The death of Michael Peet, Rector of Bow, has highlighted the 700th anniversary of the church on the edge of the Lea Valley.

The church, in the middle of the road just before the Bow Flyover, was attended by George Lansbury whose funeral was held there in 1940. He will be remembered with the unveiling of plaque in the church on Saturday 7 May, just two days after the rector’s funeral.

The Bow Church 1311-2011 anniversary year the church will be open on the first Saturday of the month until November.

The 700th anniversary is being kept on Thursday 17 November.

The night before there will be a peal of bells. This is important for it is sometimes claimed that those born between the sound of Bow Church bells and St Mary-le-Bow bells in the City are cockneys. Of course those Bow Church bells could be easily heard across the River Lea before the days of heavy traffic.

Michael Peet was born at Brocket Hall in the Upper Lea Valley.

See pages 45 and 177-118.