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Walking past the Olympic Park on the way to Bow you see over to the right the Bryant & May match factory. The Lea Valley contains a lot English history and the match factory was the location of a landmark strike which became part of trade union history. In 1888 the match girls who worked […]

The River Lea track in Adele’s third album just released is already a proving to be a favourite. Peter Bradshaw wrote in The Guardian on Saturday about Adele’s ‘River Roots’: “There’s a new reason for getting excited about Adele’s new album 25. It has loads of vivid psycho-geography. One of the most striking tracks is River Lea, […]

The Matchbox Toys factory next to Marshgate Bridge has been replaced by Matchmakers Wharf. It is interesting to see this change featured in An A-Z of Planning and Culture published today by the Mayor of London. The guide outlines the practical steps that can be taken to protect culture and support new activity. At Matchmakers Wharf there are 49 […]

Walkers intending to follow the tidal Lea from Three Mills to East india Dock should note that the handy Gasworks Bridge near the start is not open. You should follow the alternative route, advised in a note on page 112 of the new guide, by walking up Three Mill Lane past Tesco. Go left up […]

At Last! The lastest edition of The Lea Valley Walk guide is now available direct from the publisher post free. This is the third edition with new photographs and new text featuring all the changes and improvements up and down the river which have followed on from the Olympic Games. Thanks to The Line art […]

The natural cycle of growth and pasture is maintained on Walthamstow Marshes. Cattle are removed at Candlemas, 2 February. At Lammastide, starting on Lammas Day 1 August, the grass is cut or cattle brought back. This weekend Lammas Day will be kept on Walthamstow Marshes with a series of events including a scything competition. This […]

The tragic death of 17 year old Jack Susianta near Lea Bridge on Wednesday afternoon is the front page story in today’s Daily Mirror (Friday 31 July 2015). Jack drowned just below a footbridge, known as King’s Head Bridge, after running away from Police who had been called to help him. He jumped into the River […]

Last week Country Life sensationally revealed a picture of William Shakespeare as a young man. This week’s issue (May 27) contains an article by Mark Griffiths who claims to have found an unknown Shakespeare playlet. Its only performance was in the the Lea Valley. Mark Griffiths says that in May 1591 Queen Elizabeth I travelled […]

The sculpture trail known as The Line has at last opened. The first day was marred by lunchtime rain and the afternoon remained overcast. But people did begin to make their way to Cody Dock and other sites between Three Mills and The O2 Arena. The project has resulted in the bridge at Cody Dock […]

Lord Brocket is looking to regaining control of his family seat Brocket Hall a little earlier than expected. This follows the surprise news that the hotel company leasing the mansion has gone into administration. The peer had to leave his home after being jailed in 1996 for fraud. The house was due to revert to […]