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1951 news items

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Saturday 28 July 1951

WHAT THE SKYLON LOOKS LIKE WITHIN
In the first picture taken inside the Festival of Britain Skylon, Mr Ernest Rose, a steeplejack of Mitcham and the foreman responsible for its maintenance, is shown cleaning 170 reflectors and replacing 50 of the 500 lamps. The London Electricity Board had fitted a gadget to record any lightning strike; Mr Rose said that in a storm he would get inside the structure, which would screen him from the flash.

Thursday 2 August 1951

NEW SCHEME FOR FIXING RENTS
Differential basis to be considered by council
ECONOMIC RENTS TOO HIGH FOR MANY INCOMES
Help for those in urgent need
Mitcham Council deferred until September a differential rent scheme set out by the borough treasurer, Mr E. C. Clay. Rising housing costs were putting economic rents beyond lower-paid workers, while homes were still meant to go to those in most urgent need. The Association of Municipal Corporations favoured such schemes so that subsidies were not given to tenants who did not need them.

For safety of children
Council to provide footpath
Wallington and Carshalton Education Executive heard of danger to children from the northern end of Beddington Lane and The Meads Estate who were to attend the new Park Farm school instead of Hackbridge. A sub-committee wanted a continuous footpath from Beddington Lane halt to Derry Road, and the executive asked the county council to approve the cost. At Camden Road, Carshalton, crush barriers were to be considered for 1952-53.

For community centre
The Mitcham borough treasurer was authorised to borrow £2,700 for a community centre on the Pollards Hill housing estate, and also for land in Rowan Road and Rowan Crescent, Long Thornton, for housing.

Political propaganda?
C.O.I. lectures
Coun. E. J. Millis (Con.) called Central Office of Information lectures at the Vestry Hall “political propaganda from start to finish.” The Finance Committee had resolved to charge the scale fee for each booking; after debate a motion to refer the recommendation back for further consideration was carried.

Pollution in the Wandle
What investigations have revealed
Surrey County Council’s Rivers and Streams Committee reported fungus from the Mitcham surface-water sewer (Bull Ditch), greasy matter from the Western Road sewer entering the Wandle, and trade waste into the Pickle Ditch that had since ceased. Night samples between Croydon and Wandsworth were of rather better quality than daytime ones. The committee objected to a bore-hole application by W. J. Bush and Co. at Batsworth Road, Mitcham, and set conditions on a standby bore-hole for Hackbridge Cable Co. at Kelvin Works.

Homes were inundated
Bridge was bottleneck for flood water
At Beddington Central Ward ratepayers’ meeting a resident complained that storm water and sewage had entered homes in Demesne Road, Wallington, with the railway bridge acting as a bottleneck. Flooding under the Manor Road railway bridge was also raised; Coun. A. Stammers said rebuilding was a long way off and there were several bad spots in the borough.

Two killed in road crash
Van and lorry collide
An inquest opened on Friday into the deaths of Mary Thomson, 12, and Margaret Purvis Thomson, 14, of Cromer Road, Tooting, killed when a van in which they were passengers collided with a lorry on the Barnet by-pass near Hatfield on 22 July. Evidence was given by their fathers, George Thomson and William Alexander Thomson. The inquest was adjourned until 7 September.

NO RETICENCE
At Carshalton Council Coun. F. J. Taylor (Lab.) asked why the Housing Committee seemed reluctant to tell the public about plans for the Barrow Hedges Estate. Coun. J. L. Bott denied any reluctance and said decisions had been, and would be, fully reported to the council.

Five hurt in road collision
Five people were injured when a small van swerved to avoid a pedestrian and hit a concrete post in London Road, Mitcham, on Saturday. The injured included the driver, Mr Charles George Joyce, of Carshalton; Mr Frederick Cullis, of Cowper Gardens, Wallington; and Mr Leslie Fowler and Mrs Evelyn Fowler, of Kentish Town. They were treated at Wilson Hospital.

Mitcham girls at the South Bank Exhibition
Girls of Mitcham County School for Girls visited the South Bank Exhibition with pupils of Clayton Hall Grammar School, near Stoke-on-Trent, returning wartime hospitality Mitcham girls had received near Stoke when escaping flying bombs. A picture showed three of them at a picnic lunch at the exhibition.

