LATEST NEWS |
We had two excellent talks last month from Celia Holman and Paul Velluet. You can now watch videorecordings of them – and 25 of our other previous talks – on our YouTube channel.
Our next talks evening is on Monday 19 May at the earlier time of 7.45 pm. Following our AGM we have short talks by three speakers – Mark Lucas, Jan Johnson and Simon Fowler. (Simon replaces Paul Browne who, unfortunately, has had to drop out.)
WELCOME TO THE RICHMOND LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY |
Our Society explores the history of Richmond, Kew, Petersham and Ham and the people who have lived here.
Each of these areas has a rich tapestry of history that includes royal connections, significant architectural developments, and a deep cultural heritage. Exploring their history offers an insight into the broader historical narrative of England, especially in terms of royal influence, horticultural advancements, and architectural heritage.
What we offer:
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- Evening talks: Usually held on the second Monday of each month, our evening talks feature expert speakers who delve into various historical topics related to our area.
- Guided walks and visits: Explore the historical sites and hidden gems of Richmond, Kew, Petersham, and Ham with our organised walks and visits.
- Richmond History journal: Our award-winning journal offers in-depth articles and research on local history.
- Books: We publish a range of books on topics of local interest, providing valuable insights and detailed accounts of our area’s past.
TALKS
Our next talks evening is on Monday 19 May at the earlier time of 7.45 pm.
We will start our proceedings earlier than usual, with our Annual General Meeting.
After our AGM, we will have three short talks:
- Simon Fowler, the Society’s Vice-Chair, tells the story of Merlin’s Cave: Richmond’s Georgian theme park. A homage to King Arthur’s wizarding mentor and adviser, Merlin’s Cave was a folly commissioned by Queen Charlotte (wife of George III) . In 1735/36, visitors to Kew Gardens could inspect a replica of Merlin’s library and meet a poet hermit.
- Mark Lucas, our Membership Secretary, who is the author and publisher of The Rise and Fall of Richmond Palace (2024), will speak about Richmond Palace.
- Jan Johnson will tell us about the Victorian engineer Henrietta Vansittart.
Our talks in 2025 have all been very well-attended. There were 150 people in person at Nathen Amin’s talk to us in February on Henry VII and Richmond and 50 log-ins via Zoom: a very impressive turnout! Photo by Robert Smith
Our YouTube channel now has video recordings of 25 of our talks (including Nathen’s).
- Find out more about our forthcoming talks
MEMBERSHIP
Join the Society online
You can now join the Society or renew your membership online.Annual membership is: - £12 single
- £20 for two people at the same address.
By joining our Society, you will enjoy:
- Free admission to our talks and walks: Gain free access to our monthly evening talks and summer walks.
- An informative newsletter, three times a year, keeping you updated on events, talks, and new publications.
- Discounts on our extensive range of publications.
If you are already a member and have a standing order in place, this will renew automatically when your next subscription payment is due – there is no need to contact us unless you wish to cancel or to amend your personal details.
If you prefer to join by post, please download our membership form; print, complete and post to us with an accompanying cheque or cash.
If you have any queries about membership, please email our Membership Secretary, Mark Lucas.
PUBLICATIONS
Have you visited our online bookshop?
All of the Richmond Local History Society’s publications still in print are available from our online bookshop.You can also purchase our most popular publications from the bookstall at our monthly talks and from local independent bookshops.
The latest issue of our award-winning journal
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Our journal, Richmond History, has now received an award as London’s best local history journal for four years in a row.
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Our latest issue, Richmond History 44, includes articles on Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, Sudbrook Park and Ham House, on the explorer George Vancouver (who lived in Petersham and is buried there) and on attitudes in Richmond to the new Nazi regime in Germany in 1933.
£7.00 (£5.00 for members)
Find out more about this issue and how to order a copy online.
Copies of all four issues, which include some pages in colour, are available from our online bookshop. They can also be bought at Kew Bookshop, the Museum of Richmond, The National Archives’ shop and The Open Book in Richmond.
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Our two most recent books are on our local area’s contribution to the Second World War
Our latest book, an expanded fourth edition of Kew at War 1939-1945, uses eyewitness accounts, diaries and official records to tell the story of local people and those who were stationed in Kew in the Second World War.American soldiers, who made the maps that helped the Allies’ D-Day landings, were based at a camp where The National Archives is now. After the Americans left, the camp housed Italian prisoners of war.
This new edition of David Blomfield and Christopher May’s book has been fully revised and expanded by Simon Fowler and includes additional new appendices.
It is available from our online bookshop and local independent bookshops.
£10.00 (£7.00 for members)
In November 2024, Richmond History 44 won in the Journal category at London & Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS)’s Local History Publications Awards. Our Society received a certificate and a £100 prize
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