London Districts: Bow (Documentary)

Subtitles available under video via CC button. Series Soundtrack available at yeththar.bandcamp.com/follow_me. Watch #LondonDistricts on TV @ Sky 117, Freeview 8, Virgin Media 159 and YouView 8 via London Live.
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Facebook fanpage - LondonDistricts/
Twitter - / dewyneuk
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Transcription truncated:
Bow is an East London district inside the London Borough of Tower Hamlets 5 miles from Charing Cross in Travelcard Zone 2.
During the 1100’s, Matilda, wife of Henry I, managed to fall into the River Lea soaking up all her clothes on one of her awkward journeys over to Barking Abbey.
Out of vexation, she ordered a three-arched stone bridge to be built in a bow-shape across the ford of the river to rid her of any further embarrassment.
Such a bridge had never been seen before, existing 66 years before the first stone-version of London Bridge, making it the very first in London, and almost certainly, the whole country.
Bow was originally just a part of ‘street-ford’, or Stratford as we know it today, and is an abbreviation of Stratford-le-Bow of which the Bow part referred to that bowed bridge over the ford connecting Essex to Middlesex at the time. From that, this district was then written down as an official settlement in its own right.
The fictional district of ‘Walford’ in the BBC soap drama EastEnders has an imaginary East End location occupying the real-life map position of Bromley-by-Bow; a district just underneath Bow.
The canopy of this entrance door to what was the old Poplar Town Hall has a rarely noticed but interesting mosaic from 1938 depicting River Thames landmarks and Docklands connections into Bow.
This Central London church in Cheapside is called St Mary-le-Bow and its bells are named the Bow bells. The name of the church and its bells are purely coincidental in regards to the Bow district.
A survey about the distance of the bell soundwaves was carried out in 2000. Today, the bells can be heard 3 miles to the south, 4 miles to the west, 5 miles to the north, and 6 miles to the east of Cheapside. Therefore EastEnders are more likely to be Cockney than anyone else.
Two Latin inscribed archways from 1986 bookend the market alluding to the area’s Roman past.
As the name suggests, Roman Road was built by the Romans as a main route from Londinium to their Colchester fortress. Green Street market was renamed Roman Road when archaeological discoveries of the actual medieval road were uncovered running parallel to it in 1845.
Long standing businesses like the George Kelly pie and mash shop of 1939 continue to delight hungry shoppers whilst maintaining the area’s character.
For the last 200 years, EastEnders in particularly, have flocked to it time and time again for ridiculous bargains hard to find elsewhere. A visit would be announced as ‘Im gahn dahn the Roman’.
As an offshoot, the people here then could produce a popular blue and white porcelain by mixing cattle bones and clay to became what is known as Bow Porcelain.
This bus garage first opened as a ‘Tram’ depot back in 1908, before becoming the main depot that garaged London’s iconic ‘Routemaster’ buses up until 2004. Today, it continues to garage most of TfL’s east London’s bus fleets.
Bow Church is the main place of worship in the district having been on the site in some form for 700+ years. The present building dates back to 1490.
During the reign of Mary I, in the 1700’s, it became well-known as a Catholic incineration site. Prisoners from Newgate would be transported here and literally roasted alive.
The Bryant and May matches factory of 1843 had 5,000 employees knocking out 300 million matches per day making it very lucrative, but girls were working 14 hours a day for peanuts and over-exposure to phosphorous, which can kill.
Cockney Rhyming slang was first used in the East End during the early 19th century and was used specifically by East End natives.
A more modern form of rhyming originated specifically in Bow through the Grime music genre, manifesting the gritty East End infrastructure and industrial docklands elements into its sonic production and fully embracing the authentic lingo of the working class environment into their lyrics. The two prominent pioneers who kicked it all off, Wiley & Dizzee Rascal, both grew up in and created the genre from this district.

[@Mike-hg1fn]

My stomping ground in the 70s & 80s, wonderful place growing up. If I could, I would go back in time and live it all again, lovely place and lovely people.

