Ilford charity worker awarded MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Saturday, June 16, 2012
9:00 AM

An Ilford charity worker has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her years of work preserving local heritage.

Judith Garfield, 45, is the director of Eastside Community Heritage, based in Ilford Methodist Church, Ilford Lane.

She said: “It’s quite an important resource and it’s an honour to see my work and the work the charity does recognised like this.

“It was a bit of a shock but it’s a great honour.”

The charity was founded in 1993 to document the life and culture of East London.

It has 1,700 oral histories and more than 24,000 pictures as well as videos and other archives.

Judith, who lives in East Ham, has worked at the charity for 14 years.

She said: “People share their lives and experiences with us, they let us into their homes. It’s very important to record and preserve local history.”

Claire Days, a project officer, has worked with Judith for four years.

She said: “I think it’s really nice that she’s been recognised for the work she’s been doing over the years.

“Her passion has really kept us going. It would be good if the MBE brought us more projects but if not it’s still a great honour for Judith.”

Current projects include the People’s Museum and Gallery of Newham, which will open in July.

The ‘Rediscovering Redbridge’ project recorded residents’ memories of living and working in the borough over the last 70 years.

Find out more at www.hidden-histories.org.uk.

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