‘Designs That Travel’
The project ‘Designs That Travel’ returns to a stained glass window at All Saints Church, Forest Gate, and the inscription hinting at the tragic story of Victor Gordon Berry, a local young man who perished on the ill fated SS Persia during World War 1. It is a fascinating and compelling story which led Ellie to discover crew from Newham and sailors from South Asia, some of whom would have been recruited from Bangladesh as firemen and sailors on this steam powered liner.
A desire to explore the heritage and forgotten lives of crew members on board brings this project up to date and conversations with archivists and a relative of a survivor of the SS Persia give a flavour of life above and below deck. Ellie has been supported in this project by Shofa Miah and introductions to Bangladeshi women reveal the rich textile traditions which have travelled from Bangladesh to Newham over the years.
More about this project, one of several organised by Newham Council as part of Newham Unlocked and supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Royal Docks Team, can be found on the Newham Heritage Month website www.newhamheritagemonth.org
This year’s theme is: Shops, Docks & Factories.