The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016 Society AGM Planning matters Local History Toynbee Hall p8 Environment p10 Excursions & pages 2-3 pages 4-5 pages 6-7 Robert Graves p9 BookFest p11 Notices page 12

building was fairly modest, and sails to the windshaft so that a the museum exhibits were similar incident cannot occur again. unscathed. But most importantly An application was prepared and ready to no one was hurt. submitted to the Heritage Lottery The specialist millwrights Foundation (HLF), bringing a grant sail again cleared away the fallen sail almost of £100,000 to cover the work on immediately and returned to the sails and their stocks, along ANDREW SIMON reports on the remove the three other sails very with other work already planned exciting renovation of Wimbledon soon after. They discovered that to eliminate water penetration Common’s famous landmark the stock of the fallen sail had at the cap and in the tower of deteriorated and fractured at one the windmill. The total cost will THE WINDMILL will be 200 years of its securing bolts, a problem that be about £138,000 and various old in 2017. Last year on Sunday had not been visible at the latest other donations, all of them most 2 August one of the four sails broke expert inspection two months gratefully received, have made up from its stock, and fell into the roof previously. The museum was able the balance. of the museum. to resume its normal opening Fabrication of the new stocks This happened in the early schedule after a few weeks. and repair of the sails has been evening when, very fortunately, no Since last August, a new system handled off site at the millwrights’ one was around. The damage to the has been devised for attaching the workshop in (continued on p3)

Magnif cent men and their mowing machines Jordan Horrocks (left) and Dan Price from the AELTC groundstaf showing of their handiwork at the War Memorial Gardens in Wimbledon Village. Jordan and Dan assisted Grant Cantin, the AELTC’s deputy head groundsman who took this photo. As reported in the March Newsletter, the ‘One Man Went to Mow’ team have much-needed, and very gratefully received, expert help from Grant and his team to transform the Gardens.

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 2016 President Norman Plastow THE SOCIETY held its 112th Annual General Meeting at the Lower Hall, Sacred Heart Church, Chairman John Mays Edge Hill, on 14 May 2016. There were two AGMs; the fi rst for the ‘old’ Society and the second for the ‘new’ Company Limited by Guarantee. Hon Secretary Sue Lang The President Norman Plastow opened the proceedings, which were attended by some 90 members and guests. Deputy Mayor Pauline Cowper and her consort, and Leader of the Council Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge Stephen Alambritis were among the guests.

AGM REPORT FOR THE ‘OLD’ SOCIETY Planning Committee Secretary Introducing his report for the ‘old’ Society, David Merritt Chairman Asif Malik welcomed guests and [email protected] members, and thanked all volunteers. He Museum Chairman Cassandra Taylor described coming promotional events, at which all members would be welcome. The Chairman reported the sad death of Janet Koss, a museum expert and member of the Executive Committee. Local History Chairman Charles Toase The Chairman stated that, following approval given by the 2015 AGM, incorporated and charity status as a company limited by guarantee was Membership Secretary achieved on the planned date of 1 January 2016. Jennifer Newman The ‘old’ Society would continue to exist for the time being to ease the transition to the new form of governance. The Chairman thanked the group, Activities/Newsletter Distribution co-ordinated by Iain Simpson, which had ensured Linda Defriez that all necessary procedures were followed. Treasurer Corinna Edge presented the 2015 Accountants and Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the ‘old’ Society, reporting the Website Asif Malik healthy state of Society fi nances. She noted that all assets of the Society had been transferred to the new company. Wimbledon Society Newsletter The President advised members that Chairman Editorial team Asif Malik was to stand down, after four years in John Stern this position. The Board had agreed that John Nigel Davies Monica Ellison, Asif Malik, John Mays, Iain Simpson Letters to the editor Write to John Stern c/o The Museum of Wimbledon, 22 Ridgway, SW19 4QN Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Asif Malik (centre) with his commemorative certif cate

www.facebook.com/TheWimbledonSociety @wimsoc presented to him by new chairman John Mays (right)

2 AGM/WINDMILL

Mays, current chairman of the Planning Committee, should replace him for the coming year. Norman Plastow was re-elected President and Pat Keith, Charles Toase and Tony Michael re-elected as Vice-Presidents. John Mays was elected as Chairman, Corinna Edge re-elected as Treasurer and Sue Lang as Honorary Secretary. Elected to the Board were Marsha Beresford, Linda Defriez, Monica Ellison, Asif Malik, Jennifer Newman, Andrew Simon,

