The landowners of the waterside meads of the manor that covered Sands End had had to provide common grazing rights for cattle. The church had been the owner of some parcels of land since the end of the 15th century. Several owners of the fields had been fencing them and denying the grazing rights. When a landowner sold to the Imperial Gas Company in 1883 it was realised that these marshy acres, that had not been much prized as agricultural land or for residential development, had commercial value. A demonstration was staged of the locals belief in these rights and their entitlement to compensation. The demonstration was followed by court action. In February 1893 the High Court found in favour of the owners, i.e., the rights no longer existed and no compensation was due.

O/S Co-ords:2600.7683
Source(s):

A History of Fulham