Beating the Bounds of Tabard Gardens Estate

Tabard Gardens North Tenants and Residents Association has recently received Lottery 'Awards for All' funds to work with Southwark's artist in residence Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre on a community art project for and around the whole Tabard Gardens Estate.

Residents who know the estate well, including some who have lived there for 60 years, are taking the time to lead walks around where they live, sharing personal stories and impressions of the local area, past and present.

The series of informal walks throughout January will be facilitated by Ana Laura and joined by local historians, community workers and others who have an interest in the area.

More elderly residents will be visited at home to gather glimpses of times past on the estate. Some of the walks will take place after dark as the project is part of the artist's wider interest in night time in Southwark.

Following the walks will be a series of art workshops during February half term for younger residents to respond creatively to stories about the estate. The workshops will focus on drawing, map-making and collage skills, learning how to express issues of territory, boundaries and personal history. Resulting art works will be exhibited for the public by Balin House Projects on the estate.

Walkers will be invited to carry on the conversation at a local pub afterwards. Families and individuals are warmly welcomed on both parts of the project.