Asif Malik Brook, Chairman of the All Lawn Tennis Iain Simpson Club. Mr Brook spoke about developments at the Club, past and present, and the role of the Club’s charity, Wimbledon Foundation within Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, the local community. 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY [email protected] SUE LANG, Honorary Secretary

2 PLANNING COMMITTEE

cottage, provides a rental income stream Park Road and stretch from the Oberon Morley Park update to fund the maintenance of the park. Playing Fields in the west up to and COMPLETION OF a new public park Also, during May, new land drains including the long-established footpath within the former Atkinson Morley’s will be laid, while grading and seeding beside the former hospital building. In Hospital open land is now in sight with of the now derelict sports felds will addition to the beneft of sports felds, to handover to Merton Council scheduled take place to provide four new grass the south of the Wolfson Hospital site, a for June 2016. Work has started on a new sports pitches. The pavilion is expected wildfower meadow with an attenuation sports pavilion and a cottage, both close to be completed by September 2016. pond will replace the old soccer to the Cottenham Park Road entrance. The pavilion and sports pitches pitch. The existing well-established There will be another entrance gate are to be used during term time by woodland area will remain with a new from Copse Hill. The pavilion building students of the Ursuline High School pedestrian route through the trees. will provide changing rooms, a multi- and will be available to the community This combination of habitats already purpose hall and teaching room with at other times. attracts a wide variety of wildlife and it catering facilities. The cottage, which The park will occupy the open land is expected to provide a useful area for replaces the former groundsman’s between Copse Hill and Cottenham study and leisure.

The Problems with with an organisation that doesn’t All these issues will have to be Plough Lane (continued from p1) actually exist, and using inaccurate considered by Merton’s Planning GP ratio/population assumptions. Applications Committee. We hope provision of play space for children, Sport England: objects to the that they will give due weight to over-dense housing, accessibility application because it fails to the key points put forward by the problems, its ‘isolated’ position amid provide sufficient sporting facilities Society (See article on page 9 of commercial developments, and poor for residents of the proposed high- the March newsletter) such as: transport provision. density housing development or the • the unsuitability of such a flood- The Environment Agency: objects wider local community. prone site for housing, especially at to the application, saying that it Neighbouring Wandsworth the excessive density proposed; fails to: demonstrate that surface Borough Council has also officially • the applicants’ failure to address water can be managed; prove that objected to the application the infrastructure and local it won’t increase flood risk in the because in its current form it fails environmental implications of a surrounding area; show that it helps to properly address and resolve football stadium attracting up to reduce flood risk on the site (most detrimental effects on local 20,000 spectators – poor access of which is a highest risk category infrastructure, as well as the issues to public transport, lack of car- flood plain); indicate that sufficient raised by statutory bodies listed parking space, and local access flood storage compensation is above. arrangements that would not be provided in the development. Our Conservative MP Stephen adequate to deal with the planned Transport for London: points out Hammond says “I think that the number of spectators. that public transport services to impact on the local community and It is clear from the public the site are limited, cycle parking on the social infrastructure must statements made by Cllr Judge, provision is insufficient, taxi drop- be resolved before any application the Cabinet Member whose off points are missing, there is no can be passed. Like many people I portfolio includes planning, that coach management plan for drop- am keen to see AFCW back in the the Council’s main interest is off/pick-up of away fans, travel data borough, but not at the expense of bringing the football club back for match-day impact is inadequate local residents.” to the borough. This undoubtedly and public transport assessment is Tooting’s Labour MP is of will be an added pressure when the incomplete. similar mind. He has written Planning Applications Committee NHS England: rejects the to Wandsworth Council, local has to make its decision. application for failing to consult residents in Earlsfied and Tooting If you want to read more and well with local healthcare bodies over that “issues including local informed comment on the plans for the demands of an increased infrastructure, traffic, parking and the greyhound stadium go to www. population in the area, claiming impact on local infrastructure all ploughlanestadium.wordpress.com to have carried out consultations need to be resolved”.

