Leyton Orient Trust are undertaking an oral history project gathering the memories of O’s fans and residents
On August 28 it will be 80 years ago since Leyton Orient first played at Brisbane Road – a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City.
In those days the ground the O’s inherited was very basic, but still held over 14,500 and yet the stadium has changed a great deal since then. Likewise for the club and indeed Leyton itself, a lot of time has passed and changes occurred.
Leyton Orient Trust has been very fortunate to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake an oral history project gathering the memories of fans and residents alike through the course of those 80 years.
The project, which will be young people led, will produce a website, art installations, exhibition and schools teaching pack so that everyone can access and learn about Orient’s time in Leyton and how Leyton has changed.
LOT are particularly interested in capturing memories on audio and video - from residents and fans first impressions of the club and stadium to what Orient means to the community and how Leyton has changed since 1937.
They are asking fans and residents to get involved in the following ways:
Record a short piece on video or audio of your memories, if you are over 50 then you can attend a monthly reflections meeting held at the Club or Scan/send any memorabilia you have that we can photograph for the website and exhibition.
You can also donate to their Just Giving page to help them do more research and celebrations by going to https://www.justgiving.com/leytonorienttrust.
LOT are particularly interested in hearing from people aged between 11 and 19 who would like to be involved in undertaking some of the research and interviews and being involved in the steering group.
The project will be launched on September 30 when LOT will be re-enacting that first game v Cardiff with 16 to 18-year-old participants from the Trust and Cardiff City FC Foundation wearing replica kits from that season.
Throughout the year LOT will tie in with celebrations planned by the club and the Council including bringing together the FA Cup 1978 squad and unveiling the Laurie Cunningham Statue in Coronation Gardens.
If you are interested in helping Leyton Orient Trust with this celebratory project then please contact: enquiries@leytonorienttrust.org.uk.
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