The Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2019 News Local History Planning and War Memorial p8 Obituaries p10 Greenwatch page 3 pages 4-5 Environment p6-7 The Museum p9 Cannizaro Park p11 page 12 Through the – Wimbledon’s radical world

MONICA ELLISON meets local recesses of the room, which were designer Gareth Harmer given to the Labour Hall in the early 1930s by Emily Townshend A SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED and her daughter Caroline. stained glass window was In 2018, Gareth spotted a unveiled in the Burne-Jones room poster for the art competition in at the House, Wimbledon Books & Music. He had 267 Broadway, on 16 June. The recently completed a stained glass designer, Gareth Harmer, won panel in a Morris ‘trellis pattern’ the commission as a result of a style with red rose motifs which competition held in 2018 for an seemed to be a good fit for the artwork for William Morris House William Morris House brief. His celebrating Wimbledon’s radical submission caught the attention of tradition and the centenary of the both Tony Kane and Steve Spence, Wimbledon Labour Party. who commissioned the work, and The idea for the prize was the as Gareth says, “bravely decided to © Gareth Harmer© Gareth brain-child of the late back the design without any real Tony Kane, founder of Wimbledon frontage of the house at first floor track record on which to go.” Bookfest and publisher of Time & level. The window has a specially Gareth Harmer was born in Leisure magazine, who was also designed oak frame, which is Redhill but has lived in Wimbledon a member of the Management double-glazed – a complication since 2004. A freelance photographer Committee of William Morris with which Mr Morris did not by profession, for some years his House. The work was ‘unveiled’ by have to contend – but which was main clients were the Comet, Mrs Maggie Kane, who presented resolved for Gareth by craftsmen and Wimbledon Guardian. In the the new work to a packed room. Juno Glass and Lethbridge Lines in increasingly difficult climate for The modern window references Wandsworth. newsprint, Gareth felt the need for the work of William Morris, whose Gareth’s window, through which diversification and in a digital world famous William Morris & Co works can be seen flashes of passing red driven by computers and screens, were based at Abbey Mills. It is large. double-deckers on the Broadway, the craft aspect of manual work had At 2.7m high and 1.56m wide, it sits happily at ease with the two strong appeal as an outlet for his occupies a significant part of the intense William Morris works in composition and design (see page 3)

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 President Tony Michael [email protected] Chairman’s

Chairman Jeremy Hudson view [email protected] I LOVE TENNIS FORTNIGHT and am always sorry when Deputy Chairman John Mays it’s over! We were blessed with fine weather this year, and the All Club was looking at its absolute finest. Hon Secretary Maureen Field This has been a busy period for our hardworking [email protected] Planning & Environment Committee. Apart from its routine scrutiny of planning applications, it Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge has been active in responding to consultations on [email protected] a number of significant environmental issues. The increased noise caused by the change to flightpaths Planning & Environment Committee Secretary Liz Newman in and out of Heathrow has been a particular [email protected] concern. I am sure we have all noticed more noise in recent months. We are working with our MP Membership Secretary Simon Ingall Stephen Hammond to persuade Heathrow to restrict [email protected] aircraft movement directly over Wimbledon. Another issue has been the planned introduction Museum Chairman Jacqueline Laurence of 5G infrastructure in the Wimbledon area, and [email protected] its effect on our health. We are pressing Council to liaise with other London Boroughs and Local History Michael Norman Smith the GLA to conduct research, to satisfy itself as to the safety of this new technology. Another concern to the PEC is the proposed review Website Asif Malik [email protected] of warding arrangements in Merton, and the effect on Wimbledon’s representation on Merton Council. Wimbledon Society Newsletter We have made detailed representations as to how the several wards comprising Wimbledon Town Centre Editorial team might best be reconfigured so that a new single Sally Gibbons [email protected] Broadway ward covers the area south of the railway. Nigel Davies Monica Ellison, Asif Malik, John Mays, Jeremy Hudson Our new Communications sub-committee has also been busy recently. We decided that our Letters to the editor priority should be the creation of a single website, Write to Sally Gibbons c/o The Museum of Wimbledon, 22 Ridgway, SW19 4QN to replace the now out-of-date separate websites for the Society and the Museum respectively. Asif Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, Malik, Dave Atha and Kevin O’Neil have worked 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY hard to prepare a project brief, which the Board expects to sign off in September. The challenge will Follow us on Facebook and Twitter then be to find the necessary funding for the cost, www.facebook.com/TheWimbledonSociety @wimsoc estimated to be £5-10,000. We hope that our Dinner Dance on 19 October The name of the Wimbledon Society or that of the Museum of will help us towards that target. We already have Wimbledon must never be used to promote personal activities or written work without written permission from the Society. several very generous donations to our silent auction The articles and photos in this newsletter are copyright of those and/or raffle to be held on the evening. At the time credited or, where no credit exists, of The Wimbledon Society. No part of writing only a handful of tickets remain for the of this newsletter can be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder. event. I look forward to seeing many of you then. JEREMY HUDSON

