About the Society

On 26 February 1870, an advertisement was placed in the Croydon Chronicle, the text being as outlined in the image, left, of a notice in the Society’s Museum.  After that inaugural meeting on 6 April 1870, the Chronicle commented that

“A more successful commencement of a provincial scientific club has scarcely ever been recorded and although it may embrace science a little too profound for the general public, its existence is a compliment to the town and a gratifying recognition of its taste and intelligence.” [cited in the Society’s Bulletin in 1988, Bull Croydon Nat Hist Sci Soc, 88: 1]

Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society is therefore one of the oldest cultural societies operating in Croydon. It traces its history continuously from the Croydon Microscopical Club (1870–1877), through the Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club (1877–1901), and became Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society in 1902. It was incorporated as a company on 14 November 1967, and registered as a charity on 2 March 1970.

Society Objectives

For the public benefit, to encourage the study of the sciences, especially the natural and local history and archaeology of the Croydon area, by organising lectures, members’ talks, discussions, exhibitions, field meetings and surveys, by issuing publications, and by maintaining a library and a museum.

The Society is concerned with original investigation, conservation, recording, curation, education, and incidental recreation.

Meetings

Unless otherwise stated, indoor meetings are held in the Small Hall of the East Croydon United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove, almost opposite East Croydon Station, at 7.45pm. If you are not a member of the Society, you are still very welcome at our talks, walks and other events, unless they are specifically advertised as members only. If you do come, we would encourage you to make a small donation to help us cover our costs – we suggest £3-5 – but it is not at all compulsory.

Museum and Library

The Society’s own museum and library may be visited by arrangement with the curator and librarian respectively (see the Directory).

Volunteers willing to help with cataloguing the geological and archaeological collection are welcome. Members may borrow books from the library.

Ornithology Group

The group is an informal part of the society as it does not have a section secretary but it remains active, meeting at least twice a month at various birding sites near and far, for example, at South Norwood Country Park, Beddington Park, the Oare marshes in Kent and Pagham harbour in Sussex. Details can be obtained from the General Secretary who will send you a programme of the excursions. It is necessary to inform the leader of each excursion in advance to let him or her know you are going. The place of meeting is always the venue. There are no indoor meetings apart from when the programme of outings is planned.

Entomology Section

Graham Collins is the Section Secretary and he and Jovita Kaunang organise and hold meetings on the third Wednesday of every month, at the East Croydon United Reformed Church (ECURC) in one of the smaller rooms, and occasionally encompass wider natural history and environmental themes. The meetings are informal and usually involve one or more short presentations, sometimes with video, as well as exhibits, such as photographs, specimens, books and equipment. Refreshments are served.