The Streatham Society - Blog

Crown Jeweller Robert Garrard

2/6/2020

On this day, 2nd June, in 1953 the Queen's Coronation took place.
Robert Garrard- Crown Jeweller and resident of "Woodfield Lodge", Streatham. He is buried at St Leonard's
Throughout its history, the House of Garrard has had the honour of working closely with the British royal family, as well as royalty around the world. First commissioned in 1735 by Frederick, Prince of Wales, and then appointed Crown Jeweller by Queen Victoria in 1843, Garrard has since served every subsequent British monarch.
Over these years it has created many famous jewels, including tiaras still worn at state occasions and the sapphire cluster engagement ring worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. This heritage of iconic designs continues to inform the creation of Garrard jewels today.
With the accession of HM Queen Elizabeth II to the throne, Garrard was called to remodel the Imperial State Crown. Its head size was reduced to fit the new monarch and its lower band reshaped to ensure that its weight of 1.06kg was evenly distributed. The four arches of the crown were lowered too, to complement the stature of the young Queen.
An interesting timeline of the Garrard Company associations with the family (click the link below)
https://www.garrard.com/the-house/a-royal-legacy/

Queen's Coronation and Streatham-born Arnold Bax

1/6/2020

Queen's Coronation and Streatham-born Arnold Bax
As the congregation left the service, and the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II processed out of Westminster Abbey, a new piece by Arnold Bax was performed for the first time, between two of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

Queen's Coronation, Leverson Street Party Celebrations

1/6/2020

Queen's Coronation Party

Thought I would share these photos of Coronation Day in Leverson Street. I lived in Streatham from birth in 1944 until I left in 1965. Went to Eardley Rd Primary then to Estreham Secondary, I think the school was demolished I am not really sure. Did anyone else attend this school?
(Eileen William)

The Queen's coronation On This Day 2 June 1953

1/6/2020

The Queen's coronation On This Day 2 June 1953
Streatham born Sir Norman Hartnell was the man behind her gown- click on the link for the article in Harper's Bazaar

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/a32694961/norman-hartnell-queens-coronation-gown/

The Pied Bull re-opens as the Bull

31/5/2020

On This Day 1 June 2015 the historic Pied Bull public house re-opened as the Bull after a reported £1.5m refurbishment

The last horse-drawn parcel and post service to Brighton

31/5/2020

On This Day on 1 June 1905 - The last horse-drawn mail coach ran from London to Brighton and back via Streatham.
The next day the Royal Mail Parcel Post Motor Coach with a 24 horsepower Daimler engine made its first journey from London to Brighton and back.

(With grateful thanks for the information John Brown)

Nipper the dog

30/5/2020

On the 31st May 1899. A painting of a small dog listening to a phonograph was shown to the general manager of 'The Gramophone Company' in London, by the painter, Francis Barraud.
'His Master's Voice', a picture of his dog Nipper listening to an Edison cylinder phonograph (in Kingston-upon Thames); he offered it to the Edison Bell Company, whose chairman James Hough turned it down, saying 'Dogs don't listen to phonographs.'
The Gramophone Company paid £50 for the picture and £50 for the copyright, on condition that he paint a gramophone over the phonograph; it hangs in the EMI London office today and has become one of the most famous trademarks in the world
James E Hough was a resident of "St Albans", formerly "The Elms" in Streatham Hill. He died in 1925 (Images of Hough and his house courtesy of John Brown of the Society)

South London Synagogue Rabbi- John Rayner

29/5/2020

John Desmond Rayner was born On This Day 30 May 1924
Rabbi and liturgist born Hans Sigismund Rahmer, in Berlin, Germany, on 30 May 1924, the only son and younger child of Ferdinand Josef Adolf Rahmer (1887–1942?), chief French correspondent at Deutsche Bank, and his wife, Charlotte, née Landshut (1897–1942?).
Rayner was ordained into the Liberal Jewish ministry by Rabbi Israel Mattuck in June 1953, and served the South London Liberal Synagogue in Streatham as their first full-time paid minister until 1957, when he received the 'call', as he described it, to the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John's Wood, to be associate minister to Rabbi Leslie Edgar.
The south London years were happy times. On 19 June 1955 he married Jane Priscilla Heilbronn (b. 1931), a secretary, and daughter of Lionel Heilbronn, manufacturer's agent, and his wife, Pauline; they had two sons and one daughter. In the early years of their marriage they lived penuriously—the salary was minuscule—in Upper Norwood, and made many friends. Rayner was particularly remembered in the congregation not only for his brilliant sermons and his unfailing devotion to pastoral care, but for his car, which, due to his lack of money, was an old, failing Austin Seven named Gomer after the prophet Hosea's wife, who had been unfaithful but whom he loved just the same. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, with its place at the heart of the Liberal Jewish movement at the time, suited John Rayner perfectly.
(Baroness Julia Neuberger)

Former Pullman Court resident turns 86 today

28/5/2020

On This day in 1934:
Nanette Newman (born 29 May 1934) is an English actress and author.
She appeared in nine films directed by her husband Bryan Forbes, including Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964), The Whisperers (1967), Deadfall (1968), The Stepford Wives (1975) and International Velvet (1978) for which she won the Evening Standard Film Award for Best Actress. She was also nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for another Forbes directed film, The Raging Moon (1971).
In the 1940s, she lived in Pullman Court, Streatham Hill. She was educated at Sternhold College, the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts stage school and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

A PM who drafted the Reform Bill in Streatham

28/5/2020

Died #onthisday 1878 Earl Russell (who had sat in the Commons as Lord John Russell, latterly for the City of London, 1841-61). A key figure in the passing of the 1832 Reform Act; made several failed attempts at further parly reform. Twice Liberal prime minister, 1846-52, 1865-6.
(The Victorians Commons)
The Reform bill was drafted in the library at the Rectory, adjacent to St Leonard's church. Lord John Russell was staying in Streatham where his brother Wriothesley was the rector