What a lovely, heartwarming, inspiring, and moving evening! To launch the Southwark Speaks multimedia exhibition by photographer and filmmaker Daniel Quinones, W&T hosted a launch event featuring award-winning and Booker-nominated author Paul Bailey, Southwark elders, Barbican young poets and Jacob Sam La-Rose. Tomas Ciucelis provided music during breaks and before the event began.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED AND OUR GUESTS FOR MAKING THE EVENT A VERY SPECIAL ONE!

This event and exhibition celebrates the life stories of several Southwark elders - Cora Henry, Vincenzo Picardie, Kurban Haji, Joe Genda Bassie, Carol Vincent, Maureen Tyson, Barbara Robson and Ivy Douglas - and was timed to coincide with the Southwark Silver Festival 2011.

This project was generously funded by Arts Council England and Bermondsey Square Community Fund. It was developed over the past few months by W&T in conjunction with Daniel Quinones of Woolfcub Productions. It features an intergenerational component, where seven Barbican young poets - Aisling Fahey, Greer Dewdney, Nadia Khomani, Ronald Olaibi, Safi Strand, Sonority Turner and Tyrone Lewis - had the opportunity to meet and speak to the elders as well as watch a screening of the film Southwark Speaks, which was developed specially for this project. Led by Jacob Sam La-Rose, they honed their responses to the elders' stories in several workshops conducted at W&T.

More than 60 guests joined us at this evening event. Like me, many were moved by the film, the elders' stories, and by the young poets' reading of their beautiful poetry. Author Paul Bailey was witty, warm and entertaining - he received thunderous applause! He read humorous passages from his latest work, Chapman's Odyssey, which featured Fred Astaire, Babar and Celeste (oui, the French elephants!). Intrigued? You have to pick up a copy!

The Southwark Speaks exhibition, including screenings of the film, is available to view at W&T until April 30, so don't miss it! Entry is free, so drop in and be inspired :)