Southall 830-1982

Richard J. Meads

 

Town Affairs

 

The population in 1938 was 51,560 and the rates were 12/3 in the pound.

 

Mr T. G. Tickler, whose Jam Works were renowned for the First World War 'Plum and Apple', had himself done great service in the town and had been a Parliamentary candidate, died on January 19th, 1938, aged 85. Also, on the 26th December, 1938, Mr R. W. Baxter died at South Lodge, aged 82.

 

The Baxter family had lived in the neighbourhood for well over 150 years and Mr R. W., together with Mr Gosney, had quite a lot to do with how Southall developed. He was a Councillor for several years and Chairman of the SNUDC 1903-4.

 

The Council passed tenders for new relief Northern and Southern Sewers costing £67,410.

 

The new Head Post Office and Sorting Houses at the corner of Beaconsfield Road and South Road were opened on July 6th, 1938 by Sir Walter Wormersley, Assistant Post Master General.

 

In December, 1938 a very different kind of retirement took place. ‘Dolly', a faithful old dray horse who had served the Council well for over 17 yearss, was sent to well earned Green Pasture to end her days.

 

Dr Glass, the first woman appointed Medical Officer of Health, took up her duties on April 1st, 1939 and served until 1956. In February 1939 a proposal to build a Crematorium off Glade Lane was passed by the Council. The war cancelled this.

 

Lady Margaret Road School was built in 1938 at a cost of £60,000, and officially opened on March 15th, 1939 by Mr Gerald Barry, Editor of the Daily Chronicle.

 

Mr Alfred Hanson, Rating Officer for over 22 years, died on February 24th, 1939, aged 63. Another Council employee, Mr J. Stearnes — Havelock Road Cemetery Curator for 20 years - died on April 1st, 1939. He was a at Churchman and Chairman of Southall Football Club.

 

Southall Becomes a Borough

 

Members of the Urban District Council collected all the relevant statistics and these were presented to the Inspector appointed to consider the claim to Borough status. This was granted, one of a few granted before King Edward VIII abdicated.

 

The business people came forward - and the Mace was presented by the AEC, Mayor's Chain by Gas, Light and Coke Company; Mayor's Chair by Quaker Oats Company; Mayor's Robes by Mr H. Tickler and the Deputy Mayor's Robes by the Earl of Jersey.

 

Mr George Cressey stage managed the Charter Celebrations which were held on September 24th, 1936. Alderman Forrester Clayton, JP, handed the Charter to Charter Mayor, Mr W. Garrod; Deputy Mayor was Mr C. P. Abbott, Mace Bearer, Mr Bird; Town Clerk, Mr Staley Brookes. Celebrations carried on during the next week with a Service, which should have been held in Southall Park on Sunday, September 27th but due to bad weather was transferred to the new Odeon Cinema, conducted by the Bishop of Kensington.

 

The name 'Norwood' was dropped but survives still as the better part of the town south of the canal. One of the first official duties of the Mayor was to open the new stand and club rooms on the west side of Southall Football Ground on Saturday, October 10th, 1936, when Southall played Chelsea Reserves. These were later destroyed by fire.

 

In November 1936 the trams, after 34 years, were replaced by the then up-to-date trolley buses. These had the great advantage of being able to drop the passengers on to the path.

 

Several changes were also taking place in the Norwood area - a local gentleman presented the piece of land at the rear of Frogmore House and the Police Station (now Wolf Fields) to compensate for the loss of common land taken from Frogmore and Norwood Green for road widening. This is now well maintained with tennis courts and bowling green. The two thatched cottages (Rustican) have gone and a large Rustican Garage is on the site. Two factories have been built just over the bridge on the right hand side. Some cottages have been pulled down and Wimborne Avenue and all that area, which had been the grounds of Norwood Hall and stretched back as far as Tentelow Lane, was bought by Warren and Woods. The houses built are of a very good type of residential property with plenty of garden area. The roads are all named after places in Dorset.

 

On the right hand side of the green the land, Alleyn Park area, was bought by the General Housing Company and Thorncliffe Road put through to North Hyde. At that end of the road is now a large school, which comes under Hounslow Borough.

 

Norwood Green Residents Association celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1982. A fine booklet with the title A Story of Norwood Green was published, dedicated to Mr Whitney Willard Straight, CBE, MC, DFC, who was President of the Association from 1951 until his death on the 5th April, 1979. The family lived at 'The Aviary' in Windmill Lane and at all times took a great interest in Norwood Green activities. The booklet, with a wonderful number of old photographs, was the work of Miss May Barnett, helped by the Library.