Stunning photo of lost pond and rockery in The Grove is a reminder of richer times
*Historical* This recently discovered photo featuring an ornamental pond and rockery is absolutely stunning. It would have been part of the gardens of the last private owners of The Grove mansion, and possibly laid out by them – though at the time of writing this isn’t clear. For whatever reason the pond was filled in. […]
The memorial designed by a Lib Dem councillor and the nearby garden once owned by the Church of England
As usual, things in Carshalton have an interesting backstory. First, a little about the original War Memorial pictured above. It was designed by Sidney Tatchell FRIBA and Edward Bouchier FRIBA (Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects), and constructed by a company called A Burslem & Son. On 13th March 1921 the stone monument […]
Unseen 1958 image shows the Grove Cascade 10 years before reconstruction
*Historical* Look closely at this famous Carshalton landmark and you’ll realise it looks slightly different to what is there now. This beautiful autumnal image was taken by Bill Rudd in October 1958 and permission was given to show it here by the Merton Historical Society. Ten years later in 1968 the whole area was renovated, […]
Pure Witchcraft – the beautiful solid oak cottage in Cheam that moved 100 feet
A wonderful early 16th century or late 15th Century shop in Cheam that originated as a cottage. It has a magnificent full height ceiling with a mezzanine level. The structure is famous for having been moved around 100 feet, back in 1922 when road widening took place. It’s now a charming Haberdashery called Whichcraft, situated […]
Have you spotted this old direction sign in Sutton – keep or remove?
This direction sign on the border of Sutton and Carshalton is an evocative reminder of days past. Thanks to Tamara Huntley for pointing it out. The road sign is possibly dated circa 1940. There can’t be many road signs that have moss growing on them! Should it be kept or removed? Your comments below… More […]
Two All Saints churches next to each other in one old photo
*Historical* This fascinating old picture clearly depicts two All Saints churches next to each other – the old and the new. It’s dated 1904 on the back. On the right is the Norman Church just before further demolition – this area is where the original church organ once was. On the left is the Victorian […]
Sir Montague Burton’s forgotten Art Deco menswear store in Sutton
Burton is a menswear store that started out in 1903, in Chesterfield, south of Sheffield. Following national expansion in the 1920s, this particular branch in Sutton was likely designed by in-house architect Harry Wilson, employed from 1923. The building dates between 1901 and 1910 and the tall stone facade was most likely added […]
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – Brutalism at Boots
Continuing my Eye on Sutton here’s a rather contentious building on the High Street. Brutalist architecture emerged during the 1950s and was a reaction to the nostalgic style of the 1930s and 1940s. Buildings are characterised by utilising materials such as concrete and highlighting the structure as a design approach, rather than being traditionally decorative. […]
Historic water pump hidden in plain sight at Pound Street in Carshalton
Built by a Quaker family business founded in 1778, this cast iron pump provided running water for the residents of Carshalton from around the mid-1800s. On it is the inscription J Tylor and Sons Newgate Street EC. Installed in Pound Street this ‘pitcher pump’ would draw fresh Spring water from the ground, using a hand-operated […]