Newham to celebrate 60th birthday with month-long festival

Newham Heritage Month 2025 will feature 60 free events throughout September, in honour of the borough’s six decades since its formation in 1965.

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the festival will explore Newham’s history and cultural evolution, from its roots in East and West Ham to its modern-day identity.

Riso print inspired by Madge Gill (Image: Maryam Maryam Huq,) Selina Papa, head of engagement for England – London and South at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund has long recognised the power of heritage to create a sense of renewed history, pride and togetherness across generations and places.

“In this special year for the borough, we are delighted to see so many local organisations using money raised by National Lottery players to celebrate the people and moments that have shaped Newham over the last 60 years.

“These are the heritage treasures that people want to pass on to future generations, and we’re proud to continue to support the programme.”

Wenty’s Tropical Foods, Upton Lane (Image: Immediate Theatre/the family of Wentworth Newland) The programme for the festival features a wide array of events.

These include a celebration of Newham’s skateboarding past, an exploration of Newham’s Tamil community, and an exhibition capturing the history of Wenty’s Tropical Foods in Upton Lane.

Other notable events include a documentary film on Green Street, workshops and an exhibition about Alice Billing, West Ham’s first female sanitation inspector, and a play inspired by the wider lesbian community of Forest Gate.

Madge Gill postcard artwork highlights the visionary spirit of the self-taught artist (Image: Newham Heritage Service and Madge Gill) There will also be an exploration into Newham’s musical subcultures and a presentation of stories and memorabilia from Newham residents relating to transportation.

The festival will also delve into Newham’s broader history, with selected projects researching the period of change from the Essex county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham to Newham.

The initiative will also look at stories from earlier in Newham’s history, drawing links to the borough today.

Chas & Dave perform at the Newham Town Show, 1981 (Image: Newham Heritage) Newham Heritage Month has previously covered many key moments in the borough’s 60-year history, including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and famous residents such as Alexander McQueen and Benjamin Zephaniah.

The festival will return for its sixth year in September, celebrating all aspects of the borough’s development over time, from outstanding individual members of the community to special places, activist movements, creative minds, and iconic moments.

Newham Heritage Month is organised by Newham Council.