Last week, ‘London Shoes’ didn’t have to venture too far from home, only a 20min train journey to the east-end for the purpose of exploring a specific area, where literally every street appears to have some sort of history behind it and its own fascinating story to tell.
So – the latest article to be published onto the London Shoes website, Twitter feed and Facebook page goes under the title of “Bow-London E3 and its amazing history & landmarks”.
For this trip out I was delighted to be accompanied again by my old work colleague ‘Les’, who I worked with way back in the late 1980’s, at Barclays Bank –Whitechapel, just a couple of minutes’ walk down the road from Bow. Les himself actually worked at the Barclays branch in Bow, during the early 1980’s, and so he was very keen to join me on this particular jaunt, and revisit some of his old haunts.
Centuries ago, Bow (like a lot of London) was a rural area, sitting just outside the Roman settlement of Londinuim, to the west.
Historic records dating back to the 12th Century show that the area was then known as ‘Stratford-atte-Bow’, which had built up around a causeway built by the Romans to aid the crossing of the River Lea.
It was an area that the Roman roads used to pass through on route to their other fortresses out-in-the-sticks in places such as Colchester in Essex.
Legend has it that in 1100, Queen Matilda wife of King Henry 1st, had a little accident which resulted in her falling into the River Lea – and as a result she ordered that a 3 arched bridge be built at ‘Stratford-atte-Bow’ to prevent such a disastrous thing happening again.
By the 1700’s, because of all its open fields and transport routes, Bow had become the centre of the animal slaughter and butchery businesses that serviced the busy London markets just down the road.
Throughout the centuries Bow witnessed a rapid demise of its countryside because of the increase in manufacturing industries, residential housing, commercial businesses – all servicing London, and all benefiting from Bow’s varied communication and transport networks (i.e. road, river & canal)
Bow also became one of London’s poorest districts – in terms of overcrowded housing and social depravity and awful working conditions – however today, like a lot of the old inner-city areas, Bow has seen a resurgence of development over the past few decades, and is today a desirable, though very expensive – place to live.
It’s one of those areas where every street seems to have some sort of history about it – some good, but other bits not so good – but a load of its historic landmarks are still in situ today, and my quest for the day was to track down some of the more important ones.
St. Mary’s Church<
St. Mary’s is the main church in Bow, and is uniquely situated on an island right in the middle of the extremely busy Bow Road.There has been a place of worship on the site for over 700 years, and the present church building dates way back to 1490.
Throughout its life, St Mary’s has certainly seen a bit of action – as it was once an execution site for topping-off Catholics – it was once a safe haven for Roundhead soldiers being persecuted by Royalists during the English Civil War.
Today though, it is probably best known for the statue of ex-Prime Minister ‘William Gladstone’ that stands directly outside in front of the church entrance.
This William Gladstone statue has its own notoriety because at its unveiling back in 1882 the outstretched hand of Gladstone was covered in the blood of a group of Match Girls from the nearby Bryant & May Match Factory in Fairfield Road – who cut themselves and used their own blood to deface the statue, in protest of their awful working conditions and the fact that the statue had been paid for by their blood, as William Bryant had commissioned the building of the statue, and had docked the ‘girls’ wages to help pay for it.
Even to this very day, unknown sympathisers cover Gladstone’s hand in red paint to commemorate this event and the terrible plight of the Match Girls.
>Three Mills<
The ‘Three Mills’ site on the River Lea is one of Bow’s many historic landmarks that is still in use today – but for completely different purposes than what it was built for.
It was originally an area of the River Lea where defense fortresses were built to prevent the Danes and then the French, from getting too far up the river and invading London.
Because the River Lea is tidal, it was the ideal place for flour mills to be built, and originally there were 4 mills situated there, grinding down grain for the baking of bread to feed London’s ever increasing population.
In Elizabethan times the mills at Three Mills were used to grind down gunpowder – and later on it was the site of a large distillery.
Today, Three Mills houses an education centre, a recording studio – and is a very popular tourist attraction.
Bow Bus Garage<
One of London’s largest historic bus garages is situated in Bow’s Fairfield Road.
This wonderful Grade II listed building first opened as a ‘Tram’ depot back in 1908, and then converted to a ‘Trolley Bus’ depot in 1939 – and then it was the main depot that garaged London’s iconic ‘Routemaster’ buses, right up until 2004 – and it is still operative today to garage the majority of TfL’s east London’s bus fleets.
>Bow Locks<
No – I’m not using profane language here.
Bow’s historic and still fully operative old Locks are situated along the Bow stretch of the River Lea – and link the tidal ‘Bow Creek’ with the River Lea and the ‘Limehouse-Cut’ and also Bow’s canal networks.
Historic records show that there has been tidal control at this particular site as far back as the 1300’s.
The Bow Locks have obviously been rebuilt several times throughout the centuries to accommodate Bow’s manufacturing industries and trade, and also to prevent local flooding – but today they are still fully operative and are also a big tourist attraction.
>The Bryant & May Match Factory<
This historic factory site in Bow’s Fairfield Road, is one of London’s most famous industrial landmarks.
In 1843 a William Bryant and Francis May went into business selling matches.
The purchased an old rope and candle factory in Fairfield Road and turned it into the iconic Bryant & May Match Factory.
By 1860 the factory had a workforce of around 5,000 that were knocking out 300 million matches per day – making it one of London’s largest and most successful factory sites.
However, things didn’t always go smoothly for the owners, as in 1888 they became embroiled in the historic ‘Match Girls Strike’ – an event that paved the way in which industrial relations were subsequently conducted.
Today – this 7 acre site has been converted into luxury apartments and flats, all with a gated community – which is now known as ‘The Bow Quarter’.
