The Society’s Structure: The Society represents all parts of Dulwich: North, South, East and West. It has a number of volunteer groups which actively seek improvements in public transport infrastructure and traffic (for car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians), architecture and design, trees, gardens, wildlife habitats and nature/species conservation. We comment regularly on Council planning applications and are also a consultee for the Dulwich Estate on all changes to properties within the Estate’s Scheme of Management. We encourage change, and welcome good design appropriate to its setting, but actively defend Dulwich against the pressures of inappropriate development.
The Society’s Work: The Society publishes a widely read quarterly printed Journal and a monthly digital eNewsletter as well as books on local themes such as local pubs. Increasingly the Society undertakes its own projects, the most recent was an area-wide series of plaques to commemorate those killed by bombing in WW2 - we are also produce local history information boards, and we are funding part of the ongoing maintenance in the Sydenham Hill Wood. The Society initiated the public meeting that led to the successful re-opening of the Herne Hill Velodrome and worked closely with the Heritage of London Trust (HOLT) on the reconstruction of the iconic Concrete House in Lordship Lane. In addition, it enabled the refurbishment of Rosebery Lodge in Dulwich Park as a community facility and contributed towards the reconstruction of the children’s playground there. It re-erected the historic red post at the top of Red Post Hill, Lodge and, in 2016 it organised public access to the historic Dulwich Village Burial Ground as part of London Open House (and did it again in 2017 as part of the Dulwich Festival). Last but not least it has a policy of supporting additional tree planting on streets and in public open spaces, organises regular local history talks and walks, and undertakes many projects in partnership with Southwark Council in their annual Cleaner Greener Safer scheme.
Grants for local projects: the Society has funds available for small grants which meet our charitable objectives, see here for more details.