Local life, culture and things to do

Black and white newspaper image of Chief librarian Anne Cunningham (centre left) receiving the books including The Colour Purple, with campaigner Paul Barlow (left).

Chief librarian Anne Cunningham (centre left) receiving the books including The Colour Purple, with campaigner Paul Barlow (left). Courtesy of Paul Barlow

The Globe Town Library that defied the government to keep LGBTQ+ books on our shelves

June 28, 2021June 29, 2021 Citizen Journalist 149 Views 2 Comments 3 min read

Citizen journalist Kate Rutland finds out how the Globe Town Library’s fight against Margarets Thatcher’s ‘anti-gay’ legislation, earned their place

customised disco roller skates, Victoria Park, East London.

Custom disco skates. Photos by Anna Baldwin © Social Streets

Lifestyle Local

Victoria Park’s roller-skating revival – photoessay

June 26, 2021June 29, 2021 Evie Breese 383 Views 2 Comments 5 min read

Roller-skating has brought old and young, beginner and pro skaters together to dance their troubles away in tough times. And

Owners Sharon and Terry Langston with the team at Roman Tackle, Roman Road.

Owners Sharon and Terry Langston with their daughter Michelle, and the team at Roman Tackle on Roman Road. © Social Streets

Leisure & recreation Lifestyle Local

Wishin’ we were fishin’ with Roman Tackle

June 24, 2021June 28, 2021 Evie Breese 193 Views 1 Comment 4 min read

With jellied eels an archetype of East End culture, it’s not surprising that Roman Road offers one of London’s few dedicated

A big brunch spread featuring salmon on toast, avocado, yoghurt and a Bloody Mary.

Mae + Harvey, Roman Road

Food & drink Lifestyle Local Restaurants & cafes

The best places to brunch near Roman Road

June 24, 2021July 13, 2021 Anna Lamche 6972 Views 4 Comments Features 10 min read

Everyone’s favourite meal, we explore the best brunch places our area has to offer. Since the word was first coined

Walton on the Naze seaside destination in Essex.

Cultural heritage East End & Cockney Leisure & recreation Lifestyle Local Places to visit Travel & hotels

A cockney holiday: East Ender’s favourite seaside haunts

June 20, 2021July 17, 2021 Anna Lamche 255 Views 0 Comments 8 min read

With foreign travel likely off the cards this year, we rediscover the seaside holiday destinations that East Enders have long

A man withdraws cash from the atm outside the Nationwide bank on Roman Road.

Photo by Rachel Blake

Campaigns Local Planning and development Society

Roman Road to be left with no high street banks from September 2021

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Evie Breese 177 Views 0 Comments 3 min read

The Nationwide branch is set to close on 19 August, with the Barclays following suit on 15 September, leaving many

A woman strolls down a path through through Meath Gardens in East London

The Great Eastern Parks Route will pass through Meath Gardens then on to Mile End Park © Social Streets CIC

Local Places to visit Things to do Tours & trails

The Great Eastern Parks Route: how a forest garden developed into a greenway

June 16, 2021June 18, 2021 Citizen Journalist 225 Views 0 Comments 3 min read

Campaigning to protect and enhance green spaces has never been more crucial. Citizen journalist Stefania Di Cio` looks into how

Campaigns Good causes Local Society

Open Letter from Editor: Launch of new platform to help us live life locally

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 Tabitha Stapely 90 Views 0 Comments 4 min read

Roman Road LDN’s Editor-in-Chief announces the launch of a neighbourhood portal to help us build better lives as we come

Sitting with his schnauzer, stylist Wojtek van Portek in his Bow home.

Photos by Rose Palmer © Social Streets

Culture & communities Design & home Fashion & beauty Lifestyle Local Society

Living in style: inside the Bow flat made beautiful by stylist Wojtek van Portek

June 11, 2021June 16, 2021 Anna Lamche 240 Views 1 Comment Features 7 min read

Wojtek van Portek, Roman Road’s resident stylist and art director, chats to us about styling his compact home in Bow.

Borrower accessing kiosk at Library of Things, opening in Hackney Wick.

Borrower accessing an item at the Library of Things in Crystal Palace. A similar kiosk will opening in Hackney Wick on 15 June.

Environment Local Society

The Borrowers of Hackney Wick: welcome to the Library of Things

June 9, 2021June 15, 2021 Tom McGhie 242 Views 0 Comments 3 min read

The Library of Things, the social enterprise making “borrowing better than buying” in order to create a more sustainable future,

Artist Wedgley Snipes at his studio flat.

Arts & artists Local Society

Zine-maker Wedgley Snipes talks street photography, the Bow Food Bank, and a load of hot air

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021 Evie Breese 200 Views 0 Comments 5 min read

Welcome to the whimsical world of Wedgley Snipes, hand-dryer reviewer extraordinaire and un-official photographer of Roman Road. Wedgley Snipes is

A black-and-white photograph of Stepney Union Workhouse on a grey, overcast day. Leafless trees in the foreground.

A view of the Stepney Union Workhouse, Bromley-by-Bow.

Buildings & landmarks Cultural heritage Local Society Things to do

Inside the Stepney Union Workhouse, home to East London’s poorest children

June 4, 2021June 9, 2021 Citizen Journalist 173 Views 0 Comments Features 5 min read

Citizen journalist Kate Rutland dives into the records of the Stepney Union Workhouse to unearth the lives of the pauper