History of society - SidcupLiterary and Scientific Society

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY

The society was inaugurated in 1880 during a period of Victorian England. The London depicted by Dickens was rapidly changing and becoming the commercial centre of the world. The railway and waterway networks were building up to a peak and the Port of London was amongst the busiest in the world.

The Times newspaper of October 5th, the date of the Society’s first meeting, gives us a glimpse of a stable society through its advertisements. No.34 Leicester Square was offered on lease at £120 from Michaelmas; the Crystal Palace announced its 25^th series of Saturday concerts, and a special 'Brocks' Benefits and Firework display were attractions at Alexandra Palace. Sailings to India, Australia, and the Americas were offered by the new shipping lines. Daily governesses and good plain cooks were in great demand and Mr Gladstone was the Prime Minister.

Sidcup reflected the national prosperity and expansion. The opening of the railway line in 1866 had provided the stimulus for the development from a small village to the start of today’s sprawling suburb. By 1880 apart from a settlement in Halfway Street, the area north of Sidcup Station was still mainly farmland, but on the southside, residential development had begun and was continuing apace.

The recently built solid homes were advertised as “half an hour from Cannon Street” at such prices as £56 for the lease of an 'pretty detached house of six bedrooms, three reception rooms, and garden'. They were for newcomers to this prosperous, growing community that were emerging as the new middle class. They were employed in the services needed by the capital, such as banking, brokerage, insurance and law. In this background the Sidcup Literary and Scientific Society was formed... **

Since then the Society has survived two world wars and pandemics and is now in its 134th session. It continues to provide 11 meetings each year with an invited speaker at each followed by a lively debate. It is funded entirely by subscriptions and run by volunteers.

** An extract of a 36-page booklet written by Gertrude Nunn in 1978. Anyone wishing to see a copy please request this via the "Contact Us" page