>The Chisenhale Gallery<
This art gallery in Bow’s Chisenhale Road was once a massive veneer factory that manufactured all the propellers for ‘Spitfire’ planes throughout WW2.
Roman Road – Market<
Named because it was originally built by the Romans as one of their main routes out of Londinium, to their fortress up in Colchester-Essex – and as a result the area surrounding it was a hive of industry, manufacturing and residential housing.
Throughout the past couple of centuries, Londoner’s particularly EastEnders, it is the site of what was one of London’s oldest, largest and most popular Street Markets.
Known by east Londoner’s as ‘The Roman’ where a visit there would be announced as ‘Im gahn dahn the Roman’ (eg ‘Im going down to the Roman Road market!!)
In 1986 two commemorative arches were erected at each end of this famous road, that are partly inscribed in Latin to acknowledge the Roman influence and heritage of the street.
>Pelican Cottage<
Close by to Roman Road is a small quaint little cottage, that is totally out of character with all the other modern buildings surrounding it.
Built way back in the early 1800’s this beautiful little house is still in use today and has, quite rightly, been given Grade II listed status.
>Three Colts Bridge<
The Three Colts Bridge dates back to 1830 when it was constructed as a crossing the newly constructed ‘Hertford Union Canal’ that links up with the Regents Canal and the Grand Union Canal.
>Grove Hall Park<
This very small piece of public parkland is all that remains of what once was the Bow countryside.
In 1703 the huge mansion of Grove Hall and its large estate, occupied this specific area.
The estate used to be the site of the infamous annual ‘Green Goose Fair’ – a local event that also attracted people from all over London, and in 1823 had to be stopped and banned – because of the continuous drunken, bawdy and rowdy behavior by the revelers.
The beautiful trees that run through the centre of the parkland are hundreds of years old and are today protected by a preservation order.
>The Docklands Mosaic<
Tucked away underneath the canopy of an entrance door to what was the old Poplar Town Hall, is a unique, but little known and rarely noticed mosaic. Designed and built in 1938 the mosaic beautifully depicts the River Thames and the Docklands connections to Bow.
>Kingsley Hall<
Kingsley Hall is today a local arts & crafts centre and meeting hall.
It was built back in 1928 and is famous for being the place where Mahatma Gandhi once lived, and this is commemorated by the fact that it is the HQ of the Gandhi Foundation.
>Flying Bomb-Blue Plaque<
In 1944 the Bow Railway Bridge took a direct hit from the very first V1 Flying Bomb launched by the Germans on London.
The blue plaque next to today’s bridge commemorates the fact that 6 people were killed, 30 seriously injured and over 200 Bow residents made homeless as a result of this terrible event.
>Sylvia Pankhurst<
References to the influence that legendary women’s rights campaigner has had on Bow.
Sylvia was the daughter of the UK’s main Suffragette campaigner Emeline Pankhurst – however, Sylvia also campaigned the plight of women surviving in London slums – of which Bow was one of the largest and worst.
Sylvia Pankhurst was a demonstrative force in the Bow area – holding regular women only meetings in some of its pubs – setting up a women only factory that manufactured toys, and had the iconic Selfridges as one of its main customers.
She also set-up nurseries for working mothers, so that their children could be looked after whilst they were out at work trying to earn a living and better their lives and conditions.
>Bow’s historic Pubs<
As with most inner city areas Bow has been the location of a number of historic and iconic old pubs – and fortunately some of Bow’s are still open-for-business today – and so London Shoes went to seek some of them out.
The Lord Morpeth
This is a pub with a wealth of history behind it.
It was originally opened as a pub in 1848, and was the regular drinking-hole and meeting place for the Sylvia Pankhurst led suffragette and women’s rights movement. Pankhurst “East London Federation of Suffragettes” headquarters was once situated right next door to the pub – making it an ideal spot for Federation meetings.
Today a magnificent mural covers the entire side of the pub building –that depicts Sylvia Pankhurst and the work and responsibility that she undertook throughout Bow, to better the lives and conditions of its women residents.
The Bow Bells
This pub has been serving pints here in the Bow Road since 1860. One of its claims to fame is that the ladies toilets down in its basement are said to be haunted – and as a result it is one of the locations visited on a ‘Haunted Pubs of London’ walking tour.
The Coburn
This old boozer that sits nicely in the middle of a residential street was built in 1833 and today is now a swanky and very popular gastro-pub.
The Morgan Arms
The Morgan Arms was built in 1892 in an area that was once locally known as ‘cut-throat-alley’. Today it is one of those trendy hipster pubs.
The Lord Tredegar
Is another old pub dating back to 1850, and is named after a famous military man who had connections to the Bow area. Bow’s Tredegar Square and Tredegar Street are also named after Lord Tredegar.
The Pearly King
Sadly this old 1895 built pub has been closed down for some time now, but the building still remains. The reason we sought out this one during this particular trek out is because it was once the much loved watering-hole of my accomplice Les, when he worked nearby at the Bow branch of Barclays back in the early 1980’s.
The Eleanor Arms
Another quality old Bow boozer, and probably my personal favourite of the ones visited during this blog.
Like the Lord Morpeth in the same street this 1869 built pub also has close links to Sylvia Pankhurst and her ‘East London Federation of Suffragette’ movement, as they used to use the pub to hold their meetings.
The Eleanor Arms was also the pub that me & Les chose to sink a couple of ‘cheeky’ beers in its lovely beer-garden, following a very long day traipsing the magnificent streets of Bow.
So – that is ‘Bow’ for ya – a place full of history where every almost every street has an interesting story to tell – Hope you enjoyed reading this article and its accompanying photos.
