Lansbury at 75: Memories come alive

24/08/2026

E14’s remarkable Festival of Britain heritage has been in the spotlight this summer as Poplar celebrates 75 years since its role in one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in modern British history.

More than 4,000 people attended this year’s Poplar Picnic in Bartlett Park, enjoying family activities, East End hospitality and a recreation of the famous Rosie Lee Tea Tent inspired by the original Festival of Britain celebrations.

Poplar Picnic formed part of Festival of Britain: Poplar 75, a programme celebrating the people, places and stories that continue to shape E14.

Experience Poplar’s Festival of Britain story

Residents and visitors can continue to explore Poplar’s Festival of Britain legacy through a series of events and activities running this summer and autumn, including a recreated 1951 Lansbury Estate show home at Poplar Union.

Featuring period décor, furniture and the story of a family moving to Lansbury during the Festival of Britain, the immersive installation offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience life in post-war Poplar. The exhibition is open until the end of September.

Personal memories of Lansbury Estate

At the heart of the anniversary celebrations are the memories of residents like Patricia Bruce (formerly Watson), who moved to the Lansbury Estate with her family in 1951.

Built on land devastated by wartime bombing, the Lansbury Estate, Susan Lawrence School and Chrisp Street Market became the centrepiece of the Festival of Britain’s Live Architecture Exhibition. The development showcased a bold vision for the future, bringing together homes, schools, shops, green spaces and a thriving market to create a new neighbourhood for East End families.

For Patricia, who grew up in Granville House on Saracen Street, moving to the estate was life changing.

“My parents had struggled to find a home where we could live together as a family. Getting the flat was a huge relief for them. It meant we could finally all live under one roof.”

"My parents had struggled to find a home where we could live together as a family. Getting the flat was a huge relief for them. It meant we could finally all live under one roof."

Patricia (and her mum), former residents of Granville House, Lansbury Estate

Remembering a home full of promise

“It was a lovely flat. I remember the kitchen most of all. It was very much of its time, with blue and cream units. To me it seemed very smart.”

Patricia also remembers the strong sense of community that quickly developed on the estate.

“We got on well with the neighbours. The children all played together. There was a playground at the back and we spent a lot of time there.”

She attended Susan Lawrence School on Cordelia Street, where she spent her nursery and early primary years.

“It was such a quiet, calm and happy place. I remember baking cakes, playing games and having afternoon naps on camp beds in the playground.”

Although much of the surrounding area still bore the scars of the Second World War, Patricia remembers the optimism of the new estate and the freedom it offered local children.

“As far as I was concerned, it was a lovely place to be.”

We continue to collect local memories from people with connections to Poplar, helping to preserve the area’s rich social history for future generations. Anyone wishing to share their memories can email ana.ramirez@poplarharca.co.uk.

Archive photos courtesy of Patricia Bruce’s personal collection

Photos of Poplar Picnic copyright Pete Bateson

"It was such a quiet, calm and happy place. I remember baking cakes, playing games and having afternoon naps on camp beds in the playground."

Patricia Bruce, about Susan Lawrence School on Cordelia Street

Festival of Britain: Poplar 75 event listings Poplar Union Festival of Britain programme