Friday 9 January 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Industry Or ‘Pleasantry’ On Wandle Bank?
FIRMS CHALLENGE EXTENSIONS BAN
Capacity of New £400,000 Plant Rests With Ministry
COUNCIL WANT TO PRESERVE WALK TO CROYDON
Firms including New Merton Board Mills and Corfield Transformers appealed at Morden Hall against a ban on riverside extensions on the Wandle; Merton and Morden Council wanted to keep a walk toward Croydon and open space rather than more industry.
SHORTHAND WRITER TO BOTH HOUSES
Mr William Sugden of Westnor-road, Wimbledon, senior partner in W. S. Gurney, Sons and Funnel, was appointed senior official shorthand writer to both Houses of Parliament.
REFEREE DROPS DEAD ON FIELD
Mr. F. W. Sims Was True Sportsman
Mr Frederick William Sims, 58, collapsed and died while refereeing at Morden Recreation Ground; he was remembered as a true sportsman.
New Trophy For 100 Mile Race
Belgrave Harriers announced a new trophy for their annual 100-mile road walking race.
SHOPLIFTING—MOTHER MUST GO TO PRISON
Husband’s Vain Plea For “Best Wife In The World”
A Wimbledon mother of four was sent to prison for shoplifting despite her husband’s plea; the court heard of previous convictions.
Members’ evening at South Wimbledon Y.M.C.A.
A photograph shows a members’ evening at South Wimbledon Y.M.C.A.
Friday 16 January 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
EX-OFFICER’S TRAGIC NOTE TO CORONER
“I Have Had It”: Found Shot In Bedroom
An inquest heard that an ex-officer was found shot in his bedroom with a note to the coroner reading “I Have Had It”.
Popular Vicar’s New Post
REV. J. CAWLEY GOING TO BRIXTON
Former Curate To Take Over At Holy Trinity
The Rev. J. Cawley left Holy Trinity, South Wimbledon, for St Matthew’s, Brixton; a former curate was to take over at Holy Trinity.
999 ALARM AT PRINCE’S HOME
Boys Caught After Leap From Window
Boys were caught after a break-in and a leap from a window at a house associated with Prince’s Road/Way, Wimbledon.
Dud Cheque Cheats
Prison For Actor And Girl Friend
An actor and his girlfriend were sent to prison for obtaining food and lodgings with worthless cheques.
WEDDING BREAKFAST VANISHED
Youths Accused Of Stealing Beer, Fruit And Cake
Youths were accused of stealing beer, fruit and cake meant for a wedding breakfast.
Theft Of Handbag Alleged
A woman was charged with stealing a handbag at a dance or church gathering in the district.
Bottleneck In Nursing Class
3,000 Patients Wait
A nursing-class bottleneck was blamed for leaving about 3,000 patients waiting.
Friday 23 January 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Uproar Over Rules At Legion Meeting
CUT OUT ROUGH STUFF SAYS MAJOR COHEN
Personal Attack On Chairman Candidate: Asked For Papers
COMPLAINT OF DRAFT RULES BEING USED FOR SPILLS
A Wimbledon and Merton British Legion meeting broke into uproar over draft rules and a personal attack on a chairman candidate; Major Cohen told members to cut out the rough stuff.
COMMONS QUESTION ON HOUSING BAN
Minister Won’t See Deputation From District Council
The Minister of Health would not receive a Merton and Morden deputation about the ban on new house building.
£1,800 Stolen Cheque Forgery
Man In Prison Gets Another 18 Months
A man already in prison received a further 18 months for cheque forgery involving about £1,800.
PENAL SERVITUDE FOR BIG STORES FRAUDS
Man Of Whom ‘Nothing Good Can Be Said’
A man was sentenced to penal servitude for frauds on big stores.
55,370 ON THE VOTERS’ LIST
Morden The Biggest Ward
The Merton and Morden electoral register stood at 55,370, with Morden the biggest ward.
Broken Melody
A two-wheeled barrel organ broke down on Morden-road.
Morden Players
Morden Players gave When We Are Married at the Town Hall.
Friday 30 January 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
DAIRYMAN PAYS £140 FINES AND COSTS
Excess Milk Sufficient To Supply 1,222 People
Mr W. J. Pickett, a dairyman of Kingston-road, Merton Park, was fined £140 for supplying milk above the authorised ration.
Council Won’t Run Civic Concerts
LEGAL POSITION AT PUBLIC HALL
Coun. Black Replies to Labour Party’s Proposal
Wimbledon Council declined to run civic concerts at the Public Hall after debate on the legal position.
An Olympic Hope At St. Moritz Next Week
Miss E. Phillips of Wimbledon was among those going to St Moritz for the Winter Olympics.
CAT ‘CANCELLED THE STAMPS’
Woman Admits Her Story Was Untrue
Brenda Millings of Raynes Park admitted inventing a post-office robbery story and was fined.
SHOULD THE COUNCIL THANK THEIR M.P.?
Fifteen Say ‘Yes’: Seven Say ‘No, He Is Paid For His Work’
Councillors divided 15–7 on whether to thank their M.P. formally for his work for the borough.
Garton Players
The Garton Players rehearsed Theatre Royal for Wimbledon Town Hall.
Friday 6 February 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Local Builder’s Quandary
CAN’T GET A SITE FOR HIS BUSINESS
Ministry Appeal Against Council’s Refusal
Builder Mr W. Rough appealed to the Ministry after the council refused a site for his building and joinery business.
SCHOOLMASTER HAS A ‘STRANGE OBSESSION’
Lure Of The Bookshop: Brilliant Scholar Fined For Thefts
A schoolmaster and former R.A.F. man was fined for stealing books, his defence citing a strange obsession after war strain.
Soviet Cold Shouldered
A joint Merton and Morden Soviet Society meeting with Carshalton was dropped for lack of ticket interest.
FIGHTS IN ALL WARDS
For Control At Morden Hall
Contests were expected in all wards for control at Morden Hall in the municipal elections.
Ministry Veto Expenditure On New Branch Library
The Ministry of Health refused a loan for a new branch library at West Morden.
Queering The Pitches
Break-in Glass Danger At Poulter Park
Vandals broke into a shed at Poulter Park and scattered broken glass on the cricket pitches.
Cyclist Hit By Car Door
A Wimbledon cyclist was hurt when a car door opened into his path.
Two Injured In Cross Roads Crash
Two people were injured in a crossroads collision.
Friday 13 February 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
WHY DOES LABOUR FEAR TOTALITARIANISM?
Mr. Hore Belisha on Cripps’ Speech
Trade Unions Out of Step: The Deepening Crisis
Mr Hore-Belisha spoke at Wimbledon Town Hall on Cripps’s speech, trade unions and the economic crisis.
COCKTAIL CHANGES DRINKING HABITS
Successful Application For Spirit Licence
A spirit licence was granted for a local café amid talk of changing drinking habits.
SULPHURIC IN MISTAKE FOR WATER
Sulphuric acid was taken by mistake for water in a poisoning incident.
LOCAL AUTHOR’S VIVID NOVEL
Through The Eyes Of An Edwardian Beauty
A local author’s Edwardian novel was reviewed.
MORDEN BOY KILLED BY BUS
A Morden boy was killed by a bus.
BITTEN BY HORSE
A local person was bitten by a horse.
B.B.C. MAKES A DISCOVERY
A B.B.C. team visited the Wimbledon district.
THE “DUMMY” ALARM
Brigades Arrive In Quick Test Time
Fire brigades answered a dummy alarm in a response-time test.
SICK CLUB FUND FRAUD ALLEGED
Fraud was alleged in a local sick-club fund.
BLIND SCHOOL TO COST £35,000
A school for the blind was planned at a cost of about £35,000.
Children of employees of K.L.G. Plugs Ltd.
Children of K.L.G. Plugs employees were entertained at the Kingston-road works canteen.
Friday 20 February 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Home Secretary’s Appeal For Savings
COAL, CHARACTER OUR ONLY RAW MATERIALS
Merton and Morden Nearing Silver Lining Target
Home Secretary Mr Chuter Ede opened the Silver Lining industrial exhibition at the Drill Hall, Durnsford-road, and praised Merton and Morden’s savings drive toward a £1,200,182 target.
BROKE GAOL TO TAKE “WICKED VENGEANCE”
Paul Wignhard, a Polish army deserter, received ten years’ penal servitude for a hammer attack after escaping a prison working party.
Smoke Roused Household
Early Morning Fire
Smoke woke a Durham-road, Raynes Park, household in an early-morning fire; Wimbledon firemen put it out.
‘Shot’ In A Cinema
Twelve-year-old Ernest Fry was hit in the chest by a metal pellet at the Regal Cinema, Raynes Park.
PUPIL OF LEON GOOSSENS
First Performance Of New Work
Oboist David Tucker, a pupil of Leon Goossens, gave a first performance with the Wimbledon Concert Orchestra at the Town Hall.
BROKEN PLATE GLASS BORE FINGER PRINTS
Fingerprints on broken plate glass led to charges over a break-in on Merton High Street.
The Vicar Is Surprised
Bench Did Not Know St. John’s Parish
The vicar of St John’s was surprised when magistrates said they did not know his parish.
£50,000 Scheme Near Completion
A £50,000 Merton and Morden flat-conversion scheme for council housing was near completion.
