There Is No Need to Book for These Free Lectures. Members and Non-Members Welcome

WIMBLEDON SOCIETY LECTURE SEASON 2009 - 2010

There is no need to book for these free lectures. Members and non-members welcome. Please note that the lectures in January and February are on Saturday afternoon. Also the lecture on Wimbledon Theatre which is shown on the blue card as taking place in November will now be in March 2010 and a very topical lecture on the newly restored South Park Gardens has been scheduled for November 2009.

Tuesday 29th September at The Lounge, Emmanuel Church, Ridgway (corner of Lingfield) at 8 for 8.15. “250 years of education: Old Central to Bishop Gilpin” with John Harvey John Harvey, Deputy Headmaster of Bishop Gilpin for 16 years was himself a pupil at Old Central School on Wimbledon Common in the early 1950s. He is currently writing a book which traces the history of the school from its time as a Charity School to its present site in Lake Road. His illustrated presentation detailing the people and events which have shaped the school over 250 years will be of interest to all Wimbledon residents but especially to any former pupils.

Wednesday 4th November at Mansel Road Centre at 8 for 8.15. “South Park Gardens: the history and restoration of our Edwardian pleasure park” with Jil Hall Jil Hall, Community Park Warden of South Park Gardens, has co-written a History of South Park Gardens. The Gardens were opened in 1901 and restored in 2009 with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Jil will tell the story of the Gardens through the 20th century, their decline in the 90s leading to the formation of the Friends group and their eventual restoration.

Saturday 23rd January 2010 at the Village Hall, Lingfield Road at 2 for 2.15pm. “Early Years of the National Rifle Association at Wimbledon and Bisley”. A talk by Dr and Mrs Deane. John’s interest in target rifle shooting goes back to his days at Cambridge University and he has competed at Bisley every year since 1972. He and his wife Deborah are much involved with the NRA: he guides visitors around the NRA Museum and Deborah is using the archives of the NRA to prepare a book on the early social history of the volunteer movement and the NRA shooting contests. Their illustrated talk will include the formation of the NRA, the social dimension of the early contests, some early winners, the landscape of the camp at Wimbledon and the move away from Wimbledon to Bisley.

Saturday 20th February 2010 at the Village Hall, Lingfield Road at 2 for 2.15pm. “Lawn tennis at Wimbledon” an illustrated talk by Robert Fuller. Robert was responsible for the very popular 2008 exhibition, presented by the Society at Eagle House, on the early days of the All England at Worple Road and anyone who was lucky enough to attend the exhibition when he was present was fascinated by his stream of anecdotes. Robert owns a very extensive collection of photographs and artefacts relating to the All England throughout its history and his illustrated talk is guaranteed to be of interest to tennis enthusiasts and local residents alike.

Wednesday 24th March at 8 for 8.15pm at Wimbledon Library. “Wimbledon Theatre Centenary” a talk by Maralyn Sarrington. Maralyn is Executive General Manager of the theatre and is currently involved with the extensive building improvements which are preparing the theatre for its centenary celebrations in 2010. Maralyn’s talk will cover the 100 years of the theatre’s history and its position as a local theatre to rival the West End.