The History of Wandsworth Common

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Wandsworth Common in 1949

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Aerial photograph of Wandsworth prison and its environs, 1949.

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If you would like to help me celebrate the history of Wandsworth Common (and my birthday) by contributing memories or photographs or research about the area in 1949 PLEASE DO. I can also send some images and maps to discuss.

Add something on:

Bomb sites

Trinity Road — not dualled, no underpass, hence does not reach Wandsworth Bridge

Railway embankments — pre-electrification, the cuttings were kept pretty bald, because of sparks.

Marcilly Road

New buildings to come e.g. Heathfield Court

Board of Works? Direct Labour area on Extension

Romany Club

Marked out football pitches

Neal's Nursery

Dixon's Orchids

White warning paint on Heathfield Road Bridge

Smoke, Power stations

Allotments

Pre-fabs

Shops opposite County Arms — notice the awnings against the sun, which were once common. Do any shops still have them? Are they ever pulled down?

[It would be good to list the names of the shops, and what they sold, at different times. I remember (from Dorlcote Road , left to right) Date? 324: Brown, Mrs E.W. and Son, Grocers > Haddock's Grocers > 322: Horton, Chas. and Co. Builders and Rank, H. & Co. Monumental Masons and > Sweet shop [later a newsagent as well] > > 320: United Dairies (London) Ltd > > 318: Buckingham Brice, Draper, and Post Office > > 316: Collin, Saml, Baker > [Post Office moved here, I think] > > 314: Corner, Chas. Theobald, Fruiterer > > ? ? Baker (with a Post Office counter at the rear) Gaudion's Greengrocer

Carmichael's yard and workshops — a major local builder, particularly noted for joinery. There were open and covered woodyards here, and workshops. Some of the Carmichael family are buried in an impressive manner echoing the nature of their business in Magdalen Road Cemetery.

Turret houses — on the angles/corners of the prisons curtain walls, in appearance much like the two structures weither side of the prison gate. Used to house prison officers. Te One was destroyed by a V1 in 1944, and the others have been demolished. Te ones near the old Officers' Club were inhabited until the early 1960s.

Heathfield Avenue

Training School [and mixed secondary?]

Pre-Fitzhugh Estate

Frying Pan — now largely overgrown but still level — clearly defined into the 1960s, and perhaps later- used for military drills and parades e.g. in and after WWI, then for e.g. Boys Brigade parades etc. Also bonfires etc. And for children to perform "wheelies" on bikes.

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South Western Star — Friday 07 January 1949

They _watched a flashback of 20 years Through the past 20 years, Mr. E. P. Olney, of Kenllworth Court. Putney, has made a hobby of collecting pictures, photographs, and lore of all .kinds concerning Wandsworth and Putney of bygone days. Before a packed audience of Wandsworth Ratepayers and Residents' Association members on Monday, Mr. Olney showed a selection of his slides and gave a running commentary on such pictures as the old wooden Putney Bridge; the great houses that used to stand in imposing dignity on East Hill and on the fringes of Wandsworth Common: bone shaking horse-buses, and the almost forgotten industries of the district. He told of the fight to save Wandsworth Common from becoming just another building estate; of romance attached to the old ferry steps on the Thames banks. Mr. Olney deputislng at the last moment for Cllr. W. J. Parkinson-Smith, another great authority on Putney or the past, who has been ordered by his doctor to rest after overworking for some time.

[BNA: " https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004606/19490107/101/0005

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1949-02-04-Granada-Ballet-SouthwesternStar.png

'The International Ballet Company pays a return visit to the Granada, Clapham Junction, next week. They are presenting a new production of "The Sleeping Princess." as well as the better known "Swan Lake" and "Copelia." Mona Inglesby heads the list of principals, with Helene Armfelt and Claudie Algernova, taking the other female leads. Jack Spurgeon is the top male name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Inglesby

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South Western Star — Friday 04 February 1949

Jewish Home of Rest to re-open

The Jewish Home of Rest in Birchlands Avenue, Wandsworth Common—which was severely damaged by a flying bomb on the 19th June, 1944, when 13 members of the nursing and domestic staff were killed--will be ready to receive patients again early in February.

