An exhibition celebrating the heritage of Rotherhithe will go on show to the public tomorrow.
World by the Water will focus on some of the key elements of the history and heritage of the area, and how it has been shaped by water over the centuries.
Sarah Yates, an independent curator and researcher who has lived in the area for 20 years, has brought together the memories and history of the area to form the temporary exhibition, with the help of local people and organisations.
Visitors can expect historic images, snapshots in time of places and personalities, and the personal memories and voices of people from the area.
Speaking to the News, Sarah said: “When I saw this opportunity I just thought it was fantastic for me to learn more about my local area.
“There’s a lot of work local people and organisations have already done in recording the heritage and memories and how the area used to be even just a generation ago.
“British Land [the developers planning a massive regeneration scheme in Canada Water] had had feedback from the community who’ve highlighted how important the heritage and history of the area is to them, so they commissioned this exhibition to celebrate some of that heritage.
“There will be three themes; one is daily life and down time, which will focus on things people did and the houses they lived in; the second will be work and trade which looks very closely at the dock activities; and the third is health and nature.”
Roger Madelin CBE, head of the Canada Water development for British Land, said: “Over the last few years we’ve heard from many local people how important the history of the area is to them, and we commissioned this exhibition to celebrate its unique history and heritage.
“We hope that both those who know the area well and those less familiar will enjoy learning and reflecting on the stories which make the area what it is today.”
The free exhibition will be held in the Canada Water Masterplan Hub, opposite Tesco in Surrey Quays shopping centre, from February 16 to March 1.
It will be open 3.30pm-7.30pm Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm Tuesdays, and 11am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays.
The exhibition has been curated by Sarah Yates and designed and co-produced with design firm Four Zero One.
A programme of events featuring talks and workshops will also take place alongside the exhibition.
For full details, visit: http://www.canadawatermasterplan.com/community-news/world-water-exhibition-canada-water-rotherhithe-history/