Several events are coming up that celebrate Ada and Alfred Salter, the pioneering socialist couple who helped transform Bermondsey in the interwar years, on the centenary of Ada becoming mayor.
An exhibition is being held in Southwark Park Galleries, a theatre show is being put on at Sands Films studios in Rotherhithe, and more this weekend.
The Spirit of the Salters exhibition, which opens this Sunday (September 11) at the Lake Gallery and runs until Sunday, October 2, is a collection of various exhibits that celebrate the Salters life and work, and the spirit of radicalism and pacifism that they embodied.
Among them are photos of the Salters, pictures of the places they visited, worked in and were inspired by, and a tea towel using the image of the new mural in the Blue, which features Ada – and many more.
Sheila Taylor, exhibition curator, said: “This exhibition celebrates Ada and Alfred Salter, the remarkable couple who transformed Bermondsey in the last century. In 1922 Ada became Mayor and Alfred was elected MP. Their three key issues – environment, housing and public health – are even more relevant today, as we face the climate crisis, worldwide homelessness and a global pandemic.
“First and foremost the Salters were pacifists, totally against all war. For this they were attacked verbally and physically, despite all the good they had done for their community. The bombing in World War II destroyed much of the beauty they had created in Bermondsey. Yet their principles have permeated into the fabric of our society and still live on today.”
The exhibition is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-5pm, other than next Wednesday-Friday (September 14-16).
The play at Sands Films, Red Flag Over Bermondsey, is a one-woman show by Lynn Morris about the life of Ada Salter. It is being put on at 6.30pm on Sunday (September 11).
This year is the hundredth anniversary of Ada becoming mayor of Bermondsey. She and her husband Alfred, a doctor, worked tirelessly for decades to help the people of the area, including through planting trees and building new homes. Visit Salter Centenary to learn more.
There was going to be a free Southwark Park concert at 2pm on Saturday (September 10) at the Caryatids, featuring singer Steve Howgego and Raunds Temperance Band, a brass band. Ada was born in Raunds, a town in Northamptonshire, and married Alfred there. However, following Southwark Council’s advice, this concert is no longer going ahead after the Queen’s death, organisers said.
Other events taking place this weekend are:
- A tree walk through Bermondsey and Rotherhithe celebrating the work of Ada’s beautification committee
- An open-air service in St James’ churchyard at 11am on Sunday commemorating the lives of Ada and Alfred, followed by the opening of a new orchard by the Joy Slide.