Friday 27 February 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
750 People Kept Presentation Secret
COUN. BLACK WENT TO MEET “FEW FRIENDS”
Found 500 Residents Waiting To Present Mrs. Black’s Portrait
About 500 residents surprised Mrs Black, wife of Coun. Cyril W. Black, at Wimbledon Town Hall with a portrait and book of signatures for her mayoral-year work.
Heavy Fines In Points Case
Heavy fines were imposed in a ration-points case.
Council Giving £12,000 For Dans’ Ground
The council approved £12,000 for a sports and recreation ground.
LAWRIE SAYS “WE WIN TEST”
Lawrie claimed a test win in a short sporting note.
Snow Delays Signal Box Switch Over
Snow delayed a signal-box switch-over.
Iron Discipline
A juvenile-court case of a boy hitting his sister with a golf club brought talk of iron discipline.
COUN. COOPER’S HEALTH
Will Not Seek Re-election
Coun. Leonard Cooper said he would not seek re-election because of his health.
TRAGEDY ON THE RAILWAY LINE
Henry March, 81, was killed by a train between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.
P.C. Lent Him 2d.
A police constable lent twopence to a citizen in need.
Railway Fares Adjustment
Local railway fares were adjusted.
Paper Chasers’ 122 Tons Haul
Salvage collectors took in 122 tons of waste paper.
Who Is The Woman?
Giving ‘Fire’ Alarms
Police sought a woman thought to be making false fire alarms.
Plough Lane May Soon Be S.W.19
A proposal would put Plough Lane into the S.W.19 postal district.
Property Owner Fined For Shoplifting
A property owner was fined for shoplifting.
Friday 5 March 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
FAMOUS OBOIST PLAYS NEW WORK BY TUCKER
Robert Masters’ Quartet Give Fine Send-Off At Town Hall
Leon Goossens and the Robert Masters Quartet played at Wimbledon Town Hall, including a new oboe work by Tucker.
County Rate Increase 8½d.
CALL FOR UNIFORMITY OF ASSESSMENTS
Fear Of Unfair Rating In “So-Called Rich Surrey”
Surrey County Council proposed an 8½d. county-rate rise amid calls for uniform assessments.
SOLD CLOTH AT EXCESS PRICE
Ex-Airman Ignorant Of Control Orders
An ex-airman was prosecuted for selling cloth above controlled prices.
OLD RUTLISHIAN’S NEW POST
Former Rutlish pupil Mr Raymond W. Belton took a new technical post.
Winkle Cart Went Flying
Horse Bolted After Collision
A horse bolted after a car hit a winkle cart, scattering the load.
FUN AND GAMES ON THE RATES, PROTEST
Ratepayers protested at council spending on social functions.
An Edwardian Party
Old Time Show At The Town Hall
An Edwardian costume show was staged at the Town Hall.
Friday 12 March 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Wimbledon Rate 16/-, A New High Record
£26,080 INCREASE IN WAGES AND PENSIONS
Coun. Black Criticises New Legislation
LABOUR TALK OF MISLEADING BUDGET
Wimbledon’s rate rose to a record 16s. in the £; Coun. C. W. Black criticised new legislation and Labour called the budget misleading.
BEDROOM INTRUDER ON HANDS AND KNEES
Neighbour Alleged To Have Got Through Trap Door
Ernest Brown was charged with entering a neighbour’s bedroom through a ceiling trap door.
Lord Mayor’s United Nations Appeal For Children
Mayor of Wimbledon’s Local Appeal
Mayor Coun. W. E. Hamlin sought 1,000 volunteers for a house-to-house collection for the U.N. children’s appeal.
13 Fights In Nine Wards
Merton And Morden Election Outlook
Thirteen contested seats in nine wards were expected in the Merton and Morden elections.
Council Approve The Lopping Of Trees
Merton and Morden Council approved tree-lopping in streets including Dorset-road and Kingston-road.
Former Railwayman Dead On Line
Charles Chamberlain, 76, a retired Southern Railwayman, was found dead on the line near Raynes Park.
Municipal Golf An Election Issue
A municipal golf course at Morden Park became an election issue.
£1 PER HEAD FOR SILVER LINING
Wimbledon’s Silver Lining savings target of £330,000 worked out at about £1 a head.
Rev. W. H. Elliott
The Rev. W. H. Elliott was to preach at St Mary’s, Warwick.
Friday 19 March 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
AMBITIOUS PLANS For Our New Borough
COUN. BLACK’S VISION OF WIMBLEDON—1998
But We Must Mend And Make Do For At Least Ten Years
Coun. Cyril W. Black sketched a fifty-year vision for Wimbledon, including a theatre and open-air baths, while saying the borough must make do for at least ten years.
MAN HANGING FROM A TREE AT MORDEN
Victim Of Hallucinations Took 100 Aspirin Tablets
An inquest heard that John Henry Cowley, 21, was found hanged in Morden woods after taking about 100 aspirins.
FARM CART AS AMBULANCE
Local Brigade’s Ingenuity Test
The local brigade used a farm cart as an improvised ambulance in an ingenuity test.
DIDN’T CANCEL COUPONS
Ill Health Blamed For Oversight
Shopkeeper Mr Filshill was prosecuted for failing to cancel clothing coupons.
£2,702 Frauds On Women
Imposter Sentenced To Penal Servitude
Ernest Arthur George Sells got five years’ penal servitude for defrauding women while posing as a secret-work official.
In The Wrong House
Intruder Acquitted Of Breaking In
George Brown was acquitted after saying he entered a neighbour’s house by mistake while drunk.
Two Boys On Cafe Roof
Two boys were caught on a café roof.
Suicide On The Railway Line
Pensioner “Suffered From His Nerves”
William Thomas Chamberlain, 65, a retired gardener, was found dead on the line near Motspur Park.
Would Lose His Job And Bonus
Arthur Douglas Bones, fined for a driving offence, feared losing his job and bonus.
Ely’s staff dance
Staff of Ely’s, Wimbledon, danced at Croydon with Mr Norman N. Ely presiding.
Friday 26 March 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Merton And Morden Rates Down By 10d.
BALANCES RISE TO £38,373
Capitation Grant Equal To 4/11 Per Head Of Population
Merton and Morden rates fell from 16s. 10d. to 16s.; balances rose to £38,373 and a county capitation grant equalled 4s. 11d. a head.
Night Shift Relaxes At Shannon’s
Night-shift workers at Shannon’s heard the band of the East Surrey Regiment in Constitution-square, Merton.
SURREY BAND KEEPS UNION JACK FLYING
“Our Prestige In Greece Never Higher” — Mr. Kiddell-Monroe
Mr N. S. Kiddell-Monroe said a Surrey band’s Greek tour left British prestige never higher.
The Dustmen Are Coming
Watch Your Refuse
Mayor Coun. W. S. Hamlin pressed a special salvage effort, especially for waste paper.
Britain Will Not Fail
U.S.A. View Of Us
An American view of Britain’s recovery said the country would not fail.
No Council Agenda For Communists?
Merton and Morden Council reportedly refused Communist requests for agendas and minutes.
Friday 2 April 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Lawyer’s Wife In Cheque Thefts Case
CHARGES INVOLVING £2,370
“Oh, my God!” Alleged Remark When Arrested On Warrant
A lawyer’s wife faced cheque-theft charges involving £2,370 at Carshalton Magistrates’ Court.
Wimbledon Olympic Possible
High jumper James L. Bowden, formerly R.A.F., was named a possible for the British Olympic team.
MALDEN RATE UP 1/-
Any Reduction? Wait Till 1952
Malden and Coombe set the rate at 18s. 10d., up a shilling, with little hope of cuts before 1952.
Tragic Death of Local Newsagent
Collapsed In Street In Edinburgh
Newsagent Mr George Wimbledon, 61, of Morden, collapsed and died in Edinburgh while on holiday.
Record Poll Expected On Saturday
A record poll was expected in the Saturday local elections.
CYCLING TEST FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
On K.C.S. Playground
Schoolchildren faced a cycling road-safety test on the King’s College School playground.
Transfer Day For Fire Brigades
Fire services returned from the National Fire Service to local authority control.
No “Council” Dances
20-7 Vote Against Labour Proposal
Merton and Morden Council voted 20–7 against Labour’s proposal for council-run dances.
Common Fires
Dry weather brought grass and bush fires on Wimbledon Common over the holiday.
Friday 9 April 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
CONSERVATIVE GAINS IN TWO WARDS
MERTON AND MORDEN COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Six Residents’ Association Candidates Returned
Conservatives gained two Merton and Morden seats and six Residents’ Association candidates were returned; ward polling figures were printed.
GAMING IN COURT
J.P. Wins 6d. On Fruit Machine
A J.P. demonstrated a fruit machine in court and won sixpence.
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY IS A WORK OF ART
Students Transform A “Victorian Workhouse”
Art-school students decorated the children’s library, once likened to a Victorian workhouse; the Mayor opened it.
FATAL FALL FROM SCAFFOLDING
William Frederick John Reed, 51, died after falling from scaffolding at Ewell.
NEW RING FOR ANCIENT BELLS
Bells at St Mary’s, Merton, some from the fifteenth century, were restored and rehung.
FULHAM OFFICIAL FOR MERTON AND MORDEN
Mr Walter Melvin Scott, formerly deputy borough engineer at Fulham, took the same post for Merton and Morden.
SAFE CYCLING FOR CHILDREN
Children took cycling proficiency tests on the King’s College School playground.
Friday 16 April 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
SIGNPOSTS TO THE GENERAL ELECTION
Every Local Success Points The Way—Mr. Ernest Brown
Mr Ernest Brown said local successes pointed the way to the general election.
