Least we forget: Remembering the 85th anniversary of the Blitz.

 

Hat tip Newham History Society

"Wanstead Flats at War: An illustrated talk" - Sat 11 May, 5pm

 

Takes Place: 11th May 2024

Time: 4pm

Venue: St Gabriel’s Church, Park Road, Aldersbrook, London E12 5HH

Description: To mark Local and Community History Month the Friends of St Gabriel's invite you to an illustrated talk by Mark Gorman and Peter Williams. The event features the launch of the Aldersbrook and Lake House Heritage Scheme Doors open at 4pm with refreshments available to purchase and the chance to browse history stalls and view the newly catalogued church archive. Talk starts at 5pm

How to book: https://st-gabriels-church.sumupstore.com/product/wanstead-flats-at-war-talk

Price: £5

Email: g.brewis@ucl.ac.uk

Website: https://st-gabriels-church.sumupstore.com/product/wanstead-flats-at-war-talk

Organiser: Friends of St Gabriel's

Lecturer: Mark Gorman and Peter Williams

(Will definitely go if I can. Think photo is back drop of what is now called Jubilee pond)

100 years of Labour achievement: 1924-2024

"January 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the first ever Labour government.

In the election the previous month, Labour secured its best result up until that point, pushing the Liberals into third. The Conservatives failed to get an overall majority and Labour, tacitly supported by the Liberals, formed a minority government.

The men and women who formed Labour’s government included many of the greats who had led Labour in its first quarter-century. Ramsay MacDonald was Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, Arthur Henderson the Home Secretary and Philip Snowden Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The election had also seen the election of the first three female Labour MPs: Margaret Bondfield, Dorothy Jewson and Susan Lawrence. Bondfield would later become the first female cabinet minister and the first woman to be a privy counsellor in the UK.

Although the first Labour government only lasted nine months, it achieved much, including the Wheatley Housing Act that saw half a million council homes built over the next decade. Labour also planned new and improved schools, improved pensions and benefits, and laid the foundations for the extension of voting rights to millions more.

Perhaps its greatest achievement was lasting as long as it did, brought down in the end by dirty tricks and lies in the press. Labour had proved it could be a party of government, competent in office and achieving results for working people. The political landscape in Britain had changed forever.

Since 1924, Labour governments have been beacons of progress and social justice. Through times of struggle, of conflict, of economic depression, it has been Labour that has fought for working people here and around the world. A Century of Progress". https://labour.org.uk/about-us/labours-legacy/a-century-of-progress-1924-2024/

"E7 Now and then" relaunch (& today is 133th Anniversary of the deaths of 26 Boys at Forest Gate Workhouse)

 

The Forest Gate, (Newham, London) local history site "E7-Now and then" is being relaunched after a 5 year gap. Which is really good news for people like me who live in Forest Gate and is fascinated by all history. Until I read about it in the site I had no idea that the British Union of Fascists had an office and headquarters 200m away from me nor that 26 boys had died in a fire in a workhouse nearby caused by official negligence. 

But anyone interested in history would find something to look at in this site.There is already over 200 articles. 

John Walker is the author/publisher of the site and he has also written a very moving book about the deaths of the boys in workhouse - and the pretty dreadful conditions children endured there for over 70 years. check out :-

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Abuse, Neglect and Fire in a London Children's Workhouse, 1854-1907 https://www.newhambooks.co.uk/ ISBN 978-1-7399142-0-2.

We had hoped to mark the anniversary today (fire took place 1 January 1890) as we did in 2021 https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/01/an-awful-new-year-day-calamity.html but it didn't happen but maybe next year. 

Follow the site also on twitter 

E7-NowAndThen

@e7_nowandthen

Wanstead Flats A Short Illustrated History

 

I have finally just got around to ordering myself this book as a late Crimbo present. I have lived opposite Wanstead flats (now part of Epping Forest) for over 30 years and it is an absolute joy. I went for an early run this morning around the flats, while listening to "Today" on Radio 4. My perfect start to the day. 

You can buy this book by local authors Mark Gorman & Peter Williams, from Newham Bookshop https://www.newhambooks.co.uk/request.php?ref=A422&within=home  for £10 (plus £3 postage). 

"Once part of the riverbed of the Thames, in medieval times the Flats became grazing land. Over the last two centuries the Flats has hosted funfairs and football, become a site for political protest and been a key part of London’ anti-aircraft defences in two world wars.

Wanstead Flats: A Short Illustrated History includes a number of never-before-published photos".

Newham Heritage Month 2024

 

Hat tip Newham History Facebook. Post by Newham Heritage. 

"We'd love to see you at Stratford Library for an Inspiration Day on Saturday 2 December, where some of the photos, objects, maps and more of Newham over the centuries will be on display!

