A largely overlooked inscription underneath a stained glass window at All Saints Church, Forest Gate, is an unlikely springboard for a scheme involving Newham residents in an embroidery project during Newham Heritage Month in May – but “Designs That Travel” is aiming to do just that.

The stained glass window and inscription are a memorial to Victor Gordon Berry, 22, of East Ham, assistant engineer on the ill-fated SS Persia which sunk on its voyage to India in December 1915. As I started to research this event, I discovered that a number of crew members came from East London while many other sailors and stewards were from South Asia. Above deck, military officers, missionaries, and family members were returning to India. There were Indian nursemaids and members of the entourage, as well as treasures belonging to Maharaja Jagatjit Singh.

While the historical context is captivating, the germ of this project came from the material cultural items that travelled with passengers, crew or as cargo to and from South Asia.

Textiles passed down through families, designs which trigger personal or collective memories, are central to my work in paper and textiles. In this anniversary year of the independence of Bangladesh, the project will focus on the textile industry as influenced by South Asia, and on the rich textile traditions of the Bangladeshi community in particular.

Fellow textile enthusiast, Shofa Miah, and I have been examining hand embroidered textiles for the stories they contain, for the techniques and life styles they represent, many of which have all but disappeared. The quilting traditions of South Asia, often referred to as kantha or khetha use recycled cloth and simple running stitches to create vibrant embroidered patterns which traditionally gave new life to old saris and dhotis.

Ellie Burkett is holding Shofa Miah’s family khetha which uses geometric and floral motifs.

If this interests you there are various ways to be part of this exciting project:

Stitch your own story using recycled materials

Sign up for a free resource pack and a practical digital workshop – all you will need to create a small embroidery to be exhibited with others in Newham Libraries. (suitable for all ages and levels of ability)

Tell your story

Speak about your family involvement in the textile industry in Newham
Tell us about your hand embroidered textile treasures with a ‘story’

Become a co-researcher

Research how material culture came from South Asia to Newham
Discover more about the stained glass window in Forest Gate, a tragic story of an ocean liner en route to India, the lost treasures of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh and life below deck.

Discover the power of simple running stitches to capture personal and shared connections.

For further information contact: ellie@burkett.me.uk | www.eleanorburkett.com

Find out more about Newham Heritage Month at the website www.newhamheritagemonth.org. This year’s programme will be revealed on the site in April – sign up to the free newsletter to be the first to hear.

Newham Heritage Month is a community-led celebration of local heritage, featuring live performances, workshops and activities from Newham residents, inspired by this year’s theme Shops, Docks & Factories – Newham’s Urban Heritage. Taking place online throughout May, all the activities are free and there’s something for everyone. Newham Heritage Month is organised by Newham Council as part of Newham Unlocked and supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Royal Docks Team.

Photograph credit: Rob Harris

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