Although the official opening will take place later in the year, it has been decided not to delay admitting patients until then, but to start taking them in immediately. At present there is accommodation for 21 patients, but when all the building envisaged by the present scheme is completed, the number of beds will be increased to 84. The task of rebuilding has been carried out by Mr. George A. Hobden.

POLICY UNCHANGED

Originally opened in 1927, the Jewish Home of Rest was the outcome of a long-cherished idea of certain members of the Jewish Community , —to provide a place of refuge for the suffering, lonely and helpless aged of their race. Though it has been taken over by the Minister of Health under the the National Health Scheme, it will continue to be run on strictly orthodox lines for Jewish patients.

[BNA: Link.]

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stergene for babies Richmond Herald — Saturday 05 February 1949 steregene-for-babies-Richmond Herald — Saturday 05 February 1949.png https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004049/19490205/377/0012

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South Western Star — Friday 11 February 1949

VARDENS ROAD CLAIM

A 98-year-old Battersea woman now living in Australia, Emma Varden, has claimed that Vardens Road was named after her father, a Battersea builder. An alternative theory is that the road was called after the Varden family in Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Budge," but local records do not reveal which is factual.

Miss Varden and her sister, Ellen, were among the first women clerks engaged by the Morgan Crucible Co. Emma retired because of ill-health: has been receiving a pension from Morgan's for 45 years, 38 of which have been spent in Australia,

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19490211/011/0001

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South Western Star — Friday 08 April 1949

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. lives of Gilbert and Sullivan, We studied the bird for an hour and a half.

J. P. EDE 39 Broomwood Road, Battersea. R

Somewhat off Its normal beast, wasn't It? Rumours have It, however, that a cuckoo has been heard at Wandsworth Common.

[BNA: Link.]

Therea re many more letters — see . . . ]

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South Western Star — Friday 08 April 1949

Wandered from mother, kiddie is killed.

Paying her bill in a Bellevue Road, Wandsworth Common, shop, Mrs. Beatrice Louisa Buckley of Bellevue Road, turned and looked round for her two kiddies, Pat, aged two, and her sister, a year old. Through the shop window, Mrs. Buckley saw Pat on the other side of the busy street. She rushed out of the shop and the kiddie began to run back to her sister, still outside the shop. A 49 bus came along and Pat was knocked over and killed. mother told of the tragedy—lt happened on Saturday afternoon, March 26,—at the Inquest, held at Battersea on Thursday.

EYE-WITNESSES

etc etc

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 29 April 1949

Boys' Brigade holds big church parade Six hundred and fifty smartly uniformed officers and lads of the S.W. London Batt. of the Boys' Brigade, with glittering band instruments, paraded on Wandsworth Common, on Sunday morning, and marched to Northcote Road Baptist Church, Battersea, for a church service. The parade was attended by representatives of 22 companies and included a brass band, two drum and fife bands and several bugle bands . dent, Mr. G. F. Wooderson. The offertory was on behalf of the 8.8. Auxiliary of the Baptist Missionary Society.

EFFICIENCY . . . 

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 06 May 1949

[BNA: Link.]

Poet's plaque

A memorial plaque to the memory of Edward Thomas, essayist and poet, will be unveiled at 61 Shelgate Road tomorrow afternoon. Edward Thomas was born in lambeth, but lived with his parents in Battersea. The inscription on the plaque reads "Edward Thomas, 1878-1917, essayist and poet, lived here."

Sponsors of the proposal to erect the plaque include Lord Horder, Walter de la Mare, and Ian MacAlister.

