For our September meeting, Graham Barker of Walk East brought us some of the shocking, charming and curious stories of the buildings, communities and people of all ages in Bethnal Green. Illustrating with one of his community projects, Victorian Footprints, Graham showed how he had guided participants to focus on an area which we perhaps think we know well (our own knowledge was tested at the outset with a few landmarks of the borough!), and to develop research techniques through newspapers, old maps, photographic records, and some chance discoveries, to find and reveal the unique and the ordinary experiences that make life extraordinary.
We considered what the boundaries of Bethnal are and were; what 'Life on the edge' was like for so many in this populous borough living in multigenerational homes; how philanthropists engaged in building dwellings, hospitals and schools; the many churches and their influence; the slow advance of sanitation and clean water services, and how this all contributed to the shockingly short average life-expectancies of different groups of workers; the entertainment in the music halls. It left us with much to marvel at and change in Bethnal Green to reflect upon. Some things remain constant, however – the picture of parents being called in to explain the absence of their children from school was a poignant glimpse of continuing challenges.
Some may be tempted to experiment with some local research, perhaps even search the maps ourselves to check out whether our own dwellings featured at any time in the 'vicious' and nearly criminal areas or if they survived away from 'Life on the Edge'!
Graham generously distributed copies of the 'Victorian Footprints' booklet, so we can follow up so much more in our own time. If you were not able to attend, you will have to ask someone to lend you their copy – they have become like gold dust! He also offered to share with us some recent walks he has prepared, so we look forward to following more of his 'footprints' in some of our monthly walks.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging evening. Look out for publicity for his future community projects – they are great fun and develop all sorts of research, photography, journalism and editing skills, to create a publication to be proud of.
Also pictured above, our cake for WI day, a national celebration of all things WI, and our September coffee morning at Clarnico Club, in the Olympic Park.
What's up next? Look out for our 'Coming up in October' post to find out.
