Erected to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, the clock tower in the Fair Green has been moved twice. It was put in its current position on 26th August 2015.
26th August 2015
In May 2016, the lanterns returned to the clock, as reported on the Merton council website.
Photo taken 19th July 2016
It is grade II listed by Historic England. Their summary is :
Clock tower. Late C19. Cast iron. Square base surmounted by fluted Ionic column carrying pedimented clock housing with faces to four sides; crowning weathervane.
The column of the clock has a tapered base, which sits in a black painted plinth. The tapered base has four sides, each with the same design which includes a shield bearing the initials V.R. and the year 1897. Dolphin heads are at each bottom corner of this base.
Base of clock tower looking south. Photo taken 24th June 2018.
Base of clock tower looking north. This side has a water tap. Photo taken 24th June 2018.
MITCHAM FAIR GREEN
This plaque was unveiled to celebrate the completion of Rediscover Mitcham, a project that included the restoration of Miotcham’s iconic clock tower, the creation of the gardens and market square and the re-opening of London Road.
Mitcham Fair Green was officially opened on 24 July 2018 by Heidi Alexander, London’s deputy mayor for transport and councillor Mary Curtin, mayor of Merton.
In Harlesden High Street there is a clock of the same design, and its description on Historic England has more details:
Erected by Public subscription 1887. Cast iron. Square base with inscription panel. Tapering decorative square feature above it decorated with dolphins, armorial bearings, supporting fluted circular column with spiral ornament, shields of arms and swags and square topped. Florentine capital. Above capital is a cube with a round clock face on each side crowned by pediments; central urn and spike. Lanterns removed.
For photos, see Harlesden Golden Jubilee Clock/Fountain on the Memorial Drinking Fountains blog. For a comparison between the two, watch :
Planning Applications to move the clock
Listed building consent for relocation of Grade II listed Victorian clock tower from current location to a site 55.5m to the south and located to the west of 17-19 Upper Green East including: provision of a replacement plinth; restoration of gas lamps in the form of 4 reproduction lamps; restoration of drinking water fountain; and associated hardlandscaping including new uplighting set into the paving pattern; information panels; wall and seating surround.
Listed building consent for the manufacture and fixing of replica original lanterns to refurbished and relocated clock tower.
Refurbishment and relocation of clock tower 25 metres north as a feature in a new pedestrianised and environmental improvement scheme. (Council application)
Mitcham History Notes 