Category Archives: Past Tooting History Group Events

Previous events run by Tooting History Group

The Music Hall Artistes Of Lambeth Cemetery

by Philip Bradley

Our next talk will be on “The Music Hall Artistes of Lambeth Cemetery”
This is jointly organised by Tooting History Group and the Friends of Streatham Cemetery
How did over 250 music hall artistes and entertainers come to be buried in Tooting? What was life like as a music hall artiste in Victorian and Edwardian times? What songs did they sing? What acts did they perform?
Join Karen Ellis-Rees of London Overlooked/Tooting History Group, Peter Winbourne and Di Berry for an evening of stories and song about the once shining music hall stars who now rest in Lambeth and Streatham Cemeteries. This presentation of words and music will take place in the Chapel of Lambeth Cemetery on Blackshaw Road.


Friday 27th June 7.30pm

Chapel, Lambeth Cemetery, Blackshaw Road, SW17 0DH (Entrance between Fountain And Bertal Roads)

Tickets £6

Booking required – book via https://bit.ly/4bSPVxQ

Light refreshments

This event forms part of the Wandsworth Heritage Festival 2025. You can find details of all the Wandsworth Heritage Festival events here

Wimbledon In Sporting History

by Philip Bradley


Plough Lane, Wimbledon has been the site for many sporting events over the years. Professional football, greyhound racing, speedway and stock car racing have all had their day, and in the last three years,  AFC Wimbledon have returned to a brand new stadium to continue the sporting tradition. 

Come and hear John Lynch (Founder & Managing Director Wimbledon in Sporting Heritage) and Jon Stevens give us a history of Wimbledon’s Sporting Heritage and some of the memorable sporting occasions that have occurred down Plough Lane at our next meeting:

Tuesday 13th May at 7.30pm at the United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW179NQ. (Tooting Broadway tube)

Members free, guests £2. Light refreshments.

Even if you are not interested in sport, this talk is bound to be a fascinating account of the passion and commitment generated by the different sporting activities that have been happening in Plough Lane for over 100 years.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sir George Shearing – Not Bad For A Kid From Battersea

by Philip Bradley

Sir George Shearing rose from a humble background in Battersea to become a best-selling world-class jazz pianist and composer. From playing in a Battersea pub in the 1930s to conquering Carnegie Hall, he
recorded and performed across the world. Come and hear Julian Gorham, Sir George Shearing’s great nephew (and Tooting resident) talk about the life and music of one of Britain’s greatest jazz talents at our next meeting.

Meeting Details: Tuesday 8th April 7.30pm. United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW179NQ.

Members free, Guests £2.

Refreshments provided. All welcome.

The Forgotten Animal Painters of Tooting: William and Sidney Wombill

by Philip Bradley

William and Sidney Wombill were professional artists who lived in Tooting for over 70 years.  William painted over 2,000 paintings and his son Sidney painted the winners of the Epsom Derby, but today they are largely forgotten and much of their work is lost. Come and hear Karen Ellis-Rees talk about her research into the lives, work and home of the Wombills. 

The meeting is on Tuesday 11th June at 7.30pm and will be held at The United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW17 9NQ. (5 minute walk from Tooting Broadway tube).

Public Transport Comes To Tooting

by Philip Bradley

When did trolleybuses come to Tooting? Where could you get to for 1d? Were there really horse drawn buses through Tooting. Our next meeting on Tuesday 9th April at 7.30pm will be a talk by John Chilvers on the coming of public transport to Tooting.

We will be meeting at The United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW17 9NQ (Tooting Broadway Tube).

We hope you can join us.