News Archive
William Morris Day 15th April
The museum will be at St Mary's Church, Beddington on the 15th April demonstrating and speaking about the technic of block printing as used by William Morris at the Morris & Co Works. Introduced by the Huguenots in the Late 1600s/Early 1700s Morris brought back this way of printing when he took over the calico works established in 1752 on the banks of the River Wandle at Merton Abbey. You will have the opportunity to make your own print based on a section of a pattern designed by Morris. There will be a display from images associated with the Morris Works.
Join the Participants at Wandle Arts Festival
We are inviting artists, photographers, potters, poets, bands, orchestras, choirs and dance groups to take part in the third Wandle Arts Festival on Saturday 8th July 2023. Open to anyone who works in art form. The event is free of charge to all those who wish to be part of it. Environmental, nature and river groups are also invited to join us. Interested? Then please email the museum at office@wandle.org to express your interest.
Wandle Heritage Walk Saturday 15th April 2023
Our fist Heritage walk of the year is from Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Snuff Mills. Learn about the hidden history of Ravensbury Park, the mills, our first public railway and much more.
Free of charge - donations welcomed. To book email john.sheridan08@gmail.com
For a full list of our 2023 walks programme click here
New booklet on Fry's Metal Founderies and Tandem Works
Written by former employee Mike Finch this booklet looks at the history of Fry's who were located in the Tandem Works in Christchurch Road, Colliers Wood. Now the home to the Tandem Shopping Centre. The book is available from the museum shop or Merton Historical Society. Cost £5.00.
Call out for Wandle Arts Festival
The museum is hosting the third Wandle Arts Festival on Saturday 8th July 2023. The festival is open to anyone in the arts who would like to display and show their passion for their personal art. The event is free of charge to all those who wish to be part of it. Dance groups, bands, musicians, artists, photographers, film makers, poets, potters, etc are welcome to join in. Environmental, nature and river groups are also invited to join us. Interested? Then please email the museum at office@wandle.org to express your interest.
Wandle Heritage Walk Saturday 15th April 2023
We will be hosting our first Wandle Heritage Walk of on the 15th April starting at 2pm. The walk will be from Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Snuff Mills. With a rich history along this route there is much to learn about and to see. From the hidden delights of Ravensbury Park to the families of the mills you will find out about the wonderful heritage of this part of the River Wandle.
Free of charge - donations welcomed. To book email john.sheridan08@gmail.com
For a full list of our 2023 walks programme click here
February 2023
Walks Programme 2023
The museum is pleased to announce its walks programme. There are five walks planned:
15th April Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Park.
1st June Earlsfield Station to the Thames at Wandsworth.
16th July Colliers Wood Station to The Chapter House, Merton Abbey.
19th August Merton Civic Centre to Morden Hall Park circular tour. Option to continue to Merton Abbey Mills.
17th September Morden Hall Park to The Chapter House, Merton Abbey.
All walks start at 2pm except 17th September which starts at 11am. Further details and to book your place email john.sheridan08@gmail.com
Walks are free but donations to the museum are welcome.
New Talk Available: Papermaking on the Wandle
This new talk looks at the paper industry that existed along the River Wandle. With its royal links, surprising processes and much more there is lots to find out and listen to.
All our talks are offered free of charges. Donations are welcomed. To book email the museum at office@wandle.org
December 2022/January 2023
Christmas and New Year Opening
The museum is now closed for the Christmas and New Year period. We will reopen at 2pm on Sunday 15th January 2023. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
New Talk Available: Sport Along The Wandle
This new talk takes you along the River Wandle looking at sports old, new and some which today we may find distasteful. From the hunting grounds of old to new modern stadiums there may well be something that will surprise you. All our talks are offered free of charges. Donations are welcomed.
November 2022
Annual General Meeting
This is taking place on Thursday 17th November from 7:30am in the Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 3UD. All members and Volunteers are invited to attend.
We are delighted to announce that our guest speaker this year is Elly Platt known as 'Take It Up Wear It Out' who will be presenting her Wandle Wardrobe. Learn more about Elly on her blog
Christmas and New Year Opening
Our final day for opening in 2022 will be Sunday 18th December 2022. We will reopen in the New Year on Sunday 15th January 2023.
New Talk Available: Sport Along The Wandle
This new talk takes you along the River Wandle looking at sports old, new and some which today we may find distasteful. From the hunting grounds of old to new modern stadiums there may well be something that will surprise you. All our talks are offered free of charges. Donations are welcomed.
Oral History Project
The museum would like to capture the memories of those who worked in the industries along the River Wandle. Did you work in one or have a relation who did? If you would like to share what you remember we would like to hear from you. Please call the museum (020 8648 0127) or send us an email (office@wandle.org) and we will get back to you to make arrangements to capture your part in history.
