The Newham Recorder’s coverage of London 2012 Olympics

Olympic edition of the Newham Recorder. Image © Colin Grainger

Background

The Newham Recorder is an independent local newspaper that serves the London Borough of Newham.

It was the first independent newspaper to serve the borough, and brings community news and debate in print weekly, with a digital edition edited throughout the day.

The paper reports on news including crime, sports, housing and obituaries and the local council, as well as providing Things To Do in Newham and Newham Lifestyle content.

The Recorder was launched in 1968 after the county boroughs of West Ham and East Ham were joined together to make the London Borough of Newham.

It is owned by Archant, the UK’s largest independently owned regional media business.

In the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics, the Newham Recorder reported on the preparations for the games, including spotlighting British athlete hopefuls from east London, and the magical moment that the Olympic Torch Relay raced through the Borough.

The Newham Recorder reported that over 200,000 Newham residents took to the streets to watch the relay, and over 40,000 attended the Mayor’s show.

Elation and joy are how residents, community groups and torch-bearers described the experience, witnessing local sports legend Ron Cooper (former Olympic boxer), Olympian triple jump icon Phillips Idowu, and members of Bhangra Punjabian Da take part in the celebrations.

Pakiki Theatre’s Vickie Holden & Raewyn Lippert with UEL archivist Paul Dudman and Olympic torches. Image © Raewyn Lippert

Lee Power

Lee Power the Newham Recorder’s sports editor was the main Olympic reporter, documenting the wins and disappointments of the games for our athletes.

You can listen to an interview and hear his amazing memories of this via the Pakiki Theatre records on the Newham Heritage Month website here.

Lee Power, sports journalist. Image © Lee Power

The Newham Reporter’s stated mission is to bring people of the community together and celebrate all that is good about the Newham borough that many call home.

Its coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games started from the initial winning of the bid right up to the games themselves, informing local residents of this extraordinary and historic event!