Right Of Way Protest
COUNCIL OBJECT TO ERECTION OF FENCE
“Footpath In Use For 40 Years”
Merton and Morden Council objected to a fence across a Morden Park footpath said to have been used for forty years.
Put Poison In Butter Allegation
Jessie Ernest Hatxer, 36, was charged with putting phosphorus poison in butter intending to murder his wife Kathleen.
Keeper Of The Royal Cellars
Family 150 Years In The King’s Service
Mr S. A. Green became Keeper of the Royal Cellars at Buckingham Palace, continuing about 150 years of family service.
Smash And Grab
Thieves Make Off With Radio
Thieves smashed a window at Frank V. Telling Ltd, Wimbledon, and stole a radio worth £18 10s.
Population Is 78,000
21,627 Houses in Merton And Morden
Merton and Morden’s population was put at 78,000 in 21,627 houses.
Eleventh Issue of Ration Books
The next ration-book issue for Merton and Morden was to begin on 3 May.
939 Consumers Change Their Retailers
In six weeks, 939 people changed their registered food retailers.
Men Wanted—For Good Posts
Merton and Morden Council again advertised for a deputy clerk after two failed attempts.
Darby and Joan Club at Hill House
Coun. W. H. Clark opened the Darby and Joan Club at Hill House, St Helier.
Friday 23 April 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
STEPPED IN FRONT OF EXPRESS TRAIN
Young Wife In Ill Health “Walked Slowly To Death”
An inquest jury found that Mrs Florence Maud Coombes, 36, walked in front of an express at Wimbledon Park while the balance of her mind was disturbed.
SAW MAN START COMMON BLAZE
Woman Praised For Prompt Action
Miss Janet Rickman was praised for raising the alarm after seeing a man start a fire on Wimbledon Common.
Blamed For Rail Crash
FATAL ERROR BY FOGSIGNALMAN
Duty To Make Sure Before Removing Detonator
An inquiry into the Motspur Park fog crash of November, which killed four, blamed a fog-signalman who showed a green hand-signal while the main signal was at danger.
Student Wins Prix De Rome
Art School Pupil’s Sculpture Award
B. C. Prundell, 26, formerly of Wimbledon School of Art, won the 1948 Rome Scholarship in Sculpture.
Man Sent For Trial On Poison Charge
Albert Edward Way, 54, was sent for trial alleged to have put poison in his wife Hilda’s food.
“Model Citizens” Sent To Prison
Brothers Joseph Henry and William Cayzer, once called model citizens, were imprisoned for shop thefts.
Friday 30 April 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
High Rents of New £120,500 Flats
“Perfectly Hopeless” For Young Married Couples
Alderman Hickmott’s Retort To Labour “You Were Warned”
Coun. Gentle Suggests Spreading Loan Charges
Merton and Morden debated high rents on new Gap-road flats costing £120,500, said to be hopeless for young couples.
New Council Chairman
Mrs Cobbett, ten years on the council and the second woman chairman, was elected for Merton and Morden.
Houses Fit For Heroes
Opened By Lord Trenchard
Lord Trenchard opened 28 Haig Homes at Morden for disabled ex-servicemen and their families.
The Villagers’ Memorial
Crew Of Bomber Which Crashed At Mautby
A tribute recalled Sgt Denis Wood of Merton and Morden, killed when a bomber crashed at Mautby.
Grew Up Among Thieves
Penal Servitude For Morden Youth
A Morden youth got three years’ penal servitude for breaking into offices and shops.
Medical Officer Olympic Games
Dr J. L. Blonstein of Park View, Wimbledon, was appointed an Olympic medical officer.
Company Directors Conspired To Steal
Directors and a foreman of Merton Engineering Co. Ltd were sentenced for conspiring to steal steel.
Black Cup at Garfield Recreation Ground
Coun. G. W. Black presented the Black Cup to schoolboy captain Mills at Garfield Recreation Ground.
Friday 7 May 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Shaw Desmond And The New Warfare
VIBRATIONS THAT WILL MAKE US “DRIVELLING IDIOTS”, BUT—
Don’t Panic At The Prospect Says Author Of “Chaos”
Author Shaw Desmond told a Wimbledon Town Hall meeting that future warfare might use vibrations, but urged the audience not to panic.
LABOUR PROTEST AT BY-ELECTION “RUSH”
Mr. Preece And Ex-Councillor Holmes To Contest
Labour protested at a hurried by-election; Mr Sam Preece and ex-councillor Holmes were to contest.
Mothers’ Part In A World Movement
SIR PERCY AND “B.P.”
Sir Percy Everett, Deputy Chief Scout, spoke to Wimbledon Scouts and Guides on mothers’ part in a world movement.
Sentence In Poison Case
Prison For Airman Awarded D.F.M.
A 23-year-old airman holding the D.F.M. was imprisoned at the Old Bailey in a poison case.
Council Withdraw Objection
Merton and Morden Council withdrew an objection to a residential school or hotel scheme.
MR. BERNARD ELY’S BEQUESTS
Mr Bernard Ely’s will included gifts to the Blind League and the Dundonald Mission.
Friday 14 May 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
A Day In The Life Of A Film Studio
SHOOTING THE “FOOL AND THE PRINCESS”
M.P. Sees New Rank Picture Being Produced At Merton
Mr A. M. F. Palmer, M.P., visited Merton Park Studios during shooting of the Rank film The Fool and the Princess.
100 YEARS OLD, SHE STILL GOES TO CHURCH
Mrs. Braithwaite Was At The Funeral Of Wellington
Mrs Rosemond Braithwaite of Wimbledon turned 100, still went to church, and recalled Wellington’s funeral; the King sent a telegram.
VICAR DRIVES 5-TON LORRY
Taking A Party To Oxford
The Rev. P. L. Gudgeon of St Mary’s, Morden, drove a five-ton lorry taking sixty parishioners to Oxford.
CRASHED THROUGH GLASS WINDOW
Struggle In Amusement Arcade Finishes On The Pavement
A fight in a Wimbledon amusement arcade ended with men crashing through a plate-glass window.
Burglars Raid Factory
Night Watchman Threatened
Burglars at a Merton factory threatened the night watchman and stole lead.
Friday 21 May 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Council Supports Churchill’s Proposal
WIMBLEDON TO BE A SEPARATE DIVISION
Wimbledon Council sought separate Parliamentary-borough status rather than amalgamation with Malden and Coombe after a Boundary Commission report.
MAJOR HICKS DENIES LABOUR STATEMENTS
References To By-Election “Full of Inaccuracies”
Major Hicks denied Labour by-election statements as full of inaccuracies.
POULTRY CLUB POSER, OR—The Bird That “Couldn’t Lay”
The Wimbledon and District Poultry Club debated a hen that would not lay.
QUEEN OF THE FETE
Miss Ockenden was chosen Morden Queen of the May Fete at Morden Park.
“Scouting for Boys” in the Windmill, Wimbledon Common
A plaque marking where Scouting for Boys was written was to be unveiled at the Windmill on 5 June.
Crashed Into A Wall
Soldier Walter Rogers faced proceedings after a motorcycle crash into a wall.
Missing Car Sequel
Richard Philip Henley faced a charge of taking a motor vehicle.
Fatal Injuries
Miss Alice Stephens, 84, died after a road accident.
A Chapter of Accidents
A lorry, a car and a motorcycle figured in a string of local accidents.
Driver Fined £20
Wrong Side of “Worst Road in Wimbledon”
David George Williams was fined £20 for driving on the wrong side of a road called Wimbledon’s worst.
The SOS Look
A radio S.O.S. was broadcast for Mayor Coun. E. W. Marshall while he was travelling.
Wedding reception at Town Hall
The Mayor and Mayoress attended a Town Hall reception after the wedding of Major Mickey Smyth and Miss O’Neill.
Friday 28 May 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Lord Mayor Opens New A.A. Headquarters
DORSET HALL TO BE CALLED CITY HOUSE
Social Centre For The Territorials
The Lord Mayor opened Dorset Hall, Merton, as City House for the 565th (City of London) L.A.A. Regiment, R.A. (T.A.).
GIRL FRIEND’S DREAMS WILL COME TRUE
Miss Mercia Tillman of Wimbledon Park planned an Italian and Swiss honeymoon with Mr Eric Tillman.
78-Years-Old Man In Housebreaking Case
Arthur Wallace Ward, 78, of Morden, was remanded for a medical report on a housebreaking and jewellery charge.
18-Year-Olds To Register
Men born between 1 July and 30 September 1930 had to register for National Service.
IN TEMPORARY DARKNESS
Switch-Off Affects Only Small Area
A power cut hit a small area around Raynes Park and West Barnes.
£62,700 STADIUM ASSESSMENT
Reduced To £41,000 By Surrey Authority
Surrey reduced the Wimbledon Stadium (greyhound) assessment from £62,700 to £41,000.
Mayor’s Car Broke Down
Empire Day Tour Delayed
The Mayor’s car broke down on an Empire Day school tour; visits including St Mary’s R.C. School still went ahead.
Friday 4 June 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Council And M.O.W. “Mystery” Building
PLUCKY WOMAN, SAYS MAGISTRATE
Armed With Knife She ‘Arrested’ 78-Years-Old Intruder
Mrs Agnes M. Hall was praised for holding a 78-year-old intruder, John Henry Wills, at knife-point; a Ministry of Works mystery building was also in the news.
