VOICES OF BETHNAL GREEN

Listen to people who remember their early years growing up in Bethnal Green, going to school and working before, during and after the Second World War.

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

I'm an American. My family is from Leeds, but my family had a store in Bethnal Green. He met his wife in Bethnal Green. She was a weaver. They left London in 1785 for America. I would love to visit. Great video sir! Thanks from this American geezer. So happy to know my Greatx10 grandma is from there. From what I've learned, she was one tough old bird!

[@ancientblue70]

Your comments are interesting and appreciated. Bethnal Green was well-known as one of the main centres for the Huguenot silk weavers who came from France in the 17th century to avoid religious persecution. There is a large local park known as Weaver's Fields in Bethnal Green. I have a good friend who was born in Bethnal Green and her parents had a pub - the Prince of Wales - in Bishops Avenue. She lived there are also served behind the bar when she was a young girl. As a City of London tour guide I often take groups of people for walks around the area.

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

@@ancientblue70 thank you sir! I now know who I will have show me around when I get a chance to visit. My 10th great grandfather was from Leeds. His "consort" a.k.a. grandma was from Bethnal Green. I'm sure she would not take any guff from her husband. They immigrated to Virginia, then in 1829 they moved to Indiana. Which is where I currently live. His name was Martin Browne. I am interested to see if I can find the location of his business there in London. Hope you have a wonderful evening. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

[@tarquin4592]

I worked in Bethnal Green as a milkman in the 60's. How I think back with nothing but affection for those smashing East End people who were the salt of the earth. Even though it's been 60 years I sometimes pass places where I delivered and unfortunately, the area is not a cockney stronghold anymore.

[@rolfvaughan3175]

The whole of the East End is unrecognisable now since I was a kid and we all know why 😡⚒️⚒️

[@benm4290]

It's odd that despite all their hardships, they have smiles on their faces. When I look at the British today, most people look miserable and are broken. What has been done to them I wonder?

[@user-un3wp2kg5f]

The best pubs were in Bethnal Green

[@poplarboydavid]

Memories of my east end past!

[@steventurner197]

I lived in Teesdale st for 15 years from 1957

[@thomasconboy4636]

Pie and mash with liquor can’t wait to get

[@londonparticulars2968]

Fantastic post this, cheers David

[@frankibabi1]

I believe the pub at 8.34 is the Lord Hood, my family had that pub late 60's early 70's, not sure exactly. Not the best place in the world but it was home for a while. Thank you for the memories.

[@ancientblue70]

Good to hear from you Frank. That video wasade a few years ago when I was a London Tour guide and lecturer. Stilling leading occasional tours of.the east end and City of London. Great city. Glad it brought back a few memories for you. Thanks for the post. David

[@frankibabi1]

@@ancientblue70 I only visit the UK and London every couple of years as I have lived abroad for 30 years, but plan to spend a day wandering the east end when I am next there. My grandaughter who was born abroad lives and works in UK and loves it there. I feel nostalgic for my past, but never regret leaving. Thanks again for an accurate look at a long gone community.

[@kevingregory3391]

It is and was the lord hood.in the early 80s was managed by a couple les and Georgina..

[@markdoran3350]

Long shot, I suppose; but does anyone have photos of Doveton Street, from before those flats went up after the war? I've been searching for months, now...

[@christinedennison7770]

It never used to be multi cultural thats a myth. There was some but not as much as is pretended

[@stanleyharrison7031]

N

[@michaelharrison3602]

The east end in the years was no harder than any other city which had docks life was hard cities like Glasgow and Liverpool had it much worse all this (my generation grew up playing on bombsites and struggling to get enough to eat every working class bloke in those days got up to a bit of skuldugery some a lot more than others some grew out of it when they started going steady or doing well at work other people preferred or were earning better in the life

[@patricketienne2579]

Is multi-culture a good thing?

[@christinedennison7770]

Its becoming mono culture

[@nektekket852]

I live in Bethnal Green, and I like it...

[@user-un3wp2kg5f]

No

[@johncrockett5458]

N

[@nektekket852]

Y