Lost Futures of East London (4K)

[@danielscott524]

Grew up 400 yds from the Essex border in Hainault, went to Fairlop Junior school then the County High, habitue of Fulwell Cross library - what a building! The cinema was known as the ACE State when I knew it; and the teachers from ICHS all spent lunchtime at the Doc Johnson. From 35 years and 10000 miles distant, thanks for this film and all the other walks around my old manor.

[@aitchmo]

Have enjoyed all of your vids but there's something special with the local lockdown ones. Will forever encapsulate this period in our lives I think. Thank you so much for making them. Congrats on 10K.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks aitchmo

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

I knew I’d like so I ticked “like” prior to watching it. Now I’ll just pop back in time to 1760 to see the fair.

[@gavinsmith8330]

Hi again John I remember when they were building the flyover at the Redbridge Roundabout. My friends and I used to float down that stretch of the River Roding on some huge Polystyrene blocks that were somehow being used in the casting of the concrete. The Beefeater used to be called The Red House Pub. Happy Days.......

[@simonaustin5659]

Hi John, sorry for “ghosting” this thread - Thank you for the memories. I used to live just off Fullwell avenue and my best friend’s family used to run/own the cinema (It was called Ace at the time). We would frequent the Barkingside Library a lot, the swimming pool (where I would swim for the borough and county) and go sailing on the lake, at Fairlop. I remember the lake being built and that whole area being landscaped as, if I can remember rightly, was a landfill site. My Dad and I used to run up to Hainault Forest and back again, along Forest Road. This was back when there was half-day closing (remember that?!) Thanks again John. It’s always a pleasure!

[@trevorbarre5616]

You deserve the 10,000, John. I hope you have doubled that by now!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Trevor - the channel reached 35,000 subscribers the other day which was a nice moment

[@trevorbarre5616]

@@JohnRogersWalks Fantastic! I'm always some months behind your videos, I'm afraid, John, but have recommended them to several friends who also like walking and gawping! Am just finishing your book for the second time, and enjoyed it more this time round, mainly because I have got to know the locations better. Our son has moved to Walthamstow and our daughter to Hackney Central.

[@Heinz57ish]

I've been in Cornwall 39 years and still suffer from nostalgia which is why I'm here! Used to go to Gymnastics club at Redbridge Sports centre every week.

[@allanward8458]

Thank you John for the memories you coaxed out my head. We used to go to fairlop to see the fighter planes and after the war fly our model aeroplanes. After that closed we had to go further afield to North Weald to see the Vampires and Meteors. Lived in Nz for many years so you are the only way I can see where I grew up.....thanks

[@danieljohnson1924]

Your philosophy reminds me of the film "American Beauty", i.e. to see beauty in quite mundane and overlooked things. It's a very powerful and transformative outlook. Respect.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Daniel

[@chrismartin7538]

from Australia....Thank You. This was my birthplace and it looks great! You are bringing history to life. Cheers.

[@101grandma]

Nostalgia indeed. Why going on these walks with you brings a smile. Thanks

[@meanderingmedic]

Indeed... I felt nostalgic when you walked through Wanstead where I lived in 1986. Saw the bridge I used to jog over to get to the park...

[@zugbug1986]

Great stuff John, my manor so to speak, I can't wait to have a drink in the Fairlop Oak a great place ordinarily to watch the world go by. I used to go to Fairlop infant and junior school and my brother passed his 11 plus in the 80s and went to Ilford County High School. I have ordered your book, should arrive tomorrow so I look forward to having a read. Stay safe John and see you in a future video wherever that maybe.

[@jonaye4243]

Great video! I grew up in Barkingside, many happy memories of Barkingside library. My brother and mum went to the cinema to see Back to the Future, before it was a bingo hall.

[@davegibbo1956]

If you'd have taken a short detour to Christchurch Green on Saturday, you'd have seen a modern-day Fairlop Fair vibe... groups of friends in the sun, extended families together, plenty of cool refreshments from the High St... some ball games, even a bit of dancing. One or two 'improvised' relief areas. I imagine the FF was pretty similar

[@jimkrahn7079]

Always a pleasure, thanks letting us tag along. Congrats on 10K, cheers from BC🇨🇦

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jim

[@milkmanofhumankindness5118]

Chips at 11am! life dont get no better that that john!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

those were great years milkman - the school run years

[@JTTW1455]

Appreciate your story telling John. Nice walk.