[@angelacable7517]

Fantastic!!!! Call the midwife was here❤❤❤❤

[@Anekix]

Grime music is one of the most exciting homegrown genres ever since Punk and Jungle. It still amazes me how East Londoners carried on the spirit of Jungle music after the whole UK Garage scene.

[@JakTheLad]

Not even just east but south definitely did too. Most notable was Lambeth, lewisham and Southwark.

[@simonw2750]

I have just noticed these on London Live and, having lived in various parts of London in and off for over 40 years - mainly East and Southeast - lots of them bring back a flood of memories. They are extremely well put together - content, narration, photography, and music - and long may they continue. Nice one, guys.

[@jimmya.2300]

Poplar town hall was where my mum and dad got married. Great stuff again Dewyne.

[@LondonDistricts]

Happy times. Thx

[@chalkfarmcarsquadso1664]

My childhood was in bow and mile end till 1990s great video eric street

[@paulettefelix7206]

Roman road has changed so much.

[@RootlessNZ]

Great video - I grew up in Bow Common Lane in the 50s. I now live in Wellington New Zealand and I miss London. Not the slums I grew up in, but the history and community I once knew, which was considerable. Black, white, Irish, Jews, Europeans we all just got along because we had to.

[@wheelie_1988]

I'm from and live in Bow. I can honestly say it's dead here now.

[@AdFrmDa3]

@@wheelie_1988 too many of us bengalis

[@zacurrya9485]

@@AdFrmDa3 😂

[@Skizz-iy7ou]

@@AdFrmDa3u don’t ever see Jamaicans say “ too many Jamaicans around here”

[@alexismccourt7712]

Iam not even harf way through, loving it. Narrator of this vlogg. Is so posh and articulate, love it.

[@skabbymuff111]

These videos are incredible!

[@Siya_Kariba963]

Nyce one. Loving seeing the different areas of my city. Great work

[@SteveHughesMusicT-hex]

Love this show and the music. Thank You

[@TheMiz_0]

Beautiful. Beautiful memories. Thanks for sharing

[@richardcummins5465]

Great series bro, and love the varying background music. Magical!

[@saifulkhan6465]

Thank you London Districts for your amazing videos! Very honest, down-to-earth, well-produced and researched without being pretentious or slick! I spent my youth in East London from '69 to '79. Your videos take me back to a time and place I miss terribly - now that I am older and recount pieces of my life's journey in the comfort of my home in California. Thank you for making these trips down memory lane possible!

[@ChrisReadUK]

Absolutely love your content! Thank you for bringing me “a slice of home.”

[@LondonDistricts]

This we aim to do. Try another slice...

[@AbandonedCityCamoCrewExplorers]

Opening tune taking back to old skool ,good start. good video .have worked in the area

[@lamsc5400]

Bless up for this, very informative.

[@gary3561]

A great hiddden gem Dewyne. Absolutely smashing video.

[@LondonDistricts]

Appreciate that mate.

[@Dosisgreat]

Use these great docs to teach my students about London. Great stuff!

[@LondonDistricts]

Great to hear!

[@Mnds-b4f]

Look who’s back with another awesome video!! Regards from Brazil 🙌🏾

[@LondonDistricts]

Big up the Brazilian viewers!!

[@artisticskillz01]

Born and bred here

[@dedicated2house]

Born n bread in bow 1985👌🏾 You don’t a proppa good job man 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 My days it was lavever way 🥲

[@nateuk2542]

Nice work: Nathan Lindsay 👊🏾

[@mickieg1994]

Think you filmed my dad at 1:26 😂😂 Great video, not too often I find documentaries about the area I live and grew up in, thanks for making it.

[@katkylekim]

Great info ,keep it up !

[@PeterGaunt]

Thanks Dewyne. I worked up the road from Bow (in Globe Town) for 30 years. Brought back some memories. Keep up the good work.

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks Peter.

[@galaxy0906]

Love the coverage and historical information. Great stuff Dewyne.

[@loudmouthnewyorker2803]

Welcome back Dewyne, missed ya from the last episode. Great content as always, fantastic narration too. Keep up the great work and music.

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks. Got lots of family in Brooklyn, and I haven't been there in a while but intend to... one day.

