TfL rewards unsung heroes to mark the new London Overground Liberty line
- Locals are invited to nominate people who have made special contributions to their community in Havering for a chance to win London Overground Liberty line prizes
- Three unsung heroes will receive a VIP London Overground experience, including a trip in a driver's cab, a tour of a railway control centre in Romford and Liberty line goodies
- As part of the renaming of the London Overground, the line that runs between Romford, Emerson Park and Upminster stations in Havering, will become the Liberty line to make it easier for customers to navigate the network, while celebrating the local area's diverse culture and history
- In a new episode of TfL's Mind the Gap podcast released today, presenter Tim Dunn speaks to former Director of Havering Museum, Ellen Owen, and local historian Brian Evans about the unique history of Havering and how it lives on today
Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating the launch of the new London Overground Liberty line this autumn. People are encouraged to nominate unsung heroes who have made a special contribution to the local community in Havering to win London Overground Liberty line prizes.
The London Overground line connecting Romford and Upminster will become the London Overground Liberty line this autumn. The new name celebrates the unique history of the area, which was a Royal Liberty between 1465 and 1892 where local residents were granted special freedoms compared to the rest of London. TfL is encouraging people to nominate those who have gone above and beyond to support the local community in Havering to win special London Overground prizes to tie into the royal history of the area.
Three unsung heroes will be selected by staff at the three stations along the new Liberty line this autumn. The competition is open until 15 September and the winners will be awarded special transport-related prizes by TfL, akin to the way residents of the Royal Liberty were given special privileges back in the day. These will include an exclusive London Overground cab ride, a behind-the scenes tour of a railway control centre in Romford, an invitation to see the first new London Overground Liberty line signs in place and other Liberty line goodies.
TfL has also dedicated the most recent episode of its Mind the Gap podcast series to explore the unique history of Havering, where residents were even exempt from paying certain tolls and referred to the local courts to resolve local disputes or handle small debt cases.
Host Tim Dunn spoke to Ellen Owen who is a former director of Havering Museum. Ellen now volunteers her time to raise funds and facilitate events for Havering Museum, and talks about how Havering became an area that was far ahead of its time and marked by a strong sense of independence thanks to its status as a Royal Liberty. Later in the episode, Tim joined historian Brian Evans on a walking tour through Romford to uncover the hidden remnants of the former Royal Liberty and learn how it is still remembered today.
The Mind the Gap podcast is exploring each of the six London Overground lines which will be represented by new names and colours this autumn, to make it easier for customers to navigate the network, while also celebrating the city's diverse culture and history. The first two episodes of the podcast about the London Overground Mildmay and Lioness lines are available to listen to and download. The 'Mind the Gap' podcast series was produced by 18Sixty and is available on all major podcast platforms.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "The London Overground line connecting Romford and Upminster will become the Liberty line in autumn, in celebration of Havering's rich local history. It's a great opportunity for locals to get involved, as we make the London Overground easier to navigate, while celebrating the diversity of London's heritage and communities."
Emma Strain, Customer Director at TfL, said: "Our new Mind the Gap podcast episode celebrates some of Havering's fascinating history. Alongside this, as part of the naming of the London Overground Liberty line, we're looking for people who support the local community in Havering, we encourage everyone to nominate those who have gone above and beyond for the community to win special London Overground Liberty line prizes. Tune in to our podcast to learn more about this lesser-known part of British history."
Tim Dunn, Railway Historian and Broadcaster, said: "Our public transport network represents the freedom to get around the city for so many Londoners, whether that's to work, to school, to visit loved ones - That's part of the liberty embodied by the naming of this line. The new name for the London Overground line also reflects the area's history of course, and I can't wait for people to hear some of the intriguing stories of Havering's past in the new podcast episode."
Ellen Owen, former Director of Havering Museum, said: "Havering is brilliant, it's moving forward, but not everyone knows about the liberty. What the London Overground line naming inspires is liberty, freedom, and autonomy. There's so much history behind the name."
Brian Evans, Author and Historian, said: "The first day the London Overground line is officially known as the Liberty line, I will feel exultant! Liberty is already on people's mind because it's featured on the badge of Havering borough. But they don't all associate it, like me, with being a bit cheeky! People in this borough are independent still."
Nomination boxes have been installed at Romford and Upminster stations, allowing people to nominate a person they would like to see rewarded, be it for their volunteering work, dedication to community causes or other noteworthy contributions to the wellbeing of those around them. Submissions can also be made by speaking to a member of staff at Emerson Park station or via email to libertylinecompetition@tfl.gov.uk.
TfL is also running a competition to encourage people to create a poster or a poem for each line that will feature on the London Overground network later in the year. People have until the 30 August to submit their poster and poem entries and more information can be found on the Made by TfL Blog.
Notes to editors:
About the Community Competition
- The competition is open until 15 September
- Submissions can be sent to libertylinecompetition@tfl.gov.uk, citing the name of the person who is being nominated, as well as the reason behind the nomination
- Alternatively, nomination slips can be found at Emerson Park, Romford and Upminster London Overground stations
About the names for the London Overground lines
- The Lioness line: Euston to Watford Junction. The Lioness line, honours the historic achievements and lasting legacy created by the England women's football team that continues to inspire and empower the next generation of women and girls in sport
- The Mildmay line: Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction. The Mildmay line honours the small NHS charitable hospital that has been caring for all Londoners over many years, notably its pivotal role in the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, which made it the valued and respected place it is for the LGBTQ+ community today
- The Windrush line: Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon. The Windrush line honours the Windrush generation who continue to shape and enrich London's cultural and social identity today
- The Weaver line: Liverpool Street to Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford. The Weaver line celebrates an area of London known for its textile trade, shaped over the centuries by diverse migrant communities and individuals
- The Suffragette line: Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside. The Suffragette line celebrates how the working-class movement in the East End paved the way for women's rights - recognising women as equals in our democracy, in the past, present continuing into the future
- The Liberty line: Romford to Upminster. The Liberty line celebrates the freedom that is a defining feature of London and references the historical independence of the people of Havering
About TfL's Mind the Gap podcast series
- This series of TfL's 'Mind the Gap' podcast, hosted by Tim Dunn, will include six episodes dedicated to each of the new London Overground lines
- The Liberty podcast was released on 28 August and can be found here:
- The Mildmay podcast was released on 16 July and can be found here:
- The Lioness podcast was released on 31 July and can be found here:
- Last year TfL launched its first official podcasts series with the 'Mind the Gap' podcast. The series celebrated 160 years of the Tube network, with interviews from people who have helped shape it, such as Wayne Hemingway who designed the London Underground uniform and London's Night Czar Amy Lamé. Tim also interviewed famous TV and radio personality Rylan, about his love of the Tube
- Series one of the 'Mind the Gap' podcast reached number 1 in Apple Podcasts 'Places and Travel' chart, number 3 in Apple Podcasts 'Society and Culture' chart and number 34 in all podcasts in the UK (Apple), receiving hugely positive feedback from listeners
- All the contributors who featured in the podcast volunteered and were not paid a fee for their involvement