PLEASE NOTE EVENT HAS BEEN SOLD OUT
An offsite event with veteran Brownie Alex Tan Tiong Hee on his memories of Singapore circa 1950s of “Girls, Gangsters and Gentlemen Clubs.

Alex who usually holds court in Bukit Brown will be at Select Bookshop for event (photo Catherine Lim )
What was life like in Singapore when the Maria Hertogh riots of December 1950 broke out; when Mr Lee Kuan Yew became the Prime Minister in June 1959; and when the Beatles became the leading pop group in 1964? Alex Tan, the treasure trove of tales from bygone times, will bring us back in time, and indulge us with, among other things, the glitzy world of the gentlemen’s clubs at Club street: the China Weekly Entertainment, Goh Lor Club and Ee Ho Hean; and the social life of youth in the 50s and 60s – the dating scene, ferocious gangster scene, popular music and more.
Alex Tan Tiong Hee is the second son of Tan Yeok Seong a man with a deep interest in Nanyang or Overseas Chinese history and who in 1964 gave his entire book collection known as the Ya Yin Kwan Collection to the National Library for the purpose of (in his words) “reaching out to the minds of future generations of Singaporeans that they would know more about who they are and how they come to be where they are today”.
Please sign up here
Let Keng Kiat (97903886) will introduce you to the pioneers of Hill 4 and what’s happening there including the major ongoing renovation and upgrading of the Tan Quee Lan family cluster. You may also meet a poet, a war hero, a beloved school principal and circus family.
Time : 9.00am t0 11.30am
Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout.
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
Join the Heritage Singapore Bukit Brown group for more information on Bukit Brown
==========================
Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).
Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
==========================
The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
If you haven’t done this tour, there are very few weekends left to do so. Hills 2 and 5 are the most affected parts of Bukit Brown from the proposed highway project. Your guide this Saturday, Nov 17, will be Keng Kiat (tel: 97903886). Sign up on the events page on Facebook here, or just turn up as instructed. The tomb featured here is one of two magnificent Art Deco style tombs, and this one will be exhumed to make way for the highway. Come and hear the stories of our pioneers, and the legacy they left behind.
Date: Nov 17, 2012
Time: 7:30-10:30 a.m.
Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout.
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
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Come visit Bukit Brown Heritage Park and be introduced to some notable pioneers who had made great contributions to Singapore in the first half of the 20th century, and the historical context of their lives and times.For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/main/?p=1347 ========================================Registration:Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.==========================
============== The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/ 2012/02/ API.BBC_.Map_.ver3_4.jpg ==========================
============== Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
=============== How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
This was a robust tour of Hill 3, with a visit to a tomb that needed clearing, and the participants donated money at the end of the tour that helped clear the way to complete a story from the past.
Bianca Polak documented the places visited in her album kindly shared here.
Before:
After:
Hill 3 is the largest of the Hills at Bukit Brown, and is affectionately called Prominent Hill both for its size and pioneers lying at rest there.
The volunteers, called Brownies, research and bush-bash to find tombs of interest to the public, whether by contributions to society, by their personal stories, the tomb design, unique statues or inscriptions. Bukit Brown is a time capsule of a past era, and is a treasure to be shared.
Join us by checking the events page for updates.
They are among the world’s brightest, nominated for leadership, talent and contributions in the social and economic spheres to the World Economic Forum of Young Global Leaders.
40 of them dropped in at Bukit Brown on 23 October 2012, as part of a programme there were attending at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Volunteer Guides, Claire, Catherine, Keng Kiat and Millie took them on a one hour and half tour which only managed to cover three tombs but we still covered a lot of ground in history, heritage and civil engagement.

Our best dressed participants to date, and attentive. Impressed by the women who came in high heels and wedgies who climbed with us (photo Catherine)

A wheel chair participant getting assistance from his team members to the tomb of Ong Sam Leong located at the highest point in Bukit Brown (photo Catherine)

Mates Jaime and Marco help Christian get up to see Ong Sam Leong’s grave, with his wife making sure all are in good shape (Photo: Claire Leow)

