Newham Heritage Week is being jointly staged by Newham Council and the Museum for Newham group. This post is dedicated to it, and to the opening of a new library at the Rabbits Road Institute (former Manor Park library, in the period 22 - 30 October.
To show our parochialism, we highlight all Forest Gate heritage week activities in bold type.
Pre-heritage week activities
Thurs 20 October. 10 – 11am. East Ham Library. Heritage-themed coffee morning. Chat about the past and learn about the fascinating history of the area over a nice hot brew and some scrumptious nibbles. You can also pick up free copies of The Newham Story and special Heritage Week postcards, bespoke to the area. All welcome.
Fri 21 October. 5.30 - 6.30pm. East Ham Library. Great War craft activity. Children are invited to this craft session dedicated to Newham's Great War exhibition being shown. Children will create ration cards and war time posters and learn what it was like to be living in Newham at the time of the Great War. Ages 7-11.
Fri 21 October. 6.30 - 7.30pm. East Ham Library. Great War drama workshop. As part of Newham's Great War Exhibition children are invited to participate in a workshop to recreate the sounds and drama. Ages 7-11.
Fri 21 October. 7.30 - 10pm. North Woolwich Learning Zone. Pearlies, Pies and Pints, Pie & Mash, a Cockney sing-a-long and a tea dance. All welcome.
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| Pearlie king and queens - join in the fun |
Sat 22 October. 2 -3pm. Theatre Square (Stratford). Shakespeare in the Square. Experience historic Theatre Square Stratford like never before, with Signed by-Shakespeare in this deaf-led production celebrating Shakespeare. The event features outdoor performances of his sonnets, scenes and soliloquies. It is part of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death and will reinterpret his works in a contemporary setting and format for Newham Heritage Week. Sign language, mime and dance will be merged into physical theatre to make the performance particularly accessible and enjoyable for people with hearing impairments and small children.
Delivered by The New Black Film Collective in partnership with Definitely Theatre, Artistic Directors of the Future, Dandy Theatre Associates and The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company with support from Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Newham Council. For all ages.
Sat 22 October. 3- 4pm. The Gate Library. Heritage-themed Lego club. Have a go at recreating heritage landmarks with Lego. Ages 5-11.
Sat 22 October. 4 - 6pm. The Gate Library. Children's drawing workshop. Artist Eleanor Pearce will lead children through this fun and engaging heritage-themed workshop, where children will learn to draw heritage buildings and objects using a variety of materials such as pastels, charcoal and drawing pens. Ages 7-11.
Rabbits Road Institute - new library opening day - Sat 22 October
The new library at The Rabbits Road Institute (former Manor Park library, 835 Romford Road) is a collection of books nominated by collaborators, friends and participants of projects in Manor Park, over the last 18 months, by the Alternative School of Economics.
The books are wide-ranging in genre and will be available to visitors to the Institute.
An afternoon programme of activities marks the launch of the library, including a screening of a new documentary.
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| Rabbits Road Institute - 100 years ago, when it was Manor Park library! |
For more information on the event, and to book a free place, contact here.
Programme
12.30pm The Safe House: The Decline of Ideas. Screening of the new documentary, with a q&a with one of its co-directors, Greta Bellamacina.
2pm Spirit of '66 in 2016: Public libraries and emancipatory services. Talk with Ali Corble and Jo Norup and the Alternative School of Economics.
2pm - 4.30pm Artist Marcus Vater will be creating a series of new drawings to record the event.
