Just like everyone else, I so enjoy your videos John. Your videos aren't about you, they don't try to sell anything and they don't dazzle us with glitz and glam, which is so often the problem with UA-cam. You offer us a chance to feel Human again and I want to thank you so much for your soul's work. My job is so stressful & I'm frequently awestruck by how grounded your videos leave me. Thank you.
Hi John, I work as a Postie around Bow and so I've had a chance to walk most of the roads around Bow. If you are ever around there again, I'd recommend travelling to the North Side of Bow Road and up towards Victoria park. There are many interesting sites in that section like Tom Thumb's Arch, Tredegar Square, the Bridge where the First Blitz Bomb was dropped, Roman Road etc.
Also the Coppers and Co first school for the Poor children of the east End Now Moved to Upminster( No longer for the Poor children) Built on Fairfield road the old Match box factory steeped in History The Bus depo the Home to the Last Routemaster Buses ,Fairfield Road completely bypassed
Nice to see the old fire station .I used to pass there on the way through Blackwall tunnel as a child in the sixties .we we're on our way from Harlow to Mottingham .Great memories for me now sitting in South Iceland. Splendid stuff Mr Rogers.
Hi John 👋 That’s one of the reasons why we left Canary Wharf and moved up to Cambridgeshire it was because of the continued construction 🏗 all around us. Now we are happy but also the same time we really miss London so much! 🤷♂️
Crazy! I returned to visit London again after 32 years away in 2018 - following sons directions to his gaff in Poplar - I got trains from Heathrow to Bow (to access the DLR). As they were at work and I had time to kill I wandered down Bow Rd, and stumbled upon that lovely wee park 10:08 where I sat with my backpack in the sun and dozed and watched dog walkers, slowly reabsorbing Londinium etc etc. Senses Working Overtime! Great memory rekindled, thanks John. john.
Wonderful I lived in Bow Quarter and you brought me back some wonderful memories of my old stomping ground I lived always between East and West London and I live it so much to this very day 🙏♥️
Like you I came to live in the area from the sticks in my late teens. An excellent video although it is sad with all the renovation of the area that the Bow Flyover remains untouched.
At school, we had GCSE field trips to Bow and Harlow as a contrast and compare exercise. The teachers were horrified and fascinated that I preferred Bow to the shining jewel that is Harlow New Town. Even today John, there's plenty of glimpses why. The place has a soul. Thanks as always :-)
@7:16 This piece of old industrial land is soon to be demolished and a 6 tower residential development is to be built and finished around late 2024. I am currently working on the project. Great vid.
When you said "that's a fine looking building" at 12:33. that used to be my Grandads local Pub. On the right was an alleyway which led down to some small cottages which were behind the pub. During the war, there was an air raid shelter in the pub garden and my Grandad would get my mum and the family in there during air raids, then he would go in the pub and sit it out in there. i have desperately looked for old photos and maps to find the cottages but had no luck yet. I have now discovered it was called Stewarts Court.
Great walk. The ancient village of Bromley is fascinating; obliterated by the Blackwall Tunnel approach, but with a really rich history wiped out before my time. Lovely to see on film.
I lived right next to Kingsly Hall, on Talwin Street, for 9 years! I always used to think it weird that Ben Kingsley played Ghandi in the film, and Ghandi lived at Kingsley Hall. The amount of times I've driven passed Bromley Hall, knowing it looked old and was old, but never knew it's real age, or anything about it. Many thanks for another lovely video John!!!
Yet again one of your walks has set off childhood memories. I grew up in Manor Park and had relatives in Poplar. Every Friday night my mother would help my aunt in her hairdressers in St Leonards Road. We changed buses at Bow Bridge (before the flyover was built) and got another bus to the library that you featured. My cousins and I would wander around the old bomb sites to Crisp Street Market. Happy days.
Hi John First time I seen your videos and it happened to be my old area. Was born in Stepney and lived by the docks before moving to Bow around 1966.Also lived beside the horrible Blackwall tunnel approach and almost opposite the old fire station for a number of years before moving to Milton Keynes in 91. Know the area so well and watching your video brought back memories. Saved your dockland walk for tomorrow ( getting a bit late now 12.30am) 😁 Thanks again John 👍
Although I now live on the West Coast of Scotland these past twenty years, I am still a Bow lad born and bred... you can take the boy out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the boy! Also, looking at this video, I realise that although everything changes it still remains the same. And, my dad told me a few old stories about Kingsley Hall when it was under the stewardship of Laing that I could not possibly recount here in polite circles! Thank you for this one and all the others John - they are much appreciated.
Brilliant! Could i possibly swap anecdotes with you concerning R. D. Laing? I am currently researching for a short documentary that i am due to produce earlier next year and would appreciate any reminiscence that you may be able to offer. I am also interested in the project Isolde & Isobelle and possibly will be able to include pieces of the long form work for remuneration that has been submitted to archive.org if this is you. You can contact me: rstenham@gmail.com
@@YandI-u2h Thank you for your interest. The hall was derelict for much of the 1970's and early 80's and many 'memories' were left behind inside there. I, as well as my daughter, many years later, attended the Children's House upon Bruce Road which had strong links with the founders of Kingsley Hall and even within that time the emphasis of compassion and positive social reform for all was still taught. My work submitted to archive.org is all Public Domain/ Creative Commons and can be used freely without any remuneration... although an acknowledgement would be nice.
