Harold Hill's History Brought to Life in Heritage on the Hill Exhibition

The richest history of Harold Hill lives not in documents or photographs, but in the memories of the people who have called it home.

Drapers’ Academy was proud to host the launch of the Heritage on the Hill exhibition and publication, developed from a unique community research project exploring the rich history, heritage and identity of Harold Hill through the voices of local residents.

The project brought together Year 10 and Year 12 students from Drapers’ Academy, Eastside Community Heritage and Queen Mary University of London to uncover, document and celebrate the stories that have shaped one of London’s most distinctive communities.

Funded by the Centre for Public Engagement at Queen Mary University of London, PhD student Jade Hunter worked alongside students at Drapers’ Academy and Eastside Community Heritage to deliver a community oral history project exploring the history of Harold Hill. Through training in oral history techniques, students interviewed local residents and captured first-hand accounts of life in the area, producing more than 15 hours of original recordings. These conversations have created a valuable archive of memories and experiences, preserving local knowledge and community heritage for future generations.

Queen Mary University of London PhD student Jade Hunter led the project, working alongside Drapers' Academy students and Eastside Community Heritage to explore the history of Harold Hill:

“It's been such a privilege working on the Heritage on the Hill project with the young people at Drapers' Academy. Through archival research and oral history interviewing, they've done a brilliant job at capturing important stories in Harold Hill, which they have shared with the wider community at the launch event. Their work really demonstrates the fascinating history of Harold Hill, and shows the power of place and community connections.” 

The launch event brought together students, residents, project partners and community leaders to showcase the research findings and celebrate the people whose stories have shaped Harold Hill's history. Held at Drapers' Academy, the event took the form of an interactive exhibition featuring display boards and a booklet presenting the students' research. The evening included speeches from members of the project team and a student participant, who reflected on their experience and the skills they had developed throughout the project. Guests were also invited to listen to recordings of the oral history interviews, providing a unique opportunity to hear directly from local residents. The event enabled students to share their work with the wider community and further develop their skills in research, networking, communication and public engagement.

Professor Alison Blunt, Queen Mary University of London and Vice Chair of the Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust, said:  "Heritage on the Hill demonstrates how universities, schools and communities can work together to create new knowledge. The project celebrates local heritage while empowering young people to become active researchers and storytellers."

Judith Garfield MBE, Eastside Community Heritage, said: "Oral history allows us to capture experiences that might otherwise be lost. The students approached their interviews with professionalism, curiosity and respect, creating a lasting record of Harold Hill's social history and demonstrating the power of intergenerational learning."

Julia Lopez MP for Hornchurch and Upminster visited the exhibition at Drapers' Academy, where she met with students to discuss their research and learn more about the project: “Thank you very much to Drapers’ Academy for inviting me to see the fantastic heritage exhibition that students have been working on with staff. It’s so important that we celebrate every aspect of our local history here in Havering. Making sure that the stories of Harold Hill and its residents are told is a great way of bringing people together by connecting to the area’s roots.”

The story of Harold Hill stretches back more than a thousand years. Named after King Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, who is believed to have had a residence in the area before his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the landscape remained predominantly agricultural for centuries. The estate later became home to the Neave family, who developed the grand manor house on the now nature reserve known as ‘The Manor’,  and commissioned the renowned landscape gardener Humphry Repton to redesign its grounds in the early nineteenth century.

A major transformation came after the Second World War when the London County Council purchased 850 acres of land to create the Harold Hill housing estate, one of the largest post-war council housing developments in the country. Thousands of families displaced by bombing in East London were given new homes, creating the foundations of the vibrant and resilient community that exists today.

Through their interviews, students discovered stories of those early years, when residents arrived to find a landscape of fields, construction sites and limited services. They also learned about the strong community spirit that emerged through shared experiences, local schools, workplaces, sports clubs, parks, community events and neighbourhood traditions.

The research highlights many aspects of Harold Hill's unique character, from its famous roaming deer and rich natural environment to the factories and businesses that once provided employment for generations of local people. It also explores how the area has evolved through changes in housing, population and local amenities, while maintaining a strong sense of community identity.

Jamie Shields, Vice Principal at Drapers' Academy, said: "This project has given our students a remarkable opportunity to become historians of their own community. By listening to residents and recording their stories, they have developed valuable research skills while helping preserve Harold Hill's heritage. We are incredibly proud of their work and grateful to everyone who shared their memories."

As Harold Hill continues to evolve, Heritage on the Hill reminds us that understanding and preserving local history is essential to building a strong, connected and resilient community.

Quotes from Drapers’ Academy students:

“This project has helped me to learn about oral interviews and effectively communicate and listen with another person. It has allowed me to learn more about my own community through others’ perspectives." 
esther

“I got to hear others’ perspectives on Harold Hill and that helped me to understand how everybody experiences history differently and history is very much from and for everybody.”

Lewis

“I learned a lot about the history and the community of Harold Hill. I enjoyed hearing other people's opinions about the area, even if I didn’t agree.”

Jessica

“It mattered to me that I told someone’s story.”

Isabella