London History

This new exhibition really packs a punch! Boxing has always been a very English sport yet it has often been popular with ethnic minority groups at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. Boxers of Jewish, African-Caribbean, West African, Romany, Traveller, Irish and Asian origins have all, at one time or another entered the British ring. Boxing has not only been a way out of the ghetto but also a means of gaining acceptance, respect and even, in some cases, riches and fame. The exhibition will highlight how boxing has served as a means of social integration by enabling boxers to be proud of their ethnic identity while also feeling part of British society.

Ghetto Warriors: Minority boxers in Britain, 8 May to 2 September 2007, The Jewish Museum, Camden Town

Metronet, the company refurbishing the London Underground, faces a funding crunch as costs spiral at its track-and-station upgrade program, two of its owners said today.

Right Said Fred star Richard Fairbrass has vowed to run for London mayor because he is enraged by the congestion charge. Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced the charge, which requires drivers to pay a daily fee of £8 to take their cars into central London, to reduce traffic in the capital.

Muslims in London not only have almost twice as much confidence in the government as the wider public, but greater faith in the police, judicial and electoral system, a poll suggested today.

A CONSERVATIVE councillor hoping to be the next London Mayor has submitted a planning application to replace Ken Livingstone’s house and garden with flats. Bromley Councillor Simon Fawthrop submitted the application to highlight issues with Ken Livingstone’s planning policy.

The world famous Tower of London stands on the River Thames on the western boundary of the borough. It dates from the reign of William the Conqueror in the 11th century and in the past 900 years it has been as a fortress, royal palace, zoo and state prison.

Two members of Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop (late of Stratford East) died in the last two weeks. Better known to most readers is George Sewell, a television favourite as cop and tough guy in Special Branch, Get Carter, Z-Cars and a host more. But Howard Goorney was arguably more integral to the company, as he became one of Theatre Workshop’s most familiar faces on stage and a stalwart worker behind the scenes as secretary and manager.

Runners dressed as pantomime horses, toothless East End hags cheering the runners on, St John’s Ambulance picking up the fallen, and ‘plucky tryers’ finishing the course on Thursday … why Frank Keating hates the London Marathon.

Horror of the workhouse

It’s never easy being jobless, but for unemployed East Enders in Victorian times there was another insult to add to the injury of poverty. Victorian politicians - preaching the doctrines of philosopher Bentham and his creeds of utilitarianism and political economy decided that charity degraded the poor and that every person should help his or herself.

Will Crooks piece.

Bill Fishman on East End workhouses.

Hannah Billig - Angel of Cable Street

To her neighbours and patients she was the Angel of Cable Street. But the life of Hannah Billig was an extraordinary story that took her from Russia to Calcutta and Israel – while keeping a lifetime’s dedication to the people of the East End of London.

eastlondonhistory.com piece.