Greetings all!

I began my stint as writer in res in the London Borough of Newham in July, courtesy of Newham Borough Libraries and Arts Service & writing organisation Spread The Word and spent the first 3 weeks travelling on buses checking out the locale, a very interesting exercise as one normally jumps on the very impressive DLR or the tube. Travelling on buses really gives you a feel of the environment, the people and of an area going through massive change.

For example, did you know that in the late 1800's the people of Forest Gate petitioned and delayed the building of Forest Gate Train Station? It was a well-to-do area in those days and they didn't want the iron horse bringing in the riff raff! Well, what can I say...?

Also in the past, parts of the east end basin (Canning Town, Plaistow, Poplar etc) was a wasteland, being utilised for factories and shipping ports during the war before settling into under-use (short for underinvestment). However a small, somewhat insular community grew and sustained itself within it, a close-knit, multicultural community bound together by the shared struggle against poverty.

But now change is afoot... not just because of the 2012 Olympics. The proximity of Newham to the overflowing city means it is prime for development. But what does this mean for the existing communities, their aspirations, their customs and way of life? And what about current credit crunch mongering? How will this affect the growth of the area?

As a writer this is prime creative landscape. More than ever it is important local people express their views. I, and future generations want to be able to understand their fears, their passions, their hates and loves. By recording this information communities live forever.

So I'm encouraging the people of Newham, those who've lived here for years, newcomers, workers, prospectors, business people, old, young and inbetweeners, everyone with a connection to the borough to join in this venture.

And what better than an online blog... the most democratic forum in the history of literary culture?

I'll be updating this blog regularly so please feel free to interject.

Okay, I've said my piece... it's now over to you.

Mark Norfolk
Writer in Residence
Newham Borough Libraries & Spread the Word