4.30pm - 6.00pm Drinks reception and readings from the library. Short readings from selected nominated books. Refreshments from Company Drinks.
e.mail: info@rabbitsroad institute.org. Twitter: @RabbitsRd. Facebook: RabbitsRoadInstitute
Newham Heritage Week - 24 - 30 October
Most events in Heritage Week are free, some have a small charge. Some have to be pre-booked. Here are the details:
All week
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. All Newham libraries (see venues for opening times). Community neighbourhoods' historical postcards. Each Newham library will be distributing three unique postcards, depicting their local area in archived images. Available on request while stocks last.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. All Newham libraries, (see venue opening times). Postcard collectors prize draw. Collect all thirty heritage postcards (three from each of Newham’s ten libraries) and be entered into a prize draw for a yearly English Heritage family membership (for two adults and up to 12 children) plus a wealth of heritage themed goodies.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. The Gate Library (see opening times). Eric Dawson: The Originals. Opportunity to see an exhibition of artist Eric Dawson's original water colours, painted locally in Newham. The first 50 visitors to the exhibition who show a copy of the Newham Mag (issue 351) will receive a free copy of the book Looking Back by Eric Dawson, a fascinating memoir of growing up in West Ham, packed full of beautiful water colours depicting what life was like back in the early 20th century.
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| Eric Dawson's Upton Lane, on a Saturday Night |
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. The Gate Library (see venue opening times). Forest Gate Faces. Revealing exhibition detailing the story of Forest Gate residents from the 1890's onwards.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. The Gate Library (see venue opening times). The Changing Face of Forest Gate. Informative exhibition about the changing face of Forest Gate, from the nineteenth century onwards.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Beckton Globe Library (see venue for opening times). Keir Hardie exhibition: about the life and times of legendary Newham politician.
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| Kier Hardie, founder of the Labour Party and one-time West Ham MP |
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Beckton Globe Library (see venue for opening times). Newham's poets and writers. Exhibition about Newham's poets and writers.
Mon 24 – Sun 30 October. Canning Town Library (see venue opening times). Black Saturday. Find out about what happened to Newham during the Blitz on Black Saturday. The first 50 visitors to the exhibition who show issue 351 of the Newham Mag will receive a free copy of The Newham Story.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Stratford Library (see venue opening times). Newham Sporting Life. Revealing exhibition about Newham's sporting heroes. The first 50 visitors to the exhibition who show issue 351 of the Newham Mag will receive a free copy of The Newham Story.
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| Walter Tull, one of Newham's sporting heroes |
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. East Ham Library (see venue opening times). Newham's Great War. Fascinating insight into the part played by Newham and its soldiers during WW1. The first fifty visitors to the exhibition who show Newham Mag 351 will receive a free copy of The Newham Story.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Manor Park Library (see venue opening times). I belong to Newham. Famous faces from Newham come to life in this informative and inspiring exhibition.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Green Street Library (see venue opening times). Eric Dawson: the West Ham exhibition. Captivating exhibition about local artist Eric Dawson and his images of the West Ham area.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. North Woolwich Library (see venue opening times). Women and Protest. Exhibition about women and their part in protest movements which have affected Newham.
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| Prominent suffragette and one-time Newham resident, Annie Kenney |
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. Stratford Library (see venue opening times). Bengali East End Heritage Society Exhibition. Art exhibition by local artist and curator Saif Osmani and the Bengali East End Heritage Society. The art exhibition looks at contested boundaries, community tension and spaces deemed under threat due to an ever increasing amount of building and development in East London.
Mon 24 - Sun 30 October. East Ham Library (see venue opening times). Faith in Newham Exhibition. History and impact of the churches, synagogues, mosques and temples of Newham.
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| West Ham Synagogue, Earlham Grove - part of the Faith in Newham exhibition |
Mon 24 - Sat 29 October. 9.30am - 8pm. Stratford Library. Amrar Zaga (Our Place) - Art Exhibition, by local artist and curator Saif Osmani and the Bangali East End Heritage Society. The art exhibition looks at contested boundaries, community tension and spaces deemed under threat, due to an ever increasing amount of building and development in East London.
Mon 24 - Fri 28th October. 10am - 1pm. Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6pm - 8pm. River Christian Centre, Vincent Street, Canning Town. Exhibitions on Canning Town from WW1 to the 1980s. Chance to see Grade II listed chapel with stained glass windows and architectural features.
