Celebrating Legacy: A Time Capsule for Alice Billings House

Women’s History Month Event

Event Overview

Join us at the historic Alice Billings House for a special collaboration with Eastside Heritage Centre for Women’s History Month celebration that honours the contributions of women past and present. This commemorative event will support the creation of material for our Time Capsule, preserving women’s stories, achievements, and hopes for future generations.

About the Theme: Women’s History in Stratford

Stratford holds a rich legacy of women whose labour, resilience, and skill helped shape the local community. Throughout the 20th century, women worked in factories such as Yardley’s Cosmetics and other manufacturing plants, often balancing demanding jobs with family responsibilities. Their contributions formed the backbone of Stratford’s economy, yet their stories have frequently gone unrecorded. This event aims to shine a light on these histories and ensure they are never forgotten.

The Workshops

In this workshop, you will take part in a welcome introduction that explores the history of Alice Billing House and the life and legacy of its namesake, before joining an Oral History Story Circle featuring archival material from the Eastside Archive. You’ll experience oral history clips from women who worked in Stratford’s factories and industries, hear testimonies from former Yardley’s Cosmetics employees, and view historic photographs documenting women’s working lives. A facilitated discussion will help connect these past experiences with the realities women face today.

We will then invite you to contribute to the Time Capsule by adding meaningful items such as letters, photographs, personal reflections, or even helping to create a collective Women’s Charter for the Future. You may choose to include messages to future generations, artwork imagining the Stratford of tomorrow, personal mementoes, news clippings, words of hope and wisdom, or selected materials from the Eastside Archive.

Connections

This event will strengthen connections between Stratford’s past, present, and future by honouring the spirit of Alice Billings House and the women whose stories deserve to be remembered. Through the community time capsule, we will preserve their voices and experiences for generations to come.

Open to all women 18+. 

Refreshments provided.

Address: 

Alice Billing House

2-12, West Ham Lane 

Stratford

E15 4SF

FINDING US Please use the directions below to get to Alice Billing House, as  Google Maps doesn't work.

Click here for a map.

The entrance to Alice Billing House is just off West Ham Lane. Head to Stratford Town Hall Car Park, West Ham Lane, London, E15 4PH. The entrance to the car park is directly opposite the Freaks and Greeks bar, Stratford. Walk through the car park to the back, where there are a pair of metal double gates. Please buzz A12