Love the idea of being part of next year's Newham Heritage Month festival, but not sure where to start? We'd love to see you at two friendly FREE events to support your project ideas:

Inspiration Day at Stratford Library 2 Dec

Online Grant Surgery 7 Dec

Find out more & book free tickets at https://www.newhamheritagemonth.org/.../newham-heritage.../"

The Clarion: The Pioneer Journal of Social Reform

 

How things change. Hat tip https://twitter.com/LondonNurse2015.

East Ham - "Progress with the People"

Being proud of living in West Ham for over 30 years I am sometimes accused of forgetting the other part of modern day Newham - East Ham. 

I actually think that East Ham town hall is more striking than West Ham (Stratford) and I am very proud that some of the earliest ever Council housing was built here - 

'Progress with the People': East Ham Borough Council took justified pride in the 80 council homes, designed by Borough Engineer AH Campbell, it built on Brooks Avenue in 1903.

Hat tip @MunicipalDreams @lccmunicipal & @LondonNurse2015

125th Anniversary of the 1st Ever "Labour" Council - West Ham 1 November 1898 - 2023

 

I have posted in the past on former Cllr George Coe on my blog, https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2015/05/west-ham-municipal-elections-1893-now.html and https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2020/10/socialist-labour-west-ham-cllr-george.html .

I now have further information from his Grandson and it appears that this year (2023) is the 125^th anniversary of the 1^st “Labour” council in West Ham and I believe the UK.

I think we ought to organise something to mark the occasion. I have contacted Newham Labour Group and local Labour Colleagues about how we can celebrate this important anniversary. Watch this space.

(note pamphlet is from 100th anniversary in 1998)

Saving the People's Forest

This is very last minute but I have only just seen details. Will try and attend after Council surgery and Labour Party training. I have always wanted to visit this Quaker Meeting Housel. Well done to Leyton & Wanstead CLP for promoting this event. We should do the same in West Ham. 
 

My last West Ham Councillor surgery at Stratford Library?

On Saturday morning I had what I hoped to be my last Councillor surgery in the Newham Council Archives and Local Studies in Stratford Library. The staff at the library have been lovely but we (including my fellow ward Councillors John Whitworth and Charlene McLean) are hoping to return to our original base at the Vicarage Lane Community centre which is inside our ward. 

For various repair, covid, safety and staffing issues we have been displaced to Stratford Library. But very soon we hope to be able to offer a local Councillor surgery service every Saturday 10-11am in Vicarage Lane (apart from Bank holiday weekends)

The photo collage was from the Archives room and during quiet moments during the last few years I have spent some time looking at the fascinating books and historical resources on display. While I knew of our collection of paintings by Madge Gill I never knew that Newham Council had a prized collection of luxury locally produced porcelain 

Charles I: Killing a King

 

Last week I watched all 3 programmes on BBC iPlayer about the trial and execution of Charles 1. A mix of traditional factual historical presenting with clips of actors playing the main characters.  

The killing of a King following a legal process (no matter how flawed) was hugely important. 

None of the main characters appear to be at all attractive to our modern eyes and values but we still live in parliamentary democracy with a hereditary monarch as our Head of State which was shaped by these events.  

Newham Heritage Month 2022

 

Better late than never! https://www.newhamheritagemonth.org/events/

Muslims Celebrating Olympic Art and Sport, 2 June 11am-3pm, UKIM Masjid Ibrahim & Islamic Centre

There will be a range of fun activities for all the family at this celebration of Muslims and the London 2012 Olympics including art activities led by a local artists to make flags, badges and posters featuring the countries of participants, taster Taekwondo sessions, a chance to explore the research undertaken by UK Masjid Ibrahim and to listen to interviews of community members.

 Before & After 2012 - photography walk exploring the Olympic Park, 3 June, 11am-12pm, London Aquatics Centre

During this photography walk participants will learn about architectural photography and explore line, shape, form and textures.

 Newham Women in Sport Exhibition, 7-30 June, 9am-8pm, East Ham Library

East End Women’s Museum’s newest exhibition exploring Newham women in sport in photographs and stories.

 Who Wants to be an Olympian? 11 June, 10-11am, East Ham Library

The live family game show that brings back the thrills and spills of London 2012 and Newham’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes!

 Youth Olympic Graffiti Workshop and Display, 11, 18 & 25 June, 10am-2pm, The Mix Centre

This event will enable young people and adults to create artwork which will be displayed on the external walls that lead into our buildings, reflecting what they think about the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community. There will also be pictures and posters relating to the 2012 games, with young people facilitating discussions around what the games means to them.