So glad you enjoyed revisiting Bow. Your point that "everything changes it still remains the same" reminds me of that great line from The Leopard "everything must change so that everything can stay the same" (both book and film are amont my favourites). I've met a couple of people who crossed paths with Laing during his Primrose Hill years, sounds like it was chaos.
Thank you John! Back in the 90's I was over in the east end and got work for Deutsche Bank in a big warehouse down Pudding mill lane. Now i have no idea where it was probably under the football pitch! p.s. It took me a few days to realise everything was going out of the warehouse and absolutely nothing was coming in. Needless to say the job didn't last long....
In Grove Hall Park there was a wall garden under lock and key not open to the public It was memorial garden for Bryant and may match company I worked for Tower Hamlets as a gardener back in the early 90s we had keys for the wall garden and on a Saturday the vicar of Bow Church would give us a good drink anough to get drunk on to open the garden so newlyweds can have there photos taken we had a yard at the bottom of the park but sadly pulled down and 5 flats built on the old site the park back then was mostly used by bus drivers from Bow garage
Hi John, a wonderful walk with you, always so interesting and I have to say loved it when you mentioned the park you came across and took the moment to sit on a bench and found calmness...with everything going on at this moment in time...I hope everyone can find and appreciate a place that can bring them calmness. I always appreciate your videos, thank you! I Hope you are keeping well...take really good care, stay safe! Much love from Canada!
Hi John, thank you for posting such interesting walks. I lived in Stratford and worked in Homerton and have shared walking through the olympic site with you for the last 20 years, it's like travelling without moving and you capture it effortlessly in your videos. It would be good if you capture another quick walk around Pudding Mill as the 'ABBA experience' is being erected. Another historical mention is the facsimily of Luke Howards house that has been built on the original site of his pharmacy works on the corner of City Mill river next to the lock-keepers cottage. Luke Howard was a pharmacist and made pharmaceutical products including aspirin and quinine, his original house was in Plaistow, however what he most known for is inventing the nomenclature for clouds that is still in use around the world today. He wrote his seminal work 'On the Modification of Clouds' whilst living in Plaistow and working in Stratford. There is no plaque commemorating him in Stratford only on in Tottenham where he died in his sons house. To think every time someone looks up and thinks cumulus, stratos, cirrus, it was given it's name by someone in Stratford.
Thank you John for another wonderful video. I have really been enjoying these urban walks. Lookung forward to the next one. You brighten up my Sundays.
Lovely video, endlessly fascinating and wonderfully relaxing. Your videos help me cope with the daily grind, thanks so much John. Gandhi, amazing history. The Limehouse cut is part of my pre-covid commute. On the Bazelgette front, the pumping station at crossness is amazing.
Thanks Tim - I was given a tour of Crossness back in 2014 and recorded a podcast that I never got round to editing. I'll have to post it on patreon some time
Have only just found you and I am currently going through your videos. They are great and so informative. I was particularly interested in this one as I have started researching my family tree. My mum was born in the Borough of Poplar, Bow as were her parents and grand parents. It is sad to see that none of the streets are the same as they would have been back in the latter half of 1800's to early 1900's. I've googled the addresses and it's all gone. But nice to see your walks. Keeping me going through Lockdown 3. Thank you. 😊
I remember all this area before the stadium it was a thriving industrial area where a lit of us locals were employed. We also used to go fishing on the canal it was in a very bad condition back then and severely neglected. I'm glad to see the canal as been cleaned up and it's full of life as before it was dead apart from us pesky kids
Thanks for another wonderful and informative walk, these have become my Monday morning treat. I used to go on herb walks in Bow when i was at university in Stratford, hard to imagine urban areas were places to find medicinal herbs but we found loads of species
I thoroughly enjoyed this video; it really is incredible the amount of history in this area. As you stood at the corner of Bruce Road to your left is Franklin Street named after Presiden Franklin D Roosevelt who came to visit, the cobblestones on that street are listed as are the few that remain on the neighbouring Priory Street, the school on the corner named Old Palace was said to be styled like the Eton of the East it was the destruction of this building that brought forth the listed building act you can view some of the remains at the V&A museum. Further along, Bruce road passed Kingsley Hall you have my former nursery - Children's House the first of its kind in the UK. The Seven Stars Pub opposite the Tudor Lodge was said to be Mason HQ in the 1700s. Just before the war, Bromley High Street was a night market; I could go on lol even now at 42 I'm still learning so much about the fabulous little corner I grew up on and thanks to you we finally know what that giant blue pole at the end of our street is lol, cheers 🍻
Please go on. Bromley by Bow was part of my Probation Officering patch 1990-97. The people and the communities made such a strong impression, one could be in the area a thousand years and there would still be more to learn and assimilate. Thanks for all the videos and the comments and sharing that you stimulate John Rogers. Commerce seeks to divide us, but folk like you help us to strive for unity.
Another great film, John. I too stumbled across Grove Hall Park, about 10 years ago, while on a drift through the area. I've spent quite a bit of time wandering around Bow during the lockdown. I do love this area. I visited Tower Hamlets Cemetery a few weeks back and headed east from there, admiring that old stink-pipe in St Leonards Road. Stewart Home had a promo photo taken there a few days earlier for his new novel. It must have some significance.... Bob Gilbert's new book - Ghost Trees - is all about this area. Highly recommended.
