May 2008

1908 Wimbledon Park Centenary 1908 - 2008

See details of the June Centenary1 Fair on pages 24 and 25

JG General Store 417 – 419 Durnsford Road T. 020.8947.8577 F.020.8947.9807 Open 7 Days 07h00 – 22h00 Groceries Wine Fruit & Vegetables Newsagent Lottery Link Cash Point Machine Bus Passes available Fax & Photocopier Internet Cafe

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CENTENARY EDITION 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chairman’s Report 4

London 1908 7 100 years ago 8 & 9

Celebrating 100 years with Elsie Pye 10 & 11

100 years of domestic bliss 14,15,16 & 17

Teddy Bears 18

St Cecilia’s C of E School 20

Centenary Visual Arts Event 21 Front Garden Awards 22

Centenary Fair Advert 24 & 25

The Edwardians 26 & 27

The Edwardian Kitchen 29

Wimbledon Village Fair 30 & 31

Rose Lamartine Yates 1875 - 1954 32 & 33

St Luke’s Church 1908—2008 34 & 35

Wimbledon Park Primary 1908 - 2008 41 & 42 Committee list 44

Index of advertisers 46

If you would like to help with producing the newsletter, please contact: Iain Simpson on 020 8947 1301 email: [email protected] www.wimbledonpark.com

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Chairman’s Report

Wimbledon Park Hall I bear glad tidings. Contracts have been exchanged for Wimbledon Park Hall. This seeming miracle took place at the end of March after a sudden furious burst of activity. Only five years have elapsed since the hall was closed. Onwards and upwards. Centenary celebration Some of you may be wondering why the WPRA has decided to adopt 2008 as the Centenary year for Wimbledon Park (WP) since, quite obviously, WP was not built in a year! The establishment of two key centres of the community in 1908, namely St Luke’s Church and the Primary school, is a bit of a hint. Also in the early 1900’s the development of WP had moved swiftly ahead under the auspices of mainly Messrs Ryan and Penfold and by 1908 the majority of the area we know as WP today was built. According to Bernard Rondeau’s immensely useful book, ’Wimbledon Park from Private Park to Residential Suburb’ (copies still available from the Pharmacy in Arthur Road) some of the earliest urban development was in Vineyard Hill Road and Home Park Road, North of Arthur Road, between 1890 and 1895. In 1892 there were two houses in Home Park Road, South of Arthur Road, one of which later became a Nursery and subsequently, in the early part of this century, was sold and developed into modern town houses now known as Lynx Terrace. Kenilworth Road, Dora Road and Home Park Road were mostly built between 1900 and 1910. Certainly by 1907 the majority of the grid had been built by Messrs Ryan and Penfold (from whose original sign the WPRA logo was adopted). Despite the 100 or so years that have elapsed and the inevitable amount of conversions and redevelopment, WP still largely retains its Edwardian charm and character. A trend towards more modern buildings is evident, particularly at the lower end of Arthur Road. Now that contracts have been exchanged between the developer and the Council for Wimbledon Park Hall, a further addition to those modern buildings will be created and the real business of creating a new ‘centre’ of the community can commence. So, in celebrating our Centenary in 2008 we also celebrate the fact that WP still thrives and grows as a community and is busy laying firm foundations for the next 100 years. We have a great event planned for the 14th June, so come and join us at the Athletic Stadium in our wonderful Park and, together, we can celebrate our good fortune. Iain Simpson

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The combined firm will now operate from Park House, 158-160 Arthur Road, and be called

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Coulthards, established in 1981, was located in the West End of London before moving to Wimbledon Park in 1987. B Davis & Co was established in1927 and also operated in the West End of London before moving to Wimbledon Park in 1969.

The combined client base covers people and businesses across a broad spectrum including the film industry, the medical and legal professions, IT and property investments.

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If you would like assistance with any aspect of your business please contact us on 020 8947 3361 or 020 8944 1180

Email: [email protected] Website: www. B.Davis.co.uk

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From a postcard dated 1907 - courtesy of Ken Ball

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LONDON 1908

1908 was Olympic year in London and the games dominated the summer. The Olympics were to be held in Rome but after an eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the requirement of funds by the Italian government to rebuild the affected zone, another city was asked to put in a bid. Despite the lack of time, London entered the fray, built a new stadium, White City, (the first time this had been done for any games) and went on to put on one of the best organised Olympic games at that time. Great Britain won the most medals (145), and the most gold medals (56). Wimbledon played host to the outdoors tennis tournament for the games. This was an important year for women as the Suffragette movement started their campaign, the inaugural Mothering Sunday was observed and women competed at the Olympic Games for the first time. It was also the year that saw the first Ideal Home Exhibition! For the lads, the Boy Scout movement was started and the first model T was produced. Back in the sporting world in this country, Manchester United won the (old First Division) title while Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers were relegated. What odds on this scenario being replicated in 2008?! Australia regained the Ashes this year, so another familiar theme. In ‘our manor’, the men’s and women’s singles finals at Wimbledon were all British affairs with Arthur Gore and Charlotte Cooper Sterry winning their re- spective titles. Not much chance of this kind of occurrence in 2008...or 2108 at this rate. Gore also won the Olympic men’s indoor title while fellow Briton, Josiah Ritchie, won the Men’s outdoor singles event, played at Wimbledon. Wimbledon Common Golf Club (originally called Wimbledon Town Golf Club) was founded in 1908. Bracey Parish Continued on page 11

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100 Years Ago……………1908

Wimbledon Park

In June 1908 a tent was erected on the present site of the church and the very first service was held .

Wimbledon Park School opens 2nd March 1908, with one headmaster, one other teacher and 125 children

Other events The first ever beauty contest is held in Folkestone, England. (· · · — — — · · ·) SOS becomes standard radio distress symbol. "Young Turk" revolution in Ottoman Empire.