To be used as sports centre
Future of Mill House
The old Mill House in the centre of Mitcham Common now belonged to Mitcham Council. Borough engineer Mr Riley Schofield reported that earlier owners had meant to use the ground floor as a restaurant; finishing essential repairs would cost about £700, and exterior painting about £300. The Common Conservators were to use tipped land east of Windmill Road for football pitches, and the Recreation Grounds Committee agreed dressing rooms in the laundry building up to about £650.

First with the news
Coun. S. L. Saldanha (Lab.) asked whether Mitcham Council had been told that the Railway Executive was considering closing the West Croydon–Wimbledon line, as reported that morning in the Advertiser. Town Clerk Mr R. H. White said the first he knew of it was from the paper.

507 ask for action
Want recreation ground cleared and laid out
Five hundred and seven residents of the Lewis Road area petitioned, through Mrs V. Palmer, for the Lewis Road recreation ground—called a rubbish dump by councillors—to be cleared and laid out. The Recreation Grounds Committee said nothing could be done at once; the borough engineer was to prepare a scheme for the 1952-53 estimates. Ald. H. T. Simms promised sympathetic consideration.

Watermeads in danger
More subscribers are needed
At the annual meeting of Watermeads subscribers Mr Tom Francis resigned as local chairman after many years; Ald. T. A. East succeeded him. Income was only about £260 and spending exceeded it, a concern to the National Trust. A five-shilling subscription with a key of entrance was urged so that local control of the river-front should not be lost for want of support.

WHY CALL NEW FLATS MAINWARING COURT?
Coun. Ruff wants names with closer local associations
SECOND THOUGHTS ON CHOICE FOR ELM NURSERY
Coun. Tom Ruff (Lab.), a Mitcham native, protested at the choice of Elm Court, Mainwaring Court, Coningsby Court and Paxton Court for new flats on the Elm Nursery estate off London Road. He wanted names with closer local ties, including Mizen for the nursery family. The Mayor (Ald. G. R. Madgwick) and Housing chairman Coun. A. S. Mingay were among those discussing local history in the names.

Volunteers to patrol parks?
Ratepayers ask council to consider scheme
Beddington West Ward Ratepayers’ Association urged volunteer park patrols against hooliganism in Beddington and Wallington. Damage was put at £2,000–£3,000 a year. Coun. S. W. C. Sprunt said two extra patrolmen had been appointed; the Parks Committee was asked to consider treating volunteers like ordinary patrols.

THANKED FOR HIS WORK
At Mitcham Council the Mayor (Ald. G. R. Madgwick) presented Ald. T. A. East, Deputy Mayor, with a vellum of appreciation for his year as Mayor, with a tribute also to the Mayoress. As Festival Week chairman Ald. East said the week had been a success.

Rotary service in action
Mitcham Rotarians lunched at the White Hart Hotel. Rotarian Alfred Young, chairman of Rotary District 14, spoke on community service, including help for elderly people and youth clubs. Visitors were introduced by Rotarian J. Tring; President Rotarian C. S. P. Dale welcomed the speaker.

CRICKETERS’ THANKS
Town Clerk Mr R. H. White read letters of thanks from Mrs Ray Miller, manager of the Australian women cricketers, and Miss Cummins of the Surrey side, for the civic welcome when an international match was played on the Green.

Thursday 20 September 1951

Coalmen charged
Three coalmen—Joseph Stallard, driver, of Fountain Road; William George Stallard, of Pear Tree Close; and Ronald Harris, 21, of Mount Road, Mitcham—were charged with stealing a ton of house coal belonging to British Railways, said to have been residue from trucks at Wallington station. Det.-constable F. Jennings said they were stopped with a local coal firm’s vehicle; a shopkeeper later complained after paying by cheque. Joseph Stallard, who had previous convictions, was sent to prison for one month; William Stallard and Harris were each fined £4.

AGAINST COUNCIL POLITICS
South Mitcham Residents to fight next election
LOCAL GOVERNMENT HINDERED BY PARTY FIGHTING
People ‘fed up’ with politics in local affairs
South Mitcham Residents’ Association voted to put up a candidate at the May borough election. Before the war it had six aldermen and councillors; Ald. Mrs Niven was now the only Independent for Lower Mitcham. Former mayor Mr A. H. Bailey moved that party nominees could not best serve the ward; Ald. Mrs Niven said if they did not fight they might as well close down. The resolution was carried.

