History of Barking brought to life thanks to a £103,000 boost

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the cash to the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) to develop an app and website allowing people to explore Barking and Dagenham’s history.

The IHR’s Layers of London: Mapping the City’s Heritage project will merge content from museum archives including photographs, maps and audio documenting the history of London from the Roman age to the present day.

Lottery Fund London’s head of heritage, Stuart Holby, said the website and app would bring a fresh perspective to the borough.

“This fascinating project will allow people to delve into the past and bring fresh perspectives to the streets and buildings we see every day,” he said.

The IHR will use the funding to apply for a full grant later in the year, with the full project expected to cost £943,900.

Council leader Cllr Darren Rodwell said he was thrilled with the project, which will initally focus on Barking and Dagenham.

“We are absolutely thrilled the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised the importance of recording the history of our great city in this way and that Barking and Dagenham has been chosen to take part in the pilot project,” he said.

Aiming to start in May the project will use content from collections at The British Library, The National Archives and London Metropolitan Archives.