2 n NEWS n

Bookfest’s Big Beasts shown a real taste for poetry so there will Katie Hickman whose work uncovers also be interest in the talk given by the the exploits of intrepid women in She- THE ‘BIG BEASTS’ of the written and elusive novelist and poet, Ben Okri. Merchants, Buccaneers and Gentlewomen. spoken word are heading for the Then there is the return of the A double ticket should be well worth Common this autumn. Once again the historians. The trailblazer was Sir Max securing. festival has produced a fabulous line-up. Hastings whose astonishing output If you believe there is nothing left to be There are poets, historians, biographers, belies the brilliance of his work. Ed said about politics, meet Kamal Ahmed, philosophers, and novelists of many Hussain will be a welcome newcomer Paul Mason, James O’Brien, Gavin Esler genres: the historical, the gothic, the to the event, while amongst other and that exotic bird of prey Emily Maitlis, thriller, tales for adults and children, returnees are Tom Holland and William all of whom attend this year’s Parlement of along with a glittering list of celebrated Dalrymple. The latter introduces Anarchy: Foules. (Chaucer’s cautionary poem ends sportsmen, broadcasters, politicians, the East India Company, which has with the decision to defer the decision climate experts, polemicists, life-stylists particular significance for local historians, until the following year). and Nadiya the chef with the radiant since the merchant Robert Bell, who built Last but not least, Lord David Owen smile, all will be here with talks from 3 – Eagle House, just a stone’s throw away breaks cover to talk about his book 13 October. from the venue, was a founder member Hubris: The road to Donald Trump. We Lured from North Yorkshire, Bookfest of the famous/infamous company. Nor hope that Lord Owen can also indicate welcomes the Poet Laureate Simon is the distaff side of history ignored. the way back from the Donald. Armitage on 7 October. Wimbledon has Dalrymple recommends the work of MONICA ELLISON

Heathrow and Ward Boundary Consultations CONSULTATION SEEMS to be the name proposals are based accordingly. of the game these days; at the time of The Heathrow consultation is a going to press there are two affecting much more controversial and political Wimbledon – the Local Government concern. The final date for submissions Boundary Commission consulting on is 13 September. At the time of writing Ward Boundaries and the Heathrow we are still evaluating and making Airport Authority consulting on the decisions on how the Wimbledon development of Heathrow. Society should respond. We expect to Response to the first was due on 13 hold a public meeting on 6 September August and our Planning & Environment (after the holiday period but nearly a Committee submitted a detailed week before the end of the consultation proposal showing how ‘Re-warding’ period) at which members and others could be achieved in accordance with will have a chance to express their views. the Commissions’ criteria. Briefly, the Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond requirement is that the new Wards and representatives from Heathrow will The Old Fire Station on fire should be roughly equal in number of attend the meeting, in the main hall The Old Fire Station in the Village caught electors but also take into account local of Ricards Lodge School, Lake Road, fire after a lightning strike at about 6.30pm situations and areas of activity/interest. London SW19 7HB from 6.30 to 8pm. on 25 July. The roof and bell tower of the For Merton the Commission has – for We will of course keep members 1890 listed building survived but the lower future elections – reduced the number updated. levels suffered quite serious damage. of councillors from 60 to 57 and our JOHN MAYS Photo courtesy of Richard Holden.

Gareth’s Stained Glass A text-book for students and workers For a short video of (continued from p1) in Glass (1905) was a revelation. Gareth’s work see: skills. A talk by Peter Cormack Gareth sought out stained glass www.garethharmer.co.uk to the William Morris Society designer Simone Kay, who has He will exhibit at the Merton proved inspirational, introducing a studio/shop in Kingston-upon- Arts Festival on both 21-22 Gareth to the work and writings of Thames and joined her Adult and 28-29 September. , who once owned Education Classes to learn the a studio workshop in techniques of making both Note: For Wimbledon’s Stained Glass and whose book Stained Glass Work – medieval and modern stained glass. tradition see Local History Notes page 5.