£12,000 ON REPAIRS “NOT JUSTIFIED”
Housing Need Before New Palatial Health Office
Merton and Morden debated spending £12,000 on health offices when housing need was greater.
£500,000 From Electricity
Erroneous Talk Of £27,000 Loss
Officials said the electricity undertaking had put £500,000 into the rates, not lost £27,000.
High Fares On The District Railway
Wimbledon Council took up complaints that District Railway fares were too high.
BERNARD ELY MEMORIAL
Tablet Unveiled At Cottage Home
A memorial tablet to Mr Bernard Ely was unveiled at a cottage home.
Quality Of Meat, Butchers Differ
Food Officer Has No Complaints
The Food Officer said he had no formal complaints about meat quality despite public grumbles.
The Biggest Landlords
Council Control 1,146 Properties
Merton and Morden Council controlled 1,146 properties as the district’s biggest landlord.
Boy Falls From Railway Bridge
A boy fell from a Wimbledon railway bridge and was taken to hospital.
Milk Roundsmen “At War”
Libellous Statements In Fight For Customers
Milk roundsmen fought for customers with alleged libellous statements.
CHAIRMAN REFUSED TO BE BRIBED
Housing Priorities Strictly On Merit: New Scheme Proposed
The housing chairman reported a bribe attempt and said a points scheme would keep priorities on merit.
BRIDESMAIDS 50 YEARS AGO
Guests At Golden Wedding Party
Original bridesmaids attended a local golden-wedding party.
Wimbledon Territorials to Lydd
An advance guard of Wimbledon Territorials left for annual camp at Lydd, Kent.
Friday 11 June 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Doris Hare Was Persecuted, Says Counsel
REFERENCE TO WOMAN WHO “SCREAMED ON THE LAWN”
Miss Sharpe Withdraws Summons Against Dr. Ian Roberts
Counsel said Doris Hare and Dr Ian Roberts were persecuted; Miss Mary Sharpe withdrew an assault summons.
LORD TOVEY TAKES D-DAY SALUTE
Impressive March Past and Dedication at Wimbledon
Admiral of the Fleet Lord Tovey took the D-Day anniversary salute in Wimbledon, with a march past and dedication at the war memorial.
Gold Pieces Confiscated
Foreign Diplomat’s Present To Him
Jozef Poniatuski of Wimbledon was fined £5 at Bow Street and lost 43 gold coins he had failed to declare.
QUEEN’S RD. DEPOT TRAGEDY
Workman Dies On Arrival At Work
William George Washer, 63, collapsed and died at the Queen’s Road cleansing depot.
NURSING FOR 50 YEARS
S.J.A.B. Women Celebrate
Wimbledon and Merton St John Ambulance women marked fifty years’ nursing; Miss M. Lane cut the cake.
Reunion of 12 W.A.A.F.S.
They Arranged it 5 Years Ago
Twelve former W.A.A.F.s kept a five-year promise and reunited at Wimbledon Town Hall.
Liberals and Palestine
Wimbledon, Merton and Morden Liberals passed a resolution on Palestine policy.
Brushing Up Wimbledon
About £23,100 was to be spent painting and decorating Wimbledon public buildings.
Friday 18 June 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Britain Now A U.S.A. State, Says Mr. Braine
NEW M.O.W. BUILDING CRITICS SHOCK M.P.
Nationalisation Not Involved: Attack On Local Conservatives
Prospective Conservative Mr Bernard Braine said Britain was being treated like a U.S. state and attacked critics of a Ministry of Works building.
GOVERNMENT’S ‘CRAVEN FEAR OF GREATNESS’
‘Worried People Returning To Conservatism’
Mr Braine told a South Wimbledon meeting that worried people were returning to Conservatism.
NEW LIBERAL CANDIDATE
Mr. R. Douglas For Merton And Morden
Mr R. Douglas was adopted as Liberal candidate for Merton and Morden.
Malden In After All
Voting With Wimbledon
Under the Representation of the People Bill, Malden was to stay linked with Wimbledon for voting.
Man Denies £115 Grab
Stadium Office Theft Charge
Thomas William Manning denied stealing £115 from a Wimbledon Stadium office.
Coun. Franklin Resigns
Former Chairman Of District Council
Coun. E. E. Franklin resigned from Merton and Morden Council on health grounds.
DORIS HARE SELECTS SURREY BEAUTY QUEEN
Compliment To Lovely Girls Of Wimbledon And District
Actress Doris Hare judged a Town Hall contest and chose Miss Kathleen Havard as Surrey Beauty Queen.
WEDDING WAS A NAVAL AFFAIR
Morden Girl Married In Capetown
Miss Joan Mary Tipping of Morden married Sub-Lieutenant Peter John Drower in Cape Town.
Women Bowlers Win At Hastings
Wimbledon-area women bowlers won at Hastings.
Friday 25 June 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Mr. Palmer v Mr. Bracken, Commons Clash
LIBERAL SURPRISE IN BY-ELECTION
Mr A. M. F. Palmer clashed with Mr Bracken in the Commons on the Gas Bill; a Liberal surprise was noted in a North-East Surrey by-election.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS IN GAS BILL DEBATE
Further Commons exchanges covered gas nationalisation.
50 Years’ Service To The Sick
More than 300 people marked Mr Max Brink’s fifty years with the Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare.
BABY TRAVELS 26,000 MILES
Roger Coming Home From South Africa
Ten-month-old Roger Morris was coming home to Wimbledon after a 26,000-mile trip to South Africa and back.
Boy Cursed Passers By
A fifteen-year-old was bound over for twelve months for using offensive language in the street.
Two Nice Houses For £300
“Like A Fairy Tale”—Tribunal Chairman
A rent tribunal heard of two houses bought for £300; the chairman called it like a fairy tale.
Father Made Toy Engine
Wins Prize In A National Contest
Mr Ronald Cole of Wimbledon won £5 for a model engine made for his son.
Drove To Drury Lane Theatre
Wimbledon Man Fined £10 In Petrol Case
A Wimbledon man was fined £10 for using petrol to drive to Drury Lane during rationing.
Saved From Drowning
Cub Rescued While Learning To Swim
Cub John Barker, eight, was rescued while learning to swim at Wimbledon baths.
A Charming Local Girl
Qualifies At Herne Bay Beauty Contest
Miss Irene Marshall, 19, of Wimbledon, qualified at a Herne Bay beauty contest.
Friday 2 July 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Wimbledon Council Rents Up 35 Per Cent
MEETING INCREASED COST OF REPAIRS
Wimbledon Council raised rents by about 35 per cent to meet higher repair costs.
MERTON AND MORDEN RENTS UP 25%
Merton and Morden raised council rents by 25 per cent.
Miss Liska and Miss Bush retire
Miss Liska (28 years) and Miss Bush (27 years) retired from Wimbledon County School for Girls.
Cannizaro Public Show Gardens
Cannizaro Park gardens were to open to the public on summer dates in July and August.
Clear Roads For Traffic
Proposed Waiting Restrictions
Waiting restrictions were proposed to ease congestion on main roads.
Skyscraper Flats
Merton and Morden Proposal Criticised
A Merton and Morden high-rise flats proposal drew criticism.
New Deputy Clerk
Mr W. C. Groombridge became deputy clerk of Merton and Morden Council.
Boy Went On The Spree
Brighton Trip With Employer’s Money
A 15-year-old took his employer’s money for a Brighton trip.
COUNCIL WORKS STAFF OUTING
Enjoyable Trip To Ramsgate
About 300 Merton and Morden works staff and families went to Ramsgate.
Rent Collector Drank The Milk
Police Kept Watch After Complaint
Police watched a rent collector after milk went missing from a doorstep and caught him drinking it.
More Babies And Fewer Deaths
Local figures showed more births and fewer deaths.
READY, STEADY, GO!
Children raced at the Wimbledon Youth Council Inter-Unit Sports on the Technical College playing fields.
Friday 9 July 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Shooting Tragedy In Broadway Shop
MAN’S FATAL INJURIES DURING TARGET PRACTICE ACCIDENT
Boy Tells Coroner Firearm “Went Off In My Hand”
JURY URGE INQUIRIES INTO ISSUE OF GUN LICENCES
A 24-year-old man was fatally shot in a Broadway shop basement when a 15-year-old’s gun went off in target practice; the jury urged tighter gun-licence inquiries.
£100 Derby Losses
Rookie Too Broke To Run A Book
Dennis George Wicks stole from his employer after Derby gambling losses.
Costly Trip From Eire
Tried To Evade Customs Duty
Bryan Robert Roche was fined at Bow Street for trying to evade customs on goods from Ireland.
A Brilliantine Blaze
£2,000 Worth Goes Up In Flames
Fire at Albion Metal, Colliers Wood, destroyed about £2,000 of brilliantine and metal boxes.
R.A.C.S. Rally visitors
Mrs M. P. Adams, M.P. for Tooting, and Mr A. M. F. Palmer, M.P. for Wimbledon, visited a Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society rally.
Youth Club Swimming Gala
A Youth Club swimming gala was held at Wimbledon Baths.
Friday 16 July 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS—ARE THEY FAIR?
Younger But Brighter Pupils At A Disadvantage
Critics said the secondary entrance exam age-grouping disadvantaged younger bright pupils.
Ex “Spit” Is Now A Decent Fellow
A Spitfire was given to the Wimbledon Junior Cadet Corps for instruction.
Athletes At Stadium
Miss Paddy Gunn won the Ceares Cup at Wimbledon Stadium.
