On 26th April, Bonny Downs Community Association (BDCA) celebrated their 25-year anniversary with the launch of an exhibition showcasing the history of the charity and the local area it serves.
Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham and Sir Stephen Timms MP gave speeches at the event alongside David Mann, BDCA Chair and Sarah Laing, BDCA CEO.
The exhibition features video interviews with BDCA’s staff and builds a powerful narrative of local people rising together to challenge the deprivation on their doorstep and transform their community.
The exhibition is part of a project funded by the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund and created to fill the gap of historical information about East Ham South compared to the preservation of information in other areas of East London. BDCA worked with Eastside Community Heritage and Community Albums to utilise their archive of historical documents and photos dating back to 1890 when Pastor Howe was shocked by the poverty he witnessed on Bonny Downs Road and decided to initiate change to better the community. This is supplemented by interviews with current and previous staff, many of whom are local residents with historical links to the area.
At the launch event, guests were treated to a performance by BDCA’s community choir and a pie and mash dinner catered by local restaurant, Robins, to represent traditional East End, followed by a range of desserts from around the world, made by BDCA service users, to represent modern East Ham.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Inspired to support local people in Newham and now 25-years on, BDCA has worked tirelessly to offer a helping hand, connect people and deepen community bonds. Through its various programmes, initiatives and countless volunteers, it offers hope and a sanctuary at its Well Community Centre and Flanders Playing Fields at the heart of Wall End ward. Everyone knows that Bonny Downs is their welcoming home because it’s an inspirational community organisation providing empowering opportunities for everyone regardless of background. It’s driven by passion and purpose by a dedicated team and as we mark its 25th anniversary, I look forward to seeing Bonny Downs build on its incredible achievements through the power of community activism in the years ahead.”
Sir Stephen Timms MP said: “For 25 years, Bonny Downs Community Association has been committed, creative and energetic in supporting our local community. When people have hit difficult times – and, above all, during the pandemic, when the jobs of many hard-working local people stopped, and their visa stopped them applying for benefit – BDCA has stepped up to help, with generosity and kindness. It was a privilege at the celebration to express thanks, on behalf of the community, for their imaginative and wide-ranging contributions, and to look forward to seeing their future plans come to fruition.”
Sarah Laing, CEO of BDCA added: “What a journey it’s been and what a story we have to celebrate. I’m so thankful to all those who have contributed to the charity over the decades and I am so proud to be part of an organisation where the team go above and beyond in helping to support those within our community.”
The exhibition photos and videos can be viewed on the charity’s website at https://bonnydowns.org/our-history/
