Details of Recent Events

Note: Where an event requires special booking please refer to the latest Newsletter.

Here are details of the recent Westerham Society events:

Recent Events

• Canada Day Social

  on 1st Jul 2026 6:00:pm, at Quebec House

  We look forward to welcoming the Society’s Members to our celebration of Canada Day in the Garden of Quebec House for an evening social. The event will include drinks and canapes. The total number attending will be limited so places will need to be booked in advance and a form will be sent to Society Members to purchase tickets for the event.
  

• From France to Limpsfield: The Final Journey of the Composer Frederick Delius

  on 12th Jun 2026 7:30:pm, at

  Graham Dixon will present an interesting talk. The discovery of new papers relating to the burial of Delius in Limpsfield in 1935 unveils an intriguing story, revealing how the composer came to be buried in a village with which he had no previous connection. Having lived most of his adult life close to Paris, the Bradford-born composer wished to be buried in a churchyard in the south of England, the country where his music was most appreciated. This is the story of how that desire was realised, resulting in his body being exhumed and transported to the village of Limpsfield. Graham Dixon is former Managing Editor of BBC Radio 3 and was Head of Radio at the European Broadcasting Union in Geneva. He is a seasoned speaker, with experience of broadcasting and giving presentations at conferences across four continents. Living in Limpsfield, Graham Dixon has fostered his interest in local history. He has presented groundbreaking work on the circumstance of Delius’ burial and on his artist wife, Jelka, and has recently published a book on the extraordinary people buried in Limpsfield churchyard.
  

• Talk

  on 15th May 2026 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  Due to unexpected circumstances beyond our control, we have had to cancel this Talk evening. The Speaker, Graham Dixon, will now present his Talk "From France to Limpsfield: The final journey of the composer Frederick Delius" at the 12th June evening.
  

• AGM and Music Evening

  on 10th Apr 2026 6:45:pm, at Westerham Hall

  The AGM for Members will be held between 7.00 and 7.30pm and the Music Evening will commence at 8.00pm. Westerham's own music man, Philip Fitzpatrick, will play folk and pop music of the 1960's. He will also play his own compositions based on the music of the period. A fun time for everybody who attends!
  

• The Life of Charles Darwin

  on 13th Mar 2026 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  Angela Delgado-Corredor will tell the story of how a voyage on the HMS Beagle and a stop in the Galapagos went on to shock Victorian England in the 1800s. For about half his life Charles Darwin lived at Down House in Downe, just a few miles north of Westerham, along with his wife and children and died there in 1882 aged 73. Angela, originally from South Wales, has had an extensive career in language teaching and 25 years in travel and tourism. She has worked as Tour Leader on board cruise ships primarily in theMediterranean, South America, Scandinavia and the British Isles, lecturing on historical andcultural themes. Charles Darwin’s exploits is just one of many topics she lectures on to a widerange of audiences.
  

• John ‘Rob Roy’ MacGregor

  on 13th Feb 2026 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  We welcome back Norman Hopkins to tell us of the extraordinary life of John MacGregor. Originally best known for being the ‘Shoe Black Man’ and the ‘Open-Air Mission man’, his fame greatly increased when he began his canoeing exploits. He later became famous for his four ‘Rob Roy’ books and the lectures on his travels, which began a canoeing craze. He was an extraordinary character, unusually enterprising and possessed unlimited energy. He was rescued as a baby from the burning East Indiaman ship The Kent in one of the most dramatic sea rescues of the 19th century and indeed of the entire age of sail. Hailing from a Scottish family of military officers, he had incredible versatility and an ability to learn anything in which he took an interest. He was a true polymath, a patent lawyer, author of manuals on patents and a writer of many magazine articles. He illustrated his books with his own art, understood music, gave hundreds of lectures, drew up legislation for law reform, was deeply involved in education, lobbied parliament, was a volunteer soldier and a champion marksman. He loved teaching, was a competent draftsman overseeing boat designs, an outstanding canoeist, a mountaineer, delighted in exploring and was always ready for adventures. He did not find time to settle down and marry and have children until the age of 48. His legacy is in the continuing existence of the many organizations he initiated and the famous ‘Rob Roy’ canoe. Collaborating very closely with Lord Shaftesbury, his connections lead us into a ‘who’s who’ of Victorian Britain. An anonymous article in the London Quarterly 1895 said ‘John MacGregor is perhaps the finest specimen of Muscular Christianity that this or any other age has produced. Three men seemed to have struggled within his breast — the devout Christian, the earnest philanthropist, the enthusiastic athlete.’
  

