Top of the Hill – Next Meeting

Wednesday 11th February 2026

2.15 pm at Shul

Speaker:  Rachel Kolsky

Title:  The Festival of Britain, 1951: A tonic for the nation

Exciting and futuristic, the Festival of Britain brought fun and colour to post-war austerity London with its Skylon, Dome of Discovery, Battersea Pleasure Gardens (an iconic emblem with specially commissioned artworks from emerging artists and sculptors, yet to be household names). Fabulous memories remain particularly at the Royal Festival Hall, the South Bank and the Lansbury Housing Estate in Poplar. 

Engaging, knowledgeable and entertaining, Rachel Kolsky is a popular social historian, a prize-winning London Blue Badge Tourist Guide and author. Focussing on the ‘human stories behind the buildings’ Rachel’s talks are known to be fun and informative, filled with anecdotes past and present. From off-the-beaten track London and famous personalities to cinemas and shopping, memories of all aspects of London’s rich and varied social history come flooding back. 

Before embarking on her career as Guide and Lecturer, Rachel, a qualified librarian, worked as an information professional in the financial services industry for over 25 years, being recognised at industry level with the information Professional of the Year award in 2006. Her professional organisation, SLA, awarded her the Membership Achievement Award in 2008.

While not working or guiding she supports her local independent cinema, The Phoenix, East Finchley, where she was a trustee for over 20 years. Rachel has published seven books, including ‘Jewish London’, ‘London’s South Bank in 50 Buildings’, ‘Secret Whitechapel’ and ‘Women’s London’ and is thrilled to have been a guest lecturer on cruises since 2009.