January 1st British Harry Bensley leaves for his would-be trip around the world pushing a pram and wearing an iron mask, beginning from the Trafalgar Square.

January 24 - Robert Baden-Powell (1857 - 1941) begins the Boy Scout movement.

February 12 - Start of the first around-the-world car race, from New York to Paris.

February 27 – the Old Bailey criminal court opens in London. April 8 – Herbert Asquith becomes Liberal Prime Minister.

April 21 - Friedrich A Cook claimed date to reach North Pole.

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May 10 - Mothering Sunday is celebrated for the first time.

July 27 - The fourth Modern Olympic Games opens in London, England. Women compete in the Olympic Games for the first time.

September 17 - Thomas Selfridge becomes the first person to die in an airplane crash at Ft Myer, Virginia. The plane was flown by Orville Wright who was also severely injured in the crash but recovered.

September 27 - Henry Ford produces his first Model T automobile.

October 27 -Lloyd George introduced the Old Age Pensions Act that provided between 1s. and 5s. a week to people over seventy. These pensions were only paid to citizens on incomes that were not over 12s.

November 6 - Western bandits Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are supposedly killed in Bolivia, after being surrounded by a large group of soldiers.

November 14 - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson is the first woman in England to be elected mayor (of Aldeburgh).

December 2 - Child Emperor Pu Yi ascends the Chinese throne at the age of two.

December 5 - Sunderland F.C. set a record for an away victory when they humiliate local rivals Newcastle United 9-1 at St. James Park.

The Children's Encyclopedia is first published.

First Ideal Home Exhibition held in Olympia.

British suffragettes continue militant campaign for female suffrage. Compiled by Judith Centofanti Source: www.wikipedia.org

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Celebrating 100 years! Mrs. Elsie Pye is probably one of our oldest local residents with close past associations with Wimbledon Park Primary School and she recalls some of her memories and experiences going back to the early part of the last century. Elsie was born in the family home in Lambeth, just adjacent to the legendary Lambeth Walk, in May 1908 and shortly afterwards moved to the Southfields area. She married in 1934 and moved to a house close to the Primary School and had two children who subsequently attended the School shortly before the outbreak of World War 2. In 1934 the area between the School and Earlsfield Station was predominantly open fields and a new housing development had just been started. Elsie recalls those houses, which now sell at upwards of half Elsie as a young girl a million pounds, were around £800 – a £50 deposit would secure with an ongoing mortgage of fifteen shillings (75p) per week. In those days car ownership hardly existed and provisions such as milk, bread and greengroceries were delivered by horse drawn vehicles. There was always a rush to shovel up fresh horse droppings in the road to use on the vegetable garden. Elsie often enjoyed seeing groups of young children making their way to and from school – always on foot and seldom accompanied by parents. 100 years old in May and going strong The recreation ground

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adjacent to the School has seen a number of changes over the years from green fields and allotments to the current recreational facilities, but during the last War it was dug up with tunnels underground to provide air raid shelters for the School. When the air raid sirens sounded, children would be marched by their teachers into the shelters – all carrying their gas masks. Although many bombs fell in the area destroying houses and factories, the School itself was never hit. Elsie recalls her own association with the School where she worked as a dinner lady for many years when Mr. Hill was the Headmaster. She later became School Meals Supervisor when the Headmaster was a Mr. Shrive. “They were happy memories that I will always treasure”. Ivan Scott ********************************

Significant events of 1908 W o r l d w i d e • Mother’s Day is observed for the first time • Child Emperor Pu Yi ascends the Chinese throne at the age of two • Start of the first around-the-world car race, from New York to Paris • Henry Ford produces his first Model T automobile • King Carlos I of Portugal and Infante Luis Filipe are shot dead in Lisbon • Young Turks start revolution in the Ottoman Empire • At Masjid-al-Salaman in southwest Persia, the first major commercial oil discovery in the Middle East is made • The Bosnian Crisis begins after the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexed National • Robert Baden-Powell begins the Boy Scout movement. • Women compete in modern Olympic Games for the first time. • First Ideal Home Exhibition held. • British suffragettes begin a campaign for female suffrage. Sport • The fourth (IV) Modern Olympic Games opens in London, England • Wimbledon Men’s - Arthur Gore defeated Herbert Roper Barrett • 6-3 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-4 • Wimbledon Women’s - Charlotte Cooper Sterry defeated Agnes Morton • 6-4, 6-4 • First Division (1907-08) Champions – Manchester United • FA Cup Winners – Wolves (Beat Newcastle 3-1) • County Cricket Champions – Yorkshire • Australia regains The Ashes with a 308 run cricket victory over England

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We are looking for help with producing the newsletter. If you might be interested please contact: Iain Simpson on 020 8947 1301 Email: [email protected]

A Musical Experience and Nursery Rhymes Education for the Under 5s Action Songs Musical Stories Percussion Instruments Sessions held in West Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Village For further information contact: Jenny Tabori on 020-8946-6043 L.T.C.L. G.T.C.L. Dip. Music Therapy

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100 YEARS OF DOMESTIC BLISS!! DeNica Fairman talks to Patricia Gomez

