Since the last 'Springfield Revealed' things have really stepped up at the Springfield Hospital development and there's plenty to see, particularly when it will be looking at its autumnal best! Foremost among the new arrivals is a lovely cafe called Toast which becomes our new starting point. Since the Park opened, we’ve been checking out the progress - Springfield Park is now almost completed and work has begun on a further 449 new homes which means the last new gateway into Streatham Cemetery will be opening before too long. Once the site of 'The Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum' this beautiful, unique location comes with some extraordinary history and this Walk combines past, present and future in a sensitive and respectful manner. Springfield has been 'hidden' for so long and what a joy to witness it reveal itself at the heart of 'Blooming Tooting'.
Looking down into the Wandle Valley, this was once the grounds of a manor house, you can even get a view now of the restored 'Ice House' in the grounds of Burntwood School. Opening its doors in 1841, Springfield is where Hugh Welch Diamond practised his pioneering photography and renowned cat artist Louis Wain was a patient (look out for the film 'The Electric Life of Louis Wain', on Channel Four Catchup. One hundred years after he was 'discovered' here, we've been campaigning for a plaque. Joan Bicknell, Dr Hamid Ghodse, Mary Seacole and Hugh Gardiner-Hill are just some of the names associated with this location, people whose work was dedicated to improving the lives of the vulnerable. Their 'secret garden' may have relocated but Share Community Nursery continue to thrive.
Geoff Simmons runs a community history project in south west London called Summerstown182 alongside his job as a graphic designer. This involves Guided Walks and Talks, working with schools and putting up plaques. Over the last ten years a trail of these have emerged along the Wandle Valley, shining a light on some of the lesser-known history in this area. They range from the youngest soldier to serve this country in the First World War to a ground-breaking plaque acknowledging Romany Gypsy and Traveller heritage in Wandsworth. A recent plaque acknowledged the presence of 'Rollisson's Lost Nursery' whose grounds bordered the Springfield site. Have a look on Geoff's blog for more details or follow @summerstown on social media.
