In 1809 the financially pre-doomed Croydon Canal came to fruition, changing for ever our area, dividing upper from lower Sydenham, and the two sides - now of the tracks - of Forest Hill. Nearly 150 members of the Sydenham and Forest Hill Societies and friends met to commemorate the event, and hear local historian Steve Grindlay tell of his latest researches on its history, its course and impact on current streets and open spaces, with folk songs from Andrew King.