Blog Archives - The Streatham Society

Edward Stanley Gibbons

21/6/2022

On this Day 21 June 1840 Edward Stanley Gibbons was born

Edward Stanley Gibbons was an English stamp dealer and founder of Stanley Gibbons Ltd, publishers of the famous Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogue and other stamp-related books and magazines.
Gibbons returned to England shortly after the death of his fourth wife. On 16 January 1909, he married Sophia Crofts. However, it is possible that he and Sophia separated before his death in 1913 as his will makes no mention of her.

His will executed in July 1912, has his address, ‘Selsey’, 63 Stanthorpe Road, Streatham and his estate was left to 'a dear friend', Mabel Hedgecoe

June 20th, 2022

20/6/2022

Sir William Lane-Mitchell JP died 20th June 1940.

A Scottish Conservative Party politician and businessman He was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Streatham in 1918, and held the seat until his resignation in 1939 by becoming Steward of the Manor of Northstead

Image ©National Portrait Gallery, Creative Commons License

Aspen House Open Air School

20/6/2022

PRACTICAL GEOGRAPHY AT OPEN AIR SCHOOL ON THIS DAY 20 June 1932
A novel method of teaching boys geography is employed at the Aspen House Open Air School, Streatham Hill.
Here the scholars paint maps of various parts of the world on the walls of the school itself.

F1 driver Chris Bristow

19/6/2022

On This Day 19 June 1960 Motor racing driver Chris Bristow was tragically killed in Belgium and buried at Streatham Park Cemetery.

Christopher 'Chris' William Bristow became a highly talented driver thought by many to have the potential to eventually become World Champion.

He started racing in 1956 and soon began winning races in his MG Special. For 1957 he progressed to an 1100cc Cooper. In 1958 he bought an unreliable Elva but his efforts were recognised by the British Racing Partnership (BRP) and he joined them to race their Formula 2 Cooper-Borgward cars. In 1959 he showed exceptional skill at Brands Hatch, dominating the remainder of the field of more experienced drivers. In 1960, his team leader Harry Schell was killed at Silverstone so he took over the roll.

At the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps, he was battling for 3rd place with Willy Mairesse in a Ferrari when he lost control of the car on the tricky downhill bend at Burnenville, slid off into the trackside fence and was killed instantly. A highly talented young driver had gone.

Buried at Streatham Park cemetery
(Find a Grave Grave 48128, Square 24)

PB Cow Li-Lo advert

19/6/2022

PB Cow Advert On This Day 19 June 1935 in the Bystander

The rubber factory was at Streatham Common on the site of Sainsbury.
Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Vanessa Lee (born Winnifred Ruby Moule) was an actress born in Streatham

18/6/2022

Vanessa Lee (born Winnifred Ruby Moule) was an actress born in Streatham On This Day 18th June 1920
Vanessa was best known for her appearances in Ivor Novello’s musicals in the immediate post-war years as well as appearing occasionally on television. During her career she had a little cosmetic surgery on her nose that enabled her to breath more easily. Her partnership with contralto Olive Gilbert in Novello’s hit shows was legendary. Her husband inherited an Irish peerage, when he became the 8th Baron Graves, but continued to act as Peter Graves.
In 1949 she acted in Ivor Novello’s musical, “King’s Rhapsody”, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, England with Ivor Novello, Zena Dare, Phyllis Dare and Olive Gilbert in the cast. (1954) She acted in Noël Coward’s musical, “After the Ball”, at the Globe Theatre in London, England with Peter Graves, Mary Ellis and Graham Payn in the cast. Robert Helpmann was the director.
(Vanessa Lee was distantly related to Billy Wells)
Image ©National Portrait Gallery

Steam Train at Streatham Common On This Day 18th June 1949

18/6/2022

Norwood Grove and Stenton Covington

17/6/2022

The Tatler 17 June 1925

An influential Committee formed to acquire the sum of £16k for the purchase of Norwood Grove. Appeal led by Stenton Covington

Image © Illustrated London News Group

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Ken Livingstone

17/6/2022

Kenneth Robert Livingstone born On This Day 17 June 1945

Lived in Shrubbery Road and attended St Leonard's School

Leader of the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1981 until the council was abolished in 1986, and as Mayor of London from the creation of the office in 2000 until 2008. He also served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent East from 1987 to 2001.

#ThrowbackThursday and the photographic studio of Douglas Wayland

16/6/2022

#ThrowbackThursday and the photographic studio of Douglas Wayland on the corner of Becmead Ave and Streatham High Road (today Lloyds bank). The Wayland family had studios at Blackheath and Sutton. Douglas was the photographer for Wandsworth Council