The Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2021

WPCC Elections Local History Planning and Hall p8 Obituaries p10 Eco-friendly living page 3 pages 4-5 Environment p6-7 The Museum p9 Game Cover p11 page 12 Museum refurbishment

Museum Director heritage project management, JACQUELINE LAURENCE with wide experience across outlines the plans to the field, from national modernise the Society’s museums to voluntary Museum trusts. They told us “We are delighted to be working with THE MUSEUM has been a the Wimbledon Society on feature of Wimbledon life their exciting new project to for more than a century, and re-present the Museum for its over that period its fortunes existing and new audiences”. have waxed and waned. It The new Museum will be has always had a loyal core of designed by Philip Simpson, volunteers and visitors, but it of Philip Simpson Design, who was last refurbished in 1993, specialise in heritage projects. and the displays no longer He says: “We are thrilled to meet expectations of how a have the opportunity to work museum should look and feel with The Wimbledon Society in the 21st Century. to transform the museum into So we have embarked a valued resource for local on a project to recreate the people and a destination for museum, with entirely new visitors from further afield. displays. We want to take As a team at Philip Simpson inspiration from the superb Design, we offer in-depth collections which we have understanding of heritage inherited, and use them to destinations, museums and tell new stories which will sites, having worked with both appeal to young and old alike, national and local museums and to all the communities of such as the London Borough Wimbledon and Merton. At of Sutton’s Museum Services the same time we will create (Whitehall Historic House

a beautiful new space for © Philip Simpson Design & Honeywood House), All activities and local events. Impressions of the new look for the Museum by Philip Simpson Designs Saints Church, Kingston and We would like to hear your the British Museum to name views about the new museum. our project. Our lead is Jane Having very recently retired, a few. Our process is highly You can take part in our Allen, who was the Head of she has agreed to take on this collaborative, an approach Members Consultation on Heritage at Sutton Council. role as a volunteer. developed over many years of the Society’s website: https:// She was responsible for the Our Project Manager is working harmoniously with wimbledonsociety.org.uk excellent refurbishment of Jason Lowe, of Conservation clients, fellow consultants We have a great team for the Whitehall Historic House. Plus, a firm specialising in and audiences. (contd p3) For the latest information, go to www.wimbledonsociety.org.uk, www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk or the Facebook page. n EDITOR’S NOTE n

Wimbledon Society contacts President Tony Michael [email protected] Chairman’s view Chairman Jeremy Hudson [email protected] FOR CHRISTMAS I was given a copy of We Are Vice Chairman John Mays Home, a history of Wimbledon Football Club and [email protected] AFC Wimbledon, written by Mike Dunn, charting the club’s emotional return to its spiritual home. The Hon Secretary Maureen Field book is extremely readable, illustrated with superb [email protected] photographs and I would heartily recommend it. I am sure that Wimbledon’s unique football story Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge will feature in our refurbished Museum. Jacqueline [email protected] Laurence and her team are doing excellent work on planning the refurbishment and have made great Planning & Environment strides towards securing the finance needed to Committee Secretary Liz Newman complete the scheme. In this newsletter we appeal for [email protected] members’ donations for the project and I am confident of a very generous response. Membership Secretary Simon Ingall It is greatly to the credit of all our subcommittees [email protected] that they have managed to undertake so much good work despite the restrictions and inconvenience of Museum Director Jacqueline Laurence [email protected] lockdown. As I write this, we are 11 months into the pandemic and on our third confinement. Like many members, I am waiting patiently for my Covid jab. Local History Michael Norman Smith Our Planning & Environment Committee has remained as busy as ever. Public consultations, on Website Asif Malik [email protected] matters which will impact all our lives, come thick and fast. We have recently responded in detail to the draft Local Plan, and thanks are due in particular to Tony Wimbledon Society Newsletter Michael for his work on this. Editorial team Wimbledon hosts the world’s greatest tennis Sally Gibbons [email protected] tournament. We now boast a state-of-the-art football Nigel Davies stadium, as well as a fine theatre, and soon we will have a Monica Ellison, Asif Malik, John Mays, Jeremy Hudson superb new museum. It is a shame then that Wimbledon Letters to the editor still does not have a world-class music venue. The Please email [email protected] Wimbledon Concert Hall Trust has been pushing for or write to Sally Gibbons c/o The Museum of Wimbledon, 22 Ridgway, SW19 4QN this for several years, and the celebrated architect Frank Gehry is ready to develop his initial plans. Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, What we need, for the project to be realised, is for 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY [email protected] the Council to make a site available. The Hartfield Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Road car park site was earmarked for this, but the www.facebook.com/TheWimbledonSociety @wimsoc Council’s draft Local Plan no longer designates this site as ‘cultural’. I hope that the Council may yet be The name of the Wimbledon Society or that of the Museum of persuaded to support the project. When the Civic Wimbledon must never be used to promote personal activities or written work without written permission from the Society. Hall was demolished in 1990 (to make way for the The articles and photos in this newsletter are copyright of those credited Centre Court shopping centre) the Council promised or, where no credit exists, of The Wimbledon Society. No part of this to replace it. 30 years on it really is time for them to newsletter can be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder. make good that promise. JEREMY HUDSON

