History of Wandsworth Common

The Friends of Wandsworth Common have just published ‘The Wandsworth Common Story, A 150th Anniversary Celebration’. And there is a direct link between this and Spencer’s own 150th, celebrated next year. As mentioned in the book, J Anderson Rose was a local solicitor who campaigned alongside John Buckmaster, the latter leading the fight to save the Common from being sold off by Earl Spencer. Eventually the campaign succeeded and the Wandsworth Common Act passed Parliament in July 1871. Spencer Cricket Club was formed the following summer having been granted permission by Earl Spencer to mark out a pitch on Wandsworth Common. They neatly avoided the politics surrounding the land issue by adroitly taking the Club’s name from the Earl and appointing as first President, his opponent Mr Anderson Rose - whose name appears inside the Spencer clubhouse today. The book, which is highly recommended for anyone interested in the Common, can be purchased here