Celebrating 60 years of history and heritage at Merton council

By Auriel Glanville 

A community celebrated 60 years of Merton council on Saturday.

Stallholders including the Wandle Industrial Museum, got together in Abbotsbury Road, Morden, for an event attended by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Slawek Szczepanski, and his wife consort Kamila Dyczko.

Mick Taylor of the Wandle Industrial Museum, said: “It was great to be part of the 60th anniversary of the London Borough of Merton and celebrate its rich history and heritage.”

The Wandle Industrial Museum was founded in 1983, its mission, “To preserve, store, and interpret the heritage and history of the industries and people of the River Wandle”. 

Its exhibitions offer fascinating insights with displays about companies such as Young’s Brewery, Liberty & Co and William Morris, as well as less well-known ones like leather makers Connolly’s.

Featured are the stories of the many mills which operated along the Wandle and the associated industries, particularly snuff production.  

There’s also information on textiles and the Wandle Valley lavender-growing industry and The Surrey Iron Railway.

To visit: Wandle Industrial Museum, Vestry Hall Annexe, London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3UD – Opening Times: Wednesday: 1 – 4pm, Sunday: 2 – 5pm  Tel. No: 020 8648 0127 Email: office@wandle.org

Pictured top: From left, Roger Steele, Alison Cousins, Mayor of Merton’s wife and consort, Kamila Dyczko, Mayor of Merton, Councillor, Slawek Szczepanski, Mick Taylor and Auriel Glanville of the Wandle Industrial Museum (Picture: Aurielle Glanville)