Beddington Farmlands – slow and steady wins the race
For the first time this weekend I visited Beddington Farmlands, joining a group of people to see the areas not usually open to the public. The Ikea towers loomed large in the distance. I went with an open mind to learn more about the location. I’m incredibly grateful to the people who helped make this […]
Forgotten railway tracks from Sutton’s industrial past
*Historical* This is all that’s left of a small railway connected to a patchwork of waterways belonging to a long lost, but once major local industry. It was here in Hackbridge, on the edge of the borough that edible wild watercress was grown on a commercial scale – and this is the only place left […]
Famous therapy cat who died at Hackbridge Kennels in 1949 was awarded rare military medal
This brave black and white cat served for the Royal Navy on HMS Amethyst in 1949, and enjoyed his final days in the comfort of Hackbridge Kennels and Cattery. Simon has the honour of being the ONLY CAT to have ever received the Dickin Medal, which says: “For Gallantry. We also serve” This is the […]
The 100 Shackleton Huskies that sadly never made it home
*Historical* Sir Ernest Shackleton is famous for being the captain of Endurance, the ship that took him and his crew on a doomed voyage to Antarctica in 1914. Their exploits have been covered in numerous films and tv programs. To pull the expedition through treacherous snow, dogs such as Samson pictured above, were needed. So […]
Old railings are all that remain of Battersea Dogs Home in Hackbridge
*Historical* It’s hard to believe that Battersea Dogs Home once owned large kennels in Hackbridge. You would have seen them when standing at this spot on the railway bridge looking towards what are now blocks of flats. The famous dogs home began life at Battersea in 1871, but due to a rabies outbreak in London […]
Hackbridge watermill extinguishes the Great Fire of London!
Yes, our local area seems to have a link to so many significant historical events. This time, step up Josias Dewey. Mr Dewey was a very successful maker of gunpowder. Before then, it’s amazing how many people were creating gunpowder that never actually went bang. Josias spent at least 40 years in the area developing […]
Hackbridge’s oldest homes are super-cute
*Historical* There’s always something interesting to spot where we live. Situated a short distance from the Wandle and the site of the old Hack Bridge, you’ll find this row of cottages. A handy sign close by explains the history of the place. There’s not a lot of old Hackbridge left so these are a particular […]
First UK Black Swans imported from Australia to Hackbridge in 1851
*Historical* This majestic black swan could once have been spotted around Carshalton ponds, and gives it name to Hackbridge morris dancing group, Black Swan Border Morris. This is the story of Hackbridge landowner Sam Gurney MP. A bird lover, he imported some black swans from Australia in 1851 – one of the first people in […]