September/October 2022
Mitcham Heritage Day
Taking place on the 10th September this annual event is an opportunity to find out about Mitcham and it's wonderful heritage and history from the oldest cricket club in the world to the Mitcham Fair from Elizabethan times. The museum will be open through out the day from 10am.
We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting the book conservator Katarina Kelsey from 12-3pm. Katarina will show you historic book structures, the creepy crawlies and materials that eat books up, and will be demonstrating how book conservators repair historic books and manuscripts. There will be an opportunity for children to drop in throughout the day to make their own origami book structures. More about Katarina can be found at here
For full details of everything taking place on Mitcham Heritage Day visit here
Heritage Walks Programme 2022
The final walk of our 2022 walks programme will take place in September. All walks are led by our volunteer John Sheridan. To book a place email john.sheridan08@gmail.com. The final walk of the year is:
Thursday 22nd September. From Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Park. Starting at the start of the remaining part of the route of the Surrey Iron Railway this walk takes in the rich heritage of the area through Ravensbury Park. Along the route of the walk, you will learn about the Wandle’s brewing past, it’s links to trout fishing and to the textile industry plus more. Meet at 11am on South Bound Platform of Mitcham Tram Stop.
The museum is happy to arrange specific walks for any group, organisation or school. Email us at office@wandle.org if wish to have a walk along the River Wandle and learn about its rich heritage.
Wandle Fortnight 2022
This year Wandle Fortnight is taking place from 10th September until 25th September. Lots to see, do and get involved in. Ful details are available here
August 2022
Merton Discovery Day 2022
This annual event will take palce on Saturday 20th August. There will be lots to see, activities for all and talks to join in with. The museum will be there with a range of information and items to purchase. We are happy to answer any of your questions about the people and industries of the River Wanlde. Full details here
Mitcham Heritage Day
Taking place on the 10th September this annual event is an opportunity to find out about Mitcham and it's wonderful heritage and history from the oldest cricket club in the world to the Mitcham Fair from Elizabethan times. The museum will be open through out the day from 10am.
Heritage Walks Programme 2022
We are pleased to announce our walks programme for 2022. All walks are led by our volunteer John Sheridan. To book a place email john.sheridan08@gmail.com. Walks will take place as follows:
Sunday 21st August. From Earlsfield Station to Merton Abbey Mills. Follow some of the route of the Surrey Iron Railway, discover the location of former mills and end with a visit to the remains of the Chapter House of Merton Priory. Meet at Earlsfield Station at 11am.
Thursday 22nd September. From Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Park. Starting at the start of the remaining part of the route of the Surrey Iron Railway this walk takes in the rich heritage of the area through Ravensbury Park. Along the route of the walk, you will learn about the Wandle’s brewing past, it’s links to trout fishing and to the textile industry plus more. Meet at 11am on South Bound Platform of Mitcham Tram Stop.
July 2022
Wandle Art Festival 2022
The Wandle Industrial Museum will be hosting the second Wandle Art Festival over the weekend of 9th and 10th July 2022. There will be artists displaying their work, music from The Dreaming River band and others, dance from the Madder Maids, poetry readings and more. Come along and enjoy a weekend of fun.
Croydon Green Days
We will attending the Croydon Green Spaces event on the 2nd July. At the Central Library, Croydon it should be a great occasion to learnt about the wonderful spaces we have to enjoy in South and South West London. Pop along and enjoy meeting the many stalls at the event.
Heritage Walks Programme 2022
We are pleased to announce our walks programme for 2022. All walks are led by our volunteer John Sheridan. To book a place email john.sheridan08@gmail.com. Walks will take place as follows:
Saturday 16th July. From Morden Hall Park to Merton Abbey Mills. Starting with the history of Taddy & Co you will learn about the links in this walk with the textile industry that existed on this section of the Wandle from the 1700s finishing at Merton Abbey Mills which was home to the last textile works on the river. Meet at the Snuff Mills at 11am. This is part of a series of activities taking place on the day arranged by the South East Rivers Trust.
Sunday 21st August. From Earlsfield Station to Merton Abbey Mills. Follow some of the route of the Surrey Iron Railway, discover the location of former mills and end with a visit to the remains of the Chapter House of Merton Priory. Meet at Earlsfield Station at 11am.
Thursday 22nd September. From Mitcham Tram Stop to Morden Hall Park. Starting at the start of the remaining part of the route of the Surrey Iron Railway this walk takes in the rich heritage of the area through Ravensbury Park. Along the route of the walk, you will learn about the Wandle’s brewing past, it’s links to trout fishing and to the textile industry plus more. Meet at 11am on South Bound Platform of Mitcham Tram Stop.