Mon 24 - Fri 28 October. 2 - 4pm. House Mill, Three Mill Island, Bromley by Bow. Daily guided tour of two floors of the Grade I listed House Mill. Tours at 2pm and 3pm. Lasting approx 30 mins. Please bring proof of LBN residency to enjoy free of charge. The cafe in the Miller's House will be open, serving tea and cake.
Monday
Mon 24 October. 11am - 1pm. Little Ilford Learning Zone. Museum on Wheels. Celebrate and enjoy Newham's heritage through Eastside Heritage's unique museum on wheels.Mon 24 October. 1.30 - 4.30pm. North Woolwich Library. Heritage games. Come along and play heritage games from the early 20th century. All welcome.
Mon 24 October. 3.15 - 5.15pm. Meet: DLR ticket office/machines London City Airport DLR station. The ASTA trail, Silvertown: trains, planes and graffiti walls. An audio trail of Silvertown, created by young people at the ASTA Centre and composer Jo Thomas, featuring original music and interviews with local residents - a unique insight in to the history of Silvertown. Email Dr Toby Butler t.butler@uel.ac.uk. Limited places - booking essential. Led by Dr Toby Butler and students of UEL. Audio equipment provided. Distance of 3.5km.
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| London City Airport, a feature of this Silvertown tour |
Mon October. 24 from 5 - 7pm. The Gate Library,. The launch event is called Indulge with the rich heritage of Newham. It opens with a rare opportunity to see Eric Dawson’s original artworks of Newham, see local exhibitions, meet heritage professionals and enthusiasts and pick up a free copy of The Newham Story, while stocks last.
Tuesday
Tues 25 October. 10am - 3.30pm. Stratford Library. West Ham Oral Histories (Children) . If you are a young West Ham fan then this is for you. In this one day workshop you will learn the unique skill of recording oral histories and take part in an inter-generational workshop, to record memories from the Boleyn and beyond. Booking essential. Please contact Stratford Library. Ages 9-11.
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| West Ham legend, Bobby Moore - opportunities for you to share your recollections of him, and other West Ham greats, over the years |
Tues 25 October. 10am – 3.30pm. Stratford Library. West Ham Oral Histories (Adults). Do you have a long list of memories and experiences from your time as a Hammers fan? If so come along to this inter-generational workshop and share your most treasured moments. These memories will be recorded for future generations and become part of West Ham United's archives. Please bring along a treasured piece of your West Ham memorabilia to show and tell. Booking essential. Please contact Stratford Library. Ages 30+ years.
Tues 25 October. 11am - 1pm. Plaistow Library. Children's heritage themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Tues 25 October. 11am -12.30pm. Custom House Library. Heritage-themed coffee morning. Chat about the past and learn about the fascinating history of the area over a nice hot brew and some scrumptious nibbles. You can also pick up free copies of The Newham Story and special Heritage Week postcards, bespoke to the local area. All welcome.
Tue 25 October. 11am Heritage Walking Tour: Olympic Park. A 1.5 hour (approx) walk using oral histories. Meet at Mocha East Vue Tube. Free, but pre-booking essential: email Eastside Heritage: office@ech.org.uk..
Tues 25 October. 2pm. London Personally Heritage Walk - how E15 became E20. Meeting point outside Stratford Station by the Robert Engine. Finish point Pudding Lane DLR Station.. No part of London has gone through more changes than Stratford the shopping and transport hub of Newham. On the ancient road from London to Colchester the area takes its name from the ancient abbey on the River Lea. With the coming of the railways in the 1840’s industry grew up around the old town and by the end of the 19th century Stratford had become an important trading shopping and political centre with some of Newham’s best Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Its history and struggles and the effects of bringing the Olympics to the area with stunning new architecture and the Queen Elizabeth Park will all be taken in on this walk. Stan Harris - info@londonpersonally.co.uk. £10 per head. To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-e15-became-e20-tickets-28141163979.