3 n LOCAL HISTORY n

is a continuation of Sunnyside (via suggesting some sort of water The Slips – Sunnyside Passage, Malcolm Road, supply system of which we have Alt Grove, and over the railway), no other record. In other places, footpaths in crossing Dundonald Road and a conduit field was a place where continuing to Merton parish church. there was a spring or well feeding Wimbledon In the 18th century the paths a conduit. There were proposals crossed Conduit Fields and included for an aqueduct later, in the 1820s CHARLES TOASE uncovers an eclectic Upper and Lower Conduit Steps. and 1840s, but these 18th century mix of footpaths, Victorian social Conduit Fields are mentioned in references remain a mystery. welfare and early Methodists. the deeds of Wimbledon House in 1717 and again in 1780. According ACCORDING TO Merton Council, to Richard Milward, the lower one Beggars in Victorian there are some 40 footpaths and was near where Edge Hill meets Wimbledon rights of way in Wimbledon. The Worple Road. The name is puzzling, more ancient ones, known as The PROPOSED CHANGES to the Slips, originally went from the Vagrancy Act of 1864, designed to Common down the hill to Merton; prevent begging, make this subject Sheep Walk was one of those now topical. lost, but Wright’s Alley still exists. In Victorian times begging was The other two ancient ones now rife in Wimbledon, and in 1869 a begin at the Ridgway, one starting as Society for Suppressing Mendicity Oldfield Road (opposite the Museum) was launched; one of its objects was and going down the hill at a slanting ‘to detect and punish idle vagrants angle to Worple Road, then crossing and impostors’, while helping the railway and going (via Merton genuine cases of distress. In 1870 Hall Road) to Merton Rush by the it distributed bread free to beggars

Nelson Health Centre. The other © Nigel Davies in the hope that this would stop them begging for money. They were allowed to eat as much bread as they liked provided they did it on the spot. Hundreds of beggars converged on Wimbledon, and the scheme had to be abandoned.

Hundreds of beggars converged on Wimbledon, and the scheme had to be abandoned.

Later the Society got a bad name for concentrating on suppression rather than relief. In 1879 Jesse Reeves, the Society’s inspector, told a magistrate that he had instructions to prosecute Italians who played organs and accordions; he was told that this was a matter for the police. (Reeves doesn’t seem to have

© John Wallace/Richard Milward Wallace/Richard © John suffered from being castigated in Extract of the map ‘Rights of Way & the Railway’ by John Wallace from this way – the following year he Richard Milward’s book Historic Wimbledon, showing ‘The Slips’ (above); became Head Common Keeper, a photo of the footpath from Thornton Hill to Dundonald Road (top) post he held for 27 years.)

4 n LOCAL HISTORY n

In 1899 the editor of the The Primitive build a large church in Quicks Wimbledon News wrote ‘It would Methodists Road with 350 seats, plus a Sunday be difficult to find a Society which school and classroom. Like many has attained to a more merited IN 1810 a group of Methodists congregations, they had to borrow unpopularity’. However, in many seceded from the main body of their the money, but the debt was finally cases beggars were sentenced to church, to get back to the original paid off 30 years later in 1926, when hard labour. Mrs Emily Townshend Wesleyan practices. They used the the last £4,000 was cleared. (mentioned on p1 in connection word ‘primitive’ to indicate that In 1932 the various branches with the William Morris windows) they were going back to the early of Methodism were united, and was a donor to the Society (in state. In Wimbledon the Quicks Road 1870 she gave 2s.6d.), but in 1911 they are first church was closed she wrote a pamphlet called The mentioned in the and sold. It is now case against the Charity Organisation 1830s, but didn’t an office building Society. The Wimbledon branch really get going called The Old merged with the Wimbledon until they built Church (left), with Guild of Help (formed in 1907) an iron church in a very modern and the Council of Social Welfare Herbert Road in development (founded in 1913); in 1918 they 1870. By 1897 they inside in contrast became the Wimbledon Guild of were flourishing, to the Victorian

Social Welfare. and were able to © Nigel Davies exterior.