It’s a beautiful, sunny, spring day and I’m here to interview retired Haematolo- gist, Residents’ Association stalwart, and all round inspirational woman, Pat Gomez, who has lived in Wimbledon Park since the 1970s and remembers her grandmother talking to her about life in Edwardian England. P - My mother was born in 1897 and my father in 1900 so he was very millennial. My grandmother was a very hard working wife and mother in 1908. For women at that time life was heavily geared to the domestic side of things and it was jolly hard work actually, looking after a house then. Now we have machines which make it all a piece of cake. It took a lot of hard work to keep a house clean particularly as there were fires all of the time. D – What? Do you mean house fires? P – No, no! Fires in the grates every day. So at the end of the winter when peo- ple had a ‘spring clean’, things really merited it, because all of the dust from their fires had settled itself happily in the curtains and rugs and everything really. We don’t do spring cleaning in that sense anymore. You had to take down the curtains and wash them, wash all the paintwork, windows, sweep the carpet, beat the rugs and clean all the grates. Then you would put up your light summer curtains and put away the heavy winter ones. D - A lot of physical hard work! P – Yes, and then the washing was tough really, because there was nothing to help you. You had to boil the water in a copper (a large copper pan) with the sheets or clothes in it, on the stove. You used a product called ‘blue’ for sheets that made them whiter. Then you had to heave the wet sheets out with a ‘copper stick’ into another tub and then carry that to the shed where you had your mangle, (a device that squeezed the water out of the washing). The man- gling was lovely for children. My grandmother used to let me turn the huge han- dle and all of the water came squidging out into the pail very satisfactorily. Washing took all day really after you had done all that, hung it up and brought it in when it was dry. D – What other domestic chores would a woman have to do? P – Well, the kitchen was dominated by the coal burning stove. (More soot to clean up constantly). There were two ovens, and apocryphally it is said that on one occasion our cat got into one of the ovens trying to warm itself and nearly got baked!! D – Oh no! P – It came out and was all right, and then another story which is definitely true is that my grandmother went into labour as she was blacking the stove! D – Ha ha ha!

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P – Then of course most houses had a scullery next to the warm kitchen, which was icy cold. They often had stone floors. You had to do all of the dishes out there, boiling up kettles, etc. That’s the other thing that is completely unknown to current generations - the coldness of these houses. My mother remembers seeing ice on her bedroom windows – on the inside! You could only have a fire in your bedroom if you were ill, so every room in the house apart from the sit- ting room and kitchen was perishing cold, perishing! D – That is so hard to imagine. No central heating! P - The other thing which now has totally gone was the facility for washing in your bedroom. You had this special table with a hollow in the middle where you put a porcelain bowl. You poured hot water into it brought up from the kitchen in a jug. When it was wind wash (dirty water), you tipped it into a pail under- neath. There was also another secret component - a po (like a potty for adults!) stuck in a cupboard. D - So if you had to go to the loo in the night, you nipped in there? P – Yes, because otherwise you might well be down the bottom of the garden!! D – I guess not every house had running water or a bathroom at that time. P – No, they didn’t. Children were bathed in big galvanised tubs in front of the fire. I think people generally washed less, be- cause it took such a long time carting all of the water about! D – And washed their clothes less too I imagine. P – Yes, now with clothes there has been a marked social change. It used to be quite Pat Gomez clear really where one was class-wise by what was worn. Grannies had dresses suit- able for grannies; older women had dresses for the mature woman. Little boys also wore skirts until they were about 4 or 5. One of my uncles always used to say when he saw pictures of himself at that age “That’s when I was a girl!” So he obviously didn’t think much of that! Then they went into knickerbockers and dressed in a proper boy fashion. D – (looks unconvinced) P – The girls had pretty dresses and went on wearing them until they left school at 14 and went to work. Then they had to wear more grown up clothes suitable for young women. Then in the middle, particularly if you had money you wore a layered dress that would show that you were wealthy. But it’s quite different now; everybody just wears a top and jeans, grannies and infants alike.

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D – Do you think that’s quite liberating? P – I don’t know because I never had to do it so to speak. I just think that was how it was and people accepted it. D – Clothes are much more comfortable now. P – Yes, because then, women had corsets. You could be tight-laced which was very unpleasant. They wore a lot more underclothes then – to try to stay warm. There was this mysterious garment called ‘combinations’. A combinations was a total garment actually. It’s a vest and knickers all in one with sleeves and a discreet gap, so to speak, for the lavatory. People wore those in winter. Then women wore petticoats as well. The petticoat has vanished, I think. D – It briefly came back in the 1970’s as a fashion item. P – Yes, but one always had one. Children wore a mysterious garment called a ‘liberty bodice’ to keep warm, which they then attached their suspenders to. D – Children wore suspenders? P – Yes, to hold their wool stockings up. Women also wore suspenders for their stockings and men wore them for their socks! You see elastic hadn’t been in- vented yet. Children also wore much stouter shoes or boots. Everyone did so much more walking then, so that meant a lot more business for the Cobblers, who mended your boots constantly. D – What about social entertainment? P – People had to entertain themselves. A lot of houses had pianos and you al- ways had singing around them. All of your entertainments were home made really. Also, there was a lot of alcohol around. This ties in with current prob- lems, actually. There was a lot of drinking, particularly amongst the “lower or- ders”. They got very drunk. D – Ah, the drink. An age-old problem. P - Well there were great efforts made to reduce drunkenness in the population. The Salvation Army came to the fore and did a lot of work in trying to help peo- ple give up alcohol. There were ‘Temperance Societies’ that you could join where you swore that ‘never a drop of alcohol would pass your lips again’. My mother joined the ‘Band of Hope’ at about the age of 12, signed the pledge and was in a play to impress on people the evils of drink. D – Was it mostly men or did women also drink a lot? P – No men. Women couldn’t go into pubs. Not unescorted. There were ‘Ladies’ Rooms’ but no respectable woman would be seen in a pub, not even in the La- dies’ Room. D – I wonder what went on in the Ladies’ Room. P – Ooh, knocking back the gin, I expect! But the Salvation Army girls in their pretty bonnets would go into the pubs, bravely clutching their magazine, ‘The Citadel’, and risking ridicule and sometimes even personal assault to try to stop