2 | March 2021 n NEWS n

Wimbledon Wimbledon and Putney Commons Championships Conservators Election 2021 2021

STEPHEN BOUND, Three of the Conservators has been low; just 21 percent THE ALL ENGLAND Lawn Acting Chief Executive are appointed by government of those eligible voted in the Tennis Club promised last of Wimbledon & Putney departments, while the last election in 2018. In 2015 year that the Championships, Commons, stresses the remaining five are elected turnout was only 16 percent. which were cancelled because importance of a good turnout triennially by local residents The Wimbledon Society hosted of Covid-19, would go ahead for the current election. who live within three quarters an online “hustings” event in 2021, and it is working on of a mile of Wimbledon to meet the candidates on 25 keeping that promise. WIMBLEDON AND Putney Common, or in the old February, and have stressed the The AELTC wants to Commons are overseen by a Parish of Putney, and who importance of all eligible voters stage the best possible Board of eight independent are on the electoral register. taking part. If you are eligible, Championships while ensuring Conservators who ensure These residents also fund you will already have received the health and safety of all that the Commons are management of the ballot papers, which can be guests, staff, competitors and managed in accordance with Commons through payment returned by post. However, local residents as priority. their founding legislation, of a special levy which is as there have been some So, while it is committed to the Wimbledon and collected by the local councils disruptions to the mail during staging the event as planned Putney Commons Act 1871. via the council tax system. the pandemic, the Returning from 28 June – 11 July, the According to the Act, their The next election is being Officer is encouraging people fortnight is likely to look rather duties include to “protect the held at this moment; closing to vote online wherever different this year. commons and preserve them date for votes is 10 March. possible. Information on how The main aim is to be as open spaces”, to “preserve The last year has to vote online is included on completely flexible to ... the natural aspect and demonstrated just how the ballot paper. Online voting allow instant adaptation state of the commons”, to important the Commons are also saves WPCC money to whatever circumstances “make bye-laws ... for the to the local community as a by avoiding postage costs. prevail in the summer. The preservation of order on place for exercise, recreation Completed ballots must be three basic options are a the commons” and also to and relaxation. The elections received by Civica Election full capacity, semi-capacity prevent “interference with are the opportunity for local Services by 5pm on Wednesday or closed Championships, the use thereof by the public residents to have their say 10 March 2021, and the results depending on the situation. for purposes of exercise and on how the Commons are will be announced on Thursday Concentration at present is recreation”. managed. Historically turnout 11 March. on a semi-capacity event, but nothing has been ruled out. Inevitably, safety and Continued from page 1 security will mean adjustments to some of the normal We are looking forward to arrangements, including working with the enthusiastic social distancing and one- and knowledgeable volunteer way routes both inside and team to rejuvenate this local outside the grounds. There asset and reinterpret your will also be a degree of wonderful small museum.” local traffic reduction, and It will cost about £150,000 discussions are on-going to design and create a new with the two local Boroughs, museum. Pictured are some Transport for London, the early drawings, by Philip, of police and Highways England. what it might look like. Ideally © Philip Simpson Design Using the 2012 Olympics as we would also like to raise fundraising raised another https://www.crowdfunder. the model, AELTC plans to enough extra money for some £4,000. The Wimbledon co.uk/museumofwimbledon, ensure the safety of visitors, audio visual displays, and for Foundation, the charity of and we very much hope that local residents and workers conservation grade cases for the All England Lawn Tennis members will contribute. All while reducing congestion some of our most precious Club, has generously provided donations will be received and environmental impact. treasures, and perhaps even to £5,500. We launched our most gratefully. We also have Whatever arrangements insulate the ceiling. first appeals to individuals in a major donor scheme, with are finally decided, warning The Wimbledon Society December, and so far we have rewards and incentives. You signage detailing temporary has provided £85,000 for raised more than £35,000. can read more about this at changes or restrictions will the project, and the very In March we will launch a https://wimbledonsociety. be in place locally two weeks successful Dinner Dance Crowd Funding page at org.uk/donate/ before the Championships.

3 | March 2021 n LOCAL HISTORY n

Morgan of Finch & Co., a firm accepted and supplied as The loss of originally based in Clapham. ‘Click and Collect’. That In 1941 the building was reminded me that the original destroyed by a bomb which library in 1887 did something Victoria Crescent also demolished the White similar. Hart. Morgan borrowed a The library was then just barrow from Woods, the the first part of the building, builder along the road at from the entrance to where the Manor House, and the enquiry desk is now. The rescued both the firm’s books were kept in locked and the architect’s records, glass cases which are still including original plans of there on two sides; the glass Quartermain and Brocklesby doors have been removed houses; some of the plans from the lower ones, and the were later reproduced and upper cases (reached by a used as publicity material, ladder running on a rail) now and some residents of, for have a display of old books instance, Wilton Crescent as ‘décor’. In 1887 each book were surprised to find a had a number, displayed on

