To mark the 100 year anniversary of Becontree Estate in 2021 I am writing a book that traces Dagenham’s history, capturing and celebrating the local community from past to present.

To do this properly, I want to hear your stories and memories of the area to include in the upcoming book.

The Becontree Estate represents a landmark social housing development that provided quality council homes on a scale that had not been seen in Britain before.

With the first homes completed in November 1921, this ground-breaking development re-housed around 100,000 people, moving overcrowded families from poor housing in east London into a purpose-built community that was nationally revered and admired.

Almost 100 years on and the estate comprises around 27,000 homes and now hosts a diverse and multi-cultural population. During its time Dagenham has undergone significant changes in line with a shifting social housing landscape, however its sense of community has remained strong.

It is this sense of community that I want to capture in the book. From the industrial past of the Ford factory, to modern day Dagenham, I want to hear your stories, histories and experiences to help build a clear picture of what life has been like throughout time.

Whether you’ve lived in Dagenham all your life or have only just moved in, I’d love to hear from you and your family about what the community means to you.

To be part of Dagenham’s story visit joncruddas.org.uk - and fill out my survey.