Tag Archives: 1968

Home Radio

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Shop that was established at 187 London Road (opposite Eagle House), in 1946 by brothers Alan and Colin Sproxton, using their service gratuities. The name “Home Radio” was suggested by their father.

September 1947 – the shop at 187 London Road, and their van. From the in house magazine of Murphy Radio Co., the Murphy News.

In 1955 Colin Sproxton took part in the Monte Carlo Rally.

Colin Sproxton in 1959 at the Monte Carlo Rally. Clip from Merton Memories photo reference Mit_​People_​124-1, copyright London Borough of Merton.

Home Radio initially sold electrical appliances, as shown in these adverts from 1960.

The business grew with selling components by mail order. According to an article in The Radio Constructor magazine (pdf), Home Radio and Mitcham became known all over the world.

Colin Sproxton retired in 1964, the year of this catalogue cover:

1964 Home Radio catalogue

The back cover of this catalogue showed how to get to their shop by public transport. The map also showed their service shop in Locks Lane.

Their 1968 components catalogue, was advertised in Practical Wireless magazine, and said that it was:

Used and acclaimed by scientists, engineers, technicians, teachers & students

1968 Practical Wireless magazine ad

In 1969 they moved to larger premises to cope with the need to store large amounts of components for the mail order business. They went to the top floor of a new office block at 234 – 240 London Road, which gave them 2,400 square feet of space. The business was being run by Alan Sproxton and Ernest Layton at this time.

The Radio Constructor magazine described the dinner that was held at The Grange on 23rd April 1969 to celebrate the expansion of the business. A guest at the dinner was an old friend of the Sproxton family, Mr B. Mund Hopen from Bergen in Norway, who was in charge of the Norwegian Shipping Mission during World War 2. Mr Sproxton, in his after-lunch speech said that it was his opinion that three things saved Britain from defeat: radar, the tenacity and courage of the RAF, and the Norwegian tanker fleet which came over to Britain.

The company was wound up in 1982, as recorded in the London Gazette:

HOME RADIO (COMPONENTS) LIMITED

“That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Company that this Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business and that it is advisable that the same should be wound up; and that the Company be wound up and that Keith John Chapman of 1-2 Pudding Lane, London EC3R 8AB, be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of such voluntary winding-up.”

A. Sproxton, Chairman

Dolliffe Close

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Old Peoples Housing development in Bond Road. Flats first built in 1968 and demolished in 2012? replaced by new blocks of flats in 2013.

From the minutes of the
Housing Committee
25th June 1968

478. Bond Road, Mitcham : Old People’s Flatlets – Naming of – The Housing Manager reported on the question of a name for the flatlets in Bond Road, Mitcham, in course of erection and stated that the Greater London Council would require three alternative names to be submitted for approval.

Resolved – That the following three alternative names set out in order of choice be submitted to the Greater London Council:-

  • Bond Close
  • Warnford House
  • Dolliffe Close

Source: Minutes of Proceedings of the Council and committees, London Borough of Merton, Volume 5 1968-69, page 298

From the minutes of the
Housing Committee
17th December 1968

1690. Dolliffe Close, Bond Road, Mitcham

– The Housing Manager referred to Minute No. 1309/10/68 and reported

(a) that when the Capital Estimates for 1969/70 were being considered, he had omitted to ask that the expenditure of £600 for the furnishing of the common parts of the Dolliffe Close, Bond Road, Mitcham, flatlets scheme be approved and that the Finance Committee be requested to authorise implementation; and

(b) that, in view of the urgency of the matter, the Chairman of this Committee had authorised the placing of orders for these furnishings and that the Chairman of the Finance Committee had also approved this authorisation.

Resolved – That the action of the Chairman of this Committee be confirmed and that he matter be referred to the Finance Committee

(i) for confirmation of the action of the Chairman of that Committee, and

(ii) requesting that the necessary financial provision be made.

Source: Minutes of Proceedings of the Council and committees, London Borough of Merton, Volume 5 1968-69, pages 1061-1062

From the minutes of the
Housing Committee
7th January 1969

1927. Dolliffe Close, Bond Road, Mitcham

– Service Charges

– The housing Manager referred to Minute No. 1487/11/68 wherin the Service Charge of 29s. 0d. per week was approved in respect of the Dolliffe Close flatlets and reported that he had subsequently dound that the heating of the flats, which is of the gas warm-air type, was metered to each flat together with the domestic hot water system. He recommended, therefore, that the charge be reduced to 13s. 6d. per week, which figure took into consideration such services as a warden’s service, use of Common Room and of communal laundry facilities.

Resolved – That a revised charge of 13s. 6d. per week be approved.

Source: Minutes of Proceedings of the Council and committees, London Borough of Merton, Volume 5 1968-69, pages 1203

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