© Borough © London plan of their house dropping an ‘indicator’ which showed Victoria Crescent leading to the Broadway; a dome on the top through their letterbox with whether it was ‘in’ or ‘out’. of a building on the junction can be seen on the right an offer from the estate Readers chose from the agent to sell their property. catalogue and asked for a IN 1898 the Wimbledon front of Morrisons, and Finch moved to an empty book, the relevant glass door Local Board built a new road the original intention of ironmonger’s shop across was unlocked and the book between The Broadway and commemorating Queen the Kingston Road, and then was taken out for them. I Hartfield Road, and named it Victoria’s diamond jubilee to its final address at 187 have a booklet called Key to Victoria Crescent in honour has been forgotten. Kingston Road on the corner the Indicator listing all 5,000 of Queen Victoria’s diamond of Hartfield Road. They had a books in the library in 1891. jubilee (a little late, as that signboard on the fence of the The first two wereLittle was in 1897). A hundred Finch & Co. original offices, and provided Women and Little Men by years later, in 2001, the a seat there as well, but both Louisa M Alcott, and the third buildings on both sides of THE OFFICE of the estate have now disappeared. was Aesop’s Fables. the road were demolished agents Finch & Co. has In 2004 Stephen This was not changed until and new buildings erected, closed, severing a link with Goodfellow took over the 1931; more space was needed including the Odeon cinema the John Innes estate in business; Goodfellows have to enable people to get at the and a supermarket (now Wimbledon and Merton Park. several other branches, shelves, and the library was Morrisons). The original road The Merton Park Estate Co. including one at Raynes extended along Compton was pedestrianised, and lost had its offices at 146 Kingston Park. I asked them what was Road to provide what was the name Victoria Crescent. Road, on the other side of the happening to the records called ‘open access’. The part fronting on to railway from the White Hart of Finch & Co, and the CHARLES TOASE The Broadway was designed pub, in a house called The architects’ plans, but have as a town square, and became Oriels that also served as a had no reply. However, known as the Piazza; it was home and office for the estate the Quartermain plans itself a crescent shape, and architect Henry Quartermain. are being preserved by the was named The Crescent, In 1936 the estate agency side John Innes Society, and a with that name displayed on was taken over by Howard booklet on Quartermain is in the front of Morrisons. Note preparation for publication. the original dome shown in the picture; this was ‘rescued’ Residents of Wilton Crescent were by a local resident who Click & Collect offered it to the developers, surprised to find a but the architect had already plan of their house in 1887 designed two copycat domes, dropping through their WHEN COVID-19 forced one on either side, which are letterbox with an offer the public library to still there today. from the estate agent restrict public access to the The name ‘The Crescent’ to sell their property bookshelves, requests from has disappeared from the the online catalogue were A Victorian library indicator

You can find photographs, archive film and a wide range of local history resources on the Merton Memories website: www.merton.gov.uk/memories

4 | March 2021 n LOCAL HISTORY GROUP n Notes from around the table

The first virtual meeting of story of Wimbledon’s that Dame Barbara had 18th Century Wimbledon. 2021 was well attended, with YMCA. Its first local site performed in pantomime at The first three of these newcomers increasing the was two rooms at 20 Hill Wimbledon Theatre, as Fairy were Drax, Grosvenor, number on Zoom to 14 with Rd, next to the closed Godmother in Cinderella in and Walker. The latter, four apologies. National Westminster Bank. the 1990s. From obituaries in Surveyor of his Majesty’s From there the association the national press, it seems Land Revenue and crony Demolitions expanded, moving to 31 that her career might have of Prime Minister Robert Worple Rd, (now Virgin started here much earlier, as Walpole, died without an THE DEMISE of familiar Active). In 1939, the YMCA a juvenile in the 1940s, had heir, leaving his substantial houses: No 21 Parkside was finally moved to 200 The it not been forbidden by her Wimbledon estate to his built around 1904, designed Broadway, where it opened Catholic Grammar School. nephew Stephen Skynner. by the architect Lionel its hostel. The tower block Undeterred Barbara ‘carried In 1758, Stephen’s daughter Littlewood, who was also was inaugurated by the on’ to huge success and a Deborah married Thomas responsible for Arborfield Queen Mother in 1974. remarkable career. Grosvenor in Walthamstow. at 86 Church Road and The Lawn Tennis From David Hurst The couple’s eldest son, 16 Parkside Gardens. The Association youth training an anecdote from 1977 Richard Grosvenor, married house was originally named squad was set up after the Wimbledon Theatre history: heiress Sarah Frances Drax Carfax, (Latin for crossroads) a show called Fire Angel had on 11 March 1788 in Almer, although around 1918 it is a pre-West End run, when a hamlet in Dorset close to listed as Ardfort. The Kemp A show called Fire Angel electronic microphones Charborough Park, which family were there for twenty had a pre-West End were used for the first time. is still the Drax family’s six years from 1939, and run, when electronic Unfortunately the wrong country seat. The slave trade John Anthony Humphries microphones were wave length was chosen, was then at its zenith. from 1979 for some thirty used for the first time. resulting in ‘lead numbers’ eight years. Unfortunately the being interrupted by taxi The house was purchased cab calls. The old handheld Woodside in 2018 by Mrs Catherine wrong wave length was technology was resumed Holmes à Court-Mather. Her chosen, resulting in after the Interval. MATTHEW HILLIER’S father owned the copyright ‘lead numbers’ being most recent acquisition was in Beatles’songs. She still interrupted by an 1880 Woodside Estate owns the rights in ‘Penny Wimbledon and advertisement describing 88 Lane’, given to her by her taxi cab calls. plots for sale. He also showed father when she was just 14. the Slave Trade plans for the Alexandra She and her husband Robert well known tennis player AN OBSERVER article about Road semi-detached houses Mather plan to build a new Roger Taylor attributed his Richard Drax, MP for South in the 1870s up to Park house which we understand success to early support Dorset, and his Barbados Road. Matthew is working will be of traditional design. from Wimbledon’s YMCA. plantation with its notorious up a document on the Its neighbour at No 22 is Subsequently many young history of slave labour, caught development of this rail side the iconic Richard Rogers tennis hopefuls stayed there. the group’s interest. area which had an effect on house which has Grade II* Roger won six singles titles – The question arising: the landscape and its views. listing status. Wimbledon was not amongst the Drax’s connection to Rosemary Evans noted the them – and scooped up ten Wimbledon. The Drax family disappearance of the Christ doubles titles. A plaque and owned a large estate on the The Queen’s New Church Vicarage which the Roger Taylor Sports Hall edge of Wimbledon Common Year’s Honours List stood opposite the church commemorate his connection plus two pieces of land on MBE to William Graves, on . Although with the Association. Wimbledon Hill right up to Trustee of the Fundacion the architectural merit of Although women were the 1920s. (Drax Avenue, Robert Graves: For services the house split opinion, its active in supporting the Draxmont etc.) The current to British culture and sudden removal was a shock. YMCA, they only became full MP’s full name is Richard literature in Spain. members in 1964. Grosvenor Plunkett-- Son of Robert Graves, Erle-Drax and the Grosvenor William is Honorary The YMCA name is key to the answer by President of the Robert Barbara following the money. Graves Society and Hon Life FROM A BOOKLET Windsor Ann Bremner won the Member of this Society. published in 1975 to mark its first Richard Milward BEM to Samantha Axbey centenary, Sheila Dunman CHAIRMAN Michael Prize in 2016 for her essay for service to the Girl Guides gave us a summary of the Norman Smith recalled on influential names in of Wimbledon.