[@tracik1277]

Congrats on your 10000 John. This is going to remain one of my fave channels, I’m so glad I found it. All thanks to the lockdown I suppose. Some lovely shots of the scenery and skies in this walk 😌

[@gabriellaclarke8509]

Another great walk ,thankyou John, I am furloughed and really miss London, such a pleasure to watch your video's, it's a real treat

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Gabriella - glad the videos can bring a little closer to you

[@ttv2951]

Great walk, its amazing what's literally on your doorstep. I love it when you seem to leave the urban sprawl behind and step into the countryside. Congratulations on 10k 😎👍

[@simonharris7223]

I have been enjoying your videos immensely over the past week... really fascinating insights into a (mostly) very different world to mine (rural Devon). It's so cool to explore these layers history whether on Dartmoor or London!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Wonderful to hear Simon - I do love Devon, my Dad lives down there so I'm round that way a bit during normal times

[@earinsound]

Thanks for all the great videos. Greetings from Oakland, California. Nice to see/hear Mark Fisher being quoted

[@timeandtide.m.d.5542]

Thank you for another enjoyable video John and allowing us to reminisce on the days that have all to quickly flown by. I am a 66 year old, living in East London and visited so many of the places that you go to. Your videos and narration allows my mind to drift back to my younger days. Thank you again ... Terry

[@martine8174]

Thanks John. I’m stuck for a few years in ilford right now and am trying to find the good around here . Valentines park , clay hall park and all of Wanstead are definitely those things .

[@raymondpenalver7095]

Another great informative video from a brilliant man, thanks again john.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Raymond - glad you enjoyed it

[@markg6860]

Another great video, John. Would love to see a walk through Canning Town.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mark - yes Canning Town has been on the list for a while

[@julieblackstock8650]

I would love that, My nan lived there in the 1970s

[@chunakichat]

I so glad I came across your chanel by chance lots local history and so pleasantly and enthusiastically presented.

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

oh, johnny! this is so good. Nice to see you in an upbeat mood. stay happy love!! always...

[@chippychick6261]

Your videos are well done for all the obvious reasons. One thing that I am charmed by is your choice of words and descriptions. Simple things like “a parade of shops”. I will also explore how I can use the word “ontological” in my conversations .

[@mathewgreen4099]

Another great video & you were very lucky with the weather.

[@FIO6271]

Definitely a beautiful sense of nostalgia! even for things that are not part of what we have actually experience ourselves physycally. Lovely video as always John, have a nice week.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Fiona

[@saywhen8582]

Love your videos John ! I was born and raised in Wanstead and Redbridge, I live in Dallas Texas now

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

Really glad I rambled around in cyberspace and fell upon your channel.I am locked down in France when I should have been visiting my daughter in London for Easter.💋

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Another great walk loved the library thanks John 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure tomgirl

[@StephenGrew]

It's just so fascinating the relationship between the older landscape, remnants of it in conjunction with urbanised settings. How in many more ways from the past the Architecture seemed more in harmony with it's surroundings.

[@stephenpinder9567]

Really lovely John. I learn something every time I go along for a walk.

[@w00df0rd]

Great route, John. Liked seeing you pass through Clayhall Park after filming the phone exchange. 17:46 - went here (as a teacher) - you'd like the quadrants - Valentine's school has near-identical 1930s layout. Did drink in Dr Johnson few times, and although the beer tasted of snakebite, there was no baize on the pool table, and the locals stared you back out again... it was a fascinating space! Like the Palm Tree (Mile End) meets Concorde 2(Brighton)? Hope the Co-op retained the original doors. Fairlop Oak on the roundabout is a decent pub - civilised now but twenty years ago, very scary. Recently saw the grandly-proportioned 'Valentine' at Gants Hill has gone like 'The Avenue' before it.

[@alexthomson7465]

Your well of knowledge is bottomless!! How do you retain so much information?? Thanks for another great one John.

