The origins of the East End textile industry can be traced to the 14th century when Flemish artisans set up dye works on the River Lea. In the late 17th century the Huguenots arrived in Spitalfields bringing their skills with silk-weaving, lace-making, fan-making, etc. Then the Jewish tailors arrived and enriched the area further.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
garment and textile industries in the East End
Commemorated ati
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane north
We failed to find this plaque in Dec-Jan 2017, but it is identical to that fu...
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane south
There is meant to be another identical plaque further north in Brick Lane but...
Bowler plaque - Shuttle and Bobbins
The plaque shows a shuttle and two bobbins, representing the local weaving tr...
Whitechapel Threads sculpture
The artists worked with the Rope Makers Guild to produce this image of two sk...
Other Subjects
Edward Latymer
Wealthy lawyer, merchant, official and a Puritan. Born in Freston, near Ipswich. Much of his life is obscure, but in 1594 he was appointed deputy and clerk to the Receiver General of the High Court...
1 memorial
John Sainsbury
Businessman. Born John Davan Sainsbury, one of three brothers, he entered the family business in 1950, becoming chairman and chief executive in 1969. Created Baron Sainsbury of Preston Candover.
1 memorial
Grodzinski's bakery
In 1890 (previously thought to have been 1888) Harris and Judith Grodzinski arrived in the East End from what is now Belarus. Starting in a street stall they then set up a bakery at 31 Fieldgate S...
1 memorial
Frank Bearman
Retailer. Founder of the former Bearman's department store in Leytonstone.
1 memorial
New Mermaid Tavern, Mare Street
This section of Mare Street was at the time known as Church Street. The area around was the Mermaid Gardens which were used for balloon flights, amongst other things. The (old) Mermaid Tavern was...
1 memorial
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