Category Archives: Housing

Sydney Gedge

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1886

1886

From the British Newspaper Archives:

The Graphic – Saturday 24 July 1886

MR. SYDNEY GEDGE, of Mitcham Hall, Surrey, is the eldest son of the late Rev. Sydney Gedge. He was born in 1829, and educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he took a ” first ” in the Moral Science Tripos. In 1865 he was admitted a solicitor, and in 1871 was elected Solicitor to the London School Board. Mr. Gedge married, in 1857, Augusta, daughter of Robert Herring, Esq., of Cromer.

Weekly Dispatch (London) – Sunday 20 March 1921.

MR. SIDNEY GEDGE RECOVERING FROM HIS ILLNESS.

Mr. Sidney Gedge, the 92-years-old solicitor and former M.P., who lives at Mitcham, now overcoming a severe attack of influenza, is one of the most remarkable men in London and also one of the greatest optimists. Despite his age, he is chafing at his enforced inactivity. The Times contained an ainnouncement yesterday that he has been compelled lo cancel several engagements. Mr. Gedge is still in full harness. He is a frequent visitor to the City, and was at a board meeting when taken ill a week ago. During his illness the leading articles from The Times were read him. Yesterday he was able to them himself. A lifelong cyclist, it is only within comparatively recent years that he gave up pedaling to the City. He lives the life of a man many years younger. He is not a nonsmoker, and prefers the youthful cigarette occasionally.

Gloucester Citizen – Friday 6th April 1923

DEATH OF MR SYDNEY GEDGE.

The Press Association regrets to announce that Mr. Sidney Gedge, Mitcham Hall, Surrey, who was 93 last October, and was a former M.P. for Stockport and Walsall, has died at Mitcham. Deceased was prominent lay churchman, and he was a licensed preacher of the dioceses of London and Southwark.

From Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser
4th February 1954

Their names will not be forgotten

…

The late Mr. Sydney Gedge, of Mitcham Hall, a one-time Member of Parliament and constructor of Mitcham Park, is remembered in Gedge Court on the Baron House Estate opposite his old home.

Photo taken 9th April 2020.

Merton Memories Photos

On a tricycle at Mitcham Hall
1929 Mitcham Park

Council Houses ‘Derelict’

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From a local newspaper, dated 23rd July 1982

COUNCIL houses have been left out of a scheme to do up a badly run down area.

Many have been left to decay, while nearby private houses have been given government funded face lifts.

These are the angry claims of Colliers Wood councillor Miss Siobhain McDonagh.

“It is an indictment of this council,” she said. “These houses have been owned by them for a number of years and they are still derelict.”

While the number of smart private houses and flats is on the increase, the condition of vacant council housing in Robinson Road continues to worsen with age and frequent spates of vandalism.

For years residents were haunted by the threat of M23 motorway plans, many left and the area became dilapidated. It was then named a housing action area, and over the course of five years council cash was providrd to assist private building enterprise.

But Coun McDonagh feels strongly that the council should have given similar cash support to its own property, especially as there are 4,500 people on the wailing list.

“There is an obvious need for rented accommodation,” she said. “All the council is interested in is cutting services.”

Environmental health chief Mr Jim Smith said that the aims of the five year plan had in fact been achieved in that almost all the housing had been improved.

Provision

Many of the council houses had only recently acquired from the Greater London Council and the Department of Transport, and that provision has been made for their improvement in the very near future.