Local life, culture and things to do

Bunkbeds and cramped living conditions in Maddocks House Flat in Shadwell.

The living conditions inside the flat before the fire occured. Credit: Tarling West Tenants and Residents Association.

Landlords of Maddocks House in Shadwell that caught fire plead guilty to criminal charges

29 November 202330 November 2023 Polly Nash

Mizanur Rahman, a 41-year-old father of two, was killed in a fire at the two-bedroom flat housing 18 men in

A photo of Shamsul Haque, brother of Ayub Ali Master, with two other men.

Shamsul Haque (centre), brother of Ayub Ali Master. Photo courtesy of Tam Hussein.

British Bangladeshi Culture Local

The remarkable story of the lascar brothers Ayub Ali Master and Shamsul Haque

24 November 202324 November 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

This is the story of how two brothers, Ayub Ali Master and Shamsul Haque, helped establish the Bangladeshi community in

Outdoor seating area at the Allotment Kitchen in Stepney City Farm.

Photo by Polly Nash

Eating & drinking Local Out & about

The Allotment Kitchen review: homegrown grub with culinary flare

17 November 202317 November 2023 Polly Nash

Scattered with edible flowers and drizzled with infused oils: Stepney City Farm’s locally-loved cafe serves restaurant-quality farm-to-fork dishes. If you’re

Three dancers performing Adity Roy's Avinashi Anurag in traditional costume.

Dancers performing Adity Roy's Avinashi Anurag. Photo by © Rehan Jamil.

Local Out & about What's on

The Season of Bangla Drama continues this Saturday

16 November 202317 November 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

Part of the month-long Season of Bangla Drama, Avinash Anurag at the Brady Arts Centre shows the power of unconditional

Michelle Lowe-Holder poses with some of her designs made using nitrous oxide canisters. Photo by Felix Naylor Marlow © Social Streets CIC.

Arts & artists Culture Local

This is Home: Michelle Lowe-Holder, a Canadian in Whitechapel

16 November 202322 November 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

Canadian artist and fashion designer Michelle Lowe-Holder talks about moving to Whitechapel, how the area has influenced her art and

Protests supporting Palestine outside Whitechapel Underground Station. Image by Robert Postings.

Local Local democracy News

Protesters rally for Palestine in Tower Hamlets

15 November 202316 November 2023 Robert Postings

Protesters in Tower Hamlets called for a ceasefire to end Israel’s assault on Gaza as part of a global day

Wickhams Department Store Mile End Road on 29 January 2012. Image source Wikipedia Commons under lisence Attribution 2.0 Generic. Author: Reading Tom.

Culture History & nostalgia Local

Wickham’s department store: the architectural oddity once known as the Harrods of the East End

10 November 202320 November 2023 Sinead Campbell

Once the East End’s most upmarket shopping destination, the peculiar-looking building holds a secret history of family feuds and rifts

Shop front and door, The Baklava Company, Limehouse, East London.

Photo by Felix Naylor Marlow © Social Streets CIC

Eating & drinking Local Out & about

The Baklava Company moves to a new flagship store in Limehouse

3 November 202314 November 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

The Baklava Company opens in a former Barclays Bank reanimating a landmark building and creating a culinary highlight on Commercial

Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice 1936. Photo: Marc Brenner.

Culture East End Jewish Local

The Merchant of Venice 1936 commemorates radical East End history

26 October 202316 November 2023 Imogen Garfinkel

A new interpretation of Merchant of Venice set during the Battle of Cable Street reveals how this timeless Shakespearean play

Royal London Hospital, Stepney Way entrance

Local Local economy News

The emergency services of Royal London Hospital are under pressure

24 October 202324 October 2023 Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

Royal London Hospital has expressed concern that the new Elizabeth Line puts pressure on its emergency services, as a growing

Shabana Begum sits at her sewing machine at Sew and Support.

Culture Life & living Local

‘This is my little happy place’: Shabana Begum reflects on how sewing helped her talk about mental health

19 October 202323 October 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

A year and a half ago, Shabana Begum’s anxiety was so bad she couldn’t leave the house. Now she is

A billboard outside Whitechapel Mosque explaining the risks of using nitrous oxide as a drug.

Image courtesy of N2O Know the Risks.

Local Local democracy News

‘N2O Know the Risks’ campaign launched to raise awareness about the health risks of Nitrous Oxide

12 October 202313 November 2023 Felix Naylor Marlow

Tower Hamlets Council and Queen Mary University have developed a workshop programme to educate young people about the under-reported risks

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