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Founded in 1937, The Blackheath Society aims to preserve and improve Blackheath.


We work to maintain and improve local amenities for current and future enjoyment and manage an extensive archive on Blackheath’s past.

We keep members informed about community events and give members a voice on current local issues.

Discover More about our work and committee members. 

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Neil Rhind MBE FSA 1937-2024

Neil Rhind MBE

It is with great regret that the Society has to announce that our President Neil Rhind MBE FSA died in Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Woolwich on Saturday 10 February, after a short illness.

Neil, 87, was a remarkable resident of Blackheath all his life. No-one knew as much about its detailed history, and he shared his knowledge generously over the years through his many books.

A journalist by training and a historian by inclination, he built an enormous archive concerning the history of local buildings, assembled a complete collection of publications and created detailed records of the local amenity societies.

Born in the same year as the founding of the Blackheath Society in 1937, he was our Chair for many years and became President in 2016.

As Secretary of the Blackheath Preservation Trust, in the 1970s he was centrally involved in raising funds and building support to prevent the demolition of the Blackheath Halls and the Conservatoire. His direct involvement also saved many architecturally outstanding Blackheath buildings. He was awarded the Freedom of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in May 2017.

In addition, for over 50 years he gave talks and conducted many local walks. His comprehensive knowledge of the local area was unmatched, and his three volumes of "Blackheath Village and its Environs", written over 40 years, are the definitive works on this outstanding area of London.

He will be profoundly missed and the Society sends its sincere condolences to his wife Liz and their family. Details of any funeral or memorial service arrangements will be shared when known.


Self Guided Walk of Blackheath Village

The Blackheath Society created a Self Guided Walk Of Blackheath Village based on the work of our President Neil Rhind. You can download a PDF here to print or view on a mobile device and follow the walk in your own time. We hope you will enjoy it.


Gift Membership

Why not give a friend or relative membership of the Blackheath Society as a gift? An annual gift subscription is just £20 and includes a free copy of Guardians of the Heath and the Blackheath Preservation Trust 1938 - 2016.

To buy membership please email the office and we will arrange it for you.


The Blackheath Society Archive

New Blackheath Memories films released on our archive site.

We are very excited to say that we have been working with Pam Schweitzer on restoring interviews which she carried out in the early 2000s with Blackheath residents and these have been added to the archive website. The interviews have been made into short films which we hope you will like.


Geese crossing Prince of Wales Rd 2.jpeg

Egon Walesch captured these geese safely crossing Prince of Wales Road


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OUR WORK

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Get In Touch


 

office@blackheath.org
020 8297 1937

The Old Bakehouse
11 Blackheath Village
London, SE3 9LA

[see map]

Monday - Thursday

Times may vary. Please call office to check.