In 1949, J.P. Ede, a local man living on Broomwood Road, began writing letters to the South Western Star about his daily walks on Wandsworth Common.
Seventy-five years on, I think they deserve another outing. I hope you agree.
I've added images, which of course were not present in the original publication. I've also made an attempt to find out more about the author, which you can read from a link at the end of this page. If I (or you) find any more letters, I will be certain to add them.
"Up with the cuckoo . . . "
UP WITH THE CUCKOO
Sir,
My wife and I were roused at 6.25 this morning (Wed. April 6th), by the sound of a cuckoo.
It was singing from a chestnut tree in a nearby garden. We studied the bird for an hour and a half.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Somewhat off its normal beat, wasn't it? Rumours have it, however, that a cuckoo has been heard at Wandsworth Common.
[BNA: Link]
I may have asked this question before: When was the last Cuckoo heard on Wandsworth Common?
Old Uncle Tom Knapweed and all . . .
OLD UNCLE TOM KNAPWEED AND ALL
Sir,
You may be interested to know that while strolling along Spencer Park the other day, I observed on the railway embankment the following specimens of plant life:
Birch, elder, accacia (with formidable thorns), elder, sycamore, elder, ash, white-thorn (may), wych elm, broom, oak, gorse, bramble, mallow, parsley, dandelion (flowers and "clocks"), plantain (two kinds), burdock, mare's-tail, dock, blind nettle, yarrow, groundsel, bluebell (in bloom, including one white bloom) and knapweed.
There were probably many others, but I was prevented from making closer examination by the spiked iron-fence, which, very properly, guards the railway.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] And not one teeny-weeny daisy?
[BNA: Link]
Here are illustrations of some of the plants Mr Ede has noted on the railway embankment by Cicely Mary Barker (1895—1973). I do this for no reason other than that I love her work — and because they're so exquisite, evocative and botanically correct. She drew the plants (and the children) from life, and if she could not source one locally she would ask someone from Kew to bring her one (a plant, that is, not a little child):
Some of the plants J.P. Ede lists, transformed by Cicely Mary Barker into Flower Fairies:
— Ash
— Birch
— Bluebell
— Bramble
— Burdock
— Daisy
— Elder
— Gorse
— Knapweed
— Mallow
— May
— Oak
— Plantain
— Sycamore
— Willow,
— Yarrow
Most of these marvellous images are probably from the 1920s and 1930s, but Cicely was still working in the 1940s and 1950s. So far as I know, she never lived near Wandsworth Common but since she spent most of her life in Croydon surely she travelled across it many times by train (albeit on the other line).
"What wealth is lavished upon Wandsworth Common in these days of Spring . . . far beyond the worth of money . . . richer than a miser's hoard."
BRONZE, SILVER, AND GOLD
What wealth is lavished upon Wandsworth Common in these days of Spring — far beyond the worth of money.
Around the pools is to be seen the lovely bronze of copper beeches.
Here and there, in their indescribable delicacy, stand silver birches — "dainty ladies" as one poet so charmingly described them.
Scattered about the plateau is the gold of gorse, richer than a miser's hoard.
Battersea is indeed a wealthy borough!
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] "Those who live amid beauty are often too close to see it!
[BNA: Link]
WITCHERY O'ER BATTERSEA
Sir,
Recently I referred to the natural wealth of Battersea expressed in terms of tree and shrub. I must now add witchery to wealth, for, only the other day, I saw a hawk flying over Wandsworth Common. For some time I watched it hovering and soaring until it passed out of sight.
A day or two later, as I was passing over Battersea Bridge, I saw seven or eight white witches flying over the river. Actually they were swans, with great and graceful spread of wings, their long necks stretched out like besom handles. Surely there is indeed witchery in the sight as they flew low and planed to rest on the water near Lots Road power station.
J. P. EDE. 39 Broomwood Road, SW11.
[Ed.] They tell us pink elephants also are occasionally seen in Battersea.
[BNA: Link.]
BIRD SANCTUARIES INVADED
Sir,
Edward Thomas, the poet (to whose memory a plaque was recently affixed to 61 Shelgate Rd), used to roam Wandsworth Common in search of birds' nests.
He would have greater difficulty, perhaps, in discovering them to-day, as the common is less wild than it used to be. Even the shrub-covered islands in the ponds, which ought to be kept sacred as bird sanctuaries, are being invaded, as there are evident marks to show.
However, nests are still to be found by the diligent observer and, only the other day, I noticed several dainty little moorhen chicks with thelr mother among the flags that fringe one of the islands.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Moorhen chicks are not an uncommon sight on any London pond at this time of year.
