Takes Place: 11th May 2024Time: 4pmVenue: St Gabriel’s Church, Park Road, Aldersbrook, London E12 5HHDescription: To mark Local and Community History Month the Friends of St Gabriel’s invite you to an illustrated talk by Mark…Read more…
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…Read more…
“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 sit…Read more…
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 fl…Read more…
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 disp…Read more…
The Clarion: The Pioneer Journal of Social Reform
How things change. Hat tip https://twitter.com/LondonNurse2015.Read more…
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 s…Read more…
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.htmland https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2020/10/socialist-labour-west-ham-cllr-george.html.I now have fu…Read more…
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. …Read more…
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 Whitwor…Read more…
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 lega…Read more…
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 celeb…Read more…
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-…Read more…
Dance music history: Injected with some Belgians (and Germans)
In an earlier piece, I mainly focused on the influences on the UK dance scene. Of course, the UK isn’t the centre of the world and Europe also has a huge dance scene. Of course, you can’t write about European dance music without mentioning …Read more…
Want to create a Newham heritage project? Apply for a grant today!
Exciting news about Newham Heritage Month 2022
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&…Read more…
Remembering the matchgirls who struck for better pay and conditions
UNISON is backing a campaign group for a proper memorial for the women and girls who joined together in London’s East End to fight for a better working life
The article Remembering the matchgirls…Read more…
Help to save a piece of our industrial heritage
A former UNISON president is leading the appeal to save the home of the Durham Miners’ Association – one of the “100 irreplaceable buildings” in the UK
The article Help to save a piece of our…Read more…
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 possib…Read more…
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…Read more…
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 espec…Read more…