Downham Centenary

February 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the first families moving into the Cottage Estate in Downham. To celebrate, we're providing grants for events or activities at the beginning of the centenary year.

Community Environment and Landscapes

January to March 2025, various locations

Launcelot Primary School and Nursery will reinvigorate local green spaces and restore Downham to Garden City Spaces. School staff, teachers, and children will work with the local community to clean up the estate through litter picking. In partnership with The Art Academy, they will also create street art in Downham. Tutors from The Art Academy will volunteer time to work with classes to create artwork for public display. Businesses will volunteer time to discuss sustainable art.

For more details on how to get involved, contact Yashi Pilgrim, Assistant Headteacher, at admin@launcelot.lewish.sch.uk.

Downham 100 - A Youth Lens on the Past, Present and Future

February to March 2025, Elevate 100 (Ground floor, Downham Leisure Centre)

A photography project aimed at commemorating Downham's Centenary. Young people aged 16-30 will capture images that symbolize their community and hopes for the future. After a series of workshops, images will be displayed at the newly launched youth-led venue ‘Elevate 100’ in Downham Leisure Centre. The project will link up with the network of groups and organizations contributing to a year of celebrations, creating a visually compelling exhibition and zine.

Skill-building workshops will include:

smartphone photography and editing
creative zine workshop
co-creating a public exhibition and developing a printed zine

These workshops will introduce young participants to the fundamentals of photography, co-producing an exhibition and zine that celebrates Downham’s history and future aspirations.

The exhibition will launch on Thursday 27 March. For more information visit the project page: Downham 100: A Youth Lens on the Past, Present and Future.

Published on: 16/04/2025