Join us online for Westminster Arts Reference Library's 'Artists of London' series. In addition to the talk and a Q+A, each includes a spotlight on a special item from the Library's collection - in this case, an edition of Picture Goer magazine from 1924.

The talk will be held online via Zoom - details will be emailed to you nearer the event.

To mark his 131st birthday, Bryony Dixon explores the almost Dickensian youth of one of the most influential Londoners of all time. Born in East Street in Walworth, Charlie Chaplin lived in many South London locations including Methley Street - the model for his film Easy Street (1917).

He aspired, like others born into the entertainment business, to work in the West End, only a walk away across Westminster Bridge and his great ambition, with brother Syd, was to be rich enough to live in Brixton. Things worked out very differently - his extraordinary career took him from some of the poorest districts of London to some of the most glamorous in Los Angeles. But even as a Hollywood megastar his films and their sets reflected the cityscapes of Victorian London and his youth.

Join City of Westminster Guide, Joanna Moncrieff online as she takes us on a virtual tour through the fascinating history of some of the West End’s famous food & drink shops including household names like Twinings, Fortnum & Mason and Patisserie Valerie.

You will hear about their often surprising beginnings and the significant events in their history which put them on the path to world-wide fame.

Joanna will also give some insight into how she does her research which will be of interest to anyone undertaking local history projects.

Learn about the history of the Chinese zodiac and its origins in this online event packed with activities. This online event is suitable for adults and children.

Do you want to know how the animals in the Chinese zodiac found their place?
Do you know what your Chinese zodiac sign is and what is in store this year?

This workshop by the Hackney Chinese School will consist of a talk and a workshop to craft your own zodiac clock.

To join in with the craft, please take a look on Eventbrite to see what materials you'll need.

Archaeologist Alex Sothern, has worked on excavations of First World War battlefield sites in Belgium and France since 2003. His work included the recovery and naming of soldiers' remains. He was also involved in the MoD programme of works under the Operation Nightingale banner, which aims to help veterans suffering from physical and mental injuries by introducing them to archaeology as a pathway to recovery.

In this online talk, Alex will look at some of the sites he worked on over the years and explore the kinds of features and artefacts you would expect to find on typical First World War sites, including the story of the recovery of several soldiers’ remains.

Historic graffiti tell stories of the hopes, fears and desires of a nation echoing through time - here is their tale. Modern graffiti is often seen as transgressive and moronic. However, look closely in the light of a torch at the walls of our historic buildings, trees, caves and rockfaces, and a world of graffiti will open up, illuminating the psychology of our ancestors.

The study of historic graffiti enables us to hear the lost voices of ordinary individuals through their images of daisywheels, ships sailing across the walls, knights drawing their swords, demons stalking the stonework and every animal imaginable. Join award-winning buildings archaeologist, James Wright, online to find out about these echoes through time.