The Friends of Southwark Park

"Our Park"

In September 2009 the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded The Friends a grant to carry out a reminiscence project entitled "Our Park". Considering it was the first municipal park in London to be open to the public, we believed that the story of Southwark Park was not as well-known as it should be. Apart from a small booklet published in 1999, there was no substantial written or oral history of one of London's first public parks, a gap of local and regional significance, not only to adults, but also to children.  Through "Our Park" we set out to tell that story to our local community in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, and we also drew upon their memories of the park to make the tale as rich as possible.

The project was completed by the summer of 2010, and activities included heritage walks and talks; exhibitions; work with local schools (including an educational resource pack) and community groups; and a floral display in the park.  A full-colour book was published, based on interviews and writings of local people.  In addition a history of Southwark Park Bowling Club was produced.  In all, over 200 people took part in a very successful project, and we thank them so much for volunteering their time.  And thanks to Debra Gosling for her book design work.

The Rotherhithe Caryatides

On Saturday 4th June 2011 something magical happened in the park. 

The Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Lorraine Lauder M.B.E., unveiled two lovely statues, which once flanked the main entrance of the old Rotherhithe Town Hall on the corner of Neptune Street and Lower Road. 

Originally designed and constructed by Henry Poole RA, and opened on 28th April 1897, the Town Hall was severely damaged during the Second World War and was subsequently demolished.  The caryatides remained on site until 1974, but were then moved to the Heygate Estate in Walworth. 

A campaign for their return to Rotherhithe was begun and sustained over many years by longstanding Friends member, Gary Magold. 

Dr Salter statue