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the drunkenness on the streets. D – So not much change there then!! When did you actually move to Wimbledon Park? P – In 1978, when I got married. I was a haematologist and I met my husband when I was giving a lecture at St Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton. He was a GP in Southfields for 50 years. We moved here to Dora Rd and one of the biggest differences then there were no cars on the street. Just 3 or 4 parked at the end of the road. There was a greengrocer who called once a week, a fish lady who still comes with fresh fish, and there used to be a chap who would sharpen knives or mend a cane chair for you, just sitting in the gutter. D – When did you first get involved with the Residents’ Association? P – Quite a long time ago - in 1994, so about 14 years ago. Can that be possible?! D – And you were chairman for about 2 years, weren’t you? P – Yes. D – What would you say has made the most difference to our lives now compared to the Edwardian era? P – Oh the washing machine! Definitely. That’s what’s liberated women. And technology has changed everything. D – And what is the same? Is there anything that has stayed the same? P – No, nothing. Nothing’s the same!! Everything is different. Pat with a picture of her Grandmother

And on that note Pat spots the time and realises that she must rush off to at- tend a lecture in Wimbledon. Some things in her life are still the same after all!

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Teddy Bears

The first British bear was made by J K Farnell in 1906. British bears varied slightly from German bears - their bodies were fatter, their faces flatter and their arms and legs shorter.

Different companies developed bears with their own characteristics. The firm William J. Terry was founded in Stoke Newington, London in 1890 originally made soft toys using animal fur.

William Terry Bear, dated between 1905 and 1908, is the Museum of Childhood’s earliest British bear. It has all the characteristics of a Terry's bear, made from shaggy mohair and with a long straight body and high pointed hump. The eyes are glass with painted backs and the nose, mouth and claws stitched with black wool. The webbed claw stitching on this bear's paws is a characteristic of early English bears. The stuffing is a mixture of wood, wool and kapok. The bear was called Ted by his owner who was born in 1894.

Bears in Stories Stories about bears have been around for hundreds of years and feature in many folk tales and fairy stories. Rupert Bear, Winnie-the- Pooh and Paddington are some of our most famous bears.

Rag sheet, Dean's Rag Book Company, about 1908.

Taken from Museum of Childhood www.vam.ac.uk

Ivan Scott

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Thomas James Chemist 385 Durnsford Road Wimbledon Park SW19 8EF (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) Tel 020-8946 0740 e-mail: [email protected]

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Monday to Friday 9.00am to 7.00pm Saturdays 9.00am to 6.00pm

FREE Repeat Prescription Collection from ALL LOCAL SURGERIES Please drop your repeat prescription request to us, or e-mail us. We will request and collect your prescription from the surgery and the medicines will be ready for collection at the pharmacy.

• FREE Medicines Use Review: To enable you to understand your medicines. • Photo Processing including Digital Processing at reasonable prices. We can also do reprints, enlargements and print from print. • Stop Smoking Service: Our Accredited Pharmacist will help you Quit with Nicotine Replacement Treatment available on the NHS • Holiday Medical needs. We stock a full range of holiday treatments including anti-malarials at most competitive prices. • FRAGRANCES: We stock a range and can also order them for you for the next day, at cheaper prices that most retailers.

FREE Blood Pressure and Diabetes screening until the end of June 2008

The pharmacy is now under new management

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SAINT CECILIA’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL, SOUTHFIELDS

Wimbledon Park is in the catchment area for this Church of England Secondary School. The school is currently seeing its first cohort of pupils through their GCSE ex- ams and all eyes are upon results. The 6th form beckons with considerable numbers of pupils opting to stay on. We have an active “Friends” organisation which hosts social and fundraising events. One of the favourites is a fish and quiz night for parents and public, held every May, and we’ve recently held successful Discos for the Year 7 and Year 9 pupils. Funds go towards such things as setting up a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for pupils. Our most ambitious event is an annual Garden Party held the Saturday before Wimbledon tennis begins. This is open to all and we’d like to extend invitations to Wimbledon Park residents. We have a sunflower logo to remind people of it and hope it won’t be too long before people start to recognise the logo and as- sociate it with the party. 2008 will be our third party. In 2006, however, we did not have a clue how to even start planning the event…. How many people? How many teabags? What? Who? How? When? and so on! In the event the sun shone and people came. We ate good food, heard good music from pupils and played good games. Now, with increasing amounts of experience under our belts, we look forward to as much fun and more in future.

This year, 2008, the Garden Party will be on Saturday June 21st and we look for- ward to seeing you if you can make it. Please do come. You’d be very welcome.

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14th June 2008—in the Park We are marking 100 years of Wimbledon Park by a visual arts event. This is in two parts: Photography and Drawing Photography will be by prior submission and the selected images will be displayed at the Centenary Fair on the 14th June in Wimbledon Park. You can enter your favourite view of Wimbledon Park (that is the entire Ward not just the Park itself) Send your entries in to: Ken Ball at 20 Stroud Road, SW19 8DG together with your name, address and tel. no. The best photo produced by those under 12 and those over 12 will be judged on the day by visitors and the winners will receive a special award.

Stephen Chaplin,

well known local artist, will be exhibiting a small number of drawings and watercolours he has created over the last 17 years including many of Wimbledon Park . He will be running a special project to assist you make images of things that interest you. The intention is that these personal images will be used to create a large Mural which will be a lasting commemoration of Wimbledon Park in 2008.

Make sure you are there and join in the fun!!

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Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association Front Garden Awards 2008

Categories: Container Garden Summer Interest All Year Interest Best Street

Preliminary judging - June 8th - June 14th Final Judging– Sunday 22nd June

Welcome to the first newsletter of the Centenary year. As many of you will know we did not make any awards last year because of a number of complications which prevented the final judging from taking place. We are back on track this year and we hope to see some great gardens.

