Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 27 October 1927

WILSON COTTAGE HOSPITAL.

To Be Built by Mr. Stanley Dale.

Cranmers To Be Demolished.

The Trustees of the Wilson Cottage Hospital met on Tuesday to receive tenders for the building of the hospital block and caretaker’s lodge.

Tenders were received from thirteen firms of contractors and the tender of Mr. S. Dale, Upper Mitcham, was accepted. Instructions have been given for the work to be commenced at once.

The contract includes the demolition of the old Manor House—in which Archbishop Cranmer did not live—and all other work in connection with the erection of the hospital except the laying out of the gardens, which will be placed in the hands of experts.

Mr. Dale’s tender (the lowest) was £21,684. The highest tender was £27,930, by Messrs. Bowyers, Ltd. (Norwood). The other local tenders were: Mr. Herbert Hann (Colliers Wood), £22,343; Mr. E. J. Saunders (Croydon), £22,399; J. Smith and Son (Croydon), £22,499; C. Sayers and Son (Mitcham), £23,600.

The architects’ estimate (Messrs. Chart, Son and Reading) was £22,500.

OPEN NEXT NOVEMBER.

The contractor has lost no time in making a start and the “Advertiser” is officially informed that it is hoped to have the hospital ready for patients early in November next year.

HISTORIC BELL SAVED.

A bell, bearing the initials W.E. and the date 1662, belonging to Cranmers House, has been retrieved from the ruins by Mr. Isaac Wilson, the donor of the hospital, and at his request will be placed in a specially built turret on the apex of the centre block of the hospital.

At the meeting of the Urban Council on Tuesday an architect’s drawing of the front of the completed hospital was on view. It showed a handsome central two-storey block containing reception hall, staff’s apartments and administrative offices, with one-storey wings (ward and operating theatre) on each side and a broad curving carriageway through pleasing and wooded grounds. It is Mr. Wilson’s wish that as many of the fine trees in the grounds as can be saved may be saved and his wish will be respected.