History of the Southwark Civic Association and the borough of Southwark

Southwark Civic Association was instituted to provide recognition through awards to people in the Borough. This was to be non-party political and non-bureaucratically administered. To that end it was agreed between the Court of the Civic Association and the cross-party Leadership of the Council that the Court of the Civic Association would research and provide names of those people suitable for the Awards. To ensure its independence the Civic Association was self-financing through subscriptions; namely from the private sector members but other Members of the Court were drawn from all of the communities, representative of the borough. 

It was agreed by the Council leadership that names coming through this process would be accepted unless there was a clear public policy reason or criminal information about a candidate being refused. Therefore independent sponsorship and independent representatives from the communities are being sought to join the Association and its Court.

Aims and Objectives

• To look at current civic ceremonial events within Southwark and develop new cultural activities;
• To invite, select and make recommendations to the Council as to who should receive Civic Awards;
• To encourage the growth of other local Civic Associations and to assist them in developing their own local awards;
• To be part of the presentation of Civic Awards.

Southwark – London's Most Historic Borough

Background and Community 

Stretching from the River Thames in the north to the suburbs of Dulwich in the south, Southwark is London’s most historic borough and home to many of the capital’s most famous landmarks. The borough has witnessed and participated in many significant events over the centuries, playing a crucial role in London’s history and in shaping the world as we know it today. 

In north Southwark in what were sandy eyots the archaeologists have found evidence of ploughing dating back to the Neolithic (3000BC) and at the, Cantium Retail Park (B&Q etc) Old Kent Road, were found more than 1,780 flints dating from the mid to the new stone age (4000 - 3000 BC). Remains of Roman Watling street were found on the same site. Southwark has a significant heritage of Roman remains in what was the southern part of Londinium. By Anglo-Saxon times the area had risen to become one of the greatest traffic and trading centres in the country which led to strong links across the world. The Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America in 1620, was captained by a local man who, along with other crew members, is buried at St Mary’s Church in Rotherhithe. 

The 15th century also saw many German, Dutch and Flemish craftsmen plying their skills in the borough’s crafts and, as Southwark’s eminence as a trading centre grew, visiting ships brought tea from China, dairy produce from New Zealand and food from the British colonies and along with them visitors, many of whom settled in the borough. By the 15th century Southwark had one of London’s largest immigrant populations and by the 17th century was the second largest urban area in England. This trend continued over the centuries. Irish immigrants provided much needed manpower at the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, in particular in developing London’s first railway from Greenwich to London Bridge. Fittingly, London Bridge also accommodates the newest tube line in London, the Jubilee, which runs through the station. The post-war years saw the arrival of communities from the Caribbean, West Africa, China, Vietnam, Somalia, Cyprus and Eastern Europe further adding to Southwark’s rich social and ethnic mix.

Cultural and Spiritual Heritage 

The diversity of Southwark’s community has in turn led to a rich cultural and spiritual life in the borough. Most faiths and denominations are represented here with three cathedrals of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox faiths, as well as other churches and mosques. 

The unique nature of the borough has always attracted writers and artists to the area, particularly in the earlier centuries when those wishing to escape the regulations and confines of the rest of the capital established themselves here. 

South London’s first playhouse was built at Newington Butts near the Elephant and Castle in about 1580, but was too far from central London to be a success. In 1587 The Rose playhouse was built at Bankside and its success prompted a boom in playhouse construction. The most famous of these was to be The Globe where shareholder William Shakespeare’s most famous works were first performed. Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens also had deep and personal associations with the area. A litany of literary references to the people and places of Victorian Southwark can be found in the works of Dickens in particular. 

Notable Artists such as Turner, Hogarth, Pissarro, Blake and Ruskin have documented life in the borough over the centuries and Southwark has always had a vibrant visual arts scene. The Dulwich Picture Gallery was England’s first public art gallery when it opened its doors in 1811 and the Camberwell College of Arts has been training artists for over 100 years and boasts a glittering alumni of acclaimed artists.

Legacy 

This proud heritage of art, literature and theatre has left a rich legacy in Southwark. It is home to the re-constructed Shakespeare’s Globe and the remains of the Rose Theatre. The Bankside stretch of the Thames is as dedicated to the development of performing arts as it was in Shakespeare’s day. The area has also developed as a thriving centre for the visual arts over the last 40 years. The Bankside Gallery, the Oxo Tower Gallery and the Tate Modern are among the most influential galleries in London’s arts scene. The Tate Modern has particularly helped in drawing attention to the borough’s thriving arts and design communities and raised awareness of the talent to be found in Southwark’s numerous artists’ studios. 

Many of these Bankside buildings are among the most dramatic of London’s striking riverside skyline. There are many other buildings and structures of great interest within the borough such as the Dulwich Tollgate, the last remaining in London, the Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge, which also houses a Museum about the world famous bridge this is just one of the many varied museums and collections in the borough such as the Imperial War Museum and the Design Museum to name but a few.

Southwark’s Future 

Southwark’s rich and colourful past, as well as the vibrant and varied attractions, are a source of pride for the communities of Southwark. New opportunities within the borough today mean that Southwark’s residents can look forward to the future with confidence. Southwark is home to many eminent financial institutions and businesses, while the arts and media are an emerging sector in the area. The famous Elephant and Castle is currently undergoing regeneration to transform and rejuvenate the area. Further south in Peckham one of the biggest regeneration initiatives in the country has been heralded as best practice by experts the world over. It has replaced high rise flats with houses and gardens for local families. 

There is still much to be done but the communities of Southwark have demonstrated their vigour and capacity for innovative regeneration. The forward thinking philosophies of all parties involved will sustain and strengthen Southwark’s re-birth as one of the capital’s most important and influential areas. It is in this spirit that the Southwark Civic Association hopes to participate in the continued renewal of civic pride and responsibility for our rich and unique borough and it is with your valuable help and support that the Association can achieve these worthwhile aims. 

www.southwark.gov.uk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwark