Julia Lopez MP has visited Drapers’ Academy to see the Heritage on the Hill exhibition, a community project bringing Harold Hill’s history to life through the memories and experiences of local residents.
The exhibition and accompanying publication were developed through a partnership between Drapers’ Academy, Eastside Community Heritage and Queen Mary University of London. The project saw Year 10 and Year 12 students trained in oral history techniques before interviewing residents about life in Harold Hill and the stories that have shaped the area.
The students produced more than 15 hours of original recordings, creating a valuable archive of first hand accounts from the local community. These memories will help preserve Harold Hill’s social history for future generations.
Held at Drapers’ Academy, the launch event brought together students, residents, project partners and community representatives. Guests were able to view display boards, read the project booklet and listen to extracts from the oral history interviews recorded by students.
The project explored Harold Hill’s distinctive history, from its early links to King Harold and the area’s agricultural past, through to the creation of the Harold Hill housing estate after the Second World War. The area became one of the country’s largest council housing developments, providing new homes for families displaced by bombing in East London.
Through their research, students heard directly from residents about the early years of the estate, when new families arrived to find fields, construction sites and limited services. The interviews also captured stories of community life, local schools, workplaces, sports clubs, parks, community events and neighbourhood traditions.
The project also highlighted features of Harold Hill’s identity, including its natural environment, roaming deer, local businesses and the strong community spirit that has endured as the area has changed over time.
Julia Lopez MP said:
“Thank you very much to Drapers’ Academy for inviting me to see the fantastic heritage exhibition that students have been working on with staff. It’s so important that we celebrate every aspect of our local history here in Havering. Making sure that the stories of Harold Hill and its residents are told is a great way of bringing people together by connecting to the area’s roots.”
Jamie Shields, Vice Principal at Drapers’ Academy, said:
“This project has given our students a remarkable opportunity to become historians of their own community. By listening to residents and recording their stories, they have developed valuable research skills while helping preserve Harold Hill’s heritage. We are incredibly proud of their work and grateful to everyone who shared their memories.”
Professor Alison Blunt, Queen Mary University of London and Vice Chair of the Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust, said:
“Heritage on the Hill demonstrates how universities, schools and communities can work together to create new knowledge. The project celebrates local heritage while empowering young people to become active researchers and storytellers.”
Judith Garfield MBE, Eastside Community Heritage, said:
“Oral history allows us to capture experiences that might otherwise be lost. The students approached their interviews with professionalism, curiosity and respect, creating a lasting record of Harold Hill’s social history and demonstrating the power of intergenerational learning.”
