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PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The London Borough of Hammersmith covers an area of 3,995 acres, bounded on the
South by the Thames, on the North by Brent, to the East by Kensington and
Chelsea, and to the West by Ealing and Hounslow.
The subsoil in the Northern section of the Borough is mainly clay, whilst in
the South there is a layer of some twenty feet of gravel over blue clay. There
is a variation of approximately 120 feet in elevation from the river to the
Northern boundary whilst the lowest point is 13 feet above sea level.
There are more than 1,000 factories of varied nature within the porough and
most trades are represented. This development is undoubtedly due to the
excellent water, road, and rail transport facilities available. Of equal
importance to the industrialist and the resident alike are the comprehensive
passenger transport services of the area which, for eighteen hours a day
provide train and bus schedules to most parts of London and to surrounding
districts. The Borough is easily accessible to London Airport.
Hammersmith has all the usual amenities for recreation and relaxation. There
are swimming baths at Lime Grove and North End Road, whilst Bloemfontein
Road has an open-air swimming pool measuring 150 feet by 75 feet.
The Southern boundary formed by the Thames streaches for four miles around
two bends. Whilst industry occupies a considerable proportion of this
frontage, it is gradually being decreased as the Council's policy of
opening up access to the river continues. The Malls, together with Furnival
Gardens at Hammersmith and Bishops Park at Fulham provide pleasing
promenades available to all as the Surrey bank is relatively open retaining
to some extent a rural aspect.
The river itself is used by various rowing clubs and schools and, of course,
stages the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and the Head of the River Race
each spring.
Onlookers as well as participants have a very wide choice as the Borough is
unique in housing three Football League Clubs; Chelsea at Stamford Bridge;
Fulham at Craven Cottage and Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, Shepherds
Bush. The White City Stadium stages national and internation athletics.Both
the Qu£ens*Club and Hurlingham Club stage major tennis tournaments, whilst
the latter club claims the distinction of being the home of croquet.
Olympia attracts thousands from all over the country to its famous
exhibitions and shows, whilst the B.B.C. Television Centre in Wood Lane, the
Lime Grove Studios and the Television Theatre in Shepherds Bush providing
entertainment for millions are household names.
Ample parks and open spaces are provided within the Borough. Approximately
304 acrea are maintained by the G.L.C. and 84 by the Borough Council.
Wormwood Scrubs with 190 acres being by far the largest.
There are eight Public Libraries with the Borough with over 70,000 registered
readers borrowing some 2,000,000 books each year. A full reference information
service is provided at the two main Libraries. In addition, over 15,000
gramphone records covering all facets are available for loan.
Finally, advice and assistance is maintained to the public at all times of
the day and night throughout the year by means of the emergency service
available on telephone no. 748 8588.
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