Inspired by the colour and imagination of the National Gallery's 'Art on Your Doorstep' iconic paintings, visual artist Rachel Gadsden invites everyone to drop in, have fun, and create together. With Rachel’s guidance, participants will help shape vibrant collaborative artworks that re‑imagine National Gallery masterpieces through the people, cultures, and lively spirit of Croydon.
Every mark made becomes part of the final pieces - a series of artworks that don’t just show Croydon but feel like Croydon. Come play, create, and add your story to the art.
Visual artist Rachel Gadsden invites all ages to drop in and help create vibrant collaborative artworks inspired by the National Gallery's 'Art on Your Doorstep' iconic paintings.
Together, participants will re‑imagine these masterpieces through the people and lively spirit of Croydon, with every mark contributing to final pieces that truly feel like Croydon.
Taking its name from the intermittent streams that run in the A22 and A23 valleys, the Bourne Society aims to extend the knowledge of local history in Caterham, Chaldon, Chelsham, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Farleigh, Godstone, Kenley, Purley, Sanderstead, Whyteleafe, Warlingham and Woldingham, and to ensure the preservation of records and objects of historical interest.Chairman Roger Packham will tell us about the Society and our local history.
John Sheridan from the Wandle Industrial Museum will be joining us to talk about the history of textile printing at Merton Abbey Mills 1664-1982. We will also learn about the the growth of the Liberty deparment store whose silk printing works occupied the Merton site between 1904 - 1972. The talk will consider Arthur Liberty's influence on fashion and his relationship with William Morris.
Juliana Oladuti is taking us on the journey she took to publish her first novel, Queen, and will be sharing some stories along the way.
Juliana was born in Edo State in Nigeria. She left at a young age but not before being the recipient of her grandmother’s traditional oral story telling. This tradition followed her to the UK where her children and grandchildren became the beneficiaries of oral stories she created to connect them to their heritage and culture. Encouraged by family, and motivated by her interest in the education of young people, she began to write down some of these stories. She never saw herself as a writer until she joined Croydon Writers.
Come along and be inspired by Juliana's gift for oral history and storytelling. This is a free event to attend, and there will be refreshments provided after the talk. Spaces are limited so please book in advance.
Join Coulsdon mudlarker Alan Robson in a repeat of the talk he delivered at Coulsdon Library in January of this year for those of you who were unable to attend as the January talk was oversubscribed. In this interesting and informative talk at Coulsdon Library, Alan will talk about his finds from scavenging the Thames foreshore. This is a "hands on history" event where you will see and handle objects found along the river, from Ice Age fossils, Roman Pottery, medieval remains to Georgian tableware.
