The “Strangers” Home

Premiere of a documentary exploring how sailors from across the British empire and beyond built a community around the Royal Docks in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

Between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, the area around the Royal Docks became one of the most culturally diverse places anywhere in Britain. This came about because of the ships that landed in the docks carrying sailors from across the British Empire and beyond. Most of these sailors would stay temporarily in lodging houses and missions, frequenting spaces such as clubs, shops, or markets around the Royal Docks. Others would settle in the area and build families.

In this film we will speak with descendants of this community, as well as academic and trainee researchers, to try and understand how this community came to existence, what the experience was of the people whom it comprised and what impact it has had on present day Royal Docks, Newham, and East London.

As well as the film premiere the event will also feature an accompanying exhibition developed by trainees as part of this project and a short film documenting their experience. We will also have free catering throughout the evening.

This event is organised as part of the ‘Places of Change’ project, delivered by Thames Festival Trust and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Royal Docks Team.