3 PLANNING COMMITTEE Community assets

TO QUALIFY AS A Community Asset, owner wants to sell the site, there a site has to be something that will be a moratorium of up to furthers the community’s social six months during which time a well being. It could be cultural, community body can put forward a sporting, recreational, libraries, bid to buy the site. community centres, pools, village The Society needs to consider shops, pubs, and could it seems be whether it should put forward any either publicly or privately owned. local sites for possible designation. Applications to have a particular Would the riding stables in facility registered as a Community the High Street and/or the Asset can be made by community Ridgway qualify? What about the organisations (not individuals) and Wimbledon Library, the Theatre, the decision to designate is made the Polka? The Hartfield Road car by the Council. park site as a future concert and It has designated one site in community hall? The Whatley Merton to date, with another eight Avenue Adult Education centre? proposed sites rejected. The effect Society members’ views and of a designation is that when an suggestions would be welcomed. Heritage funding

Telecoms upgrade means taller masts THE GOVERNMENT’S Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy THE FOURTH wishes to encourage And also where their on some kinds of development. GENERATION (4G) of this upgraded system, obsolete equipment The aim is to ensure that new telecommunications planning authorities is, so that it can be developments contribute masts are being have been given only removed, to lessen financially to the local community “rolled out” nationally, some limited powers clutter. And the in which they are built, providing and will allow far of control. operators should be facilities that local people will more extensive We are currently actively encouraged to need. The Government’s list of communications and responding to a share masts. allowable strategic projects to be information systems number of individual This we feel would funded seemingly does not allow to be available. applications now be far better than councils to include proposals for The new masts being submitted, attempting to respond Heritage or Conservation. Merton’s tend to be somewhat and have suggested on an ad hoc basis to “strategic” list of facilities includes taller than the earlier to the Council that individual applications. education, libraries, open spaces, systems, and the each of the four or fve As most of the new transport etc. However, the Council cabinets beside telecommunications masts and cabinets are has asked the public to suggest them housing the operators should likely to be on the public projects that could also be funded equipment are produce an overall highway, and highly by the very much smaller “local” generally very much plan of the Borough visible, the public needs CIL Levy. larger and more showing where their to have a greater feel for The Planning Committee has visually intrusive. As future installations will what the likely outcome therefore suggested introducing national government be located. is going to be. grants for conservation and for heritage repairs as a priority, plus tree planting, the Wimbledon Way walking route, and cycle parking. The Council has yet to decide on which local schemes will be selected as priorities.

4 NEWS Fire station splendour rekindled

ONE OF WIMBLEDON’S most cherished buildings is the Old Fire Station in the High Street, opposite the Dog and Fox. Built in 1890, it had a bell tower and a clock and housed a fire pump called the May Queen. In 1900, there was a serious

fire at Cannizaro House, across the of photographs Museum curator Wimbledon Simon Joseph, by Image restoration Common. Unfortunately, the hoses The fre station circa 1890 (above) and used by the Fire Brigade were too the bronze plaque back in place (right) short to use water from the nearby Rushmere Pond. This resulted in the designs included the restoration of decision to build a new Fire Station the missing bell tower. The Scheme in Queen’s Road, opened in 1904. was awarded a Civic Trust Award in The Station has now moved on from 1968, commemorated by a bronze this location too, which is now the plaque on the main facade of the shop ‘Lakeland’. The carved stone building, a feature which became signage denoting ‘Wimbledon Fire a familiar part of the streetscape of Brigade’ has been retained, and can the Village. be seen from Queen’s Road. The building has now undergone The Old Fire Station was used a further refurbishment, with as shops and gained a listing. It Holden Harper acting as the received a facelift as part of the architect. The work entails cleaning whilst the work to the facades was Wimbledon Village Improvement and restoration of the facades, and carried out. Following a meeting Scheme 1964, which was supported refurbishment of the first floor flat. we held with the building owner, by the Wimbledon Society, then Whilst the restoration work was the plaque has been cleaned and called the John Evelyn Society. Alan in progress, we were concerned to reinstated in its original position. and Sylvia Blanc, a husband and note that the Civic Trust Award It is good to see this fine building wife team, were the architects for bronze plaque had disappeared. restored to a splendid condition the Improvement Scheme and for Discreet enquiry revealed that it befitting its significant place in the works to the Fire Station. Their had been placed in safe keeping fabric of Wimbledon life.

