Freedom for the suburbs: Charles Paine’s 1926 poster

The importance of providing public infrastructure will be underlined this weekend with the celebration of the centenary of the Northern line Tube being extended to Morden.

Transport for London is inviting passengers and local communities to celebrate the occasion with a special family-friendly treasure hunt this Saturday, September 12.

And on Monday (September 14), transport expert Christian Wolmar is giving a talk on the significance of the Northern line extension – the Morden one, not the more recent additional line to Battersea Power Station – at the Phoenix Retirement Association in Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace, of course, has been left waiting for its tram network extension, which 20 years ago was a fully funded proposal, but which has been abandoned and then forgotten by successive Mayors of London, Tory and Labour, while other schemes have been given a green light.

The opening of the Northern line extension in 1926 to the small country village of Morden helped tackle unemployment following World War I while also unlocking decades of economic growth in the area. By connecting what was then part of rural Surrey to central London, the extension supported house building, created construction and transport jobs, boosted local businesses and transformed Morden into one of south London’s most important transport hubs.

Rural Surrey: how Morden looked before the Tubee depot was built on the site

TfL’s treasure hunt on Saturday will highlight the history, architecture and heritage of some of the Northern line’s most distinctive Underground stations, from Morden, through South Wimbledon, Tooting and Balham to Clapham, which opened on September 13, 1926.

As part of the treasure hunt, participants will be invited to explore the route between Morden and Clapham South stations, uncovering details about Charles Holden’s architecture and the day-to-day operation of the Underground. Starting at Morden station, teams will collect a clue pack containing a series of questions to answer at stations along the route.

The treasure hunt will conclude at Clapham South station, where participants who have successfully completed the challenge will be eligible to receive a commemorative prize.

All aboard: transport minister JTC Moore-Brabazon in the first train to arrive at Morden in September 1926

“The event is designed to be completed at participants’ own pace and offers an opportunity to discover the unique features of these historic stations while enjoying local shops and cafés along the route,” TfL says.

Opened in 1926, the Northern line extension brought the Underground to its southernmost point, with seven stations designed by renowned architect Charles Holden.

Their striking modernist architecture marked a new direction for London Underground station design and continues to influence transport architecture around the world. In the century since opening, the stations have acted as a catalyst for massive economic growth across south London, with more than 25,000 entries and exits being seen at Morden Station on most weekdays.

Birthday card: Reginald Percy Gossop’s 1926 poster for the Underground

Ann Gavaghan, the “customer experience manager” at Transport for London, said: “The Northern line extension to Morden transformed travel in south London and introduced a collection of stations that remain some of the most recognisable and admired on the Underground network.

“As we celebrate their centenary, we’re delighted to invite Londoners and visitors to discover the history, architecture and stories behind these remarkable buildings. Whether taking part in the treasure hunt or joining one of our guided tours, these events offer a unique opportunity to experience Charles Holden’s legacy and celebrate 100 years of these iconic stations.”

Christian Wolmar, the author of Subterranean Railway, will be giving a new talk at PRA in Crystal Palace on Monday, September 14, telling the heroic tale of how the Northern line reached Morden via the world’s longest tunnel.

The event is at the Phoenix Community Centre, 66 Westow Street, SE19, next to Sainsbury’s in Crystal Palace Triangle. All welcome, non-members fee £2, including refreshments.

Doors open at 2pm.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

• • For more information, visit the website here

  • To book to attend the open day, email AngelaTolley@whitgiftcare.co.uk

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