Encouraging discovery and sharing of oral stories!
‘The Royal Docks Stories’ funded by The Royal Docks Trust, aims to uncover interesting people, stories and experiences about the Royal Docks area.
This project carried out research and oral interviews with Royal Docks residents and representatives, some of whom, shared their experiences and stories in an inter-generational encounter with young people from Winsor Primary and Ellen Wilkinson Primary. Materials gathered from the research were used by IROKO with the participating young people from both schools to create a musical theatre piece incorporating drama, storytelling, music and dance. On two dates in February, the schoolchildren and a selection of interviewees performed their show ‘Royal Docks Stories’ for the local community. There was also an exhibition of some of IROKO’s research findings alongside the pupils’ poems.
Feel free to take a look at our Research Videos to hear some our interviewees’ Royal Docks Stories.
We have also compiled a short Royal Docks Stories Quiz based on our research findings. All the answers can be found in our PDF Resource Pack.
Credits
We have been very fortunate to secure the support of key organisations and individuals on this project. We would especially like to thank the following for their support, advice and encouragement:
- Antony Angol, London City Airport
- Liam McKay, London City Airport
- Harry Holmes, London Borough of Newham Council
- Jackie Lehane, London Borough of Newham Council
- Kris Krishnarajah, London Borough of Newham Council
- Nandita Saha, Beckton Community Centre
- Lee Faires, Royal Docks Community School
- Martin Pinder, Newham Partnership for Complementary Education
- Michala Alyward, Royal Docks Community School
- Sovra Newman, The Food of Love
- Newham Recorder Newspapers
- Newham Super Choir
- Crossrail Limited
- Docklands Light Railway Limited
- Roy Pratt MBE, Imps Motorcycle Team
- SS Robin Trust
It was a genuine pleasure working alongside the staff from both schools. They went to great efforts to
- Carol Farwell, Head Teacher, WPS
- Martin Noutch, Creative Coordinator, WPS
- Janice Owen-Adamasun, Assistant Head Teacher (Inclusion), EWPS
Joy Osobu, Numeracy Coordinator, EWPS
Glenda Haughty, Year Five Teacher, EWPS - Plus all the other members of staff and school volunteers who helped ensure the project ran smoothly
We would also like to express our gratitude to our interviewees for sharing their fascinating stories, namely:
- Angela Hilaire
- Cherelle Adams
- Cllr. Alec Kellaway
- Cllr. David Christie
- David Mace
- Doris Koon
- Eileen Frost
- Eileen Mace
- li>Margaret Murnaghan
- Phyllis Grant
- Sheila Campbell
Finally, the project could not have been possible without the help of our team of dedicated volunteers:
- Jenny Farren, Research Volunteer
- Carol Edozie, Project Volunteer
- Andrew Turley, Research/Project Volunteer
- Phyllis Reid, Project Volunteer
