Almost a hundred years ago, a remarkable woman named Ada Salter became the Mayor of the then borough of Bermondsey. She was the first woman mayor ever to be elected in London. Ada became Mayor of Bermondsey in 1922 and this project celebrates what she accomplished 100 years ago. Despite opposition she pursued a policy of greening the borough. Her Beautification Committee planted thousands of trees, 10,000 tulip bulbs (as well as many other flowers), and built public baths, children's playgrounds and better, healthier housing. People came from all over Europe to see what was dubbed the Bermondsey Revolution.

The Observer wrote in 1931 “Outside the Royal Parks it would be difficult to find anywhere such masses of colour… when the tulips and daffodils are over they will be followed by armies of dahlias, geraniums and antirrhinums.” The Evening Standard wrote that Bermondsey was “the most optimistic place in London. Because of the flowers…”. It became a place where window boxes and front gardens were filled with daisies and chrysanthemums, and factory girls wore flowers pinned to their coats. ‘Flowers in Bermondsey are not a decoration but a symbol.”

In June 2020, amid the first Covid lockdown, Greener Bermondsey was formed. One of the things we all agreed on during that first lockdown was how important outdoor space was to us, no matter how small.

In 2020, J Parker Bulbs agreed to donate 10,000 tulip bulbs to Greener Bermondsey so we could celebrate the work of Ada Salter. In 2021 they very generously did the same. Both years, at the Bermondsey Street Festival, we gave away little bags of tulip bulbs to local residents to plant in gardens, on balconies and in neglected corners, anywhere where at least 20 other people would see them. The larger remainder of the 20,000 bulbs were given to 53 groups from primary schools, residents associations, gardening groups, churches and local clubs to plant around the area. And we made a map of all the group planting locations visible to the public. To find out where they are, click here.

#Ada100 gives us an opportunity to honour Ada Salter. And do just a bit to make life better now. We welcome your photos of your pot of bulbs or your visit to one of the map locations. Please email or post on social media tagging us and using #Ada100. Join the revolution!

We've seen the documentaries about plastics killing our oceans, decimating wildlife and causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem. Yet our lives aren't plastic free and it's not easy to be so. Why is virtually everything in the supermarket covered in plastic, even fruits and vegetables? What alternatives exist to health products such as sanitary towels, make up removing wipes and nappies. Is everyone aware of what contains plastic and what its lifespan is?

It's not easy and people already are recycling but there is lots more we can do in our households and as a community. Collectively we can reduce our plastic use, lobby local and national businesses to reduce plastic usage thus making our lives easier and we can set other towns the challenge - can you reduce your plastic footprint lower than ours - up for it?

SE1 followed by SE16 and SE17 have the worst air pollution in the country. This is most noticeable during rush hour, along major routes and whenever there is a road blockage (eg the Rotherhithe Tunnel or Tower Bridge closing). We have loads of construction under way which means more diesel powered machinery, more trucks. Did you know that Gas Boilers are one of the biggest contributors to NOx emissions?

Many of us walk our children to school and some of our schools are on major routes. This as a huge impact on their lungs especially during the developmental years. Equally those who are vulnerable such as asthmatics and the elderly suffer intolerably especially during the summer months.

During lockdown, air pollution in London dropped by over 50% but a lot of the things that caused air pollution have returned. What is it that we can all do to make this situation better? Are there things that large numbers of people can do differently? Who else plays a part in this? Air pollution doesn't stop at boundaries between towns.

We are proud to be involved in the UKs first Cleaner Air Market which will be hosting in June this year

The council and TfL are being lobbied to put even more air pollution monitors so that we can get regular measurements at a variety of locations. There are a number of groups who are already looking at alternative modes of transport not only for households but for businesses too. This is not about removing cars but it is about considering environmentally friendly alternatives. The technology is rapidly changing but what we can do is find what works best here in Bermondsey and as a community agree ways forward,

Greener Bermondsey are a new group of volunteers, which was formed after Covid prompted a local Mutual Aid group which connected local people in an unprecedented way. Lockdown and working from home introduced many to neighbours they had never met during the 'old normal'.

Some people have gardens, others live with shared space whilst some have none of their own at all. Having a green space to be in, albeit small, is a very calming thing in a big city and growing things can feel a real achievement. We lack green spaces across the north of Southwark, the Council and developers are removing trees. Covid has awoken many to wanting to reconnect locally and reconnect with nature.

So it's time for all residents to be empowered to tidying up those grot spots, liven up shared spaces and to green up our neighbourhoods to a level never seen. Plants not only mitigate toxins in air pollution but also provide the foundation for a thriving ecosystem. Bermondsey is famous for its bees so let's make sure they along with so many other of nature's best, thrive.

As well as greening our neighbourhoods, there are growing gardening movements working in a cooperative style. Not only are people wanting to grow plants, there are trends towards food production. We have many start up businesses and street markets which are keen to sell local produce or utilise produce for say beer and cider production. Some of our food is sourced at the end of lengthy supply chains which in turn increases the carbon footprint for transportation.

A long term goal of this group is to build a plan that every resident can sign up to along with the Council and TfL. A plan which states that no matter what the council is doing, they will follow the green plan that is agreed here whether planning, highways and other decisions. And if we can't do it, then we will lobby Councillors, MPs and others to help us make it happen.