Jim Hendrix mural on site of The Uppercut club

 

Picture last night of the new Street Art mural at the site of "The Uppercut club", Forest Gate, which sadly, I never visited (but I did go to the infamous "Lotus Club" across the road in the late 80s). The site of The Uppercut is now some sort of a railway ventilation shaft and the Lotus has been turned into flats. Such is life. 

A very powerful portrait. Hat tip Zaro. 

"Sadiq Has Frozen Your Fares"

 

After work this evening together with activists across London, we leafleted local railway stations with these flyers pointing out that Sadaq had frozen fares for the 5th time! 

While the Tories have allowed fares to rise by 4.9% elsewhere. Together with free school meals and the largest number of council homes built in London since the 1970s, Sadiq policies are making a massive difference to ordinary Londoners struggling with the cost of living crisis. 

Exploring the Elizabeth Line: Brentwood to Harold Wood Walk

Today Gill and I tested out a walk in a new book "Exploring the Elizabeth Line" by Jeff Lock. The new Cross London East to West ("Lizzie") rail line from Shenfield to Reading has been a boom for commuters and travellers (but so far somewhat unreliable). 

This walking guide book lists 23 walks from "Lizzie" rail stations. Today we did walk 12 "Brentwood to Harold Wood via Tylers Common".  Only 5.5 miles (we also did do about a mile extra to avoid mud). A lovely walk. Went past the headquarters of Fords Cars UK (bottom left) and next door the Essex Regiment Church (top right).

We stopped off for lunch at the Upminster Garden Centre (recommended). Some road noise from M25 but mostly very quiet and peaceful. No rain!!!

Looking forward to the next 22 walks. 

When we got home, I went out for more walking around the mean streets of Forest Gate to train for my 26 Mile London Winter walk at the end of the month. Goggle fit and Zepp life estimate that I have walked 13 plus miles today, which is means that my walk preparation is so far going to plan. 

"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

River Lee & Epping Forest Walk

 

Off message. On Sunday, Gill and I took a train from Wanstead Park (Forest Gate). Changed at Blackhorse Road for Victoria line  then one stop until Tottenham Hale. A 10 minute walk from station to River Lea. Then simply go north along the waterway on west bank then cross over by bridge on east bank of river. 

You go past sailing barges and numerous canal boats. Many of which are homes even in winter, with smoke coming out of their chimneys giving off Sunday roast cooking smells. 

This is not a totally peaceful countryside river walk but despite going underneath some busy roads there are quiet and isolated stretches. Some annoying (male) cyclists go past, who think they are competing in the towpath Tour de France, but generally, everyone is polite and considerate. 

We stopped off for coffee and watched a young squirrel misjudge a leap from tree to tree and fall into the water. S/he swam to the bank safely. 

It was also interesting to see the sheep eating the grass on the various fresh water reservoirs that line this route. 

We turned right along the A10 for about 15 minutes, just before KIng George's Reservoir towards Chingford before turning left then right into Pole Hill, Epping Forest. A nice climb to the top, past the pillar that mentions First World War soldier and author, TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) who lived in a hut on this hill for several years. 

Walk downhill alongside the golf course towards our finishing point at Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge. A pleasant linear walk of about 7 miles. Nothing too difficult apart from slight climb up Pole Hill. 

After which we had a pleasant Sunday roast dinner at the Royal Forest Hotel then took train back to Forest Gate. 

Check out more pictures on Facebook  

My home 100 years ago - 1921 Census results

 

 

Yesterday I was able to download copies of the 1921 census return for my home Woodford Road, Forest Gate, West Ham, London. It is a typical London "railway terrace" house which was split up into 2 flats in the late 1980s. The property was built in the 1870s. I think it was originally a "two up, two down". At some stage a two storey extension was built to the rear for the whole terrace row.

Some of the details I think have been misread by the scanners at "Findmypast.com" since the handwriting is very hard to read.

Interestingly in 1921 there was also 2 families living at my home.

The Baker/"Hanguharson" (or possibly "Farquharson") family. Widow mother Susannah (69), daughter “Florence?” (35), son in law William (35 who was a "LCC tram driver") and William the 14 year grandson. All born locally.

