Comments on: We Are The Beating Heart Of The East End

By: belle

belle — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:05:47 +0000

I wish you independent traders much success. As someone who needs to rent a property in order to work I was interested a while back to read in one of the broadsheets that in Paris there exists a cap on business rents as a way of ensuring the survival of small businesses, and thereby preserving the unique quality of the city. Don’t know if that remains the case but it is the continual increase in rents here that create a major problem for small businesses. It is unbelievable short sightedness on the part of those in power to allow this crushing of people with such get up and go.
Thank you GA.

By: the gentle author

the gentle author — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:06:45 +0000

In reply to Isis. Isis, be assured that we shall taking our own group photograph at the launch which will reveal the composition of the new Guild.

By: Alan Gilbey

Alan Gilbey — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:58:21 +0000

I’m afraid there wouldn’t have been any women in those guilds Isis. Trades Councils started as part of the early trades union movement and the kind of workers they represented, unfortunately, were in professions where women didn’t get much of a look in. It wasn’t until the match girls of Bow united and struck that unions for unskilled workers (and women) were even considered as a notion, but they were to inspire many others – especially the dockers whose own strike is mentioned on Adam Dant’s map close by.

There was still a very active Tower Hamlets Trades Council in the nineteen seventies and it was still a TU based federation. It tried to unionise the often sweated garment industry and was central to the fight against racism locally, publishing ‘Blood On The Street’s a key document in getting the police to accept there was such a thing as racially motivated crime. ( Also me and Dan Jones painted their banners!)

By: Isis

Isis — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 01:25:15 +0000

I agree with Jeannette and others that this is your finest hour. And while I love the photo of the Shoreditch Trades and Labour Council, I wonder about the missing ladies. Historical photos like this frequently only show part of the story. When the EETG is fully formed, it would be wonderful to do a modern photo with all the men and women who join.

By: Ros

Ros — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:00:35 +0000

A result! And a brilliant one too. Well done you – and I love the stickers.

By: Gary Cook

Gary Cook — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:23:42 +0000

Boris Johnson won’t be happy until the whole of London is one air-conditioned, security-patrolled atrium. When will he learn it’s not all about money. There’s only so much land, there’s only so much that can be made from it. People don’t some from far and wide to visit London and look at the front of a new bank.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:00:31 +0000

Well done GA! You and Spitalfields Life really are the beating heart of the East End.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:43:57 +0000

I work in a primary school in The East End just near Brick Lane and we have been learning about community, beliefs and belonging. In my lessons I have used so many of your blogs and recommendations, and just now, I showed the clip for the Guild. As many of their parents are traders, this was another wonderful way to show the children that they need not just be defined by race, gender or ethinity, but everyone working together and being a part of the real East End community. Thank you so much!

By: Susan Goldman

Susan Goldman — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:24:03 +0000

Fantastic! The small businesses need to survive to help retain the unique character of Spitalfields and the east end. Congratulations and good luck.

By: C.A.Halpin

C.A.Halpin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 07:20:20 +0000

Congratulations all round, I wish you every success in the world.