The event will showcase the borough’s rich history, tracing its journey from the former Essex county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham, which merged to form Newham in 1965.
Newham Heritage Month is set to return in 2025, marking its sixth edition with the theme ‘Newham at 60: A Borough Like No Other’. The festival will celebrate six decades of Newham, highlighting the people, places, and events that have shaped its identity.
A total of £100,000 in community grants has been made available to support local projects that will bring the festival to life. Thanks to a generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the festival remains a community-led initiative, designed by and for the residents of Newham.
The event will showcase the borough’s rich history, tracing its journey from the former Essex county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham, which merged to form Newham in 1965. The festival will also feature stories that predate the borough’s formation, linking Newham’s past with its present-day vibrancy.
Local individuals, groups, and organisations are invited to apply for funding to develop creative and historical projects that delve into Newham’s transformation. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for individuals, while groups and organisations can apply for up to £8,000.
Newham Heritage Month 2025 will feature a packed schedule of performances, exhibitions, and activities, bringing to light the borough’s hidden stories and unsung heroes. From activist movements to creative minds, the programme will highlight the key figures and moments that have shaped Newham’s unique character.
The deadline for grant applications is 21 March 2025, and submissions can be made via the Newham Heritage Month website.
Organised by Newham Council and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the festival is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate Newham’s remarkable legacy.