‘Carved in Stone’ short interviews with Road, Morden; June project looks for descendants of war 20, 10am–4pm, Acacia stories from WWI combatants or war Centre, Grove Road, workers and to record Mitcham; and August 1, ‘CARVED IN STONE’ is a general family stories. 11am–5pm at Wimbledon Heritage Lottery funded There are three War Studio Theatre. More initiative about Merton in Story Days: May 23, information is available the First World War. 10am–4pm at Morden via the Merton Memories The main aim of Library and Merton website (www.merton. these events is to flm Civic Centre, London gov.uk/memories).

5 LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

is now 14 The Ridgway (currently from 30 High Street, and the shop WHEN FIVE Oddbins), and was presumably on the left was Madame Knight, a temporary affair while the dressmaker and milliner. To BECAME TWO High Street one was being built. distinguish it from the bank down Incidentally, Beatie moved to the in the town, it was at first called CHARLES TOASE charts the decline new building, and went on to be the ‘Wimbledon Hill branch’ while of high street banks in Wimbledon manager at Addiscombe before in the Ridgway. When it moved to blotting his copy book by making the new building in 1892, it was AT ONE TIME there were five banks an unauthorised payment and called ‘’. In in the High Street; now there will being sacked in 1902. 1993 Barclays followed the estate be only two. From the late 1930s to The imposing Barclays building agents’ fashion by renaming it the 1960s there was Barclays at 75 in the High Street was built on land the ‘Wimbledon Village’ branch. and the Westminster at the other bought from the Belvedere estate It closed recently, leaving us with end of the row at 98, with two in 1891 for £1,125. The architect only two of the larger banks in the smaller ones in the middle: Lloyds was Edward Gabriel. The shop High Street, although the Danish at 86 and Martins at 92. Opposite, on the right was occupied first Handelsbanken opened a branch at 4 High Street, there was the by Hawes, and then by a chemist in 2010 – they are now next door to National Provincial; interestingly, called Kirkman who moved there Eagle House. no. 4 was the temporary premises of the London & County Bank (NatWest) while the large building was being erected opposite in 1896. Martins was bought by Barclays in 1969, and the branch closed in 1972. The branch of Lloyds opened in 1925 and is still there (although there is a planning application to demolish it). And the National Provincial merged with the Westminster in 1970 to form the National Westminster, or NatWest, and the imposing building on the corner of Belvedere Grove was extended next door to take in what had been the shop of Radio Electric. The first bank in Wimbledon was down the Hill, the London & South Western in the Broadway (then called Merton Road) opposite the Town Hall. It became Barclays in 1918. The The first bank in the village ‘Wimbledon was in The Ridgway. When I Common’ researched the history of all the branch of banks in Wimbledon, I talked London to the archivists of the various and South banking groups. Barclays’ archivist Western did not know of the Ridgway Bank on the branch, until I told him the name High Street in of the manager, Edward Beatie. 1896 (above), He then found it through the staff and present records. It opened in 1890 at what day (right)