[@loudmouthnewyorker2803]

@@LondonDistricts That's awesome Dewyne, which part of Brooklyn are they in? Maybe we'll grab some sushi in WIlliamsburg or I'll jump the pond and we'll have a pint in Brixton. I also comment on here before as KCLew but I switched accounts. Still loving the angles you shoot and the soundtrack. Had no idea that Yeth Thar was actually you. Bravo Dewyne! Is there anyway I can get the soundtracks for less than £999.01? Can't wait for more content. 7.6K subscribers brother, can't till we hit 10k!

[@Theguyman]

Stroudley walk massive

[@sheffnick]

Hi Dewyne. Am a Sheffield lad but finding your videos fantastic they so well put together your narration is 👍. Am looking forward to seeing few more of your vids Keep up the good work 😊

[@LondonDistricts]

Welcome aboard! Have fun

[@zulkiflijamil4033]

Hello Dewyne. This is first time I watch this documentary and it is simply great and sniffing good. And I like listening to your accent. How I wish to imitate and try to learn to speak like it. Thanks for your sharing. 🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@LondonDistricts]

Wow, thank you - Keep watching the rest of the series and who knows, maybe you'll pick some of it up that way. I don't know your level of course, but I do know a lot of non-English speaking foreigners are instructed to watch the Eastenders TV show aswell, not sure how much that works, but hey, worth a try...

[@NailaRose]

interesting as always thanks very much!

[@LondonDistricts]

Our pleasure!

[@PascalAnson]

Great video. Thank you

[@LondonDistricts]

You're welcome. Thank you

[@Petecope]

Thanks for another excellent guide. Been through Bow so many times but never lingered. I’ll make a point to explore next time. Appreciate your videos even more when I’m locked down most of the time.

[@LondonDistricts]

If it can stimulate that for you, then we've done our job. Cheers!

[@rickysorhaindo1359]

Don't waste your time mate, it is real dump, leave your valuables at home, I hope you get my meaning.

[@wheelie_1988]

I'm from and live in Bow. Do yourself a favour. Don't! I can't speak for anywhere else in Bow, but Roman Road is dead and done it's sell by date.

[@DanGulinobass]

great content dude and banging Music!

[@LondonDistricts]

Appreciate it!

[@zulkiflijamil4033]

I'm 'aving a butcher"s at Bow documentary video. It's sniffing good. Thanks Dewyne. I am enjoying it. 🏆🥇🌟🏆🥇🌟🏆🥇🌟🏆🥇🌟🏆🥇🌟👍👍👍👍👍

[@LondonDistricts]

Thanks for stopping by geezer!

[@peterchristophernettleship7050]

Great work love these. Live in Croydon but grew up in Northwood in Harrow hope these places can be done as well.

[@LondonDistricts]

That would be cool!

[@JKStayinVegas]

Great video again Dewyne! You should have many more views for the time it takes you to create your documentaries. But that’s KZbin for ya. We struggle with that too. Greetings again from Las Vegas and keep doing you!

[@LondonDistricts]

Quality over quantity I say. I appreciate your view today.

[@user-ph1zx9qn8q]

Very good 😊

[@lookpropertyE3]

Just stumbled across your channel and enjoyed watching. Would be nice to do a follow up showing some of the prettier parts like Tredegar Square, Victoria Park, conservation areas and Pubs?

[@michaellifetv5696]

Great video👍🏿

[@LondonDistricts]

Thank you! 🤗

[@paddyodawsmaclaferty3093]

Grew up there late 70's early 80's. Lived next to Grove Hall Park great doc mate..didn't mention Tom thumbs arch tho! :)

[@LondonDistricts]

Wanted to... but time. Hopefully, the images of the arch itself may promote independent research.

[@mayena]

My mothers school friend lived on Swaton Road probably from the late 1970s to the late 1990s and had also a friend from the 1980's lived in Crossways Estate we used visit there a few times.

[@gs3singh]

You should definitely look at areas in the borough of Bexley like Crayford, Slade Green and Erith. Their history is deep but to see their decline to how they are now should be an interesting comparison

[@andrewf4623]

I just moved from Bow into the Hampshire countryside. I don’t regret it but a piece of me will always miss it

[@tabitha4135]

Looks like a rough dive !

