Her early years, her life in Naples with her husband, her meeting with Lord Nelson, and her return to the UK and life in Merton. The talk also includes something about the Borough of Merton and some other observations on local places and history.
An architect, Wimbledon enthusiast and Society president, Asif Malik conducts a virtual architectural tour of Wimbledon, exploring the stories of well known features of our area, and delving into some hidden gems.
A talk by Gwendolyn van Paasschen on the history of Denmans Gardens, from the arrival of Joyce Robinson and her family in 1946 through the arrival of John Brookes MBE in 1980, and the restoration of the garden since 2018. An RHS Partner Garden, it won Gold in the South and Southeast in Bloom competition in 2021 and 2022, is open to the NGS, and is registered a Grade II garden.
The talk is about Allenswood School mainly centred on Marie Souvestre, progressive headmistress of her time, her pupils and especially Eleanor Roosevelt. A case is made for public recognition of Eleanor’s time at Allenswood.
No city can survive without water. For centuries London, one of the largest and richest cities in the world, struggled to supply its citizens with reliable, clean water. Nick’s talk is based on his book, The Mercenary River, which tells the story of that struggle from the Middle Ages to the present.
Claire joined the Trust in 2015 and manages the Theatres at Risk work, advising on capital redevelopments, and managing the Trust’s Advisory Review. Claire studied architecture at the University of Sheffield and has worked for several renowned architects, on new build and refurbishment projects, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Hall in Harrogate.
An illustrated tour of the five-mile walking route linking the nine ponds. Learn about the history of the commons including royal celebrations, ghostly stories, and the exploits of villains.
Please note that due to technical issues with the Wimbledon Society talk recording, this is from a similar talk organised by the WPCC for which we are very grateful!
Clive Whichelow has written many books covering subjects from humour to history. His latest book Pubs of Wimbledon Town, the sister volume to Pubs of Wimbledon Village has recently been published. Both these volumes are available from our online shop.
Between 1861 and 1881 the population south of the railway increased eightfold to 8000, leading to a demand for inns and beer houses. Many survive but others have gone, and this talk uncovers the stories of some of the pubs that have been part of Wimbledon town.
Joyce Hampton will take you on an historical journey that began with the earliest doubts about the Church’s teachings, leading to the birth of Calvinism, and on through the Wars of Religion that were to plague France off and on for almost 40 years until the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
You will journey through the years leading up the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes as Joyce reveals how a people’s will could not be fully broken despite torture and persecution. yet many fled, and you will learn of the invaluable contribution they made to their adopted homelands, and how even in our modern everyday lives we are surrounded by a Huguenot legacy
Joyce Hampton is Chair of the Arts Society Ashtead as well as Chair of the Stairway to Heaven Memorial and is a member of the Library & Archives Committee of The Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland. She is also a Fellow of the Huguenot Society.
Did you know about Shakespeare’s visit to India? It was a long time ago of course. He was enormously popular, and many thousands were in his audiences. Intrigued? Why not be led by an expert guide on this journey involving drama, travel and history, not to mention comedy and romance. It is a tale worthy of the Bard himself and could be titled not Romeo and Juliet but Raj and Jennifer.
Michael is Chairman of The Wimbledon Society Local History Group and commissions the talks we have been providing for your interest and information. He is a teacher, writer and actor who has lived locally for over fifty years.
Clive Whichelow reveals one of the best-kept secrets in British film history, the Merton Park Studios which were used by some of the biggest names in the business including actors Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Rita Tushingham and directors Joseph Losey, Joan Littlewood and Lindsay Anderson. Action films, comedies, musicals, sci-fi films and the famous crime series Scotland Yard, Scales of Justice and Edgar Wallace mysteries were all made there as well as adverts, children’s films and wartime propaganda films – even a Walt Disney film. Find out what really went on at this criminally overlooked studio
Lynette Shanbury is Executive Director & Joint CEO of Polka which is one of the few theatres in the UK dedicated exclusively to children. Based in Wimbledon since 1979, Polka creates world-class theatre to entertain and inspire young audiences.
Mark Saunders has been Head Gardener at Fittleworth House in Sussex since 1997. His office is a 19th century potting shed. His photography has won prizes and his kitchen garden stands as an example. In his presentation he illustrates the changing seasons.
Julian Pooley from the Surrey History Centre shares with us the story of this environmental pioneer in whose footsteps we walk.
John Evelyn was a 17th Century diarist virtuoso and horticulturalist born in Surrey at Wotton. His family gained wealth through the gunpowder industry. His diary was published first by the early 19th century antiquary William Bray.
The John Evelyn Club was founded by Richardson Evans in 1904 – this became the Wimbledon Society some 50 years ago.
A talk given by Asif Malik to Wimbledon Society members about the Society’s work in Wimbledon Village
A historical talk by Mick Taylor on the changing faces of Merton, Morden and Mitcham
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Text and Images © Museum of Wimbledon; Some photography courtesy of Richard Lewisohn, Nigel Davis and Simon Joseph