Tues 25 October. 4 - 5pm. House Mill, Three Mill Island, Bromley by Bow. From Gin and Vice to Tea and Temperance. A talk by Eleanor Bloom, a senior volunteer at House Mill, a registered City Guide and member of London Historians. Eleanor will talk and present the story of this important episode in London's social history, during which there will be tea and biscuits; but not gin and vice!
Wednesday
Weds 26 October.11am - 12.30pm. The Gate Library. Heritage- themed coffee morning. Chat about the past and learn about the fascinating history of the area over a nice hot brew and some scrumptious nibbles. You can also pick up free copies of The Newham Story and special Heritage Week postcards, bespoke to the area. All welcome.
Weds 26 October. 1 - 3.30pm. Meet: King George V DLR station. The North Woolwich Trail: Deep Water. An audio trail featuring the sound and voices of the River Thames and Newham Docklands as you follow a route through the three former Royal Docks. Email Dr Toby Butler t.butler@uel.ac.uk. Limited places - booking essential. Audio equipment provided. Distance of 3.5km. Guided by Dr Toby Butler and students of UEL.
Weds 26 October. 1.45 - 6pm. Green Street Festival (taking place in Queen's Market). Children's heritage-themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Weds 26 October. 2 - 4pm. Beckton Globe. Museum on Wheels. Celebrate and enjoy Newham's heritage through Eastside Heritage's unique museum on wheels. Free entry.
Weds 26 October. 3 - 4pm. House Mill Three Mill Island, Bromley by Bow. Sharing Stories. House Mill resident storyteller Shamim Azad, a Bangladeshi born British bilingual poet, storyteller and writer will be with us for this unique event. Shamim is part of the East End storytelling group, which invites local residents to join in sharing some the stories brought together by the East End's rich, diverse history of immigration. We invite Newham's older residents (50+) to hear Shamim's stories and to tell your own.
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| Three Mill Island - by the Bow flyover |
Weds 26 October. 4pm. Forest Gate Learning Zone, Woodgrange Road. West Ham United Football Club Reminiscence Session. Come along and share memories of The Irons. Free.
Weds 26 October. 6.30 - 7.30pm. East Ham Library. Faith in Newham. Dr Colin Marchant presents a lecture about historic the faith buildings of Newham. All welcome.
Weds 26 October. 6.45pm. The Gate Library. Lecture - Forest Gate: Growth of a Victorian Suburb. Illustrated talk by local historians Peter Williams and Mark Gorman. Gentrification is a big word in Forest Gate now, with the coming of CrossRail, but research shows that there have been waves of gentrification and de-gentrification over the last 140 years, often influenced by among other things, the railway companies, their advertising and fare pricing structure, and their links to housing developers. How exactly did Forest Gate develop? Who were the equivalents of Barretts and Wimpey's? Come along, and find out. Entry by free ticket - only available from The Gate beforehand. Refreshments on sale.
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| Forest Gate station at the turn of 20th century, catalyst for so much local gentrification, over the decades |
Thursday
Thurs 27 October. 10.45am - 12noon. Canning Town Library. Heritage- themed coffee morning. Chat about the past and learn about the fascinating history of the area over a nice hot brew and some scrumptious nibbles. You can also pick up free copies of The Newham Story and special Heritage Week postcards, bespoke to the area. All welcome.
Thurs 27 October. 11am. Brick Lane Music Hall 443 North Woolwich Road, North Woolwich. Open morning - a chance to see the Brick Lane Music Hall - a Grade II listed building and learn about the history of music hall in East London, from Vincent Hayes the founder and director of Brick Lane Music Hall (500m from Pontoon Dock DLR station). Booking essential. Email kjenservices@hotmail.com. Refreshments provided.
