Watermeads, Wandle

Watermeads, Wandle

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Partial / Incomplete Date c.1918
Area Mitcham
Copyright 1 F J Townend
Picture Reference Mit_​Rivers_​Waterways_​2-3
Original Format Photo
Notes / History This stretch of land upstream of Mitcham Bridge was left to revert to its natural wetland state by the National Trust, which had purchased it 5 years before this picture was taken.

It was later planted as an osier bed (a fast-growing willow used for basket-weaving) and there were also two plantations of cricket bat willow established between the wars. Since World War 2, however, the Trust’s management have concentrated on developing it as a nature reserve and it has been closed to the public in order to protect its fragile eco-system.

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