n NOTES FROM AROUND THE TABLE n Father Sinnott retraced their steps ahead dignity and came to a at the Morris Works until JEREMY HUDSON amused of me sullenly and obviously halt at the feet of a small its closure in 1940, there the Group with a store most unwillingly, and near boy, who politely raised have been some notable of anecdotes from the the top of the hill I met them his cap and cheerily said: designers who lived here. renowned prize-giving a second time – walking. As ‘Good morning, Father’ and The best known was Keith speeches of Fr John they approached I saw that passed on up the hill!” New who lived at 6 Murray Sinnott SJ, headmaster of they were both labouring Road. His glass designs Wimbledon College, 1937-50. under some powerful These stories are taken from can be seen in Coventry Below are two relating to emotion, the nature of A History of Wimbledon Cathedral and locally in St the daily commute up and which revealed itself as I College by Anthony Poole Mark’s Church in Wimbledon down Edge Hill. passed, because they both (pub. 1992) and the second where the 32 windows burst out indignantly with: was verified as true by with their Creation theme On the advantages of ‘And we don’t even go to an Old Boy of the College glow with New’s brilliant uniform caps: your school!’” working at the Vatican, who colours. Earlier there was “I was coming up Edge Hill And on the good remarked that he was the who lived one evening last year when manners of College boy in question! at Stamford House on the the light was beginning to boys: Common. Born in 1872 he fail, and encountered two “I was proceeding down was killed at Gallipoli in boys running full tilt down Edge Hill with all possible Stained Glass Artists 1915. Arnold’s designs can the hill. They were breaking care one freezing morning Sheila Dunman recalled be seen in St John’s Church, two rules – running down on which the entire hill the Society’s Artists & Spencer Hill where his the hill and not wearing was sheeted with ice, and Artistes Walk which covered windows are to the right of their caps. I decided that the suddenly there came a Wimbledon’s tradition in the pulpit. The church itself double breach was too bad moment when forces over stained glass designers. was designed by his uncle to let pass, so I sent them which I had no control got Leaving aside William Sir Thomas Jackson who back, telling them to return the upper hand. I travelled Morris, his Artistic Director restored and lived for many to the College gates and to the next 20 or so yards with Henry Dearle, along with years at Eagle House in the commence their homeward unprecedented rapidity in others who designed and Village, now converted into journey all over again. They a position of compromised produced stained glass luxury flats.

5 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n

nature and green space. In 1870, St Mary’s Church was the In order to help those who, for only burial ground in the parish of whatever reason, want to use part of Wimbledon. An expanding population their garden for parking, we have meant that burial space was rapidly produced a simple design guide, running out. A Burial Board was together with basic information on appointed in 1872 to find new space. when formal approvals are going to Options to extend onto land adjacent be needed from the Council. to the church were considered, Our suggestions include trying to including demolishing the Old Vestry. keep good shrubs and trees, and Ultimately, 20 acres were acquired providing strips of planting beside from the sale of the Cowdrey Farm

© Alamy windows and fences; planting Estate in 1874. Competitive tenders hedges along the front and side were invited to include the design of Front Garden boundaries – the latter being two chapels, entrance lodge, gates, etc. particularly good in concealing cars and architect Banister Fletcher (1833- Parking – Paving in the street view, and using a 99) was selected. The Cemetery was or Greenery? paving material that allows rain consecrated by the of London water to filter into the ground, in August 1876. THE PAVING-OVER of front gardens rather than run off at speed into the Today the two chapels, set back can cause flooding, overflowing of storm drains, causing local flooding. from the road, are the only surviving public drains, pollution of air and Not only the car, but the ubiquitous original buildings. They are delightful water, a loss of greenery, hotter ‘bins’ need to be catered for. miniature exercises in Early English streets. Also, the sight of front Above all, our message is “think gothic. Fashioned in Kentish ragstone ‘gardens’ that are largely hard- green”. with Bath stone details, including surfaced changes the whole nature If any of your neighbours are broach spires, pointed trifoliated and character of the street – usually thinking about front garden windows, and decorative gargoyles. for the worse. parking, why not let them have a It has come as a surprise to discover So the Society generally copy? that while the boundary fence is locally discourages front garden parking, as This guide is now available on the listed, the chapels and lodge are not planting is far more attractive, Society Website. protected in any way. The Wimbledon nature-friendly and ecologically/ Society has written to Merton’s climatically beneficial. conservation officer to request that However, as not all such paving Chapels in they be considered for local listing. work needs planning permission MATTHEW HILLIER (unless the Council brings in what is the fields – a known as an “Article 4 Directive” to glimpse into our control it) the often crude paving- Victorian past over of front gardens is going to continue, as is the loss of so much RECENT UNSYMPATHETIC UPVC alterations to the Entrance Lodge (after 1903) at Gap Road Cemetery, have prompted research and drawn attention to the vulnerability of the cemetery’s buildings. Today most funerals are followed by a cremation rather than a burial. Because of this, while many will know Gap Road Cemetery in passing, it might not be appreciated how Keeping hedges or a low wall along the significant a part it once played in the side boundaries helps improve the view lives, and deaths, of Wimbledon along the street residents. The West Chapel, built in 1876

