Capturing time at the Curfew Tower

Daniel, Yana, Mr Hartley, Neto, Simon and Chyanne from St Joseph's Primary alongside Mr Callus, Mami, Deeksha, Baraka and Krindhay from St Margaret's Primary Photographer - Melissa Page The two Primary Schools on Abbey Green, Barking, have recently buried a time capsule containing evidence of their knowledge of Barking’s past, their experiences and impressions of living in Barking today and imaginings about Barking in the future… Joel Hartley, History Lead and Year 2 teacher at St Joseph’s RC Primary, attended with Year 2 pupils: Chyanne, Daniel, Neto, Simon and Yana. He said, “The children enjoyed writing about Barking for the time capsule, which they helped to bury at the Curfew Tower - this was the kind of activity that I went into teaching for…” Gary Callus, Year 6 teacher and Phase Leader at St Margaret’s Primary School was with pupils: Baraka (Year 4), Deeksha (Year 5), Krindhay (Year 1), and Mami (Year 6 ) who produced lovely work – which stood out in their year groups. Mr Callus acknowledged how much the students enjoyed the experience of writing about Barking, participating in the time capsule burial and being involved in the Barking Heritage Project. Here is a link to the pupils' content for the time capsule...

Back row: Adrian Loughman (Contracts Director) and Peter Martin (Contracts Manager) from T Loughman & Co Ltd, Simone Panayi - Heritage Engagement Officer and David Harley - Deputy Development Director at Be First
Front row - as above Photographer - Melissa Page

Burying the time capsule - Photographer - Melissa Page This project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund who have invested in improving the site in front of our historic Curfew Tower (as well restoring nearby high street buildings). The old York-stone has be cleaned and re-laid with a cobbled border to represent the traditional Church Path which led to toward the church and Abbey (later ruins) for many years before the shops and homes on Abbey green were removed in the twentieth century. T Loughman & Co have undertaken these improvements and landscaped the area to frame the tower as the focal point. New benches have been added and a bronze model of Barking Abbey will be installed to improve the heritage interpretation of the site.

T Loughman & Co Ltd have re-created Church Path and improved the landscape for visitors to this heritage site - Photographer Melissa Page

The project’s heritage volunteers are impressed with the improvements to the public realm. Alexandra Lynch said, “The landscaping is lovely – opening-up the area, really does bring attention to the Curfew Tower! Such a nice area, I can envision people sitting in the sun having their lunches there!” Sue Hamilton agreed, “Yes, it's very impressive, well worth all the work, and really shows off the Curfew Tower at its best!” The works are due to be completed later this month with the installation of lamp columns and up-lighters to high-light the medieval tower at night. There will be an official opening to this public realm in March!

New benches and planting at the Curfew Tower - funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and managed by Be First. Photographer - Melissa Page