The other family were called Fox. Charles (56) was a "Coach builder Lawrence Bignold Road Forest Gate", his wife Emma (48) and son Charles (25) a "Messrs Ward Silvertown Engineers". Fox senior was from Birmingham while his wife and son were born locally.

I have no idea if both families rented or one was the lodger of the other. There was a number of multiple and intergenerational households in Woodford Road at this time. Some things have not changed over the years!

Census records are kept confidential for 100 years. It cost £3.50 download a scan of the actual census entry and £2.50 to download a written interpretation of the entry. You can get this information for free if you go physically to National Archive sites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59879470

I am not at all superstitious (touch wood) and do not believe in ghosts but I do wonder about the lives of all the families who have lived in my home in the past. Watch this space for details of 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses.

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, Chingford to Forest Gate Walk

Off message but on Sunday, Gill and I took the magic train from Wanstead Park station to Chingford (change at Walthamstow Queens Road then walk to nearby Walthamstow Central to catch the connection for Chingford). It only took just over 30 minutes but we were lucky with connection. 

We then had lunch at the Royal Forest Hotel next to Queen Elizabeth Hunting lodge then walked back to Forest Gate, largely along the the Epping Forest Centenary walk (see below). The full walk is Newham to Epping. 

A lovely walk despite the mud and occasional light drizzle. The map says 6.2 miles but it felt longer due to the mud. Gill had wellies and I thankfully had gaiter's over my Brasher boots. 

Epping Forest is an incredible green lung for East London. On this walk it is surrounded on both sides by housing and you have to cross some roads but you overwhelmingly walk through magnificent woods, heathland and lakes. 

Recommended if you want to work off some Xmas cheer this holiday (or give yourself an appetite for more indulgences). 

I will post further photos and comments on Facebook

An Awful New Year Day Calamity

 

This morning my Councillor colleague, John Whitworth and I, went to West Ham Cemetery to lay some flowers at the memorial to 26 boys who died in a fire exactly 131 years ago. The boys lived in a massive workhouse for children nearby in Forest Gate (now converted into privately owned flats). 

It would appear that the children were locked into dormitories at night and were unable to escape. 

Check our the names and ages of the children below and a full account of the tragedy at this local history website E7 Now & Then. 

Augustus Flowers, aged 10, of 1, Laura Cottages, Millwall ; Theophilus Flowers, aged 9, 1, Laura Cottages, Millwall; John Jones, aged 7,  4, Island Street, Brunswick Road, Poplar; John Taylor, aged 7,  3, Amiel Street, Bromley; Michael Vassum, aged 8, mother in Whitechapel Workhouse; Frederick Smith, aged 9, 50, Church Street, Whitechapel; Edward Kilburn, aged 9, mother inmate in Poplar Workhouse; John Joyce, aged 10, 61, Apperion Road, Bow; Richard Page, aged 7, 45, Vanne Street, Bromley; James Potts, aged 10, 4, Newham Buildings, Pelham Street, Whitechapel; William Hume, aged 9, 52, Railway Street, Bromley ; Frank Chalk, aged 7, of Whitechapel; Herbert Russell, aged 10, mother in Croydon Workhouse; James Rolfe, aged 8,  61, Milton Road, Bow; Thomas North, aged 12, of Poplar Union; Walter Searle, aged 9, an orphan, from Poplar; Charles Biddick, aged 12,  4, Medway Road, Mile End; Frederick Scott, aged 7, 9, Oliver's Court, Bow Road; Henry Sowerbutts, aged 10, mother in Poplar Workhouse; Gilbert Allison, aged 10, 3, Charles Street, Millwall; Thomas Hughes, aged 11, father in Poplar Workhouse; William Dawson, aged 7, mother in Bow Infirmary; Frederick Wigmore, aged 8, mother in Croydon Workhouse; William Sillitoe, aged 9, father in Whitechapel Infirmary; Arthur Pigeon, aged 9, 31, Burdett Road, Bow; Albert Smith, aged 12, 14, Mansfield Road, Millwall.

London's oldest football ground needs a new clubhouse roof

"The Old Spotted Dog Ground Trust is launching an appeal for urgent funds - £15,000 is needed to fix the clubhouse roof at Clapton CFC’s new home in Forest Gate.

