Previous conferences

The 2021 West London History Conference took place online

The 41st West London Local History Conference was held, via Zoom only, on Saturday 27 November.

In a series of talks with the theme “Liquid History”: the Thames in the past of South and West London, the conference  explored the river’s significance in our local history.

The West London History Conference is an annual event organised jointly by the Richmond Local History Society and other local history societies in west London. Liz Velluet, Secretary of our own society, has been the conference’s Secretary since 1988.

The 2020 West London History Conference took place online

The West London History Conference is an annual event that is organised jointly by the Richmond Local History Society and other local history societies in west London. Liz Velluet, Secretary of our own society, has been the conference’s Secretary since 1988.

For the first time in its 40-year history, 2020’s conference took place online, with about 60 people participating via Zoom. The conference’s theme was Celebrations & Commemorations in South and West London History. See the programme.

A souvenir booklet in digital format, commemorating the conference’s fortieth anniversary, has been produced. View the souvenir booklet.

Let us entertain you: the 2019 West London History Conference

The 2019 conference, with Entertainment in South & West London, as its theme, took place on Saturday 30 March at the Brentford campus of the University of West London. Two of the talks were given by members of our own society: our President Paul Velluet  talked about two Richmond theatres and their roles in the social life of the town, while Alan Sherriff, a Richmond Heritage Guide, spoke on the National Jazz & Blues Festivals that were held in Richmond in the 1960s.

The Impact of  the 1914-18 War on West London: 24 March 2018

Richmond Local History Society co-sponsored the 38th West London Local History Conference, which was held at the University of West London’s Brentford campus on Saturday 24 March 2018 with the theme The Impact of  the 1914-18 War on West London.

See the programme

Communications in West London’s History: 25 March 2017

Richmond Local History Society co-sponsored the 37th West London Local History Conference, which was held at the University of West London’s Brentford campus on Saturday 25 March 2017 with the theme Communications in West London History.

The programme included:

    • Dorian Gerhold (author of Carriers and Coachmasters): Before and After Turnpiking – waggons, packhorses and stagecoaches
    • Keith Whitehouse (Fulham & Hammersmith Historical Society): The Postal Service from the 17th century onwards in Fulham and Hammersmith
    • James Wisdom (Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society): A Wealthy Family’s Travels – Lord Fauconberg’s Accounts
    • James Marshall (Hounslow Library Service): By-passing Crowded Brentford – the impact of the new Great West Road upon West London
    • Oliver Green (London Transport Museum): Something in the Air – the Rise of Aviation in West London

Children in West London’s History: 19 March 2016

WLC 2016 programme_1Richmond Local History Society co-sponsored the 36th West London Local History Conference, which was held at the University of West London’s Brentford campus on Saturday 19 March 2016 with the theme Children in West London History. The programme included talks on “Children of the poor of Kingston http://premier-pharmacy.com/product-category/sleeping-aids/1834-82″ and on Hesba Stretton, a children’s author who lived in Ham.

Modern times: the influence of technology on the history of family and place: 26 September 2015

Modern TimesA day conference, Modern times: the influence of technology on the history of family and place, took place at The National Archives in Kew on Saturday 26 September 2015.

The conference was organised by, and was open to members of, the Richmond Local History Society,  the Friends of The National Archives, the East Surrey Family History Society and London Historians.

View the programme 

Women in West London’s History: 28 March 2015

jpg WLC A4 poster 2015Richmond Local History Society co-sponsored the 35th West London Local History Conference, which was held at the University of West London’s Brentford campus on Saturday 28 March 2015.

See the programme and download a poster.

Law and Order in West London’s history: 29 March 2014

The Richmond Local History Society co-sponsored the 34th West London Local History Conference, which was held at the Parish Rooms, St Michael & All Angels, in Bedford Park, London W4 on Saturday 29 March 2014.  See the programme, download a flyer and download a poster.