Rev. Canon Ann Easter is the first Chaplain to HM the Queen to come from Newham.

Gerard Manley Hopkins was a Jesuit poet, born in Stratford in 1844.

The following was spoken by Mr John Skipsey, first headmaster of the East Ham School Board recounting his first vist to East Ham. This was  recorded by Councillor Alfred Stokes Mayor of East Ham 1921 -22, when he visited his old school - High Street School - during his mayoralty. Mr Skipsey and Rev S H Reynolds became firm friends.

"The first time I came to East Ham was 47 years ago to-day. I was the only passenger who got out at the station [East Ham], and Mr Gingell, of Wood House, near by, was the only passenger  to get into the train. As I walked down rural High Street between hedgerows, the sun was shining over the green fields, although it was December, and Barking Church was a conspicuous object a mile away to the left.

The only vehicle I passed was a ramshackle pony and trap. We all knew whose property they were. He was a very reverend gentleman we afterwards knew well, as every recurring season he brought footballs and cricket gear to the schools, to the huge satisfaction of the scholars. Yes, he was a very reverend gentleman, beloved by all who really knew him, and to those his name is a sacred memory to-day - the Rev. S H Reynolds, Vicar of East Ham."

Rev Reynolds was Vicar of  St Mary Magdalene, (parish church of East Ham) from 1871 to 1893. He was noted for his learing, was leader-writer to The Times and reputed to be one of the five most learned  Englishmen of his time. Mr Gladstone, the Prime Minister being one of the other four.

Rev. Reynolds played a full part in the life of the High Street Schools. Often he would have a book in his pocket to give as a prize to a pupil who had obtained top marks in a subject.  Among others, he was instumental in securing Plashet Recreation Ground (now Plashet Park)  towards which he managed to obtain a grant of £3,000 from the City Parochial Trustees.