Next week will see the start of the 2025-2026 season of talks and readings at the St Mildred’s Literary Society in Addiscombe, a local group that is continuing a near-century-old tradition.
“The Lit” (such societies often tend to gravitate towards such a name; the “Purley Lit” is much the same) was founded in 1934 and today holds its (non-religious) meetings in the church’s rear hall on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from October to March, at 8pm, where local residents, historians and enthusiasts share their knowledge and learning, socialise and meet friends, old and new.
Subscription for the season (there are 12 events on the 2025-2026 programme) is £30, or £4 per meeting. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served from 7.30pm.
Starting from next Tuesday, the programme this year looks like this:
7th Oct: Paranormal Mysteries and Cover-Ups, Andy Thomas
21st Oct: Kill or Cure Plants, Colin Jones
4th Nov: The Origins and Residents of the Crystal Palace District Cemetery, John Hickman
18th Nov: Noel Coward, Nigel Colman
2nd Dec: An A-Z of Pantomime, Chris Abbott
16th Dec: Christmas Social and Entertainment, mandolin group2026
6th Jan: Romania: Transylvania to the Danube Delta, Sue Henning
20th Jan: Exploring London from 1860 to 1879, Michael Gilbert
3rd Feb: Edwardian Leisure, Ian Bevan
17th Feb: Jane Morris, John Hawks
3rd Mar: Croydon High Street from 1901 to 1958 Carole Roberts
17th Mar: Annual meeting and talk Fr Neil Brunskill
The Lit meets in the rear hall at the St Mildred’s Centre, 30 Bingham Road, Addiscombe, CR0 7EB, two minutes’ walk from Addiscombe tram stop and the 289, 312 and 367 bus stops. Parking is available.
Enquiries about the St Mildred’s Literary Society can be sent via the parish office on 020 8655 1434 or parishoffice@stmildredschurch.org.uk
Other community events coming up:
- Skibabble open mic night at The Front Room, next up: Oct 7
- Singing the praises of Amazing Grace, Croydon Minster, Oct 15
- Family Haunted House, Brown and Green Café, Oct 17-18
- Curry Night Fund-raiser at SNCK, Socco Cheta, Oct 22
- Jazz at the Croydon Clocktower Café, every Thursday, 12-2pm
- Energy Advice Sessions with trained advisors: all FREE
- Christmas Craft Market, Crystal Palace, Dec 13-14 and 20-21
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