Discover the Voices of East Bank
Join us in this journey of discovery, as we amplify the everyday stories that make East London an extraordinary place.
About Us
We are a dedicated team of Oral History Community Researchers, expert historians, facilitators, artists, and community leaders who have come together to bring this project to life. Led by Project Coordinator Lydia Powell, supported by teams at London Legacy Development Corporation, UCL East and BBC History, our project partners include Newham Archives, Discover Children’s Story Centre, Breakin’ Convention, Deafroots and Badu Digital Hub.
Our Sponsors
Voices of East Bank is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to explore, connect and learn about the past, present and future voices of East London.
Stories Unite Us…
Voices of East Bank is an archive of voices, sharing the stories of the communities, heritage, and languages that have shaped East London from across the 20th century to the present day. Community leaders have collaborated to collect stories from across Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest.
Our project includes personal stories that delve into sensitive topics, including experiences with racism, discrimination, and prejudice, particularly related to various ethnic groups. We strive to create a safe space for everyone, and we want you to be aware of the content you may encounter. We encourage you to proceed with mindfulness and respect for diverse perspectives.
Listen to Our Voices
Listen with an open heart, embrace diversity, and let's build a stronger community together.
Explore
Explore the diverse stories of East London, where you'll uncover captivating oral histories - a unique journey of discovery and connections.
Connect
Connect with grassroots organisations pre-existing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and community leaders rooted in the hearts of East London.
Learn
Learn about the East Bank partners and their goal to platform the work, arts, culture and communities of East London.
Stories
A collection of East London's untold narratives.
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Belonging
Embark on journeys that bridge continents, fostering global connections
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Cockney Heritage
Celebrate Cockney culture, from historical roots to modern expressions.
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Food
Discover traditions and flavours that tell stories of generations past and present.
What is Cockney Rhyming Slang?
Cockney Rhyming Slang is a fun and quirky form of slang originating from East London. In this unique language twist, words are replaced with rhyming phrases, often with the second part dropped, making it a playful way of communicating. It's a distinctive part of London's cultural heritage, known for its wit and creativity in everyday language.
“Chicken Jalfrezi
Crazy "
“Horse n’Carriage
UK Garage "
Community
A collection of East London's growing community bonds.
Watch the journey of Deaf ethnic women in East London through our featured film by the local organisation Deafroots. Where they share experiences of belonging, cultural identity, and the transformative power of community.
Deafroots Film
Experience the heart of East London's unity at The Great Get Together, where vibrant festivities and shared stories converge. Our featured community section captures the diverse voices that echo the spirit of this unforgettable community celebration.
The Great Get Together
Partners
A collection of East London's visionary collaborations.
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LLDC applied for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to run this project as part of the ongoing desire to involve local people in the development of the place, connect people to opportunity and help share the stories of local people.
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The BBC exists to inform, educate and entertain audiences across the UK and the world.
With special credits to Roberto Belo-Rovella for editing our audio clips. -
Newham Heritage Service is dedicated to preserving and making publicly accessible the history of Newham’s places, people, and things.
Full audio recordings are stored in Newham Archives. Please contact the archive to access all recordings. -
Sadler’s Wells East will be a new kind of cultural destination with local roots, national impact and global perspectives hub for creativity, home to Academy Breakin' Convention and Rose Choreographic School.
News
A collection of East London's community highlights.
Have you noticed the collection of Cockney rhyming slang phrases on day-glow signs that have popped up in the East Bank landscape? Curious about the stories behind each phrase? Click the “Explore more” button to follow our Lemon Meringue Trail… and discover more about Lemon Meringue Rhyming Slang by Michael Landy
Lemon Meringue - Michael Landy
Thank You to Our Supporters
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and supporters. Your dedication and contributions are instrumental in making Voices of East Bank a powerful platform for storytelling, education, and community engagement.