6 LOCAL HISTORY

Last duel not the last IT HAS BEEN generally thought that the last duel on the Common was fought by Lord Cardigan and Captain Tuckett in 1840. There was an intended one in 1872 that was frustrated by the police before the contestants actually reached Wimbledon. However, research by a member of the Group has discovered a duel in July 1856, a full 16 years after Cardigan and Tuckett. It was fought by Henry Verrall and an unnamed ex-military ofcer. It was an “afair of honour”, fought over Lusitania’s local connection what one Victorian journalist called AMONG THE centenaries in New York on business replied, adding that the “one of Eve’s lovely descendants”. this year is that of the when the German Lusitania was faster than So once again we have to rewrite sinking of the Lusitania ambassador there placed any German submarine, the history books. by the Germans in May an advertisement in and the Admiralty would 1915, generally thought American newspapers protect the ship. In fact, to have contributed to warning that ships fying the Admiralty tried to do Wimbledon America’s decision to the British fag were so, but failed to contact it enter the war. Among liable to attack. As he to fnd its whereabouts. on the box the frst-class passengers went aboard, Campbell Campbell, who lived at WHILE WATCHING recent television was Alexander Campbell, was asked by reporters Hollywood in Crescent series, you will probably have General Manager of what he thought of Road, was one of those recognised Thomas Cromwell in Dewars, the whisky the warning. “I think it’s who lost their lives on Wolf Hall as Baron Cromwell of distillers. He had been a lot of tommyrot,” he May 7, 1915. Wimbledon, son of Walter Cromwell of the Crooked Billet. But did you realise that, in Mr Selfridge, Selfridge’s daughter Rosalie married Wimbledon’s wholesale newsagents Prince Serge Vincent de Bolotof, ONE HUNDRED and ten wholesale newsagents Porter Bros.) at 62 and Prince Wiasemsky in 1918? They years ago William Porter in Dundonald Road, 64 Hartfeld Road, where lived at Wimbledon Park House started Wimbledon’s frst later expanding it (as the car park is now. from1923 to 1948. Wiasemsky had a It became one of the collection of Rolls Royce cars there. largest in the south of He let the house get into a ruinous England. The Museum state (along with the cars), and it was recently given a diary had to be pulled down as a result. published by Porters, Raymond Briggs’ book The Strange with illustrations of the House, (1961) was based on Briggs’ business; it shows the boyhood exploration of the grounds hart used as a logo, taken and the tunnels there. Wiasemsky from the address of the ofered his services to the Home frm. WH Smith bought Guard, but they were refused. the Porters frm and closed it; the building CHARLES TOASE was demolished in 1986.

7 SOCIETY MEMBERS Three decades of devotion, friendship and football

CYRIL MAIDMENT, who has retired CASSANDRA TAYLOR writes as the Museum’s Curator of Maps ONE OF THE things that most after nearly 20 years, first got impressed me about Cyril, apart from involved with the Society when his benevolent friendliness towards he joined the Local History Group everyone, was his passion for football – in 1985; he is still contributing a subject about which I knew nothing to the Group, particularly on his but on which he could discourse, with favourite subjects – Merton Priory dreamy passion, at length. and Wimbledon Football Club, and In 1990, he insisted that the occasionally takes the chair in the Committee acquire the shirt of Eddie absence of the regular chairman. Reynolds. The price was one thousand Cyril is also a regular contributor dollars but Cyril’s arguments were to the Merton Historical Society’s persuasive: “Eddie Reynolds was the local history workshops. years conducted walks round greatest Wimbledon player. In the FA It was Richard Milward who Wimbledon’s historic houses and Amateur Cup Final, he scored four goals, suggested to Cyril that he become a also the Nelson and William Morris all with his head in the days when the Duty Officer in the Museum. When areas, and a lesser-known but major balls used became very heavy when wet.” Cyril took over the chairmanship contribution to the Museum was his The shirt has pride of place in the of the Museum Committee, he digitisation of some 4,000 pictures sports section of the Museum and was, introduced Sunday opening, and (photographs, watercolours, prints on one special occasion, loaned to himself did duty every Sunday. and drawings) which can all be seen AFC Wimbledon, under the watchful Several of the Milward books on our website. The Society has a supervision (as all loan exhibits must be) benefit from maps drawn by Cyril, great deal to thank him for, and of a triumphant Cyril. and Richard himself benefited we are fortunate that he will He once told me he never missed an from what he called his ‘lift’ – Cyril continue to contribute to the AFC Wimbledon game, no matter how chauffeuring him to meetings. Local History Group. far away. We hope, in his retirement, Among his other contributions he will continue to enjoy many more to the Society, he has for many CHARLES TOASE matches. Tony Matthews: an appreciation AFTER SIX YEARS as editor of the dating back over 50 years. These are to the online Wimbledon Guardian, Wimbledon Society Newsletter Tony now on the Society’s web site at www. now preserved in archive at www. Matthews has had to stand down, in wimbledonsociety.org.uk. wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage and order to prioritise care for his wife. For the Museum web site at www. also accessible via the Museum web site. A member since 1993 and a journalist wimbledonmuseum.org.uk, assisted by Finally, with the assistance of Local for some 20 years before that, he took Jo Bund, he created an entirely new oral History Group Chairman, Charles Toase over the Newsletter in 2009. It evolved history archive. This now ofers visitors a and others, he produced several books from an information wide choice of sound and for the Society and gave talks on them sheet to a mini magazine text interviews with the at Wimbledon Bookfest and elsewhere. with pictures as well as voices of those recalling He was the author of Cannizaro Beyond articles on a wide range personal memories the Gates, Heritage Tales – 52 Stories of subjects. Recently, of a now vanished of Wimbledon and Chester House. He colour illustrations were Wimbledon. also brought Elspeth Veale’s scholarly introduced on both covers. From 2011–14, on work Wimbledon’s Belvedere Estate to In addition, Tony behalf of the Society, publication. created an archive of he supplied a regular all existing Newsletters Heritage series of articles NORMAN PLASTOW

