Author Archives: Philip Bradley

THG Visit To Springfield/Burntwood Ice House 28th November 2017

by Philip Bradley

14 members and friends of the Tooting History Group visited the Springfield/Burntwood Ice House on the morning of 28th November 2017. The ice house is in the grounds of Burntwood School, Burntwood Lane. We were very warmly welcomed by Helen Dorfman, Head Teacher and Cath Brookes, Deputy Head and Head of History. They gave us an informative presentation which had been prepared by history students in the school for Governors.

The ice house is Grade 2 listed and for a long time was on the heritage at risk register (details here). However, this year the school has arranged clearance and restoration of the ice house using money from the developers of the nearby Springfield Hospital site.  We were able to see the rebuilt entrance way and look down into the brick-lined ice house. We also saw some of the late 19th and early 20th century objects which had been retrieved during the restoration.

Photo of members of Tooting History Group at the entrance to the ice house

Members of Tooting History group at the Springfield ice House November 2017.

Photo of brick-lined entrance passage to the ice house.

The reconstructed entrance passage to the ice house.

Photo of interior of the ice house looking down to the drain in the brick-lined floor.

Looking down to the brick-lined floor of the ice house with the drain in the centre.

The brick dome of the ice house is being covered with a layer of topsoil prior to being turfed over. The entrance has been reconstructed and you can see where the original brickwork meets the reconstruction. We were reassured that 19th Century bricks have been used at £30 each! The view of the floor shows the drain hole for meltwater from the ice, which the builder advised us was still working.

The ice house has a claim to being the oldest built structure in Tooting. However, not much is known about Springfield House which the ice house was attached to. Quite a lot is known about Springfield Farm which was incorporated into the grounds of Springfield Hospital when it was built in 1841.

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Historic Day In Tooting-London To Brighton Passes Through

by Philip Bradley

The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place every year on the first Sunday in November. Usually it runs down the main A23 Brighton Road through Streatham, but this year due to a burst water main in Brixton, the run was diverted to run through Tooting. The run leaves Hyde Park at 7am onwards, and from 7.30 the veteran cars started to appear on the road through Tooting. This took Tooting somewhat by surprise  and only a few hardy souls were waiting at Tooting Broadway station when the first cars came through. There was a mix of petrol, diesel and steam driven vehicles and even a few penny farthings. 600 vehicles take part in the run and soon there was a steady stream. Below are some photos of the early cars coming past Tooting Broadway station. Will it come through Tooting again? Well if they don’t repair the water main in Brixton, perhaps next year?

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2017

Outside The Castle Pub Tooting 5th November 2017

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Tooting 5th November 2017

Young and old Participants Took Part

Car breaks down in Tooting on Veteran Car Run

Break down in Tooting

Lady following directions through Tooting

No Sat Nav So Follow The Directions Carefully

Pedestrians found it difficult to cross the road .

Difficult To Cross Tooting High Street

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Antarctic Talk And Exhibition At St Georges Hospital November 23rd

by Philip Bradley

A talk and exhibition about Dr. Edward Wilson, who accompanied Scott to the Antarctic, is taking place at St George’s Hospital. The talk is on Thursday 23rd November at 7pm and the exhibition is open Friday-Sunday 24-26 November. Edward Wilson studied at St. George’s Hospital when it was based at Hyde Park Corner and accompanied Scott to the Antarctic in 1912.  Tickets for the talk are £10 and can be purchased here.

Dr Edward Wilson talk St Georges Hospital 23rd November 2017

Poster For Edward Wilson Talk

Tooting’s Only Museum Open This Weekend 4th November

by Philip Bradley

The only museum in Tooting is open this weekend, Saturday 4th November, from 2-5pm. It is an extensive collection of sewing machines, both industrial and domestic, and is housed at 308,Balham High Road, SW17 7AA. Even if you never thought you had an interest in sewing machines, there are items of interest such as the sewing machine Queen Victoria gave to her daughter for her wedding. There is also a replica historic shop front. Further details are available at The Crafty Sewer website here.

The museum is only open once a month on the first Saturday and admission is free, so best not to miss it this weekend. The museum is on the first floor of the Wimbledon Sewing Machine premises, up a flight of stairs.