Iain Simpson and Cassandra Taylor. and Nigel Angela Evans by Davies Photos Former glory: the windmill before one of the sails broke of (above left) and now AGM REPORT FOR THE WIMBLEDON SOCIETY Wimbledon windmill (from p1) annually until 1889, with a tented (Company Limited by Guarantee) city of organisers, restaurants, and Asif Malik handed over the Reading, and they will soon be accommodation for contestants Chairmanship to John Mays. ready for installation. around the windmill. John then invited the meeting Timing of the repairs has been The last of the millers had to approve the appointment of planned for the summer months. removed most of their equipment Norman Plastow as President and The scaffolding is expected to be when leaving in 1864. From about Tony Michael, Pat Keith and Charles erected around the end of May. 1870 the windmill was converted Toase as Vice-Presidents. Unless further disrepair or other into living accommodation for The following were elected to problems come to light while the six families. A major restoration the Board: Oliver Bennett, Marsha repairs are proceeding, the sails will in 1893 resulted in changes to the Beresford, Linda Defriez, Corinna be re-installed in September. cap and tower, and the central Edge, Monica Ellison, Pamela The museum will continue to supporting post was replaced with a Greenwood, Sue Lang, Asif Malik, open at weekends during that time. new internal structure. John Mays, Jennifer Newman, Readers who have never visited Further repairs were carried Andrew Simon, Iain Simpson and the Windmill Museum are urged out in 1975, when the first floor Cassandra Taylor. to come and see Norman Plastow’s was converted into a museum. John Mays then commended the superb series of models showing the The ground floor was by then used work of the Society’s volunteers and development of . Other as living accommodation for the officers. In particular he emphasised exhibits explain various aspects of Commons Rangers; that continued the tremendous value of Asif Malik’s milling and there is a fine collection until the early 1990s. contribution over the last four years of wood working tools. A further In 1999 a Millennium Grant as Chairman and presented him small display deals with aspects of from the HLF enabled the sails to with a commemorative certificate. the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. be restored to working order. At The audience applauded warmly. Originally constructed in 1817, the same time the museum was Members commented on the it was a working mill for 47 years. extended to take in the ground Society’s work before the address by It ceased working in 1864 when floor, taking the form it retains the guest speaker Simon Lee, Chief the 5th Earl Spencer bought in to this day. Executive of the Wimbledon and the lease as part of his plan to After this year’s work, plans are Putney Commons Conservators. enclose and already under way to celebrate Simon described the history of the build on it. Earl Spencer was also the bi-centenary of the windmill Commons, their ecology, habitat a leading committee member of in 2017. These will include some maintenance, the work of the the National Rifle Association. The refurbishment of the flat roof, Ranger’s Office, as well as challenges NRA’s championships had by then improvements to the exhibits both and future plans. been taking place on the common out of doors and inside the windmill, SUE LANG, Honorary Secretary for several years and they continued and a series of special events.