The Old Spotted Dog is London’s oldest senior football ground and Clapton CFC became the new owners in July 2020. We have since begun the work of reversing two decades of neglect.

A roof leak caused part of the clubhouse ceiling to collapse before we took over. Since then our inventive volunteers have tried multiple methods to stop the leak, including roofing felt, heavy-duty tarpaulin and even an industrial-strength rubber ‘roof condom’.

A permanent roof replacement is a vital step that allows critical repair work, including replacing the condemned electrics, to take place. Without this, there is a real question mark hanging over our ability to bring football back to the Old Spotted Dog Ground next season.

Why does this matter?

Since July we have made huge strides forward on improving the pitch, but we have only begun recently to fully understand the other challenges we face. As things stand with the leak and the wiring situation, we cannot safely have people working in the clubhouse.

A functioning clubhouse is a key component of the FA’s ground grading requirements. To be ready for an FA inspection in early 2021, we must make these repairs on a very tight timetable, Therefore we cannot wait to secure grants or other sources of funding.

In addition to being passed as ready for our matchdays, we aim for the clubhouse to become a warm and welcoming community hub for the people of Newham, with the emphasis on warm!

What will our donations pay for?

We will spend every penny we raise up to £15,000 on replacing the roof, a really ambitious target.

If we are able to exceed the target, or if a more competitive quote for the repair is found, we will spend any extra funds raised on rewiring the clubhouse and completing other works needed to open the clubhouse.

Please share this urgent appeal, tag @OSDGroundE7 on Twitter and @ClaptonCFC everywhere else!

Newham Heritage Month 1-30 June

Check out Newham Heritage Month website  and the range of recordings, videos and photos available to download and virtual events to sign up for.

I have just listened to residents reminiscing about VE day; life in post war Newham for a bus conductor from Barbados and waking up find an unexploded German Parachute bomb in your roof.

I have booked so far :-

"Making a home in Silvertown" Wednesday 3 June 12-1pm "A virtual guided walk of Silvertown and Royal Docks by poet and researcher from Birkbeck, University of London, Matt Martin

"Forest Gate - from village to suburb" Saturday 13 June Royal Docks History Club presents a live talk by local historians Peter Williams and Mark Gorman on the history of Forest Gate. This event is part of London Festival of Architecture 2020

"My story of researching BAME Seafarers"  Friday 26 June 3pm-4pm A live conversation between Asif Shakoor & Georgie Wemyss, co- director of the Centre for research on Migration, Refugees & Belonging (UEL)

Today the site features the Shpresa Programme (the ‘Hope Programme’ in English), which is an  organisation that supports the Albanian-speaking community in Newham. Some great folk singing and dancing as well as some tasty recipes. 

West Ham Park, International Brigade memorial, Willow Lodge, Greenway & Gandhi

For our daily exercise Gill and I walked from Forest Gate to West Ham Park via the lovely art works in Earlham Grove (bottom left of collage). The park today was looking magnificent in the spring sunshine and "safe" following the closure on Easter Friday and Saturday by the Police because too many people were in the park to enable safe self isolation. The sudden spring chill had reduced the temperature by a half compared to Friday - so no sunbathing or picnics.

I was really pleased to seek out and find in the West Ham Park rose garden, the bench which has the memorial to the Spanish Civil War  International Brigade soldier and poet, David Marshall. It needs some repair and attention which I will look into.

On route to the Greenway, we stumbled across the Willow Lodge 1836, which is right opposite Plaistow station. Apparently the lodge of a former long lost manor house. Must find out more about this Grade 2 listed building.

The Greenway (the former Northern outfall Sewer) is a wonderful green asset. "In 1931 Gandhi visited London for a period of 3 months for talks on the future of India, he based himself at Kingsley Hall in Bromley-by-Bow. His host there, the Christian Socialist Muriel Lester described[17] his long early morning walks, beginning before sunrise, and which often took in the Sewerbank through Stratford to Plaistow. Gandhi enjoyed the elevated view the bank offered, and on these walks he would always gather a collection of well-wishers eager to speak to him".