Hi John- That was an excellent walk and my has that area around Stratford changed since I remember it in the 70s !!! Lots of development and as you say another turnover of use . Looking forward to your next adventure...................Cheers Kev
Toughly enjoyed this walk in the area I lived back in the sixties, went to school near Bow Church, camped on the marshes now developed, played in the ruins of the Nunnery, Lived in the flats now occupied by the New Bow School. I spent a lot of time in the library it was my escape place. I wouldn't recognise the area now.
I greatly enjoy your videos, they make me quite nostalgic for the East End. I rarely get back to London these days, and never my old stomping grounds. After forty years in Chicago, I should really make the effort. Great job!
I remember doing some work at a bacardi-bottling plant at Three Mills, just south-east of Bow flyover, in the late 80s. I think it houses film and TV studios now. Talking of TV studios, wasn't The Big Breakfast filmed at Bow in the 90s?
You are an inspiration mate with your walks and when I move back next year, plan to follow in your footsteps. Takes me ages to watch any of your videos as I am always stopping them to find where you are on google maps! Bit of nostalgia also as I used to live in Walthamstow and once worked at Bush Boake Allen's in Carpenters Road Stratford and before that, in the erly 60's used to got into the Two Puddings in Stratford High Road, where my mate often used to sing with the band. Keep up the good work.
John. I lived in Forest Gater from about 1972 to sometime in the 1990s, often walked around Stratford and Bow and these days I would be lost, there has been so many changes, used to catch the 25 or 86 bus to Aldgate, as I worked at the old John Cass College, part of City Poly then, wonder if those buses still run on those routes, thanks for a great video, brought back many happy memories Glenn
Hi Glenn - you would have worked at City Poly when I was a student (89-92), catching the 25 down from Romford Road. I had a great time there. Last time I checked the 25 was still running, and running all night as well
Lovely John. A glimpse at the wonderful madness that is part and parcel of London. Not lost on me that an actor by the name of Kingsley portrayed Ghandi on film. Keep at it.
John Rogers I live in Plaistow, and have been contemplating spending the night camping in Epping Forest, for the odd night here and there but I’m not sure how legal or possible it might be ? Leave no trace of course.
I was about to mention the urban legend of the Krays murder victim being part of the Bow flyover foundations, but it really is just that; nothing more than a great story like all legends are.
Lovely public library. Happy to report that my local library has started to contactless pickup of requested materials! Lovely walk as always but that what, 6 lane road is definitely a no pedestrian zone.
If you had continued past bow church, just behind the bow bells pub is a row of reallly quaint old alms houses. Always been curious about them.. Then back out on to bow road towards mile end is a magnificent Georgian Square called Tredegar Square. Sorry to say it but you missed two major points of interest there!
I thought you might like to know that the green corrugated building to about 4 minutes was the first building built as part of the 2012 Olympics. It was and is a visitor centre and teaching centre for local children and is made from recycled shipping containers.
Always enjoy when one of your videos provides an unexpected connection to my formative years in Wolverhampton and the Black Country. This time that stink pipe made by Joseph Aird, Pole Maker, at the Wellington tube Works in Tipton. Apparently it's now an Asda.
John, that Olympic Park is such an eyesore and the bloody Helter Skelter looks way out of place and weird but at least it is different and kind of unusual. I enjoy sitting here watching your walks and hearing about London town, especially since I had a heart problem, being alive has taken on an importance these days, especially its transitory nature. Interesting and undemanding, keep on truckin' John
You're right John - I have an evolving relationship with the Olympic Park. The part by the river Lea is nice. Sorry to hear about your heart problem - hope you're recovering well and taking it easy.
Great walk John you're spot on about the area being not very pedestrian friendly been there walking many times always try to keep to the lea navigation myself
As always a very interesting and enjoyable walk John. I read recently that Bow was so called because of the bow shaped structure of the bridge, and moreover it was the first single span long arch bridge in England. Love the little park and love even more the early brick house. It always amazes me how these little oasis of history remain, while the tower blocks race up all around. Great stuff, I want more! AA++
thanks Michael - interesting that the name from the bridge stuck. It's a fascinating area. Will have to make another video on the area to the north of Bow Road as well
In the olden days, when I were a lad, you knew you were coming into Stratford by the smell coming from the industrial areas and the rivers. Just a bit different now.
Hello john. Love our walks. Just a little bit of info for you. That oldest brick house has a tunnel about five foot high and wide that goes all the way to the upton park. 😊
Thank you,that was so fascinating. I never knew there was so much lovely architecture in the East End of London. Your walks are so interesting and informative. Here,them lot from the People's Republic toppled old Colston but the irony is,the plinth(which is attractive in its own right) seems now to be a major draw and most times when I go past there is a knot of people there looking at it and taking selfies. I reckon when they put old Colston in M shed he'll be a major attraction for visitors and the old boy will go on making money for Bristol like he has for centuries!
So glad you enjoyed the video - the East End has loads of fascinating buildings from across the ages. I'll try and cover some more in the coming months. Yes the statue issue has made me look at them differently, I probably wouldn't have bothered looking up Gladstone's past before the Colston business
Hi John really enjoyed this walk. I stumbled across bromley hall on a walk and made some photos and then found out about it's history. Apparently the original tudor house is behind the current facade. This walk reminds me to explore this area a little more and I totally agree that these roads are anti-human :-). I really hate cars in cities
Thanks Hamish. I realised when I got there that it'd be better to film Bromley Hall from the other side of the road. Thanks for that info on the original building, still find it strange that it isn't better known
Thanks John your videos are always a good watch and very informative as well. As a relative newcomer to your channel I often watch one or two of your earlier videos in the week if I want to relax and let you do the walking instead. Stay safe and see you on the next one. Cheers.
