East Londoners can step through almost 800 years of Romford's history this Bank Holiday as its historic market is transformed with huge projections, live performances, and the return of a much-loved lost landmark.
Romford Market, in Market Place, is set to be transformed into a stage this Bank Holiday weekend.
The market will host an event called 'Market Town' on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, with a programme celebrating the people, memories, and stories connected to the market.
The centrepiece will see the return of the Liberty fountain, one of Romford's best-remembered lost landmarks, in spectacular projected form.
Bank Holiday programme
The Bank Holiday programme is set to transform the market and surrounding streets into a stage, celebrating a site which has been at the centre of life in Romford for 779 years.
After dark, the market will come alive with 'Meet Me By The Fountain'.
On both Friday and Saturday night, large-scale projections, light, music, and recorded voices will bring the market's history to life.
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The free 30-minute performances will begin at 8.30pm and 9.30pm on both nights.
No tickets are required.
The production is inspired by the Liberty Shopping Centre fountain, remembered by generations of residents as a meeting point in Romford.
Created by Romford-born artist David Shearing, the show will not focus on just one period but will travel through centuries of change.
It will explore the landscape before Romford as we know it existed, the founding of its market in 1247, medieval livestock trading and fairs, the arrival of the railway and industry, migration from London's East End, and the impact of two world wars.
It will then move through post-war Romford and the town's disco, alternative, and rave cultures of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s before looking towards 2047 – the market's 800th anniversary.
The title itself comes from a phrase remembered by people who grew up in the area: 'meet me by the fountain', reflecting the Liberty fountain's former role as a familiar place for friends and families to find one another in the town centre.
Romford's stories to life
The transformation will not be confined to the evenings.
Between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, August 29, another free event called 'Suburban Legends' will spread across Romford Market and its surrounding streets.
Around 100 participants are expected to animate the town centre through costumed characters, performances, and encounters inspired by Romford's traders, personalities, stories, myths, and memories.
The project has been created with local people and is intended to celebrate the enterprise, humour, and resilience associated with the town.
Instead of audiences simply standing and watching a conventional stage performance, characters and pop-up moments will appear around the market as visitors move through it.
Organisers have been encouraging residents and community groups to become part of the project, including performers, schools, choirs, theatre and dance groups, and people interested in helping create costumes and props.
More events
The celebrations will stretch beyond the market itself, with other Romford venues joining the Bank Holiday programme.
A free 'History of Romford Market 1247–2022' exhibition will run at Romford Shopping Hall from Friday, August 28, until Monday, August 31.
Originally produced by Romford BID for the market's 775th anniversary, the exhibition explores the development of the centuries-old market.
On Saturday, The Ionians Young People's Music Group, based at MyPlace in Harold Hill, will perform at the Mercury Mall between 3pm and 6pm, with a mixture of original music and covers.
Havering Museum will also take part.
Market-inspired children's craft sessions are planned for Friday, while the museum will have a presence at The Brewery between noon and 4pm.
On Saturday, Havering Museum will hold a free open day from 11am until 3.30pm, including children's activities and an opportunity to meet a Pearly King and Queen.
At the heart of Romford
The events draw heavily on the extraordinary longevity of Romford Market.
The market dates back to 1247, meaning generations of residents have used the same part of the town to trade, shop, work, and meet.
Organisers behind Market Town describe it as a place of 'exchange, encounter and community', with this year's programme examining how those roles have changed over almost eight centuries.
Market Town forms part of Havering Unearthed and is presented with the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival.
The programme is supported by organisations including Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Havering Council, Romford BID, and Historic England.
For one Bank Holiday weekend, however, the focus will be firmly on the people who have made the market what it is.
By day, its characters and stories will emerge onto the streets.
And after darkness falls, one of Romford's most fondly remembered meeting places will return through light and projection as the market becomes the backdrop for a journey through the town's past, present, and imagined future.
Market Town will take place at Romford Market, Market Place, Romford, RM1 3ER, on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29.
Suburban Legends will run from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, while Meet Me By The Fountain will take place at 8.30pm and 9.30pm on both evenings.
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