About us
Tooting has a rich history and we aim to promote a wider awareness of that history through a programme of talks, walks, special events and projects.
Tooting History Group also keeps a watching brief on buildings of historic interest. Our Conservation Officer attends Wandsworth Council’s Advisory Conservation Committee meetings to consider planning applications in Conservation Areas and to listed buildings across the borough and to represent the views of THG members on local planning matters concerning non-designated heritage assets, locally listed assets and items nominated for local listing.
THG was originally started in 1977 by Frank Staff, a former Mayor of Wandsworth. After a spell of faltering interest, it was re-launched in 2009 by a group of local history enthusiasts. It has a steadily growing membership and is run by a committee of volunteers.
Members of the the Tooting community outside the Castle Inn.
Our aims
- to acknowledge and encourage interest in the history and heritage of Tooting among members of this Group, and the general public, so as to add to the body of knowledge about Tooting
- to appreciate and promote aspects of the history and heritage of Tooting
- to organise activities on topics relevant to the history and heritage of Tooting
- to promote and co-operate with collections and archives of documents (or photocopies of documents), illustrations and artefacts relating to the history and heritage of Tooting
- to promote and co-operate with like groups, or public bodies, relevant to the topics and neighbouring areas
- to encourage research into the history or heritage of Tooting made available to all
- to continue the history and heritage work of the late Frank Staff, Polish émigré, local Councillor and Mayor of Wandsworth, who founded this Group in 1977
St Nicholas Church. Photograph © William Ellis-Rees.
Committee members 2025
- Philip Bradley (Chair/ Website)
- Janet Smith (Vice-Chair/Treasurer)
- Jane Kellock
- Libby Lawson (Conservation)
- Sue Cutler
- Anna Blair (Membership Secretary)
- Karen Ellis-Rees
- Ellie Pitkin
Safeguarding
Tooting History Group is committed to safeguarding adults in line with national legislation and relevant local guidelines. To this end, our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe, by creating and maintaining a positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead: Philip Bradley
- Second Safeguarding Lead: Ellie Pitkin
- contact us at tootinghistory@gmail.com
You can read the full Tooting History Group safeguarding policy here.
Tooting History Group 