A new housing block which will become part of a buzzing new Barking town centre has been named after a former Ford striker, Dora Challingsworth, who passed away earlier this year.
Dora’s family, including Daughters, Jill Watson and Tracy Goodman; Son, David Challingsworth and Granddaughter, Tiffany Goodman, joined Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Jared Birch of Be First and Michael Westbrook from Reside, to celebrate the naming of Challingsworth House, which feature 169 affordable council owned homes in three towers in Barking town centre.
Dora was a shop steward at the Ford Dagenham plant who led women strikers in 1984 to finally gain equal pay and status.
Tiffany said on behalf of the family: “We are enormously proud to be Dora’s family. She was courageous, energetic and selfless, both in her work and family life. Dora is greatly missed by many, but will continue to be an inspiration for years to come.”
Cllr Rodwell said: “It’s a pleasure to meet Dora’s family and celebrate her life’s time work in fighting for fairness, women’s, and worker’s rights. Dora’s name will live on and will be immortalised in this fantastic new housing block.”
The three towers include one 20 storey block and two additional towers rising to nine and 10 storeys.
They feature 80 one-bedroom, 71 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom flats. A third of the homes will be shared ownership while the rest are offered at below market rent.
Kevin O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer at Be First, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Dora’s family today. We’re proud to help deliver such a superb building named after a woman who fought hard for ordinary people and equal rights.”
Cllr Rodwell added: “Challingsworth House will sit proudly at the epicentre of a new mini-Manhattan for all in the heart of Barking.
“It will be one of east London’s most buzzing, vibrant places where artists, artisans and everyday people can live, work, visit and enjoy.”
