Would you like to discover the history of your house or the origin of the name of the street, village or town where you live? Many of the names of roads and locations in this area are reminders of its agricultural past. When was your local church, railway station or pub built? What was the land used for before your house was built? What is the history of your local landmarks and open spaces? The Bourne Society is England's largest local history society with a membership of over 2,000. It covers the areas of Caterham, Chaldon, Chelsham, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Farleigh, Godstone, Kenley, Purley, Sanderstead, Whyteleafe, Warlingham and Woldingham. The Society began in 1956 and the name commemorates the bourn(e)s (small streams) that roughly follow the A22 and A23 to Purley and onwards to the River Wandle.

The Local History Records Journal is published quarterly (free to members) and the Society arranges events, outings, speakers and meetings. There are 'special interest' groups specializing in archaeology, industrial archaeology, photography, landscape history and pub history (which usually involves sampling a pint in the interest of the pub's past).

Among the many publications of the Society is the popular Village Histories series. Go to the Caterham and District Local History Centre in Caterham Valley Library, and the East Surrey Museum, to learn more about this area; both are in Stafford Road. Researching local history is a fascinating pastime!

Membership of The Bourne Society costs £10 per year or £150 for Life Membership. For more information or to join go to www.bourne-society.org.uk or call 01883 349287.