2024 Events
7 April, 1.30–3pm
Arcadia: The Wood That Built London
Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB
I’ll be leading a guided walk as part of Stanley Arts Arcadia Festival in South Norwood on Sunday 7 April to Grangewood Park, discussing its role as a surviving fragment of the Great North Wood that once covered much of South London. It’s free, but you need to reserve a place: https://stanleyarts.ticketsolve.com/tick…/shows/1173646045
Past Events
18 November, 2.30pm
Friends of West Norwood Cemetery
The Old Library, 14–16 Knights Hill, West Norwood, London SE27 0HY
15 November, 7pm
Brockley Society AGM
Lucas Vale School, London SE8 4QF
12 October, 5-6pm
Society of Antiquaries of London
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BE, and live streamed on YouTube
This talk to the Society of Antiquaries will focus on the archival research into historic land ownership and management that informed my book The Wood That Built London, which charts the fortunes of the Great North Wood that once covered much of what is now South London.
12 September, 7–8.30pm
Lambeth Heritage Festival
Carnegie Library, 192 Herne Hill Road, London SE24 0AG
23 July, 11am–3pm
Sydenham Hill Wood Open Day
Crescent Wood Road, Sydenham Hill, SE26 6LS
I’ll be selling and signing copies The Wood That Built London throughout the day. Activities include pond dipping, bug hunting, children’s crafts and a guided ‘Bioblitz’ walk, giving an introduction to basic wildlife identification.
15 July, 2–3pm
Southwark Cathedral Stories of London
The Library, Southwark Cathedral, London SE1 9DA
I’ll be giving a 40-minute talk with slides, followed by 20 minutes’ audience Q&A and book-signing.
14 June, 2pm
Friends of Biggin Wood
St Oswald’s Parish Hall, St Oswald’s Road, SW16 3SB
15 June, 7–8pm
London Natural History Society
Online
In an online talk hosted by the London Natural History Society, I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, now available in paperback from Sandstone Press. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the Great North Wood that once covered much of what is now South London: its ecology, ownership and management, the gradual encroachment of the metropolis, and the battles fought by locals and the London Wildlife Trust to save what remained.
25 May, 7–8pm
Barnett’s Literary Lounge
Barnett’s Books, Gordon House, High St, Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6AA
I’ll be discussing my book Along the Amber Route, which charts the origins of amber, the myths and legends that have grown around it, the dazzling artefacts that have been made from it and the trade, together with the many deadly divisions around the shifting borders it has crossed.
18 May, 6pm for 6.30pm start
Urban Tree Festival
The Gallery, 70 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6EJ
I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, which charts the history of the Great North Wood, which once covered much of South London. Drinks and nibbles provided. Tickets £10, free for CPRE members,
16 May, 8pm
Blackheath Halls
23 Lee Road, London, SE3 9RQ
In conjunction with the Blackheath Bookshop, I’ll be discussing my latest book The Wood That Built London, with an illustrated talk chaired by the literary journalist Suzi Feay.
7 March, 7.45pm
Bromley Borough Local History Society
Church Hall, St George’s Church, Bickley Park Road BR1 2BE
I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, which charts the history of the Great North Wood, which once covered much of South London. The book is now available in paperback from Sandstone Press. Admission is free, but a donation is requested.
2022
November 15, 7 pm
South London Botanical Institute
Online
In a Zoom talk hosted by the South London Botanical Institute, I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, now available in paperback from Sandstone Press. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the Great North Wood that once covered much of what is now South London: its ecology, ownership and management, the gradual encroachment of the metropolis, and the battles fought by locals and the London Wildlife Trust to save what remained.
October 19, 7 pm
Sydenham Hill Ridge Neighbourhood Forum
TNG Youth & Community Centre, 111 Wells Park Road, Sydenham, London SE26 6AD
Hosted by the Sydenham Hill Ridge Neighbourhood Forum, I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, which charts the history of the Great North Wood, which once covered much of South London. The book is now available in paperback from Sandstone Press. Admission is free.
October 6, 7.30 pm
Friends of One Tree Hill
St Augustine’s Church, Honor Oak Park, London SE23 3LE
Hosted by the Friends of One Tree Hill, I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London at St Augustine’s Church on the flanks of what was once Oak of Honor Wood.
October 3, 8 pm
Brixton Book Jam
Hootananny, Effra Road, London SW2 1DF
I’ll be reading from The Wood That Built London along with Mik Artistik, Ned Beauman, Zelda Rhiando, Deserter, Dennis Just Dennis and more…
September 27, 7 pm
Festival of the Great North Wood
Centre for Wildlife Gardening, 28 Marsden Road, London SE15 4EE
As part of the London Wildlife Trust’s Festival of the Great North Wood, I’ll be discussing my book The Wood That Built London, which charts the history of the wood, at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening in East Dulwich.