5 | March 2021 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n

and would establish its own on the death certificate was Wimbledon planning rules under the originally acute respiratory overall Borough Plan. failure. Some Society members London Mayor Sadiq Khan Society’s response are already involved has put in place some of the personally, and the Society most ambitious policies in the to Merton’s as an organisation has now world to tackle air pollution. become a member. We will Merton has its own Air provide updates on how Plan Quality Action Plan (https:// draft Local Plan Wimbledon evolves in future www.merton.gov.uk/assets/ Newsletters. Documents/Merton%20 MERTON COUNCIL • Building of housing should AQAP%2020182023.pdf, or published their draft new have priority over office search for ‘Air Quality Action Local Plan at the end of blocks. Another Plan’ on www.merton.gov.uk). 2020 and the Planning & • We need to see greater Parliamentary Environment Committee emphasis on safe and spent some time considering pleasant pedestrian zones Boundary 15-minute cities the Society’s response. and a proper working Commission WHAT WOULD IT be like to The main issues in our network of cycleways. live within a 15-minute walk of submission are: Through traffic and starts work everything you need day-to- • Top priority must be given speeding has no place in THE GOVERNMENT’S day – schools, shops, parks, to Climate Change, followed local neighbourhoods. decision not to reduce doctor’s surgery, cinema and by Energy, Sustainability • Protection of open space the size of the House of swimming pool to name a few? & the Environment, then and nature should be Commons from 650 to 600 The concept of the 15 Greening of the Borough, paramount, and making MPs means that the Boundary Minute City is gaining and finally Growth/ space for arts and culture Commission has to start momentum and popularity, Development. provides a welcome boost work all over again to re-draw reversing historical car- • Development (or ‘growth’) to both personal well-being parliamentary boundaries. centric city planning, with must not be at the cost of and the local economy. The previous proposals on the potential to transform losing Merton’s character • A sound and secure which we had commented large cities like London into and heritage, eg: public energy supply is essential at the time (December much more sustainable and workshops clearly indicate to the development of 2016 Newsletter) have been liveable places. The idea has local people do not want infrastructure and should abandoned. caught on in Paris where the tall buildings. be made robust and The publication of the UK’s Mayor Anne Hidalgo won • Development should resilient in the face of electoral figures in January re-election with a promise to only be accepted if it first climate change. enabled them to compute turn Paris into a 15 Minute meets Climate Change There is a link to our full the number of MPs per City. Scotland has adopted & Sustainability Policies response on our website. region and as a result Greater the concept of the 20 Minute and relates well to local London will gain two MPs Neighbourhood and the character. over the present number. Town & Country Planning • The plan itself needs Wimbledon We shall look closely at Association is working on to change its approach Society joins their initial proposals when guidance for English local from explaining how the they are published in the authorities. Council will re-act to Plan Wimbledon summer. proposals from developers, THE WIMBLEDON to being more pro-active, Neighbourhood Planning Don’t pave over particularly in achieving the Group had its inaugural Clean air rising that front garden transformation of buildings meeting in January 2020 up the agenda and transport required to with the aim of producing a SOME YEARS AGO we combat Climate Change. Neighbourhood Plan for the AT THE INQUEST on 16 published a Design Guide • The current target of over Wimbledon area under the December into the death of showing that it is not 13,000 new homes in the Localism Act 2010. It has now Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, the necessary to pave over a next 15 years means that an changed its name to “Plan coroner ruled that air pollution front garden even if the space average of 500 new homes Wimbledon”. played a part in a girl’s death is needed for car parking. will need to be built per Once established, the has focussed attention on this This is still available on our sq km in Merton. With no Neighbourhood Plan would issue and highlighted the need website under Planning & clear indication of how take account of the interests for speedier action. Ella was Environment: “Keeping our this will be achieved, it is of all who use Wimbledon a nine-year-old girl living by Front Gardens Green”. clearly a target that needs including residents, a busy road in Lewisham and We now see that the London reassessing. businesses and employees, died in 2013. The cause given National Park City (contd p7)

