Author Archives: Philip Bradley

Tooting History Group AGM-Tuesday 9th January 7.30pm

by Philip Bradley

TOOTING HISTORY GROUP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 9 January 2018

7:30pm at the United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road SW17 (Map here)

We shall be collecting subscriptions (£10 per head per year) and electing committee members.

Plus:

Graham Gower of the Streatham Society has kindly agreed to give a talk on ‘The Tooting Manor House’.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence

2. Minutes of AGM 2017

3. Matters arising

4. Officers’ reports:

• Chairman’s Report – Janet Smith

• Treasurer’s Report – Jane Kellock

• Conservation Officer’s Report – Libby Lawson

6. Election of committee

7. Upcoming events:

• Talks 2018

• Wandsworth Heritage Festival, 26 May – 10 June 2017

8. AOB

St Boniface Church, Tooting – Major Planning Application

by Philip Bradley

There is a planning application for major redevelopment at St. Boniface Church in Mitcham Road, Tooting.  The proposals are for:

“Demolition of existing church halls on the west side of St Boniface Church and erection of part two, part three-storey building to existing Mitcham Road terrace and two-storey, three-storey and four-storey buildings to the rear. To accommodate a mixed use development including a community centre (Class D1) with ancillary offices and cafe, presbytery with four units for priests and two guest rooms, retail units (Class A1) and 10 residential units (5 x 2-bedroom and 5 x 3-bedroom). Associated car parking, cycle and refuse storage, boundary treatment and landscaping.”

St Boniface Church and the neighbouring St Nicholas church are both listed buildings (Grade 2). The proposals are out for consultation at the moment and you have until 11th January 2018 to comment to the Council. Full details can be found on the Council’s website here.

Tooting History Group Christmas Quiz 2017-The Answers

by Philip Bradley

 

  1. When did Tooting Broadway underground station open?

13 September 1926

  1. How many passengers went through Tooting Broadway station in 2016 (nearest 100,000)?

15,920,000 48th busiest station on the underground.

  1. Where was the original workhouse for Tooting Graveney parish?

On Tooting Graveney Common, at the junction of Elmbourne Road and Dr Johnson Avenue.

  1. What was the name of the old Roman Road through Tooting, now the A24?

Stane Street.

  1. Which Roman town was at the Southern end of the Roman Road?

Chichester. Noviomagus Reginorum.

  1. Which city was Sidney Lewis sent to train as a machine gunner when he signed up for the British Army?

Lincoln.

  1. What was invented at a rock and roll concert at the Castle Pub, Tooting in 1970?

The (Status) Quo Stance.

The Castle, Tooting, 1970

RP: This was a heads’ gig: trenchcoat, pint, album under your arm, sitting on the floor. It was the first time we’d played to an audience that was sitting down, and we were thinking, Blimey, this is weird. The stage was only three inches high, but I remember the audience being down there. You had to get down to the audience – so this is how the legs apart, head down thing happened. And they were all nodding their heads, so we thought, Do the same, copy the audience – you can’t go wrong.We only looked up between numbers. And the Quo stance was born.

  1. A statue of which king stands outside Tooting Broadway tube station?

Edward VII.  Erected 1911. Grade 2 listed 1983.

  1. When was the Tooting Parish Church of St. Nicolas rebuilt?

1831/1833.

  1. When the Tooting Granada opened in 1931, how many people could it seat?

2200

  1. Which two world-class snooker players played at Zans Snooker Hall in the 1980’s?

Jimmy White and Tony Meo

“His first girlfriend, Maureen, became his much put-upon wife. Along the way she taught him to read and write, for as Jimmy reasonably remarks of Ernest Bevin Comprehensive, Tooting: “They couldn’t teach me if I wasn’t there.” He chronicles some of their epic dust-ups, usually consequent to his habit of popping out for a packet of cigarettes and returning days later. ”

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/book-review-jimmy-the-card-of-the-table-1175927.html

  1. Which actor played Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith?

Robert Lindsay.

  1. Which music hall artist is commemorated in a blue plaque on Longley Road?

Harry Lauder.

  1. Where was St. George’s Hospital located before it moved to Tooting?

Hyde Park Corner.

  1. What is the name of the running grounds which were located just off Garratt Lane and commemorated with a green plaque this year?

Copenhagen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tooting History Group Christmas Quiz 2017

by Philip Bradley

Picture of Robert Lindsay as Wolfie Smith

Our recent Christmas party had a Christmas Quiz about Tooting (and a DVD of Citizen Smith).

Out of 16 possible points, the highest score was 12. See if you can do better. Answers to be posted after Christmas.

  1. When did Tooting Broadway underground station open?
  2. How many passengers went through Tooting Broadway station in 2016 (nearest 100,000)?
  3. Where was the original workhouse for Tooting Graveney parish?
  4. What was the name of the old Roman Road through Tooting, now the A24?
  5. Which Roman town was at the Southern end of the Roman Road?
  6. Which town was Sidney Lewis sent to train as a machine gunner when he signed up for the British Army?
  7. What was invented at a rock and roll concert at the Castle Pub, Tooting in 1970?
  8. A statue of which king stands outside Tooting Broadway tube station?
  9. When was the Tooting Parish Church of St. Nicolas rebuilt?
  10. When the Tooting Granada opened in 1931, how many people could it seat?
  11. Which two world-class snooker players played at Zans Snooker Hall in the 1980’s?
  12. Which actor played Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith?
  13. Which music hall artist is commemorated in a blue plaque on Longley Road?
  14. Where was St. George’s Hospital located before it moved to Tooting?
  15. What is the name of the running grounds which were located just off Garratt Lane and commemorated with a green plaque this year?