Swans were featured on the original Carshalton coat of arms, but these days the birds are nowhere to be seen. George Blanks recalls introducing a pair of swans to the local pond some 40 years ago
As author of 50 Years in Carshalton, it's fair to call George Blanks a long-time resident of the village, having moved there from south London in 1959. In the 1970s, concerned that extensive works carried out on the local pond had frightened off the swans, he spearheaded an effort to return the village's heraldic animals to Carshalton's waters.
The old Carshalton crest
"In walking around the Grove Park and the Ponds, I noticed that we no longer had any swans on the water" he recalls. "I was never able to find out whether they had been taken off for their safety during the works, or had left of their own accord, but swans certainly add an attraction to the water, so I started to explore obtaining a pair of swans that the Sutton parks department could place back on our ponds".
Anyone who's spent any time near the Thames - particularly on a boat, as George had - is familiar with the hundreds of swans that live there, so he tried out the Thames Conservatory. They directed him to the Worshipful Companies of Vintners and Dyers, two of the oldest livery companies in Britain, in charge of the annual Swan Upping where cygnets are caught and ringed.
"Dyers responded favourably, and enclosed a list of conditions that had to be complied with. There was also to be a charge of £100", he smiles ruefully. "Which was a rather larger sum at that time than it would be today."
Vintner's also agreed, and after six months the chosen swans were the right age to be moved. George had arranged with the Parks Superintendent for a formal handover, with the local press in attendance - but the Swan Keeper, one Mr. Cobb, apparently felt no need to stand on ceremony.
"A rather shabby old van arrived, driving through the gates to the Grove. When Mr. Cobb opened the rear doors, all that could be seen were two sacks tied at the neck, which by the movements inside obviously held the two swans. I remember thinking at the time that it was a rather undignified manner in which to transport such graceful and lovely birds, but to Mr. Cobb it all seemed a day's work."
"An unexpected contingency arose when someone asked if the birds had been given names, and everyone looked in my direction. My wife Shirley saved the day by suggesting that they be called Too and Fro, as that was what they were likely to be doing in the foreseeable future."
Too and Fro remained on the ponds for many years, and nested at least twice, producing a cygnet. Now, however, the Carshalton waters are empty of swans.
Despite the fond memories of Too and Fro in the village, Dave Warburton, Biodiversity Officer for Sutton, explains that the pond is sadly no longer a suitable breeding habitat for swans. They'd leave when they wanted to breed, and the only way to keep them there would be to pinion the birds by removing key flight feathers.
"My opinion", he concludes, "is that if swans wanted to be on the ponds, they'd be on the ponds!"