8 OBITUARY Alan Elliot: our man for all seasons

ALAN ELLIOT, who died on 28 PRU HARTOPP, Museum Committee February this year, spent more Chairman from 1987 to 1996, writes than a quarter of a century devoting I CAN REMEMBER, as chairman, his services to the Museum of welcoming Alan to the Museum Wimbledon. Committee in March 1991. We had only He was born in 1932 and met briefy when he answered an appeal educated at Malvern College and in the Newsletter for a curator of the Trinity Hall, where he Ephemera Collection, but soon became initially studied history but then a wonderfully supportive colleague and switched to psychology. friend. At our next meeting, some six He then spent the next two to weeks later, he was able to give a report three years travelling in Malaya, on the Ephemera Collection, which then New Zealand and Australia, doing consisted of 63 boxes with an estimated different jobs to make enough His understanding of 3,000 items, not apparently based on money to keep him going. management and business helped any particular collection policy. He also On his return he did an MA at considerably in getting the Museum suggested ways to rectify this. Birkbeck College, University of through three accreditations and A year later he was also involved in London and then joined J Lyons’ he also had an excellent grasp of helping to acquire a suitable computer Research Department. budgetary control – much to the and appropriate software and after duly He then moved to the relief of many of the curators. managing to get both donated, set them engineering firm, W S Atkins, He was in the Museum almost up and began putting in information. where he spent the rest of his career every Saturday afternoon, To get full accreditation from in Human Resources, concentrating supporting the Duty Officers and on organisations, such as the Area on training and development. the look-out for new talent. He also Museum Service and others required a Alan took early retirement took special trouble with children certain amount of bureaucracy such as because his increasing deafness who came in wanting help with revision to our acquisition and disposal made it difficult for him to continue school projects and would sometimes policy, collections and management in his work and that is when the spend a couple of hours with them in policy and parts of our business plan Museum was lucky enough to order to help them think around the and mission statement. Alan always acquire his services. project, rather than just doing it. ofered to take these on and did them His early years in the Museum He was an enormous support far better than I could ever have done. are described by Lady Hartopp to me when I started my term as After attending a disaster workshop (see right), and when I joined the Chairman even though he was Alan drew up a report and volunteered Museum in 1997 as a Duty Officer attempting to retire and spend to become the Museums Emergency Alan was well established as the ‘can more time with his family. Ofcer for the frst year. On this do’ man to whom everyone turned The Museum has lost a unique being agreed, he asked all curators for every conceivable problem. volunteer and we are grateful for for an up-to-date valuation of their His grasp of computers was the enormous amount of effort he collections with a view to checking if considerable but his special talent, put into every aspect of its work the Museum’s insurance policy was gained from his HR experience, over so many years. adequate. During this time he continued was in spotting the possibilities in A service of thanks for and to add information to the computer new volunteers. He recruited people remembrance of his life will be held and also helped the Duty Ofcers on he’d met, people he’d heard about on Friday 12 June at 2.30 pm in St most Saturday afternoons when the from other sources but mainly Mary’s Church, Wimbledon Village Museum was open to the public, as well from visitors to the Museum who with refreshments afterward in the as continuing to care for and add to the expressed an interest in its work. Garden Hall. His widow, Pat, has said ephemera collection. Then he pounced, found a role for that everyone is welcome to attend. I appreciated his help enormously them and took the trouble to train and could not have had a more them in it. CASSANDRA TAYLOR supportive and likeable colleague.

