From Hitler to Gandhi: An arty history of Becontree
Fine artist Biniam Ghide, from Dagenham, worked on the project. - Credit: Archant
The rich history of the Becontree estate has been depicted in a colourful new mural, set to be unveiled at Valence House on Saturday.
Located on a visitor centre wall, the design charts the estate’s heritage through a winding street, beginning with the first cottages built for the government’s “Homes fit for Heroes” scheme for returning First World War soldiers.
Continuing through almost a century of change, Mahatma Ghandi’s 1931 trip to Kingsley Hall and a seldom-known visit of the Hitler Youth in 1938 are also featured, along with the Blitz, Dagenham carnivals and strikes of the ‘70s.
Entering the 21st Century, the mural paints a picture of the borough’s diverse community uniting to oust the British National Party in 2010, before finishing with children playing together in one of the estate’s open spaces.
Members of the public can meet Lanarkshire-based artist and mural designer Chad McCail at an afternoon of family-friendly activities and free refreshments on Saturday, between 2 and 5pm.
You may also want to watch:
He said: “I hope the people of Dagenham will love the mural as much as I have loved working on it.”
MA history student and volunteer painter Matt, 21, wrote his undergraduate thesis on Becontree’s “Homes for Heroes”, assisted Chad and admitted his “immense pride” at his involvement.
Most Read
- 1 Images released of man in connection with robbery on train from Barking
- 2 Fines for Havering landlords who put Dagenham tenants 'in danger'
- 3 RSPCA appeal over video of dog 'carried' by collar in Dagenham
- 4 Barking fishmongers shut down by council after Covid-19 safety warning
- 5 'Terrifying' CCTV footage shows vandals take axes to cars of NHS workers
- 6 Council denies Barking mum's claim that it took hours to respond to flood
- 7 Dagenham charity set up in memory of 'unique' man offers help to youngsters
- 8 Appeal for help to find boy missing from Dagenham
- 9 Jailed: Dagenham man for role in 'brutal' attack on off-duty police officer
- 10 Call to change 'cash cow' yellow box junction in Marks Gate
“Watching it grow over the last few months has been so rewarding,” he said.
“It’s great to see the art community flourishing in my home town thanks to the hard work of Creative Barking and Dagenham.”
Supported by the council, Creative Barking and Dagenham and Valence House, the project is a collaboration between Historypin, the Barbican and Create London.
Read more:
Volunteers help clean up BecontreeUshakov medal awarded to Dagenham seaman for wartime missions in Arctic