Become part of a living history with free creative workshops for all ages, performances and the opening of our art exhibition, culminating in 3 community parades across the docks!
The Royal Docks has always been a place of arrivals and departures. Ships from across the globe once found harbour here, bringing cargo, commerce, and people to London’s eastern edge. As midnight struck on December 31st, 1965, the air filled with a symphony of ship horns, church bells, and the celebratory sounds of dockland families—a community united in tradition, standing at the threshold of change. No one could have predicted that within a generation, these docks would fall silent, their purpose abandoned as containerisation revolutionized maritime trade.
‘Bells and Whistles’ will recapture this pivotal moment in the Royal Docks’ history—not simply as an exercise in nostalgia, but as a bridge between generations and communities. We stand now at another threshold: sixty years later, the Royal Docks area has transformed once again. New residents from across the globe have made this place their home, pursuing the same dreams of prosperity that once led previous generations to depart.
These parallel stories of arrival and departure, hope and resilience, form the heart of our community.
Join Art in the Docks in heritage-oriented community arts workshops at three different Royal Docks locations on Saturday October 4th . Read more about the inspiration behind the Bells and Whistles project here.
The workshops will be followed by simultaneous community parades.
The venues and timings are as follows:
· Britannia Village and Silvertown - Britannia Village Hall. ‘Parade Ready’ creative workshops from 12:00 midday. Parade forms up at 1430
· Custom House - Compressor House. ‘Parade Ready’ creative workshops from 12:00 midday. Parade forms up at 1430
· Beckton and Gallions Reach - Royal Albert Wharf. ‘Parade Ready’ creative workshops from 12:00 midday. Parade forms up at 1430
Exhibition
Over the past few weeks, local residents have been learning about the maritime traditions of the Royal Docks, and now their creative responses are brought together in this special community exhibition. The show features a vibrant collection of artworks, all inspired by archival photos and personal stories. Join us to celebrate our shared heritage and experience the living history of the docks through the eyes of its community.
