10.00am to 4.30pm Saturday 9 September 2023

Thank you to all the volunteers who have worked hard to help make Mitcham Heritage Day 2023 happen, to those who have given financial support, and to Merton Council’s Heritage and Local Studies service for providing exhibitions.

Download our map for use on the day.

If you enjoy Mitcham Heritage Day do please consider becoming a member. Your membership fee will help us run Mitcham Heritage Day in the future, as well as supporting all the other work we do.

Here is the programme – do check back before coming along for any last minute additions and alterations.

Event Centre
7 on map
Come and say hello and find out more about our work. We will be at the Mayor of Merton’s Tea on the Green between 1.00pm and 4.00pm We’d love to hear what you think of Mitcham Heritage Day.

Heritage Shorts
H on map
Check the map for the Heritage Shorts locations – each one provides interesting local heritage information.

Mitcham Community Choir
Keep your eyes open for Mitcham Community Choir who will give impromptu performances during the day. Here’s where and when to spot them:
12.20pm at Mitcham Parish Church 1 on map
1.20pm at Mitcham Methodist Church 8 on map
2.10pm at Wandle Industrial Museum 3 on map

Mitcham Parish Church
1 on map
10.00am to 4.00pm church open.
10.00am to 12.00pm bell tower ringing room open with bell ringing demonstrations. NB the tower is accessed via a spiral staircase.
1.00pm Introduction to the Graveyard talk and tour. Participants should wait in the church.
Exhibitions relating to the church building and its history back to Medieval times.
Exhibition provided by Merton Council’s Heritage and Local Studies service From Green to Green
Refreshments.
Toilet – wheelchair accessible.

Cricket Green School
2 on map
10.00am to 4.30pm access via main gate of school on Church Road.
See the remains of the Grade II listed arch of 14th Century Hall Place in school grounds.

Wandle Industrial Museum
3 on map
10.00am to 4.30pm museum open as normal. The museum has exhibitions on the history and heritage of the people and industries of the Wandle Valley. Mitcham has a rich heritage of industry which included a number of mills on the River Wandle.
Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions.
10.30am, 12.00pm, 2.30pm block printing demonstration and hands-on session. Booking essential – office@wandle.org or telephone 020 8648 0127.
Toilets available.

Vestry Hall 
4 on map
10.00am to 4.00pm open to visitors. Some parts of the building may be closed due to building works.
2.30pm and 3.30pm guided tours. Booking advised – email Vestryhall@merton.gov.uk. Meet at main entrance to building.
Toilets available.
Display boards containing historic photos and current plans of the development taking place inside Vestry Hall are located outside the Wandle Industrial Museum (location 3 on map).

Mitcham Cricket Club pavilion
5 on map
10.30am to 4.00pm cricket pavilion open. Meet the volunteers to learn more about 338 years of cricket on the Green.
Exhibition Mitcham Man James Southerton and the WG Grace Tour of Australia 1873-74.
Refreshments.
Toilets available.

Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage
6 on map
10.30am guided walk around the local area. An introduction to the history and heritage of Cricket Green. Allow one hour. Meet on Cricket Green opposite the cricket pavilion.

Mayor of Merton’s Tea on the Green
7 on map
1.00pm to 4.00pm
Cricket Green Councillor Gill Manly, the Mayor of Merton, is holding a tea party on Cricket Green raising funds for her charities: Merton Music Foundation, and Brain Cancer Research.
Enjoy homemade cakes and savouries (baked by the Mayor!), and lashings of tea. All donations for refreshments will be given to the two charities. There may also be some singalong during the afternoon.

Mitcham Methodist Church
8 on map
10.30pm to 4.30pm church open.
Volunteers available throughout the day to tell visitors about the church and show them round.
Toilets available.

The Canons House and Grounds
9 on map
11.00am to 4.00pm community exhibitions will be open.
12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm guided tours of Canons House.
Toilets available including accessible toilets.

Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage
10 on map
11.45am Learn the story of the 201 year old obelisk and try your hand at dowsing to find underground water. Dowsing rods provided.

Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church
11 on map
11.00am to 2.00pm church open.
11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm guided tours of church and garden.
Exhibition Photographs of the Consecration in the parish room.
Exhibition provided by Merton Council’s Heritage and Local Studies service The Colour Purple: The story of Mitcham’s lavender industry.
Exhibition provided by Merton Council’s Heritage and Local Studies service Common Knowledge: The Heritage of Mitcham Common.
Merton Historical Society stall.
Refreshments.
Toilets with disabled access.

The Small Quarter
12 on map
260 Croydon Road, CR4 4JA. Look out for the entrance with a sign above saying “The Small Quarter”
11.00am to 4.00pm open to visitors.
Printed display about the Blue House Cottages which used to be on the site.
Creative activities relating to carpentry, bee keeping and gardening.
Accessible composting toilet available.

 

Mitcham Heritage Day is part of Wandle Fortnight 2023 and Heritage Open Days.

Thanks go to Wandle Fortnight and The Canons (via the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund) for their financial support.