[@bigguy64]

Thanks for the etymological tutorial mate. I was within a whisker of using nostalgia correctly..

[@CaroleMora22]

I've really been enjoying your more urban walk videos. As always they are engaging, full of surprising information, and are a pleasure to watch. As always, thanks for sharing and showing that even urban places can have pockets of natural beauty, which are so needed these days, to be acknowledged, preserved, and cultivated. I love the term "hauntology" and the Mark Fisher's idea of a "nostalgia for lost futures" ... this is very much related to the German term, Heimat, it seems to me, as well as George Lukacs idea of "transcendental homelessness." There is something about modernity that has displaced some essential relationship with Nature that many of us feel is somehow missing and we long for. Long walks are ruminating are definitely a strange kind remedy. Congratulations too on the subscriber milestone!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for those comments Carole - will look up Heimat now

[@Mick_Holland]

Lovely film as ever, John. You've shown me (and 9,999 others I'm sure) a completely different side of 'that fancy London' over recent months and made the place seem much more human than it's always been in my imagination. On Friday last I was lucky enough to attend a virtual (Zoom) talk by a gent called John Wood who you may know of. He's a great champion of London's street trees, has written books on the subject and has created a map of the 'Great Trees of London' which could, perhaps, be a launchpad for a future walk? Cheers 👍🏼

[@Lucysmom26]

Is that map available online?

[@Mick_Holland]

Lucysmom26 I don’t think so. I’ve looked at the map on Amazon and the photo’s show it’s not very detailed. There is some text which provides information on each tree so I guess using the map + an A-Z or GPS would get you to there. I’m sure it’s good if you already know the area. The chaps name is actually PAUL Wood, I’m not sure where I got the John from 🙂. This video will give you a taste of the map and a good idea of Paul’s enthusiasm. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5-znomYeaaMZ5Y

[@peterspindley5965]

Wonderful video - thanks John.

[@merendapurplelady8390]

All I can say is wow wow what a beautiful walk about I am not a walk but I enjoy your day out thank you and well done

[@russellsprout2223]

Hugely enjoyable and informative video. I vaguely remember 'courting' on a couple of occasions at the pub by Redbridge station. I can't, for the life of me, remember the pub name. Its claim to fame being the huge tree 'growing' inside the actual building. Happy, happy days.

[@IlfordRetro]

Great to see you wander to this neck of the woods, and incidentally Ilford County High school gave us none other than Sir Trevor Brooking (amongst other luminaries).

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Iford Retro - I've felt the pull in this direction a lot during lockdown. Didn't realise Sir Trevor went to Ilford County - that's some alumnus

[@IlfordRetro]

@@JohnRogersWalks Like many others I was pleased to come along for the walk and narration; and I haven't even been to Clayhall Park before, which is blasphemy of sorts so you've given me fresh impetus. If things ever return to normal transport-wise, keep your eyes peeled when on the Central Line. I've shared (not harassed I hasten to add) several trips with Sir Trev.

[@garypettengell6816]

As always John a relaxing half hour full of information and good humour. Cheers from Iceland.

[@paulusrailton]

In these current stressful months your channel should be prescribed to people by the NHS, it'll calm everyone down... Thank you John. Ps I've shared your channel with a family member who is having a hard time at the moment, I hope it'll give him escapism for a while as it does me...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Sorry to hear about your family member Paul - hope things improve for them soon, if the videos can help in some way that's great. Thanks for the kind words

[@imranzazai7404]

Wow amazing London.

[@danielboulton98]

lovely walk I can't wait to explore more of London again when possible

[@lesliegprice6652]

Great walk John, I used to go to school sports at Fairlop grounds when at school, every Wednesday morning on the coach from Woodberry Down, make sure you took your kit or you'd be doing football in your underpants !!!! Thanks So much these videos are a lifeline, there's a bit about Epping Forest on BBC Countryfile today !!! See you soon mate.....

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Great stuff Leslie - that's quite a hike for school sports but all part of the fun. Glad to hear the videos have brought some relief. I'll catch the Countryfile ep on iPlayer later - thanks

[@lesliegprice6652]

@@JohnRogersWalks we had no playing fields so that was the only way we could do weekly sport it was a break from the classroom, the coach driver used to have the radio on and you could watch the tube trains whilst playing especially if you were in goal and all the action was up the other end of the field !!!! Happy Days, take care !!!