Thurs 27 October. 11am Talk: A Brief History of Theatre Royal.(lasts approx 30 mins + short Q&A). Stratford. Theatre Royal Stratford East (auditorium stalls). Built in 1884, renovated by Frank Matcham in 1902, and home to Joan Littlewood's world-famous Theatre Workshop Company, Theatre Royal has been entertaining audiences for 131 years. Murray Melvin, Theatre Royal Stratford East's honorary archivist and member of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, gives a special talk on the history of this much loved Grade II listed building in the heart of Gerry Raffles Square. Free. Booking advised via box office on 020 8534 0310 (some places available on the day on a first come, first served basis).
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| The recently unveiled sculpture of Joan Littlewood, outside the Theatre Royal, Stratford |
Thurs 27 October. 11am - 5.30pm. Beckton Globe. Building Beckton’s industrial heritage. Participants will review archival images and present day photographs of the Beckton Sewage Works, The Chimney and Cyprus Estates. In response they will recreate the buildings, using papier mache, card, and paper to create a display mini exhibition. Ages 8-11 years with parents welcome.
Thurs 27 October. 1 - 2pm. Theatre Royal Stratford East (Murray Melvin Meeting Room). Open archive - a chance to see some of Theatre Royal's Archive Collection, with Murray Melvin, Theatre Royal Stratford East's honorary archivist and member of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop. openarchive@stratfordeast.com. Note:. free, but places limited to 10 on a first come, first served basis. Booking: openarchive@stratfordeast.com or 020 8279 1131.
Thurs 27 October. 1 - 3pm. Canning Town Library. Children's Heritage-themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Thurs 27 October. 1.30pm. London Personally Heritage Walk - Monks, Sewage and Iron. Start point Bromley-by-Bow Station, finishing point Star Lane Station (DLR). Stan Harris will be leading this walk, broadly along the River Lea and West Ham. It explores how Newham developed from rural countryside to East London’s industrial heartland. Next to the gritty industrial history, stories of ancient monasteries and London’s finest example of Victorian engineering you will also be able to enjoy much of the Art Trail on this part of the Lea and have a rest and refreshments at a riverside community café at Cody Dock at around 3.30pm. Stan Harris - info@londonpersonally.co.uk. £10 per head. To Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monks-sewage-and-iron-tickets-28140981433
Thurs 27 October. 2 - 4pm. The West Silvertown Trail: gun powder, flour and flood. Meet: Main entrance Excel Centre (Custom House DLR station). An exciting audio trail includes the beauty of Barrier Park, the horror of the biggest explosion ever to rock London and first-hand accounts of working lives in the riverside factories and flour mills. Email Dr Toby Butler t.butler@uel.ac.uk Limited places - booking essential. Audio equipment provided. Distance 2km walk guided by Dr Toby Butler and students of UEL.
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| Aftermath of the 1917 Silvertown explosion |
Do you have handed down family recollections or anecdotes about London's biggest ever civilian explosion you would like to share with them?
There is an archive where you can add some thoughts/family memories. There are already some amazing stories there, so visit the site, even if you aren't able to contribute.
The Explosion took place at the Brunner Mond munitions work, manufacturing explosives for WW1. It was located just south of what is now the North Woolwich Road. Approximately 50 tons of TNT exploded, resulting in 73 deaths, and almost 500 injuries. Over 900 homes were totally destroyed and many thousands more damaged by the blast.
The memories collected on the Forgotten Stories site will be collated and published to mark the centenary of the Explosion, next year.
Thurs 27 October. 6pm Shipman Youth Centre. Share your memories of Silvertown and North Woolwich. Organised by Eastside Heritage: office@ech.org.uk. Free.
Thurs 27 October. 6.30 - 8pm. House Mill Three Mill Island, Bromley by Bow. Guided Tours of House Mill with Gin Tasting. Join us at House Mill to tour this spectacular Grade I listed building, to learn about its role in the C18th "Gin Craze" and to sample a range of London Gins. To reserve a place please email: info@housemill.org.uk. There is a token charge of £5 per person. Owing to space restrictions within the heritage building, this event has only a number limited of spaces.