 Family Workshop: Making Pictures with illustrator Salvatore Rubbino, 11 June, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, Newham Poetry House

Re-live the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympics and exercise your artistic skills in a fun workshop with illustrator Salvatore Rubbino.

 Ten Years and Over, 2012 Activities Later….Together 2012 CIC Archives

In 2012, locally based disabled artists and other Newham residents came together with the UK Disabled People’s Council to create a series of events and activities celebrating the London 2012 Paralympics.  Join Together 2012 for a lunchtime online tour of their London 2012 Paralympics archives where they will also be announcing new plans for their physical archives.

 A Change 4 All: Film screening and Performance showcase, 24 June, 6-10pm, Silver Building

Celebrating the release of a youth-led documentary that uncovers the untold stories of Newham communities by highlighting their views on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics.

Council houses named after Matchgirls Strike leader - Sarah Chapman

 
Hat tip picture Tower Hamlets Council and report Ali G and article by East London Advertiser (note campaign in Newham to protect the grave site of Sarah Chapman in Manor Park Cemetery. - https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2020/03/visiting-grave-of-matchgirl-strike.html)

"Members of Sarah Chapman's family attended the name unveiling, along with Bow West councillors Asma Begum and Val Whitehead

A housing development being built in Bow has been named in honour of one of the leaders of the Matchgirls Strike.

Nine council homes and a community facility are to be named Sarah Chapman House.

Sarah, who lived in the East End all her life, worked at the Bryant and May factory as a teenager and played a key role in the 1888 strike action over working conditions.

Around 1,400 girls and women marched out of the factory on July 5, according to the East End Women's Museum.

Sarah became a member of the strike committee, which met with Bryant and May directors and whose demands were agreed to.

She then became the first Trade Union Congress (TUC) representative of the Match Makers' Union.

Her name was put forward for the Bow West project by resident Colum McGinley.

Colum joined members of Sarah's family to reveal the name of the development, which will be complete next May.

Sarah's grandson Ken Dearman said he was thrilled there would be a "fitting memorial" to his grandmother.

Her great granddaughter Carol Watts added: “How pleased we are, as a family, that Sarah is being honoured for her contributions to the Matchgirls Strike with the naming of this new community facility and affordable housing."

The development will provide five three-bedroom, three two-bed and one one-bed council homes, as well as the community facility on the ground floor and cycle storage.

Work began last March after planning permission was granted in 2019.

Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs said: “It’s fitting that we are naming these new council homes after Sarah Chapman to allow her name to live on.

"The Matchgirls Strike of 1888 was a poignant movement of strike action within Tower Hamlets and its important stories like this can be continued to be told.

“The delivery of these new council homes and community facility will benefit local residents in Bow West which I’m sure Sarah would be delighted about today.”

Cllr Danny Hassell, cabinet member for housing, added: “The story of Sarah Chapman will never be forgotten within this area of Tower Hamlets.

"The naming of this development acts as a reminder to the historic legacy she has left."

Want to create a Newham heritage project? Apply for a grant today!

 

Exciting news about Newham Heritage Month 2022

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Newham Heritage Month will be back for an exciting third year in June 2022! The festival is made by Newham's community for the community and we're offering you grants of up to £8,000 to create a project for next year's programme. Discover more about the theme, grants, applications, training and volunteering in this month's newsletter. 

October is Black History Month and Newham has a programme of events and activities showcasing the richness of our vibrant and diverse cultural community. Find out more below.

What London 2012 Means to Us

The theme for Newham Heritage Month 2022 will be What London 2012 Means to Us. The mark the 10-year anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want to hear your idea for a project that will research the impact, both good and bad, of this incredible moment in our heritage, as well as other stories that were unearthed in the build up to 2012.

Your project could be inspired by anything related to the theme, from the centuries-old discoveries found during the archaeological digs before the Games, to Newham's long association with community activism.

Find out more

Apply for a Community Grant 

Want to develop a heritage project responding to next year's theme? Apply for a Community Grant before 21 November! The fund total is £100,000, and there will be grants available of up to £5,000 for individuals and up to £8,000 for constituted groups. 

Find out more

Inspiration, advice and training

Would you like some advice on how to apply? Are you hunting for inspiration? If so, we have online application surgeries and inspiration days on offer to get your project off to a great start. If your project receives funding, there's also free training provided. 

Find out more

Volunteering Opportunities

Are you an aspiring photographer? Volunteer to become a Newham Heritage Month Community Photographer and receive free photography training from professionals! You can also volunteer in Newham’s Heritage Service year round.

Find out more

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the contributions made by Black African and Caribbean communities in the borough nationally and internationally. Throughout October, Newham Council will host a programme of activity that responds to the theme of Ambition, Achievement, Inspiration. 

