East of Tower Bridge on the north bank of the river Thames, is Wapping, a name which probabl meant marsh. The marsh was drained to make docks on the river Thames, with lots of assocations with trade worldwide, Wool and leather from sheep in Australasia, tobacco from Virginia. The Prospect of Whitby pub is a local landmark and being familiar with the history of the East End I was interested in the mural showing the Battle of Cable Street.
I went to Tobacco Dock, a restored historic venue, to the BCB beverage, bar and spirits show. On the way my day started with a visual reminder of the past of the area, the mural recalling the Battle of Cable Street. The mural is by several artists and was inspired by the style of Diego Rivera whose lively political murals crowded with tough wroking people I had seen in the USA.
We walked, 5-7 minutes from Wapping station,
The Battle of Cable Street Mural
We walked through St George's Gardens, a park with a giant mural on the side of the town hall at the entrance. The mural shows the famous 1936 event, They shall not pass blockage of the demonstration march by Mosley and fascists through what was then a Jewish area.The mural was on our left.
The St George's Church
Shortly afterwards we passed the church on our right . Gravestones leaned around the outdoor walls in front of the open area.
The Monument to Brewer & Philanthropist Raine
In front of the church was a monument.
The monument to wealthy widower and philanthropist, brewer Raine, in St George's Church, Wapping.. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
I diverted to read about who it commemorated. That man, Raine, was a wealty brewer had devoted his life to the church and charity after the death or his young wife, Sarah, who died 6 months after they married. He never remarried. He gave money for a school for 50 boys and 50 girls. When they left school, the boys were apprenticed to .trades and the girls went into domestic service. The school lasted until 2020
I got to thinking about the boys having their apprenticeships arranged by the school. Surely modern school leavers should not be cast out after merely being given advice, and left to find jobs. Every school and university should have an onsite office arranging jobs, helping compose CVs, printing CVs, oragnising references, training leavers for interviews. Checking that pupils are studying subjects which will get them qualifications required by employers and universities.
I saw a moored boat. Two replica boats were built to teach local children the history of the area.
Then we reached our destination. Tobacco Docks. No sign of the history of the docks, nor of tobacco, but it's all online.
Tobacco Dock. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
However a very distinctive building. I met the venue on one of the hottest days of the year. The building would benefit from being completely enclosed by a rectractable roof when weather conditions such as snow, or rain or excessive heat require it. Instead open walkways lead between air conditioned side halls and smaller rooms.
BCB Events
Big Max wearing many hats at the BCB bar and beverage show in June 2025 at Tobacco Dock. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
However, the BCB Bar Convent management did a great job. They had water bottles and water refill points and aair con in the rooms containing stage areas. You really felt you had visited old London, restored.
Getting There
Wapping (Overground) and Shadwell (Overground and DLR) stations. Wapping station is one stop on the DLR, changing at Bank station, on the northern line from Euston. (Also several other train routes and buses.).
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Street_Mural
A long detailed researched and photographed history of the docks
http://www.stgitehistory.org.uk/raine.html#rainememorial
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