The Ferry Festival – an event with a special place in the hearts of the ‘island’ community of North Woolwich and Silvertown

Of all the marvellous tales that have been captured both in words and on film in the Forgotten Stories series there is one event in local history that has a special place in the hearts of local people.

It means so much to everyone – even though it is one of the most recent of our stories. It is the community’s way of showing that an incredible spirit exists in our special place. It’s our way of  – politely – sticking two fingers up to anyone who dare suggest the soul  of our community was lost. The event really captured the joy of the “good old days” in our manor. For those looking to relive or showcase such unforgettable moments, big screen hire for events can bring a touch of nostalgia and grandeur to any gathering.

It is 43 years since the first Ferry Festival and 31 years since the last. The festival saw everyone coming together to celebrate the unique nature of the “island” community in North Woolwich and Silvertown. It was by the people and for the people. And like many good things it came about over a few beers

In the early 70s the Royal Docks area was finding it hard. The closures of the docks and many local factories changed the community – and also relationships within families. You didn’t have a right to a job anymore. To use a local phrase: “We’d had the stuffing knocked out of us.”  There was resentment that national and local governments weren’t doing enough for our area. But against this backdrop, the fightback began…in the most unusual of ways.

Locals decided they needed a fillip for the community. The idea was floated of having a local festival.

One member of the first group that got together, who sadly died a few weeks ago aged 80, Fred Bowyer, took up the story.

Speaking 14 years ago, Fred said he and a friend Mickey Rutter, had seen a short video from friends in Poplar who had staged a community event. It then got mentioned over drinks in the Henley Arms, North Woolwich.

“It was decided they needed to form a committee. I immediately insisted I did not want to be involved! Soon, Mickey, who was the first secretary spoke to Newham Council about using Royal Victoria Gardens. Local firms like Tate & Lyle, Standard Telephones, and Hollis were very very helpful in helping us get it off the ground.”

Soon jobs were divided up and events created. Sports tournaments, events , attractions, bouncing castles. Nick Nicholls from St John’s Chuch was drafted in. Still Fred insisted he did not want to officially be on the committee.

“I’ll run the beer tent,” he said. A tug-of war contest was proposed, and rides for the children. Then, the first of a few master strokes. The area had 13 pubs, and so a Superpub competition was launched between all the pubs. Darts, pool and cribbage, it got hundreds of people involved every week.

“This went on from February or March. People were out every night, enjoying each other’s company again,” said Fred. Football and cricket competitions were also staged.

Those who still live locally found the memories flooding back. Sukdev Kullar recalled: “It was a memorable time for the community. It kept everyone occupied and with a sense of purpose to stage something in what was, and is, still in many ways, a forgotten community. But those memories have stayed with us forever.”

Brian Cook said: “There has always been a sense of whatever is thrown at us, we will stand strong and tackle it head on. The festival was us standing proud and enjoying ourselves.”

David Conroy said: “Throughout all the years it was staged, it was a vital coming together of generations, a marvellous sense of community and camaraderie, not seen before or since. The memories live on and the stories get better each time they are retold!”

And two more master strokes created massive interest . A procession around the streets before the start – and a pram race between all the pubs.

The procession involved groups of people from all ages and groups. As the years went by the floats got more and more interesting. Firms, pubs, clubs, and associations all had their own themes.

Very often the walk around the streets was a survival battle as some tried a friendly sabotage of your pram for the forthcoming race! Then there was the flan thrower- the pie of shaving foam shoved in your face by the ‘phantom’.

I got involved the first year as a reporter, but also as a local lad who had lived in the area for many years. And each year my paper, the Newham Recorder, had more teams enter, and devoted more and more space to coverage of the event.

Where the Newham Town Show was an excellent event in it’s own right, this was fun, spontanteous, organised mayhem, and so important to everyone. So much work was done by so many people behind the scenes to make it happen. I was there to cover the event as well as take part, but also back in the bosom of the community I had left a few years earlier. Most of my family either ran, worked in or drank in the local pubs.

It seemed that every year (bar one) the day arrived, the weather was beautiful. And even when the heaven’s opened, it did not stop the fun.