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The poet Edward Thomas was born in Stockwell in 1878 but moved to Battersea with his parents and brother at the age of two. His first home was on Wakehurst Road, which leads up to the Common, and his first school Belleville. [While at Wakehurst Road his mother presented him with another 4 brothers], and they moved to Shelgate Road when he was about nine. I always think the blue plaque should have been on the earlier house but for whatever reason it was Shelgate Road that got the plaque in 1949, after the Second World War, and a little over thirty years from his death at Arras in France in the First World War. His reputation had grown in the 1920s and 1930s, and doubtless his  . . .  as a "war poet" brought about the commemoration. But the contemporary newspaper references are hardly fulsome.

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Incidentally, it's well worth having a look at the whole front page, of which Edward Thomas's plaque is only a (very) small part. The lead story concerns the death of a seven-year-old boy playing in a derlict house. His mother says to the cooner "He had been there before . . . I;ve warned him . . . but you can't keep children off">

These were different times.

News of a scheme to take children whose parents had been killed fighting in the French Resistance movement on holidays . . . to Battersea

A an violently abused wife adbosed to to separey before one or other would "up for murder".

Fout teenage boys smashing a window and stealing clothes from a gents outfitters in Nothcote Road . . . 

Scouts raised at least £180 during Bob-a-Job week

Record turnouts in Battersea South in LCC elections

Two little girls injured by a tram on Wandsworth Road

A tearful farewell to 28-year-old Johnny Morris, emigrating to Australia the next day

Local men fined for street betting on Grant Road

Workers prevented from processing to a May Day Trafalgasr Square "But were told by the police that the Home Office had banned all political processions" — so they broke up and "made their separate ways to the rally".

The funeral in Magdalen Road Cemetery of a Sergeat-Major Charles Newman, MC, who had lived in Swaby Road, He had been a key figure in the Home Guard in the area.

"A 36-millimetre film apparatus, available for hire at the Battersea Town Hall [now the Arts Centre], has recently undergone an overhaul and there was a marked improvement at Monday's showing of Soviet films."

An advert for "B. Readings 11 Station Approach, Clapham Junction" — local oldies will remember how Readings was the place to buy records [until the Approach was transforme in the 1980s?].

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An advert for "B. Readings 11 Station Approach, Clapham Junction" — local oldies will remember how Readings was the place to buy records [until the Approach was transforme in the 1980s?].

The greatest singing cowboy sings the Greatest Western Song of All Time, from 1949.

Not to be missed:

Gene Autry — Ghost Riders in the Sky (from Riders in the Sky 1949)

[BNA: Link.]

Oh, wow.

[BNA: Link.]

The biggest-selling record this month was Ghost Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) by Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra.

Song only:

[BNA: Link.]

A (fairly feeble attempt to add cowboy-related visuals:

[BNA: Link.]

Frankie Laine

[BNA: Link.]

Marty Robbins

British Record Shop Archive [includes lots of fine recollections]. Memories of READINGS: https://www.britishrecordshoparchive.org/shops/readings-for-records/" target="_blank">Link.]

Taken in 1967. In the window of the record shop is Sgt Pepper with the sign 'IT'S HERE, 32/-'

Now I know way I've always loved his song. (It continued to be played on Children's Hour, Uncle Mac's long-running show on the Home Service.

[ReelStreets: Up the Junction.]

Opening Up the Junction (1968) — Opening Scene and Titles

[YouTube: Link.]

n

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Notice for example references to the vicar of St Paul's Church, on St John's Hill (now . This is Chad Varah, who will shortly create the Samaritans, having . . . . For many years he lived on North Side, facing the Common. 1949-53 IN 1949 . . . 

Also the lead article, about a six-year-old boy who was killed by on a bombsite . . .  The  . . .  says .. is this unusual . . . not ata ll.

There are many other relevant items, including references to injured people being taken to Bolingbroke Hospital.

And how about this . . . 

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Facebook: Save the Romany Scout Site https://www.facebook.com/groups/642713295809319/" target="_blank">Link.]

Local Guardian: People power prevails as Romany Scout Hut saved

[YourLocalGuardian: Link.]