Talk & Walk: Forest Gate Childrens Workhouse then Maternity Hospital - Tragic Fire, Blitz Bombing & Child Cruelty (E7 Now and then)

"Dickensian stories and tales of the midwife in Forest Gate. 1/2 Talk and walk, lead by yours truly, on the 700 pupil residential Victorian workhouse school and 20th century maternity hospital that existed on Forest Lane. Sat 14 Mar 2-3.30pm, The Lodge, Forest Lane. Free. #BFG

2/2 Tragic fire, blitz bombing, child cruelty on the site of Forest Lane Park. Hear about it and visit the memorial to the 26 workhouse boys suffocated there in 1890. Talk/walk: Sat 14 Mar, 2-3.30 at the Lodge Forest Lane, by yrs truly"

Hat tip E7 Now and then (on twitter)

Sunday Stroll to Wanstead

Off message but picture collage from a local winters walk yesterday from Forest Gate to Wanstead and back. It was cold but lots of sunshine and blue skies. We stopped off to feed the birds at Jubilee Pond with defrosted green peas (bread makes their stomachs swell apparently but no-one has told the birds this since they were far more interested in bread than our peas).

We then walked through Bush Wood and along Overton Drive, then cut through to George Green. We checked out the Farmers Market in Wanstead and bought some Cromer Crab and a Joint for Sunday dinner. After a bite to eat at Filika Restaurant (great set lunch for £8.95) we walked back home via Wanstead Park.

Lovely little walk just under 5 miles. For the whole day I had 127 Google Fit movement minutes and 90 heart points. 

Paul Cockerell - Life long Socialist, Trade unionist & Hammers fan - RIP

On Friday afternoon I went to pay my respects at Paul's funeral at Manor Park crematorium.

Paul was a Forest Gate North and West Ham Labour activist who also lived round the corner to me.

A lovely non religious service for a life long socialist, trade unionist, music lover & West Ham FC supporter.

I sat next to a UNISON staff member who remembered the kindness of Paul and his wife Sue, 30 years ago to him when he was a student living nearby.

Some wonderful eulogies from his niece, lifelong university friend and neighbour.

Then typical generous East End wake at the Forest Gate Tavern.

Perfect send off. 

Rest in peace Paul. 

Forest Gate Festival - this Saturday 14 July 2018 (Bastille Day!)

@FGFestivalE7 FREE 🎉 street festival 🎉 on Saturday 14th July Osborne Road in the heart of #ForestGate #newham #forestgatefestival

 Check out theforestgatefestival.com

 (there will be a Labour Party stall outside 27 Osborne Road 10-2pm)

Social Media Hate Crime Interview with BBC News London

Fantastic video clip of Forest Gate Labour Councillor, Seyi Akiwowo, being interviewed by BBC news (after speaking at a United Nations conference no less!) exposing the inconsistency and hypocrisy of twitter and the other social media platforms towards online violence.

Seyi has helped set up Glitch UK "an organisation working to reduce online violence against women and girls (OVAWG) and online hate speech through advocacy, campaigning and training workshops"

Walk from Forest Gate to Chingford

Off message but a lovely walk today from the People's Republic to Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge at Chingford. Highlights are :- Great sky. Fantastic breakfast at the Lakeside Diner. Then got lost. Found way across A406. Had coffee at Higham lake. At end of walk, Butler's Retreat was too packed to visit. Train from Chingford station back to Liverpool Street. 

Remembering local Nazi atrocity - V1 attack on Forest Gate 27 July 1944

Above is a picture collage from this evening's anniversary vigil to remember the victims of a Nazi Flying bomb attack on this day 27 July 1944 which killed horribly at least 38 East Enders (updated figure) at this very spot.

Forest Gate Councillor, Anamul Islam, read out the speech below, While Councillor Rachel Tripp read out a message of support form our West Ham MP, Lyn Brown.

We had leafleted the local area beforehand about the event and I was really pleased that a 80 year local resident, who remembered the atrocity turned up to point us out to the exact location of the attack and give us the copies of the newspaper reports in top left of college. Another resident offered help with the funding of a permanent memorial to the victims (what a good idea).

Many thanks to "E7 now and then" website for providing historical content and Councillor Seyi Akiwowo, for organising leaflets and publicity.

Cllr Islam "I would like to start in the first instance by thanking everyone for making the time to come to mark an important moment in our local history.

