Streatham, St Leonard
Address: Tooting Bec Gardens. SW16.
Map Ref: TQ300718
8 Bells • Tenor 12¾ cwt.
Sunday Service Ringing: 9.30 - 9.55 am, Evenings by arrangement.
Practice: Tuesday 8.00 - 9.30 pm (occasional quarter peal - please check)
Entry is by a spiral staircase inside the West door of the church.
Tower Captain: Tony Nunn
This church has its own web site.
History
St Leonard’s is the ancient parish church of Streatham. The building, begun by Sir John Ward in 1350, was substantially rebuilt and enlarged during the 19th century. The interior was redesigned after being gutted by fire in 1975, giving a lighter, more open feel to the church.
There were probably five bells prior to 1785, when a new ring of six (tenor 14 cwt) by Thomas Mears II was installed. The Duke of Bedford, then patron of the parish, donated the tenor with the remainder of the cost being raised by public subscription. Those bells were augmented to eight and the tenor recast by Warners in 1906 but were subsequently destroyed in the fire.
The present eight were cast by Whitechapel in 1980/81, the tenor being the gift of the Surrey Association to celebrate its centenary, hung by voluntary labour and dedicated to the Glory of God on 25th October 1981.
Transport
By Road: The church is on the west of the A23 (Brixton - Croydon road) at its junction with the A216 (Mitcham Lane). Limited parking available at the Church Hall, approached just before reaching the church, in Tooting Bec Gardens. Warning - Tooting Bec Gardens is part of a “red route” one-way system.
By Bus: Routes 57, 109, 118, 133, 159, 201, 249, 250, 255, 315, 319 and 333 all stop within sight of the church.
By Train: To Streatham station from London Bridge or Thameslink - turn left and the church is about ¼ mile walk along Streatham High Road, atop a short rise. To Streatham Hill station from Victoria - turn right out of station and take any bus to St. Leonard’s or walk ½ mile down Streatham High Road; the church is on the right. Streatham is in fare zone 3.
Facilities
There are toilets in the church.
The ringers tend to use the Hope (Youngs) in West Norwood as we like the beer and the atmosphere. Nearer the church are the Holland Tringham (Wetherspoon - food all day) on the right of the High Road going north, the Five Bells (Greene King) a bit further on the left or the Bedford Park (Youngs), nearly opposite Streatham Station. There are other pubs, restaurants - including Indian, Chinese and Italian - and fast-food outlets (if you like that sort of thing) in the immediate area.