
Exploring and Uncovering Heritage
Alice Billing House is a historic building in Stratford, Newham, originally built in 1905–06 to house the West Ham Fire Brigade. Designed by Borough Engineer John G. Morley, its North Block is Grade II listed and features a rare hose-drying tower. Over the years, the building has served many purposes. In the 1990s, it was renamed in honour of Alice Billing, one of the UK’s first female sanitary inspectors, whose pioneering legacy continues to inspire our community programmes.
After a period of decline, Alice Billing House is now undergoing heritage-led regeneration. With support from the Creative Land Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund, it is being reactivated as a creative hub for local artists and communities.
Through artist studios, workshops, and cultural events, Alice Billing House is being transformed into an inclusive space for creativity, heritage, and public engagement - honouring its past while shaping Newham’s creative future.
The funding will breathe life back into the North Building and further improve the South Building, ensuring that the Grade II listed property is safely restored and taken off the Heritage at Risk register. Its new resident artists will continue to build upon the inclusive and representative resource for Newham’s residents, offering activities in the new public spaces, including a pavilion and garden.
On Saturday, 17th May, we opened our to the local community for a unique and memorable tile-making workshop led by artist-in-residence Beverley Sommerville.
Apply to become a Trainee Heritage Producer and learn how to record local stories and create visual material for ‘ Inspector of Nuisances’, a project for Newham Heritage Month 2025.
We are excited to announce the forthcoming artist-in-residency of Beverley Sommerville, which will coincide with London Craft Week. 15 - 17 May 2025
On April 9th, we hosted a fun, family-friendly metal bashing and sculpture workshop that brought creativity and community spirit together.
We invite artists and creative practitioners to apply to be part of our artist-in-residency programme this Spring/Summer. This will be part of our Newham Heritage Month project, which focuses on the history of Alice Billing House.
On the 2nd of April, we had a community planting day. We planted our newly built planters with grasses, perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and herbs to improve the entrance courtyard and provide a space for the artists and visitors to enjoy.
On March 13th, we invited organisations and community members who have supported our journey in Stratford during our first year to join us in celebrating two significant milestones: the ‘big reveal’ of the Community Supper Cloth and the first anniversary of Alice Billing House’s operations.
Led by Mel from Stich School, this workshop was part of Women’s History Month celebrations in East London
Join us on Tuesday 28 January from 6pm at Grow in Hackney Wick for an evening exploring the outcomes of experimental project inspired by Alice Billing House- Speculative ReMemory.
In early December 2024, photographer Sylvie Belbouab visited the Renewal Programme initiative in Eastham to engage with the volunteers and staff to hear more about their stories and capture their portrait as they worked.
In November 2024, Naz went out into Newham to embark on short style interviews with local trailblazers and unsung heroes within the community using the prompt ‘what is your favourite memory of Newham’. The aim was to collect images and the lived experiences of people, documenting the unique perspectives of a broad range of individuals
Marilyn J Fontaine, an East London-based mixed-media artist who creates magical, intense and witty narratives with mystical overtones was Alice Billing House’s Artist-in-Residence to mark Black History Month 2024
This November, the Newham community was invited for a fun and creative day at Alice Billings House! At these hands-on workshop, people learned how to craft beautiful willow wreaths and stars from scratch, ready to add a touch of charm to their homes this festive season
In October, we were excited to welcome the founder of ‘Open Heart Clinic’, Yaa Addae, who is a writer, researcher, and participatory curator to facilitate a 2 part creative lab in response to themes surrounding the ongoing speculative archive project.
Monika is a Newham resident, Alice Billing House studio resident and professional photographer who specialises in modern portraiture where working with muses allows them to feel comfortable and empowered resulting in artistic imagery that makes a statement.