[@john80c]

Another epic John. Fulwell Cross Library is certainly a gem among suburbia in fact the whole area looks fascinating with plenty of independent shops and businesses.

[@glenndrewett3735]

Congragalations on reaching 10K subscribers, a very well deserved position, I hope you will soon double that, as you have one of the most interesting channels on U Tube, I really enjoy your walks and the History you tell, it makes the walks even more interesting. Thanks Glenn

[@paulroossien5322]

Another good one john i have really enjoyed your local walks look forward to many more cheers

[@RootlessNZ]

Thank you so much for your wonderful videos John, from me, an expat East Ender from Mile End now living in Wellington New Zealand, which is not so good as it may sound. I miss London but like so many people from London can no longer afford to live there, and can barely afford to live here in NZ. Life can be like the can't it!

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

well what caparisons. the flats and big houses and busy noisy roads to beautiful country parks. I know which I prefer. very nice John, great to view.

[@roydini1]

Lovely stuff John! Thanks as always, and massive congratulations on hitting 10,000 subscribers! It's a truly amazing achievement. Well done!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Henry

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Beautiful video! Thank you.

[@shauntodd7123]

Amazing wander through Barkingside

[@MeTheRob]

Weather forecasts lately - I know what you mean. Midsummer's Day and more like October here in Scotland. Central heating on.. Consolation prize - another Sunday evening walk with the Rogers. Excellent.

[@kohedunn]

Thank you John for another uplifting video !xx

[@briancox144]

I am gradually going through your fantastic video’s which I found while the lockdown down was on ,So one good thing that came out of the lockdown I found your site which is very impressive, I am learning things that I couldn’t imagined thanks for sharing absolutely wonderful site may it continue John Rogers .

[@carltebbs7839]

Hi John, Another great video. I have been meaning to leave a comment for the last few weeks as you always seem to include at least one place I remember. I kept a sailing boat at Fairlop waters in the mid eighties. Back then there was just a small shed that was running by the sailing club for drinks and snacks. I would be there once or twice a week sailing except during the winter. From the mid 60s to mid 80s I lived in Leytonstone, a few minutes walk from Harrow Green (spent a lot of time in the library that you have featured in the past). Then from the mid 80s to 90s I lived in Highams Park. Looking forward to next weeks video.

[@helenbugsynelson]

Congratulations on the growth of your channel. Hard work is almost always rewarded with notice. I'm sure you will continue to have success. In Stanley Park, a well known large park in Vancouver BC Canada there is a large tree that for many years was visited by hundreds of thousands of park goers. When you said you had stopped at the hollow tree, most people knew exactly what you were referring to. Many people took pictures there. Family pictures were popular, but also if you had a small car you could drive it into the tree and have your picture taken with your car in the hollow tree. Several years ago, it became so decayed that it was no longer safe for the public so as an exhibit it has been closed. Some repairs were attempted, but after spending an obscene amount of money on it, it was decided to close it to the public.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Helen. I think I've heard of Stanley Park for some reason. Thanks for sharing that story of the hollow tree - they seem to loom so large in our psyche, I guess we must somehow remember our roots as forest dwellers

[@adriananderson4530]

Hi John Really enjoying your well presented, informative videos , very relaxing to watch , and loving London and surrounding more , apart from the building bits I suppose

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Adrian

[@adriananderson4530]

John Rogers your most welcome

[@heathcliffearnshaw1403]

Great John. Again. Now I’m going to see if I can find a video showing the days of the docks of London . (When I was a West London boy , I missed the chance of spending the day with an actual docker there. Didn’t get up in time!)

