Streatham Cemetery, is the lungs of 'Planet Tooting' - a very special green space providing much-needed tranquility in a hectic corner of Wandsworth. Once a nursery, associated with botanical legends such as the Rollisson family and Peter Barr 'The Daffodil King', it was converted to a cemetery in 1893. Resting here are a collection of extraordinary people, just some of whose stories will be told as Tracey and Geoff get together to share their collective know-how! They range from a train robber to a vegan pioneer and the 'First Lady of Liberia'. From a leading animal impersonator to significant artists, authors, chess players, photographers and music hall stars. War heroes include dashing 'Gibb' Mapplebeck, Paddy Flynn and Britain's Bravest Binman 'Tiny Ted' Foster VC.
The Cemetery is entered from busy Garratt Lane where a tranquil haven awaits. Renowned for its bird life, small mammals and fungi, 'Friends of Streatham Cemetery' run frequent nature walks and even produce their own 'Dead Good Honey'. Very soon a gate will be opened connecting the Cemetery to the newly-developed Springfield Park site and local activists remain hopeful that another gate will eventually connect with Fishponds Field creating a superb 'green way' of precious natural spaces!
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. 'Planet Tooting' is an ongoing initiative championing the outstanding migrant contribution to our neighbourhood which resulted in a blue plaque on Tooting Market. Have a look on Geoff's blog for more details or follow @summerstown182 on twitter.
Tracey Gregory runs Loughborough Road Histories, a local history project uncovering the hidden stories of people of Loughborough Road and the surrounding Brixton neighbourhood. Tracey has brought orchid artist Nelly Roberts out of the shadows, writing and talking about her and the Camberwell and Streatham based orchid collecting Measures Brothers. Memorial plaques have been placed on Nelly's grave in Lambeth Cemetery and on her lifelong home on Loughborough Road. Tracey also has an especial interest in Brixton’s music hall performers, many of whom are buried in Lambeth and Streatham Cemeteries.
