Aviva  Armchair Adventures

Even in the middle of our glorious "British Summer", there are days when we are less inclined to venture out in the rain. And now, as winter draws on, we are even lesser inclined, so let us suggest an interesting "Visit" that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own armchair, without getting your slippers wet — or it could even tempt you to plan a closer look, when the weather is more inviting. Settle down with a cuppa and a packet of Hobnobs, and take a look into a subject that might be more interesting than you would ever have thought...

Explore the unexpected history of the birth and evolution of the Insurance Industry   Learn about the genesis of Crystal Palace Park, and take a virtual walk through the world of its Grade I Listed Dinosaurs.   Read how one man's obsession lead to the extraordinary Museum of Brands, where your Fellowship enjoyed a real visit in 2023   Recall your misspent youth, and relive the glory days of the 1960s and '70s, with a look at the history of the infamous Eel Pie Island   One place we enjoy visiting on our day off is the spectacular "Cathedral in the Marshes" in Abbey Wood, which does host guided tours, but sadly it's not easily accessible by public transport ...   ... and here's also a link to their fascinating online exhibition, explaining so much you never realised you needed to know   Bow Street Police Museum tells us about Victorian fashion and criminal misuse of the bustle and the scandal of Victorian persecution of the first women in Bloomers   What did the Romans ever do for us? Learn about the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain*   Find out more about the Roman invasion in a short, interesting history of Richborough Fort*, the site of the invasion — and a car journey of under two hours from Croydon   Want to know who invented the Lawnmower? An Englishman, of course — and, if you like, you can read his story or about the rise and fall of the companies which made the machines that gave us grass with stripes.   While we're on the subject of inventors, Wikipedia contains a useful List of Inventors and their inventions — and for those with a ghoulish streak, a list of unlucky inventors whose demise was related to their own innovation.   If you already like museums, here's a handy comprehensive guide although, unfortunately, you may actually need to venture outside to visit some of these.

If you have a favourite website you'd like to share with other Members, we would be very happy to hear about it. Please email details to avivafellowshipcroydon@outlook.com

Chris Hall Website Manager Aviva Fellowship Croydon Area

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