Happy publication day to Christopher Hart and his new book HEDGELANDS! In this joyous journey around the wild edges of Britain, Christopher takes us through the life, ecology and history of one of our greatest edge habitats. #hedgerow #hedgelands #rewilding #conservation

What better way to kickstart the week than admiring the bluebells at one of #Croydon's most magical green spaces, Selsdon Wood. Why not find out more about this 200-acre ancient wood and grassland by joining one of the informative walks. Full details: rb.gy/fw9ulq

MAKING MEDIEVAL ART by Phillip Lindley. Pub: Shaun Tyas. 1st. 2003 The practical aspects of the production of medieval art: manufacturing techniques and media, distribution methods and the mechanics of patronage... stellabooks.com/books/phillip-…

This week we chat with our current social media artist Mirri Rowland who runs #drawntonature 👉 A watercolour artist who specialises in illustrated prints, enamel pins and stationery, Mirri talks about how the natural world inspires her. 🐙 🌺 🎨 👉 croydonist.co.uk/mirri-rowland/

Downland Wildlife: A Naturalist's Year in the North and South Downs (1992) by John F Burton, illust. by John Davis, found on Internet Archive. Link 👉 archive.org/details/downla…

IMPORTANT The campaign for a GCSE in Natural History has stalled. Labour see it as a "Conservative initiative" and won't progress it. It is not a political football, every child has the right to learn about the wonder of the natural world. Plse ask you MP to lobby for it now. 🙏

On this day in 1936 the Crystal Palace in south-east London was destroyed by fire. The blaze was so big it could be seen for miles and was watched by an estimated 100,000 people. Read here about the history of the Crystal Palace thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-great-exhi…

It was interesting to read about Pollock's Toy Museum in the latest issue of Croydonist . Would visit the Croydon location if I could! pollockstoymuseum.co.uk

👑 A new clue about the 15th century Princes in the Tower has been found in our collection… 1/5

Looking at Downland Wildlife (1992) & recalling Farthing Downs, the part of the North Downs closest to my old home in Wallington. The book is available on Internet Archive . Digital loans of this & many other books are possible with a free IA account. archive.org/details/downla…

Did you know that Croydon has a cultural & scientific society that was founded in 1870? 👉If, not, read on… Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society explores our history, geology, archaeology, flora and fauna, by hosting talks, walks and more 👉 croydonist.co.uk/cnhss/

Latest information on revised plans for Beddington Farmlands show it needs at least £2.354m to deliver the nature reserve and only £2.185m has been set aside to cover failure of Valencia to deliver and Sutton Council needing to step in planningregister.sutton.gov.uk/online-applica…

In the 12th century, a large church called Merton Priory once stood on the banks of the river Wandle. This post is all about the history of Merton Priory, with details about where you can view the remains of the Priory foundation and walls. wandlenews.com/merton-priory/

Into nature and art? There is a new interactive art project that launches on Saturday 10 May at New Addington nature reserve Hutchinson’s Bank, by artists David Blandy and Daniel Locke, as part of a national arts project called Nature Calling 🌸🌱🐑👉 croydonist.co.uk/nature-calling/

This book tells you all you need to know about the Cistercians, their history and architecture it also includes Tintern Abbey. stellabooks.com/books/david-ro…

“From the painted hells of Surrey to the holy wells of Wales, consider this a travel book . . . with bells on.” Reading the description of Steeple Chasing by Peter Ross on an online book shop and thinking to myself, hey “painted hells of Surrey” sounds like Chaldon Church.

Nice to see Marq English back in Surrey exploring its churches & countryside. A sunny October 22nd, 2025, in Newdigate, including a visit to St Peter’s Church, which a 12th century grant referred to as ‘Capella de Neudegat’. youtu.be/gSMTjD5YRH0

Hadn’t used my Kindle for years & looked to see what was on it, mostly PDFs of various articles. Among these Giles Worsley’s Alexander Prize winning essay “The Origins of the Gothic Revival: A Reappraisal” (1993), Trans Royal Hist Soc 3: 105-150. doi.org/10.2307/3679138

Crossways Farm House, #Abinger, #Surrey. A Pilgrimage in Surrey by James S Ogilvy, 1914. Vol II. archive.org/details/bwb_KV…

Crossways Farm House, #Abinger, #Surrey. Old Cottages and Farmhouses in Surrey by W Curtis Green & W Galsworthy Davie, 1908. archive.org/details/oldcot…