I wanna tell you a story about… Walthamstow Market
“When I was young as was Pete Townsend I used to go to the market. With me mum. We lived on Clapton Common, in Hackney and of a Saturday Me, me sister, mum and dad would walk across Springf eld Park, over the Lea by the Marshes, past the f lter beds, along Coppermill and then across St James Street. To the market. What excitement! Wet f sh, shrimps, cockles and whelks, and the smell of vinegar. The guy selling tea sets, a trip into Marks and Sparks, a cuppa. We’d end up at the pie and mash shop, with liquor – the non alcoholic sort. And then a train ride back to Clapton and a 253 bus. Just in time for the Results, Dad’s wetted pencil and the Treble Chance!
Lesley and Barry Coidan, 6 Milton Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 1 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story about… Walthamstow Market
Wilcumestowe c. 1075 is recorded as “The Place of Welcome” And in c. 1885 Europe’s longest market grew out Victorian expansion Leading to the marshes, High Street, was initially named Marsh Street The library was donated by Andrew Carnegie, philanthropist Heritage, England bestowed Grade 2 Listed Status to Manze’s Pie & Mash shop for its: “beautifully preserved interiors” “Ann and Joe”, recorded by The Barron Knights refers to its famous ‘Chippy’ with the line: “Long ago, outside a chip shop in Walthamstow” Managed by Waltham Forest there are approx. 100 stalls – not all offer ‘pound-a-bowl’! Sunday is the Farmers’ Market. There’s a French Market sometimes too. The Empire Cinema opened in December 2014 – yippee! Our market combines: “a traditional cockney feel whilst absorbing inf uences from the diverse cultures of the area.” Waltham is an ancient name for Estate. Welcome, friends old and new, to Forest Estate!
Sarah and Peter, 32 Milton Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 2 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story about… Walthamstow Market
It’s really really long, but I sort of kinda like it It’s not fancy or brash, you can’t buy sweet potato mash It’s just got the basics, the jerk chicken and the trainers by Asics It’s got bowls of fruit for a “pand” and the best phone chargers in the land It’s got the hats you never knew you needed, but don’t expect to walk along unimpeded Walthamstow Market’s always busy, it might even make you dizzy But persevere, I insist, you can buy all the stuff that’s on your shopping list Warm duvets to keep you snug, pots and pans and a brand new mug Toys and games that’ll stop you being bored, all at prices you can afford So come along, use your feet, and take a stoll down Walthamstow High Street
James Cracknell, 30 Milton Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 3 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story about… Walthamstow Market
The longest street market in Europe, what an exciting sight to see! For foreign eyes, an adventure it would be. But, there was a strange lingo, with a man addressing me as ‘squire’, quickly asking what I desire? “Um, some bananas and apples please?” He obliged and asked me for a ‘Lady Godiva’, I eventually worked out he wanted a f ver. So, I gave the gentleman some money and he smiled and said “lovely jubbly”, which made me feel rather warm and bubbly. This intriguing market, in Walthamstow, what a wonderful place to roam. It is so great to now call it home.
Grant, Lee Anne and the kids, 7 Milton Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 4 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story about… Walthamstow Market
“These sums are offered to that host of young people in our elementary schools who are so ardently desirous of setting foot upon the f rst rung of the educational ladder”
Beauchamp turned over the exam paper, he read the f rst, compulsory, question and his heart sank… A Walthamstow market trader buys strawberries at the wholesale price of £2.12 per kilo; he puts 12ozs of these into a plastic bowl, and he then adds 4ozs of nearly-rotten strawberries left over from last week. He then sells them at a ‘parnd-a-bowel’. He sells 107lbs of strawberries. a) How much of his prof t is made up by the strawberries left over from last week? b) Would it be better value to buy strawberries from a well-known Walthamstow High Street Supermarket costing £3.00 per 800grams (assuming that none of them are rotten)? Poor Beauchamp’s mind was blank save one thought ‘I bet I know where Valerie Singleton would buy her strawberries’…
Chris & Gregg, 18 Milton Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 5 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium
There were endlessly mutating coloured lights set into the dance f oor of Charlie Chan’s - or was that nothing more than a half-remembered rumour blurred across all these decades into witnessed fact? Another time, another life, so long here in this corner of North East London. One thing is for certain; there were two young Bulgarian women, long glossy hair raven-black, brought along by – who? Ah yes, that Welsh artist, in the long tweed overcoat. Something complicit, unspoken between the two women. And they kept on winning: bet after bet, all through the evening, and each time they won, they would scoop up huge piles of money, heaps of crumpled banknotes, and all night they were laughing and placing bets, laughing and winning.