During WW2 Newham was one of the most badly damaged parts of London. The bombs came in two waves - the Blitz of 1940/1 and the V1 and V2 raids of 1944/5.

Forest Gate was less badly hit than other parts of Newham such as the dock area, but nonetheless we suffered almost 200 recorded direct hits during the Blitz and about 50 V1 or V2 rockets- but each one was far more lethal- killing at least 70 civilians in total.

This evening we remember the dead of one of the most horrific attacks- when a doodlebug struck the corner of Pevensey and Dames Roads, hitting a passing trolley bus. It was near Holly Tree pub- where we stand today- on 27 July 1944.

The bomb caused mayhem- just how much is unclear. There are no reliable contemporary accounts as the press at that time was heavily censored so as not to give too much information to the enemy.

The Stratford Express was the local paper at the time and was only able to report that a number of buildings close to a public house were damaged. The public house was not named.We know today it was the Holly Tree, where we stand near bye.

The account went on to name four passengers who were killed. It hinted that others were killed or wounded but did not give details. After the war official Air Raid papers named a further four people who were killed that night- almost certainly by the bomb.We know the names, therefore, of eight people killed but following the published memoirs of West Ham’s Chief Fire Officer, Cyril Demarne, we know that probably dozens more died that day as a result of a fascist terror attack. Fire Chief Demarne described the Dames Road bomb as ‘the most horrific thing I have ever witnessed’. His full memoire was published in 1980 by the Newham Bookshop.

It is doubtful that we will ever know the full scale of the death and casualty toll of this dreadful bombing. If there are any lessons to be learned it is that we should never ignore the rantings of seemingly mad fascists and racists, whether they wrap themselves in a black shirt or in the Union Jack. Now, just as then, the price we pay for liberty is eternal vigilance against racism and prejudice.

Let us never forget the dead of this awful bomb blast, or the lesson their destruction leave us.

We will now read out the names of those known to have been killed:

Gladys Blackburn, aged 39

Wendy Blackburn, aged 4

Abraham Ince, aged 76

Edith Tilley, aged 41

William Winter

Denis Barfield

Thomas Driscoll

Reginald Hillman

We will now have a minutes silence.

(note newspaper report that 34 bodies were recovered from bus and more victims died of injuries in hospital and this does not include those killed nearby in their homes)

Anti Fascist/Anti Nazi Vigil: Remember V1 Rocket Attack Forest Gate - 27 July 1944

Thursday 27th July Forest Gate North Labour Party will be holding an Anti Fascist/Anti Nazi vigil to remember those 20 or so local residents killed by a V1 rocket on the 27th of July 1944.

Meet at The Holly Tree Pub 141 Dames Road , E7, corner with Pevensey Road at 6.30 p.m. There will be a short ceremony with flowers laid.

The V1 rocket was a direct hit on a trolley bus. We only know the names of four of the victims; they are:

Abraham Ince, aged 76
Gladys Blackman, aged 39
Wendy Blackman, aged 4
Edith Tilley, aged 41

We will remember those victims of Fascism,as well as those ,who against all odds, held out against fascism and stood for democracy.

I hope you can spare half an hour and attend this important local event.

Carel Buxton, Secretary Forest Gate North Labour
email: forestgatenorth@gmail.com


(check out report of atrocity at the Forest Gate History site "E7 Now & Then". Photo is of V1 rocket landing somewhere in London during World War 2)

Labour at The Forest Gate Festival - Saturday 15 July 2017

"The Forest Gate Festival first took place in 2000, on Osborne Road  and has been going strong ever since. Usually held on the third Saturday of July, it’s a local street Festival organised by enthusiastic residents on a volunteering basis.

From the start, the Festival has been about celebrating the people, talent, culture and the wonderful diversity of Forest Gate. Osborne Road is closed to traffic for the day and filled with craft stalls, food, street entertainment, drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and hundreds of people, young and old, having fun".

Forest Gate North and South Labour Party will have a joint stall at the festival in Osborne Road, E7 Saturday 15 July (come out of Forest Gate railway station, cross road, turn right and then second left) from 9am to 5pm.

We will have leaflets, balloons and petitions but also membership forms, so if you have ever wanted to join the Party or find out more information, please visit our stall.