[@yyyyyyyyyyxxxxxxxxxxwwwwww9249]

Please do Ealing and Acton as soon as possible! My favorite towns

[@unknownuser1018]

omg same, Ealing W5 is amazing

[@clair233]

My great x3 grandmother married in Bow and lived with her father in Southampton street when she was widowed. Not much else I can find on her and her time here including the road. It seems Bow got the worst of the bombs.

[@LondonDistricts]

Yes that's true. Bow did take a beating from that unfortunately.

[@D_B_Cooper]

Another string added to your Bow with this one

[@LondonDistricts]

You got jokes! :)

[@D_B_Cooper]

@@LondonDistricts Bad ones only 🙁

[@ryanm5801]

Where’s Devon’s road? The 3 flats? Bow cemetery (the cemo) this video is basically the roman, and bow road only.

[@millardfillmore241]

One of my favorite so far.

[@LondonDistricts]

Why thank you :)

[@mayena]

2:22-2:25 I think Browley-By-Bow is regarded by some others as a sub-district of Bow.

[@lukeisbored8607]

BOW E3 B-B-B-BOW E3 🗣️🗣️‼️‼️‼️

[@wheelie_1988]

I saw my sister and niece in this video. Also I live and from Bow. I can honestly say Roman Road is finished. When Safeway/Morrisons closed down about 15/20 years ago, that's when it started going downhill. It was only till Worthwools went under. Roman Road Market was finished. Now it's just cheap knockoffs and asian/muslim shops.

[@terrymoore3345]

Used to live in whitethorn Street bow in the 70,s

[@jboardy5439]

@2.39. God i spent sooo many days under there....

[@murraybk3493]

Another belter of a watch Dewyne. Do you have a favourite district?

[@LondonDistricts]

Greenwich :)

[@murraybk3493]

@@LondonDistricts solid choice, keep up the good work!

[@avinashbhogun]

Would love new content! Anyone know why this channel stopped?

[@fourbees5493]

Mile End is E3 as well.

[@LondonDistricts]

A little bit, yes.

[@ganggang7503]

Devons road gang

[@jboardy5439]

Swaton roads bitches

[@mayena]

7:57-7:59, 8:41-9:31, 9:35-9:40, my maternal great-uncle lived in Bow Bridge Estate before retiring to Southend-on-Sea, Essex. 7:54-8:04 is it actually the English monarch Mary ii (reign 1689-1694)?. Mary i reigned from 1553-1558.

[@8narcisse]

Wow my mum and me we went to Whitechapel east London we buy clothes for concgo❤❤❤☺☺☺☺

[@Zkrtd]

Good old Freadys at the start

[@adamixtv6742]

waiting for Kingston upon Thames

[@jg3758]

Endz

[@rickywise9614]

Music why

[@DrizzLs]

4:50

[@paddyodawsmaclaferty3093]

Rang the bells at that church...got beat up at school next day

[@dolorespinto3106]

Ahh

[@LondonDistricts]

Condolences.

[@hemelhempsteadherts]

I was looking forward to seeing this but that effing so called non music did my head in after 30 seconds.

[@ar8831]

Devons road - stroudley , fuck roman road

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

"The Roman" is in Bethnal Green (Befnal green, in the vernacular) not Bow. Bromley-by-Bow isn't Bow either. The exodus of old Eastenders has probably allowed you to get away with it but they would certainly have put you in your place years ago. Just saying.

[@Armemers]

e

[@ushoys]

Looks as scruffy and unpleasant as when I lived there 45 years ago.

[@robtyman4281]

Terrible soundtrack btw. Christ it's the very worst of 90's music. Could you have go be a better soundtrack??? .....which would have made me watch this for longer than 30 seconds !

[@Leapylee-l6c]

Solution....don’t watch. Great work and interesting content

[@robtyman4281]

@@Leapylee-l6c a good soundtrack enhances a film clip. This one doesn't. It doesn't add anything to to the film but is just a lazy choice.

[@ICONICPARIS]

@@robtyman4281 I enjoy it very much