Local History
The fascinating history of Jane Austen’s memorial stone in Winchester Cathedral
Many famous writers are known only for their work, but the fascinating history of Jane Austen’s memorial stone in Winchester Cathedral serves as a reminder that some people continue to be extraordinary even after death. The first of three memorials to Austen, this stone has a reputation, not for what it says, but rather for […]
Rotary CPN’s 90th Birthday Concert
Rotary, Crystal Palace and Norwood are putting on a 90th Birthday concert on 19th July at 7.30 in Christ Church, Highland Road, Gipsy Hill. Harriet Eaves, a local, will be singing “90 years of jazz”. Harriet graduated in Music last year from Manchester University. She has a great voice and is a great entertainer. The […]
The History Of The Loaning Business
The exact origins of the loaning business are not known. Scholars and historians believe that the loaning business has existed since prehistoric times of which very little is documented and known. There are references to the concept of loans in the bible which indicates that it has been prevalent much before the times of Christ. […]
Eyes of Grey by Ric Kemper
Ric Kemper – a local man – has written a song about the Crystal Palace which unfortunately burned down in 1936, Ric also mentions other local place names in his song such as Sydenham, Penge, Forest Hill and Peckham Rye. The song follows the imaginary progress of a lady from Penge who travels up […]
Sir Joseph Paxton: A Brief Biography
Sir Joseph Paxton (3 August 1803 – 8 June 1865) was an English gardener, architect and Member of Parliament, best known for designing The Crystal Palace. Paxton was born in 1803, the seventh son of a farming family, at Milton Bryan, Bedfordshire. Some references, incorrectly, list his birth year as 1801. This is, as he admitted in later life, a result of […]
New Homepage – Call for Articles
(If you are looking for the VN forums click here or click on the orange “Discussion Forums” banner on the right.) Following up from the New VN homepage thread, VN needs articles in place for our new homepage. Can you help provide a short article related to the local area? Maybe you’re a local business owner […]
