The Mosaic in Trinity Square, Sutton High Street

Lots of us will be visiting Sutton High Street over the next few weeks in the run-up to Christmas. The story behind one of Sutton town centre’s key monuments is told in a new plaque, unveiled in Trinity Square. Sutton’s rich history has been proudly displayed in a mosaic opposite Waterstone’s, since 1994, but few have known the stories behind each of the 19 intricate panels. The new plaque explains what each section of mosaic means, and the history of the people and places it depicts. The centre panel shows Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace. Around this panel are heraldic beasts from the coats of arms of the local families of Carew, Gaynesford and Lumley – names which are still familiar to local people. Other images show the borough’s heritage buildings – including Honeywood Museum, the old cottage in Cheam, Carshalton Church, Whitehall and The Cock Inn – and past industries, including a Wandle mill, used in the lavender and agricultural trade; the first iron railway, which ran along the River Wandle and the Hannibal Aircraft, synonymous with the former Croydon Airport, which stood on the site of the Roundshaw Estate. Cllr Graham Tope, Executive Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Libraries, said: “This beautiful mosaic has been a much-loved feature of our High Street for the past 17 years, but unless you’re a historian the chances are you would not know what all of the intricate panels mean. “I hope this plaque will encourage people to take a look, and for those already familiar with the mosaic, I hope it will help them to appreciate it even more.” The mosaic, by artists Rob Turner and Gary Drostle, was commissioned by Sutton Council and funded by Appledown Properties in 1994. It measures 9m x 5m, making it one of the largest pieces of wall art in the country.