6 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n

Greening more of the Neighbourhood Forum would also Borough have the right to allocate funds paid by MERTON IS ALREADY one of the developers through the Community greenest London Boroughs with its Infrastructure Levy. extensive commons and open spaces. The proposed boundary of the But a new Government initiative could Neighbourhood Forum includes the see our tree cover grow further. town centre and its immediate The Urban Tree Challenge Fund residential setting. has been established with a budget For more information, please see: of £10M and the aim of providing an www.wimbledontowncentre.com/ additional 20,000 large trees and wimbledon-town-neighbourhood- 110,000 small trees in urban areas forum. of England by 2022. There is more information at www.gov.uk/ guidance/urban-tree-challenge- Celebrate Car-Free Day fund. SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER will be World If you know of an area where Car Free Day. There will be 12 miles of more trees could be planted and are traffic-free roads around Tower Bridge, Wellington House interested in working on a bid for London Bridge and the City of London. IN 2017 THE PEC objected to the work funding with the Society, please Free entertainment is being organised being proposed at Wellington House contact the Editor. and will include: on the corner of Wimbledon Hill and You can also find details of – cycling opportunities like e-bike Mansel Road. The reasons we gave existing street trees and those in rides and spinning activities; were the proposed height and the public parks in London at treetalk. – exercise and fitness activities general massing. Now that the co.uk/map. The rarest trees, where including a BMX and skate ramp scaffolding has been removed it is fewer than 10 have been identified, and pop-up playgrounds; possible to see the almost finished are marked with a golden circle. – guided walking routes and treasure building and the result is a rather Would you have guessed, for hunts around the City of London pleasant surprise. instance, that the sole Asian Black and Southwark; The new building is brick which Birch in the capital can be found in – live entertainment for all ages matches the Bank Building, Library and Burstow Road, and that the only two including roaming performers; Foxtons offices across the road. The Siberian Pea-trees overlook the – children’s activities, arts and crafts very modern top floor is set back, tennis courts in ? marquees, a storytelling stage and a reducing the overall feeling of height themed school sports day. – though the Society would have been Merton Council is waiving street happier to see one less storey. The New planning status for closure fees to encourage street parties Committee particularly likes the green the town centre proposed to celebrate Car Free Day. glazed tiles around the windows on the A PUBLIC EVENT in June saw the ground floor which are a nod to the tiles launch of the proposed Wimbledon seen in many Victorian shop and house Town Neighbourhood Forum. porches in the area. The curved There are already two other bodies windows looking up the hill soften the set up to campaign for or protect the building’s profile, making it feel less town centre, so the question arises, aggressive and dominating. why is another needed? The answer It is important that new buildings on lies in statutory powers derived from Wimbledon Hill Road, a gateway to the Localism Act 2010. If the initiative is both the village and the town centre, successful it would enable the Forum are sympathetic to the area. The to set up its own planning policies – for design of the new Wellington Building instance, on the height of new shows that it is possible to build buildings – through a Neighbourhood modern offices that reflect the heritage Plan that would form part of Merton of the area without becoming a Council’s Development Plan. The pastiche of the past.

7 n LOCAL LANDMARKS n The Great Achievement of Richardson Evans

In September 2018 Historic England conferred Grade ll listed status on the WWI War Memorial. SIMON LEE, Chief Executive of Wimbledon & Putney Commons, explains how the Memorial area, with its popular community playing fields, came into being.

“A GRAVE PERIL threatens our Commons” remarked the Council of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Extension Fund in 1910 in a proposal to secure public open lands in both Kingston and Putney Vale.

Their intentions were to save the © Nigel Davies natural beauty of the Commons The WWI Memorial on Wimbledon Common, recently awarded Grade II listing from extensive residential building on the west bank of , secured, and in 1917 Richardson On one of the plinth tablets and to maintain public lands, in Evans set about acquiring the final Richardson Evans’ words are perpetuity, between Wimbledon portion. However, it was not until inscribed: Common and . They 1921 that the Executive Committee ‘Nature provides the best monument. added that these lands … of the Wandsworth & Wimbledon The perfecting of the work must be left “…belong in fact to the Fitz George Memorial Garden offered to secure to the gentle hand of time but each Estates… A large part of the area is now to this last tranche, incorporating a returning spring will bring a fresh be let for building, and if a great effort be dedicated Memorial to the Great War. tribute to those whom it is desired to not made to avert the danger, … The pure The Memorial, some two keep in everlasting remembrance.’ air, which now sweeps through or over the hectares in area, is one of London’s The Wimbledon Boro’ News Vale and the vapours which give glory to largest WWI memorials. The reported the occasion, entitled our sunsets, will be smoke-laden” magnificent granite Latin Cross is “Mr Richardson Evans’ Great Spearheading the proposal was set in an octagonal base with a Achievement”: Mr Richardson Evans, Honorary moulded plinth and inscribed ‘A scorching sun beat down when Secretary of the General Fund (and tablets, one of which records the the long-delayed dedication of the principal founder of the John Evelyn dedication of the area, on 15 July memorial garden at Kingston Vale Club). His scheme sought to acquire 1925, to local residents who died in took place… the ceremony marking the through public appeal a further 172 WWI. It was commissioned by the end of a series of efforts extending over acres of land in four separate Conservators and designed, many years to preserve a beautiful tranches, at a total cost of £52,771. unusually for the time, by a woman open space for posterity’ The average price per acre was £306. – Madeline Agar of the The Conservators congratulated In August 1908, Richardson Metropolitan Gardens Association. Mr Richardson Evans on the Evans and six others, concerned Fifty oak trees donated by the St completion of his great work and about the need to protect the Andrews Society were planted in assured him that they willingly Commons, and with the support of concentric rings around the central and gratefully undertook the care the Conservators, had acquired a space, all surrounded by a mixed and preservation of the same, first tranche of land – “The Thirteen naturalised hedge. Joining Miss including the Memorial Grove Acre Piece” – on the west of Agar in the overseeing of planting and its monument, and they Beverley Brook. works was Brenda Colvin, one of confidently believed their By the outbreak of WWI all but 42 Britain’s most distinguished successors would equally accept acres of the remaining land had been landscape architects. that trust.

