Events Calendar

October 3rd 2023 The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower and its clock Big Ben have long been the iconic face of London to the rest of the world. Now re-opened after their 4-year restoration, they are a must see attraction for all – visitors and natives alike. Tim Redmond will discuss their history, the architects and clockmakers involved and the work undertaken in their recent restoration.

Speaker: Tim Redmond, a long-serving guide at the Elizabeth Tower.

November 14th 2023. Please note this meeting is one week later than usual. Silver Fakes and Forgeries
Over the centuries, some goldsmiths have attempted to defraud their customers and avoid hallmarking their work. Lucy Morton will talk about how the authorities have tried to curtail their activities and prevent too many forgeries coming on to the market. She will also show examples of some fakes and forgeries and talk about the changing attitude to them.

Speaker: Lucy Morton, Editor of the Silver Society’s journal.

December 5th 2023 Christmas in London throughout the Centuries.
Londoners have celebrated Christmas in many different ways over the centuries. David Laird will take us on a whistle stop tour of how Londoners have celebrated Yuletide from Medieval times up to the present. He will particularly focus on the growth of Christmas traditions during the Victorian times.

Speaker: David Laird, Education Officer based at Tower Bridge & The Monument as well as tour guide and writer.

January 9th 2024 AGM & Talk on Chertsey Abbey *
Our Annual General Meeting will be followed by refreshments and a short talk on Chertsey Abbey by Emma Warren, curator of Chertsey Museum.

* The AGM will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church which is just off Hampton Court Way at its junction with Elm Tree Avenue.



February 6th 2024 A History of Political Cartoons
Ian Keable will be taking us on a tour of the development of political cartoons from the works of artists such as William Hogarth, James Gillray and John Tenniel up through later artists such as Ronald Searle and Heath Robinson and finally to more modern practitioners such as Gerald Scarfe and Peter Brookes.

Speaker: Ian Keable, Accredited Lecturer for The Arts Society

March 5th 2024 AC Cars - A Thames Ditton Classic.
In the 1960s and 1970s an AC Cobra was one of the most prized sports cars on the market. Its maker, AC Cars, was first established in 1899 and moved to Thames Ditton in 1911. Over the years the company produced a wide range of exciting cars. John Spencer will talk to us about the history of AC Cars and its time in Thames Ditton.

Speaker: John Spencer, Archivist and Vice-President of the AC Owners Club.

March 26th 2024 (no meeting in April) Maritime Art from the 16th Century to the Present
James Taylor will be guiding us through the exciting and diverse world of Maritime Art. He will be discussing the subjects of traditional marine painting as well as including famous sailors such as Captain Cook and Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. He will be focussing particularly on its development in Britain but also including artists from Holland, France, Italy and Germany.

Speaker: Dr. James Taylor, Author and former curator at the National Maritime Museum.

May 7th 2024 Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces is a charity that oversees the care of the non-lived-in Royal Palaces and their various collections. The palaces include: the Banqueting Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Hillsborough Castle and the Tower of London. Nicola Andrews will be talking to us about the work that HRP does in caring for them.

Speaker: Nicola Andrews, Palaces Group Director.

June 4th 2024 Plagues and Pestilence in Old London*
Plagues and pestilence have been a constant problem in London over the centuries. From the Black Death of 1348 up to the present keeping London healthy has always been a challenge. Christine Jarvis will highlight efforts to improve things and along the way she will mention the cast of quacks, visionaries, hypochondriacs and heroes who played their part in this story.

Speaker: Christine Jarvis, London Blue Badge, City of London and Historic Royal Palaces guide and lecturer.

* This meeting will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church which is just off Hampton Court Way at its junction with Elm Tree Avenue.