Wonderful video John things I never knew I have herd of the body under the flyover and the Dickens book about the Asylum but what fantastic buildings there are scattered around bow must get my camera out and have a walk around the area old buildings fascinate me and there history Bromley Hall fantastic building, i remember you going through Rainham village in one of your videos and my grandparents and my mother lived in Rainham Hall for a while that building as some history well done on a brilliant video.
Hi John. A very interesting video. I have never heard of that old house and i worked in that area for a while, at the wonderfully named Bow Locks. That area has been ravaged by roads and pubs have closed by the dozen. I reckon old Gladstone's statue days may be numbered. Used to be three pairs Kingfishers nesting in the Bow Back Rivers. I used survey the waterways in that area. I wonder what I would find now?. Gary
Thanks Gary. I think some of the wildlife was returning to the area before they started work on the Olympics - a pair of Otters were spotted at one point. I was told there were hawks nesting on the roofs of some of the new towerblocks.
Loved the video. Informative & presented very well. I always remember my old nan telling me she met & shook Gandhi's hand, when she lived around E.14 (actually she lived on what is now Jolly's Green) Whether it was true, we'll never know, but it's possible! I did a similar walk, a couple of years ago from Limehouse cut to the Olympic park. I always visit the UK with sensible walking shoes. Looking forward to the next installment! Thank you.
I've recently discovered you, I live on the Isle of Wight now. But I come from a little village in North London called Willesden. Would love to know what it looks like now. Thanks for showing me around
I was going to ask John the same thing! I spent 40 odd years on Chapter Road and it would be quite emotional to see that mournful little town again in some form-particularly as I'm at the other end of the country now
Thanks for watching the videos and subscribing Angie. I'm working on a project based in Kensal Rise so will be making a video walking down from Willesden - I'm not sure it's changed physically that much apart from the increase in traffic
I also now live on the Isle of Wight (originally from Stratford) used to do do a lot of work around the Willesden area. I can remember during one world cup I was at Willesden job centre at about 11 in the morning, England were playing Brazil, the streets were fairly empty for the time of day, Brazil scored and there was an almighty roar and singing coming from various houses along the Edgware Road, it was only later on that I found out thatthere is a large Brazilian/ South American population in the area.
Great walk John. Find it really interesting discovering really old buildings amongs the modern. Have you done a walk in Plaistow? My parents were from there and I used to visit my nan in Chesterton Terrace after work sometimes. Knew the sewer bank had been made into the Greenway but not had a chance to walk it.
Interesting ramble as always 😊 Bow Arts, in the building where the Nunnery Cafe is, in the alleyway you walked to get to the little park has brilliant exhibitions on the history of industries along the Lea (closed at the moment of course 🙁)
I can't remember the curator's name I'm afraid but there have been exhibitions on plastic and timber - very interesting and I went on the boat trips they organised up the Lea, brilliant!
I really enjoyed this video because it’s where I grew up 🥰 You ended your video in Lochnagar Street which is where my mum and dad first lived after getting married in 1973. They were rehoused in 1979 around the corner in Nairn Street because Lochnagar Street was to be demolished 😏
Just like everyone else, I so enjoy your videos John. Your videos aren't about you, they don't try to sell anything and they don't dazzle us with glitz and glam, which is so often the problem with UA-cam.
You offer us a chance to feel Human again and I want to thank you so much for your soul's work. My job is so stressful & I'm frequently awestruck by how grounded your videos leave me.
Thank you.
Yes totally agree with you Harry
thank you so much for that wonderful comment Harry
Instablaster...
Hi John, I work as a Postie around Bow and so I've had a chance to walk most of the roads around Bow. If you are ever around there again, I'd recommend travelling to the North Side of Bow Road and up towards Victoria park. There are many interesting sites in that section like Tom Thumb's Arch, Tredegar Square, the Bridge where the First Blitz Bomb was dropped, Roman Road etc.
Also the Coppers and Co first school for the Poor children of the east End Now Moved to Upminster( No longer for the Poor children) Built on Fairfield road the old Match box factory steeped in History The Bus depo the Home to the Last Routemaster Buses ,Fairfield Road completely bypassed
The best thing about Sunday a John Rogers walk thanks
Definitely.
Nice to see the old fire station .I used to pass there on the way through Blackwall tunnel as a child in the sixties .we we're on our way from Harlow to Mottingham .Great memories for me now sitting in South Iceland. Splendid stuff Mr Rogers.
thanks Gary
Hi John 👋 That’s one of the reasons why we left Canary Wharf and moved up to Cambridgeshire it was because of the continued construction 🏗 all around us. Now we are happy but also the same time we really miss London so much! 🤷♂️
Crazy! I returned to visit London again after 32 years away in 2018 - following sons directions to his gaff in Poplar - I got trains from Heathrow to Bow (to access the DLR). As they were at work and I had time to kill I wandered down Bow Rd, and stumbled upon that lovely wee park 10:08 where I sat with my backpack in the sun and dozed and watched dog walkers, slowly reabsorbing Londinium etc etc. Senses Working Overtime! Great memory rekindled, thanks John. john.
Wonderful I lived in Bow Quarter and you brought me back some wonderful memories of my old stomping ground I lived always between East and West London and I live it so much to this very day 🙏♥️
Like you I came to live in the area from the sticks in my late teens. An excellent video although it is sad with all the renovation of the area that the Bow Flyover remains untouched.
Wonderful. Good on you. Thanks 👍
At school, we had GCSE field trips to Bow and Harlow as a contrast and compare exercise. The teachers were horrified and fascinated that I preferred Bow to the shining jewel that is Harlow New Town. Even today John, there's plenty of glimpses why. The place has a soul. Thanks as always :-)
@7:16 This piece of old industrial land is soon to be demolished and a 6 tower residential development is to be built and finished around late 2024. I am currently working on the project. Great vid.
When you said "that's a fine looking building" at 12:33. that used to be my Grandads local Pub. On the right was an alleyway which led down to some small cottages which were behind the pub. During the war, there was an air raid shelter in the pub garden and my Grandad would get my mum and the family in there during air raids, then he would go in the pub and sit it out in there. i have desperately looked for old photos and maps to find the cottages but had no luck yet.
I have now discovered it was called Stewarts Court.
Great walk. The ancient village of Bromley is fascinating; obliterated by the Blackwall Tunnel approach, but with a really rich history wiped out before my time. Lovely to see on film.
I absolutely adore the wonder you share when discovering something... undiscovered.
Excellent walk, thank you.
thanks Barbara
I lived right next to Kingsly Hall, on Talwin Street, for 9 years! I always used to think it weird that Ben Kingsley played Ghandi in the film, and Ghandi lived at Kingsley Hall.
The amount of times I've driven passed Bromley Hall, knowing it looked old and was old, but never knew it's real age, or anything about it.
Many thanks for another lovely video John!!!
Yet again one of your walks has set off childhood memories. I grew up in Manor Park and had relatives in Poplar. Every Friday night my mother would help my aunt in her hairdressers in St Leonards Road. We changed buses at Bow Bridge (before the flyover was built) and got another bus to the library that you featured. My cousins and I would wander around the old bomb sites to Crisp Street Market. Happy days.
Hi John First time I seen your videos and it happened to be my old area. Was born in Stepney and lived by the docks before moving to Bow around 1966.Also lived beside the horrible Blackwall tunnel approach and almost opposite the old fire station for a number of years before moving to Milton Keynes in 91. Know the area so well and watching your video brought back memories. Saved your dockland walk for tomorrow ( getting a bit late now 12.30am) 😁 Thanks again John 👍
Very enjoyable thank you for your walk
Although I now live on the West Coast of Scotland these past twenty years, I am still a Bow lad born and bred... you can take the boy out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the boy! Also, looking at this video, I realise that although everything changes it still remains the same.
And, my dad told me a few old stories about Kingsley Hall when it was under the stewardship of Laing that I could not possibly recount here in polite circles! Thank you for this one and all the others John - they are much appreciated.
Brilliant! Could i possibly swap anecdotes with you concerning R. D. Laing? I am currently researching for a short documentary that i am due to produce earlier next year and would appreciate any reminiscence that you may be able to offer.
I am also interested in the project Isolde & Isobelle and possibly will be able to include pieces of the long form work for remuneration that has been submitted to archive.org if this is you. You can contact me: rstenham@gmail.com
@@YandI-u2h Thank you for your interest. The hall was derelict for much of the 1970's and early 80's and many 'memories' were left behind inside there. I, as well as my daughter, many years later, attended the Children's House upon Bruce Road which had strong links with the founders of Kingsley Hall and even within that time the emphasis of compassion and positive social reform for all was still taught. My work submitted to archive.org is all Public Domain/ Creative Commons and can be used freely without any remuneration... although an acknowledgement would be nice.
So glad you enjoyed revisiting Bow. Your point that "everything changes it still remains the same" reminds me of that great line from The Leopard "everything must change so that everything can stay the same" (both book and film are amont my favourites). I've met a couple of people who crossed paths with Laing during his Primrose Hill years, sounds like it was chaos.
Hello fella cockney. Poplar boy here 😊
Thank you John! Back in the 90's I was over in the east end and got work for Deutsche Bank in a big warehouse down Pudding mill lane. Now i have no idea where it was probably under the football pitch! p.s. It took me a few days to realise everything was going out of the warehouse and absolutely nothing was coming in. Needless to say the job didn't last long....
I live in bow just really enjoyed this.
In Grove Hall Park there was a wall garden under lock and key not open to the public It was memorial garden for Bryant and may match company I worked for Tower Hamlets as a gardener back in the early 90s we had keys for the wall garden and on a Saturday the vicar of Bow Church would give us a good drink anough to get drunk on to open the garden so newlyweds can have there photos taken we had a yard at the bottom of the park but sadly pulled down and 5 flats built on the old site the park back then was mostly used by bus drivers from Bow garage
Thanks for that bit of local colour Andy
Wonderful John as always. Thank you. Bob.
Cheers Bob
Hi John, a wonderful walk with you, always so interesting and I have to say loved it when you mentioned the park you came across and took the moment to sit on a bench and found calmness...with everything going on at this moment in time...I hope everyone can find and appreciate a place that can bring them calmness. I always appreciate your videos, thank you! I Hope you are keeping well...take really good care, stay safe! Much love from Canada!
Hi John, thank you for posting such interesting walks.
I lived in Stratford and worked in Homerton and have shared walking through the olympic site with you for the last 20 years, it's like travelling without moving and you capture it effortlessly in your videos.
It would be good if you capture another quick walk around Pudding Mill as the 'ABBA experience' is being erected.
Another historical mention is the facsimily of Luke Howards house that has been built on the original site of his pharmacy works on the corner of City Mill river next to the lock-keepers cottage.