8 n THE MUSEUM n Love and Loss in 1915 – Harry and Beattie’s story

LAST MAY THE MUSEUM received a The letter, written just a few September until 13 October 1915, poignant collection of WWI items months before he was killed, but Harry died on the very first day treasured by Beatrice (Beattie) Amy mentions photographs and flowers: when the 6th London suffered Fittall until her death in 1972. A ‘Sorry, I must leave off now for they almost 300 casualties. four-page love letter written to her can’t let us alone – got to go digging, I Born on 11 March 1897 to Kate from France on Sunday 11 July 1915 on a Sunday too! … I have just picked a and William John Channon, a by local teenager Harry Channon few wild flowers from the trenches. Hope gardener, he lived at 118 Gladstone was accompanied by a small leather they will keep alright, straight from the Road, Wimbledon and was baptized wallet and two sachets of pressed firing line.’ at Holy Trinity Church. Harry is flowers. The wallet contained a Harry writes of days spent with listed on the war memorial in St photograph of Beattie, two of ‘Reg’ in ‘one of the finest dug-outs Andrew’s Church, Wimbledon. Harry with his fellow soldiers and in the line’. He describes losing a Beattie, born the year before, was a some local newspaper cuttings great deal of his nerve after being shop assistant. She eventually about his death. wounded, the deaths and married, also at St Andrew’s Church. wounding of comrades, his We are most grateful to Mrs concerns for Beattie and his hopes Pauline Husband, who gave us this for their future together. collection, and to Mrs Dorothy Harry Channon, a rifleman in Halfhide for arranging the gift and the 6th (City of London) Battalion for providing information about (Rifles), died in the Battle of Loos, Beattie and her family. Charles France, the largest offensive at that Lamont kindly allowed the Museum point in WWI. He is buried in the to use photographs of the war

© Museum of Wimbledon © Museum of Maroc British Cemetery at Grenay memorial in St Andrew’s Church. Wild flowers from the Front in France. The battle lasted from 25 PAMELA GREENWOOD

Art Exhibition at the Museum this Autumn

70 YEARS AGO the Museum had an Art pioneering lady scientists. We can tell Exhibition illustrating the ‘The History you about their hats, and show you of Wimbledon’. This year we will have where they had their hair done. We another. The Museum’s Exhibition for have portraits of Thomas Hughes, who Autumn 2019 is ‘Hidden Treasures: Lives wrote Tom Brown’s Schooldays, and of and Art’. It will showcase some of the Wimbledon’s own King of The Road, loveliest pictures in the Museum’s very ‘George’ (and ‘his Dog’). Visitors can extensive art collection, all associated in trace iconic buildings like St Mary’s some way with Wimbledon. We will tell Church, or lovely Commons landscapes, stories of the artists who created them, through the centuries, seeing how they and of the people and places depicted have been depicted as the years roll by. in them. There will be a ‘mini trail’ in the Spencer © Gwen Our crack team of researchers has Museum, highlighting objects ‘The Pound, Wimbledon Common’ discovered the identity of the artist who associated with the pictures and artists. by Gwen Spencer painted a mystery picture found We are also producing a beautiful map, undocumented in the collection. Visit showing the location of the buildings, Rectory, writing about the adventures the Exhibition and find out more. places and landscapes featured in the of her beloved dog, Wag, the Sealyham. An Exhibition for art lovers, Exhibition. More than half our artists are women, local historians and anybody who The Artists range from a Belgian the youngest only 14 when she painted likes to see a mystery solved … anarchist and First World War refugee, the pictures on display. We have stories Opening 7 October in the to a fine lady of leisure, living in the Old about suffragettes, suffragists, and Norman Plastow Gallery.

