"Evening Mail — Wednesday 31 January 1917 / THE COLD WAVE. SCENES IN FROST AND SNOW. ICE PASTIMES AND DISCOMFORTS.
Philip Boys
To: Philip Boys philip.boys@btinternet.com;
16/12/21 14:31
1
Evening Mail — Wednesday 31 January 1917
THE COLD WAVE. SCENES IN FROST AND SNOW. ICE PASTIMES AND DISCOMFORTS. . The front show: at present no sign of giving way. Jn London, and in most other parts of England. Maniac night and the telly hours of yesterday morning Were the sharpest recently experienced. A few slight showers of snow fell in London yesterday, and more sledded were reported in several parts of One eastern midland and south-eastern counties. In London ..now fell heavily at night, and iti some Of the suburbs it was an inch by midnight. According to the official weather report (covering the 24 hours which ended at G o'clock last evening) the severest frosts were recorded at Southport, Colwyn Bay, and Burls., which bad Meg. each With the exception of two or three places on the south coast, Banff WW I the warmest place in the litritisb Isles yeaterday, there being only Meg. of frost it the coldest period, and for a considerable time the tlwrnionteter registered 36degl, only one degree lower than was enjoyed at Penzance aud Tatmay. Ol.evations in Landon show that in the shelter of the semen the thermometer in many fell at least below the freezing point. On the surface of the around the told was naturally far more severe. readings below 20deg. being observed in many parts ' even Id the London district. As regards the forma-1 (ion of ice the temperatures experienced in the open, excretes an influence alteksther out of proportion to I those recorded by thermometers exposed in the' orthodox fashion (with us view to obtaining accurate shade temperatures) in a screen at a height of 41t. above the ground KO far the readings observed that way have been decidedly low, but by no moans temarkable for the mid-winter season. What has contributed in r. very large measure to the satisfaction of the ekater has b-en the absence of say day temperatures sufficiently high to thaw the ice which has been formed during the night.. At Wandsworth Common the thermometer in the daytime has not risen more than 3deg. above the freezing point since January 23. At Hampstead frost has prevailed for an unbroken series of 11 days.
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003187/19170131/147/0008" target="_blank">Link.]
South Western Star — Friday 9 February 1917
GENERAL HOSPITAL.
The following interesting account of the 3rd London General Uoapital, Wandsworth Common, is from the hospital Gaze tte for February "On July 1, 186 e, the London suburb of Wandsworth witnessed a noteworthy event — the opening ot a noble institution for the bene6t of orphan daughters of soldiers, sailors, and Marines. The Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, as it was called, was the outcome of the Crimean War; it had been established and endowed from the Patriotic Fund which that, tragic conflict evoked: and its foundstion stone had been laid by Queen Victoria, greatest of British sovereigns. . _ . _ . . . " The fine edifice, grey and dignified, 'tending in the midst of its own beautiful lawns, has wen the coming and going of many orphan girl-children since then and it is — steal — likely to be the home of many more. But. for the moment. it has been emptied of its inhabitants (who are housed close by), and " The Patriotic School, " as it is locally named, has been converted to another — but wholly appropriate — purpose. It has been made the nucleus uf a War Hospital, the 3rd Loudon General, now one of the biggest in the British Isles. " This transformation took place automatically in August, 1914. in consequence of the farsighted arrangements made by Sir Alfred Keogh. When the Territorial Force was founded, it was Sir Alfred Keogh who planned its medical organisation, and under his scheme certain public buildings were earmarked for employment as hospitals in the event of war. 'The Patriotic School' at Wandsworth was one of these building', and the promptitude with which it was occupied for it. present use may be gathered from the fact that already on August 5, 1914 — the day after the declaration of war — twenty N.C.O's and men had arrived (under the charge of tins late Major Miller) to make the initial prepare. Lions; while Lieut..Co' lonel Bruce Porter, the hospital's commanding officer, was simultaneously busying himself at headquarters with the negotiations for equipment. " The metamorphosis of the school into the hospital was an extremely complicated task; not only had practically all the school's furniture to be removed, but many structural changes were madethe windows altered, !topper sashes put in, lava-! tories and baths attached to (hoes rooms which were to become wards, and so forth. In this rapidly-performed through laborious task the N.C.O.'s and men to whom the first credit is due were supplied from the unit (founded long before the war, and gallantly kept up even at a time when peace seemed