About our talks

Talk by John Liffen. The telephone was introduced in Britain in 1878 but it was not until 1899 that the first exchange in Enfield was opened, in a small room next to a pub. Initially take-up was slow but by the 1920s large new exchanges were needed. The talk reviews the development of telephone use across the area of the present London Borough of Enfield, focusing particularly on the visible infrastructure. However, impending changes in communications technology may mean that the prominent exchange buildings will be surplus to requirements in a few years’ time.

As well as recent photos taken by the speaker, the talk will include many historic images drawn from BT Archives, Enfield Local Studies and the Science Museum Group.

Talk by Dr Jim Lewis. This talk covers 10,000 years of Lea Valley history in one hour and looks at how the valley was formed. Here the opportunity is taken to explore how industrial and domestic growth has brought about unforeseen consequences for our planet. Of course, like many of Jim’s talks, there is always a little bit more!

Talk by Mark Lewis. Joint meeting between The Enfield Society and Edmonton Hundred Historical Society.  Doors open 7.30pm.  Visitors welcome, £1 each.

Talk by Adam Corsini (University of London). Enfield Archaeological Society talk. Visitors welcome, £1.50 each.

Talk by Dr Christopher Dillon (King’s College London). An Historical Association meeting, non-members welcome, £1 each.

Talk by John Liffen. The telephone was introduced in Britain in 1878 but it was not until 1899 that the first exchange in Enfield was opened, in a small room next to a pub. Initially take-up was slow but by the 1920s large new exchanges were needed. The talk reviews the development of telephone use across the area of the present London Borough of Enfield, focusing particularly on the visible infrastructure. However, impending changes in communications technology may mean that the prominent exchange buildings will be surplus to requirements in a few years’ time.

As well as recent photos taken by the speaker, the talk will include many historic images drawn from BT Archives, Enfield Local Studies and the Science Museum Group.

Talk by Ian Jones. Enfield’s manor house—a Tudor building known locally as the ‘Palace’—was situated where Pearsons is today until it was demolished in 1928. This talk examines the pictorial and archaeological evidence for the building and gardens with special focus on the surviving Oak room.

Free but advanced ticket reservation is advised.

AGM of Edmonton Hundred Historical Society (EHHS) followed by a talk by Dr Jim Lewis entitled London’s Lea Valley: Home of Britain’s Growing Food and Drink Industry. Doors open 7.30pm. Visitors welcome, £1 each.