Story of Wandsworth

The tradition of electing a 'Mayor of Garratt' developed in Wandsworth during the early 18th century. These popular mock elections, which attracted huge crowds, were held at the same time as elections to Parliament. They centred upon the Leather Bottle pub in Garratt Lane. The candidates were, typically, eccentric characters from London who adopted comic names and made witty speeches. Although the event provided a day of drunken revelry, it was also an opportunity to air radical political views at a time when no ordinary people had the right to vote.

Above is an advertising token, struck in 1796 depicting "Sir" George Cook, a candidate in the Mayor of Garratt election that year.

Festivities outside the Leather Bottle
during the Mayor of Garratt election, 1781