Customs and traditions define an area and are a link to our history. Some of these rituals still happen and others are currently having a break. From Straw Jack to the Carshalton Carnival – this ordinary London suburb has a surprising amount of heritage.
Without further ado let’s begin in the 19th century…
Beating the bounds
This unusually-titled event began back in 1833. The ritual was designed to check and enforce the boundaries of Carshalton. “It traditionally involved swatting local landmarks with branches to maintain a shared mental map of parish boundaries, usually every seven years”. The custom is still going strong at the Tower of London, which still has its original boundary marked. There is a local group trying to rejuvenate the custom in Carshalton.
Mary Gibson’s tomb
This unusual custom began back in 1781. What started as a simple family request to maintain a grave has become an occasional focal point for Sutton. Each year the old mausoleum is opened up to to check for required repairs. Bystanders will turn up hoping for a glimpse inside. Location of St Nicholas church.
Day of Dance
Carshalton has a long connection with Folk traditions. Most years there’s a chance for Morris Dancing groups across the South East of England to come together and perform across our village. Here’s an Old English Folk Rhyme featuring Carshalton.
Straw Jack
Celebrating the harvest, this event is held in September. It’s a procession along local streets accompanied by folk musicians and people dressed as Sweepers, Corn Dollies, and Reaper Men. Revellers visit a range of local pubs. It used to end with the burning of the Straw Jack at The Hope pub. Although it seems an old Carshalton tradition, it was actually started in 2002.
And a mix of lost events…
Carshalton Charter Fair
Originating around 1259 with a Royal charter granted by King Henry III, the ruling officially gave an area town status. To celebrate a fair became a regular occurrence on the Carshalton calendar, and for many years it was closely connected to Merton Priory. Many fairs stopped happening with the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. The fair was started again in recent times by the Carshalton Society in 1983. Often held in The Square, the last time it happened was back in 2016. Location of the Fair
Carshalton Carnival
Quite when the Carnival began in Carshalton is unclear. It was an excellent event for bringing together the community in spectacular fashion. The huge Carshalton carnival travelled from Rosehill to Carshalton Park – with horses, marching bands, and floats. This image is from a silent Sutton Heritage video uploaded to the London Screen Archives. In recent years the Carnival has declined in popularity and for various reasons no longer happens.
Queen Mary’s Summer Fair
Queen Mary’s was a massive children’s hospital on the edge of Carshalton. Starting in the 1970s, every year a huge Fete would be held… they would be opened by the celebrities of the day such as Jon Pertwee, who was playing Doctor Who at the time, the racing driver James Hunt, and actor Harry Secombe. The hospital is now housing, but the land where the event was held is still there, and now a public park. Location on Google Maps
Carshalton Park Music Festival
In the 1970s, Carshalton Park would hold regular music festivals. Read more here.
Crowning the May Queen
A popular event for children across the area that’s held each year around 1 May. The May Queen is “a girl who rides or walks at the front of a parade for May Day celebrations”. The festivities are held in various places, including at the Beddington Park May Day Fayre, where Maypole dancing also takes place. England’s longest-running continuous May Queen event started back in 1912.
Events going strong…
Annual Lavender Harvest
Carshalton and nearby areas have been harvesting lavender for hundreds of years. It grows well thanks to the chalky soil and climate. The views across fields before the growth of suburbia must have been spectacular. Back in 1996 lavender harvesting returned to the area with the creation of Carshalton Lavender, a volunteer-led scheme set up next to allotments in Carshalton. Every year they hold a popular open day Location on google.
Carshalton Artists Open Studios
A hugely popular event on the Carshalton Calendar featuring over 60 artists. They open their studios and show off work to an admiring audience. CAOS started in 2017 and it’s held over two weekends each summer.
Carshalton Frost Fair
During the colder, darker months the Carshalton Frost Fair brightens your day. Held by the picturesque ponds, there’s a variety of entertainment laid on. The Honeywood Museum opens its doors and the War Memorial garden is used for music and stalls.
Eco-fair
The Eco-fair started in the early 1990s and was known back then as the Environmental Fair. It’s gone from strength to strength and draws huge crowds. The Eco-fair brings together like-minded groups to celebrate all things Ecological. It’s held every August and there are live music stages, stalls, food, and drink, all available to enjoy.
That list again in full
- Carshalton Charter Fair
- Annual Lavender Harvest
- Mary Gibson’s tomb
- Beating the bounds
- Carshalton Carnival
- Queen Mary’s Summer Fair
- Straw Jack
- Carshalton Park Music Festival
- Crowning the May Queen
- Carshalton Artists Open Studios
- Day of Dance
- Carshalton Frost Fair
- Eco-fair
Thank you to the people who gave us permission to share their photos.
What should we bring back? What have we missed? Have we missed off any credits/organiser?
Let us know in the comments below…
Hello! Our posts are shared across social media and by lots of different people. Please leave your comments here so they are seen by everyone. Thank you. As always, your email will remain confidential privacy statement | membership