[BNA: Link]
[I could not find a letter from J.P.Ede in the "Our Readers Write" section on May 27.]
Sir,
Wandsworth Common has much to show us these days. If we pass over the Cat-back Bridge which spans the railway cutting and take the path that leads diagonally to the left, almost at once we find ourselves within a most striking arboreal tunnel.
The branches of the trees overarching the pathway interlace and form a thick canopy — until it seems as though some giant auger had bored a hole through a jungle.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] We don't know about that but courting couples find it mighty useful.
[BNA: Link.]
UP, LADS, AND AT 'EM
Sir,
"Here we go round the mulberry bush" is a ditty children used to sing as they danced in a ring. Doubtless, the mulberry bush was imaginary, for such bushes — trees, I should prefer to call them — are comparatively few and far between.
All the same, there is at least one such tree in the vicinity of Wandsworth Common. And, this year, it is well laden with fruit.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Ah, for those halcyon days when we'd have done our scrumping-best to utilise such scrumptious news!
[BNA: Link]
I was curious. Is there still a mulberry tree (Morus nigra) in our area? And if so, where is it?
And then I found a website dedicated to this very subject:
Unravelling the tale of London's mulberry tree heritage
Since Roman times mulberries have been planted in London for their delicious fruit and medicinal virtues.
Today's trees help to tell this tale, including of London's medieval abbeys, monasteries, and King James I's attempt to start a silk industry to rival Italy and France."
Your photos of local mulberry trees, please!
[My plea for sightings was answered! Peter Farrow responded:
Yes there is, or was when I last checked a mulberry tree on what was once (I think) part of the common, the Huguenot Burial ground — planted by the Wandsworth Society to mark the 300the anniversary of The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, or perhaps better the Edict of Fontainebleau, heigh ho.
I am resolved to add it to the Morus londinium map, as soon as I have stretched my legs to the burial ground to take a photograph.
Will keep you posted.
In the nation that is not
Nothing stands that stood before;
There revenges are forgot,
And the hater hates no more.
Thanks, Peter! Any more mulberry trees, anyone?
THIS PLANT HAS GOT SOMETHING
Sir,
By the bridge that spans the railway not far from the site of the "The Plough" (broken in the blitz) where Dick Turpin is said to have refreshed himself on occasion, I discovered a fine specimen of "Goat's-beard."
A popular name for this plant is "John-go-to-bed-at-noon" on account of the strange habit of its blooms in closing up their petals while the sun is still high in the heavens.
In addition to its yellow flowers, I noticed that it was displaying a splendid "clock," a fluffy globe nearly the size of a tennis ball.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Go to bed at noon, eh! Not a bad idea during the hot weather. There's something to be said for a siesta.
[BNA: Link]
As J.P.Ede remarks, the Plough had been destroyed during the war, and was still a bombsite in 1949. I recall discussing at some length its various interations (and Dick Turpin as a customer) in a talk for the Friends of Wandsworth Common some time ago. I'll see if I can find a link to the video.
[I could not find a letter from J.P.Ede in the "Our Readers Write" section 15 July.]
IS THE HORSETAIL A FERN?
I have looked in vain for any specimens of fern life on Wandsworth Common. Not even that sturdy heath frequenter, the Hard Fern. seems to favour those wilder spots where it might be expected to grow alongside gorse and bramble. Nor does there seem to be any Bracken, except upon the islands, where it grows to a considerable height.
If, however, the Horsetail be admitted as a genuine fern, the statement must be modified, for this plant is found in some profusion by the hedges and fences that line the railway cutting.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed?] The "Horsetail" (Equisetum) although not a true fern is always included in the list of ferns, There are about ten species of the Horsetall in this country. Country folk use them for scouring.
[BNA: Link]
This is really intriguing. No ferns on Wandsworth Common? Really? When did they disappear, since surely they were there in abundance in the nineteenth century, before most of the Common was turned over to sport — stripped, flattened, drained and seeded with a couple of species of durable grasses?
[I must check this with Roy Vickery, and have a look through the different historical Floras that cover the Common.]
[I could not find a letter from J.P.Ede in the "Our Readers Write" section on 29 July.]
[ADD]
>VIKINGS OFF COURSE!
Maybe the account recently read of the crossing of the North Sea by an old-time Viking ship was responble. Anwyay, as I as gazing dreamily over the waters of Wansworth Common I beheld to my great astonishment, a long Dragon Ship with prominent figurehead, the men-at-arms being plaoinly visible.
I rubbed my eyes to obtain clearer vision and lo! the ship became a sedate mother duck with a brood of eight ducklings following in vclose procession.
Facts do sometimes dispel illusions; nevertheless it was a pleasing fancy.