3 PLANNING MATTERS Crossrail 2: the next steps NEWS UPDATE Planning TONY MICHAEL outlines the Planning rational discussion about alternative Committee Committee’s report to CR2 designs, we need to be sure that all the issues are understood, and able Chairperson THE MARCH edition of the to be compared. John Mays, who has been Newsletter set out the Society’s Four points we feel stand out. the Planning Committee’s views on the then current plans Firstly, the CR2 team should table Chairman for the past fve for Crossrail 2 (CR2). Since then we at least three different options, so years, relinquished the role in have had a clear indication that that the public can have a choice: a May. Unfortunately, despite an this project has very significant “take it or leave it” approach as in active advertising campaign Government backing. the initial consultation should not no suitable successor has A new London Mayor has also be accepted. emerged and the Planning been elected, and the Society’s Secondly, each of these options Committee therefore has Planning Committee feels that we should be accompanied by an decided to have a rolling now have the opportunity to take evaluation, setting out how it quarterly Chairmanship. a more positive and proactive role, compares against the others. These Wojtek Katny, Chris and play a part in steering this comparisons should not be solely Goodair, Pat Keith and Iain project in a more helpful direction. financial, but include for example, Simpson have agreed to We have recently met with the amount of property demolition share the role and will divide the Crossrail Team and discussed required, disruption of the economy it as follows: “where we go from here”. Their and environment of both the Iain Simpson – June 2016 current thinking is that the basic town centre and . The Wojtek Katny – July, August, design and layout work needs to be suggested range of “performance September 2016 done before the Parliamentary Bill criteria” is set out in our report. Chris Goodair – October, process, starting in 2018 -19, and Thirdly, as the tunnel portal has November, December 2016 aiming for Royal assent in 2021-22. to be the location for very large and Pat Keith – January, Construction on (and under) the disruptive construction sites, its February, March 2017 ground will then start and continue positioning is highly critical. The up to an opening in about 2032. It previously suggested location at Gap Iain Simpson – April, May, is clear that all the discussion on Road meant that these sites required June 2017 how the scheme is to be designed, the acquisition and demolition of David Merritt, the Secretary and where the new lines etc are valuable sites in the town centre, of the Planning Committee going to go, needs to be effectively which was seen as highly damaging, will provide continuity during finalised in the next 18 months or and unacceptable. this period and undertake so. After this, very little change can Our suggested options are based some of the communication be achieved. on locating the tunnel portal close responsibilities. He is to be We passed to them our new report, to the A3, minimising disturbance designated as the recipient setting out some alternative design to the town and the local roads. for certain emails and other options for the CR2 team to work Lastly, one should look at running correspondence. on. We also said that if there is to be the new CR2 lines at the same level The Planning Committee as the present tracks, being more hopes that a permanent convenient to passengers. Chairman can be found in the The existing fast lines (which coming year in which case have either zero or minimal need the arrangements above will for passenger platforms) could then lapse. The Board is grateful to run in tunnels beneath the present all concerned for their help tracks and stations, minimising the and co-operation. need for additional land at the sides. Details of our suggested approach JOHN MAYS are shown on the Society website.

4 PLANNING MATTERS

An interesting challenge for the new Mayor of London IAIN SIMPSON explains the state venues in London, and involve was a miserly 9.6%. The stated policy of play in proposals for a significant amount of Council is to aim for 40% of housing, including affordable affordable housing. How did that SOME OF YOU will already know housing, and; happen? that application for redevelopment b) There are sound planning reasons Recently we were informed that of the Greyhound Stadium was for my intervention, because of Paschal Taggart, who represents passed by Merton in December the scale and nature of public serious greyhound racing interests last year and was subsequently representations received, which raise and has long expressed the wish to referred to the GLA, given its size valid strategic planning matters build the ‘Royal Ascot’ of greyhound and importance. The GLA planners regarding transport, housing, sports racing at Plough lane, will be shortly recommended the application and cultural provision, including submitting a planning application to for approval but the Mayor, Boris significant issues of controversy that Merton Council, which, notably, will Johnson, ‘called in’ the application, require full consideration in a public feature a 40% affordable housing which means that the Mayor hearing. Whilst this development content. These plans will be based becomes the planning authority proposes more than 150 dwellings and largely on those he put forward for to make the final decision. As it policy test 7(1) (b) does not therefore the Planning Inspectors hearing in happens the decision will now apply, it also is noted that the January 2014. be made by the new Mayor Sadiq application would have a significant Clearly this latest intervention Khan, probably sometime later this effect on one or more borough and of Taggart is aimed at highlighting year. The main reasons for it being raises strategic matters relating to the poor affordable housing called in are extracted from the transport and impact on services. allocation offered by AFC/Galliard GLA letter dated 21 March 2016: and offering an alternative which The newly elected London Mayor, might well appeal to the new Mayor, a) The development would have Sadiq Khan, made ‘affordable given his key election promise to a significant impact on the housing’ a key platform of his build substantially more affordable implementation of the London Plan campaign to be elected Mayor. housing. It also reflects his because the nature of the proposals The affordable housing content of continuing passion to continue the raise important considerations as to the application from AFC/Galliard great tradition of greyhound racing the future of cultural and sporting homes, passed by Merton Council, at Plough lane.

