A historic site reimagined
Dagenham Green sits on the former site of the Ford Dagenham stamping plant, once one of the most important manufacturing centres in the UK.
- The Ford plant opened in 1931 and played a major role in Britain’s automotive industry
- Over decades, millions of cars and engines were produced here
- Manufacturing activity ended in 2013, and the site has since been carefully transformed into a new residential neighbourhood
Today, that industrial legacy lives on, not through factories, but through art, storytelling and shared public spaces.
What is the Heritage Trail?
The Heritage Trail is a landscaped walking route that runs through Dagenham Green, linking homes, green spaces and public art.
It has been designed to be:
- Easy to explore – whether you’re passing through or taking your time
- Open to everyone – residents, neighbours and visitors
- Rooted in place – celebrating the stories that make Dagenham unique
The trail brings history into everyday life, turning a walk to the station or park into a chance to discover something new.
Public art by Ruth Ewan
The Dagenham Agates
At the start of the Heritage Trail in Phase 1 are The Dagenham Agates, two striking public sculptures by award‑winning artist Ruth Ewan. These works are inspired by:
- The Ford sewing machinists’ strikes of 1968 and 1984–85
- A unique material known as Dagenham agate (Fordite) – layers of historic car paint formed during the manufacturing process.
What makes The Dagenham Agates special?
- Two sister sculptures, each linked to one of the machinists’ strikes
- Each sculpture has been built from hundreds of coloured layers, echoing car paint colours from the original Ford colour charts
- Created through community workshops with 187 local participants from Barking and Dagenham College, matching the number of women that went on strike in the 1968 strike.
Each layer represents time, effort and resilience – reflecting how change is built step by step.
The Dagenham Agates by Ruth Ewan. Community Workshops at Barking & Dagenham College. Image: Zoë Schole
Honouring the women who changed history
The sculptures honour the women who took part in the Ford sewing machinists’ strikes:
- In 1968, 187 women walked out, demanding their work be recognised as skilled
- Their action helped pave the way for the Equal Pay Act of 1970
- In 1984–85, a later strike finally secured skilled status for sewing machinists
The number of layers in each sculpture directly reflects the number of women involved in each strike – turning protest, courage and solidarity into a lasting landmark.
Images courtesy of the Womens Museum and Valance House, work by Ruth Ewan, photography by Thomas Adnak
A trail for today’s community
The Heritage Trail isn’t just about the past. It’s about creating:
- Shared spaces that bring neighbours together
- Moments of reflection woven into everyday routines
- A strong sense of place for those who choose to call Dagenham Green home
It’s one of the ways Dagenham Green blends modern living with meaningful local identity.
Visit the Heritage Trail
Whether you live here, are considering moving, or are simply passing through, more artwork will be added to the Heritage Trail as Dagenham Green continues to take shape ready for you to explore in the future.
*We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the creation of these artworks - including those acknowledged by name, as well as those who have chosen to remain anonymous: Ruth, Moira, Jack, Leila, Cristian, Keyanna, Diana, Zoe, Marie-France, Emma, Mala, Anonymous, Maisie, Sowptick, Oana, Gjejson, Michael, Gina, Serena, Abbie, Kamari, Mary, Brooke, Lydia, Libbi, Tobi, Kiara, Ashley, Al-Faheem, Aadil, Zen, Adina, Maya, Chiara, Kiara, Maryam, Fatima, Stefan, Lois, Stefania, Anonymous, Vyfe, Anonymous, Chloe, Mason, Tammy, Anonymous, Nadia, AJ, Cameron, Sadie, Janel, Anonymous, Elizabeth, Rhys, Victoria, Adriana, Abdul-hadi, Ronnie, Esmae, Lillie-Rose, Brogan, Milana, Aliza, Alexandra, Phoebe, Sarah, Tam, Rin, Shanai, Keeley, Anastelsiou, Ema, Lucinda, Haimisu, Junelle, Hideki, Tiffany, Fatma, Precious, Mahbuba, Ava, Audylla, Brook, Alaa, Haifa, Kerryanne, Amelia, Ruby, Declan, Sophia, Chloe, Rochelle, Gabija, Summa, Louise, Millie, Lex, Becky, Jasmine, Sumiya, David, Manuel, Shadae, Venus, Ketty, Hayley, Yanissa, Charlotte, Lily-Rose, Emma, Lucy, Ellie, Salma, Olivia, Faye, Dylan, Gina, Ashley, Al-Faheem, Mitchell, Jack, Aidan, Jaime, Gabijo, Charlie, Harrison, Natalie, Anonymous, Ioana, Valeria, Zoe, Hashir, Maria, Mollie, Trinity, Krystyna, Anastasiia, Hahbuba, Tracy, Tatiana, Desmond, Milona, Ginu, Summer, Sandra, Ryan, Bodhan.
