News and Events

This year we have had some lovely additions to the Bethnal Green Road shop front festive decorations. Ten of our businesses worked with designers make:good to create an East End Garland that is unique to them and celebrates the tools of their trade.

To explore what makes the businesses on Bethnal Green Road unique, make:good asked them ‘What are the tools of your trade?’ and ‘What can’t you do your work without?’. The responses were as diverse as the businesses they visited, and they photographed these collections of objects before creating drawings of them and transforming them into a set of unique festive decorations.

‘We loved getting to talk to the fantastic entrepreneurs running businesses and find out what tools, objects, products they need to be able to make their shops stand out. The diversity of all the objects was fantastic to see and it was a delight to turn these into decorations that are especially for them.’

Catherine & Nataly, make:good

All of this work was supported by Tower Hamlets Town Centre Team.

“The Green” will meet on the 19th December for a Christmas special. At this meeting, we’ll reflect on the partnerships that are developing for the benefit of the area, as well as looking ahead to 2018 and the support that Oxford House will provide to Bethnal Green businesses and residents. The more the merrier, so please do come and join us for a minced pie and some festive refreshment.

We’re delighted to say we’ll be joined by guest speaker Gary Haines, archivist at V&A Museum of Childhood and author of the photographic celebration of the area, “Bethnal Green”. Gary was unable to join us in November, so we’re glad he can come and help us see out 2017 this month at Oxford House.

Next Tuesday’s agenda;

– Welcome
– Gary Haines > Guest Speaker
– A word on market surveys
– A word on bike rack developments
– A word on Christmas decorations with Make Good, from Marie Gerring
– Oxford House promotion plan for local businesses Q1 2018
– Time to socialise and enjoy some festive refreshment

To bring any discussion points to the table this month, please email: bethnal.green@oxfordhouse.org.uk

19th December – 6pm – Oxford House
Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG, United Kingdom

Funded by Tower Hamlets Council
Supporting our High Streets and Town Centres

Christmas is rapidly approaching, and as last-minute shopping begins it can often feel like there is no time to relax and have fun amongst all the busy times during the festive period. When there is spare time, it can be hard to find fun new activities to do with all the family members, friends and colleagues that you catch up with over this period. However, we have found a few amazing activities that will help you do exactly that.

Pyrography – 6th December – St Margaret’s House
Want to write with fire? In a completely safe and legal way, well now you can. St Margaret’s house is holding a workshop where people can make wooden Christmas garlands. Pyrography is the craft of burning leather or wood to create a permanent burn mark –usually in the shape of a pattern you would like. The workshop will use the best specialised irons as well as a range of hot branding tips that will allow for experimentation. Furthermore, you are also given the chance to practice on wood offcuts first before branding a wooden board.

Tickets: £45, 6.30pm-9.30pm
21 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PL

Eavesdropping – 8th December – Oxford House
The second evening of Eavesdropping will get under way at Oxford House on the 8th of December. The evening will feature performances from Mira Benjamin (violin) and Alba Cabral (voice/percussion). Come and witness an incredibly intimate performance by two extremely talented musicians. Set in the beautiful, secret chapel it is simply unmissable.

Tickets: £10
Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG, United Kingdom

Anti-Christmas Fayre – 10th December – Bethnal Green Men’s Working Club
The Anti-Christmas Fayre is exactly as you would expect an Anti-Christmas Fayre to be. With items ranging from curses, spells, witchy clothing to protective amulets and bones. This is everything you could want if you have been on the naughty list. As well as all of this there will also be a fully licensed bar. However with arts, posters, prints as well as vinyls there is something for everyone – even the sincerest of Christmas lovers.

Midday- 6pm
Tickets: £3 on door, Bethnal Green Men’s Working Club, 42-44 Pollard Row, London, E2 6NB

Xma(e)s Carols Concert – 11th December – Rich Mix
Join Giovannardi Eleonora, her band and special guests for a charity night of Christmas Carols. The proceeds from this night will go to Cittadinanza Onlus, which is an Italian charity supporting a day-care centre in Vellore, and offering rehabilitation and assistance to young children with neurological disorders. This promises to be an amazing night filled with emotion and is a great way to not only get into the Christmas spirit but also to give to charity.

Tickets: £20, 7pm
35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA

The Green Meeting – 19th December – 6pm – Oxford House
“The Green” will meet on the 19th December for a Christmas special. At this meeting, we’ll reflect on the partnerships that are developing for the benefit of the area, as well as looking ahead to 2018 and the support that Oxford House will provide to Bethnal Green businesses and residents. The more the merrier, so please do come and join us for a minced pie and some festive refreshment.

We’re delighted to say we’ll be joined by guest speaker Gary Haines, archivist at V&A Museum of Childhood and author of the photographic celebration of the area, “Bethnal Green”. Gary was unable to join us in November, so we’re glad he can come and help us see out 2017 this month at Oxford House.

To bring any discussion points to the table this month, please email: bethnal.green@oxfordhouse.org.uk
Admission: Free
Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG, United Kingdom

By Thufayel Ahmed