J.P. Ede, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea, SW11.
Ed. Now if someone else had told us this, we would have advised them to take more water with it in hot weather.
[BNA: Link.]
EDE IS ELATED
I feel singularly elated for I have discovered on Wandsworth Common a ripe blackberry! True, it was not a large one, but it was, as its name is intended to imply, a black berry.
Please do not mistake me: blackberries abound on the common — in fact I have never seen so many there as this year — but their colours are green and red.
As you follow in the wake of myriads of eager searchers with a hundred jam jars you need to have the eyes of a lynx to spot a ripe one.
Hence my elation.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[BNA: Link]
Quite a number of people interviewed for the Friends' video Common Memories — Life on & around Wandsworth Common, 1930s—1980s mentioned blackberrying. More information here.
Not the Last of the Mohicans . . .
TOMAHAWKS AND BLOOD
I was under the impression that we had seen the last of the Mohicans. But I was mistaken, for only the other day I encountered on Wandsworth Common a band of these predatory Redskins, obviously on the warpath.
Their red-brown bodies, naked save for diminutive bathing trunks, were smeared copiously with blood, and in their hands they carried weapons ranging from rifles to tomahawks.
The "braves" were local boys, their skins reddened and tanned by the holiday sun, while the besmearing blood was only the innocuous stain of the blackberry, artfully applied to chest and shoulders.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Wot, no scalps?
[BNA: Link]
[I'm expecting to discuss "Cowboys and Indians" at some length in March Chronicles 2024 Part Two.]
SNAKES ALIVE!
If a constrictor were to be encountered on Wandsworth Common it would cause considerable surprise and alarm. Fortunately, there is little danger of this experience becoming actual.
In imagination, however, it can seem very real for, just now, the bark of the plane trees is beginning to split and peel off, thereby producing a striking effect of mottled yellow and dark brown.
Some of the branches, thick as a man's arm, strongly resemble large snakes.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] The time for alarm is when one sees them riding tricycles up the bedroom wall!
[BNA: Link]
THE WEEKLY NATURE NOTE
Do you know there are lucifer matches to be found on Wandsworth common? Their sulphur-like tips are yellow, not purple or pink, and you will have to provide your own matchbox.
The plant on which they grow—of which they form a part, in fact, is the Hedge Mustard, a stiff-looking growth of strange angularity. Minute yellow flowers are seen at the ends of slender stems and these provide the resemblance to matches. It is not surprising that "Lucifer Matches" is the name by which the plant is known in some localities.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Strike a light! What else will you discover on Wandsworth Common?
[BNA: Link]
[I could not find a letter from J.P.Ede in the "Our Readers Write" section on 9 September and 16 September.
NATURALIST EDE BACK AGAIN
On Wandsworth Common the other day I watched, with interest mingled with admiration, a display of aerobatics given by a small bi-plane with a picturesque pale-blue fuselage. To and fro it flew at an altitude of no more than from 6ft to 20ft. from the ground, hovering, scaxing, side-slipping, and turning upon itself with such wondrous agility and speeds that my eyés sometimes failed to follow and I momentarily lost sight of it.
All this performance was given silently, in marked contrast to the raucous roaring of the huge ‘plane ploughing the ether high overhead.
Need I add that the delicate, gossamer-winged-creature responsible for these aerial evolutions was a dragon fly?
J.P.Ede, 39 Broomwood Road, S.W.11.
[Ed.] In our schooldays, a prime possession was a book illustrating how man had copied or adopted fer his own inventions, the mechanics pf nature.
[BNA: Link.]
[No letter 30 September, 7 October, 14 October, 28 October, 4 November.]<.p>
HE'S BEEN EXPLORING AGAIN
Most people are interested, I think, even if only casually, in the various fungoid growths popularly known as toadstools.
Recently, on Wandsworth Common, I found springing up among the grass and under different shrubs, clusters of charming cream and brown pixie-caps. Then, a little farther off, there were little pearl buttons on stalks. Here and there I saw also, tiny umbrellas and coloured parasols.
There are names, of course, for all these strange manifestations of nature, but the picturesque may be recognised without the material aid of a label.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] And they're not for eating.
[BNA: Link]
"A rather unexpected visitor seen on Wandsworth Common . . .
KEEPER'S CAPTURE
A rather unexpected visitor seen on Wandsworth Common — a heron — has recently been seen Wandsworth Common.
I had heard of its appearance but was never there at the right time to see it for myself.
A few days ago, however, I was crossing the Catback Bridge when I saw the heron. There it was, its lanky legs and strong wings securely held in the arms of a keeper, who bore marks of the bird's stout resistance to capture. Its five-inch beak looked a formidable weapon.
