Society Events

The Society usually holds four meetings each year in the London area and one at a provincial location, usually at Kidlington in Oxfordshire. Those held in the London area are usually held at East Sheen, a location that is easily accessible by road and rail. 

The needs of members with limited mobility have been carefully considered, and only venues that have such facilities are used. The Society officials are always happy to discuss questions relating to our events should anyone wish further information, and can be reached on events@phillumeny.com.

The Society magazine publishes details of all Society meetings and events together with meetings organised by other Phillumeny clubs and societies in the UK and overseas. The magazine is available only to members of the Society, click here to join.

John Walker – lighting up the world, an illustrated talk, Friday 17th September

Exactly 200 years ago, John Walker, a chemist from Stockton-on-Tees, invented the humble Friction Match. Walker would have been surprised that his invention literally changed the course of history, affecting the lives of millions of people across the world. The global match industry grew up in the nineteenth century to become perhaps as economically significant then as are today’s tech giants, Amazon and Google. 

But working conditions in the match factories, where the majority of the workers were women and children, were grim. Following a landmark matchgirls’ strike in 1888, several Acts of Parliament and international conventions were needed to improve and protect workers’ rights.

This illustrated talk by Mike Pryor takes place at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution and includes a showing of the film John Walker – lighting up the world, made possible by a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

This is a blended event, which can be attended in person or watched online. Tickets are available here.

Society Autumn Meeting 2026

• October 4^th 2026 Sunday. BML&BS Autumn Meeting, from 09:00 to 16:00. Auction takes place at 13:30. Admission £2. Trader Tables cost £5 each and must be booked in advance with the Show Organiser. Sheen Lane Centre (Library building), 74 Sheen Lane, East Sheen (near Mortlake), London SW14 8LP. events@phillumeny.com
• To book a trader table please contact events@phillumeny.com
• Note that Sheen Lane Centre is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which means that charges apply to older petrol vehicles produced before 2005 and diesel vehicles registered before Sep 2015 as they enter the Zone. We advise members to check if their vehicle will be subject to a charge, by using the following link https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

Society Winter Meeting 2026

• December 6^th 2026 Sunday. BML&BS Winter Meeting, from 09:00 to 16:00. Auction takes place at 13:30. Admission £2. Trader Tables cost £5 each and must be booked in advance with the Show Organiser. Sheen Lane Centre (Library building), 74 Sheen Lane, East Sheen (near Mortlake), London SW14 8LP. events@phillumeny.com
• To book a trader table please contact events@phillumeny.com
• Note that Sheen Lane Centre is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which means that charges apply to older petrol vehicles produced before 2005 and diesel vehicles registered before Sep 2015 as they enter the Zone. We advise members to check if their vehicle will be subject to a charge, by using the following link https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

Society Spring Meeting 2027

• February 14^th 2027 Sunday. BML&BS Spring Meeting, from 09:00 to 16:00. Auction takes place at 13:30. Admission £2. Trader Tables cost £5 each and must be booked in advance with the Show Organiser. Sheen Lane Centre (Library building), 74 Sheen Lane, East Sheen (near Mortlake), London SW14 8LP. events@phillumeny.com
• To book a trader table please contact events@phillumeny.com
• Note that Sheen Lane Centre is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which means that charges apply to older petrol vehicles produced before 2005 and diesel vehicles registered before Sep 2015 as they enter the Zone. We advise members to check if their vehicle will be subject to a charge, by using the following link https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/