September 17 11 am – 12.30
Book signing
Rye Books, 47 North Cross Rd, London SE22 9ET
I’ll be signing copies of The Wood That Built London at Rye Books, Peckham from 11.30 am. All welcome.
September 10 11.45 am
Chiswick Book Festival
Boston Room, George IV, Chiswick High Road, London W4 2DR
Journalist Nick Higham, who tells the story of London’s water in The Mercenary River, and C] Schuler, author of The Wood that Built London, discuss with historian Jessie Childs the many factors that have influenced the making of modern London.
September 2
Paperback launch of The Wood That Built London
I’ll be continuing my tour of bookshops to sign copies: Village Books, Dulwich; Chener Books, East Dulwich; The Word, New Cross Road; then across the river the Stanford’s in Covent Garden, and South Kensington Books.
September 1
Paperback launch of The Wood That Built London
I’ll be touring the bookshops of South London signing copies: Herne Hill Books, Dulwich Books, Bookseller Crow, Kirkdale Books, then a dash north of the river to Burley Fisher in Haggerston.
June 18, 10am–3pm
Festival of the Great North Wood
Streatham Common, London SW16 5NR
The Festival of the Great North Wood will be a celebration of the Wood’s wildlife and vast history. I’ll be in conversation with Zoe Gilbert, author of “Mischief Acts”, to compare and contrast fictional and factual approaches to writing about the woods,
June 16, 7.30pm
Norwood Society
Upper Norwood Library, 39 Westow Hill, London SE19 1TQ
26 May, 7.30–9pm
Lewisham Local History Society
Jubilee Pavilion, St Dunstan’s Playing Fields, London SE6 4SW
8 May, 11am – 3pm
Spring in the Wood
Sydenham Hill Wood Reserve, Crescent Wood Road, London SE26 6LS
11:30–12pm; writing workshop at 1:30–2:3
28 April 7pm–10 pm
Reweirding London
The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, London SE14 6TY
£5 / £3 concessions (Advance tickets advised)
23 March, 7.30pm
The Wood That Built London
Village Books & The MCT at Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 8SU
Join me for a fascinating evening about the past, present and future of The Great North Wood. Tickets £10/£8 concessions.
2021
4 November, 6.30pm
The Wood That Built London
Stanfords 7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, WC2H 9FA
Join me for a fascinating evening about the past, present and future of The Great North Wood. Tickets £5 including a glass of wine/soft drink and 4.00 off the published price of The Wood That Built London when purchased on the evening).
18 November, 6pm
Lambeth Palace Library
15 Lambeth Place, London SE1 7JU
All are welcome, but those wishing to attend should book a free ticket at https://cjschuler-thewoodthatbuiltlondon.eventbrite.co.uk or email archives@churchofengland.org not later than Friday 12 November.
11 November, 7.30pm
Tring Book Festival
High Street Baptist Church, 89 High Street, Tring HP23 4AB
I’ll be in a London history-themed discussion with Tom Chivers, author of London Clay, and Mudlarking author Lara Maiklem, about my book, The Wood that Built London.
9 November, 7pm
The Wood That Built London
Dulwich Books, 6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich, London, SE21 8SW
Join me for a fascinating evening about the past, present and future of The Great North Wood.
4 November, 6.30pm
Southwark Cathedral Talk
Online
In this live-streamed event, I’ll be discussing my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London (Sandstone Press). Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the North Wood that once covered much of South London. Free.
21 October, 7.30pm
The Bookseller Crow
50 Westow Street Crystal Palace London SE19 3AF
I’ll be in conversation with Travis Elborough about my book, The Wood that Built London, published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021.
16 October, 3 pm
Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Open Day
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve, Beadnell Road, London SE23 1AA
I’m delighted to be reading from my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021, at the Friends of Garthorne Road Open Day. Explore this quiet wildlife oasis, bring a picnic, and follow the tree trail or mini-beast hunt. No booking required; suggested donation £2.
14 October, 12.30 pm
Authors’ Club Lunch
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE
In this live, in-person event, I’ll be discussing my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the North Wood that once covered much of South London. The two-course lunch is £30.
9 October, 2pm
Bookmark Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie Community Campus, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6UZ
I’m delighted to be discussing my travelogue Along the Amber Route with Gail Wylie at the live, in-person Bookmark Blairgowrie Festival, in an event postponed from last year on account of the pandemic. A local jeweller who specialises in amber will be putting on a display to enhance the talk.
7 October, 7pm
Book Launch
Discover more about the history of the Great North Wood at the online launch of The Wood That Built London.
20 September, 7–8 pm
Lambeth Heritage Festival
Online
In this live-streamed event, I’ll be discussing my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the North Wood that once covered much of South London. Free.
