Facing deportation to Nigeria, in 1994 Sunday and Bunmi Ogunwobi took the drastic step of seeking ‘sanctuary’ with their young children in Hackney Downs Baptist Church. In what would become the longest running sanctuary in British history, the family spent more than three years living in the church, as part of a successful campaign to … Read more
Hackney Women’s Aid was one of the earliest in the country to provide a refuge to women and their families fleeing domestic violence. In this blog we explore the story of how a small group of women volunteers founded an organisation that has continued to support women and girls for over 50 years. The Women’s … Read more
During the Miners’ Strike of 1984-1985, Hackney residents, organisations and the council united to support striking workers in their fight to preserve jobs – as well as protecting miner’s families from hardship. Introduction In March 1984, the National Coal Board (NCB) announced the mass closure of coal mines, an action that would make tens of … Read more
As part of our ongoing series ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ celebrating the impact of Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities on music in the borough and beyond, this post focuses on the history and impact of Pyramid Arts, Dalston in supporting the performing community to develop artists, experiment with music and find commercial success. Introduction Pyramid Arts originated … Read more
In the 1800s, the introduction of the railway and cheap paddle steamer services from London to nearby coastal towns made seaside holidays possible for working class people in East London. Introduction The idea of a trip to the seaside as a popular leisure activity started life in the 1800s, originally as a luxury only for … Read more
The German invasion of Belgium in 1914 resulted in the largest arrival of refugees in British history, as people fled the conflict and reports of violence against civilians. Around 3,000 refugees passed through the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney during the First World War (1914-18), with around 100 Belgians settling here for a longer period of … Read more
Hackney’s African and Caribbean communities have used clothing and hair to express personal and cultural identity. This blog explores the history and impact of style amongst the borough’s Windrush Generation, through the memories and experiences of Hackney people. We Didn’t Come In Rags A large Caribbean community settled in Hackney from the 1950s onwards, seeking … Read more
Since the 1950s, Hackney’s adventure playgrounds have been important spaces for generations of local children, where they can play freely and where anything seems possible. This blog explores the rich history of adventure play across Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington. What are adventure playgrounds? Adventure playgrounds are unique spaces that support children to be independent. … Read more
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the terrible living and working conditions experienced by East London’s poor led many to find relief in alcohol. Supporters of the temperance movement aimed to limit drinking amongst the working-classes of Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington. Hackney and the ‘demon drink’ The oldest places of public entertainment in … Read more
Rare evidence of mammoth hunting has been found in Stoke Newington. Reconstruction via Wikimedia Commons. This series explores how artefacts, animal and plant remains provide a rare glimpse into Hackney’s distant past, when the area was home to huge beasts and a mysterious now extinct humans, the Neanderthals. In this post, we’re going back in … Read more