Tag Archives: 1937

Bramcote Parade

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1937 aerial Bramcote Court

26th June 1937

A parade of shops at the curved part of Bramcote Court, on the west side of Bramcote Avenue at the junction with Cricket Green. Originally there were 4 shops, numbered 1 to 4 from south to north, with no. 4 facing Cricket Green. At present, in 2022, there are 3 shops, numbered 1-2, 3 and 4.

1954 OS map

Shops

Harper’s sweet shop was remembered by a user of the Facebook group Mitcham History:

When I think of shops in Mitcham, I remember the names of Harpers sweet shop on the corner of Bramcote Ave and Stevenson & Rush in London Road. Harpers I remember waiting with a bowl to collect the ice cream during rationing and Stevenson & Rush for the smell of ground coffee.

The 1954 telephone directory lists Eric Harper at no. 1, telephone MITcham 2635.

No. 1

1963 ad for Molly’s at 1 Bramcote Parade

No. 2

A. ROGERS, greengrocer – source: 1938 Mitcham Guide

1938 ad for A. Rogers, from the Mitcham Guide

Home Furnishing Stores, tel: MIT 2635 – source: 1946 Norwood News

Norwood News – Friday 19 July 1946
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

No. 3

School Government Publishing Co. Ltd, – source: 1948 Norwood News

Norwood News – Friday 22 October 1948
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Croft & Co., advertising:

1960 ad:

Croydon Times – Friday 30 September 1960
Image © Successor rightsholder unknown.

S.L. CROFT, advertising, tel: MIT 4397 – source: 1967 Chamber of Commerce listing.

Cottam’s pram repair shop.

Toys on Parade – see 2008 photo below

No. 4

J.F. EXCEL, greengrocers – source: 1952 Chamber of Commerce listing.

Facelift

In 2021/2 the shop fronts were given a facelift, paid for out of the Community Infrastructure Levy, which is contributed to by local developers. This was done after a successful campaign by the group Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage, who had campaigned for this parade and Bramcote Court be added to Merton Council’s Local List.

Bramcote Parade in August 2019

Bramcote Parade in April 2022

This photo, from 2008, was posted onto the Mitcham History Group on Facebook, and is reproduced here with the user’s permission.

Bramcote Parade in 2008

R.J. Hamer paints and varnishes

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2 Miles Road
Varnish Paints

82 Church Road
Despatch Depot

Source:
Borough of Mitcham List of Factories,
Town Clerk’s Department,
July 1963.
Available at Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.
Reference L2 (670) MIT

1953 OS map

1953 OS map

Incorporating J.L. Fordham and Sons (est. 1837) – according to this newspaper ad in 1943 when the company’s protective paints and industrial finishes were mainly being produced for the war effort, but limited quantities were still available for Approved Essential Purposes. Two of their products named were ‘Pedigree’ Hard Drying Enamel Gloss Paint and ‘Perfecto’ Washable Water Paint.

8th June 1943

8th June 1943

Im19440630Aero-RJHamer

1984 ad from the Reading Evening Post – Thursday 22 March 1984 via the British Newspaper Archive Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

A Smiths Barometer

1972 phone book Hamer

From the 1961 Kelly’s directory:

Manufacturers of “Aristocrat” Enamels & Synthetic Finishes.
“Pedigree” Hard Drying Gloss Paint & Varnishes,
“Perfecto” Water Paint, Japans, Lacquers, & Industrial Finishes.

From the minutes of Mitcham Borough Council:

HAMER’S VARNISH FACTORY, Miles Road.

—The committee received the following report from the Chief Sanitary Inspector

— To the Chairman and Members of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

May 18, 1937.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Re complaint of fumes from Hamer’s varnish factory, Miles Road, I have made observation in Frimley Gardens as follows:-

May 10th at 11 a.m., no fumes, plant working;
May 13th at 11.45 a.m. to 11.55 a.m., very slight fumes;
May 13th at 3 p.m. to 3.10 p.m., very slight fumes, plant working;
May 14th at 11.30 a.m., no fumes, plant working;
May 15th at 11 a.m., no fumes, plant working;
May 18th ay 11.25 a.m., very slight fumes, plant working.

I have interviewed Mr. Bett, of Messrs. Hamer and Sons, on May 18, 1937, re this complaint and inspected the factory. Mr. Bett informed me that slight fume was unavoidable when the pots were moved. He also said he would be pleased to show any member of the Council the plant in operation.

I am of opinion that by the installation of the plant Messrs. Hamer and Sons have used the best practical means of abating the nuisance.

Yours obediently,
K. J. GUTTERIDGE,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.

Resolved, That the Sanitary Inspector be asked to keep these Premises under further observation, and to submit a further report thereon to the Public Health Committee.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 3 1936-37

Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Borough Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.

Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.