Luke Howard was a pharmacist and made pharmaceutical products including aspirin and quinine, his original house was in Plaistow, however what he most known for is inventing the nomenclature for clouds that is still in use around the world today.
He wrote his seminal work 'On the Modification of Clouds' whilst living in Plaistow and working in Stratford.
There is no plaque commemorating him in Stratford only on in Tottenham where he died in his sons house.
To think every time someone looks up and thinks cumulus, stratos, cirrus, it was given it's name by someone in Stratford.
This is a gem. So much in this I would like to comment on, but simply thank you for the history and the complexity.
Thanks very much Jennifer
Thank you John for another wonderful video. I have really been enjoying these urban walks. Lookung forward to the next one. You brighten up my Sundays.
Lovely video, endlessly fascinating and wonderfully relaxing. Your videos help me cope with the daily grind, thanks so much John. Gandhi, amazing history. The Limehouse cut is part of my pre-covid commute. On the Bazelgette front, the pumping station at crossness is amazing.
Thanks Tim - I was given a tour of Crossness back in 2014 and recorded a podcast that I never got round to editing. I'll have to post it on patreon some time
Love joining you on your walks. A joy as ever and I always learn something new.
thanks Rebekah
Have a nice week John! Beautiful and relaxing content as always. Loved the public library, what a magnificent building
Thanks very much Fiona
Have only just found you and I am currently going through your videos. They are great and so informative. I was particularly interested in this one as I have started researching my family tree. My mum was born in the Borough of Poplar, Bow as were her parents and grand parents. It is sad to see that none of the streets are the same as they would have been back in the latter half of 1800's to early 1900's. I've googled the addresses and it's all gone. But nice to see your walks. Keeping me going through Lockdown 3. Thank you. 😊
Love your videos John. Watching these has made such a diffeyto my own walks (south London) everything is more interesting x
That was great. Thanks John
I remember all this area before the stadium it was a thriving industrial area where a lit of us locals were employed. We also used to go fishing on the canal it was in a very bad condition back then and severely neglected. I'm glad to see the canal as been cleaned up and it's full of life as before it was dead apart from us pesky kids
Thanks for another wonderful and informative walk, these have become my Monday morning treat. I used to go on herb walks in Bow when i was at university in Stratford, hard to imagine urban areas were places to find medicinal herbs but we found loads of species
I thoroughly enjoyed this video; it really is incredible the amount of history in this area. As you stood at the corner of Bruce Road to your left is Franklin Street named after Presiden Franklin D Roosevelt who came to visit, the cobblestones on that street are listed as are the few that remain on the neighbouring Priory Street, the school on the corner named Old Palace was said to be styled like the Eton of the East it was the destruction of this building that brought forth the listed building act you can view some of the remains at the V&A museum. Further along, Bruce road passed Kingsley Hall you have my former nursery - Children's House the first of its kind in the UK. The Seven Stars Pub opposite the Tudor Lodge was said to be Mason HQ in the 1700s. Just before the war, Bromley High Street was a night market; I could go on lol even now at 42 I'm still learning so much about the fabulous little corner I grew up on and thanks to you we finally know what that giant blue pole at the end of our street is lol, cheers 🍻
Please go on.
Bromley by Bow was part of my Probation Officering patch 1990-97. The people and the communities made such a strong impression, one could be in the area a thousand years and there would still be more to learn and assimilate.
Thanks for all the videos and the comments and sharing that you stimulate John Rogers.
Commerce seeks to divide us, but folk like you help us to strive for unity.
Love it
Its were i spent my younger days
Long left but so nice to see in this
Great film
Love your style - excellent and professional work.
Thank you very much Michael
Another great film, John. I too stumbled across Grove Hall Park, about 10 years ago, while on a drift through the area. I've spent quite a bit of time wandering around Bow during the lockdown. I do love this area. I visited Tower Hamlets Cemetery a few weeks back and headed east from there, admiring that old stink-pipe in St Leonards Road. Stewart Home had a promo photo taken there a few days earlier for his new novel. It must have some significance.... Bob Gilbert's new book - Ghost Trees - is all about this area. Highly recommended.
Thanks for the tip Carl, I’ll check it out
Hi John- That was an excellent walk and my has that area around Stratford changed since I remember it in the 70s !!! Lots of development and as you say another turnover of use . Looking forward to your next adventure...................Cheers Kev
Used to live in Bow....so many places I remembered. Definitely need to be careful on some of those roads. Thanks for a great film
Toughly enjoyed this walk in the area I lived back in the sixties, went to school near Bow Church, camped on the marshes now developed, played in the ruins of the Nunnery, Lived in the flats now occupied by the New Bow School. I spent a lot of time in the library it was my escape place. I wouldn't recognise the area now.
I didn’t like the sound of a walk in Bow to begin with, but I ended up really liking this one! Thanks John.
glad you enjoyed it Traci
I greatly enjoy your videos, they make me quite nostalgic for the East End. I rarely get back to London these days, and never my old stomping grounds. After forty years in Chicago, I should really make the effort. Great job!
I remember doing some work at a bacardi-bottling plant at Three Mills, just south-east of Bow flyover, in the late 80s. I think it houses film and TV studios now.
Talking of TV studios, wasn't The Big Breakfast filmed at Bow in the 90s?
yes a little further north at Old Ford I believe
@@JohnRogersWalks I seem to remember that Lock Keeper's Cottage, where the show was filmed, had the amusing postal address of 'Bow Locks'.