12 September, 3 pm
Grangewood Park 120th Birthday
Grangewood Park, 157 Ross Road, London, SE25 6TW
I’m delighted to be reading from my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021, at the Friends of Grangewood Park’s party to celebrate 120 years since the park first opened its gates. There will also be family and children’s entertainment, art and poetry workshops, and information about the history of the park and its wildlife.
18 July, 2 pm
Fourth Reserve Art Day
Buckthorne Cutting Nature Reserve, Eddystone Road, London SE4 2DE
In this live, in-person event, I’ll be discussing my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press in October 2021. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the North Wood that once covered much of South London. This event is free.
8 July, 4.30 pm
Authors’ Club and NLC Literary Circle Read-a-Thon
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE
I’m delighted to be reading from my book Along the Amber Route as part of this Read-a-Thon to raise funds to help the NLC purchase a concert grand piano. Other readers include John Walsh, Sue Hubbard, Sunny Singh, Tim Ades and Richard Hamilton. For bookings, please get in touch with the Booking Team at bookings@nlc.org.uk or call 020 7968 0912.
29 June, 7pm
The Wood That Built London: Bell House Talk
Online
I’ll be discussing my forthcoming book, The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press in October 2021. Drawing on historic documents, maps and environmental evidence, it charts the fortunes of the North Wood that once covered much of what is now South London: its ecology, its ownership, its management, its gradual encroachment by the metropolis, and the battles fought by local people, alongside the London Wildlife Trust, to save what remained.
17 June, 2pm
LitLunch Online with Jayne Joso
Online
Going live at 2pm, Thursday 17 June, on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel, I interview Jayne Joso about her collection of short fiction, Japan Stories.
22 April, 2pm
LitLunch Online with Ariana Neumann
Online
Going live at 2pm, Thursday 22 April, on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel, I interview Ariana Neumann about her extraordinary memoir When Time Stopped.
25 February, 2pm
LitLunch Online with Francis Spufford
Online
Going live at 2pm, Thursday 25 February, on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel, I interview Francis Spufford about his brilliant new novel Light Perpetual.
13 January, 7.30–8.30pm
Uncut Leaves
Online
In this revival of a Victorian tradition, Authors’ Club members read extracts from their as-yet-unpublished work. I will be reading from my forthcoming book The Wood that Built London, to be published by Sandstone Press in autumn 2021. The readings will take place via Zoom, and will be followed by a live Q&A. Admission is free.
2020
10 December, 6.30–7.30pm
Mapping the Great North Wood
Online
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film by C.J. Schüler tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants. The screening is part of the London Wildlife Trust’s Festival of the Great North Wood, and will be followed by a live Q&A. Admission is free.
19 November, 2pm
LitLunch Online with Melissa Harrison
Online
Going live at 2pm, Thursday 19 November, on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel, I interview the novelist and nature writer Melissa Harrison about her latest book The Stubborn Light of Things and her hit podcast of the same name.
24 September, 2pm
LitLunch Online with Henry Hemming
Online
Going live at 2pm, Thursday 24 September, on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel, I’ll be in conversation with Henry Hemming about his latest book, Our Man in New York (Quercus).
8 July, 7pm
Wigtown Wednesdays
Online
I’ll be discussing Along the Amber Route with Lee Randall as part of the Wigtown Festival’s series of online events.
11 May, 7.30pm
Brixton BookJam
Online Special
I’ll be reading from Along the Amber Route, in company with other authors, at this long-standing and very popular event, which is now taking place online.
16 May, 5.30pm
LitFest Online
I am delighted to announce that I’ll be discussing my travelogue Along the Amber Route (published by Sandstone Press) with Mary Novakovich at the Authors’ Club LitFest Online. I’m also honoured to be interviewing Leonie Charlton and Hadley Freeman as part of the festival, which runs from 15–17 May. Full details here.
9 June, 7.30pm
Barnett’s Literary Lounge CANCELLED
Barnett’s Books, Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6AA
Following the Amber Route from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, C. J. Schüler charts the origins of amber, the myths and legends that have grown around it, and the dazzling artefacts crafted from it and traded along the way. Schüler reflects on the route’s violent history through the centuries, not least his own family’s experience of persecution and flight.
12 September, 2pm CANCELLED
BOOKMARK Blairgowrie
St Catharine’s Community Centre, George Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6EY, Scotland
BOOKMARK is delighted to welcome C J Schüler to Blairgowrie, where he will take our audience from St Petersburg to Venice, though unusual landscapes, forgotten or ignored histories and family memoirs, all linked by the magical powers of amber.
3 March, 7pm
Book Launch: Along the Amber Route: St Petersburg to Venice
Stanfords, 7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9FA
By invitation.
