Dismore supports East Finchley migration display

Andrew Dismore, Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden has written to Val Shawcross, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport to support the Destination East Finchley project, who are seeking to develop a permanent display at the local tube station to celebrate migration into the community.

Children at Martin School in East Finchley interviewed local business owners and members of the community who came from other countries. A performance poet visited the school and the children wrote poems about different aspects of migration and diversity. They had art workshops based around this theme and created an exhibition that was displayed at the local community festival.

The exhibition was then moved to East Finchley underground station where it was very well received. Residents and commuters were able to complete a postcard telling their story and a huge world map was erected, displaying tiny red dots to show where in the world individuals had come from. The map was a very powerful statement about migration and the diversity of the community.

The exhibition has also been displayed in East Finchley library, Martin Primary School and in other community spaces. Currently, Destination East Finchley are also working in partnership with the Migration Museum of London who provided training for teachers from a variety of schools across London. In addition, outreach work with other local schools in East Finchley and schools in other parts of London is being undertaken. This part of the project has been funded by the Global Learning Programme (DFiD).

Mr Dismore said:

‘I have written to the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, Val Shawcross, to ask for her help in establishing a permanent exhibition at East Finchley tube station. It is extremely important to celebrate our diversity, which is a strength and a benefit for communities. This is an excellent project and I congratulate the children, teachers, parents and volunteers who have been involved.’

Martin School teacher Julie Taylor, who is leading on the project said:

I am very grateful to Andrew Dismore for taking on this project. Martin Primary school has reached out to the community in order to celebrate the wonderful diversity of the East Finchley community who share their fascinating stories of migration.”

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