Gavin Maughf ing, 26 Aubrey Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 6 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium
I love it when a day starts like that. Sunny, but not hot, just a touch of wind and the merest hint of damp in the air. All the omens favourable, right down to that little patch of white fur on my left paw facing the other way. Always enjoy seeing the rest of the gang – we pretend to hate each other to keep the owners happy, but really we love tearing round the track together. We are… the track pack. I’ve never quite got all the shouting – I know it must be fun, watching us racing along, but not everyone’s a happy bunny (ha ha) and I’ve even seen them ripping up bits of paper and stamping on them. The best bit is knowing that we’re going to do it all again tomorrow. So why’s my owner looking sad and talking about ‘end of an era’ ?
Helena Poldervaart, Aubrey Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 7 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about William Morris
I returned his good morning in a quiet, formal tone as he seated himself next to me. Careful to avoid the assumption that I had the right man I waited silently, willing him to continue.
‘I always found midnight a curious hour...’ he began, as he gazed up through the high arched windows to the crescent moon beyond.
‘Indeed’ I replied, knowing not how else to respond.
Minutes seemed to pass before he continued, ‘You saw our advertisement?’ I nodded assent. ‘So tell me,’ he went on, ‘what was it about our little project that piqued your interest?’
Beverley & Richard Essam, 8 Browns Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 8 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about William Morris
“This is not an age of inventions, the last epoch did this for us.”
He nodded to me, and bade me good morning as if he expected me.
As I sat in that vapour-bath of discontented humanity I could scarce bring to mind the shabby London suburb where I was, and felt as if I was in a pleasant country place; a Cockney newly escaped from the tyranny of bricks and mortar.
The stone was a a little weathered, but showed no marks of the grimy sootiness which I was used to on every London building more than a year old.”
Bob and Sue, 3 Browns Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 9 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about William Morris
“But onward!” he cried “to the Well at the World’s End”
“Although not before we alight upon the Glittering Plain in the Wood Beyond the World” His passion turned to surrender swiftly followed by sadness but never regret And so to bed, to Kelmscott, to ref ect and to rest He beckoned to me and In a whisper he spoke: “I do not want Art for a few any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few”
Geetu, 13 Browns Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 10 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about William Morris
“What piqued my interest?” I replied “But the opportunity for revolution!” “Ah, the revolution!” he repeated my words, his face coming alive in the ref ected moonlight. He had leapt to his feet and I followed him with timid curiosity through the open door and into the dimly lit garden; he continued, his arms gesticulating wildly; “Social justice is all very well, but today it is our walls that inspires my passion. I am tired of these puritans. I have grown bored of staring at these blank coloured walls. Whether they be of the lonely Dulux Dog or the Farrows and the Balls, it is our gardens that we shall spread over our plastered canvases.” I must admit, dear reader, that I was somewhat confused.
Jonathan and Teresa, 9 Browns Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 11 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Cinema on Hoe Street
With a f nal push, she breaks through the boards, and stumbles past a moulding door into the cavern of the lost picturehouse. She scans the gloom, picking out seats and columns sticky with the grime of neglect, and stale drapes framing a yellowing screen.
Reaching for the weight of the camera around her neck she gets to work - trying to capture the fossilised, eerie pomp of the former cinema. Feeling uneasy, she rushes, and is glad to return to the Walthamstow of her own time, reassured by the human whirr of the market and bright slick of The Scene.
But the old cinema and its forgotten Saturday nights still have their story to tell. In her photos, a scarlet luxury starts to re-glow, while dozens of shadowy f gures line the seats, their unseen faces upturned to a shimmering screen.
Fiona and Mike, 72 Byron Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 12 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Cinema on Hoe Street
The EMD (Granada) Walthamstow cinema, once this building was the Heart of Walthamstow, a place where residents came for a night of entertainment. Now it is a forgotten building which stands still and quiet as we all hurry past, oblivious to its signif cance. It was f rst built as part of the Granada Empire and artists such as the Beatles and The Rolling Stones delivered unforgettable nights in this very theatre. However the closing of the Granada cinema chain led to its doors being shut in 2003 and the heart of Walthamstow was broken.
