Last updated on 22 June 2025
We were delighted to welcome Mark Davison, local historian and author, to our Annual General Meeting on 17th June 2025. It seemed particularly fitting to have a historian speak as 2025 is CDRA’s 50th anniversary.
Mark is extremely knowledgeable and gave a lively and entertaining talk on Chessington’s colourful history. He has written several books about the history and people not only of Chessington but also Kingston, Surbiton, Hook and Tolworth.
Here are a few of the images and stories shared by Mark at the AGM:
Leatherhead Road, Chessington, near Byhurst Farm, more than a century ago. Chessington Common straddled the main road and was used for grazing cattle.
Chatfield’s provisions stores in Moor Lane, near the Bonesgate, in late Victorian days. On hot summer days, thirsty schoolboys used to stop by for cups of water. The shopkeeper would wind down a bucket into a well and haul up water, which he poured into an enamel mug to quench their thirst.
Moor Lane, near today’s Chessington Oak public house, which used to be called the Blackamoor’s Head. In the background is the new railway station, Chessington North, which opened in May 1939.
Mark’s books, including ‘Chessington Remembered’ and ‘More Memories of Old Chessington’, are available from the Regency Bookshop, Surbiton; Hook Library; or by post by emailing mark.hamilton.davison@gmail.com