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The new defibrillator, funded by the Society, is now set up in the old telephone kiosk outside the shops in Dulwich Village. Also known as a defib or an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), it needs no training to use as the machine guides you with simple instructions and tells you out loud what to do. You can’t deliver a shock accidentally, the defibrillator will not shock the patient unless it is needed so it is not possible to hurt someone - they can only be used to save someone’s life. This short film by the London Ambulance Service shows you how to use it. Society volunteers check regularly to ensure it is charged and ready for action but we hope it will never be used.
The skaters at the derelict Grove Tavern car park held a thought-provoking event on 17 November 2022 to show their parents and local residents what they do at the site. After a display of skateboarding skills there was this documentary by Nick Vieweg including interviews with the skaters and with Tilly, the site ‘caretaker’, who also provides emotional support to the younger skaters. This was followed by a talk on the Grove allotment from Becky, one of the gardeners who grow fruit and veg in the old pub garden; a musical interlude by the skaters; a presentation about their summer Shakespeare adaptation ‘A Midsummer Skate Dream’ and finally a panel discussion.
Read more: What's happening at the Grove Tavern DIY Skate Park?
Our next Dulwich local history talk is online at 8pm on Tuesday 6 December 2022 with local historian and architect Ian McInnes, who will take us on an illustrated online tour of some of Dulwich’s magnificent Georgian heritage: the buildings and the families who lived in them from the time they were built.
Join us for this online talk - tickets are £5 here. All proceeds go to St Christopher's Hospice. Please email
The Dulwich Village Streets for People report on the permanent layout at Dulwich Village/Calton Avenue/Court Lane is now available here. The deadline for the online survey for phase 2 is 20 November, you can complete it here. You can comment on the recycled street furniture, recently installed by Southwark Council, which came as a surprise to both the Society and the Estate.
The Dulwich Society Tree Committee organised and funded a fungi walk around Dulwich Park, guided by fungi expert Daniel Greenwood, on Sunday 23 October, 2022. The walk lasted about 75 minutes and despite the bad weather was attended by around 40 people, who learnt about the common species of fungi found in the Park and nearby woodlands, their roles in the ecosystem and the significance they play in our own lives. Daniel Greenwood is a highly knowledgeable and engaging guide and you can read some of his writing about fungi here.
Our next Dulwich local history talk is online at 8pm on Tuesday 1 November 2022 with Brian Green.
Farming in Dulwich, which had provided income for the Priory of Bermondsey for 400 years and for almost as long for Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift, was virtually over by the outbreak of WW1. Its decline was slow and its demise was finally brought about by the new giant dairy companies which sprang up with the introduction of bottling plants, homogenised milk and the use of milk trains for nationwide distribution. Local historian Brian Green shows us how Dulwich farms became the sports fields of today. Brian has lived in Dulwich since he was four years old and runs the family business, the Art Stationers and toy shop in Dulwich Village. He has been researching Dulwich’s history and leading walks, talks and classes for many years and is the author of a number of books on Dulwich. He also edits the Dulwich Society Journal.
Join us for this online talk - tickets are £5 here. All proceeds go to London Wildlife Trust Sydenham Hill Wood path project. Please email
This year the Charter School North Dulwich's Christmas Fair, kindly sponsored by Hamptons, is on Thursday 1 December, 5.30pm-8.30pm. Entry is £1 for adults and children go free. There will be craft stalls and tombolas with prizes generously donated by local businesses including Canopy, Cherry Tree, Cook!, Crown & Greyhound, Dr Boo, Duo Dance, ED Flowers, ED Picturehouse, Elsewhere, Fison Fitness, Flo’s, Half Moon pub, Herne Hill Books, Glistering Nails, Gusto Italiano, Hot Pod Yoga, I love Lowie, JAGS, Jarr Market, Jo’s House, Ken’s Fish & Chips, Mac & Miller, Moxon's, Myla & Davis, Oddono's, Oliver Bonas, PoachED, Pizza Express, Real Greek, Saray, Tomlinson, Umana Yana, Village Tandoori, Whitehall Clothiers, Wild & Lees, William Rose and Willow. There will be festive food and drink (BBQ, pancakes, popcorn, bar, mulled wine and mince pies, cake stall) and musical entertainment will be provided by the school students.
The new defibrillator, funded by the Society, is now set up in the old telephone kiosk outside the shops in Dulwich Village. It needs no training to use as the machine guides you with simple instructions and tells you out loud what to do. You can’t deliver a shock accidentally, the defibrillator will not shock the patient unless it is needed so it is not possible to hurt someone. A short film by the London Ambulance Service shows you how to use it. Society volunteers will check regularly to ensure it is charged and ready for action but we hope it will never be used.
A map and a list of defibrillators in Dulwich is available here. The map is not intended for use in an emergency but to locate defibrillators. Please always dial 999 for urgent medical assistance.
A new wine bar and shop has opened in Dulwich at 1-3 Melbourne Grove. It offers a large selection of wines by the glass or carafe and small plates of cheeses, charcuterie, empanadas and desserts. There is also a library of 200 wines from small producers for sale (and delivery) or to drink in the adjoining wine bar for a corkage fee. Drop Dulwich is owned by Hayley Try Carreira, who has worked at The Ledbury and originally hails from Australia.
A new house on Rock Hill, off Sydenham Hill in Dulwich, has featured on Channel Four's Grand Designs programme. The wedge-shaped house was added to the end of a terrace of Mid Century Modern houses which themselves were designed by Austin Vernon & Partners and built by Wates on the site of Hitherwood, a grand Victorian house that was demolished in 1959. You can watch the episode here.
The Society and the Dulwich Park Friends today unveiled a plaque to Francis Peek who was instrumental in establishing Dulwich Park. Emily Montague of the Park Friends explained how there would be no park without him while Chris Corrin, his great great grandson, told us a little of his life. The event was also attended by James Thompson, our Chair, Sue Badman, our Vice Chair, Dulwich Village councillors Margy Newens and Richard Leeming, Julia Honess of the Copleston Centre which is based in a church built by Francis Peek, Jonty Corrin, his 3x great grandson, Sharon O'Connor and Gavin Bowyer of the Society's Local History group, and members of the public. After the ceremony the attendees adjourned to the Peek Centre to enjoy tea, coffee and delicious biscuits baked by Emily Montague.
Find out more about Francis Peek here.
Photo from left: Emily Montague, Chris Corrin and James Thompson.
The Dulwich Diverter, a free local newspaper, interviewed James Thompson, Chair, and Sue Badman, Vice Chair, about the Society’s activities in September 2022. There is also an interview with Village Books owner Hazel Broadfoot and a look at the shops on Rosendale Rd. The Dulwich Diverter is free and copies can be found at local shops and other locations here. Photo by Julia Hawkins.