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In 1949, Chad Varah, founder of the Samaritans (and co-founder of The Eagle comic) moved into the vicarage at 68 North Side, Wandsworth Common — "by our standards a rather small house, with only thirteen rooms".

By the end of his time in Wandsworth/Battersea, when he left for a City church, he had developed the idea of a "999 phone for the suicidal", which became the Samaritans and a completley British comic that would [rival . . . .which he and his cofounder ? Morris said were  . . . .doing etterible things " Tjir first idea was for a ? young inner city curate [yes, rweally), but soon realiasd that something a little more [??] was needed. They had worked with Frank Hampton [ . . . ] and he was the /. Chad Varah's science training led to his . . .  science ?? to Dan Dare . . .  Samaritans was founded in 1953 by Rev. Chad Varah, a Church of England vicar in the Diocese of London.

His inspiration came from an experience he had had some years earlier as a young curate  . . . . He had taken a funeral for a fourteen-year old girl who had committed suicide because she believed she had contracted an STD, when in reality she was menstruating. Varah placed an advertisement in a newspaper encouraging people to volunteer at his church, listening to people contemplating suicide.

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Also:"vicar-writer-cartoonist-sex-educator-counsellor"

[Samaritans: Link.]

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[ADD photo of the sign on Wandsworth Common station?]

Dan Dare — born and bred in Battersea? Well, not quite. But there is a connection . . . 

According to the official Dan Dare website:

The Eagle Comic originally ran from 1950–1969 . . . Within days of being launched, the comic, which consisted of 20 pages, 8 of which were in full stunning colour, was selling nearly 1 million copies per week.

The original pioneering artwork by Frank Hampson was simply superb. Other artists such as Frank Bellamy, Harold Johns and Don Harley also created amazing visuals.

The original artwork was drawn in bright innovative colours and the printing process was totally new and unique. Eric Bemrose Engineers and Printers in Liverpool built a ten-bank rotary printing press which was built in twelve weeks.

" It took us three eight hour shifts, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to produce a million copies a week with the help of 200 staff. "

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rugby netball — South Western Star — Friday 29 April 1949

REFEREES REQI'IRED Referees are urgently gulred. Anybody interested should write to W. Reed, 135 Grandison Road. 5.W.11. re-( rugby I Alpha play the first netball match on Statham Common. on Tuesday. . Pitches on Wandsworth Common are at the "Hope Tavern" end.

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 29 April 1949

Boys' Brigade holds big church parade Six hundred and fifty smartly uniformed officers and lads of the S.W. London Batt. of the Boys' Brigade, with glittering band instruments, paraded on Wandsworth Common, on Sunday morning, and marched to Northcote Road Baptist Church, Battersea, for a church service. The parade was attended by representatives of 22 companies and included a brass band, two drum and fife bands and several bugle bands . dent, Mr. G. F. Wooderson. The offertory was on behalf of the 8.8. Auxiliary of the Baptist Missionary Society.

EFFICIENCY . . . 

[BNA: Link.]

boys-brigade-South Western Star — Friday 29 April 1949.png

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Streatham News — Friday 29 April 1949

