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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA
Area (in acres) 3,048
Population, census, 1931 26,249
Registrar-General's estimate of resident population for 1950 32,890
Number of inhabited houses, 1931 7,092
Number of inhabited houses, 1950 9,515
Rateable Value, December, 1950 £405,822
Sum represented by penny rate, December, 1950 £1,595
The Urban District of Beddington and Wallington was constituted
in 1915 by an Order of the Surrey County Council, the area up to that
time being part of the Croydon Rural District.
By an Order in Council, dated 20th August, 1937, H.M. King George
VI granted a charter to Beddington and Wallington, which was presented
on the 15th September, 1937, by the Lord Lieutenant of the County
of Surrey.
The Borough is bounded on the east by the County Borough of
Croydon, to the north by the Borough of Mitcham, to the west by the
Carshalton Urban District, and to the south by the Urban District
of Coulsdon and Purley.
The past two or three years have seen a great improvement in the
Borough, in the maintenance of the parks and open spaces, whose general
appearance is now approaching pre-war standards. While the demand
for recreational facilities by school children, youth organisations and
industrial recreational clubs continues to grow, the district is very fortunate
in being able to meet most of their needs.
During the summer months, Beddington Park and Grange Park
have proved an inestimable boon to parents and children alike, and during
August hundreds of children, both from Beddington and Wallington
and neighbouring districts, whose parents are unable to take them away
for holidays, spend many happy hours of healthful relaxation in these
delightful open spaces.
The Council's housing and development policy is also improving
many parts of the district.
For the most part, the district retains its good residential character,
and provides a pleasant dormitory for many city workers.
The Public Health Department continued to administer, as in previous
years, the swimming facilities provided by the Corporation, through the
courtesy of the London County Council, at the Beddington Orphanage
bath.
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