6 | March 2021 n PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT n Continued from page 6 Wimbledon – creating a new website has the same idea with tips for how best to remove world-class cultural destination part of a paved front garden and which plants to install – A UNIQUE concert hall is as other recital, rehearsal concept drawing. The left side https://www.nationalparkcity. planned for Wimbledon. It and gallery facilities. A features a cross-section of london/frontgardens would be a centre of excellence choral space of 200 will the auditorium, the right an London was officially drawing people to the town, accommodate the Wimbledon impression of the exterior at declared the world’s first complementing other cultural Choral Society. Several roof night. Gehry is standing by to National Park City in July sites along the Broadway and gardens will bring a welcome develop his initial plans. 2019, having been established local area as well as events touch of greenery. The The Hall has gained much by the National Park City such as the Wimbledon promoters plan to fund the support from the international Foundation. Over 40 percent International Music Festival exceptional project by seeking arts community, with of Greater London is public and the Wimbledon Bookfest. donations from philanthropic Darcey Bussell and Vladimir open space, more than most Promoted by Anthony donors. Active discussions are Ashkenazy as patrons. comparable cities. Wilkinson, director of the taking place with potential Leading musician, Esa-Pekka Music Festival, the proposed benefactors. There will be no Salonen, Principal Conductor 1,250-seat hall will be public funding. Philharmonia Orchestra, AELTC planning designed by an internationally The architect is the world- says “To have a Frank Gehry recognised team to achieve renowned Frank Gehry, designed concert hall in IN DECEMBER 2018 the All optimum acoustics. The site frequently cited as ’the Wimbledon would be a total England Lawn Tennis Club under consideration is the greatest living architect’. transformation of London acquired Golf council-owned open public His several iconic buildings concert life. It would have Club, and will take possession carpark behind Morrisons. have brought huge benefits a global effect. With these of the land belonging to the The state-of-the-art, world- to the cities and regions buildings the influence goes Golf Club in January 2022. class hall would be used for they have been built in. The way beyond the art form.” They are already making plans major performances across Walt Disney Concert Hall The Society is strongly in for the future of the estate, one the musical genres, as well has totally transformed favour of the project. The of their priorities being good as providing a valuable civic Downtown Los Angeles. Hall will raise Wimbledon’s stewardship of the landscape. amenity. With a full-size stage, The extraordinary glass- cultural profile by creating This includes remedial flexible lighting and digital sails of the Louis Vuitton a performance venue of tree works, involving the systems, it would be ideal for Foundation in Paris attract an the highest standard, with maintenance and protection of dance, opera, jazz, pop, folk enormous number of visitors. facilities for extensive veteran trees, some of which and dramatic presentations. Many architects describe community use. As Gehry’s are over 200 years old. Post Covid, there would be the Guggenheim Museum numerous complexes have Within the next month a centre for community use in Bilbao the single greatest demonstrated, a new concert the AELTC plans to start a and an ambitious educational building of the 20th century. hall in Wimbledon has great broader consultation on the programme. In addition Gehry’s practice has started potential for bringing cultural Golf Course landscape, and to the main hall, a flexible preparing outline designs and economic regeneration to details will be announced in performance space of 400 for the hall in Wimbledon, our town. due course. seats will be provided, as well shown in this architectural ASIF MALIK Incidentally, we are also delighted to note that plans are being made for the Wimbledon tennis Championships 2021 to go ahead from 28 June – 11 July. A home of life enhancing sensory experience See page 3 for further details. That reaches out of the hall into the city © Frank Gehry Frank Gehry’s conceptual drawing ‘Collage III’ of the proposed Wimbledon Concert Hall.

