Letters

WHERE TO SITE RETURNING CARYATIDS STATUES?

Comments (3)

8 April 2011

In regard to last week’s article on the welcome return of the caryatids to Rotherhithe:

These formidable statues are one of remaining symbols of 20th Century Rotherhithe, surviving the WWII blitz blitz while the Town Hall they graced was demolished along with much of the surrounding area. So they are an important part of the history and culture of a Rotherhithe, much of which has been changed for ever.

It was the late Fr Nick Richards who knew of their whereabouts and, as a keen historian, he urged local people to campaign for their return.   Jane Salmon, then an East Walworth councillor, helped the campaign for their return, helping to make contact with the Southwark  Regeneration Department, who were enthusiastic and offered to contribute £5000 towards their re-siting and restoration when the time was right.

The matter was then basically settled apart for the timing of the move, to accord with the wishes of the local residents and the redevelopment of the Heygate.

So with this settled, local historians were asked to take over the arrangements for the move, to make it happen.
A big question arises over the preferred site for their return. Southwark Park has been mentioned.

Perhaps they should occupy a more public site, to mark their historical merit? Readers may consider that they deserve a more public place to demonstrate their survival and that of Rotherhithe from two world wars and the many changes to Rotherhithe since then.

Perhaps residents might be invited to express their views at a suitable public meeting.

John Nosworthy, by email.

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Comments (3)

1. At 01:44 PM on 15 Apr 2011, mr w killick wrote:
There appears to be some ommmisions regarding the discovery of the Caryatids..I first mentioned them to Paul Neville some Years ago regarding what had happened to them.I asked because i had visited the old Rotherhithe Town Hall,the day after it had been destroyed by German Bombs.As children,we investigated almost every Bombed site in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.It was always noted that after the Town Hall had been reduced to the heighth of the Caryatids,they had nothing to hold up.Along with other Schoolboy comments regarding their assets...As Paul runs the Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Pictures,Web Site.I thought he would have better access to some of the Records held by Southwark Council,than i..I have had some conversation with Paul since they were discovered again,i think he deserves some credit for starting the Ball rolling...Regards to all Mr W Killick
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2. At 01:53 PM on 15 Apr 2011, Mr Bill Killiick wrote:
I suggest that the Rose Garden in Southwark Park, is the only place for the Rotherhithe Ladies(Caryatids) to be sited,along with a Plaque,describing who and what they are/were,and how they came to be there.They must be given the respect that they deserve as Classical works of Art.
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3. At 11:01 PM on 21 May 2011, Michael Holland wrote:
I think it is important to know exactly who is responsible for the caryatids return to Rotherhithe. I have heard so many names knocked about but who was it that actually got the ball rolling? Then who was it who took it further? And who was it who finally signed a form that actually got it done? This is history being made and we need to get it right.
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