Boys Brigade On Parade 22 Companies Take Part In Ceremony ‘ THE South-West London Battalion of the Boys' Brigade| paraded on Sunday morning to the Northeote-road (Clapham .lunc-‘ tion) Baptist Church. It was a perfect day and the smart uniforms| and glittering band instruments made an impressive s&}ht on the assembly qround on Wandsworth Common. e parade consisted of 850 ' officers and bo&{' from 22 Come\ies. and included one brass band, two drumn-and-fife bands and several bugle bands. The service was conducted by the Rev. S. Sayers-Bell, Chaplain to the 118th London Company, who g):ke on the theme * Some Modern liaths and How to Overcome| Them.” The Scripture readings| were taken by Mr. R. E. Withall, gaptain of dtheth 18th London ompany, an e prayer was . |offered Z, the Battalion }lresidem. |Mr. G.” F. Wooderson. The 'oflertorg was on behalf of the |Boys' Brigade Auxiliary of the jßa&lst Missionary Society. i fore the column left Wands{worth Common it was announced that the 88th London Company \(Balham_ Baptist Church) ~had |gained the *“ ?msley” Colour|the Battalion Efficiency Trophy|and it was handed over to them by last year's holders, the 47th London Comfifny (Summerstown Mission). e full result of this com&etitlon is as follows: 88th (Balham Baptist Church), 425]: 104th (Balham Congregational Church), 424%: 47th (Summerstown Mission), 4234: 37th (Trinity-road Baptist Church), 79th (East Hill | Baptist Church, Wandsworth), 99th’ |(St. James's Church, Streatham), 423; 54th ((‘lapgam Congregational I(‘hurch\. 416: Bth (Union Church, Putney), 412§: 27th (Fairlight Hall, Tooting), 4083: 70th (Tooting |Junction Baptist Church). 405%; 14th (Earlsfield Baptist Church). 403}; 110th (Clapham Baptist Church), 402; 83rd (St. James’s |Church, Clapham), 398}: 92nd | (St. Andrew's Church, Streatham). —|3974: 28th (Tooting Congregational |Church), 382}: 56th (Church of the |Holy Redeemer, Streatham), 2533.

[BNA: Link.]

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Norwood News — Friday 29 April 1949

Norwood News — Friday 29 April 1949

THE SWANS ON THE COMMON

Can nothing be done to separate the swans from the other inhabitants of the pond on Wandsworth Common? A female mallard had half her family destroyed by the male swan who endangers the life of any bird living on the pond.

It it quite a common occurrence for the swans to destroy whole families of young birds. Could not a few R.S.P.C.A. officers do something to stop this dreadful state of affairs? —N. DOVENHILL (age 14). R. WILLIAMS rats 12). 17.

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 13 May 1949

Constable was hidden in bushes

A constable's watch from some bushes on Wandsworth Common in the early hours of Sunday, led to the appearance at South Western Magistrates' Court on Monday, of Kenneth Joan CobbY (191, canweitat's inilsover, of Leath' lotto Road, Battarsea, Brune Rict/azd Reynolds fitter, of Bucknagider Road, Battersea, and a boy of 16, charged with breaking into 180 Northcote Road, Battersea, and stealing clothing worth belonging to Harris and Smith. P.C. Sutton said that at 3.30 am. he was in some bushes on Wandsworth Common when Cobby, Reynolds, the boy and another youth came along. He heard Cobby say, "Let's bury it here." He had a parcel in his hand and when witness opened it he found a Webley air pistol. Cobby said, "I bought it from a chap." Witness noticed that he and the boy were wearing check shirts answering the description of some stolen from a shop in Northcote Road in the early hours of May 5 and he took all four youths to Lavender Hill Police Station, where the three accused were charged.

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 10 June 1949

DEVASTATING BOLINGBROKE

Bolingbroke were in masterly form when they defeated a I sporting Wands*s side at Wandsworth Common, on Sunday, 39 shots. The e rink, ski by W. Evans, w devasta g. winning by 31 shots—a great performance. Bolingbroke: Fountain, White, Moss and Footle, 14

[BNA: Link.]

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Streatham News — Friday 01 July 1949

Allotment Holders To Quit Ground Wanted For Recreation

Brockwell Park allotment holders have been told that their existing tenancies will not be renewed by the L.C.C. These expire on December 31, but cultivators will be able to gather their crops until March next year. This follows an order by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, approved by the L.C.C. on Tuesday, that fifty per cent. of Council eé)arks' allotments will be reclaimed to meet the shortage of playing pitches and general recreation space. One of seventeen open spaces‘ affected, Brockwell Park is 127 acres in extent, of which nearly a quarter consists of allotments. The main area at present under cultivation used to provide 17 cricket pitches. Another less level area ‘was used for general recreation.

