The very first Wandsworth Heritage Festival will take place next month, giving residents the opportunity to discover more about the borough’s rich history.
A selection of talks and events will tell the story of the towns and villages which make up Wandsworth.
The festival opens at Battersea Library on June 1 at 7.30pm with the launch of the council’s 2009-2012 heritage strategy and a talk on the early 20th century roller skating boom and its local connections.
The festival has many highlights including a local history open day on June 6, when local historical societies and amenity groups will talk about their work at Putney Librray and explain how other residents can get involved.
Residents also have the opportunity to join Sean Creighton on a guided walk around Wandsworth Town Centre, which has been called Brewery to Gasworks.
Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky is inviting history buffs to discover Wandsworth’s hidden riverside treasures on a walking tour entitled Watery Battersea.
And there will also be a talk on an 18th century poker tournament, a war graves walk highlighting some of the 599 British and Commonwealth War Graves in Wandsworth Cemetery and al fresco shopping at the Lavender Hill Festival.
Many local groups and societies document and protect Wandsworth’s heritage and the festival provides an opportunity for them to showcase their work and recruit new members.
Wandsworth Council’s heritage service is inviting residents to Battersea library where they can view the local history and archives collection, visit the search room and use the council’s Heritage staff with enquiries on local and family history.
A wide range of material is available to view from books and local newspapers on microfilm, to maps, original archives and photographs.
For full listings of the Wandsworth heritage festival programme, visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/libraries, call 020 8871 7753 or email heritage@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Copies are also available from local libraries and other public buildings.
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