They won the “flitch”
No quarrels for 12 months
Four North Mitcham couples claimed the Mitcham Flitch for a year without a cross word. Rain moved the court into the North Mitcham Improvement Association pavilion; the prize, a large tin of cooked ham, went to Mr and Mrs Grimwood of 105 Melrose Avenue. Also competing were Mr and Mrs Freeman of Ashbourne Road, Mr and Mrs Green of Swains Lane, and Mr and Mrs Smith of Melrose Avenue. Mr E. P. Ward, J.P., sat as judge, with Dr Eluned Evans and Mr Dick Gifford as counsel.

Bottle was not clean
Court sequel to milk delivery
The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society was fined £5 with £3 13s. costs at Wallington for delivering milk in a dirty bottle to a house in Colwood Gardens, Colliers Wood. Mrs Margaret Alice Howard took the bottle to Mitcham’s public health department. Depot superintendent Mr L. W. Steward said the Mitcham depot only distributed milk bottled at Kilburn. For a similar offence at Vale Road, Mitcham, the South Suburban Co-operative Society was also fined with costs.

Lewis Road recreation ground
A photograph showed the ground still a tip, with a cycle track used by local enthusiasts. The caption said more than 480 Mitcham residents had signed a petition asking the council to reinstate it as soon as possible; Phipps Bridge Conservatives had called it a “regular old rubbish dump.”

If branch line closes
Prospect alarms factory workers
Former councillor Mr R. A. Humphreys told South Mitcham Residents’ Association that people using the Croydon–Wimbledon branch, especially factory workers, were alarmed at talk of closure. The meeting backed his call for the borough council to fight to keep goods and passenger traffic. Mr Vincent thought buses might replace passenger trains if the line closed.

31 years in his job
Good character spoilt by theft
Ernest Edwin Kelly, 49, splint maker, of Streatham Road, Mitcham, pleaded guilty at Wallington to stealing two pairs of shoes from Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children, Carshalton, where he had worked for 31 years. He had hidden a pair in bushes; another pair was at his home. After being bombed out in 1948 he had had operations and feared losing his job. He was discharged conditionally for 12 months on payment of 30s. costs.

Worried about a wall
South Mitcham Residents’ Association heard that the borough engineer said the old brick wall round part of The Canons was under constant surveillance. Mr R. F. Palmer wanted the council told that expert opinion confirmed the association’s fears; the meeting agreed.

Reversing van kills woman
Coroner’s comments at inquest
Ronald Chacksford, of Shore Grove, Carshalton, reversing a baker’s electric van in Masefield Close, Mitcham, knocked down and ran over Mrs Sarah Hawkins, 83, a widow of that cul-de-sac. She died of shock from multiple injuries. At the Sutton inquest on Friday neighbours described a piercing scream as the van moved back. Coroner Dr C. F. J. Baron said the jury might feel the death ought not to have happened; they returned accidental death and asked for better rear vision on such vans.

SAVINGS WEEK TARGET
Mitcham’s aim is £17,000
Mitcham Savings Week aimed to raise at least £17,000, about ten per cent on average weekly sales for the year to 31 March. A former Mayor was chairman, Town Clerk Mr R. H. White secretary, and Mr R. A. Burroughs organiser. The Mayor (Ald. G. R. Madgwick) was to open the campaign in Fair Green Gardens, with a street-group membership contest against Carshalton and Coulsdon and Purley.

‘Stop this whispering’
Mr. Randall’s hint to Mr. Robert Carr
At a Wallington meeting Harry Randall, prospective Labour candidate for Mitcham and Wallington, answered sitting M.P. Robert Carr over remarks Randall was said to have made in Canada. Carr had called the talk “off the record”; Randall said Carr should “stop this whispering” abroad and praised the local press for fair treatment of a newcomer.

TO PROTECT CHILDREN
Another attendant for Ravensbury Park
Mr F. Grainger told South Mitcham Residents’ Association their protests had brought an extra attendant for Ravensbury Park in the holidays after a report that a child had been molested. Clerk Mr Harry May confirmed the Joint Committee’s decision to take special care of children using the park.