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Please see below the more detailed photos of the ‘Bow’ blog
A map of Bow from a few centuries back, from a time when it was just a simple rural area just outside the City
St. Mary’s is the main church in Bow, and is uniquely situated on an island right in the middle of the extremely busy Bow Road. There has been a place of worship on the site for over 700 years, and the present church building dates way back to 1490
Me – outside the historic St. Mary’s Church in Bow. The DLR Station ‘Bow Church’ is named after this particular church.
St. Mary’s Church – Bow
The statue of William Gladstone – directly outside the entrance to St. Mary’s Church in Bow
The outstretched hand of the William Gladstone statue – where you can clearly see the discolouration caused by the red paint that is periodically splattered on to it by unknowns – in support of the Bryant & May Match Girls.
Three Mills – Bow
Three Mills – Bow
Three Mills – Bow
Three Mills – Bow
Three Mills – Bow
My old work mate Les – my accomplice for the day – across the road from what was once Barclays Bank-Bow branch, where he worked during the early 1980’s
Outside the historic and now Grade II Listed ‘Bow Bus Garage’
A 1932 photo of a group trolley bus workers outside the Bow Bus Garage in Fairfield Road-Bow
Views from the Bow Locks – where you can just about see my old work place ‘Canary Wharf’ in the distance
The Bow Locks
Me & Les on the bridge over the Bow Locks
The caption for this photo should read “A load of old Bow Locks”
The old Bryant & May Match Factory site in Fairfield Road-Bow. By 1860 the factory had a workforce of around 5,000 that were knocking out 300 million matches per day – making it one of London’s largest and most successful factory sites
inside the grounds of the old Bryant & May Match Factory – Fairfield Road-Bow – now converted into luxury apartments
Me & Les – inside the grounds of the old Bryant & May Match Factory – Fairfield Road-Bow – now converted into luxury apartments
inside the grounds of the old Bryant & May Match Factory – Fairfield Road-Bow – now converted into luxury apartments
This art gallery in Bow’s Chisenhale Road was once a massive veneer factory that manufactured all the propellers for ‘Spitfire’ planes throughout WW2
In 1986 two commemorative arches were erected at each end of Bow’s famous Roman Road,
The Roman Road arches are partly inscribed in Latin to acknowledge the Roman influence and heritage of the street
“I’m just gahn dahn the Roman” – (I hear the ladies say :-))
Close by to Roman Road is a small quaint little cottage, that is totally out of character with all the other modern buildings surrounding it. Built way back in the early 1800’s this beautiful little house is still in use today and has, quite rightly, been given Grade II listed status.
Pelican Cottage in the early 1950’s – decorated in preparation of a Royal drive-by , by new crowned Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip……… (photo courtesy of Marion)
A photo of a run down Pelican Cottage as it was in the 1970’s
A side view of the magnificent little ‘Pelican Cottage’-Fairfield Road – as it stands today – now a Grade II Listed Building.
The Three Colts Bridge dates back to 1830 when it was constructed as a crossing for the newly constructed ‘Hertford Union Canal’ that links up with the Regents Canal and the Grand Union Canal
View of the ‘Hertford Union Canal’ from ‘Three Colts Bridge’
Me & Les on ‘Three Colts Bridge’ – Bow
Bow’s – ‘Grove Hall Park’
The beautiful trees that run through the centre of the ‘Grove Hall Park’ are hundreds of years old and are today protected by a preservation order
Me – with some of the ‘listed’ trees inside ‘Grove Hall Park’ – Bow
The canopy of the entrance door to what was the old Poplar Town Hall – where underneath is a unique, but little known and rarely noticed mosaic. Designed and built in 1938 the mosaic beautifully depicts the River Thames and the Docklands connections to Bow.
The little known and rarely noticed mosaic under bthe canopy of the entrance to the old Poplar Town Hall – It was designed and constructed in 1938 and the mosaic beautifully depicts the River Thames and the Docklands connections to Bow.
Bow’s ‘Kingsley Hall’ was built back in 1928 and is famous for being the place where Mahatma Gandhi once lived
The blue plaque displayed on the exterior wall of Kingsley Hall – commemorates the fact that Mahatma Gandhi once lived there
The top floor of the old Kingsley Hall building is now the HQ of the Gandhi Foundation.
The residential houses of Bow’s Tredegar Square
Tredegar Square – Bow
An magnificent old Victorian pillar-box located near to Tredegar Square – Bow
Me – having a ‘break’ in Kitcat Terrace – Bow
In 1944 the Bow Railway Bridge took a direct hit from the very first V1 Flying Bomb launched by the Germans on London. The blue plaque next to today’s bridge commemorates the fact that 6 people were killed, 30 seriously injured and over 200 Bow residents made homeless as a result of this terrible event.
The blue plaque next to Bow Railway bridge commemorates the fact that 6 people were killed, 30 seriously injured and over 200 Bow residents made homeless as a result of this terrible event.
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
A 1950’s class photo of children at Malmesbury School – that stood on the corner of Coborn Street and Merchant Street-Bow (photo courtesy of Roy Arbor)
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
A famous ex resident of Bow
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
A street scene in Bow – looking at the Orbital construction that is situated in nearby Stratford’s Olympic Park, right outside West Ham United’s London Stadium ground
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
Street scenes in Bow – where a large number of the old Georgian & Victorian residential houses/homes, are now protected by being granted a ‘Listed’ status.