You are an inspiration mate with your walks and when I move back next year, plan to follow in your footsteps. Takes me ages to watch any of your videos as I am always stopping them to find where you are on google maps! Bit of nostalgia also as I used to live in Walthamstow and once worked at Bush Boake Allen's in Carpenters Road Stratford and before that, in the erly 60's used to got into the Two Puddings in Stratford High Road, where my mate often used to sing with the band. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful John, thank you.
It's the best
John. I lived in Forest Gater from about 1972 to sometime in the 1990s, often walked around Stratford and Bow and these days I would be lost, there has been so many changes, used to catch the 25 or 86 bus to Aldgate, as I worked at the old John Cass College, part of City Poly then, wonder if those buses still run on those routes, thanks for a great video, brought back many happy memories Glenn
Hi Glenn - you would have worked at City Poly when I was a student (89-92), catching the 25 down from Romford Road. I had a great time there. Last time I checked the 25 was still running, and running all night as well
good to have you back on UA-cam. Splendid upload!
Thanks for another great video.
Lovely John. A glimpse at the wonderful madness that is part and parcel of London. Not lost on me that an actor by the name of Kingsley portrayed Ghandi on film. Keep at it.
That’s a great connection Stephen
Another lovely walk! Thank you! “Anti-human Landscape “ ... I grew up in one of those. Hated the lack of singular human consideration.
Your closing remarks to this walk had me chuckling.
Hello John, just managed to pick up a 1901 copy of Buxton’s Epping Forest 🌳
Great find Ray - I did a glorious walk through the forest yesterday from Leytonstone to Epping via Upshire
John Rogers I live in Plaistow, and have been contemplating spending the night camping in Epping Forest, for the odd night here and there but I’m not sure how legal or possible it might be ? Leave no trace of course.
I was about to mention the urban legend of the Krays murder victim being part of the Bow flyover foundations, but it really is just that; nothing more than a great story like all legends are.
Lovely public library. Happy to report that my local library has started to contactless pickup of requested materials! Lovely walk as always but that what, 6 lane road is definitely a no pedestrian zone.
I've heard the same legend about the Canning Town flyover.
Nice one John -Thanks.
cheers Ralph
Great walk, John. Good Nam dropping as well, Gandhi, Empress Matilda, and Ginger Marks!
If you had continued past bow church, just behind the bow bells pub is a row of reallly quaint old alms houses. Always been curious about them.. Then back out on to bow road towards mile end is a magnificent Georgian Square called Tredegar Square. Sorry to say it but you missed two major points of interest there!
nice to view while enjoying my evening meal.. thank you..
That's what I do every Sunday.
I thought you might like to know that the green corrugated building to about 4 minutes was the first building built as part of the 2012 Olympics. It was and is a visitor centre and teaching centre for local children and is made from recycled shipping containers.
Enjoyed that walk thank you
Found your walk very interesting
thanks Tim
I enjoy your walks John also from Leytonstone enjoy the history you give as well👍
Great one John ! Loved it. Merv /Canada
thanks Merv
Always enjoy when one of your videos provides an unexpected connection to my formative years in Wolverhampton and the Black Country. This time that stink pipe made by Joseph Aird, Pole Maker, at the Wellington tube Works in Tipton. Apparently it's now an Asda.
Very interesting John. I've learnt another bit of London's history today.
Thank you! 🙂👍
my pleasure Rottie glad you enjoyed the walk
As always, making the assumed overlooked and banal come to life.Thanks .And great music.Cheers John,
John, that Olympic Park is such an eyesore and the bloody Helter Skelter looks way out of place and weird but at least it is different and kind of unusual. I enjoy sitting here watching your walks and hearing about London town, especially since I had a heart problem, being alive has taken on an importance these days, especially its transitory nature. Interesting and undemanding, keep on truckin' John
You're right John - I have an evolving relationship with the Olympic Park. The part by the river Lea is nice. Sorry to hear about your heart problem - hope you're recovering well and taking it easy.
Great walk John you're spot on about the area being not very pedestrian friendly been there walking many times always try to keep to the lea navigation myself
As always a very interesting and enjoyable walk John.
I read recently that Bow was so called because of the bow shaped structure of the bridge, and moreover it was the first single span long arch bridge in England. Love the little park and love even more the early brick house. It always amazes me how these little oasis of history remain, while the tower blocks race up all around. Great stuff, I want more! AA++
thanks Michael - interesting that the name from the bridge stuck. It's a fascinating area. Will have to make another video on the area to the north of Bow Road as well
Thanks John for another amazing walk.
What a nice park UK is very beautiful.
In the olden days, when I were a lad, you knew you were coming into Stratford by the smell coming from the industrial areas and the rivers. Just a bit different now.
Hello john. Love our walks. Just a little bit of info for you. That oldest brick house has a tunnel about five foot high and wide that goes all the way to the upton park. 😊
wow! is that true?
So interesting as always John and always makes sunday evenings special, many thanks!
Thanks Raymond glad I could add to your Sunday
Hi John please please more on bow ,I am a true east end but move out to Turkey 22years ago LOVE to see your videos how it as changed.
Thank you,that was so fascinating. I never knew there was so much lovely architecture in the East End of London. Your walks are so interesting and informative. Here,them lot from the People's Republic toppled old Colston but the irony is,the plinth(which is attractive in its own right) seems now to be a major draw and most times when I go past there is a knot of people there looking at it and taking selfies. I reckon when they put old Colston in M shed he'll be a major attraction for visitors and the old boy will go on making money for Bristol like he has for centuries!
