Meetings

Thursday 18 September 2025, The Trinity House Story. Have you ever wondered who looks after the major light houses around England, Wales and the Chanel Islands? How did they come to be there in the first place? Incorporated by Royal Charter by Henry VIII in 1514, Trinity House is today a vital part of Britain's maritime community. By David Whitehead OBE

Thursday 16 October 2025, Jean wrote a history of Latimer Congregational Church in the 1980s, and her talk will highlight key events in context with new research. By Jean Olwen Maynard

Thursday 20 November 2025, A new book, Tales of Old Ford Bow, captures the area's unique past through living memories, photos, maps and documents, bringing history to life today. By Carolyn Clark (author of the book)

Thursday 21 December 2025, Christmas Social with Show and Tell. An in-person event only at the Church Hall. Come along with an object of interest that's unusual or means a lot to you, can range from a photo, book, certificate, newspaper cutting, the list is endless.

Thursday 15 January 2026, Codes of Conduct in the City: How London tradesmen were taught to behave. By Jenny Mayhew.

Thursday 19 February 2026, Simon has cycled through all London postal districts, photographing pre-1920 name plates and examining local history archives for Vestry and Borough minutes. He discusses the historical street name plates of Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, Stepney and Poplar, highlighting their design, installation methods by the Vestries, and residents` reactions, as well as comparisons to designs from other areas. By Simon Morris.

Thursday 19 March 2026, Penny pies, all 'ot, all 'ot! From street food to pie shops: feeding London's poor. By Sue Vening.

Thursday 16 April 2026, The history of plastics from 1860 to 1960 highlights London's significant role in the evoloution of this material. Carolyn will kindly be repeating her talk for those who missed it previously. Discover the unexpected from the birth of the Victorian internet, saviour of elephants and explaining hair combs. By Carolyn Clark.

Thursday 21 May 2026, Quakers in West Ham. By Mark Gorman and Peter Williams.

Meetings start at 7:30pm, doors open 7:00pm.

if you can't attend lectures in person join us on zoom, check your monthly email update, no need for a Zoom account.

All meetings are held at Latimer Congregational Church Hall, Ernest Street, E1 unless otherwise stated, Ernest Street is between Harford Street and White Horse Lane, off Mile End Road (opposite Queen Mary and Westfield College)

Tea and Coffee are usually available for purchase before the lecture.

The nearest underground stations are Mile End and Stepney Green. Buses: 25, 205, 339 to Queen Mary College and D6, D7, 277, 323, 339, 425 to Mile End Station.

There is limited parking in the side streets.

Non members are welcome £3.00 entry fee