We're going to print... Again!
Plus: Wimbledon's police station in danger of closing
Good morning, Wimblers — very exciting news this week. Drum roll, please… We’re going back into print! This Christmas we’re launching another exclusive Wimble print edition. Our release date has not yet been confirmed, but the special Christmas issue will be available some time in November. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates.
As we’re working hard behind the scenes to get your printed papers ready, this week is a slightly slimmer edition. But don’t worry, we still have all your usual news snippets, a great property of the week, a bunch of recommendations and a historic house that has a rather gruesome past. (Spoiler: it involves a murder.)
The Merton Best Business Awards are tomorrow and The Wimble is up for an award in the category of Best Use Of Innovation. I’m not trying to toot our own horn, but you can book your tickets here to see all of the great businesses up for awards this year.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me an email registering their interest in the free Caddi Club event happening next week. Winners have been chosen at random, and I’m in the process of getting back to everyone today to confirm availability. The event will take place next Tuesday evening. If you didn’t make it into the initial 16, you’re automatically on a waiting list (in case anyone drops out). We had dozens of emails, so don’t be disheartened if you’re not selected this time — we’ll be running events like these again in the near future.
Wimble reader exclusive discount⛸️
Christmas at the Quarter has been announced! Their ice rink is back, and they’re also launching Santa’s Grotto for the very first time. The Quarter has very kindly offered our readers an exclusive 15% discount on all ice rink tickets if you purchase them before Saturday 1 November. Just click this link here and enter the voucher code EARLYBIRDWIMBLE for your discount.
New snippets 🗞
🚨 Merton is in danger of losing both of its police stations. On Wednesday 17 September, councillors debated the future of the borough’s remaining police stations in Wimbledon and Mitcham. The debate comes after the Met Police confirmed its plans to close the front counters at both stations. At the meeting, Councillor Edith Macauley said, “It is of paramount importance that both Wimbledon and Mitcham police stations are kept open and accessible to our communities.” She also argued that closing either station would “undermine community policing” and that the next closest branch in Sutton would simply “not be an option” for most residents. Merton is consistently ranked as one of London’s safer boroughs, but some councillors fear that this move could see crime increase in the area. Read more about the meeting here.
☕ Urban Baristas will open their doors in Wimbledon Quarter on Monday 6 October. The Aussie coffee company was launched in 2016 as a kiosk in North London by friends Huw Wardrope and Jonathan Bowman after the duo were inspired by Syndey’s laid-back coffee culture.
🏍 A new scrap metal sculpture has been transported to AFC Wimbledon in honour of the area’s rich speedway history. The sculpture — a two-metre-tall 600kg motorcycle and rider — was transported from Huddersfield before being reassembled by a team from charity group Wimbledon in Sporting History. The statue was originally designed to commemorate legendary British speedway figure Ronnie Moore. Read more about the icon here.
🫀 Merton’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Team has achieved national accreditation as a service for the first time since its foundation in 2017. According to their press release, the team has supported hundreds of patients in rebuilding confidence, improving strength, and lowering their risk of future cardiac events, and “gaining national certification is a testament to the team’s professionalism, commitment, and dedication to delivering the highest standards of care.”
Property of the week 🏡
This is not a “house”. This is a farm. And a beautiful one at that. This four-bedroom detached property is the perfect blend between rustic and modern, with unique wooden details. But it’s the rather large garden that does it for me. That said, at £2.5m, it’s hardly cheap. But can you really put a price on luxury? Check out more photos on Rightmove.
The Wimble’s to-do list 🎥
🏥 Macmillan Cancer Support in the village: There are two lovely events coming up in support of Macmillan and all the work they do to help people suffering from cancer and their loved ones.
Coffee morning at the Rose & Crown: Enjoy some baked goods and a hot drink, with proceeds going towards Macmillan — book here.
Where: Rose & Crown
When: Thursday 2 October, 10am – 2pm
Sample sale in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support: This is a sale of one-off clothing items from Danish brands Pulz Jeans & b.young at fantastic prices, with 10% of sales donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, Merton.
Where: The Coach House at the Dog & Fox
When: Friday 3 October, 10am – 3pm
🎶 St John’s September Lunchtime Recital: This month’s recital will feature Miriam Kramer on violin and Nicholas Durcan on piano. They will perform pieces by Piazzolla, Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninov, Schumann and Gershwin. As ever, this performance is entirely free, though donations in aid of St John’s Music Fund are welcome. Cakes and coffee served from 12.30pm.
