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 Weekend 29, 30, 31 May 2026

We have organised a whole weekend of events to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the invention of the Friction Match by John Walker of Stockton on Tees in 1826, based at The Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe, Stockton. We have chosen these dates because John Walker was born on 29^th May 1781. The importance of John Walker’s invention to society at large, and also to us as collectors, is immeasurable.

• Friday 29^th May 2026 : afternoon world première of our documentary film about John Walker (funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund), the opening of our physical and on-line exhibitions, and an evening meal with guest speakers
• Saturday 30^th May 2026 : morning visit to Preston Park Museum to see their John Walker exhibits, an afternoon “Walking with Walker” guided coach trip, and a river cruise in the evening with meal and guest speakers
• Sunday 31^st May 2026 : collectors’ meeting with a grand auction and closing ceremony

We will be based at The Parkmore Hotel, a Best Western Hotel, at 636 Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0DH, England which we have chosen because of its location and reputation. We have negotiated a special room rate with the hotel, call them on 01642 786815 to book your accommodation.

We have created a new web site dedicated to John Walker which will act as a lasting legacy to John Walker.

If you have information any questions about the 2026 celebrations we would be pleased to hear from you johnwalker2026@phillumeny.com

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/