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{Next to a photograph of John Hearn}
Ernie's Beach
This stretch of the river foreshore is named after local resident and community activist John Hearn (known as Ernie). This is in recognition of his work gaining appreciation of the Thames as an asset and amenity for London.
From his daily walks with his dog along the foreshore in the 1960s and 70s Ernie became an expert in the archaeology and history of the river. He also became a tireless campaigner against the "reclamation" of the foreshore as property developments replaced former dock activity. It was due to his campaigning that the Greater London Council agreed to retain the existing river wall before they sold the site to social enterprise Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) in 1984. The result is the much-loved and well-used foreshore and sandy beach revealed daily with the tide.
Ernie has lived in the local area for 50 years. A printer until retirement, Ernie was a founder member of CSCB and also served on the boards of other local community organisations including Blackfriars Settlement, Waterloo Community Development Group and Association of Waterloo Groups. Ernie is lifelong President of the Colombo Centre.
Coin Street Community Builders. September 2015