Office Breaking Alleged
Three Men And A Woman Remanded
Four people were remanded over a break-in at Henry Boot & Sons’ Wimbledon offices.
Dancer Left Car Without Lights
George Edward Morth was fined for leaving a car unlit outside Wimbledon Town Hall.
Buried Stolen Money
Police Discovery In Back Garden
Police found stolen money buried in a Mitcham-area back garden.
Down Memory Lane
A note marked the death of long-time resident Mr W. J. Tolfree.
On His Hands And Knees
Harry Tallen, found crawling in the street, was ill rather than drunk.
Stained glass for Royal Courts of Justice
Rayner Davies and Co. of Kingston-road made a Royal coat-of-arms window for the Royal Courts of Justice.
Wimbledon Rotary Club cobbling
Wimbledon Rotarians repaired boots and shoes for distressed people in Europe.
Friday 23 July 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Mrs. Bateman Sent To Prison For 2 Years
“DELIBERATE AND CUNNING FRAUD,” SAYS JUDGE
Bookkeeper Maude Sybil Bateman, 47, got two years at the Old Bailey for embezzling from solicitor Mr Arthur Cronin.
Doris Hare Case
A summons against actress Doris Hare for breach of recognisance was withdrawn at Wimbledon.
Two Bright Pupils
Challoner Memorial Prize Winners
Thomas Murphy and Brenda Jill Robinson won Challoner Memorial prizes at Wimbledon Park School.
Mr. G. Whittree Returned
Conservative Mr G. Whittree won the Dundonald Ward by-election by 453 votes over Labour’s Mr J. W. W. Edwards.
SPECIAL CONSTABLES PROMISED IF NEEDED
‘Protection’ Demand Follows Attack On Tram Driver
After a tram-driver attack, the Home Secretary said special constables could protect transport workers if needed.
Boy Captured A Kestrel Hawk
John Moultine, 15, of Morden, captured a young kestrel in Wimbledon Park.
Good Service Was His Safe Investment
Retired Worcester Park gardener Mr William Herbert Garnett left £1,332.
Nova Pilbeam at Morden Parish Church fete
Film star Nova Pilbeam signed autographs at the Morden Parish Church fete.
Friday 30 July 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Wimbledon’s Part In World Peace Pageant
TABLEAUX RISE FROM THE ASHES OF WAR
Local firms built floats for a Pageant of Peace and Christian Faith at Morden Park, including Mr Alfred Pullinger’s St George and the Dragon.
“CANNIZARO” OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Band, Music And Local Artists’ Exhibition
The Mayor opened Cannizaro to the public with band music and a local artists’ exhibition.
A CENTURY OF SERVICE
Headmistress And Teachers’ Farewell
Pelham School farewelled headmistress Miss J. F. Johnson and other long-serving teachers.
Prison Cell Confab
P.C. Says He Heard Alibi Talk
A constable said he overheard warehouse-break suspects coordinating alibis in the cells.
Shop Window Crash
Man Says He Heard It—Then Panicked
A man denied smashing a Broadway radio-shop window, saying he heard the crash and panicked.
A Million Miles In The Air
B.O.A.C. captain W. G. Buchanan of Wimbledon reached a million air miles in sixteen years.
Welcome For Chief Guide
Cannizaro Rally And Camp Fire
Lady Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide, joined a Guides’ rally and camp fire at Cannizaro.
HOW THE COMMUNIST SETS TO WORK
Don’t Underestimate Him, Warns Ex-“Daily Worker” News Editor
Former Daily Worker editor Douglas Hyde warned a Wimbledon audience not to underestimate Communist methods.
Friday 6 August 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Legal Battle Over Eagle House Liability
REPAIRS MORE THAN PURCHASE PRICE?
Coun. Black Replies To Labour Criticism
Coun. Black answered Labour criticism that Eagle House repairs cost more than the purchase price.
GIRL IN THE VIKING
From Australia To Wimbledon
Australian Miss Jocelyn Hall, 22, arrived on the Viking to visit relatives and study music.
UNJUST PETROL RATIONING
Hitting People Who Serve The Public
Surrey county councillors said petrol rations were too tight for public duties.
M.P. COUNCIL TENANT
Reply To Protest About Preference
Mitcham M.P. Mr Tom Braddock’s council tenancy drew protests of preference; the council replied.
Revision Of 4 Wards
Council’s Petition To The King
Wimbledon petitioned to revise St John’s, Wimbledon Park, Dundonald and Trinity wards.
29 People Give Evidence
Man Accused Of Office Breaking
Twenty-nine witnesses were called in an office-breaking case.
Arrested Carrying A Knuckleduster
Already Doing Time
Police Withdraw Case Against Merton Man
Police dropped a knuckleduster case against Merton man James Michael Benson, already serving time.
Friday 13 August 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Children Roused As Floods Reached Tents
MERTON AND MORDEN SEASIDE CAMPERS SAVED AFTER STORM
About 200 Merton and Morden children at a Pagham seaside camp were evacuated at 3 a.m. when floodwater reached their tents after a storm.
LITTLE GERMAN GUESTS
Raising Funds To Entertain Them
A committee raised funds to entertain visiting German children.
World’s Best Racing Shoes
Wimbledon Supplies Olympic Runners
Wimbledon craftsmen at Revelstoke-road made racing shoes for Olympic runners.
FLAK TOWER WATCH
Overlooking The Soviet Section
Cpl L. Perry of the district was on flak-tower watch overlooking the Soviet section in Berlin.
Wife ‘Sold Up Home For £2,500’
In a bigamy case a defendant said his wife had sold the home and contents for £2,500 while he was away.
The “Hand In Hand”
Permission For Alterations
The licensing bench allowed alterations at the Hand in Hand public house.
WHO ARE THE OLD CONTEMPTIBLES?
Wimbledon Old Contemptibles appealed for funds for ageing 1914 B.E.F. veterans.
Sun Was “In My Eyes”
Alleged Statement After Accident
A motorist blamed sun in his eyes after a Wimbledon accident.
Friday 20 August 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Angry Tenants Of Melbury Gardens
TOWN CLERK’S CIRCULAR LETTER DESCRIBED AS “AN INSULT”
Council Tenants Accuse Other Residents of Snobbery
Melbury Gardens council tenants called a Town Clerk circular an insult and accused other residents of snobbery.
MERTON AND MORDEN CALL TO MR. PALMER
Leaving Wimbledon For New Constituency
Mr A. M. F. Palmer, M.P., was recommended as Labour candidate for the new Merton and Morden seat, leaving Wimbledon.
Neighbours Awakened By Intruder
A housebreaker at Merton Gardens escaped in a waiting car after a bicycle chase.
FOUND DEAD IN POND
Open Verdict On Retired Artist
An open verdict was recorded on retired artist Mr Samuel Oliver, 69, found in a pond at Cannizaro.
Sid Field Junior
Comedian Sid Field’s wife had an 8½ lb son at the Nelson Hospital.
Can Hens Lay Bad Eggs?
Argument Ends In A Compromise
A dispute over a bad egg ended in compromise after expert evidence.
COUNCILLORS WILL BE PAID EXPENSES
Ministry Of Health Fix Maximum Charges
Councillors could claim travel, subsistence and loss-of-earnings expenses within Ministry maxima.
Champion Lady Bowlers
Mrs E. M. Adams, Mrs A. E. Cook and Miss Winny reached national bowling finals.
Merton and Morden Labour Party fete
Children rode the roundabout at the Labour Party fete at Morden Park.
Friday 27 August 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
ALD. DRAKE DIES IN HIS CHAIR
Served Borough For Quarter Of A Century
Sudden End Of Great Public Career
Alderman Arthur Drake, 78, died suddenly at home after about twenty-five years’ service to Wimbledon.
SHE WON THREE TITLES
Wimbledon Girl’s Success In Austria
Pte J. Turner of the W.R.A.C. won three swimming titles at B.T.A. championships in Vienna.
ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE
Barman Remanded In Custody
Barman Frank Eccles, 40, of Wimbledon, was remanded alleged to have attempted to murder Mrs Alice Anne Harrison.
To Judge Magic Contests
Honour For Local Man
Mr Francis White of Wimbledon Park was invited to judge magic contests in Lausanne.
Accountant Sent For Trial
Accountant David Andrew Brown, 52, was sent for trial on embezzlement charges.
THE FUNERAL
Alderman Drake’s funeral at Wimbledon Parish Church drew council and civic representatives.
Prison For Motor Mechanic
A motor mechanic was imprisoned for vehicle thefts and driving without licence or insurance.
Friday 3 September 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Tenants Ask For Council Inquiry
TO RESCIND RENTS INCREASE
Ratepayers Should Meet Extra Cost: Coun. Lewis
Council tenants at Morden Town Hall sought an inquiry and asked that ratepayers meet the cost instead of a rent rise.
AMBULANCE WORKERS PRAISED
For Services At Bognor Camp
Morden St John Ambulance were thanked for search work at the Bognor camp.
Departure Of Curate
The Rev. P. MacRae left St Peter’s, St Helier, to head Huiltampton School in South Africa.
Old Peoples Club
Morden Park Old People’s Club went by two coaches to Bognor Regis.
Return Visit To Holland
Merton Party Have Pleasant Time
A Merton and Morden party visited Scheveningen and were entertained locally.
Dog Bark Gave Alarm
Labourer Committed For Trial
Ernest Chambers was committed for trial after a dog barked at a housebreaker.