• Wilful Murder? The Sinking of the Lusitania

  on 16th Jan 2026 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  R.M.S Lusitania, a Cunard ship of 32,000 tons, was sunk on her return journey from the United States by a German Submarine on the 7th of May, 1915. There were 1,951 passengers on board; 1,198 perished. It remains a controversial act of infamy. In a dramatic presentation featuring music and visual effects, Andrew Lound traces the history of the ship, the circumstances of her demise and the efforts to salvage the wreck. Andrew Lound is an author, presenter, public speaker, researcher and space science advocate. He is a space commentator and history commentator on many programmes, including BBC Radio, GB News, TalkSport and others. He is a graduate of the London Academy of Radio Film and Television where he studied presentation techniques and television production. He can be heard regularly on BBC Radio WM where he is known as “The Urban Spaceman” and WM’s “Titanic Expert.” It promises to be an excellent presentation.
  

• Christmas Social

  on 14th Dec 2025 12:00:pm, at A Private Venue

  The annual convivial lunchtime Christmas Social which is open to all Members. A booking form will be sent to Members in advance to purchase the tickets.
  

• Churchill Dinner

  on 30th Nov 2025 7:00:pm, at Chartwell

  We are thrilled to welcome Professor Richard Vinen as our guest speaker this year. Richard is Professor of History at King’s College, London. A specialist in 20th century history, his interests have focused on Europe and more particularly on British and French history. He has held visiting positions at Rice University in Texas, the Institute for Advanced Study at Lucca in Italy, the Institut d’Études Politiques in Paris and Churchill College, Cambridge. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge and completed his PhD, on “The Politics of French Business 1936–1945”, also at Trinity College, in 1989. He appears regularly on radio and television and has written for publications including the Literary Review, the Times Literary Supplement, the Financial Times, The Nation and the New York Times. His book on National Service won the Wolfson History Prize and Templer Medal in 2015. His latest work, “The Last Titans: Churchill and de Gaulle”, was published by Bloomsbury in August. With a career steeped in WWII, its events and its leaders, we greatly look forward to a very informed perspective on Sir Winston and de Gaulle and to gaining new insights into their characters, relationship, achievements and legacy today. Full details and a booking form will be sent to Members.
  

• John Frith 1503-1533

  on 14th Nov 2025 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  The Westerham Man burned at the stake one week before Henry VIII's excommunication. Norman L Hopkins will tell the amazing story of a distinguished former Westerham resident. Norman lectures on historical matters and in this presentation, he will present the life of John Frith and bring copies of Tyndale and Frith’s works, including the Book-Fish. John Frith, in his short, brilliant and insightful life, was the first reformer to write in English against the Roman Catholic Mass and Purgatory. He was also, arguably, the closest friend of William Tyndale. In an extraordinary incident, his writings were later raised from the depths of the English Channel to be republished as Vox Piscis or the Book-Fish.
  

• An Afghanistan Destroyed in our Time

  on 3rd Oct 2025 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  A presentation by Geoff Cowling. Geoff Cowling served in the Foreign Office for 40 years. His first posting was to the British Embassy in Kabul as Vice Consul in 1970, over half a century ago, Geoff took many photos, which have never been seen in public before, of an Afganistan largely destroyed in the wars that have since swept over this blighted land. One way or another, Afganistan remains in the headlines.
  

