Alexis Haslam will speak to us about Bishop Juxon, who is related to John Juxon, the man who built four almshouses in Mortlake. Alexis is a Community Archaeologist at Fulham Palace, and he has written several books. This lecture will be preceded by a brief AGM. Date: 20th March 2025 Time: 8pm Venue: All Saints […]
Mick Taylor is a volunteer at the Wandle museum and has undertaken many talks. He will speak to us about mills on the River Wandle. With around 50 mills and a number of different industries, the talk covers 400 years of history. Date: 20th February 2025 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
Gilly King is a retired archivist for Roehampton University, and she will be talking to us about the history of Whitelands College which later became Roehampton Institute of Higher Education. Her talks have been described a “a rich story of historical insights and a few anecdotes charged with energy.” Date: 25th January 2025 Time: 2.30pm […]
Dr Caroline Shenton will give us an account of the day parliament burned down, and explain the ramifications of the event on British Society. Her book on this topic won the Political Book of the Year Award in 2013 and Mary Beard called it ‘microhistory at its absolute best’ while Dan Jones considered it ‘glorious’. She […]
Peter Williams will talk to us about Lord Desborough, an outstanding sportsman and a driving force behind the 1908 Olympic Games. He also served as the chairman of the Thames Conservancy. Date: 12th December 2024 Time: 8pm (Christmas drinks and nibbles served from 7.30pm). Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
Chris Ransted will talk to us about lesser-known events and personalities relating to the early years of Explosive Ordnance Disposal. He will give a comprehensive account of the Home Guard’s role, auxiliary Bomb Disposal Units and details of conscientious objector involvement with unexploded bombs. Date: 21st November 2024 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
Doug Kirby will talk to us about his great uncle who lived in Finsbury Park and joined a London Battalion in WW1, spending time in the army camp in Richmond Park. A mix of local history, family history and military history about The Great War. Date: 17th October 2024 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Parish […]
The talk will cover the origins of the Kit Kat Club, its members and their political and literary associations. Ophelia Field is a historical biographer, a freelance writer and a tutor for MA students. She is author of The Favourite and The Kit Kat Club. Date: 19th September 2024 Time: 8pm Venue: St Mary’s Barnes […]
There was time when market gardens were ubiquitous throughout Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen, far outweighing the importance of more well-known industries such as brewing, tapestry-weaving and potteries. First published in 1985, The Market Gardens of Barnes and Mortlake, written by Maisie Brown, founder member and past chairman of the society, lifted the veil on […]
Sarah will wear a beautiful costume and talk about all the naughty bits of history you would probably not have learnt about at school! She will discuss royal mistresses, prostitution, SDTs and the methods used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Warning, this talk is not for the prude, it is fun but rude! Lecture Date: Thursday […]
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