Well above average
Quality at North Mitcham show
North Mitcham Improvement Association’s garden show and home crafts exhibition in the newly decorated hall had fruit, flowers and vegetables of above-average quality. Prizewinners included Mr F. Page and Mr Wilder for apples and pears, Mr H. E. Bickford for late roses, Mr H. Henley for cabbages and carrots, and several women for bottled fruit, pickles, cakes and jam. Mr A. J. P. Briggs showed a model Flying Fortress.

ELECTION FIGHT WILL BE BITTER
Mr. Arthur Henderson calls for Labour determination
GOVERNMENT’S RECORD AT HOME AND ABROAD
Speaking to Mitcham and Wallington Labour Party at Wallington on Friday, Mr Arthur Henderson, Secretary of State for Air, said the next General Election would be the most strenuous and bitter for years. Conservatives would use every resource to overturn Labour’s small majority. He defended the government’s home and foreign record, said war was not inevitable, and urged determination and unity.

Mitcham Common news items 1900 to 1909

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News items related to Mitcham Common from 1900 to 1909. This is not a complete list, just those news items found so far.

1900
1904
1905
1906
1908
1909

Daily Express, London, Saturday 7 July 1900, page 5

Pity the Poor Pigeons. / Will the House of Lords Do Its Duty?

Mitcham Common was responsible until recently for much cruelty in the name of the noble sport of pigeon shooting, as an “Express” representative found in the course of a short conversation with Mr. Mandeville Phillips, secretary of the Poor Clergy Relief Corporation.

Mr. Phillips discovered that on Mitcham Common a pigeon-shooting club was accustomed to hold its meetings every Sunday afternoon. Large numbers of pigeons were shot, and each separate bird had its tail-feathers pulled out before being put in the trap. “The exhibition was so horrible and revolting,” said Mr. Phillips, “that I determined to make an example of the brutality.

“The following Sunday, in company with an official of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, I went to Mitcham Common again, and we saw the same thing in progress. We got the names and addresses of two of them, and they were brought up before the Mayor of Croydon, and well punished for their cruelty.”

Mr. Phillips spoke of the nauseating spectacles that he had seen at pigeon-shoots around London. “There was one club which used to meet every Saturday afternoon by the Welsh Harp—although I don’t know whether it still meets. As to whether any ‘dodges’ were practised on the birds before being put into the traps, I can’t say; but many of the birds were wounded, without being killed; and the neighbours around were extremely indignant at the whole proceedings: for it was not an uncommon thing for a wounded pigeon to lie on the roof of the Welsh Harp or neighbouring houses and take a day, sometimes two days, to die.”

Need it be added that when Mr. Phillips attempted to make this cruelty public, and also after the Croydon trial, he was threatened with vengeance from the members of the fraternity?

“The difficulty is,” said an official of the R.S.P.C.A., at Jermyn-street, “that the law takes care of domestic animals, and reckons pigeons as wild birds, thereby allowing them no protection. But the Bill which has just passed through the Commons will help us a good deal. It is a Bill which protects birds in captivity, and we shall contend that the fact that a pigeon is put into a trap is sufficient evidence of captivity. It remains to be seen whether the Lords will pass the Bill.

“Although undoubtedly a good deal of cruelty goes on,” he added, “we cannot get many prosecutions, because the difficulty of collecting real substantial evidence is great.

“I know that often the ruffian who puts the bird into the trap squirts some tobacco juice from his mouth into the bird’s eye, the nicotine of which effectually blinds it.”

Croydon Chronicle, Saturday 23 July 1904, page 6

PUBLIC RIGHTS ON MITCHAM COMMON.

The old trouble between the golf club which plays over Mitcham Common and the public, who have indisputable rights, has, says the star to hand, [cropped] up again.

When the Mitcham people sent animals to the common to graze they were prosecuted by the Board of Conservators—a body on which the Mitcham representatives are hopelessly outvoted by the nominees of surrounding parishes—at the instigation of the club, it is alleged. In many cases the Mitchamites were fined, but in the end, says Mr. Mizen, the treasurer of the Board of Conservators, the club was beaten.

