Pembroke House is celebrating 140 years in Walworth!
In 1885, students from Pembroke College, Cambridge, came to live and work alongside local residents, laying the foundations for what became Pembroke House. Almost a century and half later, we’re proud to celebrate our longstanding commitment to driving positive change in Walworth.
We kicked off our anniversary by hosting a Spring Lecture at Pembroke College on Friday 14th March.
From our corner on Tatum Street, we boarded a coach with members of our community: regulars from the Walworth Living Room and Monday Lunch Clubs, church goers from St Christopher’s parish, and collaborators from our various partnerships, including colleagues at Southwark Council and Latin Elephant. Travelling and arriving in Cambridge together, we were reminded of the bond that continues to exist between Walworth and Pembroke College.
Dr. Mattia Koli presented his recently completed PhD on the radical history of settlements, with a particular focus on Pembroke House. Like generations of volunteers before him, Mattia lived in our residency, connecting with the community and area. Today, very few settlements exist, and Pembroke House is one of the last to continue the legacy of functioning residencies.
Delving into the history of the organisation led us to conversations about the future. As a resident raised during the panel discussion, Walworth has undergone significant changes in the last few years. Multi-billion dollar housing developments, many owned by foreign investors, have forced much-loved friends and neighbours out of the area. However, as another resident also reminded us, places like Pembroke House have remained, serving as vital spaces for our community to gather and stand strong against these upheavals.
Pembroke House has existed for 140 years, and we plan to be here for centuries to come. At the end of the lecture we launched our 140 year anniversary campaign to secure long-term funding to safeguard our future. Our ambition is to raise £140,000 within two years, and we can’t get there without your support!
Will you make a pledge with us today and help us meet our goal to radically transform our neighbourhood for the better?