Stratford’s young work with OAPs on quirky map

Young and old in Stratford have come together to design a quirky map of their area that incorporates personal memories.

About 90 children from Maryland and Colegrave primary schools have worked with some of Stratford’s older residents as part of the Stratford Explorers project which has focused on the changes affecting the lives of people living and working in the area since the Second World War.

They were supported by local oral history charity Eastside Community Heritage and carried out research by visiting the London Transport Museum and the Museum of London Docklands.

The children also interviewed residents from Holden Point sheltered housing development.

One of the elderly residents, who was a regular at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, told the children that she used to drop peanuts down between the floorboards. When the theatre was refurbished, peanuts were beneath the floorboards.

The pupils worked with illustrators Mark Long and Mark Oliver to transform their sketches, notes and ideas into a map forming the centrepiece of an illustrated guided walk leaflet that will be printed and distributed to visitors to the area during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

They will also create an exhibition of work that will be shown at both schools, at Holden Point and in other local community venues.