The Norwood Society’s 2019 programme gets under way at Upper Norwood Library next week, with the first in a series of invigorating walks and inspiring talks arranged by its hard-working volunteers.
The Norwood Society’s area covers parts of Lambeth and Southwark, as well as those parts of Croydon which were once part of the Great North Wood from which the Norwood neighbourhoods took their name, and its talks topics can often wander a little further afield, too.
Its events usually look at topics of local historical interest, and the first Norwood Society meeting of the year, next Thursday, January 17, underlines that, with archivist and historian Len Riley giving a talk about the development of suburban south London.
John Grindrod: Norwood Society speaker in October
The year’s programme also includes John Grindrod talking about his books Concretopia and Outskirts, two reports on the results of historical investigations by members of the Norwood Society into the history of the area, and in April, there’s a talk about the Crystal Palace dinosaurs and the on-going restoration project.
July and August sees the Society hold two walks, each with a local history theme.
All talks are held at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month at Upper Norwood Library, 39-41 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, SE19 1TJ. Further details about the Norwood Society, including how to join, can be found on its website here.
Jan 17 South London Suburbs. Archivist and historian Len Riley describes the development of suburban South London.
Feb 21 The History of Parks. Author and reviewer Travis Elborough charts the history of the British park and discusses his book A Walk in the Park.
Mar 21 The other “Triangle” – Fox Hill, Tudor Road and Belvedere Road.
Alun Thomas delves into the history of this area and its past residents
Apr 18 The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. Ellinor Michel of the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs talks about the history of the dinosaurs and the restoration project. Followed by the Society’s AGM
May 16 Local History from the collections of the Surrey History Centre. Julian Pooley, Public Services and Engagement manager SHC.
Jun 20 MyHouseMyStreet. Ruth Hibberd and society researchers recount their findings in the Harold Road area
Jul 21 Walk: Stanley Halls to the Reservoir and back led by Stephen Oxford
Meet: 2.30pm. Stanley Halls, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB
Aug 18 Walk: The Southern slopes of Upper Norwood led by Alun Thomas.
Crystal Palace Station to Fox Hill. Meet: 2.30pm at Crystal Palace Station, SE19 2AZ
Sep 19 MyHouseMyStreet Ruth Hibberd and society researchers recount their findings in the Woodland Hill area
Oct 17 From Concretopia to the Green Belt. A talk by Croydon-born author John Grindrod
Nov 21 Westbrook Mission, Thornton Heath – tragedy, scandal and slavery. Talk by Stephen Oxford
The December meeting is usually a Christmas social. Details of that event are to be announced.
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