assured) by the City firm of Messrs. Hitchcock, Williams and Co. Sir Alfred Pearce Gould, the late Sir Victor Horsley, Captain Humphris, Captain Dodson, Sir Shirley Murphy, and Colonel Russell assisted the C.O. to superintend the work in all its details. The hospital's staff (medical and surgical) was supplied from the Middlesex, St. Mary's, and University College Hospitals — these provided virtually the whole of the officers available on mobilisation. "Almost immediately it became apparent that the six of the Patriotic School would be insufficient, . and the first of the extensions (now known as the Letter Block) Was put in hand. This long corridor of huts (and operating theatre) was built in the short space of eight weeks; its architect was Mr. Pain Clarke; when completed, the hospital had 520 beds. "It now has 1, 800, for vast new extensions have been added. stretching out beyond the original hospital grounds on the land which had been prepared as a recreation place for Wandsworth by the London County Council. These extensions, which include Inot only magnificent wards (of a new pattern), Ibut also kitchens, recreation room, new operating theatre, X-ray department, stores, bathrooms, and boardroom, have enabled a portion of the main building to be taken for office purpthes; but though Bungalow Town, as the ward huts have been called, now shelters the largest proportion of our patients, the affection of all will continue to centre round the Patriotic School. The memory of its impreesive facade and turrets, rising in against the pale sky of the Metropolis. will be carried home to many a far county of these islands and many a colony of that Empire of whioh ILondon is the heart."
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19170209/093/0005" target="_blank">Link.]
"Evening Mail — Friday 6 April 1917
GOOD FRIDAY. CHURCH SERVICES AND WORK ON ALLOTMENTS. The customary Good Friday servleee of " The Throe flours" in Anglican and Boman Catholic churches yesterday were very largely attended. lb was noticeable that now& visited the many war shrines erected outside churches, most of which were decorated with flowers. Before the early service at St. Bartholomew-the- Great, Smithfield, an old Good Friday custom was observed. Twenty-two women attended to pick from a certain tombstone in the churchyard M Iequal number of new sixpences. The gifts were supplemented by new shillings rent by Mr. Deputy B. Turner, the parish churchwarden. who was prevented by from attending. By many people the day will be remembered for two things not hitherto &emaciated with Good Friday. No newspapers were published, and the planting of vegetables on unoccupied leads throughout London began in real earnest.
Good Friday has always been the day selected for seed sowing an the back gardens. In the morning there were showers of elect and snow, but later in the day the skies cleared and the sun shone brilliantly. In the afternoon the plotlaolders turned out in their thousands to make the most of the spell of weather. There are now over 5,000 plotholders in London, and to meet the demand for mere allotments the authorities agreed that parts of the commons should be brought under cultivation. Yesterday Mr. Gerald W. Butcher, superintendent of the Vacant Lend Cultivation Society, allotted 195 plots on Clapham 47 pious on Wandsworth Common, and 150 plots on Lower Putney Common. Each plot comists of 10 rods. Potatoes, onions, parsnips, and cabbages are being grown. For the rest Good Friday was a stay-at-home holiday. There were only a fair number of travellers.
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003187/19170406/148/0008" target="_blank">Link.]
South Western Star — Friday 18 May 1917
The Board of Agriculture — we write with full respect — appears not to be a wide-awake body. Apparently it Si true to type, for agriculturalism is popularly regarded as being rooted in somnolence. This week the Board is inviting local and county authorities to allow sheep to graze on their lands or to take up the art of municipal haymaking. We presume that the haymaking is to be done by the authorit.es, not by the sheep. These things have been done and are still in the doing. Months ago "sax boondud' sheep — es the Scottish shepherd e rated them — woes nibbling at the frost-blackened grass on Wandsworth Common. Today a similar dock — mostly black sheep, heavily wooled — are bleating with satisfaction in the luxuriant hers bage of the common of Clapham. They are well watched. The public have learned that sheep is mutton in its natural state, and the public are hungry-eyed. As to municipal haymaking. Battersea took the lead years ago. The hay from Morden Cemetery is noted for its quality. Before the war, which is a long time ago, it was pinposed to bold a hay festival at Borden on the iiith of June. It was thought that a municipal beanfeast on the spot would increase the popularity of Borden as a burial place, but the propel was abandoned. Conneillors are rarely able le unite for any unexceptional purpose .
