Please get in touch to arrange an individual or group tour. Testimonials:-
MERTON U3A (The Manor Houses of Wimbledon - walking tour, May 2022)
The Manor Houses of Wimbledon stimulates the imagination since none of the grand houses still exist. Alan’s walk follows a route from the heart of Wimbledon Village along Church road towards St Mary’s Church, down the delightfully floral Dairy Walk and en
ds at the War Memorial. He describes the grand houses that previously existed and the aristocrats and merchants who built and inhabited them. These include characters such as Sir Theodore Janssen who built a house in the heart of the Village and then lost his fortune in the South Sea Bubble. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough owned Wimbledon Manor House and the 2nd Earl Spencer resided at Wimbledon Park House. Both of these were located on the top of the hill, so in their day enjoyed splendid views across parkland and over the surrounding countryside. Alan’s research and local knowledge is very impressive and is delivered in a most engaging and interesting way. His walks and zoom talks are greatly appreciated as they really bring alive the history of the area and have opened my eyes to the rich and varied characters whose lives and houses have influenced the development of Wimbledon Village. Pam Wright
WIMBELDON GUILD (Theatreland, a visual tour of Covent Garden, May 2022)
Alan has given a number of wonderful talks for Wimbledon Guild. He provides great insight into his topics and feedback from attendees is always very positive. His most recent talk, Theatreland, a visual tour of Covent Garden, was especially well received. Zoe Davies
MERTON U3A (The 9 ponds of Wimbledon - walking tour, 2021)
"Thank you for the excellent walk which I enjoyed most thoroughly. It brought back lots of old memories. I posted two photos on my page but I really need a new phone. You are a terrific guide and I will definitely make a donation and sign up for the 26th. I am very keen to join the tour of the A.E.L.T.C., if I'm free and should numbers permit, and any other walks in the area. Good wishes." Fiona Jones
WIMBLEDON & PUTNEY COMMONS (The Grand Houses of Rushmere - walking tour 2021)
"With the Grand Houses of Rushmere, Alan has delivered another excellent, informative local walk. With his thorough research, coupled with pictures and maps we were all able to delve into the lives of the rich, famous and infamous who lived in these impressive houses. We learnt about breweries, a saw pit and early radio amongst very many other hidden gems all explained in an engaging and lively manner. I will give nothing away save to say I enjoyed it so much I did it twice!"
Sue Bucknall, WPCC conservator
THE ROYAL WIMBLEDON GOLF CLUB (The 9 ponds of Wimbledon - virtual tour, 2021)
Many thanks for a splendid talk last Thursday. The feedback has been terrific- it was very well received. If you come up with another talk, then by all means do let us know because even when (hopefully!) restrictions ease, what lockdown has shown is that there is an appetite for virtual events. Many thanks once again." Howard Gill, Former Chairman
BROMLEY U3A comments on a virtual tour of the National Portrait Gallery by Alan Blower, 2021)
"It was a pleasure to deal with Alan after he contacted us with details of his virtual tour. All the technicalities were sorted out and Alan always responded immediately to any queries. This was the first time we at Bromley had delivered any form of Zoom event, so it was amazing to have over 40 people attend on Zoom. Alan’s easy delivery style is delightful and keeps you interested throughout. Our members thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily listen to anything else from Alan. As one of our members commented “I have never enjoyed a conducted tour so much as this! So relaxing, and yet so interesting”. Sandy Boden (Secretary U3A Bromley)
WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE (Virtual tour, 2021)
"With some technical trepidation we booked Alan to give us a Zoom talk about various aspects of the National Portrait Gallery. He was brilliant, the technical side worked very well and the talk was very interesting. I am so glad we decided to carry on with an online meeting as it was very good and very well received." Fiona Gerdes-Hansen (President, Wimbledon WI)
