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
Over the last 30 years, people with roots in East African countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya have made Hackney their home. This blog shares some of the stories of the groups, businesses and community spaces that celebrate eastern African heritage in Hackney, shaping the borough’s mixed cultural identity and forming places for communities … 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
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
Discover the hidden stories of ayahs and amahs, South and South East Asian women, who cared for British children and lived in Hackney.
Through stories of musical innovation, distribution and enjoyment, the ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ series celebrates the impact of the London Borough of Hackney on music in the borough and beyond. In this post, we focus on the role of female artists in the development of the musical genre of Lovers Rock. What is Lovers Rock? … Read more
This blog post explores the story of striking workers at two large factories in Hackney and how they rallied together to oppose their employers, using the power of song.
This is our final post in our series exploring the history of the radical visual imagery created at the Lenthall Road Workshop in Haggerston from the 1970s – 1990s. These images were made collectively and tell stories of activism, skill sharing and empowerment. A New Chapter During the 1990s the workshop became a one-woman enterprise … Read more
This continuing series explores the history of the radical visual imagery created at the Lenthall Road Workshop in Haggerston from the 1970s – 1990s. These images were made collectively and tell stories of activism, skill sharing and empowerment. Empowerment and Representation The Lenthall Road Workshop challenged the racist, sexist, ableist and stereotypes of the day … Read more
This series explores the history of the radical visual imagery created at the Lenthall Road Workshop in Haggerston between the 1970s – 1990s. These images were made collectively and tell stories of activism, skill sharing and empowerment. Introduction The Lenthall Road Workshop started at a time of dynamic community activism. Local people in Hackney and … Read more