COMING UP IN 2020 FROM SUMMERSTOWN 182
Making Tooting’s history come alive
Local history group Summerstown 182 have a unique flair for making Tooting’s past come alive. Geoff Simmons recounts their sparkling programme for 2020:
Hold tight for some amazing SUMMERSTOWN182 WALKS, TALKS and TOURS coming up next year. We celebrate the centenary of the momentous achievement of Albert Hill, Tooting’s extraordinary Olympic double gold medalist. We champion the workers of the Wandle as typified by dyer and activist, Francis Kitz. We acknowledge the remarkable heritage of the gypsy, traveller & costermonger community from Wardley Street. And we continue to carry the torch for ‘Blooming Tooting’ welcoming a spring uprising of historic daffodils, with a nod to our local orchid growing heritage. From Garratt Lane and Wandsworth Common, from Tooting Broadway to Colliers Wood, these informative and entertaining tours shine a light on some of the lesser known history in this area and by attending them and donating a few pounds you can contribute towards permanent plaque reminders. A very happy new year to everyone who has supported our activities in 2019… peace, love and flower to the people!
Wed 5 Feb ‘THE PEOPLE OF WARDLEY STREET’ TALK & HISTORY EXCHANGE
Starts 2pm, Anchor Church, Garratt Lane
A talk on the extraordinary history of the gypsy/traveller community in the Wardley Street area, Garratt Lane – afterwards we would love to hear YOUR stories & recollections of life in this area. If you come early you are welcome to join the Church’s community lunch but please notify in advance.
Sat 8 February ‘WANDLE WAKE UP!’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm, St Mary’s Church, Summerstown
Kick away those winter cobwebs and join us on the banks of the Wandle all the way to Colliers Wood passing Wimbledon Stadium and the magical ‘meeting of the waters’. At the site of the William Morris Printworks, hear the extraordinary story of dyer, activist and workers champion Francis Kitz.
Sat 12 March ‘TOOTING GOLD’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm, from Tooting Broadway
A very special ‘Blooming Tooting’ tour celebrating the greatest uprising of daffodils for 150 years. Also, one hundred years on from his Olympic heroics, we launch another plaque campaign celebrating the story of Double Gold medal-winning athlete Albert Hill from Trevelyan Road.
Sunday 29 March ‘THE ORCHIDS OF TOOTING’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm from Tooting Broadway
The remarkable story of Robert Parker’s Exotic Nursery and the Tooting orchid connection. Concludes in Lambeth Cemetery with a tribute at the unmarked grave of RHS orchid artist Nellie Roberts on the anniversary of her death.
Sat 25 April ‘FRANKIE GOES TO COLLYWOOD’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm from Colliers Wood tube station, SW19
The life and times on the Wandle of the extraordinary Francis Kitz. Dyer, agitator, workers champion. One of south London’s most notable historic location, this tour takes in the site of the William Morris and Liberty Printworks and Merton Priory Chapter House.
Sat 9 May ‘THE GOLDEN AGE OF TOOTING’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm from Tooting Broadway
Join us on an epic journey into Edwardian Tooting, home at the time to Olympic hero Albert Hill – the decade when Tooting completed its transformation from village to suburb.
Sat 23 May ‘YOU’RE NICKED!’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm from Earlsfield Station
Wandsworth Prison, The Wombles & the recently-revealed ‘Earlsfield Celtic Connection’ all make an appearance on a blockbuster Tour of the fascinating area between Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common.
Sat 6 June ‘THE HORSES OF GARRATT LANE’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm Wandsworth Town Library, Southside
A celebration of the enduring heritage, lives and work of the gypsy, traveller and costermonger community centred around the famous Wardley Street, Garratt Lane.
Sat 4 July ‘TOOTING’S SECRET GARDENS’ GUIDED WALK
Starts 2pm from Tooting Broadway
A tour of the site of William Rollison’s Tooting Nursery and the fascinating Fishponds Road area. Concludes with a visit to the Share Garden at Springfield Hospital.
Sat 25 July ALBERT HILL PLAQUE UNVEILING
Starts 2pm, Trevelyan Road, Tooting
As the Tokyo Olympic Games begin, let the spirit of London 2012 be upon us once again as we celebrate Tooting’s ‘Chariots of Fire’! Once living in this street was railway worker Albert Hill who went to Antwerp in 1920 and came back with gold medals in the 800 and 1500 metres.
PLEASE NOTE All these dates are subject to change or addition so please check online at
https://summerstown182.wordpress.com for updates or follow me on Twitter @summerstown182
For more information contact rgbsimmons182@gmail.com
@summerstown182
AWARD WINNING, LOTTERY FUNDED COMMUNITY HISTORY PROJECT
www.summerstown182.wordpress.com
