Welcome to the Bourne Society

THE BOURNE SOCIETY is a local history society that was formed in 1956 and takes its name from the intermittent streams that follow the lines of the A22 and A23 roads in East Surrey, meeting at Purley to flow northward into the River Wandle. The Society celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2006.

The aims of the Society - England’s largest local history society - are to extend the knowledge of local history in Caterham, Chaldon, Chelsham, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Farleigh, Godstone, Kenley, Purley, Sanderstead, Warlingham, Whyteleafe and Woldingham, and to ensure the preservation of records and other objects of historical interest.

Below you will find a taste of the publications and other activities of the Society that will help you to understand what we have to offer and illustrate possible avenues for pursuing local history research in the area.

Local History Records - Vol 75 - May 2013

All Bourne Society Members now receive a copy of the Society's quarterly production known as the "Local History Records". This journal is packed with short articles of interest to the local historian as well as items of news, forthcoming events, recent group activities, contact details etc.

Village Histories 10. Woldingham

Extracts from:

"Village Histories 10. Woldingham"

Archaeology and Early History

Ridge Radio Talks

RIDGE RADIO has paired up with the Bourne Society to offer a monthly local history slot during its Tuesday evening show 'Music for Grown Ups'. Ridge Radio is a community internet station run entirely by volunteers and based in Caterham-on-the-Hill. It is keen to involve local people in its broadcasts and so have offered the Bourne Society the opportunity to play a part in raising the awareness of our local history.

Whyteleafe Businesses

Businesses in the Whyteleafe area from Victorian times

Peter Skuse, a former Vice-President of the Bourne Society, has collected together and analysed details of the shops and businesses that have operated in the Whyteleafe area from 1842 up until the present day. The material which has been collected from a variety of sources shows details of the business name, the proprietor and the address where known.

More Articles...