The heritage of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe is rich and varied. Many people have managed to uncover a glittering array of stories, events and physical evidence that link us with that past. The Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Local History Society is a great place to meet others with a passion for the area and to find out about the area in which we live, work and play.
The Society
The Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Local History Society was founded in the 1990s and aims to encourage interest in the history of Rotherhithe, Bermondsey and the surrounding area as well as Docklands and the River Thames. The Society is a membership organisation and encourages anyone to join up and receive their twice yearly newsletter, access to two exclusive walks in the Summer and attendance at their monthly meetings.
Meetings
The meetings are run at Time and Talents – the local community organisation based in the Old Mortuary in Rotherhithe – at 19:45 on the last Wednesday of each month. They cover a diverse range of subjects including recent evenings on the story of Bermondsey Street, the passing of the Southwark Park Act 1864 and ‘Behind the Jubilee Flotilla’.
This month
The meeting this Wednesday (25 June) is one of those reserved for members and a significant number normally turn out. Patricia Dark – who manages the Southwark Local History Library and Archive – will be talking about Bermondsey characters – fact and fiction?. The guided walk starts from Bermondsey tube station at 19:00 sharp and will last about two hours. If you want to come along, make sure your membership fees are up-to-date!
Dates for your Diary
6 August Around Bermondsey Street: The Bermondsey Leather Trade and Bermondsey Abbey Stephen Humphreys and Jennie Howell
24 September 500 years of the Thames Watermen – 500th Anniversary Robert Crouch
29 October Healing rituals in the Victorian countryside Julie Wakefield