9 n OBITUARIES n

ELLA, LADY PERRING CHRISTOPHER ROBIN 20 July 1940 – 19 February 2019 ELLIOTT 14 April 1929 – 16 April 2019 A LARGE CONGREGATION attended the Service of Thanksgiving & CHRISTOPHER WAS looking forward Celebration for the life of Ella, Lady to celebrating his 90th birthday Perring held at St Mary’s Parish with family and friends but fell ill Church, Wimbledon on 1st May. just a few days before the event. This Apple blossom, roses, and early was particularly sad, since this summer flowers decorated altar, charming gentleman and long- pulpit, and pews, in special tribute standing Society member would to Ella, a trained floral designer, have enjoyed his party immensely. who for some years had organised Born in Beccles, Suffolk, where the flowers for St Mary’s. his family had a substantial Ella was brought up in Sussex, engineering factory, Christopher’s daughter of Major Anthony George early teenage years were marked by Pelham. Her mother, Ann Margaret WWII and doubtless the captivity of Bergengren was from a Swedish Book one year, by ‘encouraging’ a his elder brother, who died as a family of leading textile reluctant entrant into tying 36 POW in Borneo, had a lasting effect manufacturers. Perhaps something pixie hats on her irises to prevent on him. He developed a passion for of that heritage influenced Ella’s premature blooming ahead of aircraft and was enthralled by the air of calm neutrality and charm Open Day. airfields surrounding him and the that made her such a consummate Ella’s talent as a floral artist was airmen, both American and British, diplomat throughout her life. The well recognised and she was invited who carried out their missions service tributes all made mention to take the livery of the Gardeners from them. Christopher collected of this special gift and we were Company. At the end of her year in aircraft parts as others collected told, that despite legendary office she was asked to take on the stamps – all the better if finds were disputes amongst flower arrangers Gardeners’ responsibility for the foreign i.e. German, which he elsewhere, no threat to parish flowers in St Paul’s Cathedral, the documented with zeal. It was a harmony was ever possible at St highlight being the magnificent hobby which in later life earned Mary’s with Ella in charge. Queen’s Golden Jubilee Service him the nickname ‘Steptoe’ from Members may remember Ella which was seen around the world. his family and dumbfounded from her days as a kindergarten Ella and John Perring enjoyed 57 visitors alarmed to discover the odd teacher at the Rowans School years of happy life with their family shell casing or aircraft propeller on where she was known for taking on of two boys and two girls. Amongst his landing in South Park Road. ‘tricky pupils’; or as Chairman of his many City roles, Sir John was At eighteen he joined the Grimsby Lee House, where she saw the Master of Merchant Taylors’ News as a cub reporter before independent care home through a Company for four years with Ella, a moving to the local Sudbury paper. difficult period of change of natural hostess, in support. The Later he worked for the aviation ownership and transition, finding Perrings joined Sir Nicholas and magazine Air Clues and other an amicable solution for the Lady Jackson for the opening of our publications such as the magazines residents. She also served as Museum’s centenary exhibition in of the RNLI and the British Legion. Chairman of the Wimbledon 2016. It was on that occasion that Appropriately, he edited a collectors’ Committee of the Children’s Ella announced simply that she had magazine Everything has Value. Society for four years. dementia. As one church tribute Christopher published two Ella was a founder member of said of her “No one managed that books: Aeronauts and Aviators and a WIDFAS and of the Wimbledon condition with more grace, miscellany of his articles mainly on Garden Club. The Perring’s garden, humour and style.” The Society the local history, social life and in Somerset Road, was part of the extends sympathy to Sir John and customs of Suffolk, called Little National Garden Scheme and Ella his family for the loss of their Chapters in the Making. His special ensured Wimbledon’s successful bright star. interest was always the Royal Air inclusion in the famous Yellow MONICA ELLISON Force, Fighter Command, and