Over the years of my involvement we have had many hardworking judges giving generously of their time and helping to make this a very successful and enjoyable competition.

This year the first judging will be on Sunday 8th of June and the final judging two weeks later on Sunday the 22nd June.

We are always looking for more people willing to spare us a few hours. So if you are interested please get in touch and help us do the judging this Centenary year.

Contact Patricia Gomez on 020 8946 6500 or e-mail [email protected]

I do hope to see you Michael Moore

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WIMBLEDON PARK LAKE (from postcard dated 1908 - courtesy of Ken Ball) W. A. GARDNER & SON 157 Arthur Road, 020- 8946-2215

Local Master Butcher, Michael Rooke & staff supply high quality:-

• Free range pork, chicken and eggs.

• Pasture - reared Aberdeen Angus beef - specially selected for us.

• Succulent Devonshire lamb.

• Plus a full range of accompanying sauces and pickles.

Our service is tailored to your requirements.

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PRESENTS

CENTENARY FAIR

A CELEBRATION OF 100 YEARS OF

WIMBLEDON PARK

1908 - 2008

SATURDAY 14TH JUNE

ATHLETICS STADIUM

WIMBLEDON PARK

12.30 – 5.30PM

£2 ADULTS £1 CHILD

Planned Events

Bouncy castle Picnic area Punch & Judy Show Face Painting Inter-Street races Jazz Band

Edwardian Games Dalchini Food

Art Sale Barbeque

Photo Competition Exhibitions

Community Mural Indian Drummers Stalls & Memorabilia Clowns & balloon modelling

And……

Wimbledon Park’s

very own

Children’s

Mini Olympics

with

Hercules Wimbledon

.....so come along, bring a

picnic and join the fun

Budding Buskers, Jugglers or any

other family entertainers welcome

sorry dogs not permitted in Athletics Stadium

The Edwardians

Following Queen Victoria’s death on the 22 January 1901 after a reign of sixty years, there was a genuine outbreak of grief coupled with anxiety about what the future would hold. The Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra took place on the 9 August 1902 and so began the Edwardian era.

The Edwardians were witness to tremendous technological and social change. It was a time where Britain was at its imperial height and one in three of the world's population were her subjects. They were the first to benefit from the rewards of modern industrialization and mass-produced products and the gentry set about indulging their senses in all areas of life, so that everything they did became an exercise in luxury.

The Edwardian era is viewed nostalgically and often called the ‘Gilded Age’, (sandwiched between the Boar War and First World War) yet it was also a time of great inequalities of wealth and poverty and the conventions of class were rigidly defined - there was a place for everyone and everyone knew their place.

Everyday Life

Fashion The period 1890-1914 is commonly called la Belle Époque (‘The Beautiful Epoch’) in reference to the beauty of the designs worn. Edwardian women had something - the corset. It was tightly laced at the waist to force the hips back and the bosom forward in a pigeon effect creating an S-shaped figure.

Clothes for the ‘New Woman' in the Edwardian Era, were seen as fashionable, competitive, sporty and emancipated as well as beautiful, as illustrated in this cartoon by the American artist Charles Dana Gibson.

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Men’s clothes were visual markers of class membership. Edwardian man at

W o r k R e s t a n d P l a y

Children’s clothes were made of heavy fabrics and worn in numerous layers and were always uncomfortable.

CS Lewis (born 1898) in his book The Last Battle (1956) comments on children’s clothes '…In Narnia your good clothes were never your uncomfort- able ones…..there was no such thing as starch or flannel or elastic to be found from one end of the country to the other…'

A girl signalled that she was ready for marriage and the social round by projecting her 'body image' using a series of signs and symbols, the first of which was putting up her hair:- 'Loose, uncut hair is seen both as a symbol of virginity and a symbol of promiscuity..... The girl in Edwardian England who put up her hair to signify that she had reached maturity was symbolically offering her virginity in the marriage market.'

From an advert in the Lady's Realm for 'Tatcho' a hair tonic. Compiled by Judith Centofanti

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The Edwardian Kitchen Cooking was often done on a cast iron kitchen range, which was also used for heating water. In the Edwardian era gas ovens slowly replaced the kitchen range but they were slow to catch-on. In many working class homes ranges continued in use until well into the twentieth century.

Food was stored in the pantry or larder, a room off the kitchen that was sometimes fitted with slate or marble shelves to help keep the food cool, although refrigeration was becoming more popu- lar….Stoneware Lined Refrigerator.

“It neither sweats nor absorbs moisture and never becomes sour or musty. It is made without open seams; is practi- cally indestructible and is very easily cleaned.”

The kitchen was a busy place and labour saving devices were a necessity and all kinds of aids were developed. There were knife sharpeners, lemon graters, lemon squeezers, parsley choppers, sugar snippers to cut pieces of sugar from a slab, potato peelers, mincers, hand- operated food processors and temperature controlled ovens were developed. The cook could now prepare the more complex meals that had previously only been enjoyed by the wealthy.