Back to the memories of the late Fred Bowyer. “There was a parade with a marching band. The old Bill had stopped all the traffic . We said we thought about 400 people would turn up. There were thousands, some estimated about 10,000 during the whole day. Then came the first problem. We ran out of beer. It was getting frustrating.A guy I used to be in the Forces with Roger Smith turned up, he was the police Chief Insp. He asked what the problem was. I had run out of glasses as well – we used glasses then not plastic mugs.

“He got a loud hailer. He threatened to arrest everyone if they did not leave the beer tent. for an hour.”

Fred and his volunteers collected glasses and begged and borrowed canned beer from the pubs – which were open themselves all day – long before the days of all day opening. The local lads went around in their cars bringing stocks.”

Each year the pram race began, it was absolutely brilliant. The smiles on people’s faces, the battles. As the years went by, it became more and more exciting.

A committee graph recovered recently showed a host of names:  Nick Nicolls became chairman, Maureen Bowyer secretary, Joan King treasurer, Anne Batchelor decorations, Jim Bigland stalls, Alec James planning, Richard James and Edna Abbott events, Fred – the beer, Sports Mike Harvey. Refreshments Eileen Tyte and Elsie Marchant, Eileen Norton Eileen Sullivan, events for pensioners.

Later Fred Bowyer became chairman.

“You could have a pram race then without safety barriers everywhere. We used to hold dances in the Standard Telephone factory to raise funds. We had beer delivered and stored in people’s gardens.

Fred mentioned Paul Conroy, Chrissy Abbott, David Conroy and Maureen Hayward as stalwarts.

The first festival was held in July 1974 and was organised by the North Woolwich Tenants Association.

Following the procession around the streets, and the pram race, the fun began in earnest. Stalls, with funfairs and games and the beer tent. There were displays and competitions throughout the day:  fancy dress, baby show, children’s races, karate displays, five-a-side football, tug-of-war and later in the day there were bands and a disco and the evening finished off with a firework display. Some of the streets held their own Street Party. Local Studies Library mounted displays about the history of the area. Everyone has their own special memory.

Seen by many as the highlight, the pram race saw participants go around local pubs and drink beer at each one. The contestants, two to a pram, had to be in fancy dress and some carried flour bombs and eggs as ammunition to throw at passers by. There were prizes for the best dressed pram and the fastest pram.

The race started at the park and then up to the Royal Pavilion and then across the road to the Three Crowns, then a sprint along Albert Road down to the Royal Albert,then turned back to Kennard St. Community Centre, The Henley, then another long sprint back up Albert Road to the Royal Standard then down Pier Road, into Woodman Street and the Royal Oak, down the road and round the corner to the California, up to the Round House then to  Woolwich Manor Way, though the park and back to the finish at the starting line. Ten stops and many laughs.

My own memories are vivid because of North Woolwich and Silvertown’s ability to be cut off from the “rest of the world” by the raising of the two bridges that used to control traffic in and out of the docks, we became known as the “island” community. If you were stranded, you had ‘caught a bridger.’

There was often a feeling that we were forgotten and neglected by London and Newham councils (some say there still is now). The idea was to give us our own version of the Town Show. The whole community came together with funfairs, stalls, sideshows and entertainment (bands) in Royal Victoria Gardens. Thousands came.

You immediately got into the mood in carnival procession. All the pubs, churches and shops and businesses took part.

We dressed up every year in everything from Wee Willy Winkie and Little Miss Muffet to builders, journalists and painters.

I had the honour of winning one year. Probably the best for me came when pal Andy Fairbairn and I dressed up as Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally. He liked women’s clothing (don’t ask) – so I was Worzel. Locals loved how the Recorder supported the event and everyone loved it. We never won another title as we used to get hosed by garage workers with industrial hoses if we got anywhere near the finish line, before locals! I’m proud to say we were immortalised by a mural in St John’s church in our costumes.

Former home beat officer Pc Alan Godfrey was a stalwart of the festival for many years. Now 78, he recalls the festival with great pleasure.

“It was a brilliant occasion every year. A great day for the community,” he said

“Each year a file about a foot thick circulated between North Woolwich nick and Scotland Yard detailing the procession, extra manpower and the stopping of the buses during the pram race. But one thing was never in print, that was who was going to represent the police in the pram race!”

“No one volunteered. One bloke was too fat, the other had been posted in a Panda car for so many years he had forgotten what his legs were for. Another claimed he had piles, and another almost went for it, but then remembered he was trying to get of the force with an old leg injury!”