Find out more

Our Thanks

We're grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their generous support of Newham Heritage Month. The month is organised by Newham Council as part of Newham Unlocked and supported by the Royal Docks Team. 

Join us on social!  We'd love to stay in touch with you on social media - follow Newham Heritage Month on Facebook, Instagram  Twitter YouTube and TikTok!

 

 

Know someone who'd love these emails?  Forward this email on and invite them to sign up on the Newham Heritage Month website. Image credits Headline image shows a black and white photo of the London Youth Games winners from Newham lined up with their medals. Image courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service. The Theme image shows a black and white photo of West Ham Mayor Daisy Parsons at the Beckton Lido opening August 1937. Image courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service. Apply for a Community Grant image show a black and white photo of Jean Desforges practising at Stratford. Image courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service. Inspiration, advice and training image shows a vintage advert for Stockdales leather goods. Image courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service. Volunteering opportunities image shows a black and white photo of the Town Show 1978, with Trevor Brooking posing with a five-a-side football team. Image courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service 'Our Thanks' image shows the National Lottery Heritage Fund logo. 'Join us on social!' image shows the Newham Heritage Month Instagram grid, featuring images from Newham Heritage Month including: a photo of Hafza Yusef as part of IROKO Theatre Company's 2021 project, photo copyright @Muna_Ally; a photo of Queens Market in 1967 courtesy of London Borough of Newham Heritage Service; Newham Poetry Group sessions; a Newham Poetry Group member taking part in the Newham Heritage Month project, photo copyright Calu Lema; as part of the Crate Digging project by Rendezvous Projects Mike DeUnderground, Randall, Marly Marl, MC Fats, Cool Hand Flex, and Jonny 2 Bad outside De Underground Records, 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, July 1995. Image courtesy and copyright, Eddie Otchere; a photo of Eleanor Marx copyright M.I.A. Library and Socialist International History Archive.

A Short History of Trade Unions

If you ever wondered about the history of trade unions then I recommend this 5 minute 46 second introduction on YouTube. 

Part of my TUC Employment law course work. 

Update: Check out a very good analysis of the more recent history and possible way forward for the movement by James Moher

http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/trade-unions-and-the-law-history-and-a-way-forward

Keir Hardie MP Labour Party membership card 1895 (& modern version)

Yesterday was the 128 anniversary of the birth of the Independent Labour Party (forerunner of the Labour Party). Hat tip Ali G & the Keir Hardie Society.

By coincidence I was sent the above picture of the ILP membership card issued to Keir Hardie dating from 1895, when I assume he was still the first ever Labour MP (for West Ham South). 

Hat tip @LondonNurse2015

Compare with a more recent version of Labour Party membership card. Functional but pretty boring I think. 

What a great photo of Black and White East End kids in the 1930s

 

Crown Street, Canning Town, 1930s. Hat tip Newham History Society facebook page "Your periodic reminder, Britain's multicultural history is working class history". Mary Evans Picture Library.

This is a fabulous picture in so many way but I especially appreciated this comment on the site "I remember once being told that I will never be a true east ender because I’m not white, seeing photos like this honestly fills me with joy 

"

Anyone know anything more about these kids?

Cllr Frederick (Frank) Matthews - my Great Grandfather

 

There is a lot of really nasty and unpleasant stuff on the internet and social media but there is also many positive things. 

This week I was contacted by a long lost relative Graham via this blog who had searched the internet for his great uncle (Frederick John Matthews - my maternal grandfather or "Taid"  in Welsh) and found my post on his military service https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2020/05/ve-day-sgt-frederick-matthews-and-sgt.html

Today Graham sent me a fantastic email with photos and scans of our family history and also of my Great Grandfather, Frederick (Frank) James Matthews who was also a Councillor for many years in South Wales. I had no idea that apart from my Father (who was a Councillor for Buckley District Council, North Wales in the 1950s) that anyone else in my family had served in this way.

The newspaper report above has a picture of Frank at the opening ceremony of the construction of a much needed fresh water reservoir in 1912 (October 16!). I am not sure who exactly is Frank in the picture but assume it is the big chap with the big white beard. 

UPDATE: No, the chap with big white beard was the chief engineer, Frank is as above in new college (definitely a Matthews)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grwyne_Fawr_Reservoir

"East Ham War Pensions Committee: Your Fight Is Our Fight"

Historic photo of  dependants of World War One ex-service men protesting against cuts to War pensions in 1919. The authorities claimed that the local East Ham War Pensions committee did not follow the "rules" and gave out too generous benefits.

Check out "British Widows of the First World War - The Forgotten Legion" about this story and the dreadful treatment of many widows whose husbands had been killed for post war "immoral misconduct".

Hat tip @LondonNurse2015