Mr. Ronald S. Russell, Tory member for Norwood, asked if the Parks Committee would consider continuing mallotmenu on sloping ground which was unsuitable for games. Mrs. Ruth Dalton (chairman) said the Ministry of Agriculture recognised the urgent. need of “ safe playing fields for young children” and land not suitable for games pitches would be valuable to meet that end.

A similar order for reclaiming recreational ground was first before the Council in 1945, but owing to the continued necessitJv to sustain food production the decision was held over. At present 632 acres of land in London parks and commons are occupied by allotments.

Among other areas affected are Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common and Kennington Park.

[BNA: Link.]

allotments- Streatham News — Friday 01 July 1949.png

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South Western Star — Friday 22 July 1949

PRESS BAND FOR WANDSWORTH COMMON

Music on Wandsworth Common on Sunday will be played by Odhams Press Band, under its director. George Thompson, B.B.C.M. The engagement is one of six London County Council bookings for performances in London parks. and is a part of the summer entertainments plan for the borough. t

[BNA: Link.]

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Streatham News — Friday 29 July 1949

Five Wickets In Seven Balls

Granton defeated Knights “B" on Wandsworth Common by 52 runs on Saturday, to retain their undefeated record in league matches. Granton scored 91 for seven wickets befo;: declmns. L. Brunwin, Granton left-handed opener, dominated the innings, hitting all round the wicket for his 40, which included six fours. Next highest was R. White's 13 not out. Knights, le/t with 75 minutes, could score only 39 against the Granton fast attack. R. White became the first bowler to achieve a hat-trick for Granton this season, and went on to take five wickets in_seven balls. his final analysis being 5 for 12. Les Thomas also bowled well to take| 4 for 10. | It is advisable to book your seats early |

[BNA: Link.]

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South Western Star — Friday 5 August 1949

Hope for allotment holders Tenants of L.C.C. allotments on Clapham Cmmon, Garratt Green, and Wandsworth Common, whose annual tenancies are not to be renewed because of the urgent need of their land for sports purposes, now have hope that they may not be compelled to quit their allotments for some considerable time.

The Allotments Committee of Wandsworth Borough Council has written to the L.C.C. to request that holders may be allowed to remain in occupation until development of the sites for sports purposes has actually commenced.

[BNA: Link]

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South Western Star — Friday 12 August 1949 MISHAP ON SLIDE Robert Clements (7), of Leathwaite Road. Battersea. was taken to Bolingbroke Hospital, on Wednesday afternoon, after an accident on Wandsworth Common while he was on a slide. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004606/19490812/012/0001

South Western Star — Friday 07 January 1949 They watched a flashback of 20 years Through the past 20 years, Mr. E. P. Olney, of Kenllworth Court. Putney, has made a hobby of collecting pictures, photographs, and lore of all kinds concerning Wandsworth and Putney of bygone days. Before a packed audience of Wandsworth Ratepayers and Residents' Association members on Monday, Mr. Olney showed a selection of his slides and gave a running commentary on such pictures as the old wooden Putney Bridge; the great houses that used to stand in imposing dignity on East Hill and on the fringes of Wandsworth Common; bone shaking horse-buses, and the almost forgotten industries of the district. He told of the fight to save Wandsworth Common from becoming just another building estate; of romance attached to the old ferry steps on the Thames banks. Mr. Olney was deputislng at the last moment for Cllr. W. J. Parkinson-Smith, another great authority on Putney or the past, who has been ordered by his doctor to rest after overworking for some time. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19490107/101/0005

