Bermondsey Abbey joins Henry Cooper and Enid Blyton

The Abbey stood on what is now Bermondsey Square and Bermondsey market, and was a towering presence, both spiritually and physically, in the area throughout the middle ages.

The Abbey was sold into private hands during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century and most of the Abbey buildings were subsequently demolished.

Archaeologists have been discovering parts of the Abbey on digs in the area since the 1950s, including discoveries of large parts of the original building during preparatory work for the new Bermondsey Square development.

The award was unveiled by Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council.

She said: "I'm particularly delighted to be awarding a plaque to Bermondsey Abbey. I know how much it means to the people here, who are justifiably proud of this piece of history. It's often easy to forget the important role this part of the world played throughout history, but Bermondsey Abbey can quite rightly join the company of prestigious London buildings which cast an influence far and wide."

Anya Whitehead, head of culture at Southwark Council, added: "It's a shame we don't have the Abbey here any longer to marvel at, but thanks to the work of our local history library, and now this blue plaque, we can still inform the wider world of the role it played in London's history."

The unveiling of the plaque

The blue plaque unveiling ceremony for Bermondsey Abbey, took place on Saturday 11 September 2010 at 10 Bermondsey Square, Bermondsey, SE1 3UN, outside the Shortwave Cinema. 

Councillor Veronica Ward, Cabinet Member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics opened the ceremony, and the event was attended by other Southwark Council representatives, as well as the Blue Plaque steering group members, Southwark Heritage, The Peckham Society, partners Southwark News, and members of St Mary Magdalen's Church.

It was preceded by a lecture arranged by Cluny and Bermondsey 910-2010 to mark the 1100th anniversary of Cluny Abbey, the mother-house of the monastic order to which Bermondsey belonged. 

The blue plaques scheme

The blue plaques scheme was initiated in 2003 to commemorate Southwark people and places, past and present that have made outstanding contributions to the local community; in their field of work, or towards the history and heritage of the borough.

To date there are over 50 plaques installed in various locations across the borough. In 2009 a further ten plaques were awarded. Bermondsey Abbey was one of 2009 winners and will appear alongside plaques to, Charlie Chaplin, Sir Michael Caine, The Rose Theatre, and Enid Blyton, to name a few.