Being back in the lab this year has really put a cap on my walking around the borough and stepping on bits of it I’ve not stepped on before. To make things easier (& more complicated) I’ve decided that in 2023, instead of seeking out small patches I’ve not trodden on before, I’ll visit entire …
Category Archives: Local history
Barking and Dagenham, borough of culture?
Via The Dagenham Post and Diamond Geezer’s ‘blog I discover that Barking and Dagenham are competing for the role of London Borough of Culture. Alas, I missed any mention of this before the launch event, which DG has covered as part of his exploration of the borough’s historic features, else I’d have taken a day …
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Ethnic diversity of Barking and Dagenham
The artist Yanko Tihov has created this map of London diversity made from passport covers. The PDF with keys is here The details for Barking and Dagenham (as given) are 1. Nigeria 2. India 3. Philippines From personal experience, I’d have expected Irish and Polish to feature higher.
Labyrinth at Dagenham Heathway
A little over a week ago the labyrinth plaque was installed on the platform at Dagenham Heathway. Designed by Mark Wallinger, these art installations are part of the TFL 150 years celebrations. I wonder how long the Dagenham piece will last?
Valance House Museum
Yesterday I visited Valance House Museum for the fist time since it reopened in June 2010 following an extensive 2 year refurbishment. I’d been a frequent visitor before the closure, especially when I was trying to track down the whereabouts of the whale bones that give Whalebone Lane its name. The museum is greatly improved …