Category Archives: Roads

Beehive Bridge

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Railway bridge on Commonside East over the railway line that was opened in 1868 connecting Streatham to Sutton. The line separates Three Kings Piece from the rest of Mitcham Common. The name is from the nearby former pub of the same name that predated the railway.

The current bridge was built in 1939, replacing a humped back bridge. At 42 feet wide, it required extra land from the Common.

From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 25th August 1939.

The bridge had to be rebuilt as it was not strong enough to take bus traffic over it (route 118).

The tender of Howard Farrow & Co. was accepted to build the bridge.

Borough of Mitcham Council Minutes, 5th January 1939

1938 OS map reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Scotland (reuse CC-BY)

Engineer’s Line Reference is BTH1, structure reference 1217, showing that it is 9 miles and 43 chains from London Bridge (photo taken May 2017)

1935: King George V Silver Jubilee Celebrations

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George V came to the throne on 6th May 1910, and his coronation was the following year, on 22nd June 1911. Below are clips from the local newspapers of celebrating 25 years on the throne in 1935.

Norwood News – Friday 03 May 1935
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Mitcham News & Mercury
19th May 1935

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MITCHAM’S PROCESSION. – Mitcham celebrated the Jubilee with a big carnival procession from the Town Hall to a mammoth sports meeting at Lavender-avenue.

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IN THANKSGIVING. – Mitcham’s sports were preceded by a short service. In the picture are: Back row (left to right) Lady Worsfold, Sir Cato Worsfold, Mr. F.H. Priest, Lady Meller, Sir Richard Meller, M.P., Rev. C. Aubrey Finch (vicar of Mitcham), Mr. J.C. Crump (sports carnival organiser), the Mayor of Mitcham (Ald. J. Fitch), Coun. Davies, Ald. C. Woods, and Mr. W.D. Willinson; front row, Rev. E.J. Baker (on left), and Rev. W.K. Roberts (extreme right).

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Steers Mead Children’s Party