7 | March 2021 n LOCAL APPEAL n Campaign to save Dorset Hall © Barbara Gorma Dorset Hall from the street (above left) and from the rear (above right)

Women’s Rights campaigner Rose was an outstanding run by the University of developers and we are in and Society member social reformer and pioneer Warwick, lists it as a place early stage talks to secure BARBARA GORNA describes of women’s rights. Her of special importance in the the building. We have an the on-going fight to save husband Tom, a solicitor, fight for suffrage. agreement from Clarion that the historic home of Rose represented Emily Wilding It was bought by the there will be a stay on the sale Lamartine Yates. Davison’s family after her monolithic housing group until the end of June 2021. In death and Rose organised Clarion as part of a ‘job lot’ the meantime, it is all hands EVERY TIME we drove along of Merton’s social housing on deck to find a sustainable Kingston Road past the sad- and it was a difficult fit. First future use for the building. looking Georgian house called The ‘Mapping it was used as bedsits, then Merton must list it as an Dorset Hall, something stirred Women’s Suffrage’ squatters broke in, before it ‘Asset of Community Value’ in my memory. Research project run by was boarded up about four under s.87 of the Localism quickly revealed that this was the University of years ago. Act 2011. Funds can then the home of Rose Lamartine The ‘Dorset Hall Group’, be raised for a Community Yates, militant suffragette, Warwick, lists it as formed with friends from Asset Transfer. DHG are chair of the Women’s Social a place of special the Wimbledon Society keen to work with local & Political Union, and first importance in the and Museum, contacted history groups and voluntary woman on the board of the fight for suffrage. Clarion for comments on associations to push the Cyclists Touring Club, some what they intended to do project forward. 44,000 strong. (Cycling was with the building. It has been Clarion say: “Dorset immensely popular with the funeral. Dorset Hall a bit of a dance in the last Hall Group are in early women, as it gave them was a place of refuge for couple of months, more of a conversations with Clarion freedom). I soon learned suffragettes released from slow Waltz than a Cha-Cha, Housing Group about that Rose was a close friend prison after force-feeding but the Group has made purchasing the building and of Emily Wilding Davison, and Rose became one of the progress. The litter-strewn the possibility of using the the suffragette killed at most militant in the fight for exterior has been tidied Dorset Hall as a community the Derby in 1913. They Votes for Women; despite up; detritus left inside by asset and Suffragette Museum had studied together, both being arrested and thrown squatters has finally been as a tribute to Rose who in 1918 at Royal Holloway and St. into prison, she refused to removed and Clarion and was elected as one of the first Hugh’s, Oxford. (I spent be silenced. Merton Council surveyors female members of the London years arguing that Emily The Grade II listed Dorset are agreeing on repairs to County Council”. was not a suicide, and the Hall is a very important make it watertight. documentary with Clare house, not just locally but Clarion want to sell. No one For more details, contact Simon Balding, Secrets of a Suffragette, nationally. The ‘Mapping wants to see this venerable Hood deputy chairman of DHG, backed the theory.) Women’s Suffrage’ project old lady of a house fall to at: [email protected]

8 | March 2021 n MUSEUM n Recent Donations

© Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition/Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

The Museum has been given warheads would not be tested after the missiles were finally the high quality of the some handmade banners and from these sites, there was removed in 1991. products on sale and for our a poster from the Wimbledon vigorous opposition from It was at this time that message of nuclear Disarmament Coalition/ local communities. But the WDC/CND was formed, made disarmament, which was Campaign for Nuclear main opposition and mass up of existing CND members, always a big feature of the Disarmament. Maisie protests came from some founder members and fête. Much in demand were Carter, Secretary of supporters of the Campaign many enthusiastic, creative the amazing plants, grown WDC/CND, sent PAMELA for Nuclear Disarmament young people, who wanted to mostly by our indefatigable GREENWOOD the story (CND), who saw the siting of be involved in ridding the secretary, Joanna Bazley, in surrounding these items. cruise missiles on British soil country of nuclear weapons. her house, greenhouse and as a massive escalation of the It was from this group that garden. Also popular were nuclear arms race, which the idea of the Fete of the the books, bric-a-brac, raffles, WDC/CND’s could endanger the peace of Earth was born. A book sideshows and especially the the world. This period saw entitled The Fate of the Earth, music, varying from a local Fete of the the establishment of the by Jonathan Schell, was choir to a lively folk band, Earth Greenham Common Peace published in 1982; spelling out which kept people Camp, begun when a group of the devastating consequences entertained all afternoon. ON 12 JUNE 1980 Sir Francis women marched from Cardiff of nuclear war it confronted Food was also a major Pym, then Defence Secretary, to Greenham Common to the unthinkable – the attraction. Sadly, due to the announced the government’s protest and, once there, destruction of humanity and tragic death of Joanna in decision to allow the siting of decided that they had to stay. most life on earth. It therefore 2018, the logistics of American cruise missiles in And stay they did, gathering seemed fitting that we should organising the fête became Britain. 160 missiles were to mass support, including huge, use a homophone for the insurmountable, thus 2018 be located at RAF Greenham colourful demonstrations of name of our fête. saw the last Fete of the Earth. Common, Berkshire, and RAF women from all over the WDC/CND continued to WDC/CND continues its Molesworth, Cambridgeshire. country gathering to demand hold an annual Fete of the activities for peace and is Despite government the dismantling of the bases, Earth from 1982 – 2018, which constantly devising new ways assurance that nuclear from September 1981 until grew in popularity, both for of reaching out to the public.