10 n CANNIZARO PARK n Cannizaro Park – the challenges ahead

Wimbledon Society Member committee member who faithfully CATHERINE NELSON visits one of opens the Park each morning. local residents’ favourite spots, But as Cannizaro Park celebrates and finds that community help is its 70th birthday, it faces a number seriously needed. of challenges. Ten areas of the Park require significant investment, to AS MOST SOCIETY MEMBERS repair and restore their fabric and know, Cannizaro Park is one of horticultural quality. One such is Wimbledon’s delightful surprises. the Italian Garden, originally a Hidden behind an unassuming kitchen garden but now a rather entrance on the Westside of the empty space with few significant Common, the former grounds of trees, intermittent plants and no Aerial Operations, his enthusiasm the Duke of Cannizzaro (the coherent design. A full restoration for which was partly responsible for spelling was later altered) are an would see new planted beds and the plaque on Wimbledon exotic contrast to the wild habitats the renewal of pathways in this Common commemorating the of the Common itself. Among its 34 popular picnic and arts area. This WWI Airfield that operated near acres is an extensive collection of could cost £10,000-£40,000, the Windmill in 1915/16. Members specimen trees, planted in the past depending on scale; expensive, but enjoyed his account of those early two centuries, alongside notable with potential to create a days – written on his notorious wooded areas of rhododendron and wonderful space for community typewriter – which appeared in our camellia established in the early activities and leisure. newsletter in September 2018. 20th century. Another area of focus is the Christopher was a devoted In recent years Park upkeep has Aviary, with its eye-catching design family man and he and his wife become more challenging. Since modelled on Turin Cathedral. The Elizabeth Rue Gregor came to live 1949, the Park has been owned by FoCP has funded emergency in Wimbledon in the early 1960s. Merton Council, and necessarily repairs to the wooden structure, The Society thanks the family for hard choices have pared back but further works are needed to sharing their tributes with us. maintenance. Out of this situation support breeding conditions and Like his fictional namesake, has grown the Friends of Cannizaro facilitate care of the birds. ‘Christopher Robin’ Elliott will Park (FoCP). A registered charity, In order to continue this work for surely remain in our memory ever FoCP organises improvements to our community, the FoCP would young, curious and alert to the the Park and liaises with the welcome support. It costs £15 p.a. to possibility of ‘noticing something Council on maintenance. join, providing support for core interesting’. Volunteers tackle Park projects projects and boosting the Charity’s MONICA ELLISON under skilled supervision. Recent presence. Business and personal jobs have included clearing and sponsorship for individual projects Correction: Our tribute to Jack Zunz replanting azaleas near the pond will be key to sustaining the Park in the June newsletter contained and an initiative highlighting the for the future. Finally, volunteer an error and three members of the variety and ecological value of help is very important, whether in Society contacted us to let us know Cannizaro’s trees, while the website the Park or in administration. that it was not Jack’s wife but his has been expanded with details of daughter, Marion, who died in the the Park’s wildlife. Free park walks To become a member or to discuss skiing accident we mentioned. We are led by Chris Mountford, FoCP’s collaboration, please contact the thank those members who alerted us chair and experienced FoCP at [email protected] to this mistake, enabling us to contact horticulturalist, and there are talks – or visit the Park on Sunday 22 the Zunz family to apologise for any and events through the year. Few September, for a 70th birthday upset our tribute may have caused. people realise that it is a Friends’ celebration day.

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

Greenwatch SUSANNA RIVIERE advises on several local sources of sustainable and organic food. Local Sustainable Food Food production is responsible for up to a third of Greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent blog post from the World Resources Institute. Of this up to 63% is related to meat consumption. Most of us know that we can reduce the food element of our carbon footprint by eating locally grown seasonal food, organic where possible, cutting down on meat and dairy products and reducing waste. Fortunately, there are a number of local outlets and local food growing initiatives to help us do just that: Farmers’ Markets – Wimbledon Park Farmers’ Market has been running for nearly 20 years. It has a wide range of stalls and is open every Saturday from 9.00am to 1.00pm. See www.lfm.org.uk for details of this and other Markets in London. The more recently established market in Wimbledon Village at 35 High Street is open on Sundays from 10.00am to 2.00pm www.intownmarkets.co.uk Zero Waste shop – Wimbledon’s first zero waste shop – opened in Merton Abbey Mills last year. It has a wide range of dried food products including rice, flour, herbs, teas and spices as well as oils, cleaning products and much more all completely free of packaging and attractively presented. www.thezeroshop.com Surveyors, Valuers & Estate Agents Oddbox is reducing food waste by collecting fresh but slightly misshapen produce, from local farms (often rejected by supermarkets) and delivering “Wonky Veg” to homes and offices in the London area. www.oddbox.co.uk Wimbledon Guild Community Garden started a few years ago using no-dig methods to produce organic produce for the Guild’s Home Food Café. It is run by volunteers and open to the public. www.wimbledonguild.co.uk/ community-garden Sustainable Merton is involved in a number of At the heart of the community Community growing projects, We are pleased to support the Wimbledon Society the flagship being the Phipps Bridge Community Garden set up in 2008 with the National Trust and other local groups. Sales 020 8947 9833 I Lettings 020 8879 9669 www.sustainablemerton.org/ www.robertholmes.co.uk community-gardening © 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; Affiliated: £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 Lingfield 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 Office 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