A project that aims to document the campaign to save Queens Market has been awarded more than £20,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Eastside Community Heritage working with Friends of Queens Market has secured £20,800. It will focus on the history of Queens Market and market traders over the last 80 years. It wants to hear from anyone who has been involved in the market as a trader or in the campaign to save it.

The project will train local people in collecting archive material, oral histories and run a series of art workshops with schools for a final exhibition and a pop-up museum market stall. To get involved in the project, as a volunteer or if you have a story to tell, contact Judith Garfield for more information on 020 8553 4343 office@ech.org.uk www.hidden-histories.org.uk

Queen’s Market was first recorded 110 years ago and has always encouraged local entrepreneurs and specialist businesses both at home and new communities from other countries.

The modern market is now largely covered but remains ethnically diverse, selling a mix of household objects and exotic vegetables.

In June 2004 Newham Council proposed a redevelopment of the existing market site which was to include a supermarket and luxury housing - including a 31-storey tower block - around an enclosed market hall. There was a vigorous local campaign of opposition from local traders and the community forming the Friends of Queens Market Campaign. The supermarket pulled out in 2006 and the developer pulled out in 2010.