Last December the conservators summoned a man for turning a donkey on the common to graze. The defence set up was an undisputed right of grazing, and the Bench found the defendant had set up a bona fide right.

“Since then,” says Mr. Mizen, “no further prosecutions have been instituted, and our rights may therefore be said to have been finally vindicated.”

ALL RESIDENTS MAY PLAY.

But this was not the only bone which Mitcham had to pick with the golf club company. Under the company’s lease, says Mr. Mizen, every resident of Mitcham has the right to play on the links. But the members of the club behave as if they had the sole right to do so.

“If any outsider walks across the links he is coolly told to get out of the way, as he has no right there. A fortnight ago,” continues Mr. Mizen, “an official of the club warned off a gentleman who was playing on the ground. The gentleman refused to go, and there was trouble. The result was that the tournaments fixed for the day were off.”

WARNED OFF

Mr. Mizen even declares that the club has a private detective on the common, whose duty is supposed to be the keeping away of suspicious characters, but who, it is alleged, tries to frighten all and sundry off the course.

Over and beyond this is the danger to the life and limb of the public that is involved in the handing over of the common to a golf club company. This company, according to the treasurer of the Board of Conservators, has an income of £9,000 a year. What right, he asks, has a private company to exploit a public common for the purpose of making large dividends? Public commons should be for the public, and golf clubs should hire private property.

Of course, the people of Mitcham are not going to take this “get-off-the-earth” behaviour lying down. The idea is mooted of an invasion of the course in force.

The Herald, Saturday 2 December 1905

PROTECTING THE COMMON.—At the Croydon County Bench, on Saturday, Harry Scott, 2, Princes-road, Merton-lane, Mitcham, was summoned for that he being an unauthorised person did wilfully and negligently place, throw down and let fall a certain lighted substance likely to cause damage by fire to the furze/gorse and heather upon Mitcham Common. He pleaded guilty.—Mr. Newnham, who prosecuted on behalf of the Conservators, said these cases had of late been very prevalent, but it had been difficult for the Conservators to prove whether the gorse was lit accidentally or intentionally. In this case, however, the defendant was solemnly seen by the Common-keeper, Mr. Best, to put some dead gorse on a bush and deliberately light it. He therefore asked for an exemplary fine.—Mr. Best bore out Mr. Newnham’s statement, and the Bench imposed a fine of 5s. and costs.

The Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette, Saturday 6 October 1906, page 10

MITCHAM COMMON CONSERVATORS.
Chairman’s Impending Resignation.

This body met at the Vestry-hall, Mitcham, on Saturday afternoon, when Alderman F. Foss, J.P., occupied the chair. The other members present were Alderman N. Page, J.P., Alderman D. B. Miller, J.P., Alderman G. J. Allen, J.P., the Rev. R. A. Boyle, Messrs. A. Bendy, G. S. Odling-Smee, E. E. Mizen, A. E. Cubison, J. Millar Wilkinson, […] Mizen, with the Clerk (Mr. Rupert Upton).

FINANCE.
The Clerk reported that the balance was £405 […]s. 1d.
The Chairman said that with regard to the telephone posts, the National Telephone Company had written to them suggesting that they could not pay 10s. per pole, but that they would pay 5s. for each pole of eight circuits. If they added to them they would pay the other 5s. He thought that was a reasonable offer.
The offer was accepted.

FOOTBALL LICENSES.
The Clerk said that the Mitcham Rugby F.C. asked to be allowed to play between the […] House and Bee Hive bridges, and that they should be allowed to play until the end of March, but he thought that it would be rather invidious to make distinctions as the other clubs were only licensed to March 1st.
It was decided to permit play until March 1st, and the question of extending the time would be considered later.
The Mitcham United F.C. were also [licensed].
The Imperial F.C. asked to be allowed to play beside Mitcham United, but the Clerk pointed out that there was not room for two clubs on that part of the common. It was decided to consider the question of allotting a ground to them on another part of the common.
The Tooting Graveney Club asked to be allowed to play on their old pitch on the Marsh. If they could they would pay £5 towards the cost of improving the ground.
The Clerk said that it was only fair to the club to point out that they had played on that ground for a number of years.
The Chairman said that they had decided that that ground should be closed for twelve months.
It was decided to adhere to the original decision.
A Miss Smith wrote asking for permission for the Mitcham Rovers to play on Wednesdays. It was a team composed of Mitcham girls.
The Clerk—I should think that she has got the club up to sell her refreshments. (Laughter.)
Mr. Cubison—A sort of tied club.
The application was granted.
The Windmill C.C. wanted to make sure of their ground, so they had applied for a permit for next season.
It was granted.
The Clerk reported that the Ravensbury F.C. wanted to know whether they could have the ground that was used by St. Mark’s.
The Chairman said that if St. Mark’s agreed all well and good, but it would be subject to their agreeing.