Wimbledon Museum – the story so far

With news of the planned When we reopen after our refurbishment (see p1), refurbishment, we intend JACQUELINE LAURENCE to alter our name and become gives a brief summary of once again The Wimbledon the distinguished history Museum.

of the Museum. Our origins lie even earlier © Museum of Wimbledon than 1916: back in 1863, when The Museum in the early days OUR MUSEUM has a long a distinguished local resident, and distinguished history. It Joseph Toynbee, published a was a founding member. He began to collect objects first opened its doors to the small book called Hints on the Toynbee’s untimely death and artworks, and the public in 1916, when it was Formation of Local Museums. meant he never made his Wimbledon Village Club known as The Wimbledon He hoped to establish a local dream museum a reality, but offered accommodation to Museum of the John Evelyn museum as one of the facilities his book inspired Richardson the museum he created, at Club (the Wimbledon offered by the Wimbledon Evans, one of the founders 22 Ridgway, where it remains Society’s original name). Village Club, of which he of the John Evelyn club. to this day.

9 | March 2021 n OBITUARIES n

JOHN SESSIONS GERRY COTTLE 11 January 1953 – 7 April 1945 – 13 January 2021 2 November 2020 SOME CHILDREN dream of JOHN SESSIONS, the actor, running away from home to comedian and brilliant mimic, join the circus. Gerry Cottle lived in The Downs for some was the boy who did so. The years before his sad death in dream of the eight-year-old November aged 67. While became a reality when, aged 15, recognising his genius, the he left a note for his parents on national press, which the kitchen table saying “I’ve had not always been kind to gone forever.” him in his lifetime, made Gerry Cottle was born either amends with the weight of in Cheam (Guardian) or column inches devoted to his Carshalton (Independent). The obituaries. Despite John’s one thing of which we can be extraordinary gifts and certain is that he attended achievements in the world of Rutlish School in Merton Park. entertainment, many here will (The school’s other famous remember him as a solitary pupils include artist and writer soul frequently seen walking Raymond Briggs, the jazz in the town or waiting at a bus musician Tubby Hayes, Prime stop on the Ridgway. Minister John Major and Born John Marshall in murderer Neville Heath). Ayrshire, he changed his The life of a circus hand was name while at RADA, since tough and Gerry did not remain there was another member of one for long. He married Betty Equity with his name. He had Fossett, the 16-year-old rope graduated from University trick performer and daughter College Bangor with a degree of circus showman Jim Fossett, in English Literature, but in 1968. In the 1970s Gerry claimed that the cause for the Cottle’s Circus and Gerry’s chip on his shoulder was that career as an impresario reached

Bangor and not Oxford was © Giles Ashton/Markham, & Irwin Froggatt its height. He toured Britain his Alma Mater. His genius for and abroad with his Big Top mimicry and improvisation and spectacular shows. Success became apparent on TV panel His genius for mimicry and improvisation and excess followed, as did shows such as Whose Line Is became apparent on TV panel shows bankruptcies and drug Anyway in the 1980s, and such as Whose Line Is It Anyway in the 1980s addiction. When the climate continued to more recent and continued to more recent favourites changed against the use of favourites such as Have I got performing animals Cottle’s News for You. He was also a such as Have I got News for You. Circus hung on for a while. long-time supporter and Gerry sold his last elephant in contributor to Private Eye. International Music Festival Me’ in 2010. The next year he 1993 and in 2003 he gave up the John Sessions was the voice remembers John’s kind smile did a show on WS Gilbert. In circus ‘for good’ – for the of several puppets in Spitting and generous spirit. “The last 2013 he played the role of second time. Down but never Image, eventually becoming time I saw him he invited me Wagner in a play ‘Sins of the out, Cottle made his best one of the puppets himself. to his home to donate a free Fathers’ by Jessica Duchen, investment the same year, He had a successful acting voice-over recording session in which he managed to divert when he bought Wookey Hole career on stage and on to a short film I made with the a ‘dream’ play into a hilarious Cave. He revived this attraction screens big and small. architect Frank Gehry, who is comedy much to the delight and opened a small circus Particularly memorable were designing the Wimbledon of both the author and the museum and a successful circus his roles as Harold Wilson, Concert Hall project. audience.” school alongside it. Edward Heath, and Norman “Also John appeared several As a friend of Wimbledon Called the ‘Arthur Daley of Tebbit in bio-dramas or as times during the early years Guild, members may recall the circus world’, Gerry Cottle Arthur Lowe playing Capt. of the music festival, always that he was a Guest Reader never relinquished his original Mainwaring in We’re Doomed drawing a full house at the at the Guild’s Carol Service dream and was believed to be – The Story of Dad’s Army. Orange Tree Theatre in in 2019. Many more will miss planning a circus comeback Anthony Wilkinson, Richmond. The first one-man his familiar figure waiting for when he was struck down by Director of the Wimbledon show he did was ‘Mahler and the 200. Covid-19.

10 | March 2021 n WIMBLEDON PARK n The Game Cover, Wimbledon Park

DAVE DAWSON tells us about Lancelot Brown’s last job at Wimbledon Park.

