Newham Heritage Month 2024’s theme is ‘Places and Spaces’, with an exciting line-up that includes revelations about our borough’s astounding natural heritage. This June’s festival invites you to enjoy a range of events and activities celebrating Newham’s diverse green spaces, from micro-allotments to the site of vast medieval estates, and everything in between. Just ahead of the festival, we share a sneak peek of what you can look forward to experiencing outdoors this summer, plus top tips for celebrating spring in the borough from some of the star creators behind this year’s projects.
‘West Ham Park’s Hidden Histories’ – Killian Becker, Riitta Hakkarainen & Umia Kukathasan
West Ham Park celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Previously the site of a botanical garden, FA Cup football matches, and home to the likes of Samuel Gurney and Elizabeth Fry, the park has touched many lives since becoming public. ‘West Ham Park’s Hidden Histories’ will create an art trail in the park for you to join in the celebration of its fascinating history.
‘The Greenway: From Super-Sewer to Wildflower Walk’ – Keith Martin
Running seven kilometres through the heart of the borough, the Greenway is the embankment which covers Joseph Bazalgette’s famous Northern Outfall Sewer. Built as a response to cholera outbreaks and pollution in Victorian times, the sewer today runs underneath a footpath and cycleway flanked by nature. Keith Martin’s ‘The Greenway: From Super-Sewer to Wildflower Walk’ invites you to explore the space’s history through a series of guided photo tours.
‘The Great Gate’ – Friends of Abbey Gardens
While an intriguing gravel pit is all that remains visible of the epic original 12th-century Stratford Langthorne Abbey that once dominated the landscape of Newham, ‘The Great Gate’ project will take you back into medieval times on the site of the monastery gardens, with workshops inspired by producing, growing, and making that took place at what was once the largest abbey in Europe.
You’re invited to dig into the heritage of allotments in Newham with ‘Up The Allotments’. From the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign on the Wanstead Flats and Dr John Fothergill’s world-class plant collection in West Ham Park to the productive allotments and community gardens producing food and flowers from all over the world, Newham has a deep and delicious relationship with all things food. Explore these heritage stories with painting and drawing workshops this June.
‘East Ham Nature Reserve – A celebration of over 40 years’ – Matt Ponting
Situated in the grounds of the medieval St Mary Magdalene’s church, East Ham Nature Reserve has seen visitor numbers drop in recent years. Matt Ponting’s project ‘East Ham Nature Reserve – A celebration of over 40 years’ will document this beautiful green space, which holds treasured memories for Newham residents past and present, and help to put it back on the map through an exhibition and celebratory event this summer.
Umia Kukathasan and Matt Ponting share their top tips for making the most of Newham’s green spaces this spring.
- What do you most love about Newham’s green spaces?
Umia:
“A space to breathe and recharge, to watch nature and forget the pressures of life and even have a chat with a neighbour you might not otherwise know.”
Matt:
“The diversity of the habitats, from woodland to meadow, grassland to the marshland reeds on the River Lea. We are so lucky that often these spaces are not busy, so you can make special wildlife encounters away from the crowds.”
- What’s your favourite thing to spot in Newham’s natural environment right now?
Umia:
“Annual spring flowers… crocuses, daffodils, cherry blossom. Though they’re around a lot earlier than April in recent years.”
Matt:
“Bluebells – they are thriving this year and can be seen all through East Ham Nature Reserve where they really add colour to the woodland scene. Also, it’s great to spot the first bat of the year.”
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