So glad you enjoyed the video - the East End has loads of fascinating buildings from across the ages. I'll try and cover some more in the coming months. Yes the statue issue has made me look at them differently, I probably wouldn't have bothered looking up Gladstone's past before the Colston business
Hi John really enjoyed this walk. I stumbled across bromley hall on a walk and made some photos and then found out about it's history. Apparently the original tudor house is behind the current facade. This walk reminds me to explore this area a little more and I totally agree that these roads are anti-human :-). I really hate cars in cities
Thanks Hamish. I realised when I got there that it'd be better to film Bromley Hall from the other side of the road. Thanks for that info on the original building, still find it strange that it isn't better known
@@JohnRogersWalks I just find it strange to find this building on what now is this horrible road you wonder what it would have been like centuries ago
Thanks John your videos are always a good watch and very informative as well. As a relative newcomer to your channel I often watch one or two of your earlier videos in the week if I want to relax and let you do the walking instead. Stay safe and see you on the next one. Cheers.
thanks very much Andy
Great walk john really good loads of information thanks again john ..Ann
thanks for watching Ann
Wonderful video John things I never knew I have herd of the body under the flyover and the Dickens book about the Asylum but what fantastic buildings there are scattered around bow must get my camera out and have a walk around the area old buildings fascinate me and there history Bromley Hall fantastic building, i remember you going through Rainham village in one of your videos and my grandparents and my mother lived in Rainham Hall for a while that building as some history well done on a brilliant video.
Hi John. A very interesting video. I have never heard of that old house and i worked in that area for a while, at the wonderfully named Bow Locks. That area has been ravaged by roads and pubs have closed by the dozen. I reckon old Gladstone's statue days may be numbered. Used to be three pairs Kingfishers nesting in the Bow Back Rivers. I used survey the waterways in that area. I wonder what I would find now?. Gary
Thanks Gary. I think some of the wildlife was returning to the area before they started work on the Olympics - a pair of Otters were spotted at one point. I was told there were hawks nesting on the roofs of some of the new towerblocks.
Keep Safe Mate, Thank you. Dave .
Cheers Dave
Nice video john love your knowledge of these different parts of london look forward to many more cheers
cheers Paul
another great one cheers buddy.
Loved the video. Informative & presented very well.
I always remember my old nan telling me she met & shook Gandhi's hand, when she lived around E.14 (actually she lived on what is now Jolly's Green)
Whether it was true, we'll never know, but it's possible!
I did a similar walk, a couple of years ago from Limehouse cut to the Olympic park. I always visit the UK with sensible walking shoes.
Looking forward to the next installment! Thank you.
Brilliant thanks 😁👍👏👏👏
Have you ever organised any walking tour around Poplar /Tower Hamlets? :) thanks.
Great walk, as always. Loved the little park tucked away between the buildings.
thanks Mariana, glad you enjoyed it. Been meaning to return to Grove Hall Park for ages
I've recently discovered you, I live on the Isle of Wight now. But I come from a little village in North London called Willesden. Would love to know what it looks like now. Thanks for showing me around
I was going to ask John the same thing! I spent 40 odd years on Chapter Road and it would be quite emotional to see that mournful little town again in some form-particularly as I'm at the other end of the country now
Thanks for watching the videos and subscribing Angie. I'm working on a project based in Kensal Rise so will be making a video walking down from Willesden - I'm not sure it's changed physically that much apart from the increase in traffic
I also now live on the Isle of Wight (originally from Stratford) used to do do a lot of work around the Willesden area. I can remember during one world cup I was at Willesden job centre at about 11 in the morning, England were playing Brazil, the streets were fairly empty for the time of day, Brazil scored and there was an almighty roar and singing coming from various houses along the Edgware Road, it was only later on that I found out thatthere is a large Brazilian/ South American population in the area.
Gest video. I can't wait to cycle around there again soon
He walked
past old palace
School such good times in the 70s
I guess you may have seen the Sugar House Island development taking place then? What a sight that will be when it’s finished.
I only passed it briefly but took a walk round the site when they just started work in 2017 ua-cam.com/video/PG-h7qdVuIs/v-deo.html
Great walk John. Find it really interesting discovering really old buildings amongs the modern. Have you done a walk in Plaistow? My parents were from there and I used to visit my nan in Chesterton Terrace after work sometimes. Knew the sewer bank had been made into the Greenway but not had a chance to walk it.
Interesting ramble as always 😊
Bow Arts, in the building where the Nunnery Cafe is, in the alleyway you walked to get to the little park has brilliant exhibitions on the history of industries along the Lea (closed at the moment of course 🙁)
Ah that must by Lucy Harrison’s project
I can't remember the curator's name I'm afraid but there have been exhibitions on plastic and timber - very interesting and I went on the boat trips they organised up the Lea, brilliant!
I really enjoyed this video because it’s where I grew up 🥰
You ended your video in Lochnagar Street which is where my mum and dad first lived after getting married in 1973. They were rehoused in 1979 around the corner in Nairn Street because Lochnagar Street was to be demolished 😏
Excellent as usual.
Any chance of a walk around Hornchurch John?
that's a good idea Grant - I'll add it to the list
Hah! Kingsley House . Gandhi. What are the chances?
Who could we get to play Gandhi in a film? Hmmmmm
That’s what I was thinking.