Tag Archives: The Canons

51 and 52 Commonside West

A pair of cottages that were demolished in 1967.

The south end of the building can be seen in this 1966 photo by Eric Montague of the Park Place North Lodge.

1966 photo by Eric Montague of the Lodge buildings as seen from Park Place. Reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society.

Clip from Merton Memories photo 50712

Clip from Merton Memories photo 50712 Copyright: London Borough of Merton.

1953 OS Map

From the minutes of the London Borough of Merton
Volume 4
1967 to 1968
Education Committee
page 280
26th June 1967

(12) Former News of the World Sports Ground – No.s 51/52 Commonside West – The Chief Education Officer referred to Minute 2642(3)/3/67 and reported that the cost of demolishing two cottages formerly known as 51/52 Commonside West (situate within the curtilage of the the former “News of the World” Sports Ground) and the brick at the rear of the properties would amount to £75, exclusive of levelling and fencing the site.

Resolved – That No.s 51/52, Commonside West be demolished as soon as possible and the sites thereof levelled and fenced as necessary.


The hut for the 2157 (Mitcham) Squadron of the Air Training Corps was built on this site in 1969/70.


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.

The Canons Minutes – Use Of The Canons

The Town Clerk submitted a letter from the St. Barnabas Cricket Club (Mitcham) making application for the use on various Saturdays throughout the cricket season of the basement dressing accommodation at The Canons. Resolved, That the application be granted subject to the payment of the usual charge.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 18 1951-2, page 847


7th June 1952
The Town Clerk submitted a letter from the Mitcham Group of the International Friendship League applying for the use of the grounds of The Canons for the purpose of holding a garden party on a Sunday. Resolved, That the application be not granted.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 18 1951-2, page 29


7th June 1952
The Town Clerk submitted a letter from the Highland Social Club applying for a room at The Canons on two evenings per week for use as a club room. It having been pointed out that the club was composed principally of non-residents of the Borough, it was Resolved, That the application be not granted.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 18 1951-2, page 29


7th June 1952
The Town Clerk submitted a letter from the Social Section of the Lower Mitcham Branch of the Mitcham Division Conservative and Unionist Association applying for the use of a room at weekends for the purpose of holding whist drives for their members. The committee having been reminded that the council have decided that The Canons should be let only to organisations having athletic, social or educational objects, it was Resolved, That the application be not granted.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 18 1951-2, page 29


1st May 1952
The Town Clerk submitted an application from The Royal Pioneer Corps Association, Surrey Branch, for the use of the grounds of The Canons for the purpose of holding a garden party. The Committee were of the opinion that the use of The Canons grounds for such purposes should, for various reasons, be restricted to Mitcham organisations, and Resolved, That the application be not granted.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 18 1951-2, page 847


From the minutes of the
Physical Training and Recreation Committee
Tuesday, February 12, 1946

2. Athletic Meeting

– The Chairman reported that Mr. F. H. Priest, president of the Mitcham Athletic Club, and Mr. D. Brickwood, assistant secretary of the club, had been invited to attend this meeting in order that the Committee could have the benefit of their advice on the holding of an athletic meeting during the coming summer. The Committee having heard their views upon the proposal, Resolved to recommend, That the Council sponsor an athletic meeting to be organised by the Mitcham Athletic Club, and that further details to be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

3. “The Canons”

Resolved,
(a) That approval be given to the Vidarians Walking Club using jointly with the Mitcham Athletic Club the dressing room accommodation at “The Canons” allocated to the latter club.

(b) That authority be given to the Borough Engineer to arrange for the provision of a hot water service to the bathroom, in accordance with estimate of £23 10s. now submitted, the gas to be consumed to be paid by the clubs.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 12 1945-46, page 423


21st July 1942
The Town Clerk reported that the Fire Guards of F Area had arranged a social event at The Canons on Saturday, July 18, which had to be cancelled owing to bad weather, and that they were desirous of having another date for this purpose. Resolved, That permission given for the holding of the postponed event on Saturday, August 1.

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