21 Mar BermondseyStreet.London’s annual meeting – local memories

BermondseyStreet.London held its annual meeting on Thursday 20 March. About 30 of us enjoyed a talk from Debra Gosling who grew up in the area. Debra shared many memories of living in the old historic terraced houses in Brunswick Court, the Sarson’s vinegar factory across the road and roaming round the various parks and open spaces. At the time there were still empty plots where bombs had fallen in WW2 and destroyed the buildings, always a draw to children keen to explore. But she and her friends did also enjoy Tanner Street Park (with its fragment of the tower of St Olave’s church hiding in plain sight as a water fountain), St Mary Magdalen churchyard, St John’s Churchyard and the Alfred Salter children’s playground both on Druid Street. There is a plaque in the playground to local heros Dr Alfred Salter (MP) and his wife Ada (Mayor of Bermondsey) who did so much to improve the lives of local people in the early 20th century. Much has changed since then, good and bad, but the sound of the railway remains a constant backdrop.

Deborah has published several books about the history of Bermondsey, some of which are available online.