Some said they had been in training by raising a glass to drink  a pint every night but looking at their stomachs knew they would pass out, said Alan.

Alan revealed how they picked the volunteer in the programme for the 1983 event.

“We picked someone who was not in the canteen. Big John fitted the bill. He was a former Covent Garden Porter who could push a barrow full of spuds to Trafalgar Square and back. But when John found out he had been lumbered he instructed me to find him a pram.”

Alan said: “Much to my horror, I found dozens of people creeping round trying to do the same thing. Mums thought twice about leaving their prams outside shops. I tried the Young Mums club at St John’s and was told that I might find one at Queensland House.”

Alan made the trip, went up in the lift and found, to his delight, a suitable old pram.

“This was about to be turned into The Fuzz Wagon. But when I got to the ground floor, I did not have the courage to walk back to the nick in uniform pushing a pram. The local kids would have had a field day. I tried to call up on my radio for a police van to come and meet me at the block of flats, but because of steel work around the flats, my radio did not work.

“I went briefly to where I could get a signal and the van was on its way. I stepped back on to the corner of the flats to await the van and found, to my acute embarrassment, someone had nicked it. The lads fell about laughing and so did I!”

When the Rev Chris Sheldrake moved into the area, he became a great supporter of the event. Locals appreciated his energy and commitment. Tragically Chris died later in a motorbike accident. But he chaired the committee and writing in the 1984 programme thanked Paul Conroy, Peter Ferringo, Jean Jenkins, Ken Pollard, Ted Corbett, Rene Gerity, Edna Abbott, Edith Wright, Tim Saddington and George Smith for their efforts. There was also mention for Terry King of the Parks Department and Bill Lake, head park keeper of Royal Victoria Gardens.

“The day of fun means so much to people of our area an so many people help to make it a success.”

I know from speaking to people so many years later, how much they thought of Chris and his wife for the joy they gave to the community.

Local industry and commerce also played their part.

By no means a comprehensive list, but among those regularly mentioned were The LDDC, Newham Council, Tate & Lyle, The Fire Service Benevolent Fun, PLA, St John’s Ambulance, Met Police K Division, WSB, Kennard Street Community Centre, Silvertown firefighters, the Royal British Legion, Gulf Oil, Stratford Reference Library (as it was then), the Newham Recorder, all the primary schools in the area, St John’s Church and Centre, T Cribb and Sons, Moffatts Printers and Pains Fireworks. There were great raffle prizes to be won as well.

One year, the local police hired the Woolwich Ferry for an evening river boat disco up to Tower Bridge. I don’t think anything like that has happened since. It was truly wonderful, though I really don’t remember too much about it, as some alcohol may have been taken.

Locals say the enthusiasm never waned but Health and Safety regulations meant £1,000 had to be paid to for park and other insurance and other costs rocketed. Barriers had to be put up around the roads – and sadly the festival was no more.

For years people have talked in glowing terms about the stories of the festival, and social media groups have led to those stories being repeated online – and the posting of pictures has helped keep this Forgotten Story very much alive.

Now, those who have lived in the community for many years are being joined by newcomers who are making a real commitment to the area. It is building slowly but surely. A history group has been formed, St John’s community centre is flourishing again, the Royal Docks Community Voice group is thriving. The Tate Institute is flourishing, clean-up campaigns and litter patrols are working.

There’s a major competition to design probably the biggest mural in the country on the ‘Berlin Wall’ that hides the Crossrail project.

As I was writing this latest Forgotten Story, details began to emerge is talk of a revival of the Ferry Festival . Then the talk became a reality. The festival kicked off on July 5 with a history club event in North Woolwich.

Last week saw Victoria Gardens staging a food festival and the Tate Lives project began its quest to record vital local history

Ferry Festival, Past, Present and Future is up and running  and a summer festival of music, food, art, sports and heritage is being organised, with a Festival Day on September 23.

They have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FerryFestival/

Where you can see all the latest news and details of all the events.

This Forgotten Story is having  a revival ending. Watch this space and local FB and Twitter pages for more details!

 

• The Forgotten Stories series are part of the online archive by by London’s Royal Docks.com.

This and other marvellous memories can be found at

http://www.londonsroyaldocks.com/forgotten-stories/

 

Pictures: Colin Grainger/The former South Essex Recorders