Annual memorial to Grimaldi

Today the 65th annual memorial service to honour the British clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1835) is held. This memorial was originally held at St James where he is buried (above). The service moved to the Holy Trinity church in Dalston in 1959. Traditionally this date marked the beginning of the circus touring circuit.
So don't be surprised if you are overwhelmed by lots of clowns if you are in East London today.

Cinderella

I bet she's upset to have lost such a pretty shoe.

East London

A street corner in the borough of Hackney.

Street Art

East London is synonamous with street art - on both "legal" and "illegal" walls. I went on a guided walk with RJ Rushmore who was a mine of information. He also took us to a street art gallery called the Black Rat Project, tucked away under railway arches in Shoreditch. Check out the gallery site and RJ's blog Vandalog.

Skin Art

As promised a month ago I will bring you interesting tattoos as I spot them.

I've got Rhythm

Enjoying the music at the Whitecross Street Fair.

Pancake Day

Pancakes tossed by bears, policemen, strawberries, sun girls and many more.
Shrove Tuesday in Bricklane organised by alternative arts to raise money for London's air ambulance was loads of fun.

Bricklane

Bricklane ( ব্রিক লেন) the Bangladeshi quarter of London.
Names of places in the UK really are literal. Bricklane was where bricks were manufactured (in the 15th century) and the buildings are made of brick.
From bricks it moved to brewing beer and weaving and tailoring cloth.

All this colourful past is alive and well in the current markets. Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields.

Street Walker

It's hard work pounding London footpaths

A Goat's Eye View

Checking things out from the steeple

Ayoka Gigs

Ayoka is a vintage boutique store in Bethnal Green, selling clothing, books, records and CD's.
On the last Thursday of every month they hold in-store gigs with both established and up and coming artists.
The store and the funds from the gigs is to raise money for the African Women's Welfare Association (AWWA). This organisatoion aims to raise awareness of sickle cell and Thalassaemia, both are inherited blood disorders.

The very talented Rhiannon Eglin is playing hauntingly beautiful instrument called a Hammered Dulcimer.

Ayoka opened in July 2010, they need more good quality goods to sell in their store, so Londoners time to cull your wardrobes and donate those clothes that are very glam but you no longer wear.

Worried

Brian appears to have big worries.

Affordable Couture

Flicking through the magazines and newspapers the past few days I see flying saucer hats are where is at for dedicated followers of fashion this coming spring.
Hence why this little number caught my eye in a vintage clothing store near Bricklane.

Old and New

St Helen's church built in the early 1200's and St Mary Axe (Gherkin) behind it, opened in 2004. The Gherkin is currently the second tallest building in London but will drop down a place after the Shard opens.
I'll show you progress on this new building soon. Do let me know what you think of it.

Two for a Fiver

Although a bit quieter than most Sundays, the Colombia Road Flower Market was still pretty lively. Go a little later and you'll get great bargains. Bunches of flowers for a fiver or a tenner.

Festive Butcher

What would I do with it? Maybe I'll stick to steak.

Anchoring the Boat

A day on the Thames.

Pretty Maids

Sheltering in the rain after the maypole dance

Pearly Royalty

The harvest festival celebrated by Pearly royalty and the various mayors of the East London boroughs was celebrated at guild hall yesterday.
These three look very fine in their 'whistle and flutes'.

Their what? Aha an introduction to Cockney rhyming slang, the language of east enders originating in the 19th century.
So what is whistle and flute? Suit.

My Way

A very adamant leader of the group deciding where the team will go.
Ed or David?