9 ENVIRONMENT What remains of Capability Brown’s woods

DAVE DAWSON sheds light on the lost woodlands of the renowned landscape architect in Wimbledon Park

IN THE 1740s, Earl Spencer’s Wimbledon Park had only two woodlands, both on the hillside north of Wimbledon Park House and indicated on John Roque’s 1746 Map of Wimbledon. Then, in the 1750s, the Earl doubled the size of his park, acquiring a further four woods in the process. Local historian, Rita Ensing, found out about these four woods through her research on an estate map of 1740. Just west of the present day Southfelds Station was High Wood, the largest and probably ancient. Three other, smaller, rectangular woods were at the edges of enclosed felds: Five Acres Wood, Kitchen Close Wood and Horse Close Wood. North The woodlands of Wimbledon Park in the late 18th century. The two woods that had of these were common arable felds recently been lost are cross-hatched. The road to the west corresponds to the present- (the South Fields of Wandsworth), day Wimbledon Parkside and that to the east to Merton and Durnsford Roads which survived into the nineteenth century. These three woods were and coverts. Two maps of the Spencer but development came slowly in probably established when this estate, dating from 1770 and 1787 the centre of the park and all three part of a previously larger common show this. Brown found ‘capability’ in older woods survived into the early feld was enclosed. They would have just three of the older woods: High 20th century. Housing had reached been less than a hundred years old Wood, Horse Close Wood and Ashen the northern edge of Horse Close in 1740. Typically, the woods would Grove Wood. The latter was probably Wood by 1917. Then the Wimbledon have been managed as coppice with the eastern-most wood shown on the Corporation saved the remnant park a few standard trees of Pedunculate Roque map. The western of the two by buying it. Both High Wood and Oak and English Elm, and primarily on the Roque map, Five Acres and Ashen Grove Wood were still intact, for fuel wood rather than timber for Kitchen Close were eliminated. but not purchased. High Wood has construction. With the coming of the railways, now quite gone and Ashen Grove Shortly afterwards, the Earl suburbia expanded rapidly. remains as a tiny neglected and commissioned Lancelot ‘Capability’ Wimbledon Park was acquired for under-valued remnant spanning Brown to re-landscape the park. development by JA Beaumont in the boundary between Wimbledon Much new woodland was planted, 1846 and the District Railway cut Park Golf Club and the children’s play mainly in a peripheral belt, providing of the park’s north-eastern fank in area of the public park. Horse Close a woodland backdrop to long views 1889. Capability Brown’s plantings Wood alone remains as a remarkable across the park, but also in clumps were progressively lost to housing, survivor from the early 18th century.

10 ENVIRONMENT What price heritage conservation?

RUTH and DAVE DAWSON relate this had happened until weeks the sad recent history of the later, because the shop was butcher’s shop in Arthur Road, boarded up. Wimbledon Park The shop was given Grade II listing in November last year. It IT HAS BEEN a butcher’s shop was judged a rare survivor of a ever since it opened in 1906, and traditional, characteristic, good Michael and Bridget Rooke were quality and attractive design, the last tenants. Last year, the including the tiling, geometric owner made planning applications paving and scrolled wrought-iron to change half of the shop into brackets. Listing doesn’t become residential use and to modernise effective until formalised, so the its frontage. damage to the interior of the The Rookes’ tenancy was up shop, legally, was “permitted for renewal, and against their development”. wishes, the owner terminated it. Isn’t it silly that the procedure Michael and Bridget had to remove The remarkable butcher’s shop for listing, with an assessment all the fittings added to the shop with its heritage tiling and visit and consultation, warns an during their 40-year tenancy, scrolled wrought ironwork owner of the possible protection, so but they refused to remove the providing an obvious loophole for original heritage fittings. Both this was not done, as the Council features to be damaged? planning applications were risked having to compensate the The glimmer of good news is refused, so we were left with an owner should national listing not that the shop is now listed. This empty shop with remarkable eventuate. has enabled a requirement to heritage butcher’s fittings. English Heritage proposed restore tiling on a new wall to the The shop frontage had some listing the shop and consulted shop and we await a requirement protection through planning on this. Meanwhile, the owner to restore the ceiling features, policies, but the interior had none. boarded up the shop to work on the including the wrought-iron work. Worried that the heritage fittings flat above. As part of that work, he Clearly, the optimum use would were at risk, we applied to English demolished one wall of the shop, be as a butcher’s shop, but it’s up to Heritage to investigate listing. As destroying the heritage tiling the owner to market it. In a prime this takes time, we also asked the there and he removed the wooden site, near to a busy tube station, the Council to consider local listing, ceiling and the heritage wrought shop was profitable and viable as a which Cllr Judge agreed. Sadly, ironwork. We did not know that butcher’s and could be so again.