Thurs 27 October. 7pm: University of East London, University Square, 1 Salway Road, Stratford. Film Screening and Discussion - Foreign Pickers by Kathrin Bohm (My Villages) for Company Drinks, in collaboration with Sue Giovanni. This screening will be accompanied by a talk by Kathrin Bohm and Dr Toby Butler, University of East London, discussing the history and heritage of hop picking and Kathrin's ongoing project, Company, Movements, Deals and Drinks. Two new Company Drinks beverages which resulted in East London pickers going to Kent in 2016 will be also available: a Thinning Soda and a Gleaned Cider. Further details: t.butler@uel.ac.uk. Free, no need to book.
Thurs 27 October. 7pm. Shipman Youth Centre Talk by historian Graham Hill on the Silvertown Explosion. Organised by Eastside Heritage: office@ech.org.uk. Free.
Friday
Fri 28 October. 11am. Heritage Walking Tour: Olympic Park. A 1.5 hour (approx) walk using oral histories. Meet at Mocha East Vue Tube. Free, but pre-booking essential: email Eastside Heritage: office@ech.org.uk.
Fri 28 October. 11am - 1pm. Manor Park Library. Children's heritage-themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Fri 28th October. 6.30-7.45pm. East Ham Library. Morris Dancing Performances. Traditional Morris dancing performances for all to enjoy. All ages welcome.
Saturday
Sat 29 October. 1 - 3pm. The Gate Library. Children's heritage-themed drawing workshop. Artist Eleanor Pearce will lead children through this fun and engaging heritage themed workshop, where they will learn to draw heritage buildings and objects, using a variety of materials such as pastels, charcoal and drawing pens. Ages 4-6.
Sat 29 October. 12noon - 4pm. East Ham Library. Children's heritage-themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Sat 29 October. 12noon - 4pm. East Ham Library. Newham Heritage Awareness Day. End of week, borough-wide heritage awareness day. The day will have something for all ages and interests including information stalls, exhibitions, pop up museum and a chance to give your views on a future Museum for Newham. Kevin Jenkins: kjenservices@hotmail.com. Free entry.
Sat 29 October. 3 - 4pm. The Gate Library. Heritage-themed Lego club. Have a go at recreating Heritage landmarks with Lego. Ages 5-11.
Sat 29 and Sun 30 October. Abbey Mills Pumping Station, Abbey Lane (Tours on: Saturday 29th October at 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Sunday 30th October at 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Pre-booking only before 5pm on Monday 24 October. Built between 1865 and 1866, it is often described as the Cathedral of Sewage. A rare opportunity of a guided tour of this magnificent building. To book email Kevin at kjenservices@hotmail.com stating preferred date, time and number of spaces required.
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| Abbey Mills pumping station - "The Cathedral of Sewage" |
Sunday
Sun 30 October. 2 - 4pm. Stratford Library. Children's heritage themed greeting card workshop. Children will create their own greeting cards adorned with places and faces from Newham's history. Ages 5-11.
Sun 30 October. 11am - 4pm. House Mill, Three Mill Island, Bromley by Bow: Guided tours of the Grade I listed House Mill. Visit four of the floors of House Mill with one of our trained volunteer guides. You will learn of House Mill's history and the Trust's plans for its future which will restore the heritage machinery to working order, develop hydro-electricity using the wheels, broaden activities to include a vibrant activity hub for Newham. These plans already include an art gallery, event space, wedding ceremony and reception venue, so come and share them with us!. Please bring proof of LBN residency to enjoy free of charge. The cafe in the Miller's House will be open throughout, serving a range of fresh foods and drinks.
Thanks to all participants and organisations for arranging Newham Heritage Week - the first of which we hope will be a regular event.
In particular, we are thankful to Colin Grainger (www.colin-grainger.co.uk) for putting together this very accessible guide to the multiplicity of events.
We are also grateful to the Rabbits Road Institute for details of their launch, and wish them well.
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