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 project.
Come and hear the story, see an exhibition of community artwork, get ‘parade ready’ and join a family and community parade celebrating a largely forgotten aspect of Docklands Heritage.
From 12:00, get hands-on with our free family workshops which include making a hat, painting flags or creating a ships horns. Parade forms at 14:30 ready for 15:00.
The parade will start from our gallery space in Royal Albert Wharf and return back to Art in the Docks where we will have a celebration with live music and food stalls.
This event is part of our heritage project Bells and Whistles, featured in Newham Heritage Month.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@artinthedocks.com
