Gorse fire, Mitcham Common
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| Area | Mitcham |
|---|---|
| Copyright 1 | London Borough of Merton |
| Picture Reference | Mit_TomFrancis_Ln148 |
| Original Format | Photo |
| Photographer / Origin of Photo | Tom Francis |
| Notes / History | During the 1880s broom and gorse bushes spread over a wide expanse of Mitcham Common. Warm summers dried the undergrowth and fires were a frequent occurrence. The Volunteer Fire Brigade tried to extinguish the flames but it was often simpler to let them die down naturally. Mitcham resident Tom Francis described how considerable tracts of gorse were deliberately destroyed to make way for the Prince's Golf Club. Local bakers would also cut the furze for heating their bread ovens. |
