top of page
It all started in a house...
Humble Beginnings in Clapham
This is not to the ‘dark side of the moon’ or to ‘the centre of the earth’ but the one undertaken by the Hindu Society over the last 45 years or so. From it’s humble beginnings in a small enclave of Clapham South, SW11, it was the ‘can do’ attitude and drive of founding members in Kyrle, Broxash, Manchuria, Roseneath and Amner roads.
It was the successful drive to go, house to house, setting out a common goal, recruiting members, seeking assurances of helping out. This was the nucleus, the kernel that signalled the beginning of the Society.
From this, came format and organisation by way of a Society with members, an executive committee and structure. A, typewritten constitution (on a still functioning “Olivetti Letra 32” typewriter), no mistakes, photocopiers or word processors. From small beginnings of functions in members’ houses to their first hired hall, adjacent to the Parish church of St. Luke’s in Ramsden Road, SW11.
It was the successful drive to go, house to house, setting out a common goal, recruiting members, seeking assurances of helping out. This was the nucleus, the kernel that signalled the beginning of the Society.
From this, came format and organisation by way of a Society with members, an executive committee and structure. A, typewritten constitution (on a still functioning “Olivetti Letra 32” typewriter), no mistakes, photocopiers or word processors. From small beginnings of functions in members’ houses to their first hired hall, adjacent to the Parish church of St. Luke’s in Ramsden Road, SW11.
Growing Membership
With an ever growing membership, word of mouth and help from volunteers, a relocation albeit temporary, came in late 1970s in the form of a renovated Wandsworth Council Community Relations hall, away from Clapham to Tooting and a small hall on Trinity Road SW17. Somewhere the Society and it’s youth of the day could meet but not for the large scale Diwali functions. The aim of buying a permanent hall for functions remained elusive, availability, renovation costs, financing and logistics being obstacles, but not insurmountable.
Our First Hall in SW17
Having accumulated members far and wide from across South London, we were now able to hold the large scale functions in the Civic Suite of Wandsworth Town Hall. Still the quest for a hall of our own continued. Then a breakthrough, in 1989, a hall on the first floor became available in Garratt Lane, SW17. It was start, a result, with the obstacles surmounted and with the Trustees’ blessing and backing, we had our first hall. It was used extensively, electric chair lift in place, looked after and maintained by members. It was a great start, the Hindu Society had a hall of their own. We had arrived.
Our First Home
A second breakthrough in 2000 just ‘down the road’ another opportunity, a single storey hall purpose built with kitchen facilities. Too good to miss, another round of fund raising, the plaque with names still visible in our current hall, we moved on to our present location.
Our new Home, Our Mandir
In 2022, we completed the construction of our two storey community centre and mandir. Thus, realising our dream of a permanent home for the Hindu Society, creating a legacy for the future generations and keeping our religion, cultural, arts and educational values in the forefront of our lives. This is thanks to the support, commitment and dedication of our unwavering trustess and members. Funds are still required to continue to maintain our mandir and to one day fulfil the original design of an imposing dome to mark Hindu Society’s presence for miles.
bottom of page