Society News – Wandsworth Society

Ron Elam collection of Local Yesterdays.

Many will remember the stall on Bellevue Parade where Ron Elam used to be on a Saturday selling items from his mass of historic postcards of South London views. This unique and irreplaceable collection was recently auctioned. We were concerned that if the collection was broken up the loss to our knowledge of the heritage of the area would be lost. Therefore, in collaboration with the Friends of Wandsworth Common, we have jointly acquired 897 postcards.

There’s a fair amount of work involved in just sifting through the 8 albums. Details of how to view them, for anyone who wants to see them now, and what to do with them all need to be resolved in the near future. The proposal is to ensure that these are held for public access.

2023 AGM

The the Chairman’s address and the minutes of the Society’s AGM which took place on 9 March are posted here:

AGM-Chair-presentation-March-2023 Download

Minutes-Wandsworth-Society-2023-AGM Download

November Meeting – 50 years of the Society

The 11 November meeting reviewed the work and play of the Wandsworth Society over 50 years, from objections to the “motorway box” in 1971 and cyclostyled newsletters through to today’s objections to tall buildings and meetings and visits on zoom throughout the pandemic. To view the meeting click below

Paschal Allen

The death of Paschal, a long term member of the Society, was announced in April. He had been unwell for a number of years with Alzheimer’s.

In the wider world he will be remembered for his fine voice, he sang with the English Opera Group, and at Glyndebourne, the Aldeburgh and Edinburgh Festivals, and particularly the Royal Opera House.
In the Society’s narrower orbit he was appreciated in smaller settings. He sang at the inaugural Society Soirée in 1986, and many others; those who had the pleasure of hearing him sing at our soirées or a musical evening at Earlsfield Road will feel particularly privileged. A fine singer and a lovely man, he will be much missed. A memorial concert is planned.

Society Meeting – The Huguenots in Wandsworth

Thursday saw a massive turnout – probably due to an article and unsolicited publicity in a recent Brightside – to hear Tim Kidd give an interesting talk on the history of the Huguenots and their fascinating impact on the industrialised past of Wandsworth. Many apologies to those for whom it was “standing room only”.

We will be holding a walk around the area – including Mount Nod when it becomes a public open space – in the early Summer; this will be publicised to Society members through the Society Newsletter and monthly flyers but open to all, so watch this website for details.