What the Olympics did to East London (Documentary)

Summary

Christine Franks reflects on her deep ties to Stratford, East London, where she has lived since 1973. She recalls the area's transformation from a polluted industrial hub to a vibrant site for the 2012 Olympics, acknowledging both the positive changes and the challenges that came with them. While celebrating the cleaner environment and modern developments, Christine expresses concern about overpopulation and strained local services. She highlights the community’s resilience and pride, despite the area's difficult past, and voices apprehension over future developments like the proposed new Globe, fearing further congestion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Christine Franks was born and raised in Stratford, East London, where her family has deep roots.
• 😀 Her grandparents, parents, and extended family all lived in the same area, making it a close-knit community.
• 😀 Christine and her husband moved into a flat in the neighborhood in 1973 and have remained there ever since.
• 😀 Her two daughters live nearby, with one still residing with her, while the other has moved into a property that was once her mother-in-law's.
• 😀 Christine recalls the excitement and recognition when Stratford was chosen for the 2012 Olympics, a significant moment for the area.
• 😀 Stratford has undergone massive transformation, with developments far outpacing other parts of East London like Whitechapel and Tower Hamlets.
• 😀 In her youth, the area was industrial, with dangerous factories, including a nuclear research center and a notorious skin-cleaning factory.
• 😀 The canals near her workplace were polluted with debris, dead animals, and even human bodies, making it a grim and unsafe environment.
• 😀 The Olympic Park development cleaned up the area, removing toxic chemicals from the soil and improving the environment.
• 😀 Pollution in East London was intense during Christine's childhood, with smog so thick it required wearing scarves and holding walls for guidance.
• 😀 Christine expresses concern about the overpopulation in Stratford, highlighting difficulties with local services and the proposed new Globe development, which could exacerbate congestion.

Q & A

What is Christine Franks' connection to Stratford?

Christine Franks was born and raised in Stratford, East London. Her family lived nearby, and she has strong familial roots in the area, with her parents living across the road and her grandmother residing in the same house.

How long has Christine Franks lived in her current home?

Christine Franks has lived in her current home since 1973.

What were the living conditions in Stratford like during Christine's childhood?

During Christine's childhood, parts of Stratford were not very pleasant. The area had a strong industrial presence, with unpleasant smells from factories like Harrison Barber, which processed animal carcasses. The canals were also polluted, and the environment was generally rough and unsafe.

What was the impact of the Olympics on Stratford?

The development of the Olympic Park significantly transformed Stratford. The area saw major improvements, with environmental cleanup, the creation of new public spaces, and better infrastructure. Christine highlights that Stratford changed far more dramatically than other parts of East London, such as Whitechapel and Tower Hamlets.

What was the nature of Christine's job before the Olympics development?

Before the Olympics development, Christine worked at a company called Russo Laboratories, located on the site that would later become part of the Olympic Park. The site was highly flammable and dangerous, surrounded by canals, and prone to flooding. Christine also mentions a nearby nuclear research center and a car repair shop.

How did the pollution in Stratford affect Christine's life?

The pollution in Stratford was significant, especially during Christine's childhood. The air was often thick with pollutants from factories, and there were times when people had to wear scarves over their faces to protect themselves from the smog. Christine recalls periods when the pollution was so heavy that visibility was severely limited.

What was the condition of the local canals when Christine worked at Russo Laboratories?

The local canals near Russo Laboratories were in poor condition when Christine worked there. They were often filled with dead animals, old bikes, broken objects, and even human bodies, creating an unpleasant and unsafe environment.

What major environmental issues did the Olympic Park address?

The Olympic Park addressed significant environmental issues, particularly soil contamination. The land was heavily polluted, requiring extensive cleaning and filtering of the soil. The park's development included removing chemicals and contaminants to make the area safer and more suitable for public use.

What concerns does Christine have about the future of Stratford?

Christine expresses concern about the rapid growth of Stratford, particularly the strain on local services and infrastructure. She mentions difficulty in accessing doctor appointments and worries that the area is becoming overcrowded, especially with new developments like the proposed Globe project, which she fears will add more people and exacerbate existing problems.

What are Christine's thoughts on the proposed Globe project in Stratford?

Christine is opposed to the proposed Globe project, citing concerns about overcrowding and potential safety risks. She is worried that the additional influx of people, especially during events, could make the area even more congested and difficult to navigate, especially with existing challenges like those during football matches.