CHAIRMAN’S IMPENDING RESIGNATION.
The Chairman remarked that that would be the last meeting of the Conservators that he would attend. He was going to retire from the Croydon Corporation and they had informed him that they did not intend to re-elect him as a Conservator except on certain conditions, but those conditions he was not prepared to accept.
Replying to Mr. E. E. Mizen, he said that he was speaking seriously.
Mr. Mizen, however, hoped that he would be able to welcome him back at the next meeting.
Mr. Millar Wilkinson did not want to accept the resignation in the perfunctory manner in which the Chairman had put it. The Chairman spoke as if it was an unimportant matter, but he thought it was a very important matter. (Hear, hear.)
The Chairman—It has not come to that yet. When I retire from the Corporation I cannot be a member of the Conservators.

AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR.
Mr. Millar Wilkinson called attention to a rumour that he had heard. It was to the effect that football had been stopped on Mitcham-common. When he heard of it he gave it an unqualified denial. He thought it was a most foolish statement.
The Chairman said that he could understand what it referred to. It had reference to the fact that Figg’s-marsh was so much worn that play had been stopped for a short period.
Mr. Millar Wilkinson—Not all over the common?
The Chairman—No, we are allowing play on other parts of the common.
Mr. Millar Wilkinson thought it best to [raise / deny] the question.
The Chairman—It is absolutely untrue from beginning to end.
Mr. Millar Wilkinson—Thank you, sir.

MITCHAM FAIR.
The Chairman said that the next matter to be discussed was the question of Mitcham Fair, but as it was a matter of litigation he asked the Press representatives to retire.
The Conservators then went into camera.

Streatham News and Wandsworth Chronicle, Saturday 15 August 1908, page 6

MITCHAM COMMON TROUBLES.

Mr. John Elmer, of Mitcham, was summoned before the county magistrates at Croydon by the Mitcham Common Conservators for, as an unauthorised person, turning out 300 sheep to graze on the common land. Mr. Newnham appeared for the Conservators, and Mr. Cubison, who is himself a Conservator, represented the defendant. Mr. Newnham said the Conservators were determined to have this question settled, and would take it to the High Court, but before he could get the Attorney-General to issue his fiat the case was bound to come before the magistrates. The Bench asked Mr. Cubison whether his position was not an invidious one, seeing that although in a sense he was a prosecutor, he was defending the case. Mr. Cubison did not agree, remarking that these cases were taken out by the chairman and clerk, and he was neither the one nor the other. According to the evidence it was shown that defendant had lived in Mitcham thirty years, and he occupied land there. It was further proved that the sheep belonged to him, and Mr. Cubison said that two years ago a similar case was decided against the Conservators. At that time documents extending down to the fourteenth century were produced showing that the inhabitants had a prescriptive right, based on a Royal grant, to graze their cattle on the common. The magistrates decided that they could not go behind this earlier decision, and dismissed the case. An application for costs was refused. It is understood that the point will be carried to a higher tribunal.

Mitcham Advertiser, Friday 8 October 1909

MITCHAM NOTES. (signed THE COMMONER.)

With the case which the Parish Council deputation wishes to lay before the President of the Board of Agriculture I am not acquainted, but what the Council and their constituents want is some alteration in the constitution of the Board of Conservators and the control of the Common. Under present conditions Mitcham is almost a negligible quantity, and the local representatives can be outvoted at every meeting if their colleagues think it expedient. But it will need a very strong case to induce Lord Carrington to move, and the Council must not forget the powerful interests they have against them.