Back into the classroom, and a robust discussion on development, after a short presentation of Singapore History from colonial times when civil society had much to contribute under the British” laissez faire” adminstration compared to present times, when the state has stepped in with providing more social services. Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Kenneth Tan helmed the one hour session (photo Catherine)
Tour report: Photos by Philipp Aldrup. For more photos, click here
This is what Bukit Brown looks like in early morning
And this is what early morning participants look like at 7.30 am
And if you want to know more about Philipp the photographer please visit his page
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Time 7.30am – 10 am
Keng Kiat (97903886) guiding.
We will not be visiting the biggest tomb, nor the colourful Sikh guards.
Highight is Keng Kiat will show and tell the mystery of a tomb which looks like a tortoise, has elephants and the name of the occupant means “golden tiger” . It is the latest, significant “discovery”
Register here just to keep track of numbers turning up.
==========================
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA officeFor information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
==========================
The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
Peter Pak and Andrew guiding.
We will take a stroll around Hill 3. We will be visiting the biggest tomb, and the colourful Sikh guards. You will hear stories about the heritage as well as the nature that makes this a magical place
==========================
Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout.
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).
Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
==========================
The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/
==========================
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
Tour report
The tour started up sunny and bright with full turn out. Participants included a descendant of Tan Tock Seng from Thailand, a cartographer and a young “soldier” who valiantly shaded Jon Cooper when the tour ended in a downpour which did not dampen spirits! Proceeds for the tour went to Jon Coopers “Help for Heroes” cause. If you want to contribute please click here

The early birds at the meeting point of overhead bridge at Lornie Road – P’Siri (Thailand) and Mok Ly Yng, Cartographer with Jon Cooper (photo courtesy of P’Siri)

Jon Cooper, sheltered from the storm by 11 year old “soldier” who was totally engaged in the tour ( photo courtesy of P’Siri)
for more photos courtesy of Khoo Ee Hoon please click here
—————————————————————————————————————————
“On the evening of 14th February 1942, the rolling hills of the Bukit Brown Cemetery were suddenly engulfed in a barrage of flame and fire. It appeared like scene from Dante’s ‘Inferno’. ”
Jon Cooper, the battlefield archaeologist behind The Adam Park Project, wrote this gripping account as he retraced the battle ground route with all things Bukit Brown.
Join us on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for the next tour! Meet us at the bridge on Sime Road entering Bukit Brown, opposite the SICC traffic light. Jon will share with us the latest finds at the Adam Park dig last month. As a bonus for this tour, we will bring you to what could have been the resting place for four British soldiers. For the full account, click on this album and read the captions.
There’s a fee of $15 while children under 12 go free. All proceeds go to Jon’s Adam Park project to help find war artifacts during this 70th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore. All things Bukit Brown is only the organizer as we share the war history, with some war heroes such as Wong Chin Yoke and financiers of the resistance buried at Bukit Brown. We support the work that Jon and his team are doing out of respect for our common heritage.
Places are limited to 25 only, in the interest of safety and discussions. You will be expected to do some walking in the sun, so wear good walking shoes and bring snacks and water. The tour ends at the Bukit Brown Cemetery, where you will see the graves among which the soldiers sheltered and fought. RSVP here to register or register on the Facebook event page.
This is a photo album of a previous tour by co-guide Claire.
Participants also posted. Here are Bianca Polak’s album, and Desmond Sham’s album.
For more info on the battle http://bukitbrown.com/
Related Posts:
Battlefield Tour: July 22 and Battlefield Tour: Charged Up!
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Tour report : 25 people attended this morning’s tour by Keng Kiat and Andrew (our newly minted guide).. Supported by Sugen and Peter.
Keng Kiat (97903886) guiding. Meet at the Raintree at 9 a.m
.We will not be visiting the biggest tomb, nor the colourful Sikh guards.==========================
=============== Come visit Bukit Brown Heritage Park and be introduced to some notable pioneers who had made great contributions to Singapore in the first half of the 20th century, and the historical context of their lives and times.Meeting Place: Under the large and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout.
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA officeYou may register here
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/main/?p=1347 https://www.facebook.com/events/423418584384190/==========================
============== Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
==========================
============== The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/ 2012/02/ API.BBC_.Map_.ver3_4.jpg ==========================
============== Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
==========================
=============== How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
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Where: Hill 3 When: 4.30pm meet, tour till about 7pm Who: Keng Kiat (97903886) guiding. ==========================
After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit ========================== Registration: Our weekend public tours are FREE … Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine. Or email us here. ========================== The tour: The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China. Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge. Here is a map of the grounds: ========================== Please take note: 1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear. 2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent. 3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended. 4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com) 5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics. 6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby. ========================== How to get there by MRT / Bus: Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855 From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa. By car:
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