Gary is Curator and Executive Officer at the Museum of Richmond. Following on from their successful exhibition, he will speak to us about Pamela Barton, a gifted young golfer who was born in Barnes, and other trailblazing women from the borough. Date: 15th April 2027 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
Robert Murray will speak to us about the history of St Osmund’s Catholic Church in Barnes. Date: 18th March 2027 Time: 8pm Venue: All Saints Church, East Sheen […]
Mark is a freelance artist, designer-silversmith and retired university lecturer. He has a passion for lighthouses and is a keen folklorist with an interest in unusual local customs and rituals. In his talk, he will explore the rich tradition of lore and legend including pagan gods, riverside taverns, ghosts, ceremonials, frost fairs, tales of smuggling […]
Read More… from The Folklore and Traditions of the Tidal Thames
Geoffrey Browell will talk to us about incidents and buildings connected with the Strand from ancient beginnings to 21st century. Date: 30th January 2027 Time: 8pm Location: All Saints, East Sheen […]
Read More… from Perhaps the Finest Street in Europe: the Strand and its heroes through time
Venetian River Fetes that were held in the 1890s and early 1900s and attracted enormous crowds to Richmond. On fine summer evenings crowds came to the riverside, where boat owners vied with each to produce the liveliest light shows on their boats using Chinese lanterns and lights. The highlight of the evening was a battle […]
Read More… from Magical Unreality on the Thames: The Story of the Venetian Fêtes at Richmond
Crystal Palace and Park opened in June 1854, and Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins promoted his works and engineered the famous “Dinner in the Iguanodon” on New Year’s Eve 1853. Come along and find out what prompted this unique project. Date: 10th December 2026 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
Read More… from Why Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins created the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
What happened to all the men who survived The Great War? Servicemen demobilised after WW1 were expected to simply “get on with it” but they faced many problems. Martin’s talk will cover demobilisation, jobs, support, housing, shell shock, pensions and the foundation of the British Legion. Date: 19th November 2026 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s […]
Read More… from What happened to all the men who survived The Great War
Jason is a mudlark, architect and the author of “MUDLARKS: Treasures from the Thames”, as well as co-author of “Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London’s Lost Treasures”. He is a member of the exclusive Society of Thames Mudlarks and a Trustee of the Thames Museum Trust. Who better to teach us about the ancient art of […]
Rosalind has published a novel – Prince George & Master Frederick – which is a work of fiction about a real person. Frederick Blomberg was the secret son of King George III who, in 1765, at the age of four, was adopted into the royal family and brought up as a prince. He became best […]
Read More… from Prince George and Master Frederick – royal friends and secret brothers
This entertaining book explores how James Nichols came to build the Barnes Lion Houses. It is richly illustrated, with original architects’ drawings and a wealth of period images. If you’d like to learn about the history of these houses – including how they came to be adorned with so many terracotta lions – this book […]
