Tag Archives: Vestry Hall

In search of Ravensbury Close

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From the Streatham News – Friday 8th November 1946

In Search Of Ravensbury Close

Is it not time that our local authority reviewed the naming of some thoroughfares ?

Surely this should be carried out with a view to helping instead of confusing, people ? One expects to find—and actually does find—Greyhound-terrace adjacent to Greyhound-lane, and Manor-road, Manor-way and Manor-place in close proximity to each other, but such similarity in names does not allow such simple deduction to be correct in all cases.

The other evening I had occasion to visit a Mitcham address on rather urgent business, and even the police were unable to tell me where it was! The address I wanted was Ravensbury-close, and although a resident in Mitcham for nearly twenty years, I was uncertain of where it lay.

Perhaps because I worked in conjunction with the police during the war (though, unfortunately for me, many miles away from home), or merely because it was the natural thing for anyone to do in such circumstances, I telephoned the local police station and asked where Ravensbury-close was. Did I know the Ravensbury Tavern, in Morden-road? I did. “Well, Ravensbury-close runs alongside,” I was informed. I arrived at the Tavern to find the road referred to was named Ravensbury-GROVE. It was nearly 9 p.m. when I arrived, and the very poor lighting (something else the Council could do something about it!) did not help me in my quest. I made inquiries on the spot, and was told that the place I wanted was in London-road. Off I went, only to find myself, after walking for ten minutes and following my directions, that I was now at Ravensbury-COURT!

Following fresh instructions, I retraced my steps to the Ravensbury TAVERN, went through Ravensbury-GROVE, to two houses which appeared in the darkness to be in the middle of a fleld, though I believe it may have been the scene of an “incident” when Hitler was around. Here I was told that the address was still Ravensbury-GROVE, I asked yet again, and was sent on another 15 minutes’ walk in an entirely new direction, and there, somewhere off The Drive I came to Ravensbury-AVENUE! By this time I had had quite enough. and returned home, having walked a few miles and circled Ravensbury Park at least once.

Next morning I telephoned the police and explained the position. They were sorry, but they could not help me further. They said Ravensbury-close must be in another district.

Eventually, a girl telephonist at the Town Hall gave me the correct directions — a turning off St Mark’s-road. Relieved, I thanked her—and told her I had telephoned the police the previous evening. “ And they sent you up to Morden-road, I suppose,” she queried. Surely a more appropriate name for the two houses comprising Ravensbury-close would be St. Mark’s-close, or even Majestic-close, seeing it lies in the shadow of the Majestic Cinema. But why Ravensbury-close should be off St Mark’s-road, Ravensbury court on the London-road, Ravensbury-grove off Morden-road. and Ravensbury-avenue, off The Drive, all miles from each other in different directions, I cannot imagine.

And to further confuse one, the Ravensbury Arms (more familiarly known as the Blue House) is in yet another direction, on the Croydon-road!

SKYLARK.

1912 : Mitcham Fire Brigade get a Merryweather Fire Engine

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From the minutes of the Mitcham Parish Council on 30th July 1912:

To the Fire Brigade Committee,

Gentlemen,

I beg to report that the Demonstration of the New Petrol Motor Fire Engine, carried out by the Brigade on July 27th under the instructions of Messrs. Merryweather’s representative, was satisfactory in every way, both as regards augmenting the amount of pressure of water available in the mains and also for river work, together with deep suction lifts (see attached figures of tests.)

In view of meeting the capabilities of the new engine I would suggest that additional hose and extra stand-pipes be carried to enable the Brigade to collect the water from a few hydrants when necessary.

It is a pleasure to state that from a practical point of view the Council now possess one of the best combinations of machinery for fire protection that is possible to obtain.

Yours obediently,

A.L. JENNER, Superintendent

clip from Merton Memories photo reference Mit_Public_Services_7-4 copyright London Borough of Merton

The tests referred to in the minutes above showed that mains pressure, from street hydrants, was 50 lbs per square inch but at the hoses this was reduced to at worse 33 lbs. The new fire engine though brought the pressure up to 200 lbs. When drawing from the river Wandle, with a 10ft. vertical suction lift, 120 to 200 lbs pf pressure was achieved.

It was proposed by Mr J.M. Leather, and seconded by Mr A. Dendy, that the Council write to the Metropolitan water Board to draw their attention to the low pressure in the mains.

The Fire Brigade Committee recommended that the current steam fire engine be sold, with adverts placed in the “West Sussex Gazette”, “The Fireman” and other suitable papers.

Mr E.E. Mizen proposed that an additional £20 be added to the fire brigade budget for the new hose and stand-pipes suggested by the superintendent. He noted that this would bring said budget up to £290.

The Clerk reported that after the demonstration, the members of the Council, the two Fire Brigades and the Superintendents of several of the neighbouring Brigades, were entertained with a substantial meal at the Vestry Hall.

In the report to the Finance Committee, a cheque for £224 15s. was paid to Merryweather & Son for the motor engine.

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