Find out about Cockney heritage and culture at the Cockney Heritage Festival (Photo: Cockney Heritage Trust)
When: 18th – 27th July 2013
Where: At various venues in East London
£: Some events are free, some require tickets (see programme for more details)
What is it?
The Cockney Heritage Festival, taking place this July, aims to celebrate and explore Cockney culture past and present. Organised by the Cockney Heritage Trust, the festival will have a diverse and entertaining programme of talks, film screenings, children’s events, exhibitions and workshops.
The fun kicks off on the 18th July with a launch party at the local history library in Stepney Green where there will be food, drinks, short film screenings and author talks. During the day there will be a workshop at the Wellbeing Centre, Toynbee Hall, where you can make your very own pearly sash.
On Saturday 20th July there will be opportunity to have a sing-along with a pianist at Chrisp Street Market and with singer Wayne Adams at the Idea Store on Chrisp Street. There will be Pearly kings and Queens joining Wayne Adams to help you get into the Cockney swing of things.
Look out for the Pearly Kings and Queens at the Cockney Heritage Festival (Photo: Cockney Heritage Trust)
On Tuesday 23rd July there will be a Cockney Pearlies Afternoon Tea at St John on Bethnal Green Church. There will be pearly themed talks, a film screening, sing-alongs and other entertainment.
Walks during the festival include a walk around Wapping, a Cockney Sparrows walk and a history walk around Limehouse. Talks taking place include Hop Picking, East End Backpassages: Speed History and Cockneys: Dead or Reincarnated?
There will be plenty of family friendly events, exhibitions and the opportunity for reminiscing. The festival will also look at the diverse culture of the East End with events including Asian East Enders: Urban Identity and Culture and German Sugar Baking.
More info: Visit cockneyheritagetrust.com and www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/news__events. For the full festival programme visit cockneyheritagetrust.files.wordpress.com