Sara Khan, 62 Byron Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 13 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Cinema on Hoe Street
Bob pulled himself away from the amazing vista from Byron Road where he had a clear view of the sunset over Alexandra Palace. He had a special evening planned at the Granada Cinema where a few years ago he met his soul mate Millie selling sweets at the shop called Candy next to the cinema. They had met when Bob fell over while rushing to cross the zebra crossing just outside the cinema in front of the Candy Shop. Millie saw him fall and had called for help as there was a bleeding bruise on his chin. Bob was then late for the Count Basie Orchestra show but after the gig, he plucked up the courage to ask Millie for a date. They became a couple of sweethearts and after her shifts at the Candy shop, they would see bands like the Rolling Stones & the Ronettes, Sam Cooke and even a little unknown band… The Beatles! However on this special day, he made his way to the cinema more carefully across the zebra crossing just like Alfred Hitchcock would have done back in the day. After another superb live show, Bob proposed to Millie that night and just like the special sunset early, Millie accepted joyfully to his marriage proposal. They still live together in Poets’ Corner.
Savi, 70 Byron Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 14 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Cinema on Hoe Street
We used to have the Granada in Walthamstow, a proper cinema. It’s been closed for what seems like forever. There was a time when people f ocked to it with its grand interior. We could see a double feature such as 2 war f lms, 2 westerns, 2 action or 2 adventure f lms. We could walk in anytime and if we wanted we could see them all over again! If you wanted to smoke, you could if you sat in the right seats. After the f rst feature the usherettes would sell her ice cream and lollies from her tray – sorry no giant boxes of overpriced popcorn here. You then eagerly waited for the second feature, which was always the better f lm. Back then the cinema always seemed to be full. So they better hurray up and have it open again! Or else I’ll have to start going to the new soulless cinema The Empire.
Vince & Seema, 66 Byron Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 15 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the old Cinema on Hoe Street
From this street (and a half) you will be able to saunter with friends , alone, or with son and daughter join the line along Hoe Street , be part of a new craZe. Take in a Show. Have a Laugh. Be AMAZED.
A vow for a Wow, a thrill on the bill , a won f ght for our right to dream an‘ atmosphere of luxury’ at ‘Modest admission prices.’ Such was the 1930’s theme.
So in velvet seats, arms lined with sweets we’ll marvel in awe of on-stage feats at the Palace for the People. Cultivating East.
Zelda, 67 Byron Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 16 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes Solitude From her hiding place in the tall grass, she could see everything. She’d come here to escape, but the constant stream of people on the towpath had interrupted her thoughts. Frustrated, she’d moved away from the water’s edge, lay down on her back in the middle of the scrub and closed herself off from the world. It hadn’t worked. The chatter of children… the barking of dogs. All conspired to f ll her head with noise when what she really wanted was silence. Was an hour on her own too much to ask? Suddenly – another sound. Quiet at f rst, then louder. A shape rose above her and she froze, mesmerised by the long, jaggedly striped body. An adder, dancing in the grass – close enough to touch, twisting and turning to attract a mate. So beautiful. So free. The angry squawk of a bird interrupted its sinewy salsa. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the dancer was gone. She smiled for the f rst time in days. It had been a special moment. Closing her eyes, she relaxed into the warm ground and f nally, felt at peace. Eleanor, 165 Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 17 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
I used to think the Marshes (both Walthamstow and Hackney) sounded scary – and dank.
Until having moved to E17, I took the rickety train back & forth over the marshes: home to Bethnal Green, and into work near Liverpool Street (the commute was the best part of the job).
Watching the blindingly low sunrise in winter, the serene cows (cows!) in warmer weather, the horses unwinding in the distance, plus dogs, birds & people. Our kids liked watching too, faces pressed to the window.
Then one day, we found ourselves on the marshes - gulping in fresh air, and surrounded by nature!
I watched the train go past, but was happy right there.
Claire Landon, 18 Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 18 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
“Brian the Pygmy Bear cautiously knocked on the door of the curious little hut he had stumbled upon in the Walthamstow Marshes. He wasn’t sure if this was the best plan, but he was so lost in this unusual land he had accidentally found himself in, there seemed to be few other options. Although a little misty, the sun was shining brightly and this f lled Brian with courage as he waited for a response. Suddenly, the door whipped open by friendly bearded fellow!”