[@victoriaj1278]

I grew up round this area and have many memories like playing in the grounds of claybury hospital and staying with my Nan that lived in Wanstead at the time I use to ride horses at the old Snaresbrook riding school and use to ride over Wanstead flats ... love seeing the videos as you cover all the areas I grew up around it’s very nostalgic.. I was born in the old King George Hospital on the A12 and now live off the A12 in Harold Hill .. so haven’t gone far .. I go for long walks all over havering it’s such a lovely place to explore. Really enjoy you videos 👏🏽

[@Pierlover]

The nostalgia for lost futures is certainly a fascinating idea. There's something about Art Deco architecture that suggests an abandoned project, a vision that was never fully realised - the buildings left high and dry by the planners. As beautiful as they are they just don't fit in - whereas the brutalist horrors of the 60's and 70's do. Funny, that!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

those buildings stand as a reminder that we can dream again - one day

[@Pierlover]

@@JohnRogersWalks Very true!

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Great stuff John, Fairlop Waters is such a great place to spend time and has loads of history, It was almost going to be a very large, state of the art horse-racing course some years back , as well as the great airport many years ago. Thankfully, for now - the powers that be have left us alone ! Congrats on your 10 K, many more to come !

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Little Acorns - such a relief they abandoned the racecourse plan as well as the airport

[@stuartrogers621]

Great walk John love youre content! Im a country boy now but nice to touch base!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Stuart

[@barbaralamson7450]

Thank you for sharing your treks. I love them, you are wonderful.

[@anntowers2630]

A very good and interesting walk john full of information as always Paul likes the NB cap.. all the best Ann

[@damedavidfrith55]

chard St. Barbe Baker OBE, Hon. LL.D. F.I.A.L., For.Dip.Cantab., ACF[1] (9 October 1889 - 9 June 1982) was an English biologist and botanist, environmental activist and author, who contributed greatly to worldwide reforestation efforts. As a leader, he founded an organisation, Men of the Trees, still active today as the International Tree Foundation, whose many chapters carry out reforestation internationally

[@nickname1812]

Another wonderful video. Remember the cinema - there was shop next door, 'Golds' sold discounted LPs in the 70s. Many a book for homework borrowed from Fullwell Library!

[@llessibm]

I love your observations - you commented about the parade of shops at Redbridge Lane East and I thought ... what? Hair City and Eastern Mangal ... then I looked up at the roof line and I immediately knew what you meant !

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

As always a very enjoyable video and well done on reaching 10k subs...…..Cheers Kev

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Kev

[@steveholmes11]

The Beefeater (7:30) was previously the Red House. Quite a popular pub which was painted gloss red before the current beige. It had problems with commuters using the car park as overspill for Redbridge underground. Sadly closed now, and (I believe) being demolished.

[@ianspicer3885]

I was brought up in Barkingside all this is part of my childhood I've subscribed and look forward to more videos 👍👍👍👍

[@Walksandwanders]

Strange! I bought those exact Merrill Moab walking shoes last month! We’re not familiar with a lot of the areas you’ve walked during lockdown, but we do know Redbridge tube station, as we sometimes drive there from Suffolk to get the tube into Central London.

[@DionneWard]

Omg I used to drink in the George pub as I dated a guy that lived not far from there at the time they wanted to build the road and cut the big old tree down (yes I am that old) 😂

[@chitpaul]

Lived in Leytonstone from birth until around the age of 18. Great times, George Tomlinson school… when it actually still had 2 playgrounds, a caretaker and his dogs. It’s changed a lot but I miss how it used to be.

[@rambling_rob7035]

Congrats on the 10k. Fun walk, especially since I remembered I had an old Collins Britain Atlas and followed along. Cheers, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's a great guide to the walks Rob - thanks

[@bonussteve1068]

Hi john love your videos I grew up in leytonstone as a kid and lived on the then cathall road estate in on of the tower blocks was a pretty grim place at the time extreme poverty and crime, but had great views over the city. was born in whipscross hospital so very local. Keep up the videos I find then very therapeutic

[@Mouxbar]

Awesome John. The steps to nowhere look like traffic light control systems. The Barkingside Odeon - once saw Blazing Saddles and Monty Python's Holy Grail there as a double bill. Managed to sneak in as not old enough LOL. The airport that never was, a ghost of the past. Would I have lived in the area had it been built? One to ponder...

