Penge: the making of a London Suburb

Penge: the making of a
London Suburb

7.30pm Thursday 15 January
Upper Norwood Library SE19 1TJ

The transformation of the London suburb of Penge from a quiet, rural hamlet into a bustling railway hub over the course of a century is the focus of this talk by Martin Spence author of a book on the subject. London’s rapid development as a centre of international capitalism in the 19th century and the social, economic, and political ramifications of this transformation on surrounding areas is examined. Attention is also given to the ways in which land was used and exploited. More than a quaint local history, this is a dynamic case study that unveils the grassroots impact of urban development.