COUNCIL TO BUILD 132 FLATS
On Site Meant For Civic Centre
Merton and Morden planned 132 flats on Site H, once reserved for a civic centre.
Fatality On Railway
An inquest was held on Herbert Chapman, found on the line near Wimbledon.
ENTERTAINING WAR WOUNDED
Happy Evening At The Legion
Wimbledon and Merton British Legion entertained thirty-five disabled ex-servicemen.
“Stick To Beer” Tip
Advice From Bench To Labourer
A magistrate told a whisky drinker charged with drunkenness to stick to beer.
Straining At Leash
A driver was fined for speeding on the Kingston Bypass.
Friday 10 September 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Council Seek Power To Buy New Sites
MEETING DEMAND FOR 3,350 NEW HOUSES
Land Which Was Original Estate Of Lord Nelson
Merton and Morden sought Ministry leave to buy about 50 acres for housing, including former Nelson estate land, toward 3,350 new houses.
Five Hurt, One Dead
Car Crash At Merton
Mrs Annie Elizabeth Kemble, 75, died and five others were hurt in a Morden Road crash.
Death Dive In Front Of Train
An inquest found that Herbert Joseph Chapman, 65, of Raynes Park, jumped in front of a train at Raynes Park station.
40 YEARS’ RECORD SPOILT BY THEFT
Packer Fined £10 : Newsvendor Admits Receiving Magazines
Packer Albert Edward Newman was fined £10 for stealing magazines from Wyman and Sons; newsvendor Sidney W. Newberry was fined for receiving.
OUR BUSMEN AT COPENHAGEN
Running A Service At The Exhibition
Merton Garage London Transport staff ran buses at the British Exhibition in Copenhagen.
Fifth Club For Old People
Two More Will Complete Civic Scheme
Raynes Park and West Wimbledon Old People’s Welfare Club opened as the fifth of its kind, with two more planned.
“News” Time In Africa
Wimbledon News staff member Mr P. B. Smith returned from a year in Kenya and Tanganyika.
FIGHT IN BERLIN IS OFF
Corporal Warren Is Going To Aldershot
Cpl Harry Warren of Morden’s Berlin boxing bout was cancelled; he went to Aldershot for P.T. training.
WHEN WILHELMINA WAS CROWNED
A note recalled local celebrations of Queen Wilhelmina’s coronation fifty years before her abdication.
Battle of Britain Celebrations
Morden R.A.F. Association planned Battle of Britain week events including a Merton Public Hall dance and a parade.
Wedding of Mr. Witton and Miss Willmott
Odeon assistant manager Mr Witton married Miss Willmott.
Friday 17 September 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
CARS COLLIDED AND “STOOD UPRIGHT”
EYE WITNESS’S STORY AT INQUEST ON MOTHER & SON
Sunbeam Car Overturned And Caught Fire
“DRIVER MIGHT HAVE EXERCISED MORE CARE” — JURY
An inquest at Kingston on Hector George Kemble, 47, and his mother Florence Kathleen Lillian Kemble, 75, of Haynt Walk, Merton, after a Bushey-road crash returned accidental death but said the other driver might have taken more care.
Boy Dies After Fall From Tree
Donald George Peatey, 11, of Orchard-road, Malden, died after falling from a tree in Richmond Park.
M.P. BACKS PETITION
Better Treatment For Spinsters
Mr A. M. F. Palmer signed a Merton petition for better National Insurance treatment of spinsters.
TENT WAS “A PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW”
Legal Dispute Follows Comedy Camp On Box Hill
Henry Alfred Burrell of Merton disputed a Box Hill tent hire with Joseph Abbott.
Boy Fell From A Steel Girder
Stephen Henry MacDonald, eight, fell from a girder on a Worple-road building site.
Slipped Down Bus Staircase
Alfred Trowbridge of Bronson-road, Merton, hurt his head falling down a bus staircase.
At Garden Party
PREPARING FOR NEXT ELECTION
Mr. Palmer’s Advice
Mr Palmer spoke at a Wimbledon Labour women’s garden party at 14 Mostyn-road.
ROAD SAFETY COMPETITION
Last Day To Enter
Entries for a road-safety pictorial competition closed on 27 September.
Friday 24 September 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
WIMBLEDON PLANS BIG POWER CUT
Maximum Loads Reduced 50 Per Cent On Oct. 1
Industrial and commercial users faced 50 per cent electricity load cuts from 1 October in peak hours.
BISHOP DEDICATES NEW ST. MATTHEW’S
The Bishop of Southwark dedicated a temporary St Matthew’s, Wimbledon, replacing the church destroyed in 1944.
ALDERMAN JAMES DIES WHILE ON HOLIDAY
Railwayman Who Became One Of Best Known Public Men
Alderman James, J.P., 71, a former railway guard and long-serving councillor, died on holiday at St Ives.
GOODS WORTH £1,149
Employee Is Accused
Frederick C. Dennis was accused of stealing clothing and shoes worth £1,149 from his employer.
PIONEER GIRL ACTRESS
A Permanent Theatre
Actress Enid Lorimer sought a permanent professional theatre company locally.
BRITISH IS BEST—A LAMENTABLE LIE
Dr. Darlington And Mistakes Which “Put Us In A Corner”
Dr C. D. Darlington criticised the “British is Best” slogan and called for better technical education.
Tote Takes £3,889,540
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium’s 1947 tote turnover was nearly £3.9 million.
FRUIT CANNING By W.V.S.
Wimbledon W.V.S. ran a fruit-canning centre for hospitals and schools.
Friday 1 October 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Revision of Wards Dispute in Council
COUN. BLACK REPLIES TO LABOUR ATTACK
Question Of Alternative Civil Association Scheme
Coun. Black defended ward revision and a Civil Association scheme against Labour criticism.
Council Investigate Communist Charges
Mr. K. S. Boys Apologises And Withdraws Allegations
Mr K. S. Boys apologised and withdrew Communist and housing-manager allegations.
Rumour ‘Very Much Exaggerated’
Vicar Denies Report Of His Death
The Rev. J. Powell-Evans of All Saints, South Wimbledon, denied rumours of his death.
His Home Guard Rifle
Ernest John Page of Morden kept a Home Guard rifle without a certificate as a wartime souvenir.
Decree For Morden Husband
Mr Ernest Jesse Evans of Morden won a decree nisi for desertion since 1942.
Pub—Workingman’s Stock Exchange
In a stolen-typewriter case a witness called pubs a working man’s stock exchange.
Only Way To World Peace
Mr E. C. B. Hyland spoke at Morden Parish Hall on Christian principles and world peace.
Safeguards At Two Busy Crossings
Illuminated Cross Now / Don’t Cross signals were planned for Morden-road/Kingston-road and Coombe-lane/West Barnes-lane.
Confetti Warning
The Rev. T. W. G. Acland warned wedding guests about confetti at church.
Friday 8 October 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Stabbed In The Back On Her Way Home
YOUTH FOR TRIAL ON WOUNDING CHARGE
“I Put My Arms Round Her” Alleged Statement to Police
A 16-year-old was sent for trial alleged to have stabbed Miss Audrey Dorothy Maud Thorne in the back in Morden.
MERTON AND MORDEN SNUB WIMBLEDON
New Chamber Of Commerce “No” To Amalgamation Proposal
Merton and Morden Chamber of Commerce refused amalgamation with Wimbledon’s chamber.
SHOULD ALDERMANIC BENCH BE ABOLISHED?
A motion to abolish Wimbledon’s aldermanic bench was defeated 19–7.
Fight For Two Seats
Mr R. W. L. Adams and Mr H. W. Lewis were nominated for two Surrey County Council vacancies for Wimbledon.
Cyclists In Collision
Herbert J. Page fractured his pelvis in a cycle collision at Wimbledon Hill Road and Alexandra Road.
Matchboxes Are Boy’s Hobby
Paul Charlton, nine, of Wimbledon, collected 162 matchboxes from 27 countries.
Food Before Sport
More allotments were sought, possibly at the expense of a Haydon’s Road bowling green.
Fish — And Chips
Shoppers sought the right to buy fish without being forced to take chips.
Worple Players in Major Barbara
The Worple Players staged Major Barbara at Wimbledon Town Hall.
Norwood News (The News)
INTERRUPTERS EJECTED FROM RECRUITING MEETING
Man in gallery was carried out to music!
Territorials were ready for action
Cry of “Tory War Talk” at opening of campaign
Interrupters were ejected from a Territorial recruiting meeting at Croydon’s Civic Hall amid cries of “Tory war talk”.
RUSSIA’S CASE IS GREETED WITH LAUGHTER
Impatient Audience At The Forum
An Upper Norwood Forum audience laughed at Major Robert Browning’s defence of the Soviet system.
ACCIDENTALLY GASSED
Elderly Couple In Bedroom
James Edward Cox, 77, and Martha Cox, 76, of South Norwood, died from a gas leak; the verdict was death by misfortune.
PRESENTATION TO ORGANIST
Retirement of Mr. B. G. Boddy
Mr B. G. Boddy retired after 33 years as organist and choirmaster at Emmanuel Church, West Dulwich.
HEAD MASTER’S FAREWELL
Portland School Presentation
Mr Palmer, headmaster of Portland-road School, South Norwood, was farewelled with presentations.
DAMAGE TO A CHURCH
Hundred Panes Of Glass Broken
About a hundred panes were smashed at Emmanuel Church, West Dulwich.
ESCAPED ARREST BY RUSSIANS
Mrs Joyce Kletsch reached Gipsy Hill after escaping the Russian zone of Germany with her husband and daughter.
