The past and present were at the heart of a gathering to celebrate disabled history.

Newham Recorder: St Marks Community Centre in Beckton is hosting a Disability event as part of Disability History monthSt Marks Community Centre in Beckton is hosting a Disability event as part of Disability History month (Image: Archant)

Newham’s disability forum gathered at St Mark’s Community Church in Beckton last Tuesday to listen to an array of talks on everything from poetry to the portrayal of disability then and now.

“We had about 70-80 people there, it was really great success and the feedback was amazing,” said Sarifa Patel, who runs the group with Christine Dolyak.

“Nobody really talks about disabled people’s history, but it’s really important,” she said.

Alongside talks, actors from Newham-based Act Up gave a performanced entitled “Dear Mr Cameron”, while service users also spoke of their own experiences.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at Froud Centre in Manor Park, from 11am-1pm. Contact sarifa.patel@hotmail.co.uk to find out more.