Edwardian Household Hints

• For cleaning brass and copper: sprinkle salt on a quarter of a lemon and rub. Add a little vinegar for an all purpose cleaner. • To remove stains on leather shoes, rub with half an onion then polish. • For a sparkling mirror, rub with half a potato, rinse with water and polish with newspaper. • To remove spots on a silk tie, dab with gin to bring up the shine

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Good fun - in a good cause Two great events this summer from our local charity the Wimbledon Guild Wimbledon Village Fairr Saturday 21st June 2008 10.30 am – 5.30 pm Wimbledon Common Southside Free Entry To be opened by BBC’s John Inverdale and friends at 11 am

Horse Show from 8.30 am Junior Obstacle Course AqAquaua Aerobics demos in the ppoolool Fun Dog Show Raffl e with fantastic prizes Coconut Shy 200 craft and product stalls Spider Mountain Stocks – drench your dentist! Stage entertainment all day Have a Go badminton Fire Engine Food Village including Pony Rides Deen City Farm Young’s beer tent with all day jazz, Activities from AFC Wimbledon Huge Tombola Krispy Kreme doughnuts Human Table Football Children’s book stall and loads of other food stalls Tug of War Bouncy castle Wimbledon Nannies’ crèche Punch & Judy Fun Fair Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative Mr Alexander Travelling Show Radio Jackie – come and have a go The Travelling Fun Band – and much more To get involved contact Jane Bretton at the WG offi ce or on [email protected] The Big Sleep-out Saturday July 12th 2008 Check-in 9-11 pm, Guild House, Worple Road Secure your place in Wimbledon’s fi rst sponsored sleep-out!

The night promises to be a lot of fun - Tony Hawks and Andy Hamilton will be among those entertaining the sponsored sleepers, and there will be refreshments and breakfast provided - but it will also be an opportunity for local people and companies to experience a bit of hardship for a night, and to raise money to support valuable work in our local community.

To sign up as a sleeper, sponsor a Guild sleeper, or join the BED-ROLL OF HONOUR, and pay to sleep in your own bed on 12th July, please contact Hannah Breen or Libby Asher at the WG offi ce, or on [email protected]. Support your local charityrity The Wimbledon Guild The Guild was set up in 1907 to alleviate poverty in the area. Though times have changed, the Guild is as busy as ever: present services include a wide range of activities and hot meals for older people, as well as advice and practical help for people in need of all ages and backgrounds, and the growing counselling service, with a new, state-of-the-art family therapy suite. The Guild also supports other local charity and self-help groups. You can help by offering money, unwanted goods, or time as a volunteer. Give money • Online, at www.wimbledonguild.co.uk • By cheque or standing order: please ask for the Gift Aid form. • In a legacy: please ask for the Legacies Guide. Contact Hannah Breen, [email protected]

GiveGi unwanted t d iitems

• Our charity shop in Mitcham welcomes a variety of goods. • Large items like good quality furniture and fridges can be collected through our Gifts in Kind scheme. • Harvest Festival and Christmas items can also be collected. Contact Christine Brown, [email protected] Give time as a volunteer • Helping in the Guild House Activity & Social Centre • Helping at the Care Home with Nursing • Befriending • Driving • Event organising and fundraising • Office administration • Helping in the shop • Serving on committees Contact Elisabeth Morris, [email protected]

The Wimbledon Guild, Guild House, 30/32 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EF Tel: 020 8946 0735 The Wimbledon Guild Counselling Department Tel: 020 8296 0030 Rosemary Lodge Care Home with Nursing Tel: 020 8946 6963 Email: [email protected] www.wimbledonguild.co.uk Registered Charity No. 200424

Rose Lamartine Yates 1875 -1954

The poster opposite is advertising a fascinating exhibition now on in the Wimbledon Society Museum on the Ridgway. Rose Lamartine Yates, described as a ’quite remarkable and fiery spirited young woman’, came to prominence through the activities of the Wimbledon Branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union, formed on the 22nd October 1908, and the struggle to gain votes for women in the Suffragette years of the early twentieth century. Early Life Rose Emma Janau was born in February 1875. Her parents, Elphège and Pauline, were teachers who had emigrated from France. They met in England and married in 1870. Elphège’s family did not approve of the match as Pauline was 30 to Elphège’s 23. The Janau’s eldest child, Louise, was born in 1872, followed by Henry, born in 1873, and finally Rose. Rose developed into a woman of fiery and independent spirit, who never felt her- self to be anything other than equal in her enlightened family. After education which included a period at the Sorbonne, Rose entered Royal Holloway College in 1896, and though she left before the end of her final year, she passed the Oxford Final Honours Examination in Modern Languages and Philology. However, as a woman, she was not entitled to the award of a degree. Marriage and family In 1900 at the age of 25 Rose married Tom Lamartine Yates, a 51-year-old lawyer, as his second wife. He was a friend of her family, and had, with the approval of her parents, been courting Rose since 1898. Rose studied law with Tom, so that she could help him with his law practice, and it is possible that through this work she became aware of the prejudice and injustice of the law as it treated her fellow women - and men. Tom was in sympathy with Rose’s ideas and supported her in all her activities. Tom was not alone in this - a number of men were in favour of universal suffrage, including several prominent Wimbledon men. On 19th June 1908, Rose and Tom’s only child Paul was born. His birth may have delayed Rose’s participation in suffragette activity but, nonetheless, when Paul was eight months old, Rose was imprisoned for one month from 24th February 1909 as a member of the deputation to Prime Minister Asquith. When she appeared in court she made the famous speech about what she would say when Paul asked her what she had done to further the cause of women’s suffrage, and not wishing to have to say that she had done nothing.

The text above is a slightly abbreviated version of the first part of the of text of ’Rose’s story’ now available in the Wimbledon Society’s Museum. My thanks to the Museum for the making it available. Iain Simpson

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The building of St Luke’s Church was started in 1908 and while it was being built the services were held in a tent at the corner of Ryfold and Strathmore

When the building was started, nothing else was built in Farquar, Durnsford and Wellington Roads so there was a clear view to the Primary school and beyond.

This important looking group appear to be celebrating near The picture above shows the congregation completion moving the chairs from the tent into the church when the building was finished in 1909.

