Happy birthday, Southwark Park

Bermondsey's glorious green oasis is 150 years old.

The Southwark Park Act, passed by Parliament in 1864, paved the way for the new park which opened its doors to the public in 1869.

Today in celebration of the anniversary there was a concert at the bandstand by the Southwark Concert Band, a cricket match between the Southwark Park team and the Burgess Park team (resulting in a victory for the home side), croquet, putting, and an exhibition of photos and paintings in the park gallery.

At the end of the afternoon Simon Hughes MP presented the prizes, thanked the organisers, and spoke of the value of the park for the local community

And then for the finale, the youngest member of the Friends of Southwark Park, 4-year old Noah, conducted the band in their final number (below). It was a good afternoon and a good occasion to remember the amazing foresight of the Victorian planners whose vision made possible the park we enjoy today, one of the wonders of London.