
I was born and grew up in Newham. I love hearing stories from family, friends and people I’ve met in the community, about their memories of the area and how this has changed over time. I’m currently living near Royal Victoria Dock, and can see the Tate & Lyle factory from my window, where my mum, an Irish immigrant, worked in her 20s.
In the late 1990s, my friends and I used to walk to the old Canning Town library every week after school. We’d use the encyclopaedias to do our general knowledge homework. Now I go to the library with my 17-month-old son, for rhyme time and borrowing books. For me, it’s a place of community and connection, where anyone is welcome.
I studied History at university, including an oral history project on British subcultures in the twentieth century. I’ve also worked in community roles, supporting people to share their experiences. The Community Researcher project seemed the perfect opportunity to bring my interests, skills and experience together. I am looking forward to uncovering more stories which we and future generations can enjoy and learn from.
Reflections from Aimee Pickering on the experience of being a Community Researcher in Newham.
What words come to mind when you think of the archives? This was the question put to our group of community researchers when we had our introduction to the Newham...
An oral history interview with Josephine Phillips.
An oral history interview with Kathleen Holding.
An oral history interview with Deborah Peck.
An interview over Zoom with William Elsom.
We would like to send you monthly emails spotlighting heritage content in Newham, as well as updates and opportunities to be involved in next year's festival. Be the first to hear about new projects, funding opportunities and ways to be involved.