[@anth5122]

Britain has some fantastic history

[@BritishBoy1971]

I've driven up and down Gainsborough Road many a time, but never noticed that fantastic view of central London (probably because I was trying to stick to the 20 mph speed limit). Thank you for pointing it out John! 🙂

[@loughtonfolkclub827]

Hi John The Beefeater used to be called The Red House. I went there a few times, not much to write home about. Of course there is still a fair at Fairlop, at Forest Farm. The boot fair which runs every Tuesday. Where you can buy a bargain and see many Leytonstone faces. It re-opens on Tuesday after being closed because of Covid 19. Gary

[@robertbarling5601]

Thank you John. Particularly interesting for me as my sister recently moved out of Reydon Hall into a new flat, my son attended the Ilford County High School and I live Clayhall opposite Claybury woods and about ten minutes walk from Fairlop Waters. Bob.

[@roydawkins5546]

Hi John, couple of points that you asked about....Firstly, the cinema at Fullwell Cross roundabout used to be an ABC Cinema....the Odeon was always at Gants Hill.......the pub at Redbridge roundabout was always know as the Redhouse. Really enjoying your videos, grew up around about and brings back some great memories.

[@stevegee7593]

Well done on your 10K. I enjoyed the walk until you got to the telephone exchange. A place where there use to be 10 to 15 engineers, but just before I left you be lucky to see on or two. As for the cinema the last time I went there was to see The Escape from Alcatraz must have been 30 odd years ago.

[@tilerman]

Hi John. i had a pair of Merrell's and they lasted years. And like you i do a lot of walking. Perhaps in 8 years time you could give us a review of your Merrell's!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ha, that sounds the best idea. These are my 3rd pair - still have some Merrell boots, my previous ones lasted about 3 years roughly

[@brianjrichman]

The Barkingside Leasure Center DID used to be an Olympic sized swimming pool. My kids learned to swim in there.

[@DreamClean]

Perhaps some of the weather forecasters are working from home, haha. Congratulations on 10k.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

ha, that could be the reason, making it up on the fly

[@jamiemorris5177]

Great work again as always

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jamie

[@simonmackenzie9831]

I think the Beefeater used to be called the Red House

[@rogerkearns8094]

That it did. I was in there a lot in early nineteen sixties.

[@tnetroP]

I remember the Red House from the 90's.

[@rogerkearns8094]

@@tnetroP Oh, that explains it, then. I thought you weren't coming so I went home.

[@annaeborall934]

You have another subscriber John. Came recommended by Sean and have really liked the videos I have seen. Loved the one on the Chelmer and Blackwater as it's local to me and look forward to seeing other videos in time. My parents were from east London and dad worked near Wanstead Flats so sort of know the area. Do like the way you add history into your walks.

[@paultowers2291]

Brilliant as always John loads off information and always very interesting.. re. Footwear iv just brought Ann a pair as we have started walking forest routes aswell.. i think Ann mentioned about the NB cap lol. I wish john someone as good as you would do a walk around Enfield as that has megga history... tc mate looking forward to your nxt walk God bless

[@colinmumford6843]

I would say your trips are essential..... essential viewing 🤓👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Colin - very kind

[@kumaranravendradas4355]

John, my most favourite youtuber, I hope you read this and take my suggestion on board. I genuinely am grateful and privileged of the videos you produce. I've struggled with poor mental health and bad sleep over the years, your videos are so helpful. Can't believe you are now at 65k+ subscribers considering I subscribed when you had 10k less than 2.5yrs ago. I know a lot of my friends an family love your videos. Anyway, 1st of all, my offer to show you around the London wall that is now within the Bank of America offices in St Pauls still stands (I am not based in the office as much as I used to but still do have access! - I sent you an Instagram message about this) Secondly, I have just thought of a possible walk I would love to see from you. I have recently, don't ask why, decided to get back into watching Eastenders. I'm a lot older these days and so decided to do some digging into the background of the famous BBC soap. It turns out the square is based on Fassett Square in Dalston AND that the market they have on Eastenders is actually based on a market nearby at Ridley Road. It also turns out that the soap's creator named the place Walford because he lived in a street called Walford in Dalston and also felt it was a cross with Walthamstow. It could be quite an interesting video and I am happy to help you with research / filming if needed. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, (Special) Kay

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for that message Kay and the offer to see that section of the wall. That’s a great idea for a video around Dalston - many thanks

[@StephenGrew]

Some wild chicory there.