Planning Applications in the Wimbledon Area

The Society’s Planning Committee balconies looking out on to the High the development forward and raising reviews all planning applications made Street and access to the site.The the height from three stories to four. to Merton Council. Here are some recent Committee also requested a clause Awaiting outcome. cases which we have asked Merton to stating that no future permission re-think should be granted to remove the 157 Arthur Road neighbouring retail unit’s partition We have been monitoring the 17 High Street wall. Removal of the partition wall conversion of the old butcher’s shop An application was made to demolish would lead to a much larger unit, for some time. The new owners of this the existing building and erect a new more suitable for chain retailers. The important Grade 2 listed building have one, to comprise a ground-foor retail application was refused permission. not adhered to previous conditions, unit with fve one-bedroom fats on specifcally the replacement of removed the upper foors. The Committee is 30 Grifths Road historic tiling, but the owners now wish concerned that the proposed new The proposal was to demolish the to install partitioning and redecorate building is over-sized and overbearing existing block of fats and replace throughout. The partitioning of the in nature in comparison to the ‘cottage’ with 23 residential units in three and space would dramatically alter the style terrace neighbours. The proposal four storey blocks. The proposals character of the listed ground foor. also included inappropriate Juliette altered the building line by bringing Awaiting outcome.

5 LOCAL HISTORY

Anyone for crinoline croquet?

CHARLES TOASE explains how it for experiments with cartridges one of the subscribers to Bartlett’s Wimbledon became the world and propellants, much to the history in 1865, and election agent centre for tennis. It all started annoyance of the neighbours. He for Henry Peek in 1869) offered with croquet ... was also one of the founders of the a lease on four acres of land in Battersea Dogs Home. Worple Road at £50 for the first IN 1868 the weekly magazine The For some time the Club was year, £75 for the second, and £100 Field published a letter proposing without a ground, but in September for the third. This was a lot of the formation of a national body to 1869 Albert Dixon, a solicitor who money, and the club would have control the game of croquet. Until lived in Thornton Hill (and was to spend more on getting the land then it had been primarily a social affair, played at country houses with the space for a croquet lawn, Game, set and and known by the more serious thatch: Croquet players as ‘crinoline croquet’. The in 1872 – thatched proposal for what was to be called roofs protected the All England Croquet Club was ladies from the encouraged by the editor of The sun (top); a ball Field, JH Walsh. Walsh was also boy chases down interested in shooting, and a couple a ball during a of years after the Club acquired tennis match in the ground at Wimbledon he used 1879 (left)

6 LOCAL HISTORY GROUP into shape, erecting a gardener’s cottage, a pavilion, and a ‘ladies A royal coat of arms on a garden wall room’, together with laying on a FOR SEVERAL years the Group has water supply. The ground did have had an unsolved query on its books. the advantage, though, of being On a garden wall at Gunsgreen, 8 The only 600 yards from the station, Drive, there is a large representation and had ‘a convenient side access’ of the royal coat of arms. We have – presumably meaning the railway researched the various occupants footpath. of the house over the years, and can Croquet flourished at fnd no one likely to have held these Wimbledon for some years, but arms. The only answer we can suggest a rise in the popularity of lawn is that they came from elsewhere, tennis led to a decline in the possibly ‘rescued’ when a building support for croquet. In 1875 lawn was demolished. There have been tennis was added at Worple Road, two similar examples of house name and in 1877 the first lawn tennis plaques found on demolition sites championships were played at being removed to other houses, thus Wimbledon, and the name of causing confusion to later occupants. the club was changed to the All We would also like to know the England Croquet and Lawn Tennis origin of the name Gunsgreen; there Robertson, a Victorian surgeon and Club. ‘Croquet’ was dropped from is a well-known house of this name specialist in the treatment of lunacy, the title in 1882 but restored in in Scotland, and the house’s frst was a Scot and may have had a family 1899, although in reverse order as owner, Charles Alexander Lockhart connection. the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It was also in 1899 that FH Ayres (a manufacturer of Eagle on Eagle House Halfhide the jewellers sports goods) marketed a croquet set (hoops, mallets, balls) under Eagle House is currently being HALFHIDE’S closed their shop in the name ‘Wimbledon’, showing converted into fats, so perhaps we December (although continuing the that at that time the town was still might look into the origin of its name. business online). It was one of the identified with croquet rather than In 1860 a school, Eagle House, in oldest established surviving local tennis. However, the new game Hammersmith moved to Wimbledon, shops, having been started by Walter soon took over, and the playing of bringing its name but not the two Sherborne at 22 High Street in 1870. croquet was abandoned at Worple eagles that had adorned the school in Sherborne took on Alfred Halfhide Road in 1904. Hammersmith.We don’t know when as a partner, and a second shop was Wimbledon became the host of (or whence) the Wimbledon one opened at 23 Wimbledon Hill Road the international championships, arrived; it is not visible on early pictures in 1880, with the new partner taking in much the same way that it had of the house. Robert Bell, the original over in 1890. The shop in the village been the world centre for rifle owner in 1613, had an eagle in his coat changed hands, but Halfhide’s became shooting in the previous century. of arms – but in those days houses did the leading jeweller down in the In a gesture toward its early not usually have names. Bell’s coat of town. It moved up the road to No.41 history, a croquet lawn was laid arms is on the ceiling of a frst-foor in 1984, and the company became down at the Church Road grounds room – presumably some new owner Halfhide & Brown in 1987 with Derek in 1957 and a club championship of a fat will have the beneft of it. Brown as managing director. The frm was re-introduced. In 1989 the has survived for nearly 120 years but All England Club gave a cup, the the family goes back much further Wimbledon Cup, to the Croquet in Wimbledon, having been calico Association; it is awarded to the printers at Merton Abbey in the 18th winner of the World Croquet century, and there is even a record of Association championship, so the Halfhide as a clock maker in 1814. name of our town is still associated internationally with both games. CHARLES TOASE

