In 1895, a monument was dedicated to WF Gamul Farmer by his eleven children. This family had lived in Cheam Park House during the Victorian era. The monument continued to stand on Ewell Road, just outside of Nonsuch Park, until late August 2013 when it was destroyed in a car crash. Despite a man being arrested due to his connection with the crash, he was released without charges, and thus no one was convicted for the destruction.

The monument remained in its destroyed state for over two years after the accident, no longer a stone cross and drinking fountain, but rather only the circular foundation on which the monument once stood tall.

It was only on the 8th January 2016 when the monument began to be restored. Its remains are now cornered off with fences and Stonewest (a building restoration, conservation and stonemasonry company) are working to rebuild it.

It is currently unknown when the process will be completed, but many are pleased that the remains will no longer stick out, and that Farmer’s monument will stand in its place once again.

By Amber Shah, Nonsuch High School for Girls