Remembering the action that created a community spirit

An exhibition about how to make your community thrive takes place over the next two weeks.

Community Action in a London Neighbourhood tells the story of an period of community action in the 1970s and 1980s in Blackfriars, Waterloo and North Southwark along the South Bank.

For many it was a fight for survival as businesses moved out and land was earmarked for office development, leaving isolated communities struggling to maintain their way of life.

Topics covered include campaigning, community centres and action groups, the many battles for good housing and facilities.

Mounted on specially built frames which subtly reflect key local buildings, the panels of text, photos and other images are designed with a nod to how SE1 Community newspaper was put together at the time.

There will also be a selection of physical items from those days, such as reproduction copies of the paper.

Images have been chosen and text written by SE1 Stories, an umbrella group of people active in the area at the time.

This exhibition will be displayed so that it can be enjoyed from inside and outside the gallery, to allow for Covid-safe viewing.

The show is at the Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank until January 16; and on January 18-21 at Coin Street neighbourhood centre, 108 Stamford Street.

Pictured: Community Action exhibition photo