The History of Wandsworth Common

Added 13.8.2021

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Ron Elam — local historian, postcard collector, school governor and schools inspector

Bellevue Rd with an early Waitrose store - one of the many images of great local interest in Ron's collection

For many years, whatever the weather, Ron set up a stall on Bellevue to show his collection - and have a chat about local history with passers-by.

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We've just heard the sad news that local resident Ron Elam died on Wednesday. Ron and his wife Hazel lived on Loxley Road.

In the 1980s and 1990s Ron, a local historian (and much else) ran a stall on Saturday mornings showing his unique collection of postcards and photographs of our area, and taking orders for framed reproductions. Many local shops (for example the Bellevue Pharmacy) still display the images he provided.

The bottom of Bellevue showing the Hope pub and early 49 buses - another image from Ron's collection

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Ron provided many images to local publications

From the Wandsworth Society's Christmas Bedside Edition 2018

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In November 2019 Ron received a Wandsworth Civic Award from the Mayor of Wandsworth at a special awards ceremony at the Civic Suite.

Before he retired, Ron served as a school governor in numerous Wandsworth schools for 50 years, most recently at Chesterton where he made a valuable contribution. In addition he has sat on and chaired independent admissions and exclusions appeal panels in Wandsworth and has participated in some 300 Ofsted inspections.

There's a nice short video about Ron here: YouTube - Ron Elam.

Some of the books that feature Ron's images can be seen (and bought) here:

• Amberley Books: Ron Elam.
• Amazon: Ron Elam.

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Thanks, Ron.