Tag Archives: 1946

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

The Canons Minutes – Trees

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From the minutes of the
Allotments Committee
7th January 1954

Tulip Tree : The Canons

In November, 1948, I reported to the Committee the result of an inspection of the tulip tree at the Canons by Mr W.M. Campbell, the Curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

Mr Campbell at that time recommended removal of that half of the tree which was dying back. This work and soil and turf treatment also recommended were carried out.

Recently signs of decay became evident and I asked Mr Campbell to again inspect and report on the tree. Two inspections have been made and it is with great reluctance that a recommendation is made for the tree to be removed at once. Armillaria mellea (Honey fungus) is now present in the root system and is responsible for the rapid decay now apparent at and below ground level.

Mr Campbell concludes his recommendations by suggesting the planting of two young Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip trees) and offers to make available a young Metasequoia glyptostroboides, which, until five years ago, was only known by fossilised remains.

Yours obediently,
Riley Schofield,
Borough Engineer and Surveyor.

That the recommendations of Mr Campbell for the removal and replacement of the tulip tree be adopted, and that the thanks of the Committee be conveyed to him for his offer to make available a rare tree to be planted at the Canons.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 20 1953-54, pages 522-3.

South Mitcham Residents’ Association
– Read letter from the South Mitcham Residents’ Associationforwarding resolution by that association regarding the destruction of fruit-bearing trees in The Canons’ orchard.

Resolved, That the Town Clerk be instructed to send a suitable reply.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 12 1945-62, page 423

From the minutes of the
Allotments Committee
February 2, 1946

13. “The Canons” Trees

A number of trees in the grounds of “The Canons” require attention. I should like the approval of the Committee to the following, the estimated cost of which is given.

Removal of dead walnut tree from the allotments £12
New support to tulip tree on lawn £2 10s.
Lopping and pruning of trees alongside Carp Pond and Madeira Road £325

Total £339 10s.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 12 1945-46, page 261

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