Diana Stainton, 94 Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 19 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
On this summer night, through the open window of my bedroom direct to my eardrum comes the cry of a wild goose, shattering the dark green-like silence of London, and in the timbre of every chilly honk a secret world is uncovered. What I want to know is, what is it that touches my heart so? Is it this city of London?
Yang Lian (from Lee Valley Poems, preface)
Harriet Oliver, 61 Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 20 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
Rosie loved the marshes. She loved to ride her bike there, and pick blackberries, and explore. Once she saw a play performed there. It had a dragon and a queen in it and the theatre was a tree. One day she met a magician. He said, ‘I can make the marshes disappear and replace them with something better.’ But Rosie closed her eyes and said to the marshes: ‘Please don’t go, we love you so.’ When she opened her eyes, the magician had disappeared. And the marshes stretched out before her.
© 2015 James, Catherine, Lili & William, 62 Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 21 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
Between the canal And the river Lea A lost drift A swan rescue haul A heart to heart ramble A moonlit prance A sunlit stroll A whimsical amble A bereft dander Between the canal And the river Lea A meander
Najoua, 59a Howard Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 22 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about Walthamstow Marshes
He was bounding towards me. Even from a distance I had a sense of deep foreboding.
He was getting closer now and I was rooted to the spot, rigid and afraid.
And then he was beside me, and it was worse than all my imaginings.
My gorgeous, f oppy, chocolate Labrador had brought me a present. The present that drooped from his jaw had obviously been dragged from the dark depths of some deep, watery hell..... a large and lifeless f eshy-pink, wrinkled, hairless, Gollum-like creature that to this day haunts my dreams.*
He slapped it against my leg and I went hysterical.
Lynda, 57 Howard Road
*Google naked mole rat and you’ll understand
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 23 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
Reginald Jessup 1920-2000. Actor. My uncle Reg is just one of the many creative and talented people who seem to thrive in Walthamstow. Raised in Queens Road and educated at George Monoux Grammar School, Reg went on to the stage after wartime service as a commando. Although never a big household name, he appeared in countless theatrical performances until just months before his death. He toured with the RSC, worked with Harry Seacome in the long running play Pickwick and performed a villainous role in Coronation Street.
David Keane, 55 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
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E17_2015.indd 24 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
Johnny Dankworth
The lady in our road who wore her hair in a victory roll and who who loved cats told me that she knew John Dankworth when they were both children. Wow! The great jazz man who was admired by Charlie Parker and Sidney Bechet and was a great friend of Duke Ellington. His music wove through the the soundtrack of the 50’s and 60’s - not only the jazz of his big band but also his compositions for the coolest screen events: The Avengers; Tomorrow’s World; The Frost Report; Morgan a Suitable Case for Treatment. On top of that he was an active anti-fascist and a generous educator. What a man - no surprise he grew up here!
Debbie, 5 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
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E17_2015.indd 25 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
William Morris
A happy child, spoiled by everyone he threw his dinner out of the window if he didn’t like how it was prepared His passion was all things medieval Aged nine, wearing a miniature suit of armour he would ride his pony into the depths of Epping Forest as if he were a knight on a long quest His school nickname was ‘Crab’. At 21 he inherited an income of £900 a year which is £52,000 in today’s money.
Hilary Coffman, 1 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 26 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
So many to choose from! There are living luminaries of nearby Walthamstow School for Girls like former Attorney-General Patricia Scotland and June Sarpong, sassy TV presenter. Legendary dancer and choreographer Matthew Bourne, who went to George Monoux School, just up the road… not to forget Peter Hennessy, contemporary historian, radio presenter and long-term resident.
But it is also worth ref ecting on the many remarkable but less well-known people who’ve passed through Walthamstow over the last century or so who deserve greater recognition. Take Llewellyn Cupido Michels, a young Khoikhoi boy born in South Africa who studied brief y at the London Missionary Society’s school in Walthamstow in the mid 1840s, only to die young before he could return to his homeland to pursue his vocation of saving souls. Walthamstow’s cosmopolitan encounters go back further than many of us think…
Jon Lunn, 35 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
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E17_2015.indd 27 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
Lethal Bizzle Born in Boundary Road. Grime musician and rapper. Originally in More Fire Crew. A MOBO winner.
Ian Dury Went to Walthamstow Art College in the 1960s and taught by Peter Blake. Rock ‘n Roll singer with the Blockheads. Caught polio as a child.