WE ARE LUCKY to have fully three maps of the eighteenth-century Wimbledon Park, which document its landscaping by Lancelot (“Capability”) Brown for John, the first Earl Spencer. The best of the three is in the collection of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, and shows the Park complete. A copy of this map is on display at the Wimbledon Museum and the label attributes it to John Haynes and dates it to 1770. The map itself is not dated, nor does it identify the map- maker, and it seems that the information on the Museum’s label is incorrect. The history of the “Game Cover” in the north- west corner of the Montreal map is key to understanding this. Historian Dorian Gerhold, in his book Wandsworth Past, documents the addition of Wandsworth West Common to Earl Spencer’s Park. It was this addition that Brown landscaped for the Earl as the Game Cover. The land was acquired by Spencer in 1782, so the Montreal map cannot have been made before then. This was checked with Dorian Gerhold when the date of the Montreal map was corrected in my brief history of the Park prepared for the exhibition to celebrate Brown’s tercentenary in 2016. Lancelot Brown scholar and historic landscapes consultant, Steffie Shields, discovered a plan from 1783 that completes the story. Her plan showed much the same detail of the Game Cover as known from the Montreal plan, but it was accompanied by an invoice for works to complete the landscaping, dated 1783. Lancelot Brown died in early 1783 and the invoice is in the name of his business partner, and son-in-law, Henry Holland Junior. It seeks payment The c.1785 map of Wimbledon Park as landscaped by Lancelot Brown. for works done by Brown before his The Game Cover completed by Henry Holland is highlighted in red. demise and also for much further work to complete the Game Cover. John Corris to prepare a map of all the who was the mapmaker. It almost So, landscaping this corner of the Park land he had inherited. Corris’s map of certainly was not Haynes, who is known was begun by Brown and completed 1787 shows the Game Cover completed to have lived approximately 1706 to by Holland. The Montreal map, which and includes a menagerie not shown 1770, and would have been about 80 shows the completed Game Cover, on the Montreal map. So, the Montreal years old in 1785, but we don’t know cannot have been drafted before 1783. map would have been prepared in who it was. The Montreal catalogue says The first Earl died late in 1783 and 1785, give or take a year. To correct the “unknown”, and there seems no reason George, the second Earl, commissioned museum label, we also need to know to disagree.

11 | March 2021 n ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING n http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/Get some space in your life. Greenwatch SUSANNA RIVIERE updates us on local environment and sustainability issues

The project asks people of Climate all abilities to create a textile Emergency panel (right) that captures Update their feelings towards the environment, with a vision MERTON’S CLIMATE for a better, more sustainable Strategy & Action Plan, the future. Each panel will be response to the declaration accompanied by the personal of a climate emergency, which story behind it and there will set net zero carbon targets be a local exhibition of the of 2050 for the borough and panels in late Spring 2021. 2030 for the Council was Online workshops are approved by Council on 18 available in March. To November 2020. take part contact Ellie The next steps include the Smallshaw – ellie@ launch of a Climate Action sustainablemerton.org Group and the development of a Climate Communications network to engage with as Climate Change many people as possible Pledges for to encourage behaviour change and carbon reductions Merton – in the borough. The pledge to take Wimbledon Society, through action now! its Planning & Environment Committee, is involved in To help deliver the Climate both of these projects. Action Plan and make The annual Climate Merton carbon neutral, LBM Delivery Plan will set out is encouraging everyone in yearly priorities for delivering Merton to take steps to reduce Surveyors, Valuers & Estate Agents the Climate Strategy and their carbon footprint in their Action Plan objectives and daily lives. Each month will provide a framework for focus on a different theme. reviewing progress. The You can find out more Climate Delivery Plan for and make your pledge at 2021 went to Cabinet on 18 https://www.merton.gov. January. uk/planning-and-buildings/ sustainability-and-climate- change/make-your-climate- Loving Earth: change-pledges or go to A Legacy of www.merton.gov.uk and follow these links: Lockdown Planning and buildings > At the heart of the community Sustainable Merton & the Climate change > Climate We are pleased to support the Wimbledon Society Loving Earth Project invite Change Pledges. To Merton residents to create inspire others to take action a permanent and creative people are encouraged record of their experiences to share their pledge Sales 020 8947 9833 I Lettings 020 8879 9669 during the Coronavirus stories and tag the Council www.robertholmes.co.uk pandemic. at: #MertonClimateAction.

The Wimbledon Society was founded in 1903. It is a Registered Charity (No 1164261), and a company limited by guarantee (No 9818707). Annual subscription rates: Individual £15; Couple/family £20; Affiliated: £25. Membership application forms can be downloaded from the Society website or collected from the Museum. The Museum and Bookshop (020 8296 9914), 22 Ridgway, near Lingfield Road, are open from 2.30 to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission free. Data Protection. The Wimbledon Society is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office for Data Protection Purposes as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998, reg no: ZA244625. All personal information supplied to the Society by members will be used solely for communication with them concerning the Society’s Membership, Governance, Events, and only matters concerning the Society. It will not be shared with any other organisation, except where there is a Statutory obligation to do so. Full details of our Privacy Policy are published on our website. 12 | March 2021