The public are being invited to decide which buildings in London's Royal Docks should be commemorated with a digital plaque this May.
The Royal Docks Digital History Plaques project has asked people to vote on iconic buildings that were pillars of the community when the Docklands was a hub of international trade for Britain.
Included in the draw is the now-derelict Tate Institute, which used to be an entertainment and social venue for nearby factory workers through the 1800s, and the since-demolished Kent Arms, famous for hosting sailors, mods and Dockland-workers throughout the 1960s.
Other candidates include Woolwich Ferry; St. Mark’s Church; Clara’s and Dellamura’s shops; St John’s Church, which was bombed during the Blitz; the Railway Tavern (Cundy’s); Drew School, which opened in 1895; and North Woolwich station; the site of the Silvertown Explosion in 1917.
The initiative was thought up by the Royal Docks History Club (RDHC) and the most voted-for buildings will be showcased online with historical images and information about each location.
Project coordinator Marieta Evans hopes this will be the first step in getting physical plaques.
Once the largest port in the world, the Royal Docks were the first docklands with direct access to the British railway network and were key for industrial Britain.
Marieta believes people's stories are better understood if they have history as a reference.
She added: “I wanted to involve the public because the area does not belong to us, it belongs to everybody.”
The deadline to vote is May 24, with the winners revealed at the next Royal Docks History Club meeting on May 25. Vote at https://forms.office.com/r/PxynbEpFPg