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South Western Star — Friday 09 September 1949 Allotment Society holds last show Opening the annual exhibition of vegetables and flowers grown by the Wandsworth Common Allotments Association, on Saturday—the plots have to be handed back at the end of the year—the Mayor of Battersea,C'llr. F. J. Wingrove, expressed regret at the move. Be added that it was unfortunate there was no vacant ground in Battersea that could be turned into allotments. This year's show—over £40 is expected to be raised for St. Dunstan' s by sale of exhibits I —was held in the Chatham Hall, Battersea. After prime had been dietributed by South Battersea's M.P., Mrs. C. S. Ganley, auction of the exhibits began. B ANRSLIN MEDALLIST Winner of the Banksian Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society, was Mr. Holloway. He obtained the largest total amount of money in prizes in .the horticultural classes. The Bronze Medal of the R.H.B. was won by Mr. F. Lillistone. Among the women prizewinners was Mrs. Peet, who was awarded the "Woman's Own" bronze medal. Two hundred and fifty entries came from 200 of the association's 470 members. After the Judging, committee members D. Rooke, left, and A. H. Poole, have a look at some leeks grown by Mr. Lillistone, which — won him a first prize. The three judges, W. Poyser. Mrs. U. A. Cooling, and A. C. Etherington, had completed their task before the show was opened at 3 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004606/19490909/097/0005 allotments-South-Western-Star---Friday-09-September-1949.jpeg

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Daily Mirror — Friday 04 November 1949

The blind, leading the blind

Roller-skating, popular with almost every boy, is more than fun to these lads —for standing on your own feet and going forward fearlessly are doubly important when you have to do it in a world of darkness. All these boys are blind. But hand in hand, leading and giving confidence to each other, they roller-skate round the grounds of their school, developing a wonderful sense of direction—and developing, too, a wonderful courage and belief in themselves.

They are pupils at the London County Council's Linden Lodge school at Wandsworth Common, London, where the Council has concentrated its resources to train boys with little or no sight. The boys play football, cricket, handball and other games, but swimming and roller skating are particularly helpful to them.

When they are skating there are occasional spills, but none of them has ever been hurt.

[BNA: "https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000560/19491104/081/0007" target=_blank">.]

Daily Mirror — Friday 04 November 1949 The blind, leading the blind Roller-skating, popular with almost every boy, is more than fun to these lads —for standing on your own feet and going forward fearlessly are doubly important when you have to do it in a world of darkness. All these boys are blind. But hand in hand, leading and giving confidence to each other, they roller-skate round the grounds of their school, developing a wonderful sense of direction—and developing, too, a wonderful courage and belief in themselves. They are pupils at the London County Council's Linden Lodge school at Wandsworth Common, London, where the Council has concentrated its resources to train boys with little or no sight. The boys play football, cricket, handball and other games, but swimming and roller skating are particularly helpful to them. When they are skating there are occasional spills, but none of them has ever been hurt. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000560/19491104/081/0007 1949-11-04-blind-DailyMirror-1.png 1949-11-04-blind-DailyMirror-2.png

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Fulham Chronicle — Friday 04 November 1949 "A friend was most /*distressed recently I F because she had washed a new twin set—it was rather a lovely Fair Isle pattern—for the first time in the usual way. and the colours had run—not much, but enough to 'blur' the pattern. This is not uncommon with woollens because some dyes used to colour them are 'loosened' by alkaline solutions. U your shopkeeper does not stook themes*, write simnel his name and address to: — DOMINEO• Ltd.. it 19.1elkt Vas Road, Wandsworth Common. London. 5.W.17. Peon.: Bantam 447819. That is why it is so much safer to use Stergene which is soapless and, of course, contains no alkali. You can wash your lovehest woollens in Stergene and be sure of first class results. Indeed, they will be as safe in Stergene as they would be in plain water. And you need so fink Stergene ; a dessertspoonful should be quite enough to wash a jumper and a few other things as well". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001984/19491104/029/0004

