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Women at Watney

Women at Watney: Stories from an East End Market documents the history of Watney Market in Shadwell through the eyes of women who use the market. Oral history interviews were collected between March and May 2017 with visitors to the market, both current and past. We have put together this microsite to record and share our research findings.

The project was a collaboration between the East End Women’s Museum, Kings College London and University College London and was funded by the London Arts and Humanities Partnership.

 

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©Phil Maxwell All Rights Reserved

Stories

1 February 2021

History of Watney Market

Since the late 19th century Watney Street Market in Shadwell has offered East Enders food, clothing,…

Black and White picture of a Stall at Watney Market
1 February 2021

A pleasure and a treat

In 1959, E. R. Braithwaite visited the market in his autobiographical novel To Sir, With Love; and…

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The project was a collaboration between the East End Women’s Museum, Kings College London and University College London and was funded by the London Arts and Humanities Partnership.

About the East End Women's Museum

Our project is part of East End Women’s Museum’s mission to record, celebrate and amplify the histories of women from London’s east end. Established in 2015, we create events, exhibitions and resources for schools, communities and historians.

We tell the stories of boxers and writers; suffragettes, queens and thieves; scientists, seamstresses, dancers and activists – and much more. We want to tell the stories that matter to you, from the everyday to the extraordinary.

Please visit the East End Women’s Museum website for more details.

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Acknowlegments 

Thank you to everyone who contributed interviews to this project.

Thank you to Tony Bock, Phil Maxwell and Diego García for giving us permission to reproduce their photographs.

Thanks also to the London Metropolitan Archives, Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, and the East London Advertiser.

Thanks to Alana Harris and Andrew Flynn.

Thanks to the London Arts and Humanities Partnership and the University of London.

Finally, thank you to everyone in our volunteer research group who collected and transcribed all the interviews and helped to develop this exhibition:

Jenna Byers, Elsie Doolan, Emily Harris, Grace Heaton, Mathilde Lester, Eleanor Lowe, Hannah Mawdsley, Adam McKie, Brian O’Keeffe, Anaïs Pedron, Tashi Petter, Diego García, Christopher Webb, Rosamund West.

More information & resources

Women's History Resources

Local History and Archives

History of Watney Market

East End & Literature

History of East London

Watney & Photography