What if I told you that the name you see on some maps is more of a ghost than a reality? Welcome to North Sheen. This area in London was once a distinct entity. Now, it’s more of a memory. North Sheen existed officially as a civil parish from 1894 to 1965. It was then absorbed into Kew. The name North Sheen still lingers. You can find it on the station signs. Ironically, the station isn’t even within the former boundaries of North Sheen. It technically sits in Richmond.
Let’s dive into the history of North Sheen. Its story is intertwined with Mortlake. It became part of the Municipal Borough of Richmond in 1892. The Local Government Act of 1894 carved out a new North Sheen parish. This area spanned 329 acres. By 1901, about 2,807 people called North Sheen home. This number grew to 7,429 by 1951.
North Sheen started appearing on maps around 1904. It was largely undeveloped then. By the 1920s, houses began to spring up. North Sheen was becoming a residential area.
Interestingly, North Sheen also makes an appearance in fiction. H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” features Sheen prominently. Wells describes the Martian invasion and the destruction it caused.
Did you know that North Sheen played a role in London’s early council housing? In a time when Richmond was still part of Surrey, a street named Manor Grove in North Sheen became the site of London’s first council houses. This initiative was spearheaded by William Thompson. He was Richmond’s very own ‘People’s Champion’.
Back in the 1890s, Richmond wasn’t all affluence. Some areas suffered from poverty. Thompson recognized the housing shortage. He aimed to tackle the slum conditions. Existing housing was insufficient and of poor quality. This led to high rents and overcrowding.
Thompson faced resistance from landlords. Many of them sat on the local council. However, Thompson secured approval for municipal housing in 1892. He argued it wouldn’t cost ratepayers a penny. The Manor Grove scheme provided 62 dwellings by 1895. These homes featured modern amenities for the time. Each had a scullery, gardens, and proper storage. They even had a cooking stove and a constant water supply.
Demand for these homes was high. A ballot allocated the places. Tenants were said to be delighted. The council developed more houses. By 1900, 132 homes stood. Residents paid rents ranging from 5s 6d to 7s 9d a week.
The tenants included laborers, police officers, railwaymen, and gas workers. There were also female heads of household. Thompson’s success made him a housing reform advocate. He championed council housing in England. He envisioned a better standard of living for working people.
During the Second World War, Richmond welcomed evacuees from Gibraltar. Fears of German and Italian seizure prompted their relocation. In April 1941, many Gibraltarians arrived in Richmond. They found shelter in Buckingham House and Marlborough House. These were part of the newly built Courtlands flats on Sheen Road.
Richmond was considered safer than London at the time. Courtlands already housed refugees from the Spanish Civil War. Among the Gibraltarian newcomers was Mary Bosano. She remembers the freedom and space Richmond offered. She joined the local Brownie pack.
The Bosanos eventually returned to Gibraltar in 1944. They were among the first to go back. Priority was given to families with men still in Gibraltar.
Today, North Sheen may not be an official place. However, its story lives on. From early council housing to wartime refuge, North Sheen has a unique place in London’s history. It reminds us that even places that fade from the map leave lasting legacies.