Pictures from our past – Newham’s Royal Docks

Here’s a picture I have treasured since my childhood – and hangs proudly on the wall of my home.

It’s Newham’s Royal Docks, seen in its former glories in the early 70s.

The packed docks show how busy the Royals were back then, the lifeblood of the area.

In my schooldays in the 60s at Drew County Primary, Silvertown, each class had an adopted ship. Ours was a Glen Line vessel, the Glenorchy, which we could see moored in the docks from the roof of our school.

We were lucky enough to be taken on board. One pupil caused a stir when he stayed on board. He made it as far as Southend!

Happy days.