• Paranormal Kent – A stroll on the strange side

  on 12th Sep 2025 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  A Talk by Neil Dixon. This talk is a “greatest hits” of the Garden of England’s dealings with ghosts, aliens, strange beasts and more. Writer and researcher Neil Nixon shares classic stories and a few first-hand encounters in a presentation that is – by turns – revealing, scary and occasionally hilarious. Neil Nixon’s output of 30 books, articles and sporadic media appearances includes a great deal of material investigating the paranormal, with his own research on Kent front and centre for much of this. It isn’t simple but somewhere in the collection of cases – some historic, some ongoing – he believes there is one case that only makes sense if we accept it as truly paranormal.
  

• Canada Day Social

  on 1st Jul 2025 6:00:pm, at Quebec House

  We are delighted to invite the Society's Members to the annual celebration of Canada Day, held in the delightful gardens of Quebec House in Westerham. Drinks and canapés are served at this social summer gathering which celebrates Westerham’s connection with Canada through the achievements of General Wolfe. Tickets for the social must be booked in advance and an application form was included within the latest newsletter.
  

• The Baby Boomers Nostalgia Show

  on 9th May 2025 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  Alan Haines will present an hilarious look at the 50’s,60’s and 70’s. Alan is an experienced guest speaker to clubs and societies throughout the South East, as well as appearing in his own shows at The Edinburgh and Brighton Fringes. The presentations are extremely funny and conjure up heaps of memories of life in those magnificent decades, the 1950s, 60s and 70s. There are many opportunities for audience input. A light hearted and entertaining evening to be enjoyed.
  

• Beating the Bounds and VE80 Fair on The Green

  on 5th May 2025 9:00:am, at The Green

  The Society welcomes families, friends and visitors to join the Beating the Bounds to check our boundaries are still in place! Residents and visitors can explore our wonderful countryside and enjoy the views. On Bank Holiday Monday the start point is on The Green in Westerham, where the Society will have a stall, but feel free to start anywhere. The walk can be undertaken clockwise or anticlockwise and you can do as much or a little as you wish. The whole walk is just under 12 miles. The day is free to enjoy.  To see and download the route map and route cards go to the Heritage section of our website. The Fair on The Green this year will have a theme of VE80 Anniversary. To recognise and celebrate this special anniversary there will be historical presentations and events, alongside live family entertainment, food and refreshments during the day. The Fair is organized by the Westerham Town Partnership in co-operation with other local groups and will commence at 11.00am and run until 5.00pm.
  

• AGM and Talk – Finding Sapper Clay

  on 11th Apr 2025 6:45:pm, at Westerham Hall

  The AGM will commence at 7.00pm and is expected to conclude by 7.30pm. Sapper Clay was a First World War Royal Engineer from Nuneaton, so how come his medal was dug up 100 years later in a garden in the Surrey Hills? The search for this old soldier’s family uncovered a remarkable series of coincidences spanning 19th century brickmaking in Warwickshire, the Somme, Gallipoli, a disastrous gas accident, family and estrangement and bizarrely, would reach further back in time to connect with a landmark in women’s literature – George Eliot’s first story collection published in 1857. Just who was Sapper Clement Cecil Clay R.E.? John Griffiths-Colby will reveal all. John has a wide-ranging background in journalism, business consultancy, public speaking and as a funeral celebrant. He has written extensively for national and regional magazines, providing satirical and lifestyle columns for the New Statesman and Italian Bike magazines respectively.
  

• Entertaining Troops: Stories from the ‘Theatres’ of War

  on 14th Mar 2025 7:30:pm, at Westerham Hall

  Pete Allen is the Director of the RC Sherriff Trust, a charity set up through the Will of the playright and author RC Sherriff. Prior to this he was The Arts Development Officer for Elmbridge Borough Council, where he was responsible for The Royston Pike Lecture Series. Previous to his work with Elmbridge Borough Council, Pete was co-founder and artistic director of Whirlygig Arts which ran CRYPT (Cranleigh Young People’s Theatre), CMYT (Chequer Mead Youth Theatre) and The Big Picture Young People’s Film Workshop. He co-founded Storm the Stage Young People’s Theatre for Mole Valley District Council and was the Director of The Together in Waddon Community Project. He has also worked extensively as a professional theatre director and film-maker. Pete's talk will be a fascinating story.