Professional Documents
Culture Documents
YOUR 2012
A team of hosts from Museum of London Docklands has been making regular visits to the Olympic Park at Stratford, photographing the construction work and nearby regeneration projects. This exhibition, curated by the hosts, presents just some of the hundreds of photographs taken over the course of a year. Every picture was taken from a publicly accessible location. We hope the images inspire others to explore the area that will soon host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more news and images, please visit our exhibition blog:
www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/category/your-2012
Exhibition credits Host content team: Brian Grover, Jack Hutchinson, Rachel Kirby, Matt Martin, David Matthews, Donald Mullis, Kathryn Stevenson, Peter Strafford Project manager: Liz Scott Design: nortonallison Family activity trail: Tina Corri Archive images supplied by: Newham Heritage and Archive Service, Port of London Authority Archive, John Skinner (www.defunctspeedway.com), Tony Furby Special thanks to: John Smith, John Joyce, Annette Day, Frazer Swift, Alex Werner
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The London 2012 Games have triggered a series of construction projects rejuvenating the economy and landscape of east London. The engineering achievements on the site are just as spectacular as the sporting feats that will take place there.
Construction of the Arcelormittal Orbit seen from the Greenway, 24/02/11, 27/04/11 and 14/05/11
ENVIRONMENT
Redevelopment for 2012 is turning 280 hectares of former brownfield industrial land in east London into the largest new urban park in England for over 150 years. It will also revitalise the area by clearing up the surrounding canals and the River Lea, as well as encouraging green transport links.
IMPACT
The London 2012 Games aim to deliver lasting benefits to the area. However, the redevelopment has inevitably inconvenienced some local people and displaced others. There are tight security restrictions around the site. When the barriers come down and all is revealed, what will be the long-term effect on this part of east London?
Caf at the View Tube constructed out of reused cargo containers, 02/06/10
Hoarding for what will be a disabled coach park, East Marsh, 10/11/10
Olympic Stadium seen from a pathway leading to the View Tube, 10/02/10
Temporary fencing coiled up on the Greenway near Abbey Mills Pumping Station, 28/04/11
ARCHIVE
The Olympic venues are not the first occupants of the Stratford site. Over the years this former marshland by the River Lea has been home to a wide range of industries and businesses, especially those relating to transport and storage. It was also a leisure area that was greatly valued by Londoners.
The Metropolitan Police motorcycle display team at Hackney Stadium (late 1970s)
The Royal Corps of Signals motorcycle display team at Hackney Stadium (late 1970s)
Speedway riders Tom Farndon and George Wilks at Hackney Stadium (1935)
Speedway riders Wal Morton and Colin McKee at Hackney Stadium (1963)
The Port newspaper reporting picketing at Chobham Farm Container Terminal (1972)
The Port newspaper reporting picketing at Chobham Farm Container Terminal (1972)
If youve enjoyed this exhibition and would like to learn more about the Olympic Park or the areas history, you may find these websites useful: British Waterways for the history of the River Lea: www.britishwaterways.co.uk/olympics/history Defunct Speedway Tracks John Skinners website detailing old speedway venues such as Hackney Stadium: www.defunctspeedway.co.uk The Hackney Society for the local history of Hackney, including the Hackney Wick side of the Olympic Park: www.hackneysociety.org London 2012 the official website for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: www.london2012.com London Borough of Newham Library Service for access to the boroughs archives: www.newham.gov.uk/entertainmentandleisure/libraries London Wildlife Trust for projects bringing nature back to the Lee Valley: www.wildlondon.org.uk Londons Olympic Waterscape an online documentary made in 2010 by geography students at Royal Holloway University of London: vimeo.com/12349415 Museum of London Archaeology for information about the Museums archaeological work, including excavations at the Olympic site: www.museumoflondonarchaeology.org.uk The View Tube for views of the Olympic Park, educational facilities, art projects and a good caf: www.theviewtube.co.uk