Category Archives: Blog

March Meeting Details: 100 Years Of Greasby’s Auction House

by Philip Bradley

Our next meeting on Tuesday 12th March will hear about the history of Greasby’s Auction House. We will hear from Managing Director Christine Sachett about the Longley Road-based auctioneers who are celebrating their centenary in Tooting this year. The talk will be at our usual venue here.

You can find more about Greasby’s here.

Flyer for our March Monthly meeting

Details of March 2019 Monthly Meeting

Christmas Quiz Answers

by Philip Bradley

Tooting History Group

Christmas Quiz 2018 Answers

 

 

  1. In how many locations around the world does the Commonwealth War Graves Commission care for memorials and graves?
  • 23,000

 

 

  1. The “Classic”, the “Mayfair” and the “Astoria” are names of former cinemas in Tooting. Which of them, located between Derinton and Lessingham Avenues, is now used by the Tooting Islamic Centre?

 

  • The Mayfair

 

  1. Which style of architecture influenced Frank Dickinson, designer and builder of Little Holland House in Carshalton? Was it
  • Arts and Crafts.

 

  1. The Tooting History Group joined with The Friends of Tooting Common to celebrate an anniversary at the Café. What was the anniversary?
  • 120 years since it opened.

 

  1. What was the occupation of Mr. Henry Thrale, who occupied Streatham Park with his wife Hester Thrale and entertained Dr. Johnson?
  • A brewer in Southwark.

 

  1. Which Tooting Community is associated with “crubeen”, “poteen” and the “wearing of the green”?
  • The Irish Community
  1. Who donated the drinking fountain on Tooting Bec Common, recently restored to working order by the Tooting Common Heritage project.
  • Joseph James Jones.

 

 

  1. Which of these GLC byelaws did NOT apply to Tooting Commons?
  • No person shall in any open space exercise racing pigeons.

 

 

  1. Which Tooting secondary school did local author Beryl Kingston attend during the war and later teach at:
  • Rosa Bassett.

 

 

  1. What was the land now occupied by Streatham Crematorium in Blackshaw Road previously used for?
  • Allotments.

 

  1. The ancient boundary of Tooting Graveney Parish is still marked in some places by original boundary markers. Which date or dates can you find on these boundary markers:
  • 1864
  • 1882

 

 

 

 

  1. In which year did Women of Tooting first get the vote?
  • 1918

 

 

Sir Harry Lauder Will Be Smiling!

by Philip Bradley
Picture of Harry Lauder taken in 1909

Harry Lauder in 1909

We recently reported on a planning application at 46, Longley Road, Tooting for 5 terraced  houses, each of three storeys, to be built in the rear garden. This is the house with a blue plaque on the front celebrating the fact that Sir Harry Lauder lived here between 1903 and 1911.  THG lodged an objection, along with 30 other individuals. Wandsworth Council planners have now decided to refuse the application. The decision notice gives four reasons for the refusal. You can read our original report and objection here. You can see the planning application and decision notice here.

Tooting History Group Christmas Quiz 2018

by Philip Bradley

So how much do you know about Tooting History? Guests at our recent Christmas Party enjoyed our annual Christmas Quiz. The questions are based on our monthly meetings and other events we held in 2018.  There are 13 possible correct answers which will be posted here early in the New Year.

 

  1. In how many locations around the world does the Commonwealth War Graves Commission care for memorials and graves?
  • 230
  • 2300
  • 23,000

 

 

  1. The “Classic”, the “Mayfair” and the “Astoria” are names of three former cinemas in Tooting. Which of them, located between Derinton and Lessingham Avenues, is now used by the Tooting Islamic Centre?

 

 

  1. Which style of architecture influenced Frank Dickinson, designer and builder of Little Holland House in Carshalton? Was it
  • Arts and Crafts?
  • Post-modernism?
  • Rococo?

 

 

  1. The Tooting History Group joined with The Friends of Tooting Common in August to celebrate an anniversary at the Café on Tooting Common. What was the anniversary?

 

 

  1. What was the occupation of Mr. Henry Thrale, who occupied Streatham Park with his wife Hester Thrale where they regularly entertained Dr. Johnson? Was he:
  • A publisher in Fleet Street?
  • A judge in the High Court?
  • A brewer in Southwark?

 

 

  1. Which Tooting Community is associated with “crubeen”, “poteen” and the “wearing of the green”?

 

  1. Who donated the drinking fountain on Tooting Bec Common, recently restored to working order by the Tooting Common Heritage project:
  • Alfred Hurley?
  • Henry Prince?
  • Joseph James Jones?

 

 

  1. Which of these GLC byelaws did NOT apply to Tooting Commons?
  • No person shall in any open space sort rags, bones, refuse, or matters of like, or mend any chair.
  • No person shall in any open space shake or beat any carpet, mat, or other thing, or place any clothes or other things for the purpose of drying or bleaching.
  • No person shall wilfully break glass, china, or other like thing in any open space.
  • No person shall in any open space exercise racing pigeons.

 

 

  1. Which Tooting secondary school did local author Beryl Kingston attend during the war and later teach at:
  • Garratt Green/Burntwood?
  • Rosa Bassett?
  • Ensham?

 

 

  1. What was the land now occupied by Streatham Crematorium in Blackshaw Road previously used for?

 

 

  1. The ancient boundary of Tooting Graveney Parish is still marked in some places by original boundary markers. Which date or dates can you find on these boundary markers:
  • 1864
  • 1878
  • 1882
  • 1896

 

 

  1. In which year did Women of Tooting first get the vote?