THE END TO A BUSY AND INTERESTING YEAR

2015 gave us some interesting visits and good talks adding to our understanding of the vibrant history of this part of London. August saw a repeat visit to Hogarth’s House but as on previous occasions it proved impossible to access Chiswick Church. In September we had a brilliant talk by Anna Sparham about the Fulham photographer Christina Bloom one of the first professional female photographers choosing soldiers and royalty as her subjects and through force of personality gained amazing access. Anna the exhibition curator from Museum of London (Docklands) illustrated this pioneering lady’s career with pictures from the exhibition. October saw us visit the Albert Memorial. What’s to see you may say having passed by on the road. We joined the public guided tour and were treated to an insight into the creation of this memorial and the significance of each tier of decoration. The planned visit to St Paul’s was cancelled. In December a small group gathered at the Rocket in Putney for a Christmas Meal and fitting finale’ to this interesting year.

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Discussion, Information, Genealogy

Have you seen the growing contributions on Contact Us about the Shepherd’s Bush Market. This has really started something with several families linking up through the discussion. There are also many enquiries about local shops and individuals and sometimes tragic searches for information on workhouses, schools and children’s homes. If you can help or remember details that complete a picture for someone then don’t be shy just click on Reply under the item and add your twopenneth

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

As you sit down tonight to the Eurovision Song Contest you may not know that one of our rare successes at the competition came from this borough. In 1961 The Allisons came second with “Are You Sure?” and the record was so successful it sold over 1 million copies even keeping Elvis out of the charts. The Allisons were two Fulham choir boys from from St Dionis church Brian John Alford and Colin Bob Day. John wrote the song and is still keeping the memory alive but sadly Bob died in November 2013. Will this year’s entry be as successful?

Hospitals of London – Review by Jane Bowden-Dan

In July, on the FHHS’s guided walk around Smithfield with Sue Pierson, we saw the entrance to Barts; and plan to return this autumn for a conducted tour of the historic hospital, to include William Hogarth’s paintings on the Grand Staircase. In the opening paragraph of this fascinating book’s first chapter (entitled Healthcare in London before the NHS) we learn that St Bartholomew’s Hospital – the oldest operational hospital in England – is the only survivor of the monastic foundations which cared for London’s sick in the Middle Ages (p.6 & p.34).

Hospitals of London piqued my interest. It is a handbook which gives brief histories of the capital’s hospitals themselves, as well as describing the social and political aspects of medical history in the city.

Click to read Review

Introducing the FHHS

Here you can find information on the Fulham and Hammersmith Historical Society, contact info, how to join, and a list of the books that we have published and you can buy. We will also be publishing reports on past events (for forthcoming events, you are encouraged to join and receive the Society’s regular newsletter).

The membership rate is £8 full rate and £5 concessions.