An old photo of what was once ‘The Pearly King’ pub. Sadly this old 1895 built pub has been closed down for some time now, but the building still remains. The reason we sought this one out during this particular trek out is because it was once the much loved watering-hole of my accomplice Les, when he worked nearby at the Bow branch of Barclays back in the early 1980’s
My accomplice ‘Les’ outside what was once ‘The Pearly King’ pub – his old watering-hole when he worked at the Barclays branch in Bow during the early 1980’s
The ‘Lord Morpeth’ in Bow was originally opened as a pub in 1848, and was the regular drinking-hole and meeting place for the Sylvia Pankhurst led suffragette and women’s rights movement. Pankhurst “East London Federation of Suffragettes” headquarters was once situated right next door to the pub – making it an ideal spot for Federation meetings.
The magnificent mural covering the entire side of the Lord Morpeth pub building –the mora depicts Sylvia Pankhurst and the work that she undertook throughout Bow, to better the lives and conditions of its women residents
Sylvia Pankhurst rabbiting away in my ear-ole – outside the Lord Morpeth pub in Bow
A close up of The Lord Morpeth mural
A close up of The Lord Morpeth mural
Me & old Sylvia Pankhurst & the Lord Morpeth mural
The ‘Bow Bells’ pub has been serving pints here in the Bow Road since 1860. One of its claims to fame is that the ladies toilets down in its basement are said to be haunted – and as a result it is one of the locations visited on a ‘Haunted Pubs of London’ walking tour.
‘The Coburn’ pub – tucked away in a residential street in Bow
The Morgan Arms pub – built in 1892 in an area that was once locally known as ‘cut-throat-alley’. Today it is one of those trendy hipster pubs
The ‘Lord Tredegar’ is another old pub dating back to 1850, and is named after a famous military man who had connections to the Bow area. Bow’s Tredegar Square and Tredegar Street are also named after Lord Tredegar
The Eleanor Arms – another quality old Bow boozer, and probably my personal favourite of the ones visited during this blog. This 1869 built pub also has close links to Sylvia Pankhurst and her ‘East London Federation of Suffragette’ movement, as it is believed that they used to use the pub to hold their meetings
Inside the Eleanor Arms pub – Bow
Inside the Eleanor Arms pub – Bow
In the beer garden of the Eleanor Arms pub – Bow
Me & Les – my accomplice for the day – neckin’ down a couple of ‘cheeky’ ones in the Eleanor Arms – Bow
Another ‘cheeky’ one slips down in the Eleanor Arms – Bow
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UPDATE – July 2024
Update to Comments added – in March and May 2024
Original Comment – March 2021:-
>> Hi! Does anyone out there remember or know about a company called Kent & Co-Globe Works-South Grove Bow E3 ?????
I’ve acquired an old cast iron door lintel with that inscription on it and I was just interested in its history and what this company actually made! Thanks
Response comment :- 2024:-
>>Just seen this (May 2023!- Kent and Co was my grandfather’s business….. baker’s ovens… I’d be very interested to see a photo of your door. And to give you some more information of course.
This was my grandfather’s business making baker’s ovens. If like to know more of your purchase and maybe see a photo?
______________________________
UPDATE – July 2024:- (by London Shoes)
>> Following on from the posting of the above 2 comments to this ‘Bow’ blog article – it is pleasing to report that the originator of the original comment enquiring about ‘Kent & Co’ was responded to by the granddaughter of the original owner of ‘Kent & Co’ business – As a result of this blog article – both have been in contact with each other, and the outcome is that the cast iron ‘Kent & Co’ artifact is now in the process of transferring ownership from its current holder, to the granddaughter of the original proprietor of the ‘Kent & Co’ company.
And all as a result of this London Shoes article – which pleases me, and makes my little London Shoes hobby all worthwhile.
I have added 3 photographs relating to this update – to the blog article gallery
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Looks like it’s cleaned up a lot since I worked there and most likely walked straight past a lot of it without looking properly, except the pubs that is. Looks like it’s worth a revisit, another great blog Geoff
Amazing what we don’t know- lots gone on in Bow- every day is a school day as they say
Found this really interesting. I often wonder what my Grandparents would have made of the changes of today. It looks a lovely area now
Found this extremely interesting, used to live next door to Bow Bus garage. Went back this year for the first time in 50 years to Fairfield Road, does not look any different. Fairfield Stores is still there (it was my dads shop up to 1973). Brought back many memories, especially the park.
memories !!
when I was at bow boys school we used to use your dads shop to buy long cigarettes they where about 6 to 9 ” long !!!! them where the days in the park
Brian
I was born in Bow,we lived at Alton house,Bromley by Bow,my maternal grandparents lived in Priory house,across the road from the “SEVEN STARS” pub,the pub you know as the pearly king?,next to my old school OLD PALACE PRIMARY.We moved across the courtyard to Bradley house,overlooking Bow bridge, in 1950/51.the flats are still there today.We all,including my grandparents moved to Romford in 1954,I have been back since,as I went to Raines Foundation grammar school. in Stepney,travelling from Romford every day,and I worked in Whitechapel up until 1967,and I have only been back once since then,about 10 years ago,to say the area has changed,is an understatement,you cant and should not go back, its such a disapointment,our old “east end” culture has gone forever,it was a moment in time,never to be replaced,sadly!
I went to Raines Foundation too but not until 1974. I was born in Bow in 1963 and my grandparents used to live on Tredegar Road. I spent most of my childhood weekends visiting the children’s museum in Bethnal Green, swimming at York Hall and eating pie n mash. Such a simple life in those days.
I lived off Fairfield Road, Wrexham Rd, next to the bus garage no62, right opposite Bryant&May.
I used to love watching the steam trains go by from where we lived.
