Heritage bosses unveil rare footage of Dagenham Docks

BARKING and Dagenham is celebrating its position as a leading industrial site with the unveiling of rare footage of Dagenham Docks.

BARKING and Dagenham is celebrating its position as a leading industrial site with the unveiling of rare footage of Dagenham Docks.

The footage from the 1960s will shed light on the vibrant industries that breathed life into the borough, in particular the Ford Dagenham car plant.

Heritage bosses are also organising a bus tour exploring landmark industries including the defunct Victorian fishing port at Fresh Wharf in Barking, the leading 19th century textile factory, Barking Jute Works, and the 1925 Barking Power Station.

The free activities are part of a London-wide heritage festival backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson called the Story of London.

Mr Johnson said: “London has always been at the heart of technological, scientific, cultural and social advances, as the extraordinary variety of activities taking place during the Story of London shows.

“Our city is always looking forward and the adventurous spirit of people from Barking and Dagenham is a key factor for the capital’s enduring success.”

The bus will leave Valence House Archives in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, at 11am on Friday after a 10am tour of the museum’s new galleries.

The film screening will begin at 2.15pm on Saturday and will also be preceded by a tour of Valence House at 1pm.