STOLEN ICES
Boys of 17 and 15 were charged with stealing ice-cream bricks and sugar in Upper Norwood.
INCONVENIENT BUS STOPS
How Traders Are Affected
West Norwood traders sought to move bus stops near Tulse Hill station.
Slow Trustees
An editorial criticised Crystal Palace Trustees for slow progress on restoring the grounds for sport.
New School At Tulse Hill
The Preliminary Work Authorised
The L.C.C. authorised preliminary work on a £143,000 primary school at Tulse Hill for about 700 children.
GOLDEN WEDDING OF MR. & MRS. A. H. BROWN
Moved Out “Into The Country” By Coming To Live In Norwood
Mr Armiger and Mrs Elizabeth Brown marked fifty years of marriage after moving to Norwood from London.
Sunday Afternoon Shemozzle At Seymour Terrace
Stanley Alexander Howard was fined for assault during a Seymour Terrace quarrel.
RIDICULOUS BELL-RINGING
Hang-Over From Feudal Days
Mr H. Manley of Anerley-road complained of noisy bells at St Mark’s, South Norwood.
UNDERWEAR IN SUIT-CASE
Salesman And Porter Charged
Police at Victoria Station stopped two men with a suitcase of stolen ladies’ underwear.
All Ready For Trade Exhibition
A trade exhibition at Stanley Halls, South Norwood, was to be opened by Mr Fred Harris, M.P.
LEGION WOMEN ON PARADE
Church Service And March Past
Norwood British Legion women paraded to the Methodist Church, South Norwood.
Sports Ground At Palace: Trustees Are Getting Busy
Crystal Palace Trustees planned about twenty acres for sport and recreation.
AN ELECTION NEXT YEAR?
M.P. Thinks It Likely
Mr Fred Harris, M.P. for Croydon North, thought a 1949 general election likely.
NO SATURDAY CLOSING
Emphatic Views Of Traders
Traders opposed mandatory Saturday early closing.
PALACE GET THE BIRD
Slow Hand-Clap From Spectators
Crystal Palace lost 2–1 to Walsall and drew a slow hand-clap from spectators.
Dog Must Have Been Mad
Five People Said They Had Been Bitten
Allen P. Loveland of Thornton Heath was fined £5 after his dog bit five people in a day.
ERRATIC AND FAST DRIVING
£50 Penalty On Director
South Norwood director John Ernest Robinson was fined £50 and banned for three years for drink-and-drugs driving on Streatham High-road.
Dived Into River To Save Girl
Gardener Arthur Wilford, 53, of Norbury, saved Peggy Ryan, 13, from the Thames at Hampton Court.
Friday 15 October 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Who Will Be The First Tory Candidate?
MERTON AND MORDEN ELECTION MOVE
New Conservative Association Founded
A new Merton and Morden Conservative Association was formed at Merton Public Hall to choose a parliamentary candidate.
MORDEN STORE BIG BLAZE
Bargain Rush At Salvage Sale
Fire wrecked soft furnishings at Hawes store, Morden; a salvage sale followed.
Aneurin Bevan And Branch Library
Aneurin Bevan told the local M.P. he could not yet approve a Wimbledon Park branch library.
Why I Am Not A Tory—Palmer
Mr A. M. F. Palmer explained to Young Conservatives why he was Labour, not Tory.
IF RUSSIA MEANS IT—MR. ROY DOUGLAS
Liberal candidate Mr Roy Douglas said Russia would already have started a war if that were its intent.
Divorce For A Stoical Wife
Casual Evidence Of Husband’s Cruelty
Mrs Jessie Ellen Reynolds won a decree nisi for her husband’s cruelty.
Prison For Barman
Francis Eccles got twelve months at the Old Bailey for striking a woman with a beer mug.
Porter Fined £20
Railway porter George C. Cook was fined £20 for possessing five ladies’ coats suspected stolen.
Judge Applies Memory Test
How Many Boards Were Borrowed?
A Wandsworth County Court dispute turned on how many scaffold boards were borrowed.
Two Injured At Merton
A car and motorcycle collided at Chariot-drive and Cannon-hill-lane.
Friday 22 October 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Boy Ran To Death In Front Of Lorry
Driver Exonerated In Merton Tragedy
Mother Pleads Lorries Should Not Use Narrow Road
James Douglas Payre, six, was killed by a lorry in Nelson Grove Road, Merton; the driver was exonerated and the jury returned accidental death.
Son Drowned At Portland
Father Says He Was Expecting Him Home
Naval Airman John Reginald Neale, 18, drowned at Portland; his father had expected him home on leave.
400 Parcels On The Way
Lucky Wimbledon Park Residents
Four hundred food parcels from Prahran, Melbourne, were for Wimbledon Park residents via the W.V.S. and Mayor.
Who Are These Old Rutlishians?
Peter Dennis Bede Jeffery and Graham Bede were charged with breaking into the Rutlishians’ pavilion in Poplar Road.
Driver Denies £750 Coat Theft
Gordon Honey denied stealing £750 worth of Mayfair fur coats, saying he was only the driver.
Public Spirit In School
Schoolchildren held a mock court to deal with minor misconduct.
M.P. Wants Sweets Too
Mr A. M. F. Palmer commented on sweets rationing.
New Division Electors
Wimbledon’s new register showed 46,693 parliamentary and 46,702 local-government electors.
Friday 29 October 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
OPPOSITION TO NEW POWER STATION SCHEME
COUNCIL WANT LAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Labour Urge “Don’t Slam The Door On B.E.A.”
Wimbledon Council opposed a B.E.A. power station at Durnsford-road, wanting the land for sewage and refuse; Labour urged not slamming the door.
MANAGER FINED £50 IN MEALS CASE
Wimbledon Laundry manager W. H. Eddowes was fined £50 for illegally acquiring 964 lb of meat for staff meals.
WATER AND BEER NEXT
Public Ownership “If I Had My Way”
Mr R. J. Adams, M.P. for Balham and Tooting, advocated public ownership of water and beer.
DANCE LICENCE REFUSED
Magistrates refused Merton and Morden a music and dancing licence after police said an unauthorised dance had already been held.
PARISH HITS THE TARGET
£20,000 Raised For Bishop’s Appeal
St Mary’s, Wimbledon, reached its £20,000 Bishop’s Appeal target.
RUTLISH ON THE AIR
A B.B.C. European Service programme featured life at Rutlish School, Merton.
EVAPORATED MILK DISAPPEARED
Ernest Charles Taylor was remanded alleged to have stolen four cases of evaporated milk from a Merton laundry.
FLORIST CLEARED IN ERMINE COAT CASE
Florist Adelaide M. Portal was cleared of stealing a £150 ermine coat from a Mayfair shop.
ERRATIC DRIVING BY MANAGER
Admission That He Had Some Drinks
Wilfred William Pittman was fined £20 and banned for a year after drink-driving in Merton High-street.
FOOD WILL NOT BE PLOUGHED IN
Surplus park vegetables would be sold, not ploughed in.
LABOUR NOT FIGHTING
Wimbledon Labour would not contest the St John’s Ward by-election.
Intimate Opera at Merton Public Hall
The Intimate Opera Company performed at Merton Public Hall.
Friday 5 November 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Are Electricity Charges Unreasonable?
Council Protest at 50 Per Cent Increase
Old People Will Have to Shiver—Coun. Black
Wimbledon Council protested a proposed 50 per cent winter electricity rise; Coun. Black said old people would have to shiver.
Dog Must Be Kept Under Control
William Ronald Edgar was ordered to keep his dog under control after it bit postman Henry Case in The Downs.
Big New Flats Scheme
Guarding Against Slums—Coun. Black
Coun. Black urged careful planning of Coombe Lane, Raynes Park, flats against future slums.
Liberal Opposition to Tory Candidate
By-Election On Tuesday
West Wimbledon ward by-election matched Conservative Mr B. W. C. McDermott against Liberal Mrs M. B. Sutton.
The Charming Princess Ida
Colourful Show at Town Hall
Wimbledon Light Opera Society staged Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida at the Town Hall.
Air Mail truck for Berlin
A self-raising truck built by Messrs Merton helped speed Air Mail to Berlin.
Friday 12 November 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
St. John’s Ward Big Tory Majority
LIBERAL POLL 369 AGAINST 1,709
Haydon Park Ward Next!: Candidates Selected
Conservative Mr R. W. C. McDermott won St John’s Ward with 1,709 votes to the Liberal 369; Haydon Park candidates were selected.
TROUBLE FOR ENGLAND IN CRICKET TESTS
Mr. A. E. R. Gilligan’s Appeal For The Young Players
Former England captain A. E. R. Gilligan appealed for patience with young Test players.
BUSINESS PARTNERS FINED £24 EACH
Woman Food Inspector Was Overcharged For Apples
Leonard Lewis and Henry Spencer were each fined £24 for overcharging a food inspector for apples at Raynes Park.
Questions To Lessor
What She Paid For Furnished House
A rent tribunal heard Mrs Baldwin-Walsh challenge the rent of a furnished Wimbledon house.
SMART WORK BY P.C.
Bench Compliments Follow Arrest
P.C. Hodgkin was complimented for arresting a man with a stolen bicycle.
CAFES “HOT-BEDS OF VICE”—ALD. THURLOW
Plea For More Facilities For Social Clubs
Ald. Thurlow said cafés were hot-beds of vice and called for more social clubs for young people.
Bonfire On The 4th
A Guy Fawkes bonfire was reported.
