The Norwood Society has just published its programme for 2018 – a schedule of monthly talks, and some walks, which enlighten and inform about the history and heritage of the area.

The Norwood’s Society’s events are wide-ranging, with expert speakers drawn from across the country, and subjects not confined to the local area alone: in September, for example, the talk is about Brixton Market, which is newsworthy because of a controversial £30million takeover bid by sports store millionaire Mike Ashley.

The Norwood Society was formed in 1960 “not just to keep our locality a pleasant place to live in, but also to preserve its heritage where possible and to bring to the public’s knowledge its history and the many famous people who, at some time in their lives, were its residents”.

Since its foundation the Society has published its quarterly Norwood Review where you will find updates on planning applications, book reviews and numerous articles on local people and events in times past.

The Society’s 2018 programme includes expert advice on tracing family history or to research the background to your street and home, and there’s talks and walks around Gipsy Hill.

Jan 18 Tracing your family’s history
Sylvia Dibbs of the East Surrey Family History Society talks about family history research and how the Society can help

Col Gouraud: American Civil War hero and contemporary of Thomas Edison

Feb 15 Colonel Gouraud: The man who brought recorded sound to England
Howard Hope talks about the Colonel and his Beulah Hill house “Little Menlo” – otherwise known as “The Electric House” – and all the amazing things that happened there in the decade from 1888 when he bought it

Mar 15 My House, My Street
Nick Tyson, Secretary of the Brunswick Town Trust, Hove explains how to research the history of your house and street

Apr 19 Who’s buried at St Luke’s?
Francis Howcutt introduces his research into the churchyard of the West Norwood Church and those buried there

May 17 Gipsy Hill and Gipsy Road
Explore the area’s history with Alun Thomas

Jun 21 Victorian Leisure and Pleasure
A talk by Blue Badge guide and historian Ian Bevan

Jul 15 Walk: Grangewood Park and South Norwood led by Stephen Oxford

Aug 19 Walk: Down Gipsy Hill led by Alun Thomas

Brixton Market: subject of September’s talk

Sep 20 Brixton Market
The history and development by Bill Linsky, Chairman of the Brixton Society

Oct 18 Conservation in Croydon
Conservation in the Borough by Sane Roberts Senior Project Officer (Conservation)

Nov 15 Beulah Spa
The history of the famous spa by Stephen Oxford

Dec 20 Social Evening

The July and August walks are on Sunday afternoons at 2.30pm.

All talks are held at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month at Upper Norwood Library. The talks are free, but donations are encouraged towards the costs of the room and refreshments.

For more information about the Norwood Society, its activities and how to join, visit its website here.

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