Wandsworth Historical Society

The archaeology and history of the Borough of Wandsworth

Battersea : Balham : Putney : Tooting : Wandsworth Town

Old Putney

Putney High Street c.1900
Putney High Street, 1903
Putney Hill c.1906
The Green Man, Putney Heath c.1909
The Green Man pub today, built c.1700

Lecture Programme for the next Year

You are welcome to come along to one of our talks free of charge before deciding whether you want to join the Society.

Our talks are held on the last Friday of the month, beginning at 8.00 pm and ending at about 9.15 pm.

The talks in January, February and November will be online only via Zoom.

The link will be sent to all members and the email whsevents@wandsworthhistory.org.uk can be used by non-members to request the link.

March to October they are held at the Friends' Meeting House, 59 Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 2PT.

The Meeting House is opposite Wandsworth Town Hall, a short walk down from the Spread Eagle pub. Map link

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The dates with subject and speaker, where known, are:

Date Talk Speaker
31 January 2025 (Online via Zoom)

15th Nick Fuentes Memorial Lecture:
'Hopes and fears - archaeology in the City of London after the War' Peter Marsden was the City archaeologist from the 1960s-1970s valiantly trying to excavate and record its archaeology in advance of redevelopment, helped by a band of volunteers who provided much needed labour, skills and resources. These volunteers responded to to archaeological emergencies when there were few full-time archaeologists in London, rapid redevelopment with little protection for archaeology, and a dire lack of funding and equipment. Wandsworth Historical Society was one of the leading groups providing volunteers and equipment with Nick Farrant/Fuentes acting as a weekend supervisor. Peter will be telling the story of those times.

[WHS Archaeology history here] 		Dr Peter Marsden
28 February 2025 (Online via Zoom) 'A Harley Street for the Poor? The Lives and Times of the Bolingbroke Hospital' Sue Demont
(Battersea Society)
28 March 2025

'Syon Abbey revisited: shedding light on late medieval England's wealthiest nunnery'Syon was the last great religious house to be built in London lasting until it was closed in 1539. The lecture will discuss the archaeological investigations since the late 1990s and its long-forgotten layout and appearance. Robert Cowie began digging with WHS and had a long career with Museum of London Archaeology as a field archaeologist.

Robert Cowie
25 April 2025 'Researching the lost houses and gardens of Wandsworth Common' Heritage Group of the Friends of Wandsworth Common
30 May 2025 An archaeological talk TBA
27 June 2025 AGM followed by a local history talk TBA
25 July 2025 An archaeological talk TBA
August 2025 No Meeting  
26 September 2025 Members' Evening Short talks by members
31 October 2025 'Fascinating finds from the Tideway Excavations at Iron Age Barn Elms' Mike Curnow
28 November 2025 (Online via Zoom) 'Shakespearian playhouses' Heather Knight, MOLA
December 2025 No Meeting  


Click here for a list of previous talks starting from 1991.


Click here for reports on previous talks starting from November 2013.