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At Golden Lane Estate
Contributing Writer Sarah Winman (author of When God Was A Rabbit, A Year of Marvellous Ways and the forthcoming Tinman) sends this report with photographs by Patricia Niven about a proposed...
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An Old Whitechapel Bell
Today I present the first in a series of Whitechapel Bells, in which I tell the stories of celebrated specimens that originated here in the East End at the world’s oldest and most famous Bell Foundry...
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Matchbox Models By Lesney & Co
It is my pleasure to publish the Matchbox 1966 Collector’s Guide & International Catalogue by Lesney Products & Co Ltd of Hackney Wick (courtesy of Libby Hall). The company was founded by...
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A Visit To Great Tom At St Paul’s
In the second of my series of the stories of Whitechapel Bells, I visit one of London’s biggest bells Click to hear the sound of Great Tom Like bats, bells lead secluded lives hibernating in dark...
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Henrietta Keeper, Singer
I am delighted to announce that my good friend Henrietta Keeper will be singing at the launch party for A HOXTON CHILDHOOD & THE YEARS AFTER on Tuesday 25th April 7pm at the Labour and Wait...
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The Most Famous Bells In The World
In the third of my series of the stories of Whitechapel Bells, I visit the Bow Bells in Cheapside Click to hear the Bow Bells These are the bells of St Mary-le-Bow in the City of London which have good...
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James Boswell, Artist & Illustrator
Today I feature James Boswell, illustrator of A HOXTON CHILDHOOD, whose drawings we have reproduced from the original artwork for the new edition (including A.S. Jasper’s sequel THE YEARS AFTER...
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The Pleasures & Miseries Of London
Written anonymously and published in 1820, The Tour of Dr Syntax Through the Pleasures & Miseries of London was one of a popular series of comedies featuring the idiosyncratic Dr Syntax, a...
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At Chu’s Garage
Quang Chu of Chu’s Garage Chu’s Garage under the railway arches in London Fields has become a reliable institution among motorists in Hackney over the last thirty years for good service and honest...
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Fresh Fish For Passover In Stamford Hill
At nine o’clock yesterday morning, a tanker of fish pulled up at the kerb outside Hoffman’s Fish Shop in Stamford Hill, where a small crowd of families had already gathered in keen expectation of its...
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The Return Of The Widow’s Buns
I am delighted to report that the Ceremony of the Widow’s Buns is returning to The Widow’s Son in Devon’s Rd this Good Friday after moving to The Queen’s Head in York Sq in 2016, when the celebrated...
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Bex Shaw’s Shopfronts
Bex Shaw sent me these affectionate drawings of familiar East End shops (with a couple further afield), some rendered in ink and wash and others drawn on a computer, yet all celebrating the vernacular...
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Jubilee Bells At Garlickhythe
In the fourth of my series of stories of Whitechapel Bells, I visit the Jubilee Bells at Garlickhythe If you should pass by St James Garlickhythe on a Thursday evening when the bellringers are...
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The Facading Of The White Hart
Over the past year, a carbuncle has appeared on top of the ancient White Hart in Bishopsgate. It is the creation of Amsprop, a company belonging to entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar, who began his career...
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Delivering The Bell Foundry Petition
Yesterday, Dan Cruickshank and representatives of leading heritage groups delivered a petition of more than ten thousand signatures to Karen Bradley, Secretary of State for Culture and Sport,...
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William Kent’s Arch At Bow
‘a curious vestige from a catalogue of destruction’ This fine eighteenth century rusticated arch designed by the celebrated architect and designer William Kent was originally part of Northumberland...
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Two Spitalfields Shopkeepers
Last week, I published Steven Harris‘ candid memoir of his childhood at Great Eastern Buildings off Brick Lane and today I present his poignant account of two local shopkeepers, one universally beloved...
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Gary Arber At Home
Gary Arber shows off his collection of WWII incendiary bombs If anyone else showed me their collection of Second World War incendiary bombs, I should be entirely astonished but with Gary Arber it was...
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The Artists Of Headway East
Operating for the last ten years under the auspices of Headway East, SUBMIT TO LOVE STUDIOS is a collective of self-taught artists who have all survived brain injuries. This week they are opening a...
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At Stephen Walters & Sons, Silkweavers
The Huguenots of Spitalfields have organised a visit to Stephen Walters & Sons, Silkweavers, in Sudbury on 18th July. For details email bookings@huguenotsofspitalfields.org Joseph Walters of...
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