We had to move away from no62 when the Germans were dropping their doodle bugs on Bow in the late 40`s, but moved back again as soon as the war ended.
My grandparents lived at 52.
I went back for a look at the old place in 2008 but not seen it since.
The area I lived at had not changed much, except new houses are now opposite where I used to live, where once there was the Bryant&May bowling green and hard tennis courts.
Prior to that we had a debris which housed a couple of air raid shelters we used during air raids before we moved away because of them.
Five houses were demolished in Wrexham Road during this time – from nos.42 to 50. My Nans house was no52.How lucky was that!!!
Those houses were rebuilt during the 50`s to match the previous design, so they didn`t look any different but for the bricks being cleaner.
Near the Grove Hall park on the corner of Ridgedale Street and Jebb Street stood our local sweet and cigarette shop we used often called Dowdings.
I also remember the grocers that was opposite the bus garage – where I was usually served by a nice lady known to us as Mrs Griffiths.
I could go on but wont bore you with any more, and thanks for an interesting summary of Bow which included somethings I didn`t know.
Hello Robert,
Firstly – I just wanted to thank you for taking the time & trouble to contact me via my London Shoes website – I really do appreciate it, and its feedback such as yours that makes my little London Shoes ‘hobby’ all wort while.
Secondly, I would like to thank you for ‘sharing’ your amazing personal memories and recollections of the Bow area, you have really covered-off some extremely interesting ‘facts’ , which I am sure other readers of my article on Bow, will really enjoy reading, and its quite possible that others with ‘shared memories’ such as yours, will also post their comments/feedback on to this piece – so once again, thank you for your contribution.
I have published roughly 200 ‘blogs’ on my London Shoes website – quite a lot of which are based on topics/themes from London’s East End – which I am sure you would find interesting and perhaps entertaining – so please feel free to check out the main-menu of the London Shoes website, and call-up the ‘Archives’ section, where you will find a list of all of the blogs I have published in the 3 years that London Shoes has been up & running.
Take care Robert & stay safe
Kind regards……..GEOFF (London Shoes)
My grandparents owned a hair dressing shop near Bow Bridge. I know it did both ladies and gents which i think was unusual at the time. They were Ivy and Dick Chambers, although he was away fighting. They lived upstairs from the shop, but sadly there was some sort of bomb damage and they had to move out. Just wondered if you, (or anyone else) remembered the shop, or either of them.
Hello Lorraine,The only hairdressers/barbers was opposite the pub “The Bombay Grab” ,just before the bridge, right next to what was the start of old ford road.My dad took me there many times for a haircut,I remember the steam from the hot towel cabinet,and the adverts for brylcream,by Dennis Compton ,the cricketer on the wall.Our flats were opposite the barbers,Bradley House,the flats are still there today,but what with the development and road widening, the old road by the barbers, leading up to Bryant and Mayes has gone.The pub building still survives,but its a islamic centre now.if that helps.
Thanks, great to hear your memories. I’m looking forward to visiting the area and having a good poke around!
Lorraine – in a few weeks time I am hoping to publish another blog all about Bow – which I am sure you will find interesting and also enjoy. When I have published it I will e-mail you over its link.
Kind regards……GEOFF (LONDON SHOES)
http://www.londonshoes.blog
Interesting work, well done. Mrs Griffiths ( Miss Griffiths) to be precise was my godmother. She had the shop 44, Fairfield Rd. Born on a small farm in mid Wales before setting up shop in the East End.
Over the war years and early 50’s she had many relatives from mid Wales staying with her including my father. She died in 1956. My father recalls on her death the neighbour saying in true east end fashion ‘Poor Cow’, poor cow.
I`m sorry but I cannot recall names,but,I do recall a barbers shop by Bow bridge where my father took me in the early 50`s.As I remember it ,it was the only one anywhere near Bow bridge.Trouble is,when I was present I didn`t see anything of ladies having their hair seen to, only a gents barbers run by two men maybe three,who did haircutting.This would have been around 1950 ish.I recall one of them at least wore fairly thick rimmed glasses,but that’s all.The shop was just by a bus stop from where buses went to Stratford etc.About a few yards up from the barbers,a newspaper stand,run by a lady for a good few years stood.I later did deliveries for her when I got old enough.I`m sorry I cant remember any more than that but I feel sure it must be the same shop your grandparents had,probably before I knew it.The only other thing I remember is that it was across the main road from a pub I think was called the Black Swan.
Wow, that’s all great thanks, seems likely it was that shop. Gives me a real idea of where to look for it when I ‘m studying old photos.
I lived 16 Ridgdale St, with
my brother Alec,my father
Worked hard,because he
unloaded the most logs
from the barges,he got the
Formans job at b and m.
I knew Derek Leach
Billy Chatterway Johnny
Chambers John. Gilmore
Peter Ted,,Helen sendal
I became a lecturer and
Expert witness in the high
court I now live a listed
Building built in1892
I knew Michael Thomas allso
Hi, I have just enjoyed a trip down memory lane with you visiting Bow.
I grew up there from 1953 living in Pelican Cottage, 94 Fairfield Road, until I married in 1967.
My Father was in charge of the William Press yard there, it was a great place to live within those gates.
I am so pleased to see that my old home lives on and is now a listed building.
There were so many of my childhood memories that your walk took me to.
Thank you, great job! – Marion
Hi! Does anyone out there remember or know about a company called Kent & Co-Globe Works-South Grove Bow E3 ?????
I’ve acquired an old cast iron door lintel with that inscription on it and I was just interested in its history and what this company actually made! Thanks
Just seen this may 2023! Kent and Co was my grandfather’s business….. baker’s ovens… I’d be very interested to see a photo of your door. And to give you some more information of course.
