Concrete Murals: Surbiton

The nature of many of the concrete murals of Henry and Joyce Collins is that there are located on what would otherwise be blank walls in towns centres (which is obviously the reason why they were commissioned). The result is that they can often only be seen as you walk past them. At ground level on busy streets it is difficult to spot them from a distance. And it is partially a case of you see what you are looking for - this is certainly the case for me in Surbiton, where I have been on a couple of previous occasions but never caught sight of the mural. But then again, at the time I was not on the hunt for them.

The Surbiton mural is another commission by Sainsbury's, and is on a town centre store that is still open. It can be found on Victoria Avenue. It dates from 1980, and I think that it is the last one of Henry and Joyce Collins' concrete murals.

Smaller than the others we have looked at to date, it is a two panel mural with a clear transport theme.

The left-hand panel begins with a simple cart and old variations on the name Surbiton (which started to be used from the 16th century).

Below that we have the start of the detailed transport innovations, together with the coat of arms. 1906 was when the tram system was extended to Surbiton, and I am assuming that 1830 marked the beginning of regular stage coach services.

Surbiton's coat of arms was granted on 17 July 1936. It includes an elm tree against a rising sun, and the motto Consilio et Animis - by wisdom and courage.

The bottom of the panel continues the transport theme, highlighting motor bus services and the coming of the railways. The dates appear to relate to the types of locomotives used, as the line opened in 1838, and the station in its current location was built in 1845.

The second panel provides more of the same.

At the top are the riverboat services and a trolleybus.

Next is the crest of the London and Southwestern Railway, and a collection of buildings.

In the foreground is the current Surbiton station, built in the art deco style complete with clock tower. The second clock tower on the right is one that was erected in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII. Seething Wells was the site of a major waterworks, so I assume that the buildings and the initials TWA refer to it.