By the First World War most of Croydon’s ancient buildings had been lost without a pictorial record. After his earliest known visit in 1893, the painter Evacustes Phipson returned on at least four occasions between 1914 and 1928 to make watercolour sketches of buildings in the borough of historical significance, and thought to be in danger of future loss, at the direction of Croydon Reference Library. And exhibition of his paintings is on display in Croydon Clocktower until 27 September.

John Hickman & Carole Roberts of Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society will provide a guided tour of some of the sites associated with Phipson in the town centre. This first walk is especially for slower walkers and less mobile people. The walk begins at the top of the Croydon Clocktower steps.

They will walk from Clocktower to George Street. Those who prefer to take the tram to the Church Street Tram stop may do so. They will be met in Church Street from where the walk will continue to Croydon Minster. Those who wish to do so may continue the walk a further 200 yards to Cranmer Road to see Old Town, where the walk will end.

There will also be

• a longer walk starting at the top of the Clocktower steps on Saturday 19th August at 2.30 pm.
• a talk on Saturday 26^th August 2.30pm at Croydon Clcoktower entitled ‘Evacustes A. Phipson. Continuing with his Paintings in and Around Croydon 1893-1928.’
• a self-guided tour
• a publication entitles ‘Evacustes Phipson, His Life and Utopian Views and an Introduction to the Croydon Paintings’.