Yes, this was my grandfather’s business making baker’s ovens. If like to know more of your purchase and maybe see a photo?
I found this blog by accident while trying to find out when Tomlins Grove was built. We lived there with Mum & Dad from 1960 to 1984. I’d love to know how old the houses are but the only details I can find on Google is “Victorian” which was a long period !
I have been trying to find details of a road called “Alexander Terrace” in Bow, it is on a birth cert of my great grandmother from 1867 but I cannot find any details anywhere on this road. if anyone can help me find details it would be greatly appreciated. many thanks.
Have you been able to find your great grandmother on the Census forms (1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911) ?
If you don’t have access to them, I’d be happy to look them up for you, I can see them via the Ancestry website.
I was brought up Bow, but the part near Victoria Park, St. Marks Church, sadly taken down and a new ultra modern on in its place, which I felt was a shame as the old one was very beautiful in side.
I lived in Monier Road the ‘Monier Tap-off licence’.
We were bombed out in early part of WW2, and my brother and I were sent up to Cumbria to an Aunt and Uncle. We loved it there and to be honest, did not want to return to old Bow.
I am surprised you did not mention Vicky Park as us kids called it, lots of memories there.
Thank you for all your findings lovely to look back and see some of Bows history is still to be seen.
Good Luck on you next walking trip.
Hello Beryl,
I just wanted to thank you personally for contacting my ‘London Shoes’ website – really grateful to you – and I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed my ‘Bow’ blog, that I actually published a couple of years back.
Also – thank you so much for sharing your connections and memories of Bow – you have some amazing recollections there, which I know that future readers/viewers of this particular blog, will really find interesting and enjoy – and will most probably share their connections/recollections – I am really grateful to you.
I have attached below, the links to 3 more blogs about “Bow” – that I have published on my London Shoes website – which I believe you may find interesting to read and enjoy.
By the way – “Vicky Park” is on my ‘To Do List’ – to produce and publish in the not too distant future – as an article in its own right, as there is so much history there
1. “Pelican Cottage – Bow – Marion’s Story”:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2021/05/01/pelican-cottage-fairfield-road-bow-e3-marions-story/
2. The ‘Bryant & May Match Factory’:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2018/08/02/the-bryant-may-match-factory-in-bow-the-match-girl-strike-of-1888/
3. Three Mills – Bow:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2019/01/27/three-mills-e3-londons-oldest-industrial-area/
Hope you enjoy them Beryl
Kind regards…..GEOFF CLEMENTS (www.londonshoes.blog)
You have made my day reading your history of Bow.
I was born in Monier Road, Old Ford, Bow in 1923 and my three schools were:- Smeed Road, Atley Road and Monteith Road.
I was on night duty with the Cable and Wireless when we had the terrible Blitz and arrived home one morning and found my house gone. Fortunately, my mother was safe.
I do know my mother worked at the Bryant and May Match Factory during the first world war and her brother, was a tram driver out of Fairfield Road Bus garage, he lived in Three Mills Lane.
A neighbour of ours was the manager of Caters, opposite Bow Church.
If I remember correctly, Grove Hall Park was between Fairfield Road and Old Ford Road, where we used to play football.
I was married in St Marks Church, Victoria Park, in whilst on leave from the RAF in 1945.
Thanks for the memories.
Hello Nick,
I just wanted to thank you personally for contacting my ‘London Shoes’ website – really grateful to you – and I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed my ‘Bow’ blog, that I published a couple of years back.
Also – thank you so much for sharing your connections and memories of Bow – you have some amazing recollections there, which I know that future readers/viewers of this particular blog, will really find interesting and enjoy – and will most probably share their connections/recollections – I am really grateful to you.
I have attached below, the links to 3 more blogs about “Bow” – that I have published on my London Shoes website – which I think you may be interested to read and enjoy.
1. “Pelican Cottage – Bow – Marion’s Story”:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2021/05/01/pelican-cottage-fairfield-road-bow-e3-marions-story/
2. The ‘Bryant & May Match Factory’:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2018/08/02/the-bryant-may-match-factory-in-bow-the-match-girl-strike-of-1888/
3. Three Mills – Bow:-
http://www.londonshoes.blog/2019/01/27/three-mills-e3-londons-oldest-industrial-area/
Hope you enjoy them Nick
Kind regards…..GEOFF CLEMENTS (www.londonshoes.blog)
My Mum came from Libra Road , Bow, I wonder if anyone has any photos of those lovely old Georgian 3`storey houses, with steps going up to the front door, and what we used to call “the airey ” , or basement.
Hi it’s so lovely that people want to remember their roots I was born in Atley Road one of 7 children. Most of our families all lived in the area as they did in those days.
I went to George Lansbury School and in those days, it was at the top of an incline – so we would wait for the milk man and jump on the float, for a ride to the top.
We then moved to Douro Street but were rehoused then to Fairfield Road, there were 7 of us in living in that house, when a massive water main damaged the houses.
I was in the school football team and my mum and dad met in the Bryant & May Factory – they were Lilian March and Jimmy White, now both passed.
I remember Grove Park in Bow very well. Eventually we were relocated to Dagenham.
Those Bow days were very happy days-the best days of my life.
I would love to write more but don’t want to bore you.
Michael White
Please feel free to share more of your memories Michael – I will gladly add them to the comments on this particular blog – I’m sure that future readers of this specific article will be interested in and enjoy your memories and recollections.
Kind regards
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
I love learning more about Bow ,I live in Hartfield Terrace directly opposite Bow Bus Garage, but cannot find a lot of history of this street.
