The birthplace of Ada Salter – Bermondsey’s first female councillor and the first female mayor in London – has organised a day of celebration in her honour.
The social reformer and environmentalist, responsible for the beautification of Bermondsey, was born in Raunds, Northamptonshire, where she lived until moving to London at the age of 30.
Ada is already celebrated in Bermondsey, where a garden is named after her in Southwark Park and a statue stands in tribute to her on the riverfront alongside those of her husband Alfred Salter and their daughter Joyce.
In 2016, a group from Raunds, including their mayor, travelled to London for Ada Salter Day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of her birth.
And now the town has organised its own celebrations after joining forces with the owners of Thorpe House, Ada’s original home.
Following Southwark’s example, Raunds is opening its own Ada Salter Garden and the town has invited Southwark’s Mayor and a coach party to join the celebration on Saturday, August 11.
A plaque will also be unveiled at Thorpe House and there will be a walking tour of the area to visit historical sites.
The two mayors will officially open the garden and Bermondsey historian Graham Taylor, who wrote the biography of Ada Salter, has been invited to speak about her life.
Cherry Garden tenants’ and residents’ association is sponsoring a coach from Bermondsey for the event.
Anyone who would like to join the excursion should contact Cherry Garden TRA via its Facebook page to find out if there are any spaces left.
The coach will leave from West Lane, SE16, at 8.45am on August 11 and return at about 7pm.