To function successfully, groups and charity's such as ours rely heavily on our members continued support by way of subscription. As a member if you are unsure on the status of your membership and/or renewal dates then please contact us by emailing at the address below.
In the past we have also raised much needed funds from events, exhibitions and the sale of our merchandise, therefore we are extremely thankful for the return of these events.
We always welcome new members and appreciate any donations, whether in memory of lost loved ones or towards a specific project. They are always gratefully received and go a long way to help us carry on with the legacy of the Isle Of Dogs History.
UK tax payers are able to gift aid a donation, raising an extra 25p to the £1.00 donated, the relevant form is available to download from the foot of this page. Or for a membership/gift aid form to be emailed or posted out to you; including our bank details, please email us at: foiht2014@gmail.com
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers, members and associates for your continued support. Without your dedication and hard work we would not be able to resource the many good projects and community events that has allowed FOIHT to prosper over many years. With your help we hope to continue with the ongoing good work and also actively encourage the next generation to get involved in their local history.
Many Thanks
Deborah Levett (Trustee)
THE NEXT OPEN DAY - 17th Oct 2026 .
DOORS OPEN 11.00 to 16.00- £2 ENTRY
UNDER 16 AND CARERS FREE ENTRY.
The 2026 Calendar.
The 2027 Calendar coming soon.
Cover photograph: Island Horse Bus 1900s
FoIHT Reconstruction by Keith Levett and Lender Edna Hiscott
There are still copies of the 2025 Calendar available, it contains a varied selection of historic photographs and information.
for all enquiries please contact us on foiht2014@gmail.com or historyroom1@outlook.com
Celebrating Forty Years of the Island History Calendar
Testimonies from a few members and volunteers
©FoIHT/Karen Bohle. Karen pictured at home in Australia with her collection of Island Calendars.
“My grandparents originally bought my first calendar, and it was the year my first daughter was born, from then on I was hooked, and each year when a new calendar came out, my grandparents would go through each page, mostly naming the old islanders, it was great memories for them, and taught me about the islanders and the history.
Regards, Karen Bohle”
“My mum Bessie Boylett and her lifelong friend Daisy Woodard started going to the history project headed by Eve Hostettler in January 1982, held in George Green School, which evolved into the Island History Trust. Its aim was to restore the local heritage and be a permanent record of the history of the Island. What started as a hobby for Bessie and Daisy with many of their childhood friends became so much more, it gave a sense of immense pride amongst the volunteers whose passion for their Island home grew, as did the photographic collections, Open Days and calendars.
Bessie (mum) became a trustee in 1985 and later the Chairman and continued to be an active, enthusiastic and knowledgeable advocate for the Island until her debilitating stroke in 2011. The work that started over 40 years ago continues to grow and evolve under Debbie’s leadership and is a lasting legacy for families past and present, who love our Island home and its rich historical legacy within the East End.
Love Barbara Ashcroft”
Front; Left Daisy Woodard Right Bessie Boylett. Back June Woodard (Daisy’s Daughter) Right Barbara Ashcroft (Bessie’s Daughter) Photograph On April 1st 2015, the day of Bessie’ 89th Birthday, both she and her friend since childhood, Daisy, were presented with ADA PRICE VOLUNTEER AWARD certificates at George Green's School's Café Vert by Friends of Island History Trust.
© FoIHT/C Maloney
“Regarding the Island History Calendar, I think it has been a way of extending the excellent photographic collection - built up by the Trust - of the history of the Isle of Dogs to a wider audience and constitutes an invaluable record. I always enjoy receiving the calendar each year and going through the always interesting photographs.
Regards Bill Hickin”
“The Friends of Island History calendar is a real eye-opener to the history of the island and its development over its lifetime. The variety of different images, from etchings and sketches to photographs, each with their own story, has opened my eyes to the rich heritage of the area.
Cheers Richard Shipley”
The Beer Family were bombed out of their Poplar home in 1941 and ended up in Saltford, Somerset. It’s was there that Ellen, Reg’s teenage sister met a young soldier from the Isle of Dogs, named Reg Crouch.
“When the war ended, and my family returned to east London, Ellen remained in Somerset as Mrs Crouch, living in Keynsham, along the street from another Isle of Dogs family, the Lepiniers.
Many years later, whilst volunteering for the FoIHT, I came across a copy of the Island History Trust calendar, the cover of which had a photograph of a young Victorian in a pram, her name was Lepinier.
I whisked a copy off to my sister and, yes indeed, this was Mr Lepinier’s grandmother!
On another occasion, when Reg Crouch came to London and attended a Trust ‘Open Day’ he found a picture of himself as a schoolboy at Harbinger School.He was asked by a lady sitting opposite “Which family are you looking for? “The Crouch family,” he replied. She then introduced herself as his cousin who he’d not seen since leaving for the war in 1940.
That’s what I love about the Friends of Island History Trust; it brings people together, to share their memories of ‘the Island’ from down the road and across the sea.
Reginald Beer (named after my late brother-in-law, Reginald Crouch)”
Please share in what the calendar means to you. Best wishes from the Trustees, Committee and the Regular Volunteers of Friends of Island History Trust.
Email: foiht2014@gmail.com Charity No: 1178684 Website: www.islandhistory.co.uk
A Brief History Of The Isle Of Dogs - Volume 1 1066 - 1918
An Island History Trust Publication By Eve Hostettler first published in the year 2000. With the support of Eve, the curator between 1980 - 2014 for the Island History Trust, the Friends Of Island History Trust now have the pleasure to offer the reprinted publication and its now on on sale for just £15 + P&P.
The book was intended for the general reader to better understand the history of the Isle Of Dogs in its context of national change over the centuries. It does not deal explicitly with any detail about the history of West India and Millwall Docks, except in so far they have had impact to the development of the island and the people that lived there. Should the reader require further reading or research a list of sources are included at the end of the book.
Volume 11 is still in publication and available for sale.
‘WHEN THERE WAS A PUB ON EVERY CORNER’
The Isle of Dogs once had almost fifty public houses but only a handful survive today. ‘BOOZERS, BOMPERS & BRIDGERS’, a new book written by 5th generation ‘Islander’ and local historian Con Maloney, tells the story of the Island’s pubs and the community that used them.
Full of stories and memories and lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs and maps, it’s a must for anyone interested in the history of public houses or the Isle of Dogs. This 200-page book is published by Friends of Island History Trust with all proceeds going to the Trust.
Actor and East End publican SIR IAN McKELLEN recommends the book, saying; ‘As the Isle of Dogs continues to be developed, it’s reassuring to be able to contact its history through this very well-researched book. It’s full of wonderful stories and memories.’
‘Boozers, Bompers & Bridgers’ - including signed copies - can be ordered from Friends of Island History Trust by emailing its Secretary Debbie Levett at: foiht2014@gmail.com for £15 plus £4 p&p. Signed copies are also available from Frontispiece Ltd, 58 Cannon Workshops, Cannon Drive, London E14 4AS. Nearest station West India Quay DLR station. Tel: 020 7363 6336 or email: info@frontispiece.co.uk
LIMITED STOCK AVAILABLE
LINKS
Mick Lemmerman's Isle of Dogs Name and Address Database at http://www.isleofdogs.org.uk/addresses/search.php
Mike Seaborne's 1980s Website at http://www.80sislandphotos.org.uk
Frontispiece Ltd - Reg Beer at https://www.mapsandantiqueprints.com/
A 2018 joint project about the London Dock Workers between Friends Of Island History Trust, Digital Works and including The Oral History Project at https://www.thamesdockers.org.uk/