7 TOYNBEE HALL Philanthropy in action

CHRISTOPHER COOMBE, former chairman of Toynbee Hall, on Joseph Toynbee, who died 150 years ago

THE WIMBLEDON MUSEUM is a shining example of philanthropy in action, but did you know about the author of the proposal to set it up, and the philanthropy he and his family have continued to inspire? The recent exhibition show- cased a modest 1862 proposal for a Museum by ‘JT, Treasurer to the Society’. JT was Joseph Toynbee libraries in the East End and gave volunteers, many already full-time (1815-1866), a Lincolnshire farmer’s free lectures to working class workers in the City, Toynbee Hall son and pioneering aural surgeon audiences. On his early death his helps more than 13,000 people a with a country home on Parkside, colleagues established a project year, expected to rise to 20,000 now Parkside Hospital’s Oncology in his name and so Toynbee Hall, by 2020 as the advice and support department. Ironically, Joseph Commercial Street, E1 was built. programmes expand. died from self-inflicted laboratory Opened in 1884 by social Joseph Toynbee was a keen experimentation. His granddaughter reformers Samuel and Henrietta friend, patron and supporter of Jocelyn (1897-1985) and grandson Barnett, Toynbee Hall was the first the pre-Raphaelites. No doubt he Arnold (1889-1975) forged notable ‘Settlement’, where privileged would have approved of Toynbee academic careers in archaeology and graduates would live and work Hall’s 1884 Grade II listed building, history, and Arnold’s granddaughter while advising, supporting and strongly influenced by the Arts and Polly (1946-) is a well known political teaching those who suffered the Crafts movement and decorated activist and journalist. desperately poor conditions of the internally by CR Ashbee, an early Joseph was a visionary in the East End. Toynbee Hall started a resident. But just as his old house foundation of the Village Working Free Legal Advice Centre (1898), the on Parkside has been put to modern Men’s Club, whose members set Whitechapel Art Gallery (1901), the use, so Toynbee Hall is developing. up the drinking fountain on Workers’ Educational Association The advice centre is to have modern Wimbledon Hill in his memory, and (1903) and the Child Poverty Action offices, the tired sheltered housing in the campaign to save Wimbledon Group (1967), tangible outcomes to be renewed and the Hall itself Common for the people. His keen from the place where William refurbished to illustrate Toynbee interest in social welfare also Beveridge (1879-1963) and Clement Hall’s rich history and future inspired his second son Arnold (1852- Attlee (1883-1967) lived, worked and direction as a pioneer of social 1883), who attended Wimbledon developed ideas for a Welfare State. support and change. School, lived in Thornton Hill and At Toynbee Hall, current day The Wimbledon connection is buried alongside his father in St politicians launch major manifesto continues through support from Mary’s Church. commitments to continue the St Mark’s Church, the venue for Arnold enjoyed a very short battle with Beveridge’s ‘Five Giants’ talks by members of Toynbee Hall. career at Balliol College, Oxford of want, disease, squalor, ignorance Thanks go to David Ainsworth, as economist and historian, and and idleness, as these desperate Revd Clive Gardner and Sheila popularised the expression ‘the needs have not gone away: in Tower Dunman, among many. Industrial Revolution’. Part of the Hamlets half the population of 19th century movement for social children and older people live in To learn more please go to reform, he established public poverty. Through more than 400 www.toynbeehall.org.uk

