The Dulwich Society - The Dulwich Society

The Chalet, Sydenham Rise by Ian McInnes

The triangular field bounded by Sydenham Rise, London Road and the lower part of Sydenham Hill is now a popular local playground but, until the early 1950s, it was an agricultural small holding, with an old house called ‘the Chalet’ at the top of the site. Contemporary reports and old photographs show that it was an old stable or farm building roughly converted into a dwelling with bedrooms in the old lofts. Most of the house was timber framed, with lathe and plaster external walls, on a brick base. Its drains were apparently connected to the main sewer but it had no electric light.

Last Updated on Friday, 27 April 2012 15:25

The Hotel at Spy Corner

The Hotel at Spy Corner
by Brian Green

In Dulwich, along Dulwich Common and within a distance of no more than seventy five yards three different nests of spies existed in World War 11. One of these was set up by the Dutch Government in exile and were of course allies. We will leave aside the story of the Dutch agents at Glenlea (now named Tappen House), indeed The Dulwich Society presented a painting of their ‘safe house’ to a surviving agent, Bram Grisnigt, many years ago and the story is told in Dulwich – The Home Front 1939-45. Even the existence of a second network is not unfamiliar to older residents as it concerns William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw Haw whose life and fate is now part of the history of World War II. However, what follows concerns not only William Joyce, but mainly his brother Quentin, and the part he played in the story.

Last Updated on Friday, 27 April 2012 15:20

Looking Around with the Editor

Looking Around with the Editor
Theft of the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture

The appalling theft of the Hepworth sculpture, Two Forms – Divided Circle, from Dulwich Park just before Christmas came as a total shock. We had grown up with the presence of this artwork; indeed Dulwich had become rather flattered to have such an important piece on display in a public park. Of course, its arrival was somewhat controversial in 1970. Should the Greater London Council be spending £15,000 on a work by a living artist? And especially as it was neither unique nor original, but one of a limited edition of six. However, as Liz Johnson points out in her book Dulwich Park – a park for the people forever had it been a one-off it would have cost £23,000 and it was felt that the Council had got something of a bargain!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 02:28