Local lad Billy Bragg uncovers his family history at Valence House

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, nicknamed ‘The Bard of Barking’ is one of the most successful artists to have come out of the borough. He has just received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contribution to British music so we thought we would catch up with the man himself and explore his early days growing up in Barking and historical family ties with the help of the Archives and Local Studies Centre at Valence House.

If you would to learn more about your own family history, find out about the Valence History Helpdesk.

Local football team win the London Girls’ League title!

Barking and Dagenham’s District Girls Team have had an amazing unbeaten league campaign so far. We joined them in their final game of the season to see if they could clinch the London Girls’ League title for the first time in their history and maintain their unbeaten record!

Find out more about Barking and Dagenham Schools’ Football Association.

New play brings to life inspirational story of Barking and Dagenham woman

Sharlene Carter, 33, a Barking and Dagenham artist will bring her inspirational life story to the big stage, after securing £15,000 funding from Arts Council England.

My Journey tells the dramatic tale of how life changed forever in 2005 when her mum was diagnosed with Ataxia Cerebellar, a brain disease that affects speech and mobility, leaving her in a wheelchair.

The show will take place at The Broadway Theatre, Barking, between 20 and 22 September, with the final date marking 13 years

Behind the Scenes at Arc Theatre’s Voices for Votes film

For their latest project, the team at Arc Theatre brought to life the story of the Suffragettes and their fight for women to get the vote.

With a cast of young women from around Barking and Dagenham, ‘Voices for Votes’ will be available to view here on Arc Theatre’s website or YouTube channel from 5 July.