Where: St John the Baptist
When: Friday 26 September, 1pm
🐾 2025 Wimbledon Guild’s Waggy Walk: This is the 8th annual Waggy Walk and is an event for all — even those without dogs! Participants can choose between a 4km or 7km walk through Wimbledon Common. Walkers are invited to free pre-walk drinks and snacks at the Hand in Hand pub and re-energise with an artisan sausage roll from local caterers Two Teaspoons at the end. All money raised from the event will help fund the Guild’s vital work providing financial, emotional and practical support to people across Merton. All registered dogs will receive a fantastic complimentary goody bag from luxury dog groomers, George’s Dog Boutique, plus other doggy treats and goodies. Book your tickets here.
Where: The Hand in Hand
When: Saturday 4 October, 10.30am – 2.30pm
🎭 Dweeb-A-Mania: “Kemi and Norah are mega-nerds through and through. They think they know a lot about... everything! But when popular boy Bentley refuses to invite them to his wrestling-themed party, they discover, to their horror, that he thinks they are dweebs!” This new children’s comedy at Polka Theatre is all about learning to celebrate who you want to be. The winner of the Polka Theatre Playwriting Award 2025, this is not a show to be missed. Book your tickets here.
Where: Polka Theatre
When: Saturday 4 October – Sunday 9 November, timings vary
🦪 Midweek mingle at Oy Bar: This is a great opportunity to network and enjoy some delicious seafood and wine at the same time! (Just try not to drink too much before you’ve introduced yourself to potential future colleagues…) Hosted by Love Wimbledon in collaboration with Time & Leisure Media, enjoy a guided flight of three wines, with cheese and a charcuterie sharing board. Don’t worry, yysters will also be available to purchase. Tickets can be bought here.
Where: Oy Bar, Wimbledon
When: Wednesday 1 October, 5.30 – 7.30pm
🎥 Wimbledon International Short Film Festival 2025: The BIFA-qualifying Wimbledon short film festival is back this year at Polka Theatre. Championing bold voices in filmmaking across the globe, it will feature 13 different hand-picked films. Tickets are £7.50 and can be bought here.
Where: Polka Theatre
When: Saturday 11 October, 6.30pm
Historical building of the week 🏰
54 Parkside — The Apostolic Nunciature
This week’s historical building is 54 Parkside. Previously known as both Tudor and Winkfield Lodge, it’s now the Apostolic Nunciature to the United Kingdom (the closest thing to a Vatican embassy).
Built in 1898, 54 Parkside was originally owned by Charles Anthony Mills and called Tudor Lodge. Mills renamed the house Winkfield Lodge after winning £20,000 on a horse named Winkfield’s Pride at Newmarket. The house is divided into 11 bays, with distinctive stained glass windows dotted about the property. In 1914, the house was sold to Arthur Warwick Sutton, whose seed business played a crucial role in vegetable production during the First World War. Then, in 1917, 54 Parkside was leased to Captain Edward Kendrick Bunbury-Tighe, a wealthy British Army officer and Irish landowner. In November of that year, Tighe’s wife found her husband unresponsive with a severe head wound in the bedroom of the lodge. Small objects had been stolen, and there was also a bloodied poker on the floor. Tighe died a few days later, having never regained consciousness. Eventually a burglar by the name of Arthur Henry de Stamir was found to be in possession of Tighe’s stolen items and was hanged at Wandsworth Prison in 1918.
But Tighe’s death didn’t stop the house from being snatched up. Following the gruesome murder, British businessman and politician Joseph Hood moved into the lodge. Hood served as a member of parliament for Wimbledon from 1918 to 1924 and went on to serve as Mayor of Wimbledon from 1930 until his death in 1931.
In 1938, the lodge became the Apostolic Nunciature to Great Britain (and home to the Apostolic Nuncio). At the time, there were no other diplomatic missions south of the River Thames. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited and stayed at the lodge during their papacies.
Question of the week 🔍
Last week, I asked you how many restaurants in Wimbledon are featured in the Michelin Guide. The answer: one — Takahashi. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve been and enjoyed it!
Q: What famous site in Wimbledon was bombed in 1940 during the Blitz?
You’re up to date 👋
Thank you for reading this week’s edition. Don’t forget to grab your tickets for the ice rink nice and early! Do keep sending in your historical buildings — I’ve had some great suggestions from our readers already. Other than that, have a great rest of the week and get in touch with any potential features and stories: zak@thewimble.com. See you next Thursday!
Brilliant edition, love historical building of the week - fascinating !
Great edition as usual. I think the estate agents are Hawes and Co not Hawkes and Co I might be mistaken though