Meetings & Events

Most of our meetings and events are open to the public and you will always be made most welcome. Our regular programme of talks is held in The Barn, Goosecroft Lane, Purley on the 3rd Friday of each month.

Upcoming events are:- 

Friday 2nd December – Top Hats and Tinsel

Rain or Shine Theatre Production in The Barn

 This year’s festive offering by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company is certain to be a sell-out once again.   The music hall style evening will include festive songs, carols, poems, audience participation and an original ‘Victorian farce’.   David Downs will confirm ticket prices and availability nearer to the performance and profits, as usual, will go to a local good cause, in this case the Red Cross.

Friday 16th December – Christmas Party

at The Gatehouse, Purley Village – Members only

Once again Rick and Val are extending a warm welcome to members of Project Purley for our Christmas party.  Members are asked to pay £1 each to cover the cost of mulled wine and to bring a plate of finger-food for either the savoury or dessert table to share.  The evening begins at 7.30.  This is always a very relaxed and enjoyable evening and a wonderful start to the count-down to Christmas.

Friday 20th January  2012 – Medals, orders and decorations

David Downs

 In an updated format to previous years, this year’s member’s evening focuses upon medals and decorations.  David will talk about their history and the medals most commonly held by families and will attempt to identify medals owned by members and give context to them.  Members will also be given an opportunity to display and share the stories behind their own family medals.  With so much social, military, sporting, academic and scientific history behind medals—this is sure to be both an illuminating evening and the opportunity to learn more about your own medals.

Friday 17 February 2012 – The Upper Thames Patrol – the waterborne Home Guard of the River Thames

Bill King

 As an experienced military historian Bill has contributed to a number of books & TV programmes, whilst also enjoying honorary membership of the US 17th and 101st Airborne Divisions and the USAAF 435th and 436th Troop Carrier Groups.  His talk describes the formation and development of this unique element of the Home Guard with emphasis on the Thames from Maidenhead to Lechlade and the structures and artefacts remaining to be seen.

 Dates ahead for your diary

 Friday 16th March 2012 – AGM followed by ‘Scenes of Crime’

(AGM starts at 7.30pm)

Ken Wells, Thames Valley Police Museum

Friday 13th April 2012 – The River Estate, Purley

Catherine Sampson and Ann Betts

May 2012 (date TBA) – summer visit to Dorchester Abbey and Dorchester on Thames

4th and 5th June 2012 ‘Purley during the reign of the three great Queens’

Historic Exhibition at The Barn, Purley in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

 22nd June 2012 Summer BBQ at Highveldt, Beech Road.

6th July 2012 Rain or Shine Theatre Company

Production of Shakespeare’s  ‘Pericles Prince of Tyre’ at The Barn

 17th July 2012 summer visit to Stonor House and gardens 

Price includes lunch and afternoon tea.

To find out more click on one of the links below:-