I would be grateful if anyone has any information on this road , love living here
Hello Carol Hartfield Terrace was the back entrance to Bow Boys Secondary School, now gone. Regards George.
A great article, I was born in Bow in 1947. Shame you failed to include the one local pub that has survived and still retains the quality and mood of the old East End. I refer, of course, to the Palm Tree by Regents Canal.
Many thanks for contacting my London Shoes website – and I glad you enjoyed my Bow blog. I promiose I’ll cover off the ‘Palm Tree’ pub, when I’m next down Bow way.
I have attached a link to another Bow related blog that I published a couple of years back – I think you’ll enjoy this one too – as its all about someone who grew up in Bow throughout the 1950’s/60’s
https://www.londonshoes.blog/2021/05/01/pelican-cottage-fairfield-road-bow-e3-marions-story/
Cheers
GEOFF – http://www.londonshoes.blog
All my family lived and worked in Bow , my mother and father met at Kingsley Hall in the early 1940s,
MY mother born in 1922, her mother died when she was only 2 years old , so her gran brought her
up her gran being born in1882.MY Mother and father and i[tony] lived at 163 Covertry Cross in
my great granmothers flat.All a ca remember is playing football with Paul [Q P R ] in the square.
I initially went to Marner St. School untill we got flooded out in the flat, due to the sewer. We then all
moved to 16, Ridgdale St. Bow,[very posh] my father who worked at B and Mays , due to father
unlording the mostlogs from the barges got theforemans job and bought the house from them
[ B and M] in 1961] Unfortunately my great gran.died in 1959 , MY gran always said i would be
an architect one day, because i loved bricks.she was wrong, i became a lecturer of engineering
and expert witness in various courts. My brother became a teacher. I initually failed the entrance test, when i was 16 to go to college,but at 24 the person who failed me offered me a lecturers post at 24 and apologised ,because the other 3 guys who passed the test had all failed, I took the long
road and passed. mY brother and i sold the house in 2012
I lived in bow for 20 years, I was christened in that church at bow in 1962. I lived in Alfred street in Bow and the Bryant and May factory was the view from my bedroom window and our landing that I woke up to every morning for twenty years. Dad was a bus driver for many years but worked out of Poplar garage, then he worked at Associated Lead at Millwall for many years before becoming a train guard then later train driver on the underground, first on the District line then later on the Central line. The Barclays bank you showed was dads local branch. Mum and Dad would occasionally drink at the little driver pub that was situated near the Feroda bridge on Bow Road. I went to Malmesbury Road school at Bow. My Mum worked at the ABC cinema at Mile End for some years then later worked at St Clements hospital on the Mile End road. And how I loved my Pie, Mash and Liquor at the Pie and Mash shop on Bow Road up near the Bow Church.
Update to Comments added – in March and May 2024
Original Comment – March 2021:-
>> Hi! Does anyone out there remember or know about a company called Kent & Co-Globe Works-South Grove Bow E3 ?????
I’ve acquired an old cast iron door lintel with that inscription on it and I was just interested in its history and what this company actually made! Thanks
Response comment :- 2024:-
>>Just seen this may 2023! Kent and Co was my grandfather’s business….. baker’s ovens… I’d be very interested to see a photo of your door. And to give you some more information of course.
This was my grandfather’s business making baker’s ovens. If like to know more of your purchase and maybe see a photo?
UPDATE – July 2024:- (by London Shoes)
>> Following on from the posting of the 2 above comments to this ‘Bow’ blog article – it is pleasing to report that the originator of the original comment enquiring about ‘Kent & Co’ – and the response from the granddaughter of the original owner of ‘Kent & Co’ business – have, as a result of this blog article been in contact with each other, and the outcome is that the cast iron ‘Kent & Co’ artifact is now in the process of transferring ownership from its current holder, to the granddaughter of the original proprietor of the ‘Kent & Co’ company.
And all as a result of this London Shoes article – which pleases me, and makes my little London Shoes hobby all worthwhile.
I have added 3 photographs relating to this update – to the blog article gallery
I live in 24 parnell Road from 1957 to 1966 and went to school in roman Road and live next door to a clothes factory and went to the Victoria park
I did move to Basingstoke in Hampshire in 1966 with my my dad and mum and my brother
Hi Christine,
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time & trouble to contact my London Shoes website – and I hope you enjoyed reading my ‘Bow’ blog article.
Interestingly – I published a similar article a couple of years back, about a lady who grew up living in ‘Pelican Cottage’ in Fairfield Road – opposite Tredegar Road, and very near to Parnell Road where you grew up – she also lived and went to school in the late 1950’s and 60’s.
I think you will enjoy reading this one – and so I have attached the London Shoes link to it below:-
https://www.londonshoes.blog/2021/05/01/pelican-cottage-fairfield-road-bow-e3-marions-story/
Kind regards
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
Re Comments in 2021 and response 2024. There is a British 1941 propaganda film called ’49th Parallel’ (Glynis Johns, Eric Portman etc) where a bakers oven installed in a Hutterite Community in Canada bearing the name ‘Kent, Globe Works, 22 South Grove, London’ appears in one scene. Approx 1hour 2 minutes through the film (2 hours long). The film can be seen on several web sites of British Films as it is considered one of the best ever.
Lovely facts and history on Bow. I was born in St Andrews Hospital, Bromley by Bow.
I grew up in Old Ford which sadly has lost its identity, when I see Roman Road being called the centre of Bow. My Dad and Grandad would always say Old Ford , Bow being mainly Bow Road area. I put some photos of Roman Road recently on a Facebook site showing Roman Road, Old Ford looking east and west, same description. Old Ford Road, Roman Road, Tredegar Road, plus the Island or Monier would have been Old Ford which dates back further in history to Bow, proper. Sad to loose it’s identity, I know it is Old Ford, Bow E3, Borough of Poplar ( as was ) Tower Hamlets etc.