It appears that the heron had somehow been injured: hence the reason of its being taken into custody. Soon the telephone bell was ringing and in a short of space of time the rare but welcome visitor (except perhaps to the angling fraternity) was borne away in an animal ambulance for treatment.
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] Gross ingratitude we call it.
[BNA: Link]
Both the Baptist J.P. Ede and the Anglican Revd Wood were devoted to Nature, and through Nature to Nature's God.
Given his significance (and the fact that he was SMM's longest-serving incumbent), it's perhaps sad that there is very little about the Revd Wood in the "Our History" section of the SMM website. I wrote a short appreciation in December 2021's Chronicles, which also includes a number of pictures. I assume these simple but fine images were by the Revd Wood himself — he is said to have captivated his audiences with quick sketches he did to illustrate his talks. Is that so? *
A short but appreciative obituary was published in Nature in January 1924 (i.e. a century ago): Canon Theodore Wood.
[* No, the images were not the Revd Wood's own, as David Ainsworth pointed out. He found a copy online of Dwellers In The Pond, with a title page stating that the illustrations were by F.M.B. Blaikie (Foster Meadow Blaikie). Thanks, David!]
[No letter 25 November.]<.p>
"Scarlet Flycaps" — the Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria.
Recently, I mentioned certain picturesque forms of fungus that were to be seen on Wandsworth Common. Since then, I have discovered a number of little round pedestal tables, measuring several inches across for an explanation, and decorated with gaily-coloured cloths of scarlet or crimson, spotted white.
They were irregularly set out, as though for a gnomes' or pixies' alfresco repast, half-hidden beneath bushes and fallen leaves. I noticed three separate colonies or groups, so evidently the "little people" were not feasting together.
Brushing imagination aside, we say "just toadstools"; or, maybe, with a little more detailed knowledge, "Scarlet Flycaps".
J.P. EDE, 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea.
[Ed.] And we, as youngsters, regarded nature study as a dull subject. We had the wrong teachers.
[BNA: Link]
[There is a fine sequence of photographs of the development of the fruiting bodies of Amanita, here.]
The author/illustrator Beatrix Potter painted hundreds of detailed, accurate images of fungi. Whether she painted any from Wandsworth Common, I don't know, but she was a frequent visitor to her former governess and tutor, Annie Moore, who lived at 20 Baskerville Road from 1888 to 1950.
[For further info. about BP as a mycologist see e.g. Beatrix Potter: Pioneering Scientist or Passionate Amateur" (British Mycological Society website), and "Beatrix Potter (1866—1943): The Tale of the Linnean Society" (Linnean Society website).]
And finally:
"I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other; but the great question is, what?"
Alice looked all round her at the flowers and the blades of grass, but she did not see anything that looked like the right thing to eat or drink under the circumstances.
There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself; and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it.
She stretched herself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large caterpillar, that was sitting on the top with its arms folded, quietly smoking a long hookah, and taking not the smallest notice of her or of anything else.
[I've discussed some of Lewis Carroll's connections with Wandsworth (or rather Battersea) in the Chronicles for December 2021 and March 2023.]
I read on the Friends of Wandsworth Common website that the annual fungi walks are hugely popular. I'm not a bit surprised.
Our annual fungi walk, led by Ling from Enable, was its usual huge success with two back-to-back walks this year to satisfy demand. Species observed included milking bonnet, parachute mushroom, dead lady’s fingers, gem studded puffball, shaggy parasol, dead man's fingers, stinkhorn, jelly ears and fly agaric (pictured)
[Friends of Wandsworth Common: Link.]
Ooh, I'm so looking forward to next year's walk, when I might be able to identify some of those fabulous fungi.
[No letter 9 December, 16 December, 23 December, 30 December.]
So who was J.P. Ede? And did he write any more letters after 1949?
— March Chronicles 2024 Part One — J.P.Ede: Letters to the South Western Star, 1949 . . .
— J.P.Ede: Further letters to the South Western Star, 1950 . . .
— J.P. [John Philip] Ede: a biographical note.
— Back to the top of this page . . .
— March Chronicles 2024 Part Two [coming soon] . . .
SO many more stories still to tell. But that's all for now, folks.
Send me an email if you enjoyed this post / want to comment on something you've seen on the site / would like to know more — or just want to be kept in touch.
If you would like to receive occasional notifications of new Chronicles, let me know . . .
Click on this link for a rough-and-ready index of all stories in the Chronicles so far . . .
And here for videos of talks, and local history shorts . . .
There's a SEARCH box at the top of this page, and here . . .
Enjoy Spring!
Philip Boys ("History Boys")
March 2024
