Working Lives in Havering
If you have worked somewhere in Havering or run a business – we want to hear from you as part of a project we are working on.
The museum was one of five lucky heritage organisations whose application for a Reset Grant from the Museum of London was successful. The purpose of the grant, funded by the Arts Council, is to aid post pandemic recovery through training and projects.
Contrary to popular perception, museums are not just receptacles for items from the long distant past, they are more than that, and the Havering Museum is no exception. Its a community hub that seeks to reflect the local area through its events, education programme, projects and exhibitions. With this in mind, the funding from the Reset Grant will be used for a Havering’s Working Lives Project, with the intention of capturing stories, images and acquiring artefacts associated with local industry, business and other organisations. The material collected from the project will be incorporated into updated permanent displays and education resources.
We are therefore interested in hearing Havering residents stories about their businesses and working lives within the borough, ideally within the last 50 to 30 years. However, we might be interested in other stories prior to this period too.
Perhaps you or one of your relatives worked at the Ind Coope Brewery? If so, we want to hear from you! The brewery was an integral part of Romford’s development, from its modest origins as the Star Inn in the late 18th century to a national and global brand. Many people who visit the Museum which now occupies what was once the brewery offices and social club, come expecting to see something about Ind Coope. Please email collections@haveringmuseum.org.uk
I worked in Harold Court College in Harold Court Road 1967-1973. I was the librarian and had to set up the new library in one of the “open air chalets” which had been built when Harold Court was a sanitarium. Predictably the library grew & became too big for the chalet I had been given. It was then moved into a longer chalet, which collapsed under the weight! Ah those were the days….