This is a wonderful story of a piece of New Malden history being saved for the community.
New malden Police station closed some time ago as an open Police desk. It reopened for a while with volunteers but it has now closed again. It appears that Wetherstones are looking to turn it into a pub. This idea raises a number of concerns about the need for more pubs.
However the horse trough is a piece of history that should be preserved and I am pleased that this has happened.
The photo shows a picture of Cllr Mary Clarke who was one of those who arranged for its recovery.
17 comments:
Kevin, there are many more pubs closing (and turning into drive-in McDonalds) than there are opening so not sure why you are so overtly concerned when a new one is proposed. Whilst Weatherspoons may not be the traditional public house of memory lane, they have an exemplary record when it comes to discouraging trouble, was the first chain to ban smoking in all of its pubs, spend considerable sums retaining local history into their premises and is the most family orientated. Pop into the Coronation Hall or Cap in Hand and see for yourself. Why you would prefer a McDonalds beats me but surely it would be better to welcome a decently operated public house rather than raising alarm bells?
Anyway, did you know that Surbiton is one of the few towns that doesn't have its own horse trough? I seem to remember someone once proposed erecting one to commemorate the saving of Wayside Gardens from development and the adjacent stables of the former Railway Tavern (now flats). As you are in favour of preserving our history, how about putting your name on a petition to get Surbiton its own horse trough?
Funny, I thought you might mention the St. Mark's Hill horse trough. I think there are a few more important things that Surbiton needs before it gets a horse trough. The difference in New malden is that the trough itself is a piece of history and I believe there is also a plaque that honours a Policeman killed whilst on duty.
Having said that I do believe that Surbiton is due some transformation. If we are really to retain some of the local retailing we need to be a bit more radical then the shopping loyalty card which costs £5 - still at least they are trying something.
Have you any ideas on what we can do to improve Surbiton and would you be prepared to work together on it?
How about Kevin getting involved with Surbiton Festival, hanging baskets for the town centre, Summer Breeze and organising Surbiton's Christmas trees? All these have achieved much for Surbiton in recent years. There are always more important things than horse troughs - the difference is making the little things happen as well.
What we need are like-minded people to forget their differences and work together for the good of the communinity. We could then have a more succesful town - and a horse trough! Is Kevin prepared to do that?
I am up for it - although I think we need to ask a few people if they really want a horse trough!!!
We might need to campaigna bit on the hanging baskets and Christmas Trees as I gather that there is not enough money in the nieghbourhood budgets to cover all this. Let's hope they find some more!
Precisely! The New Malden horse trough commemorated something and/or served a useful function but I'm sure there were more pressing things in its day too. There is therefore nothing wrong in doing the same today and with the passing of time, it too will be "historic."
I suppose though there is nothing to be gained politically in doing so and perhaps the reason why Kevin isn't that interested in supporting the idea.
What has politics got to do with horse troughs?
If you want one then start a campaign, raise the money and apply for one. I have no problem supporting you I just do not see that the Council should always pay for things. Unfortunately Councils rarely have all the answers and politics has got nothing to do with it.
Incidentally I think you will find that the New Malden horse trought was paid for by the public and as far as I am aware there was not any Council money spent in moving it.
It's not surprising there's no money for hanging baskets and Christmas trees. I believe the cost of the hanging baskets in Surbiton escalated from £2,000 in the first year (AD 2000) to over £8,000 per year in the subsequent years. Remarkably, the first year's cost also included the cost of the specially-made lamppost brackets, still used today.
More disconcerting are the Christmas decorations. In 2001, there was no cost to the Council at all as businesses and traders generously funded the whole project. This included over 120 trees above their shops, the Borough's largest Christmas tree display on the roundabout outside the station and Surbiton's first switch on parade. Last year, I believe the Council had to fork out nearly £5,000 and whilst this included new lights on the lampposts, only about 20 traders bothered to erect their own trees.
How would you better like to see these decorations funded Kevin?
Who said anything about the Council paying for it Kevin?
In fact, like the charitable basis upon which the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association was founded (whom I believe erected the New Malden trough) it was originally proposed that Surbiton's trough should also be funded by a benefactor or donation at a cost of about £500. Surely a sum that would not be difficult for you to raise Kevin?
Here is a link regarding the history of horse troughs and drinking fountains that you may find useful. ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Drinking_Fountain_and_Cattle_Trough_Association
"what's politics got to do with horse troughs?"
Exactly Kevin, tell that to your colleagues who tried to poo-poo the idea when it was first proposed.
Sad people.
Maybe they though it was just not a good idea for the Council to fund it - that has nothing to do with politics.
Anon 1.51
Then I suggest you get on and raise some money for it if it has nothing to do with Council funding.
Just a few moments ago you were "up for it." Have you got cold feet already?
Why shouldn't councillors initiate fundraising to make things happen that the council coffers can't afford?
If that is what Councillors want to do then that is up to them - providing it is ethical and legal. There are a wholehost of barriers to these things now which were not there a few years ago.
So what barriers are there that would stop your colleagues and from raising money for a horse trough in Surbiton that didn't stop councillors and other volunteers from raising the necessary funds to rescue the horse trough in New Malden?
Why do we want a horse trough in Surbiton? What would it commemorate?
As I said before I have no problem with the principle but do not see why the Council should pay for it - why did those who proposed it not raise the money from other sources? If it was so popular an idea one presumes it would have been easy. The New Malden trough did not cost the Council a penny to move it. We did support the addition of dead from the second world war on the Surbiton war memorial as there was a good reason to support it.
You haven't properly the earlier comments Kevin. NO-ONE said the Council should pay for it. The horse trough was originally proposed to commemorate the former Railway Tavern which once stabled horses - and the saving of the adjacent Wayside Gardens from development. Understandably, your colleagues didn't support this idea as they didn't mind the garden being built on.
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