Tag Archives: Manor Road

Notes on Mitcham Common by H.G. Winbow

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Published in the South Warder, the newsletter of the South Ward Residents Association in August 1962.

Recently the question arose about the origin of the footpath near the Garden Village from Cranmer Bridge to Mitcham Junction. This path is on the site of the old road and when the London and Portsmouth Railway was constructed across the Common in 1863, the present Cranmer Road was realigned, owing to the sharp curve made to approach the junction of the Wimbledon/West Croydon line which was constructed in 1844.

Recently cars appeared to be using this footpath as a short cut from Willow Lane to Cranmer Bridge, and it is satisfactory to note that the Conservators agreed to the Preservation Society’s request to erect posts here.

Walking round the Common, you notice several old cart tracks, one just the other side of the bridge at Mitcham Junction led to a farm near the railway, this is now known as Aspen Gardens. Further on we come to the concrete road, which is called Drakes Road but nobody seems to know how this road got its name, except that it was the entry to the gravel pits which were worked here for many years.

A short distance from here we see another rough track across the Common, this is called Arneys Lane. At one time this went across the fields to some old cottages near the River Wandle. This track now stops at the footpath which runs along the rear of the houses; the footpath is believed to be on the site of the Surrey Iron Railway branch to Hackbridge.

Not far from here is the “Goat Inn”. Beyond here this part of the Common is called Mill Green and is maintained by Beddington and Wallington Borough Council. But opposite this inn there is another track which follows the southern boundary of the Common. This track ends at the railway, but there is a footbridge here, so one can continue the walk on to Beddington Lane Halt. This is one of the best parts of the Common, right away from any roads.

Some years ago a small area was added, so one can now walk through the avenue of trees to the footpath to Beddington Lane, a very pleasant walk in the summer. From here there is no need to follow the road to the Windmill House, but walk across the Common past the one-island pond, and across the Croydon Road to Commonside East,

Proceeding westwards, we come to the new factory of Tower Creameries, this is on the site of the old workhouse which was built about 1790 and for many years was used by the Woodite Rubber Company’s works. Sections of the first Atlantic submarine cable was supposed to have been made here.

Just near here we see two old cart tracks crossing the recently reclaimed part of the Common, these were used as the entrance to Sherwood Farm.
Crossing Manor Road we come to the rough road which runs along the Common to Commonside East; many years ago some wooden cottages stood here, which might explain how this road came into existence.

Owing to building development on the boundary of the Common, these old cart tracks present a problem. As they are all on Common land the question of keeping them in repair is a difficult point.

Further along Commonside East there is a small pond, known as “Pinnocks Pond”. Years ago opposite here there was a small cottage and market gardens, owned by a Mr. Walsh and later by a Mr. Pinnock; this explains how the pond became known by this name. The road from here across the Common to the “Blue House”, now called Cedars Avenue, was called the New Road by the old inhabitants. The end of this road, of course, brings us to the roundabout and the old wooden cottages, shown on old maps as “The Blue Houses”. It has been said that employees of the Surrey Iron Railway stabled their horses here. This could be true because these cottages are not far from the site of the old iron road.

The old “Ravensbury Arms” was the same as these cottages, the present public house was built in 1906. But a shorter walk can be made by taking the footpath from Beddington Lane over the Common and following the railway, this brings us out via the Golf Club House to Carshalton Road.

This is a nice walk, but I would not advise this way in wet weather as this part of the Common is very rough, owing to the extensive gravel digging that took place here before the Common was controlled by the Conservators. Along this path is where the new footbridge over the West Croydon line has been erected by the Golf Club and which is open to the public.

1936 Mitcham Shopping Week

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Sutton & Epsom Advertiser – Thursday 19 November 1936

MITCHAM FOR BARGAINS.

THE WEEK OF WEEKS.

The third Mitcham Shopping Week held under the auspices of the Mitcham and District Chamber of Commerce opened on Saturday in a deluge of rain. This did not daunt the spirit of the traders, however, and when the weather cleared later in the day they commenced reaping the reward of a month’s preparation.

Mitcham housewives know a good bargain when they see it. And it was not long before they were out complete with shopping baskets and perambulators, joining in the great hunt for bargains and still more bargains. In this connection it should be mentioned that those taking part in the “Treasure Hunt” have to search until they find an article in a shop window ticketed with a number corresponding to that on their Treasure Hunt form. The article can be claimed on November 24th but only adults will be allowed to stake a claim and they must produce their form at the time of doing so.

The Children’s Limerick competition is open to any Mitcham child attending school. There is no entrance fee. Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who, in the opinion of the judges, add the most original and topical last line to the given rhyme. Forms may be had from any of the members of the Chamber of Commerce and must be returned on or before Tuesday, November 24th. Prize winners will be notified by post.

The window dressing competition is, of course, for shopkeepers only, though nobody will object if private householders decorate the aspidistra in the parlour window with bunting. It will all add to the gaiety of the occasion and put Mitcham in good form for next year’s Coronation.

A REVIEW OF THE SHOPS.

