The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies NEWSLETTER March 2015 NEW LIFE FOR THE LIT&SCI Norman Plastow, Past President, writes: One of Wimbledon’s oldest societies closed at the end of last year after 124 years. The Wimbledon Literary and Scientific Society was founded in 1891 by some distinguished local residents to encourage the study of literature and science. Membership was by invitation Above left: Norman Plastow presides over the final meeting where and meetings took place in Secretary Sally Flew, centre, lectured on the Lit & Sci’s prestigious the homes of members, history and distinguished list of previous presidents. But all is not lost. where they presented papers Andrew Simon, right, now heads a team that is resurrecting it for the on a range of suitable sub- future like a phoenix rising from the ashes. jects. The meetings took place after dinner, and in Hall which centred round a new members and chaired all those days when it was usual display of scientific instru- meetings until the Society to “dress for dinner” the dress ments and objects. These in- was fully re-established in was black tie. (In the early cluded living physiological 1948. days almost all the members specimens, and even cholera In the post war period, were men.) Most members and anthrax, exposed on a smaller homes were available followed this tradition until green baize table! for meetings. Seating became quite recently. Membership During World War One, the a problem and chairs had to was limited to 80 but meetings continued, but with be hired. Reluctantly, the members could bring one less lavish refreshments. The Society moved from private guest, who had to be formally Lit&Sci flourished again homes to the Town Hall com- introduced before between the wars, but during mittee room, and then to proceedings began. World War Two the Society church or school halls. These The leading members in had to suspend its activities were less intimate settings those early days included Sir for some time. When they and also increased the Thomas Jackson and Sir restarted, meetings were held running costs. In addition to William Preece. They at 3pm and refreshments lectures there were dramatic arranged outings as well as were limited, due to rationing. readings and productions. the regular meetings. There From 1945, the Society was Summer garden parties were was also an annual resurrected by Dr Seligman introduced and a Christmas ‘Conversazione’ in the Village who, as President, recruited lunch at the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club. (Contd on Page 3 ) INSIDE: News 3 Local History Group 4/5 Kirk Bannister - the interview 6 Environment 7 Museum 8 Planning Committee 8/11 Around and About 12 EDITOR’S NOTE Wimbledon Society contacts Chairman’s President Norman Plastow Report Chairman/Website Asif Malik Hon Secretary Sue Lang Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge Amongst the many activities of the Society, keeping the Museum of Wimbledon running is Planning Chairman John Mays one of our most important. The mission of the award-winning Museum is to collect, record, Museum Chairman conserve and display material relating to the his- Cassandra Taylor tory of Wimbledon, and to make it available to all. There is a rich display of local objects; and Local History Chairman knowledgeable and helpful volunteers offer a Charles Toase great welcome to visitors every weekend. It is the Membership/Planning Secretary willing team of volunteers that enables the Jennifer Newman Museum to carry on with its good work. And now we need more volunteers to fill a number of key Activities/Newsletter Distribution roles – two Duty Officers, an Operations Man- Linda Defriez ager and a Publication Officer. More information Museum Head of Operations Bill on the vacancies can be seen on the back page. Hakes A strong sense of good comradeship prevails amongst our volunteers, and there is much to be said for contributing to the community. Your interest will be gratefully received and, in each case, there will be all the help and guidance you may need to fill the role. By the time you read this, the election for Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators will be complete, and five newly-elected Conser- vators will be preparing for a new 3-year term. The Society played a part in supporting the election by co-hosting, with WPCC, a ‘Meet the Candidates’ meeting in January. All 17 candi- dates were invited to put their case to an interested audience, and then answer any ques- tions. It was a well-attended, successful event, as it gave the audience a chance to decide voting intentions, as well as allowing the candi- dates to meet each other. Finally, may I