This episode of Scented Stories offers a unique river-based perspective of Barking’s industrial past, as we hear from workers based on barges and tugs. Listen to stories of the close community of people working on the river, along the Thames and River Roding, as dockers, lightermen and watermen.

Barking was ideally situated for factories to be located along the riverside, allowing the transportation of cargo, fuel and finished products up and down the Roding and along the River Thames into London and beyond. What is the unique smell of the river? And the different cargoes and products carried?

Featuring extracts from The Barking Stink oral history interviews with Mike Kelly, Bob Prentice and Jim Albert. Interviews conducted by Bill Onwusah, Jamie Cho, Felicity Hawksley and Nikki Shaill.

Produced by Thames Festival Trust as part of The Barking Stink, a scented heritage project in partnership with Valence House Museum. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In this episode, Thames Festival Trust’s Scented Stories, we’re going to look at stories of industry, exploring what it was like to work in Barking’s many factories that existed along Abbey Road and the riverside across the 20th century.

What were the dangers of working with pungent chemicals, and how did locals deal with fumes produced by the factories? What were the effects on public health at the time, including asbestosis? We’re going to look at several different people’s interviews, covering industries including timber, paint and chemical works.

Plus hear from Lily, a retired jute weaver from Dundee, who gives us insight into what life in Barking’s own jute mills would have been like and the unpleasant smells involved.

Produced by Thames Festival Trust as part of The Barking Stink, a scented heritage project in partnership with Valence House Museum. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In this episode, Thames Festival Trust’s Scented Stories explores the stinky subject of sewage. Something that during Barking’s past the local community were more aware of than they would have liked to be.

Many interviewees that we spoke to brought up memories of pungent sewage stenches in the air. Listen to tales of Bazalgette’s sewage system mistakes. What are Bovril Boats? What caused the Princess Alice Disaster? What surprises were found by the Northern Outfall sewer?

Featuring interviews with those who worked on the river, memories from local residents Alice, Avril and Ruby, plus hear reactions of Barking primary school children as they learn about ‘monster soup’ and the stinky history of the sewage system.

Produced by Thames Festival Trust as part of The Barking Stink, a scented heritage project in partnership with Valence House Museum. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.