The story of the mysterious ‘Wizard Man of Sutton’
Few local characters became as instantly recognisable as the ‘Wizard Man of Sutton’. For decades he was a familiar sight on Sutton High Street: dressed in flowing robes, wearing a skull cap, adorned with rings, and carrying a tall staff often topped with a dragon motif. Whether encountered in and outside shops, walking steadily through […]
Carshalton garage commandeered during WW2
Charles Henry Thatcher was the officer in charge of the Carshalton Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) that operated from this lock-up in The Square, Carshalton. Charles won a medal for his service during the Blitz of 1940. But briefly, what was the AFS? The Auxiliary Fire Service was set up in 1938 as a voluntary body […]
Exploring the lost village by the sea dated 1761 until 1945
*Walks* The first thing I notice as I approach Tide Mills is the openness — sea stretching wide on one side, the Downs rising behind, and the low brick outlines of houses scattered across the grass. It feels quiet, but not empty. More like a place waiting to be remembered. I start along what was […]
Wild Carshalton: diverse wildlife in suburbia
David Attenborough was the star of Wild London on BBC TV. So we thought it would be fun to see what kind of wildlife is specifically in and around Carshalton. Here’s a small collection of images exclusive to Secret Carshalton. Please feel free to share your own images in the comments below. Carshalton has a […]
2025: A Year in Review
Time to look back at the stories and news that made the headlines in 2025, as seen through the eyes of Secret Carshalton. Join us as we take a peek at the top entries we posted, month by month, and see what you remember… January 2025 A history of Butter Hill In January, we published […]
Winter flu rates on rise in Sutton borough
Are you concerned about the latest spike in flu rates across the UK? Across Epsom Hospital and St Helier hospital in Carshalton, as of Sunday there are believed to be 20 people admitted with flu. This is thought to be 3.2% of the available 621 critical care beds. This is a 0.7% increase on the […]
Sutton Council will collect old cables, mobiles and small electrical items for FREE
Did you know Sutton Council is offering a useful collection service for small electrical items? You have an easier and more environmentally friendly way to dispose of those old electrical items lurking at the back of your cupboard. The online-booking service ensures items can be disposed of safely. A recent TikTok campaign by the council […]
The tragic yet inspiring legend of ‘Paper Jack’
Who was Paper Jack? A well-educated son of a prosperous London businessman, he worked as a surveyor and helped to map a portion of the Brighton Railways. During the war, he was employed by the War Office decoding Secret Service documents. He married Ellen Miriam Brandon in 1917. They lived together on Brighton Road in […]
Popular Wallington beauty spot in danger
At the corner of Manor Road North, Butter Hill and London Road, a once-scenic pond and fountain in the heart of old Wallington lies empty, as the funding pot for urgent repairs has run dry. A great deal of hard work has gone into raising funds to bring this area back to life. A tender […]