Johnny Dankworth Brought up in Highams Park. Jazz Composer, saxophonist, clarinetist & band leader. Married to Cleo Laine.
Tania, 7 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
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E17_2015.indd 28 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about famous people of Walthamstow
Cornelia Parker
Objects travelling along incendiary pathways Through time and space Etching cold dark tales that matter…. …the kiss, with strings attached …Tilda, relic-like, preserved in glass …that which was destroyed, reborn.
A mermaid recast Local, learned, knowing woman Waltham Forest’s own.
Tim Spaff, 33 Rectory Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 29 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
There was a little village It was the f rst before London It was on the pilgrims’ way from Canterbury It was called Wilcumestow.
1 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 30 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
I want to tell you a story of how Walthamstow became a home. British, French, Italians, Taiwanese are some of the many stars of our f ag. And these stars have knitted a very cosy community which is now ours!
8 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
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E17_2015.indd 31 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
After the war, Margaret lived with her family in an Essex prefab. Then they moved to Walthamstow. Later, kids grown up and husband deceased, Margaret sat in the sun in an old, battered wooden chair in the garden. In late summer, she gathered apples from her tree, bagged them up and walked up and down the road, delivering them to grateful neighbours.
15 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 32 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow How Cats Brought Us Together Casey was old and didn’t travel well, And she absolutely hated the cat hotel. We needed a sitter in Walthamstow So Google told us all we needed to know. Jenny just lived at number 54 Only two minutes from door to door. Our friendship with Jenny has outlived our pet, We visit and drink tea every chance we get. Casey had been gone nearly a year – A knock and three neighbours with a mewling box, Now Gizmo’s here!
The Roberts family, 20 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 33 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
I f rst came to Tower Hamlets Road a bride 34 years ago. The street was a little different then. “Borasters Blinds” was a company still in existence at the Hoe Street end of the street and a neighbour told me that there had been a small factory opposite there which had manufactured dust bins. I remember the open space now occupied by f ats, so there are more people now. Walthamstow is a friendly place, with great transport links and that is why my husband and I came to live here.
25 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 34 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
Ding dong what a beautiful melody. Ding dong it is on Wednesday evening. Ding dong comes from St Mary’s church. Ding dong I parked my bicycle in the cemetery and walked up the bell tower. Ding dong it was creepy. Finally in a big room Ding Dong ropes coming up and down Ding dong a Big man, thin ladies and children jumping up to the roof and back down to f oor They all smile at me and they offer me a rope.. Ding dong it is Wednesday night again and I am f ying thanks to my friends, a rope, and a bell!
27 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 35 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
It is Sunday, I just visited the farmers market and I am running back home as we are holding Alexandra’s puppet show in our window later today. I need to prepare some hot chocolate and the mulled wine. Pat is coming to help and I need to remember to give her the gardening tools she lent me last week. Hopefully Atiqur and his family can make it. I love the food (and the mango lassi) at his parents’ restaurant and we had a fabulous multi-ethnic and multicultural poetry reading night over there a few weeks ago. It is winter, it is cold but I always get warmed up when I meet my cheerful neighbours on the streets near home. What is magic about Walthamstow is its people. The warm drinks have been served to 150 people standing in front of our home and the show is just about to start in our bay window.
34 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 36 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
Keep a spare set of keys for me just in case? Can you baby sit my kids for an hour? The postman left this with me because you were out Have you time for a cuppa?
Can I borrow your recycling bin and f ll it right up? They had these two for one down the market Please feed my cat this Wednesday night… Let’s go to the Rose for a night cap…
42 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 37 21/05/2015 18:04 I wanna tell you a story… about the Community Spirit of Walthamstow
Manzies Pie and Mash lured me in for lunch but the spicy aroma from the Dhaka Tandoori told me that other taste sensations beckoned for dinner. But then again the fried chicken and dumplings from the Caribbean in the market presented another tantalising possibility.
Yves called round. He wanted salt, doubtless for some delightful French and Italian fusion.
Ball/Foxcroft family, 46 Tower Hamlets Road
2015 E17 ART TRAIL
Poet’s Corner E17 Art Trail is kindly sponsored by Coppermills, www.coppermills.co.uk and Arona St James, www.aronastjames.co.uk
E17_2015.indd 38 21/05/2015 18:04