The London Borough of Newham The London Borough of Newham was created in 1965 out of the Essex county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham. These were rural villages until a century ago, and fortunately the medieval parish churches and a few other ancient buildings survive as a reminder of this rustic past. The area has always been a gateway between London and Essex, with farm animals and food produce being raised or passing through Newham for London markets and manufactured goods coming