Inspector of Nuisances

Inspector of Nuisances
We were delighted to work in partnership with Grow Studios, (managers of our artists studios, Alice Billing House), on Inspector of Nuisances, a project for Newham Heritage Month. Celebrating Newham’s 60th anniversary, The project explored the history and legacy of the past 60 years of Alice Billing House.

The Grade II listed building was named Alice Billing House in the 1990s by Newham Environmental Health Services, in honour of Alice Billing, a pioneering local sanitary inspector and one of the first women to hold such a role nationally. Her story, largely unknown, inspired the community engagement project.

Inspector of Nuisances
Alice Billing was West Ham’s first female sanitary inspector, 1897- 1930, otherwise known as Inspector of Nuisances. In her role, Alice Billing provided vital advocacy for working women and their well-being, in an environment dominated by deprivation and male officials.

We see Alice Billing as a radical and important figure in Newham’s history, and through the Inspector of Nuisances project, aimed to uncover and share her story.

Creative Process
Frames of Mind recruited a heritage producer trainee, Emily Cournard and delivered of a series of hands-on digital art and stop frame animation workshops with local residents.

Participants were invited to respond to themes inspired by the Alice Billing story; women’s health, equal rights, and environmental issues and think about what they consider the nuisances of today?

The work produced was a powerful mix of playful and personal animated films exploring issues, from environmental negligence, public sanitation to invisible labour and intergenerational legacies.