AUTUMN PROGRAMME, 2025
24 September
Lynne Dixon
‘Your Devoted Frank’: First World War Love Letters.
A battered suitcase of letters and memorabilia discovered in the attic of a house on Shooters Hill in the 1980s revealed some decades later wonderful insights into life in the Plumstead/Woolwich area and in Le Havre during the period of the First World War.
The letters were written by Frank Keeffe to his sweetheart, May O’Malley. One of the delights of researching the lives of these young people and their families has been listening to some of the music which Frank wrote about. He not only organised concerts for his fellow soldiers, but also sang popular and classical songs of the day and at least on one occasion played his cello in Le Havre Cathedral at its 400th Anniversary celebration.
The talk is intended as a tribute to Nick Gregory who died recently. He discovered the letters and, along with his friend Ray Yeo and his wife Mary, made sure that the story of the letters can be shared by a wider audience.
Lynne Dixon researches and writes about women’s history and has a particular interest in housing, architecture and social history. Her book ‘That Tiresome Lady Architect’: The Life and the Work of Annabel Dott was published in 2024.
22 October
Ana Sutherland
Modern Buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich
To celebrate the publication of her book, Ana Francisco Sutherland invites you to join her for a talk exploring the stories and ideas behind it. She’ll share a selection of standout projects and uncover why the area became such a magnet for architects and designers, in the post-war period. The talk will highlight the history of the Span estates (1954–1984) and the influential work of Eric Lyons, as well as unique one-off houses by architects such as Patrick Gwynne, Walter Greaves, and Peter Moro. Ana will bring to life the origins of these buildings and the relationships between the architects, their clients, and the communities they helped shape.
Ana Francisco Sutherland is a practicing architect and author based in Blackheath. She founded her practice in 2015, with a focus on the refurbishment of modernist and listed buildings, as well as new-build and community projects. Ana is a trustee of the Blackheath Society, where she leads the Architecture Group and regularly delivers lectures and architectural tours in the area.
‘Modern Buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich, London 1950-2000’ ( Park Books, 2024), winner of Architecture Book of the Year Award (Guide category) and a German Photo Book Award.
26 November
Martin Tempia
Crystal Palace Park Regeneration Plan
Martin Tempia, formerly Chair, now Co-Chair of the Crystal Palace Park Community Stakeholder Group has worked in the Film and Television industry for over thirty years and has lived in Crystal Palace almost as long.
Further details of this talk will follow shortly. Meanwhile, please see:
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW VENUE FOR THESE MEETINGS IS THE TRAFALGAR TAVERN, PARK ROW, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NW.
DOORS OPEN 7PM. MEETINGS COMMENCE 7.30.
ALL WELCOME! GHS Members Free. Visitors £3.
We hold a lecture programme of at least seven lectures a year (open to all) and meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the following months: January, February, March, April, (occasionally in May), September, October and November.
Our meetings are held at The Trafalgar Tavern, Park Row, Greenwich, London SE10 9NW. Doors open at 7.00. Meetings commence at 7.30 and conclude at 9.00pm. We welcome non-members, from whom we invite a donation of £3 for each meeting.
Our new venue is well served by bus routes 129, 177, 188, 286, 386 running along Trafalgar Road.
There is FREE car parking after 6.30pm in the Park Row car park.
Membership of GHS is open to anyone with an interest in the history of Greenwich. Annual Subscription runs from 1 January to 31 December: Individual membership remains a very reasonable £15 per annum; or £18 for two persons at the same address.
If you require any further details, please contact Horatio Blood,
Hon. Secretary, GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
36, Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London SE10 9HZ
Email: info@warwickleadlay.com (stating GHS as the subject, please).