In spite of the healthy growth of the Mitcham and District Chamber of Commerce, there are always the few dismal persons who, by word and lack of action, attempt to “throw a spanner into the works.” These may or may not reap benefit from the shopping week. But this can be said with certainty, that those traders who are taking active part in the event are bound to get their reward. There are plenty of shoppers in Mitcham and, after all, the shopping week is only an organised effort to keep Mitcham shoppers IN MITCHAM, by offering them as good and better value than they can get elsewhere. A survey of the shops is the best proof of the fine bar- gains offered this week.

Starting with Lower Mitcham we find Birketts displaying good-value ladies’ underwear and some extra special bargains in hosiery. Allen Bros, the wireless people, are making a special feature of the famous Exco sets. Mr. Etheridge, the linoleum specialist, has a wide range of floor coverings in various patterns and prices to suit every taste and pocket. Owing to the particular nature of their business, Robinson’s Dairy may not be in a position to offer many specified bargains, but they do supply excellent milk and dairy produce all the year round. Another trader in this category is Mr. J. N. Cheshire, whose Brookfield Nurseries supply plants to local gardens for every season of the year. Along Church-road, we find that Mr. W. Musco, who has recently acquired the business of Mr. W. Parker, has a shop well stocked with fish, poultry and game.

Leaving the Cricket Green behind, we come to London House, where Francis’s are offering, among other things, very attractive shopping vouchers. In the ironmongery window of this well known store is one of the shopping week attractions a bricklayer’s trowel that would break the heart of any man who lays bricks. Birch, the butcher, having made a particularly keen purchase of prime English beef, is selling it at the same price as foreign beef for Shopping Week. Reynolds, the bacon specialist, is giving away one shilling in the pound discount.

The shops of Mayhew, Spence and Haymes offer a fine selection of toys and fancy goods at rock-bottom prices, suitable for Christmas presents, while Madam Lila’s premises are an attraction to the woman of fashion. Not intending to be “left out in the dark,” the County of London Electric Supply Co. stress the cheapness of electricity for both lighting and heating.

Coming to the Fair Green, we stop and feast our eyes on the tempting cooked meats at Mrs. Haywood’s and the well arranged window of Turner’s, the bakers. It is a pleasure to look up the infinite variety of bread shapes and sizes in Turner’s window, not to speak of the rainbow of pastries and “The Gateway of Health,” which are the work of Miss Turner. There is a fine range of bargains offered in ladies’ wear by H. C. Smith and the newly opened premises of Mrs. Drewett. If we were thinking of moving we would most certainly see what Messrs. Leonard Davey and Hart are offering by way of houses. Miss Ruth Cole suggests that the gift of a permanent wave would be a delightful surprise for a lady, and we agree!

On the other side of the Fair Green we while away a quarter of an hour in Fair Green Market and on our way back to London-road we note the fine quality meat, rabbits, sausages and fish displayed by Hutton’s, the butchers. Mr. F. K. Harvey’s windows also draw our attention by their neat array of medicines and surgical requisites, while our dog’s attention is attracted by the animal foods at Gutteridge’s.

Such an array of bargains has already caused our eyes to bulge, so we stop and have spectacles adjusted at the consulting rooms of Melson Wingate, the dispensing opticians. Three ladies whose adjoining pre- mises have been in existence as long as we can remember are next on the list. These are Mrs. Hicks, the baker, Miss Hicks, the ladies’ and children’s outfitter, who, by the way, is giving a penny in the shilling discount; and Mrs. Hudson, the watchmaker and jeweller. Across the road, Dyne’s offer a wide range of wireless sets and bicycles and Mr. E. C. Morris urges us to buy the children’s Hornby trains and Meccano sets locally.

After seeing what Mr. Spicer, the butcher, offers by way of tempting week-end joints, we continue our way till we come to the Borough Furnishers, noted for modern furnishings at low prices. The windows of the Acme Printers, noted craftsmen at their work, are the next to draw attention. These well illustrates the motto, “Bright Days in Dull Times.” The sun is rising there all the time and in the most gorgeous colours. Next we pass on to the Mitcham Builders Supply Co., who are offering 10 per cent. retail discount during shopping week. There’s a man in the window of the Mitcham Builders Supply Co, who has been painting a door or something for days and days, and he is still painting it. That’s persistence, that is.

NORTH MITCHAM.

A bus along Streatham-road brings us to Hill’s Dairy, noted for fine creamy milk. And whether we agree or not that “beer is best,” we are delighted with what Mrs. B. E. Bird has to show. Special bargains in hosiery, vests, gloves and knitting wools are offered by Mr. H. A. Westbrook, who has done so much in this particular area to promote interest in shopping week. Among a large stock of medical requisites Mr. Prenninger always keeps oxygen in stock, a point well worth remembering in cases of emergency. Harking back to meat, Mr. G. F. Cox, the butcher, is noted for his choice quality English, Scotch and imported meat.

On the other side of the bridge, Messrs. Girdler’s premises display a wide selection of radio sets and “The Dainty” shop, with brightly illuminated and well-dressed windows, has a fine selection of chocolates, confections and tobaccos.

Last, but certainly not least, we note the well-stocked windows of Messrs. Harry Cusden, Ltd, the well known grocers and provision merchants, of Manor-road and Sherwood Park-road.