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The best time for pruning trees and shrubs is between November & March. The best time for lawns & turfing is between October and April. For the full use of your garden next summer, don’t leave it too late. Phone now for a quick estimate. Work carried out quickly and efficiently, with references always available. To speak to Mr Raynsford you can personally contact him between 17H00 and 22H00 every evening and at weekends on 07956 513 742.

French & Spanish à la Carte 97 Revelstoke Road, Wimbledon Park, London, SW19 5NL TEL 020 8946 4777

Website www.frenchandspanishalacarte.co.uk EMAIL [email protected] Classes - Private Tuition - Translation

A.B.K. ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES for all your Accounts & Self Assessment Returns Limited Companies Wages Book-Keeping Services Sub Contractors CIS 25 tax refunds Tax & PAYE Typing Services Self Employed Advice to Small Businesses on Computerised Accounting VAT Returns Records

All Services at Competitive Rates TEL: 020 8947 9931

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Upgrade Builders & Property Maintenance

High class decorators Internal and External Extensions from £23,000 Loft Rooms from £28,000 ‘Still waiting for that estimate’ Fully insured - Free Quotations

Home Tel: 020 8874 0894 Mobile: 0794 0044 352

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Welcome to the London Computer Doctor London Computer Doctor is a centrally located company of mobile engineers serving home users and small businesses in central, south and southwest London. Our engineers are fully qualified and have extensive experience of the challenges that face home and small business users in the operation and maintenance of their IT equipment. Services provided

• Virus and spyware removal • Software problems resolved • General fault diagnosis and • New systems built to order repair • Data recovery • Hardware replacement • Complete software overhaul • Wired and wireless networks • Annual servicing set up and maintained.

Our home visit service has proved to be one of the most successful and com- petitive IT services in the region, with hundreds of customers scheduling an annual service to keep their systems in peak condition and many taking a

dvantage of our referral discount scheme (details below). Referral discount scheme www.londoncomputerdoctor.com Once you are on our database, should you recommend us to a friend, colleague, neighbour, we will credit your database entry with the sum of £15.00 against the next work you have carried out with us. (Some customers have already used this scheme to fully pay for their annual

service!)

SIMPLY CALL 020 7652 4296

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Solicitors First LLP

Successor practice to Davies Brown, who have provided legal services to the Wimbledon Park community for 35 years.

Can help you with:

• Residential and commercial conveyancing. • Wills and probate including Inheritance Tax planning. • Business advice. • Landlord and Tenant. • Family and divorce. • Accident and civil claims.

Contact us for a free initial interview at:

Ansa House, 2A Strathmore Road, London, SW19 8DB

Tel. 020 8946 9555 Fax. 020 8944 1906 Email [email protected]

With solicitors, Graeme Wood/Jonathan Mathews/Sally Shillito

Offices in Wandsworth Common and Balham

SELF DEFENCE/FITNESS/FLEXIBILITY

PRIVATE LESSONS FOR ALL AGES MEN AND WOMEN

QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR

BE SAFE! BE FIT!

CALL GARY WASNIEWSKI TEL. NO. 020 8947 0786

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Readers are advised to make appropriate enquiries and seek advice before sending money, incurring any expense or entering into binding commitment in relation to an advertisement.

Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association will not be liable to any person or organisation for any loss or damage incurred as a result of responding to any advertisement contained in this newsletter.

View of the Park from Home Park Road - 1905 (courtesy of Ken Ball) 40

WIMBLEDON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL 1908 – 2008 Dear Wimbledon Park Residents,

We are enjoying a most remarkable 100th year, and I would like to share some highlights so far and let you know about some upcoming events to which

everyone is welcome. Our centenary year so far… I last wrote to you with our plans for our Christmas panto, Cinderella. Thank you to everyone who came along, and I am sure you will agree that it was a remarkable success! Parent Governor Ralph Ineson pulled an incredibly talented group of parents and staff together and produced a high-energy play with something for everyone. What an exciting kick-start to our centenary

year! Last term each of our year groups studied different decades from 1908 to 2008 in some depth. This culminated in an afternoon of time travel for parents and guests at a very special open day here at the school. Time Lords escorted par- ents from decade to decade, and both children and teach- ers, dressed in cos- tumes from their era, transformed class- rooms through the music, art, dance and trends of the time pe- riod they had been studying. Children gained and shared real insight into the many ways people’s lives have changed

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over the past 100 years. Looking ahead to this term, in place of our usual Sports Day for parents, we will be re-creating the 1908 London Olympics at the Athletics Stadium in Wimbledon Park! Parents and staff will be dressed in Edwardian costume as they cheer their children on in traditional children’s sporting day events such as sack races and egg and spoon races. Our wonderful PTFA are putting together a Centenary Cook Book with favourite recipes from families at our school. The books will go on general sale, so watch for your opportunity to purchase one and try out some tried and tested family favourites!

You’re invited! This term we look forward to hosting many exciting events to earmark our Cen- tenary, and we would like as many people as possible who have been affiliated with the school over the years to join us.

Special Farmers Market - Saturday, 28th June In line with our emphasis on improving the environment, the Farmers Market will launch their ‘Bagless Market’. They are serving up a Hog Roast, and rides will be available on the vintage carousel which will grace the school grounds for the entire weekend!

Welcome Back Disco Centenary Ball Friday, 27th June Saturday, 28th June We are hosting a disco under a mar- Under the grand marquee in the quee in the school grounds to wel- school grounds, dinner and dancing come back past Year 6 classes. by moonlight is the order of the eve- Children currently at the school will ning. Guests will be welcomed into come along from 6.00-8.00pm. In addi- the marquee with bubbles and can- tion to the disco, there will be a bouncy apés, followed by a summer carvery. castle, cotton candy and a vintage car- The evening will feature live jazz fol- ousel in the playground for their lowed by a disco, carousel rides, a amusement. raffle and an auction, with any prof- From 8.30pm-10.30pm we will re-open its from the evening funding a pro- the doors for more serious fun aimed ject in the community. at our recent leavers. The carousel will Doors will open from 7.00pm. Tick- still be turning, and the dance floor will ets are £45.00 per person and are certainly heat up. expected to sell quickly! They are Tickets are £5.00 for this event and available now from the school office. must be purchased in advance from the school from Monday, 2nd June.

