Residents and young people in Acton have helped create a new public artwork for Friary Park, part of a heritage project linked to the ongoing regeneration of the Friary Park estate, led by housing association giant Peabody and its development partner, Mount Anvil.
The 18-month Y-OUR Story: Friary Park History project was run by the local arts charity ARTification, with funding from Peabody and Mount Anvil. It collected residents’ photographs, stories and memories from Friary Park and Acton.
The resulting work, Echoes of Friary Park, was produced by artists from The Imprint Hub collective. It brings together images, maps and words drawn from workshops and interviews, including residents’ recollections of local history. These include memories of a Wall’s ice cream and sausage factory that once stood on the site before being demolished in the 1980s to make way for the Friary Park housing estate.
The artwork was officially unveiled on 23 October 2025 at the temporary Friary Park Community Centre, where Dr Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, cut the ribbon. The event included a screening of a film made during the project and performances by young people involved in youth sessions at Friary Park.
A short film and an accompanying exhibition were created alongside the artwork. Film-making was led by Mike McKenzie of MAD4 Films and Erduan Xhaferi of Society Dance Academy and SD Media’s youth-led media team, working with the local youth charity JE Delve, founded by the late music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, who previously lived in Friary Park.
Rachel Pepper, ARTification’s founder and director, said: “Friary Park has always had this incredible sense of community. People have lived here for decades, supported each other through everything, and built lasting relationships.”
Peabody’s neighbourhood coordinator, Keisha Scott, said: “The art pieces and film truly echo the strong sense of community at Friary Park, and the project is a reminder of how powerful it is when people come together to share ideas and creativity.”
Peabody said the artwork is expected to be moved to a planned permanent community centre during phase three of the redevelopment.
