Researching the Trebor Works building in Forest Gate

The Newham Archives

My curiosity about the building was initially sparked during a visit to the Newham Archives, where I stumbled upon this set of photos (see below). The first image immediately caught my attention with its familiar exterior of the building, reminiscent of the sweet trucks depicted in the 2005 film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ Among the collection was a staff photo featuring two of the founders, Robert Robertson (top left) and William Woodcock (top right). Additionally, there was an image of one of the company’s early sweet delivery vehicles, drawn by a horse and cart, adorned with the Forest Gate address hand-painted on its side.

‘The Trebor Story’

After some more digging, I eventually came across a book that discusses all things Trebor and got in touch with Matthew Crampton, author of ‘The Trebor Story’ to tell him all about my project. To my delight, Matthew didn’t hesitate to jump onboard with the idea and so we set up a meeting to figure out how we could share this significant piece of heritage with local residents. During our conversation, Matthew shared his inspiration for writing the book, tracing back to his childhood discovery of his relation to a descendant of Sydney H Marks, one of the company’s founders. Recognising the risk of losing a remarkable tale, he compiled over a century’s worth of the company’s history into ‘The Trebor Story,’ a remarkable resource honoring Trebor’s impact on the borough, the UK, and eventually the world. Matthew will be joining us for our upcoming event in June to provide further insights into the Forest Gate factory and its confectionery legacy.

Have you seen this building?

Following the factory’s closure in 1983, the plot remained vacant until its transformation into 51 flats in 2003. While the exterior shows signs of wear, it still retains some original art-deco features, such as the large window panes and the hand-painted ‘Trebor Quality Sweets’ sign. Despite much of its past being physically erased, my project aims to resurrect its vibrant history and share it with those who have passed by and pondered about the secrets held within these walls.

The Zine 

As part of my contribution to Newham Heritage Month, I will be producing a short, illustrated document highlighting key moments in the company’s history originating from the Forest Gate building. Presented in the form of a ‘zine,’ a short self-published document intended for small circulation, this project will offer insights into the company’s legacy. To assist in its creation and formatting, I’ve been participating in zine-making workshops led by Ioana Simion, an artist-educator based in Forest Gate. Ioana also conducts various workshops around London, and more information can be found on their Instagram: @artizineuk.

Further details on how to participate in our June event and acquire copies of the completed zine will be provided in the coming weeks via the NHM website.

Maryam Huq (Instagram: @vividbymaryam) is a British-Bangladeshi Illustrator based in Forest Gate. For Newham Heritage Month 2024, Maryam will be undertaking research to create a short illustrated booklet and deliver an event on the Trebor Works building which is situated on Katherine Road, E7.