Some previous Social Events

social

Below are some reviews and pictures from a few of our many social events.

Networks of Scribes at Syon Abbey, 1415-1539 by Dr Julia King

This talk focuses on the ways in which the study of scribal handwriting from Syon Abbey, England’s first and only Birgittine monastery, can shed light on the ways in which the sisters of Syon participated in broader late-medieval communities of reading. Focusing primarily on examples of women’s handwriting preserved in both printed books and medieval manuscripts, this talk will paint a picture of the ways in which scribal hands and inscriptions can illustrate the ways in which reading, writing, and community intersected in late-medieval London.

Christmas Social with talk by Tracey Trussell

Tracey Trussell is a leading professional graphologist, who analyses handwriting to reveal what it says about the writer.  From a few handwritten sentences Tracey can gain insight into how individuals behave, think and feel. Tracey has worked for many companies, including Montblanc and has appeared on BBC’s The One Show and ITV’s This Morning talking about what you can tell from people’s handwriting and doodles.  She is often called on by the media to analyse the handwriting of people in the news such as, in recent years, Lucy Letby, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

(not so) Silent Calligraphy 2024

On 19 October members of the South London Lettering Association again took part in the Bloomsbury Festival by demonstrating calligraphy inside St George’s Church. The scribes worked for an hour or two each on their own projects using different tools and styles of lettering, taking the theme of the 2024 Bloomsbury Festival – Human.Kind – to inspire them. Visitors were able to learn about calligraphy and talk to the calligraphers, both amateur and professional, and have a go themselves, guided by experienced calligraphers.

Bloomsbury walk with Robert Dunn

Around 20 people went on this fascinating walk around the squares and significant buildings of Bloomsbury, led by Robert Dunn on 26th June 2024. It was the hottest day of the year so we were all very grateful for the shade provided by the trees in the garden squares, as well as for the opportunity to learn from Rob about the history of the area and some of its notable residents. Among the buildings we studied, of different periods and styles, were the Hotel Russell (now the Kingston Fitzroy Hotel), the British Museum, Senate House, Birkbeck College, and the BMA building. We also walked around Russell, Torrington, Gordon and Tavistock Squares, examining their various memorials.