2019
5 June, 7pm
Mapping the Great North Wood
Friends of Biggin Wood, St Oswald’s Church Hall, St Oswald’s Rd London SW16 3SB
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants. I shall be screening it at the Friends of Biggin Wood AGM, where Tim Bird will also be signing copies of his delightful graphic novel The Great North Wood. The event is open to all.
2018
27 November, 7–9pm
Last Post: A Literary Journal Launch
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
I am delighted to be moderating the launch of a new journal dedicated to his life and work, published by the Ford Madox Ford Society in association with the Open University. Last Post: A Literary Journal aims to provide a Fordian meeting-place for conversation, comment and criticism, with informal pieces beside scholarly essays and creative non-fiction.
The speakers will be: Sara Haslam, Chair, Ford Madox Ford Society; Senior Lecturer in English, Open University; Max Saunders, former Chair, Ford Madox Ford Society; Professor of English and Director of the Arts and Humanities Research Institute, King’s College London; Paul Skinner, general editor, Last Post; Delia da Sousa Correa, Senior Lecturer in Literature, Open University; series editor, Katherine Mansfield Studies
Drinks will be provided. The event is free, but please register via Eventbrite as places are limited.
25 November, 11:00am – 3:00pm
London Wildlife Trust Tree Day
Centre for Wildlife Gardening, 28 Marsden Rd, London SE15 4EE
The Centre for Wildlife Gardening’s annual Tree Day features a range of woodcraft workshops including traditional green-wood carving and turning demonstrations. From 2.15-3.00pm there will be a screening of my documentary film Mapping the Great North Wood, charting the history of the wood that once covered much of south London, and today’s efforts to conserve its remnants. Admission is free.
1 October, 7–9pm
Behold, America: Sarah Churchwell in conversation
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
I am very pleased to be interviewing the brilliant author and academic Sarah Churchwell about her new book, Behold, America, which charts the murky history of the phrases ‘America First’ and ‘The American Dream’, and the way they have shaped the political climate of the USA today.
18 September, 12.30–3pm
Authors’ Club Lunch with Ted Sandling
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
I am delighted to be introducing Ted Sandling to discuss his book London in Fragments: A Mudlarker’s Treasures, an enthralling guide to the historical relics to be found on the Thames foreshore.
9 September, 10am–6pm
Festival of the Great North Wood
Sydenham Hill Wood, London SE26
I shall be taking part in the London Wildlife Trust’s Festival of the Great North Wood, a celebration of the Wood’s wildlife and history. Visitors will be able to enjoy a series of guided walks throughout the day, led by London Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers, and DVDs of my film Mapping the Great North Wood will be on sale.
7 September, 7pm
Mapping the Great North Wood
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film by C.J. Schüler tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants. The screening will be followed by drinks at the bar.
14 August, 2pm
The History of the Great North Wood
Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8NB
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film by C.J. Schüler tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants. Sam Bentley-Toon, Great North Wood project officer for the London Wildlife Trust, will give a talk. Admission is free.
24 April, 7pm
Writing, Healing and the First World War
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
I will be chairing a panel discussion with Ford Madox Ford specialist Sara Haslam, Vivien Whelpton, biographer of the Imagist poet Richard Aldington, and the writer and lecturer Sunny Singh, who will discuss Chandradhar Sharma Guleri’s WWI story, The Troth (Usne Kaha Tha).
12 April, 8pm
Mapping the Great North Wood
Friends of One Tree Hill, St Augustine’s Church, Honor Oak Park, London SE23 3LE
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film by C.J. Schüler tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants.
2 February, 6pm
Mapping the Great North Wood
Centre for Wildlife Gardening, 28 Marsden Rd, London SE15 4EE
Once, a large part of South London was forest. Through historic maps and live footage, this 20-minute documentary film by C.J. Schüler tracks its amazing history, and today’s efforts to conserve its surviving remnants. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.
2017
22 November, 7pm
Uncut Leaves RevivedThe Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HEAuthors’ Club evening featuring members reading from their own work. The other participants are the brilliant Radhika Swarup, Suzi Feay and Meike Ziervogel, all reading from their latest and as yet unpublished works.
27 April, 7pm
Just the Facts? Some thoughts on writing non-fiction
The Authors’ Club at the National Liberal Club, London SW1 2HE
With Nicholas Fearn (Zeno and the Tortoise) on popularising philosophy; Chris Chalmers on what writers can learn from advertising; Sarah Wise (The Italian Boy) on the challenges for historians; Lucasta Miller (The Bronte Myth) on the doomed Romantic poet Letitia Landon, and ex-Chairman and club historian C.J. Schüler on telling our story in his wonderful Writers, Lovers, Soldiers, Spies. (£15 guests, £10 Authors’ Club/NLC members.)
C. J. Schüler 