Tag Archives: Bucks Head

1827 auction of Patent Steam Laundry at Phipps Bridge

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clip from Merton Memories reference Mit_Work_Industry_2-3

From the Sun (London) – Wednesday 08 August 1827, via the British Newspaper Archive

The Patent Steam Washing Company’s Valuable and Extensive Premises, at Phipps-bridge, Mitcham, Surrey, with Two Steam Engines, and all the Capital Machinery.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
By WINSTANLEY and SONS,

At the Mart, on TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, at Twelve, in One Lot, by Order of the Assignees, and with consent of the Mortgagees.

THE Valuable and Extensive PREMISES, comprising a newly-erected Building about two hundred and fourteen feet long and sixty-one feet wide, situate adjoining that well-known and fine stream the River Wandle. Together with Two Steam Engines, one of ten-horse and the other six-horse power ; seven large washing wheels, an Hydraulic Press of immense power, with ironing and calendering apparatus, and all other suitable fittings and machinery for the various departments, and forming one of the most complete establishments of the kind in the Kingdom, and the whole is easily applicable for a Brewery, Calico Printing, and many other descriptions of manufacture.

Also, very extensive Stabling, Coach or Waggon-houses, Yards, &c. The above Premises are holden by Lease for Ninety-nine Years, at £31 10s. per annum.

Likewise a New Brick Erection fitted up as a Dyehouse, containing several large Coppers, with Leaden Cisterns and other apparatus of the most approved constructions, and upon a very excellent scale, held for thirty years, at £9 per annum.

And a Field of Meadow Land, about Fifteen Acres, well calculated for a Drying or Bleaching Ground, with a Timber Building about 110 feet long and 21 wide, fitted up as a canteen, and supplied with suitable cooking apparatus and appendages.

To be viewed by Tickets only, which with particulars l may be had of Mr. de Mole, solicitor, at Merchant Tailors’ , Hall ; of Messrs.. Rankin and Rickards, solicitors, Basinghall-street ;of Messrs. Gregson and Fonnergau, Angel Court, Throgmorton-street ; and of Winstanley and Sons, Paternoster-row ; particulars may also be had at the Buck’s Head, Mitcham ; Greyhound, and King’s Arms, Croydon ; the King’s Arms, Carshalton ; Spread Eagle, Epsom ; Griffin, and Castle, Kingston ; of Thomas Winstanley and Son, at Liverpool and at Manchester ; and at the Inns at Glasgow.

From the Sun (London) – Wednesday 08 August 1827, via the British Newspaper Archive.

The ‘Field of Meadow Land, about 15 acres’, is likely to be the area shown on this 1894 OS map on the west side of the river Wandle with the horizontal lines. Using the National Library of Scotland’s area measurement tool, this area is 0.06 square kilometres, or 14 acres. Currently this area is the site of Wimbledon Studios on Windsor Avenue.

1893 OS map

1976 : Mr Sparrowhawk out-drinks horse in Bucks Head

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From the Sunday People, 31st October, 1976, via the British Newspaper Archive.

Mr Sparrowhawk out-drinks Boozy Toby

It looked like a cert for Toby the pony when he met Ron Sparrowhawk in a challenge beer drinking contest.

Observers of form in the public bar at the Bucks Head, Mitcham, Surrey, pointed to the size of his mouth, the length of his his tongue and his great capacity for liquid.

Challenger Ron Sparrowhawk, they argued, though known to be a fast man with a pint, was taking on more than his weight. The smart money was going on Toby, a proven sprinter over anything from one to six pints.

The public bar was tense when timekeeper Mike Green, landlord at the Bucks Head, put up Toby’s pint.

It was a smooth three-lap performance – three laps of that long tongue and the pint was gone in a snappy six seconds.

Then it was the turn of Ron Sparrowhawk.

He looked confident as he took his stance opposite his pint, nicely placed at the edge of the bar.

He raised the glass with a nice easy action, placed it to his lips.

Then, as the crowd fell silent, Ron downed the pint in an amazing three seconds.

Over

The contest was over. The dark horse had won.

What the punters didn’t know is that Ron Sparrowhawk, of Bond Road, Mitcham, is an expert on the drinking capacity of animals.

“I’ve always been a drinking man,” he said later, “so naturally I’ve been curious about what other animals can sink.

“I wanted to put my theories to the test with Toby, hence the challenge.

“I just open my mouth and pour. It’s like tipping it down a drain.

“Toby has a long tongue, I grant you. But I’ve got the technique. And a long longue is no match for technique.

“Watch the drinkers in any local. How many long tongues do you see?

“Mind you, that Toby can hold more than I can. But he hasn’t got the speed.”

Ron, who owns a shellfish stall, was full of praise for his beaten rival.

“He’s a plucky contestant that Toby and I’m planning a rematch.”

Landlord Mike Green said that Toby started drinking beer six months ago.

“He has three pints in the morning and three at night.”