8 ROBERT GRAVES July Anniversary – Battle of the Somme

A query from Darling magazine set very badly wounded and died on fragments, one piercing a lung. His MONICA ELLISON thinking about the way to the base I believe.” words of defiance served him well, Wimbledon’s plaques and those The date gazetted in The Times for proving to be both talisman and anniversaries and centenaries Robert Graves’ death was 24 July. It security blanket, for he was picked commemorated by them would have been his 21st birthday. up by stretcher-bearers and taken But Graves was not ‘done for’, as to a station where his wounds were THIS IS PROVING to be a year we well know from the blue wall dressed. There, in a corner, he was of notable anniversaries. There plaque on his former home on the left unconscious for more than 24 have been spectacular William corner of Lauriston Road. Colonel hours. Finally, on the morning of Shakespeare anniversary Crawshay later wrote: “Dear von 21 July while the dead were being celebrations throughout the Runicke, I cannot tell you how cleared Graves was found among country and currently neighbouring pleased I am you are alive. I was told them still breathing. He was put on Richmond and Hampton Court your number was up for certain and an ambulance for the nearest field are in the throes of events a letter was supposed to have come hospital. Later an orderly provided commemorating the life and work in from Field Ambulance saying you him with a pencil and paper of Capability Brown. First World had gone under … I shall drink your enabling him to write to his mother: War centenaries continue as the health tonight. Tibs” ‘I am wounded but all right’. commemoration of the historic Graves was wounded at the outset Robert Graves was never Battle of the Somme takes centre of the attack by his battalion of the completely all right. Nevertheless, field in the coming weeks, with its Royal Welch Fusiliers on the ridge that same year, he published his stories of gallantry and futility in called High Wood. The proximity first collection of war poems Over equal measure. of a French battery firing close the Brazier and went on to become On 22 July 1916, Lt Colonel C overhead and the fierce German the poet, classicist, mythographer Crawshay wrote to Mrs Arthur riposte, in which a third of the and historical novelist of I Claudius Perceval Graves: Welch were lost before the real fame that we recognise and “I very much regret to have to show started, prompted Robert to celebrate. In 1929 he published his write and tell you your son has died chant over and over words from classic account of the Battle of the of wounds. He (Robert von ranke Nietzsche which he remembered Somme in Goodbye to All That from Graves) was very gallant and was in French translation “Non, tu ne me which I have quoted (see pages 177- doing so well and is a great loss. peux pas tuer!” 187). In this anniversary year it is a “He was hit by a shell and was Robert was badly hit by shell work well worth revisiting.

Home front: the blue plaque above the

front door of No.1 Lauriston Road Spudgun67, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International by Photos

9 ENVIRONMENT A huge lawn!

In the footsteps of Capability Brown DAVE DAWSON fnds traces of the lawn and haha designed for the First Earl Spencer