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1949-11-18-windmill-SouthWesternStar.png South Western Star — Friday 18 November 1949 READERS ANSWER QUERY ABOUT MILL READER HARDY’S QUERY LAST WEEK REGARDING THE HISTORY OF THE REMAINS OF THE OLD MILL, IN WINDMILL ROAD, WANDSWORTH COMMON HAS BEEN ANSWERED BY A NUMBER OF READERS. " First information came from 13 years old Norma Thompson, of No. 164 East Hill, Wandsworth, who wrote: “I have a book at home called “The Story of Wandsworth and Putney,” in which it says that round about 1871 there was an ornamental lake by the railway, called the “Black Sea.” The lake was dug by a Mr Wilson, who was the founder of Price’s Candle-works at Battersea. Every time his wife had a child he built a small island on the lake. In time there were 13 islands. “An old windmaill was used to pump water into this lake. The “Black Sea” has since been filled in and is now known as Spencer Park.” ANOTHER QUOTE Quoting from Ethel A. "Woolmer's "The Story of Battersea," our old friend Leonard Coucher, of No. 68 St. Philip Street, Battersea, writes: The last relic of a mill still stands on the railway siding, near Trinity Road, Wandsworth Common. THis was a windmill pump erected by Mr William Watson, which supplied the “Black Sea” pond on the common with water.” Watson or Wilson, these two versions agree. TOOTING VERSION Then from over Tooting way, Mr. W. Walker, of 7a Pevensey Road, contributes this version, told him when a lad by his father: “The mill was The mill was erected by the railway authorities to pump back into the lake in Spencer Park, water which drained through and flooded the railway cuting. “Eventually they came to an agreement with Earl Spencer and after payment of a big sum of money, the pond was emptied and the windmill became obsolete. GRAVEL PITS Sixty years ago the father of Mr. Sydney Lettett, of No 37, Vanderbilt Road, Earlsfield, told hime that the mill was built for pumping water from some nearby gravel pits. “I have often wondered if the depression on the common, opposite the Windmill, know as “the Frying Psan” was one of the pits in question,: he writes. “TRhis might possibly be s, having probably been filled in during the excavation of the raiway cutting.” https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004606/19491118/092/0004 ________ ODD BITS — probably just discard of money not exceeding £5,000 'Black Sea.' The lake was dug told him that the mill was stands on the railway siding, built for pumpi ng w ater from (0.38 d. in the R) which, when by a Mr. Wilson, who was compared with the amount founder of Price's Candle- near Trinity Road, Wandsworth some nearby gravel pits. _ allocated to libraries and works at Battersea. Every time "I have often wondered i f Co n.This was a windmill museums, La. £60,305 (4.55 d in his wife had a child he built the depression on the conunon, pump erected by Mr. the A), does not. appear profit- a small island on the lake. In Watson, which supplied the opposite the Windmill, known gate. I sincerely hope that time there were 13 islands. 'Black Sea' pond on the coin- as 'the Prying Pan,' was one this has not influenced the pre- "The old windmill was used mon with water." of the pits in question," he sent Council's decision , to pump water into this lake. writes. "This might possibly be I belong to no political party The 'Black Sea' has since been Watson or Wilson, these to filled in and is now known as ha ee In during the excavation of tbe grind; I am merely the Spencer Park." two versions agree. rallwit) cutting."

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South Western Star — Friday 02 December 1949

Car without foot controls Mr. • Robert 0. House, of Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common, a 29-year-old ex4l4igler, who had both legs amputated after being wounded In an assault on the notorious "Green Hill" near IllzOta, In January, 1913. photographed at the wheel of the speelaU) equipped air provided for him under the Ministry of Pereilons• Seheme for the lAmbless. The car has steering controls instead of the normal foot pedals. . Mr. House was unconscious tw 18 days after being wounded, and the surgeon afterwards told him that he made medical histo! . .,.. His Mart had stopped beating and a grave had been dug for him, then he came hock to the land ,of the living.

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/years/1949/1949-12-05-dixons_north_side_orchids_for_export_stills-5dec1949.jpg FILM ABOUT DIXONS ORCHID GROWERS OF NORTH SIDE WANDSWORTH COMMON — Orchids sent from Wandsworth Common to Washington, "soften the impression that Britain is a land of grey austerity", 1949 . . .

Continuing the floral theme, here's a story from 1949 about how orchids grown by the Dixon family on North Side, Wandsworth Common, are being exported to the USA, where they "soften the impression that Britain is a land of grey austerity". They also amused George VI.