NOT VERY EXCITED OVER £1,304 WIN
A local pools winner of £1,304 took the news calmly.
Friday 19 November 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
OLD LADY ALONE—NO LIGHT, NO HEAT
No Food For Four Days: Police Discovery
Police found an elderly woman in Albert-grove with no light, heat or food for four days; she was taken to hospital.
Are Extra Electricity Charges Legal?
NO TAXATION WITHOUT CONSENT—PROTEST
Harsh And Unfair, Says Coun. C. W. Black
Coun. C. W. Black called winter electricity surcharges harsh, unfair and taxation without consent.
ZEAL’S 60th BIRTHDAY—THOUSAND GUESTS
Surprise For Directors
About a thousand guests marked G. H. Zeal Ltd’s sixtieth year at the R.H.S. Old Hall with gifts for directors R. O. and H. H. Zeal.
ROAD SCHEME DEVOURS CENTURY-OLD HOUSES
Century-old Kingston-road cottages from the Merton Park estate were demolished for road widening.
Boy Helps In Police Chase
Cyclist Rode Off With His Lamp
A ten-year-old helped catch a youth who stole his bicycle lamp outside a cinema.
DR. S. C. BRADFORD
Dr S. C. Bradford, former Science Library chief librarian, died at Wimbledon aged 70.
£1,500 CARPETS IN MOTOR VAN
Police recovered a stolen van in Merton with £1,500 of cream carpets taken in Wimbledon.
Yielded To Temptation
A 17-year-old was fined £5 for stealing an £18 bicycle from his employer.
Friday 26 November 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
‘News’ Letter About Jokes
Council Take Action
Wimbledon Council discussed a letter about unwholesome jokes at a Town Hall concert.
Coupon Case
Peter F. Locke was fined £2 and had his licence endorsed for transferring motor-fuel coupons without authority.
Ald. Drake’s Will
Alderman Anthony Drake left £1,726.
Poster Way To Safety
If Jay Walkers Had To Sketch Them
Schoolchildren entered a road-safety poster competition.
PRESS, COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC
Should Committee Chairman Or Mayor Give Information?
Merton and Morden debated whether the Mayor or committee chairmen should brief the press.
Called To The Bar
High School Old Girl
Miss Ann Hopkins, formerly of Wimbledon High School, was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn.
Man Unconscious In The Road
Woman Denies Pushing Him Over Tricycle
Edna Mary Martin was cleared of careless driving after a man was found unconscious in the road.
Vicarage Will Be Flats
Plans to turn St Mary’s Vicarage into flats were recommended for refusal near a school.
A School For Footballers
Laurie Fishlock Tutorial
Merton F.C. Innovation
Merton F.C. started a football school with Laurie Fishlock.
All-In Struggle For Labour Stronghold
Labour, Conservative and Liberal candidates fought a Haydon Park Ward by-election.
Friday 3 December 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Alexandra Hotel Licensee Warned By Judge
Licence Jeopardised If Young People are Served
Mr Justice Cassels warned the Alexandra Hotel licensee after a boy was served drink and later stabbed a woman.
RECTOR’S SURPRISE FOR CONGREGATION
Rev. J. A. G. Ainley To Be Vicar of Islington
After twelve years as Rector of Morden, the Rev. J. A. G. Ainley said he would become Vicar of Islington in February.
Poppy Day—£1,110
Morden British Legion’s Poppy Day raised £1,110.
Three New Justices
Mr John Arthur Farnham, Mrs Edith Maidment and Mr W. S. Thomas became Surrey justices.
Book Thief Fined £15
Mrs Barbara Lingwood was fined £15 for stealing books from shops including W.H. Smith and Bentalls.
COLLAPSED AT THE ALTAR
Father Henry O’Sullivan, Catholic rector of New Malden, collapsed celebrating Mass and died.
Had Gas Poker In Bed
An inquest found Mr Daniel Simpson, a retired civil servant, died by suicide with a gas poker in bed.
Went Shoplifting At Three Stores
Mrs Mary Bagot was charged with stealing clothing from three Kingston stores.
Van On Fire
Wimbledon firemen attended a motor van fire; most of the vehicle was already lost.
Royal Birthday
A local telegram congratulated King George VI on his birthday.
Drapers’ Institution Charity Dance
A textile charity dance was held at Wimbledon Town Hall.
Friday 10 December 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
REV. ASHFORD GOING TO KING’S NORTON
The Rev. Edward George Ashford of Christ Church, Copse-hill, accepted the living of King’s Norton, Birmingham.
24 CHILDREN ARRIVE FROM HAMBURG
Twenty-four German children arrived in Wimbledon for a three-month health stay.
Haydon Park Keen Fight
Labour held a Haydon Park Borough Council seat in a keen by-election.
Soldiers Of The Queen
Mrs Martha Nash recalled seeing soldiers leave for the Crimean War.
Diamond Wedding
Mr and Mrs White of 401 Kingston-road marked sixty years of marriage.
Packets Of Butter Under The Weight
Goodworth Ltd were fined for underweight butter packets at their Merton branch.
£2,000 Record Library
A £2,000 gramophone-record library was planned for Merton and Morden central library.
Chairman Of Power Consumers’ Council
Coun. M. R. Bulloch became chairman of the South-Eastern Electricity Consultative Council.
Wimbledon League of Health and Beauty
The League of Health and Beauty opened new Y.M.C.A. headquarters.
Friday 17 December 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
BRAVE FAMILY IN A WAR BLITZED HOME
Two brothers, 14 and 15, faced juvenile court for taking wood from a blitzed Kingston Road house; their family lived in bomb damage and poverty.
MORDEN MAN’S NEW POST IN CANADA
Former Morden man Mr Dennis O’Connell became secretary of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
Why I Joined The Tories—Coun. Withall
STORMY MEETING OF CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Majority Confidence Vote After Call To Resign
Coun. Withall kept a 45–31 confidence vote at Wimbledon Park Civic Association after joining the Conservatives.
RED ROSES FOR THE PRINCE
Children Take Gift To The Palace
Wandsworth children took red roses to Buckingham Palace for the newborn prince.
DICK BARTON MOBBED AT ST. MARK’S HALL
The Dick Barton actor was mobbed by fans at St Mark’s Hall and spoke on road safety.
“Flabbergasted” When Wife Was Charged
Bridget Stella Kemp was fined 40s for stealing stockings and an umbrella from Marks and Spencer.
42 m.p.h. In The Fog
Sydney Gregory was fined £2 for driving at 42 m.p.h. in fog on Bushey-road.
Friday 24 December 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Patriotic Victim Of Communist Venom
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN SHE SHOWED THE FLAG
Celebrating The Birth Of Baby Prince
Mrs Hazelot of Raynes Park flew a Union Jack for Prince Charles’s birth and faced flag theft and a threatening letter.
AUDIENCE SEES BIRDS KILLED AND PLUCKED
Poultry Club Preparation For Christmas Table
Merton Poultry Club demonstrated killing and plucking for the Christmas table.
A Giant Symbol of Goodwill
A Christmas tree from Sweden stood outside Wimbledon Town Hall and was lit each evening.
£10,000 Case In Slow Motion: Counsel Criticised
Wimbledon Food Control Committee discussed the slow progress of a large food-regulation case.
1,188 HOUSEWIVES CHANGE SHOPS
Should Transfer Fees Be Charged?
1,188 housewives sought to change registered food shops; transfer fees were considered.
Back Yard Thieves
Back-yard thefts included a whole flock of pullets stolen overnight.
PROPOSED TRADES EXHIBITION
Job Waiting For A Good Organiser
Wimbledon Chamber of Commerce sought an organiser for a late-1949 trades exhibition.
POTATO CRISPS INGREDIENTS
Safeguard Against Horse Meat Oil
Food officers watched crisp oils to bar illegal fats such as horse-meat oil.
Kingston Have The Monopoly
Merton and Morden discussed a Kingston market proposal affecting local trade.
Ex-Chief Of Vice-Regal Garden
Mr C. H. Reader, M.B.E., formerly of the Vice-Regal Gardens, New Delhi, retired from a local council post.
Friday 31 December 1948
Wimbledon Boro’ News
Another Respite For Allotment Holders
SHOULD RECREATION HAVE PREFERENCE?
Dundonald, Haydons Road Problem
Wimbledon Council voted 23–2 to leave Dundonald-road and Haydons-road allotments for another year rather than return them at once to recreation.
POST OFFICE HANDLES 1,739,590 LETTERS
Record Christmas Rush At Wimbledon
Postmaster W. D. Donnell reported 1,739,590 letters and 124,000 parcels at Wimbledon, with over 800 casual workers.
POWER CHARGES ILLEGAL?
Council Will Seek Counsel’s Opinion
Wimbledon Council sought counsel’s opinion on the legality of a B.E.A. electricity surcharge.
COLLISION AT BLIND CORNER
Restaurant Owner Fined £5
Harry Brampton was fined £5 after a crash at Durham-road and Muschamp-road.
Next Labour Candidate
Wimbledon Labour planned a February meeting to choose between Mr John Lipton and Mr A. M. Skeffington.
Gardens To Have New Look
Wimbledon Hill roadside gardens were to be relandscaped with beds, shrubs and trees.
MISS IDA HEARNE’S FAREWELL PARTY
Miss Ida Hearne retired after 36 years’ teaching at Dundonald-road school.
Government Want Office Here
The Government sought a regional office in Wimbledon, possibly at a former fire station.