IN 1764 EARL Spencer, one of the richest men in England commissioned Capability Brown to “improve” his newly enlarged park at Wimbledon. Little is recorded of the Earl’s use of the scattered clumps of trees, from the Then and now: the late 18th century lawn house, but forty years later, the house on the top of Vineyard Hill, and haha superimposed on a modern second Earl occupied his Manor south-east down to the woodland map base. The heavy print identifes the House in Wimbledon for only a around the perimeter of the park, 18th century features month or two each summer. an area bounded by three of today’s The improvement was a place roads: St Mary’s, Woodside and just east of Dora Road. The lawn where over 1,000 influential guests Kennilworth, totalling 85 acres. itself was not only a financial were treated to “breakfasts”, which Bounding The Lawn to the north extravagance but, without recourse were occasions for the nation’s was a half mile long haha. This to sheep or horses to graze the rulers and their women folk to be wall and ditch was designed to be grass short, its maintenance would seen and to discuss affairs of state, invisible from The Lawn, so giving have been expensive. Mowing business, intrigue, intelligence, the impression that The Lawn was machines weren’t invented until 70 fashion, sport and succession. The continuous with the pastures of years later so, if the lawn was to be Spencers also wanted a prestige the Great Park. Looking north, the free of animals, manual scything setting for their own leisure and nobles could enjoy a rural scene was required. This was costly, even that of their close friends. Who with shepherds and their flocks, in those days of cheap labour. but the fashionable rising star, without the animals and their As with most of Brown’s Lancelot Brown, should design the smell and dung compromising their design at Wimbledon, little of improvements to the park? pleasure. that extravagant lawn or haha In 1768, Thomas Richardson The western end of the haha was remains today. The playing fields surveyed the resulting new on Church Lane, by the present of Richard Lodge School preserve landscape. On his map we see two day Rectory Orchard at the top end a tiny remnant which, in places, innovations that replaced the of Golf Course. still has some herbs typical of acid previous fields, avenues and formal From there it snaked east across the grassland, if much depleted from landscape around the manor house. high slopes of the hill, passing just years of management for sports The house was surrounded by “The south of Vineyard Hill Wood, before use. It may be, also, that traces Lawn”, one of the few features descending to the park’s perimeter of the haha remain hidden in the named on all three late 18th wood. It crossed the lines of present suburban gardens that displaced century maps of the park. Even by day roads: Home Park, Arthur, it in the 20th century, some 150 today’s standards The Lawn was Leopold, Vineyard Hill and Dora. years after its construction by huge. It ran, unfenced and with It ended at the wooded perimeter Brown.

10 BOOKFEST

Celebrating Capability Spreading the words Brown’s 300th Anniversary and 9 October. Other confirmed The landscape architect Capability guests include comedy writer and Brown, who created Wimbledon novelist Andy Hamilton, explorer Park, was born 300 years ago Sir Ranulph Fiennes, poet laureate this August, and the Friends of Carol Ann Duffy, and broadcaster Wimbledon Park (FOWP) have Clare Balding, who will be talking organised a celebration to mark this about her first children’s book important milestone. alongside Michael Morpurgo. On Saturday 13 August there will BookFest’s children’s programme, be a walk round the 4km Heritage Trail, with talks on the park’s which Mundy describes as ecology and history along the way. “fantastic”, is an area that he wants A series of commemorative plaques JOHN STERN meets the new chair to build on and communicate will be unveiled and the event will of Wimbledon BookFest and hears even more widely. “We believe we conclude with refreshments at the his vision for the literary festival can embed ourselves much more Wimbledon Club. deeply within the community,” Local dignitaries and MPs are WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST celebrates says Mundy, “and inspire and taking part, and we hope that its tenth birthday this year with encourage ever more members of local people will also want to join a new chair who is determined to our community to try us out. We in – the walk and talks are free, and tickets for the refreshments will build on the event’s huge success have some of the biggest children’s be on sale for £5. More details will and spread its roots even further authors, stars of CBBC and the likes follow nearer the time on www. into the local community. of nature presenter Steve Backshall.” friendsofwimbledonpark.org.uk Toby Mundy (pictured above), BookFest’s work goes beyond the the founder and former chief ten days of autumn on Wimbledon Did you know? executive of Atlantic Books, runs Common. “Our educational Capability Brown has been described as “England’s greatest his own creative management programme is a hugely important gardener”, with more than 170 agency, and is prize director of the part of what we do,” says Mundy. gardens to his name, including Baillie Gifford Prize (formerly the “That’s the bit that our October Blenheim, Chatsworth and Samuel Johnson Prize). He has been visitors don’t necessarily see: the Longleat. As well as Grade II* listed a trustee of BookFest since 2014 and literacy and reading programmes, Wimbledon Park, designed for the replaced co-founder Tony Kane as the film-making, the short story Spencer family, his London gardens chair earlier this year. competition, all over Merton. It’s include Syon Park, Richmond Palace “In my view it’s the pre-eminent hugely important part of what Gardens, (now part of Kew Gardens), festival of its kind in London,” says we do.” Gray’s Inn Walks and St James Park. Mundy. “There are juggernauts like In April BookFest held an event at OTHER EXHIBITIONS Edinburgh, Hay and Cheltenham the Wimbledon Odeon, attended by AND EVENTS IN THE AREA that have been going for years but 220 people, where the actor Samuel Hampton Court Palace has a range we are really up there – very much West talked to the author Gulwali of events throughout the year. ‘The in the premier league! Passarlay about The Lightless Sky, Empress and the Gardener’, an “Our job is not to take over the which tells the shocking story of his exhibition of more than 60 views world. Everything is incremental 12-month journey to Europe from of the Gardens drawn by Brown’s and none of us believe in revolution. Afghanistan as a 12-year-old refugee. surveyor, John Spyers, runs until 4 It’s about the little things that can It is this kind of “fringe” event that September. we do better.” Mundy believes is all part of how Museum of Richmond will be This year’s event was launched at BookFest can reach further into the showing part of the ‘Capability Now’ exhibition, supported by a the House of Commons in March, local community. range of events covering poetry, at which it was announced that For more information on arts and crafts, flm and more. From Jeremy Paxman will be one of the BookFest and details of how to enter 1 July to 29 October. well-known names appearing at the short story competition visit BookFest between 30 September www.wimbledonbookfest.org

