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
At the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918), opposing the conflict was a difficult and even dangerous choice. Around 27,000 local men living in east London’s Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington responded to the recruitment campaigns and enlisted to serve in the war. In the same area, there were at least 350 conscientious objectors. … 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
Find out more about Hackney Health Emergency, a successful people-led campaign in the 1980s to save St Leonard’s Hospital, Hoxton from closure.