Riverside Photography Exhibition

11:31am Monday 2nd June 2008

More than 100 people turned up to view former Riverside school teacher and amateur photographer's George Plemper's Now and Then - School Days Through a Lens' photography exhibition, laid on by Trust Thamesmead at the Business Academy Bexley (BAB).

Trust Thamesmead's Mary Austen said: "George powerfully captured a moment in time in the 70s here in Thamesmead and provided a wonderful opportunity to resurrect the images for an exhibition to celebrate Local and Community History Month.

"The launch evening was a wonderful school reunion for many ex-staff and pupils of Riverside and great to see that, 30 years later, so many are still living in Thamesmead - a testament to the great community that exists here."

There were lots of squeals and reminiscing during the big screen showing of the exhibited photographs and it gave not only George but all the former pupils and teachers the chance to put names to faces and reminisce about different events that took place.

Trust Thamesmead's Marketing and Communications Officer Julia Hickson said: "It was amazing to see so many people turn up to the photography exhibition, especially when you spoke to them and realised so many of them still have ties with the site; be it that their own children now attend the BAB or that they themselves used to attend Riverside as a child and now work at the BAB.

"It was great to see so many people swapping email addresses and telephone numbers."

It was also a fantastic opportunity for the Trust to capture the attention of so many residents who we do not usually work with and proved a fantastic networking opportunity for so many. One success story that we noted happened on the night, was that the Rainbow and Brownies who use one of our halls gained a new member.

The Chair of Trust Thamesmead Jackie Smith said; "It was good to be present at an evening of pure reminisance. George's photos captured a moment in time, but also showed us how children really haven't changed much at all. It was also good to see so many ex pupils and teachers attend to catch up with old colleagues."

Former Riverside school pupil Lesley Gray said: "I would like to say a big thank you to Trust Thamesmead for arranging the photography evening the Business Academy.

"I met some old friends from Riverside, fellow pupils, and old teachers which was fantastic and the talk by Mr Plemper was also very enjoyable.

"So once again, a big thank you to all those involved with organising the event and for the opportunity of revisiting such wonderful memories of Riverside school."

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