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19170518/107/0005" target="_blank">Link.]
"Illustrated Police News — Thursday 25 October 1917
The prize-winning potato in a competition among 12,000 members of the Vacant Land Cultivation Society for the largest potato grown on an allotment this season weighed 2 lb. 13 1/2 oz. It was grown on Wandsworth Common by Mr. A. Bonham.
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000072/19171025/014/0002" target="_blank">Link.]
[2 lb, 13.5 oz = 1.2899 kg or 1289.9 g = 1300g
How big would this potato have been?
Density = about 1.1g/ml
So 1300g = 1430ml = 1.43 litres = 2.5 pints
= 14 cm diameter = 7cm radius
sphere / ball"19171025
South Western Star — Friday 14 December 1917
A NEW MECHANICAL HAND.
BATTERSEA SCULPTOR'S INVENTION.
Mr. Thomas Rudge, the well-known sculptor, of St. Vincent Studios, Bolingbroke-grove, Wandsworth Common, has invented and perfected a mechanical hand which is believed to be a great improvement on all previous efforts. During a demonstration at the studios it was proved that the hand could do almost all that can be done by the living limb. It is of great strength, and of such delicacy that it can pick up pins and small coins from the floor. The great merit, of the hand are its simplicity and strength. It can be manufactured at a price which renders it easily possible for one to be supplied to every soldier who has had the misfortune to be maimed . . . . . . Mr. Rudge is, we believe, the only inventor who has solved the problem of flexing both finger joint. The thumb and all four fingers can open and shut at the same moment. If desired, the thumb and only the first two fingers work, the other two fingers being in a set position. Thew, fingers and thumbs are detachable. Fingers suitable for special requirements can be reidib inserted. The expansion of the muscles of the chest or shoulder one quarter of an inch opens the fingers and thumb to the extent of 21in. to 3in. The power of the *and can regulate the grip of the fingers and thumb to his own liking. Mr. Rudge's invention has been favourably considered by the authorities
[BNA: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19171214/115/0005" target="_blank">Link.]
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[BNA: victorianweb.org/sculpture/rudge/index.html" target="_blank">Link.
[BNA: victorianweb.org/victorian/sculpture/architectural/16.html" target="_blank">Link.
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Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and ireland 1851-1951
Thomas Rudge
Born 1871 (Circa)
Active: 1901
Country of birth and death: England
Sculptor, carver
Born in Clifton, Gloucestershire.
Locations
View all on map
Address 96 Clapham Common North Side Wandsworth London | View on map
1901
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
'Sculptor' worker
Sources
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
2001
Class: RG13; Piece: 457; Folio: 12; Page: 15
Citing this record
'Thomas Rudge', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [[http]://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=ann_1400150384, accessed 06 Nov 2022]
[BNA: sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=ann_1400150384
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IMAGES e.g.
[BNA: www.bing.com/images/search?q=thomas+rudge+sculptor&form=HDRSC2&first=1&tsc=ImageHoverTitle"19171214
[UNKNOWN PUBLICATION — header not detected. Please review.]
"[https]://gardenmuseum.org.uk/collection/postcard-allotment-movement-in-world-war-i/" target="_blank">Link.
Postcard: Allotment Movement in World War I
A comic postcard on the allotments movement during World War Iwith a line of people marching with garden tools towards an allotment and titled, 'There's a long long trail a winding to the land of spuds and greens'. Addressed to Mrs E. Orford, of Dorset and postmarked 1917.
allotments-ww1-1917-garden-museum.png
1917-allotments-ww1-1917-garden-museum.jpg"1917