Shepherds of the South Downs 

Central to Sussex farming in past centuries and to the economy of the area, were the thousands of sheep that grazed on the Downs. The shepherds, who spent their solitary lives caring for their flocks, were a familiar part of the local countryside. Ian tells their story.

 East Surrey Museum 

East Surrey Museum has been collecting items that illustrate life in the local area for many years and now has a huge collection of artefacts.  Peter will bring a collection of everyday items from the 1950s and 1960s not seen today and that many of us will have forgotten about.

At this meeting, we invite everyone to bring along a personal item that others might find interesting—an old photograph, a family heirloom, a vintage tool, a letter, or any object with a story behind it. These meaningful pieces from your own life can spark fascinating conversations, uncover shared connections, and help us see our community’s past through new eyes.

August Summer break – no meeting 

Introduction to the National Library of Scotland Map Collection

It does not matter it you do not have any Scottish ancestors as this map collection covers the whole of the British Isles. Geoff will explain how to search the database, the different map editions plus how to layer maps over one another.

Oct 28

Julian Pooley

A Burden on the Parish

Julian, Public Services and Engagement Manager, at Surrey History Centre will discuss the range of sources for the history of poor relief in Surrey from the sixteenth century to the eve of the Second World War. Parish records, family papers, quarter sessions records, charity and business papers, early printed sources and even illustrations can all provide vivid insights into the plight of the poor and the duties of those responsible for helping them.

Nov 25

Chris Green

The changing face of the High Street

Chris, our recently retired journal editor, will deliver this talk which takes a look at the shops along one particular High Street and how they changed during the first half of the 20^th century. While this talk concentrates on one Surrey village, many other places will have experienced similar changes.