Exploring the stories of Bellingham over the last 100 years.
In this participatory arts project, Lewisham Music continues to support Lewisham’s communities to share and archive their own histories. We combine documentary, storytelling and music making to create a hybrid genre of place-based storytelling.
Our ‘100 Years of Bellingham’ exhibition is inclusive, working at the intersections of photography, music, storytelling, and social engagement.
This project has been created to share stories through documentary photography, oral histories and reimagine the past through the creation new music.
Our project has been co-authored with and alongside the community, creating opportunities to celebrate Bellingham in the year of the estate’s centenary.
Faces of Bellingham
Capturing the faces of Bellingham’s community.
Lewisham Music was delighted to collaborate with local photographer, and winner of PORTRAIT OF BRITAIN 2019, John Mannell.
John immersed himself in the community, photographing the people of Bellingham and featured the work of Bellingham Community Project, Sports4All, Lewisham Music, and Music and Theatre for All.
“Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.”
Memories of Bellingham
Immerse yourself in the stories and memories of Bellingham over the years.
Local people share their stories of community through this series of short podcasts in conversation with Lewisham Music’s Young Producer, Sam Sikiru and spoken word artist, Yasmin Ali (AKA Y.A Poet).
The chats feature young change makers, community activists, and artists from within Bellingham, each story transporting you back to the vibrant past of the area.
The conversations emerged from close connections with local community organisations: Music & Theatre for All, Bellingham Community Project, and Phoenix Community Housing.
Grab a brew and take a journey into the past below.
“The Green Man was a Greaser pub when I was growing up.”
“I was part of an opera, co-written by the local community in Bellingham.”
“We all work together as a community for the greater good.”
Listen
Now playing
Sounds of Bellingham
Young musicians reimagine local people’s stories by creating new music.
Young creatives from across Lewisham reimagined stories from local Bellingham residents as part of ‘100 Years of Bellingham’.
After hearing the amazing stories, checking out some historic photos, and heading out to soak up the Bellingham surroundings, the creativity flowed, and with mesmerising outcomes as the young musicians took to the stage to perform their new music on the final day in front of bewildered crowds of family and friends. Every instrument and word working in perfect harmony.
Watch and listen to the performances below.
Now playing