Southwark

For more than 20 years there has been a scheme to commemorate notable Southwark residents and places with blue plaques. The criteria are rather less strict than those of English Heritage; the person remembered can still be alive, the building does not have to be the original building where that person lived, and a building or place without reference to a particular resident can itself be honoured with a plaque. It is also a very democratic award, since anyone can vote for one of the nominees. In this way the commemoration of a huge range of Southwark people and places has been possible, from Geoffrey Chaucer (born 1342) to Rio Ferdinand (born 1978) to Peek Frean (the Bermondsey biscuit makers).

Four years ago the Grafton Dance Hall on Village Way, with its links to ballroom champions Bob Burgess and Doreeen Freemen, was honoured. This year Herne Hill has another strong