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To Join the Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association

Please complete this form and return it to us with your payment:

Name______

Address______

______

______Post Code______

Email______

SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 Year...... £5.00 3 Years...... ….£12.00 Donation...... …...£______

Payment Options:

By cheque Please make cheques payable to: Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association Post to: WPRA, 3 Strathmore Rd, SW19 8DB

By Cash You are welcome to drop your subscription through the door of the Membership Secretary, DeNica Fairman at 3 Strathmore Rd, or of our Chairman, Iain Simpson at 56 Home Park Rd.

www.wimbledonpark.com

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W.P.R.A. Committee May 2008

Ken Ball - Graffiti Removal 20 Stroud Road SW19 8DH

Bracey Parish 10 Brooklands Avenue SW19 8ER

Ivan Scott 22 HaslemereAvenue SW18 4RP Cécile Bridgens 52 Home Park Road SW19 7HN Tony Brown 50 Home Park Road SW19 7HN Judith Centofanti - Secretary 25 Crescent Gardens SW19 8AJ Andrew Dalton - Treasurer 92 Dora Road SW19 7HJ Kathy Blackburn 51 Ryfold Road SW19 8DF Beate Eberhardt 17 Crescent Gardens SW19 8AJ DeNica Fairman 3 Strathmore Road SW 19 8DB Nigel Israel 14 Ryfold Road SW19 8BZ Patricia Gomez 103 Dora Road SW19 7JT Paresh Modasia 124 Arthur Road SW19 8AA Michael Moore - Horticultural 344 Durnsford Road SW19 8DX David Salmon 27 The Crescent SW19 8AW Tim Wainwright 21 Crescent Gardens SW19 8DB Matt Childs 28 Ashen Grove SW19 8BN Clive France (Website) Iain Simpson - Chairman & Editor 56 Home Park Road SW19 7HN Ceri Sheeran 7 Tennyson Avenue KT3 6LY Cllr Tariq Ahmad, ex officio Cllr Stephen Kerin, ex officio 40 Wolseley Avenue SW19 8BQ

Cllr Oonagh Moulton, ex officio 21 Melrose Avenue SW19 8BU

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OAKLEY WANTED LOCKSMITHS Ltd. Assistant Editor to (eventually) take LOCKSMITHS FLOOR SPRINGS over the DOOR CLOSERS Newsletter. CARPENTRY Must have some JOINERY SMALL WORKS relevant experience ® AGENTS and be computer - literate Tel 020 8871 1238 Fax 020 8875 1416 Call Iain Simpson 81 Replingham Road 020 8947 1301 London SW18 5LU

JOHN TIVERS DECORATOR

TRIO HAIR & BEAUTY INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

FREE ESTIMATES

74 ASHEN GROVE

WIMBLEDON PARK

405 Durnsford Road SW19 8BN SW19 8EE 020-8946-5224 TEL 020-8947-4327

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Index of Advertisers Accountants Garden Construction & Design A.B.K. Accountancy Services 36 K.D. Raynsford 36 B. Davies Coulthards 5 General Store Dealer JG General Store 2 Building Services Health & Beauty Angel Building Services 40 Trio Hair & Beauty 45 Books Locksmiths Sphairistike 37 Oakley Locksmiths Ltd 45 Butcher Pharmacy W.A. Gardener & Son 23 Thomas James Chemist 19 Computer Services Property Maintenance & Decorating London Computer Doctor 38 John Tivers (Decorator) 45

Upgrade Property Maintenance 37 Children’s Activities A1 Decorating 13 Musical Express 13 Restaurants

Cleaning Dalchini (Hakka Chinese Cuisine) 48 IMCLEAN 6 Schools

Engineering Wimbledon School of English Naismith Engineering Ltd 28 French & Spanish a la Carte 36

Estate Agents Little Learners (in the Park) 28 Hawes & Co 12 St Cecilia’s Primary School 20 Robert Holmes 47 Self Defence Gary Wasniewski 39 Solicitors Solicitors First LLP 39

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ROBERT HOLMES & COMPANY

Chartered Surveyors, Valuers & Estate Agents

We are delighted to support the Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association and we are always happy to advise on property values and any aspect of the market

35 High Street, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 5BY Telephone: 020 8947 9833 www.robertholmes.co.uk

dalchini 30/3/06 10:51 Page 1

DalchiniHakka Chinese Cuisine 147 Arthur Road, Wimbledon Park Tel: 020 89475966 www.dalchini.com

Dalchini is one of its kind in London. Indians and travellers to the subcontinent are familiar to this cuisine. To most it is comfort food when they miss India. The Hakka cuisine is a wonderful marriage of oriental techniques with Indian ingredients. Nothing personifies this marriage more than the influence of Veronica, of Hakka Chinese origin but raised in Bombay and her team.

Lunch In Between Dinner Express Lunch £5 Full On Licence Private Party Room Lunch Box £3.50 Tea, Coffee, Outside Catering (takeaway) Light menu Local Home Delivery Office Lunch Delivery 2.30-7pm & Takeaway Book now for Christmas Special 25% discount available until the end of August 2008. Discount valid only on food order on the a la carte menu.. Call to make a booking. Not valid on Friday and Saturday evenings Bring this page to claim your discount.