Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
About us
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park presents numerous opportunities for the local community, including sports, volunteering, learning, and active involvement. It's a vibrant hub where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and play an active role in strengthening the community. The Park is managed by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) as a ‘Great Estate’ with parklands at its centre. LLDC initiated and part funded this project with the East Bank Partners to support the ongoing process of connecting local people to the place and park.
Listen Now
All audio transcripts are available here
Interviews with Beth
Mary’s Diary
A cherished collection by Mary Patricia Bedford Nee Ishmail (1921-2017), grandmother of Michelle and beloved mother to Janet sharing the stories and memories of growing up in East London.
Extract of Diary Entries
(1) I was born in the 1920s on a street called Edward Street in Canning Town. I don't remember much about it, except that I had my dinner every day with a lady and her grown-up daughter. I remember the lovely peas we had in the summer. I was the only girl with five brothers. I remember being in Samson Street Hospital with scarlet fever, I can just remember being in bed, and a nurse. There was an Italian man who had a cafe in Rathbone Street. I think his name was Caldori..."
He was loved by everybody because he was so kind. He would cook large pans of soup and ask all the children to come in, where he would give them bowls of soup. There were a lot of hungry children in those days. My older brothers, Bill and Tom told me they would stand in front of the window and Mr. Caldori would beckon me in. I believe he had a great send-off when he died. When I was about 5 or six, we moved to King Street in Plaistow. I remember the grown-up ladies would ask me to dance in the
(3) street which I was quite happy to do so. There was a church just round the corner in Barking Road called The Tabernacle. There was a large picture outside supported by a large pole, as large as a telegraph pole. On one side of the picture was Jesus surrounded by children. The other side showed Jesus on his own with arms outstretched. Although I was a Catholic, I also attended the Tabernacle. I loved it they were so kind. I remember when the Queen Mother was the Duchess of York, she came to the church…
Vox Pop Event
Vox Pop recordings were captured at two summer events in the Park and LLDC staff volunteered to help collect recordings as Oral History Researchers interviewing local people.
Black Pride 2023
Reflecting on the triumphant return of UK Black Pride at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 19 2023, our project proudly contributed to the celebration by capturing the local voices at the heart of the event. With oral history recordings, we documented the vibrant stories and experiences that echoed the spirit of over 25,000 individuals who came together to joyously celebrate Black and global majority queer love and progress. Explore our featured archive, where these captivating voices continue to shine, preserving the essence of the 18th edition of UK Black Pride, the world's largest pride celebration for LGBTQI+ individuals of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent.
The Great Get Together
The Great Get Together, an annual outdoor festival at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, recently unfolded as a vibrant celebration of East London's community spirit. With lively entertainment encompassing music, dance, street theatre, sports activities, and engaging workshops from local providers, the event aimed to showcase the Park's offerings while inviting the community to revel in a shared experience. As part of this initiative, our project collected oral stories from the public, forming an archive of diverse voices that now takes centre stage as a featured story on our website, preserving the essence of this memorable occasion for all to enjoy.