The right hand photo of the Kent and Co oven is in a building in Bude, Cornwall. I passed it recently whilst out walking with friends visiting. Any idea how that one got there and why it was placed there?
Just read the article on Bow E3, interesting but a shame that Old Ford is not mentioned. Quite a few facts mentioned are in Old Ford, but sadly Old Ford has lost it’s identity over the years, Roman Rd market is apparently now called the centre of Bow, but my Grandfather and Dad would have regarded it has Old Ford, which dates back to the 4th century Bow coming a lot later. I was born in Bow or Bromley-by- Bow, St Andrews Hospital but I grew up in Old Ford. Strange because the E3 post mark is not original boundary some of original Bethnal Green is in the E3 area now . 🥊🇬🇧
Totally agree with your comments, George. My dad used to say that Roman Road was an original Roman road leading to Old Ford where it crossed the Lea long before there was ever a bridge at Bow; he has subsequently been proven right. Old Ford is much older than Bow. My dad also claimed that Bow bridge was NOT named after the shape of the bridge but that the name dates back further to the ‘bow’ in the River Lea.
Thanks Roy.🥊🇬🇧
A “Kent & Co (Globe Works) Ltd” baker’s oven is clearly seen in the move “The Invaders” starring Eric Portman and Laurence Olivier. Called “The 49th Parallel” in North America, it’s the story of a party of Nazi sailors from a sunken U-Boat who try and escape Canada and make their way to the United States. Along their way they spend time with a religious community and one of the sailors volunteers to bake bread, as he had before the war. At about 1:02 into the film.
Fantastic site. Reminds me of so many things and informed me of others not known. I lived in Bow as a child, my parents had a toy shop in Roman Road and my grandfather had a printing business opposite. I have wonderful childhood memories of the E3 area from the post-war period until we moved out of London in the ’60s. I still travel back into the East End and Bow at any opportunity, but it has changed and not for the better.
Hello – I just came across your website and it is wonderful. I look forward to referring to it on my next visit to London. I love exploring less well known parts of the city.
I was just listening to a podcast with the actor Terence Stamp, who recently passed away.
He mentioned that his family got bombed out of Canal Road in Bow when he was 3 years old. So I guess that makes him a local.
Cheers, Georgia
Hi Georgia,
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to contact my London Shoes website – I really appreciate it, and I’m so glad that you are enjoying the many ‘reads’ I’ve published to date – hopefully you’ll continue to follow my weekly postings.
Yes – Terrance Stamp is/was very much an ‘East Ender’ – and by all accounts he was very proud of his roots (and quite rightly so) – Such a shame, his death – but he certainly led an ‘interesting’ life.
Take care & kind regards
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
Really enjoyed reading this blog. I was born in Devons Rd. in one of the Mobile homes and grew up in Ollerton Green, Jodrell Rd. Bow (very fancy when we moved there from the prefab) – right next to Vicky Park (where I spent many happy years playing with my friends from the flats) – my first school was Marner in Bromley By Bow then George Lansbury, then Old Ford (near Percy Dalton’s peanut factory – round on Dace Rd.) now known as Fish Island. My last primary school was in Roman Rd. and I went to Morpeth Comprehensive.
I moved away to Cambridge and became a nurse (after meeting my husband we had a year up in Glasgow and two years, with our young family, in Montreal Canada). We ended up back in Cambridge and we are still there now. My Mum grew up in Canal Rd. (now Mile End Park) my Dad’s parents lived in the (now lovely victorian houses) which were slums at the time around Bow, Driffield Rd – only wish I could afford to buy one now!
The funny thing is I didn’t appreciate all the history when I lived there but really enjoy reading about all the names I heard of as a kid but didn’t realise the importance of who they are e.g. Barbados, Suffragettes (I blame it on the bad education)!
The funny thing is my eldest boy (with the benefit of an Oxford Degre and now a PhD is moving to a basement flat in Coburn St with his girlfriend – all our family moved from the East End in the late 80’s/90’s so he goes there with no connections at all – funny how it goes full circle. Even funnier is, the lovely converted St. Clements Flats on Bow Rd (at the bottom of Coburn St) was once the workhouse where some of his ancestors were unfortunate enough to reside!
When I left I couldn’t imagine wanting to go back – was a bit shocked when he told me he was moving to East London – but I absolutely see why he loves it – viewed from the other side of the tracks to the way I grew up in Bow. Reading this has brought back some lovely memories of many really good friends (some I am still in touch with) and we have the odd night out at the Shakespear in Bethnal Green!!
My dad died 3 yrs ago, He would have loved to have read all these comments. We lived in Addington rd then moved to Lefevre walk. My Saturday I would walk up & down the Roman with my bucket collecting for the fire stations benevolent fund. I went to malmsbury school then onto Morpeth. My dad worked at Perminite next to the garage, we ended up moving to Waltham Abbey as the company moved there.
Thank you for your kind comments Allison – I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my ‘Bow’ blog article – I certainly enjoyed putting it together, although it was a few years ago now.
It is that particular blog article that prompted an ex Bow’ite to contact me to tell me all about her connections and memories of living in Bow, which then prompted me to put together a London Shoes blog, all about her life there and her experiences. I’ve attached a link to blog article below, as I feel that you may enjoy the read.
https://www.londonshoes.blog/2021/05/01/pelican-cottage-fairfield-road-bow-e3-marions-story/
best wishes
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)