Capability Brown’s the , the include encouraging an increased 300th anniversary All England Club and the Wimbledon number of people and a more celebrations Club. diverse audience to visit, learn Late last year FOWP set up a about and enjoy his landscapes. THE TERCENTENARY of Capability ‘Capability Brown 300 Anniversary Possible local activities include Brown’s birth in 2016 will be Group’ to co-ordinate local local history talks and workshops celebrated locally after an celebrations which will form part of for children about landscape and agreement between the Friends of the nationwide festival that will also ecology. Wimbledon Park (FOWP) and the take place next year. For more information visit www. three owners of what remains of The aims of the festival, beyond friendsofwimbledonpark.org.uk Brown’s Wimbledon Park landscape, celebrating Brown’s life and work, and www.capabilitybrown.org.

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

Martyn Harman THE SOCIETY NEEDS YOUR HELP As we go print, we have The Planning Committee urgently needs a secretary. been told the sad news of The Planning Committee meets monthly, on Monday evenings at 7.15pm, at the death of Martyn Harman the Museum. The duties include booking the room for the meetings, preparing on Sunday 3rd May and our agendas, taking and circulating minutes and preparing a report for the sympathy goes to his wife Liz, Executive Committee about six times a year. The required time commitment her family and friends at this amounts to roughly one day per month. If you are interested please contact difcult time. John Mays at [email protected] or on 07850 697723. Martyn was Chairman of • • • • • the Planning Committee The Museum needs two new Duty Ofcers to join the for ten years after which he existing team. Duties involve greeting visitors, helping them see round the became Chairman of the Museum, dealing with any queries and selling Museum publications. Opening Executive, a post he held hours are 2.30 – 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays and we ask you to do one with distinction for nine duty a month. Computer literacy is essential for accessing the catalogue. years steering us through Full training is given and you will always work as a pair, at frst with someone our celebratory centenary experienced. No knowledge of local history is required initially and any queries year in 2003 and other which cannot be dealt with on the spot can be referred to the relevant curator. notable occasions. Contact Cassandra Taylor at [email protected] or on 020 8946 1544. A full tribute and • • • • • appreciation of Martyn The Museum also needs a Publications Ofcer to oversee Harman’s life and his work the website sales of publications, deal with the weekly sales taken during for the Society will appear opening hours and manage the stock. More details of the post are available in our September issue. from Liz Courtney at [email protected] or 020 8946 7960.

Simon Boome The Museum was sorry to learn of Your new editorial team This is the frst edition of the Newsletter produced by a new editorial team. the death of Simon Boome who was, The editor, John Stern (below left), recently moved to Wimbledon from for many years, a stalwart supporter. Hertfordshire and has been a journalist and editor for more than 20 years, From 1996-98 he was Curator of specialising in cricket. And the newsletter is designed by Nigel Davies Artefacts and from 1996 to 2000 (below right), a Raynes Park resident for 22 years, and former colleague of Emergency ofcer and also Safety Ofcer. John’s at The Cricketer magazine where Nigel was art director. John can be He then became more of a contacted on [email protected] or 07768 891416. ‘backroom boy’ coming in on Mondays to bank the cash taken over the weekend, record visitor numbers and note the temperature and humidity readings on the thermo hydrograph. These tasks are essential to the smooth running of the Museum and we are grateful to Simon for undertaking them.

CASSANDRA TAYLOR Shaw courtesyTom Photos of Graham Morris and

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