Tag Archives: Rowan Road

Lilian Road

Road that runs in a southwesterly direction from Greyhound Terrace and was in of the Mitcham Urban District, but is now considered as in Streatham.

This OS map of 1952 shows the boundary line running through Leonard Road to the west, and Greyhound Line to the north.

1952 OS map

Houses are numbered odd on the east side, and even on the west side, ascending from north to south.

At number 1A, on the north east corner with Greyhound Terrace, the pub called The Mitcham Mint opened in 1968. It had previously been an off-license.

Next are two terraces, numbers 1 to 11 and 13 to 21. These can be seen on this 1910 OS map:

1910 OS map

As this area is shown on the 1897 OS map as nurseries, with no roads laid out, it is likely that this road was built around 1900 to 1910.

Note that on this 1910 map, Greyhound Terrace is shown as Manor Road, which continued along the present Rowan Road to Manor Road to the Common. The name of the road signified it being the boundary of the manor. Parts of that road were renamed in 1926 when it became necessary to renumber the houses.

On the west side of the road, houses numbered 28 to 38 and 42 to 54 appear to have been built around 1910. The current numbers 49 and 42 were built in 2008, see planning application 08/P0773.

1950 : Workers’ Playtime in Smith Meters Canteen

The BBC’s Home Service radio show Workers’ Playtime was broadcast from the canteen at Smiths Meters in Rowan Road on Friday 6th January 1950. The show was then repeated on the 23rd January.

From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 13th January 1950, page 7

‘Workers Playtime’
In Canteen

Smith Meters Broadcast
To Be Repeated

Employees of Smith Meters works, Rowan-road, Streatham Vale balloted for 70 seats in their canteen on Friday. That, after regular canteen patrons had been accommodated, was the only room available foe the visit of the BBC’s “Workers’ Playtime.” The unlucky ones heard the broadcast on relay.

The limited space provided difficulty also for producer Bill Worsley, for among the artists were the 16-voiced George Mitchell choir as well as Turner Layton and Terry Scott. But everything went smoothly, and director Mr. A. Charles thanked them for the performance.

Works manager Mr. F. W. King added that they had lost a little production time through the broadcast but felt it was well worth it. “We feel it is all for the good of the employees’ morale to have a visit like this.” he said.

A recorded repeat of the broadcast can be heard on the Home Service January 23 (6.20 p.m.- 6.45 p.m.).

A summary of the show can be found at the BBC archive webpage.