remind you that our AGM for this year will take place on Saturday 16 May 2015, at Christ Church Hall, starting at 5.00 pm. This will Wimbledon Society Newsletter be a meeting of particular interest, as the guest speaker will be Philip Brook, Chairman of the All Editorial team: Asif Malik, Iain Simpson England Lawn Tennis Club. Do please make a Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, note in your diary, and come along to support the 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY [email protected] Society. ASIF MALIK 2 NEWS (Contd from page 1) More power to our elbow The Committee eventually Early visitors to Playing with recommended closure of the Fire, the attractive new exhibi- Lit&Sci because fewer members tion in the Norman Plastow were attending the meetings, Gallery, have been impressed and they were having some diffi- by two splendid exhibits – culty in finding members who historic rifles - on loan to the would give talks. Museum by gun-makers currently working for Lon- Cassandra Taylor writes: don’s leading firm of sporting Some 12 years ago, I was on gun and rifle makers, writes duty in the Museum with Dr Bob- Monica Ellison. had arrived on the social calen- bie Headley. He said to me These firing pieces in their dar. By that time there were “Would you like to join a little safety display case make a 2500 entrants for the Queen’s story telling club I belong to?” I formidable contribution to the Prize and the prize money, origi- was thrilled and flattered. Bobbie exhibition - a steely reminder of nally a tidy £250 had grown pro- and I had by then become good the serious business of the portionately. Wimbledon has a mates as we were quite often on original National Rifle Associa- long tradition of paying big duty together. He was the best tion’s meetings. money. possible company (see Oral His- Exhibit 1: an Enfield .577 The proliferation of trophies tory, Newsletter September (1853 pattern) the first army rifle, necessitated greater challenges. 2014). The story telling club which at the time of the Crimea In 1863 a moving target trophy turned out to be the Lit&Sci, as it War was considered to be the in the form of a running deer is commonly known. Bobbie ex- ‘ultimate loading service rifle’ was introduced by Sir Edwin Landseer, who apparently first plained that, to become a mem- has been loaned by Mr. Stephen sketched the beast on a table- ber, you had to agree to give a Murray. cloth. Subsequently this outline lecture – just one. “My advice to Exhibit 2 is a Martini was made in metal, mounted on you”, he said “is to get in quick, Henry .577 breech loading (circa wheels which ran on a track give your talk, get it over and 1873). This is the same rifle across the firing range. then you can just sit back and used against the Zulus at Not to be outdone in daring never worry about giving another Rorke’s Drift. It has been loaned and novelty The Owl newspaper unless you want to.” by Mr. Keith Ward. We thank made its debut launching a I took his advice, gave my both donors for their generosity. Shooting Extraordinary Prize in talk within the first year of mem- Though not part of the gallery 1864. The award was a silver bership and have ever since en- display, these rifles point the owl and £50 in cash for a com- joyed listening to others. I met way to a remarkable show. many interesting people, some petition which took place at two Reactions to the exhibition hundred yards in the dark. Lights of whom became good friends have been twofold - amazement and I also enjoyed the dressing called Owl’s Eyes were substi- at the immense scale of this his- tuted for Bull’s Eyes. No casual- up. toric Wimbledon event and REVIVAL ties were reported though the amusement at the exuberance competition was not repeated on and fun which the story of shoot- Andrew Simon, Chair of the safety grounds. ing on the Common tells through new committee, writes: The Owl was not the only the prints and wonderful water- paper that covered events. A committee has been formed to colours on display. There was also ‘The Earwig’ establish a new society which Certainly the NRA meetings which claimed to be a paper will continue the tradition of the got off to a prestigious start, containing ‘neither Politics, original one. The first members’ inaugurated on 2 July 1859 by Literature, Science nor Art.’ meeting was about to take Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Certainly The Earwig’s attempt place, as this was written, on accompanied by Lord at verse would not have Saturday 7 February. Meetings Palmerston and a ginger- disproved the claim though a will once again take place in bearded, Earl Spencer. The first mention of the Fenians, the members’ homes.