Silvertown children get historical lesson after visit to derelict site

Pupils from Britannia Village primary visited the derelict Silvertown Quays as part of activities focusing on the history of the Royal Docks.

The students from the Sivertown school were taken onto the 62-acre Silvertown Quays site to learn about the history of innovation and enterprise in the area which was once London’s gateway to the British Empire. They saw the derelict Millennium Mills and the disused Grain Store at Silo-D, as well as Pontoon Dock which was once a busy international hub of commerce and trade.

They also welcomed local artist Frank Creber and The Silvertown Partnership’s historian Paul Cattermole to their school.

Frank Creber worked with the children on a mural in the school that depicts the Royal Docks in the past, how it’s seen today and their vision for the future of the area.

Linda-May Bingham, headteacher of Britannia Village Primary School, said: “I am very pleased that The Silvertown Partnership has chosen to engage with the local community at this early stage. Their team has been talking a lot to the local community and I’m delighted they have come into the school and taken the pupils on site.”

Elliot Lipton from The Silvertown Partnership said: “This event with the school is just the latest in a number of consultation events which have been taking place as the proposals have evolved. It’s so important local children - who will grow up alongside our development – also have their say”.

“The reaction from pupils and indeed the whole community to our plans for Silvertown Quays has been overwhelmingly positive. Our vision for Silvertown Quays will secure a vibrant future for the Royal Docks by creating up to 14,000 new jobs and 2,500 new homes in a new and enlivened waterfront destination”.

The Silvertown Partnership is preparing a planning application for submission later in the spring.