Durning library in Kennington Cross has a series of periodic talks which are a good way to build brain cells. We adore the simple community hall feel of these events (scones! Tea! Wine!) as it takes us back to a halcyon world 20 years and 200 miles north of Greater Kennington, where you didn’t have to worry getting mowed down by a Lime bike on the pavement after sidestepping the remains of car parts from a fatal accident.  

On 20 October the library will be host to a talk by Philip Norman about the Manning photo archive, which we wrote about a few months ago. Until very recently the Manning’s studio was in Windmill Row, Kennington Cross and when it ceased to exist they donated 500,000 slides to the Lambeth Archives. The Manning’s were jobbing photographers so most of the photos were commissioned by the people depicted in them, in addition to a few random celebrities. Also in the mix are also some intriguing shots of Greater Kennington and beyond from days gone by. Lots of amazing ideas if your Halloween look is ‘Barbara Windsor going to a dance in 1965’. Admission is £3, bless.

As part of Black Heritage Month, on 17 Nov. the library will be hosting Nicola Walker as she talks about her new book ‘Killer Instincts’. Walker is a barrister and now a Crown Court judge. Using her experiences to give the book thrilling authenticity, it follows underdog barrister Lee Mitchell as he pursues justice in a tale that also explores the complex interplay of race, class and authority. We here at the Observer know quite a bit about killer instincts as it’s the feeling we have every time we look at our payslip.

This event is a month away so put it in that diary we’ve always been telling you to get. This event is free, so just turn up. If you happen to be the OCD type you can book a free ticket via the link to Nicola above.