Tag Archives: Tooting

Tooting Bec Asylum Remembered-

by Philip Bradley

Plaque Unveiling And Book Launch

Saturday 27th September 2025

Tooting History Group members and residents of the Heritage Park Estate in Tooting have been researching the history of Tooting Bec Asylum/Hospital for the last eighteen months. Wandsworth Council have now agreed to erect a Green Plaque at the Estate to remember the hospital and it’s residents and staff. And Tooting History Group is publishing a book to record the history of the hospital to coincide with the unveiling,

The Green Plaque will be unveiled at 2pm on Saturday 27th September 2025. Part of the original wall to the Asylum is still there, by the pedestrian entrance to the Heritage Park Estate at the corner of Tooting Bec Road and Franciscan Road.

The book “Tooting Bec Asylum Remembered 1903-1995” by Karen Ellis-Rees and Annie Caulfield will be launched on the same day at the Pavilion, Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting Bec Road, SW16 1RU. We will be at the Pavilion (rear of Lido car park) from 3pm. (249/319 bus)

You will be able to buy a copy of the book for £5.

The Music Hall Artistes Of Lambeth Cemetery

by Philip Bradley

Our next talk will be on “The Music Hall Artistes of Lambeth Cemetery”
This is jointly organised by Tooting History Group and the Friends of Streatham Cemetery
How did over 250 music hall artistes and entertainers come to be buried in Tooting? What was life like as a music hall artiste in Victorian and Edwardian times? What songs did they sing? What acts did they perform?
Join Karen Ellis-Rees of London Overlooked/Tooting History Group, Peter Winbourne and Di Berry for an evening of stories and song about the once shining music hall stars who now rest in Lambeth and Streatham Cemeteries. This presentation of words and music will take place in the Chapel of Lambeth Cemetery on Blackshaw Road.


Friday 27th June 7.30pm

Chapel, Lambeth Cemetery, Blackshaw Road, SW17 0DH (Entrance between Fountain And Bertal Roads)

Tickets £6

Booking required – book via https://bit.ly/4bSPVxQ

Light refreshments

This event forms part of the Wandsworth Heritage Festival 2025. You can find details of all the Wandsworth Heritage Festival events here

Tooting Shops Past And Present

by Philip Bradley

Shops have come and gone from Tooting regularly over the years. Which ones have survived? When did the first coffee shop appear? How should we remember the historic shops of Tooting?

Come and hear Philip Bradley talk about some of the shops of Tooting past at our next monthly meeting on Tuesday 11th February at 7.30pm. We meet at the United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW179NQ.

Everybody is welcome. Members free, guests £2. Light refreshments provided.

Lillian Ball: Tooting Suffragette

by Philip Bradley

Join Jennifer Godfrey, author of SECRET MISSIONS OF THE SUFFRAGETTES: GLASSBREAKERS &  SAFE HOUSES and SUFFRAGETTES OF KENT, to hear stories of hope, determination, courage and sacrifice of those campaigning for women’s suffrage. Topics covered will include the story of Tooting dressmaker & Suffragette Lillian Ball and those of other women from the Tooting area.  Jennifer will also share details of how the suffragettes used disguises, codes and alias names to complete their missions. There will be a chance for Q&A after the talk.  Jennifer will also be selling signed copies of her books at the event (cash or card).

Charles Gassiot-The Man Behind The Road

by Philip Bradley

Charles Gassiot-The Man Behind The Road

A talk by Janet Smith

Wine merchant, art collector and philanthropist, Charles Gassiot was a leading light in Victorian Tooting. There are memorials to him across London but he’s remembered locally only in a road name.  Come and hear Janet Smith talk on why Tooting should make a bigger fuss of him!

Tuesday September 10th 7.30pmat The United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, Tooting, SW179NQ.

All welcome, members free, guests £2