No Ball Games

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Three residents mark the centenary of Britain’s biggest council housing estate, Becontree.

How can art meaningfully engage people living on Britain’s biggest council housing estate? Three residents of Becontree, East London, decide how to mark their home’s centenary.

Who gets to tell the story of a 100-year old housing estate? Who shapes its future? And where does art fit into this?

Becontree, in Dagenham, is only a few miles from the City of London – but it’s a whole world away. One resident says "it's Britain’s biggest council estate, yet nobody's talking about it".

But they do want to talk about it. So, as Becontree marks its centenary, BBC Radio 4 hands the microphones to three residents.

Rodrigo is a young queer painter, rapper and musician who’s lived in Becontree since he was 11. 

Gill is a lifelong Becontree resident. She’s a retired school secretary and local volunteer whose garden is her “pride and joy”.

Gary has “been called all sorts of things” in his life. Today he’s a philosopher who lives in one of the remaining council flats on the estate. 

Rodrigo, Gill and Gary are our guides, our storytellers, our holders-to-account. They’ll lead us around their homes, then around the estate – passing the ubiquitous “No Ball Games” signs – to interview friends and neighbours, local characters and decision makers.

Our three residents met through a project connecting artists and communities, to mark Becontree’s big moment in 2021. What’s the purpose of such projects? What responsible role should artists perform? And when the birthday party’s over, what’s next for Becontree?

Producers: Jesse Lawson & Steve Urquhart
A Boom Shakalaka production for BBC Radio 4

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