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

POSITIONS VACANT LECTURES Activities secretary Our varied and wide-ranging lecture another attractive programme to The Activities Group is seeking a programme reached a triumphant educate and entertain in the autumn volunteer to help with organising climax in April. Estate agent John and spring months of 2016-17. Full the Society’s excursions. The duties Collard spoke at the Emmanuel Church details will appear in the September involve researching possible Lounge which was packed with an newsletter, but subject areas covered venues, arranging the trips and audience interested in local property will include history, sociology, culture taking bookings from members.The matters. Numerous questions were and architecture from experts in their committee of f ve all help with the raised and hotly debated. We have f e l d s . Michael Norman-Smith planning of visits and two of them are responsible for the organisation of the walks and talks programmes. We would like a new volunteer to Excursion to work alongside Linda in the initial planning of next year’s programme The Society’s coach excursions are 15 staff in the kitchen, including a until she leaves the committee in always an enjoyable experience, cook and four kitchen maids. Much September. and the visit to Stansted Park in of the kitchen equipment and Those interested in the post on a balmy day in May utensils seen in these rooms date can contact Linda Defriez on was no exception. from the early 20th century when 020 8944 6914 or by email at the kitchen was in regular use. The [email protected] In 1900, a fi re destroyed Stansted copper batterie de cuisine (pictured Planning Committee House, a 17th-century country below) is a Bessborough family Chairperson mansion near . A new original and bears their monogram. The Planning Committee is seeking house was built in 1903 on the exact After a most interesting tour of a volunteer to take over the position footprint of the previous mansion. the house, members were able to of Chair of the Planning Committee Designed by architect Arthur Conan walk through landscaped areas as John Mays, who has fulf lled Blomfi eld, the elegant house is now and a walled garden fi rst laid out this role for the last f ve years, listed Grade II *. There have been in the 1820s. A small pavilion by relinquished the post at the AGM many owners over the years. Since the lawns in front of the house is in May. The duties, apart from chairing 1924, the Ponsonby family, the Earls set alongside a cricket pitch where the PC’s meetings, involve general of Bessborough, have owned the the game has been played since the supervision of its wide-ranging estate and the house, gifting it to the 18th century. activities including representations Stansted Park Foundation in 1983. After the visit to Stansted the to the Merton Planning Department, The house is set in 1600 acres of excursion moved on to Goodwood arranging meetings with planners ancient woodland, with its park House. ASIF MALIK and other bodies, attending area designed by Capability Brown. meetings of representational The fi ne interiors contain an groups and dealing with a variety of outstanding collection of paintings, telephone and email queries. There is also a PR element involving the textiles and furniture, illustrating press and general public. the history of the Ponsonby family. Meetings take place monthly In the basement, a remarkable on Mondays in the Wimbledon set of fully-furnished Servants’ Museum at 7.15pm and are pre- Quarters survives almost booked for the year. unchanged, and were in use until Those interested in the post can the 1950s. The pantry, pastry contact John Mays on 020 8946 room and kitchen are of particular 2198 or 07850 69 77 23 or by email interest as reminders of an at [email protected] Edwardian life style. There were

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 Lingf eld Road, are open from 2.30 to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission free. 12