Zoom talk by Benedict O'Looney, an architect and active member of the Victorian Society.

The Victorian era produced some prominent figures who seemed to fit so much into their lives that you might wonder how they had time to sleep. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, William Morris and William Ewart Gladstone spring to mind, but another example, rather less well known, is Sir Henry Cole.

Retired engineer and volunteer for the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and the Basingstoke Canal Society will give us an illustrated talk on the history of the Panama Canal. 

MARGARY AWARD 2025

Robert Hooke and Thomas Tompion were both involved in the development of clocks and watches, and their work helped make English clockmakers leaders in the world.

This talk looks at the brewing industry of the Wandle Valley. While Young's is the best known name associated with the Wandle there were many other brewers some which still exist today - not least Sambrook’s, which brews on part of the old Young’s site.

Zoom talk. Please register at 

The fastest passenger aircraft of all time, first flown in 1969, this iconic vehicle was ahead of its time in many ways. It is amazing to think that those who first conceived the idea of an aircraft which flew faster than a bullet actually travelled to London to discuss their plans via steam train!

Michelle will talk on the life and times of her great grandfather, as gleaned from his notebooks, family photos and a bit of family history research.

For this talk we'll venture into social history as Sue shares the result of her researches on the people who worked the Wey Navigation - the bargemen and bargemasters (including several bargemistresses), including  the possible origins of the early bargemen, the scale of bargemasters’ trade in the early 18th century (by which time there are useful records) and their connections with Guildford. Doors 13