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Tree Stories for category 'Social and Cultural Events'

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Gandhi meets Chaplin


Mahatma Gandhi arrived in London in 1931 to attend the Round Table Conference where he spoke eloquently about Indian independence. While he attended the conference Gandhi choose to make his home in Kingsley Hall for 12 weeks. This hostel was run by Socialist pacifist Muriel Lester and was located in Bow in East London. While Gandhi was in London, a meeting between himself and Charlie Chaplin occurred in Canning Town. This meeting took place in Dr Katial’s house who was an acquaintance of Gandhi’s.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the house to catch a glimpse of the meeting between Chaplin …

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Philip Hedley and El Publico


The Theatre Royal has been at the heart of Newham for decades, but in 1988 it came under criticism as the Director, Philip Hedley had to explain his choice of play in the Newham Recorder. The play in question was “El Publico”, most often translated as 'The Public', written by Federico Garcia Lorca. The play was called “disgusting and depraved” as it has a strong homosexual theme.

Federico Garcia Lorca was a playwright, poet and theatre director of international renown. He was executed during the Spanish Civil War, the motivation for the assassination remains unclear as …

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Under the Stars


Under the Stars is the popular annual musical festival hosted by the borough of Newham. This musical extravaganza usually takes place in Central Park in East Ham, where local residents and Londoners gather for four nights of music concerts and events. From reggae to rock, bhangra to classical, seventies soul to current hits, the festival can count on the collaboration of artists from all over the world, with a particular attention to diversity in genre and origin. Every night is themed and some of the most loved regular participants are the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with their live classical …

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Victoria Cross Commemoration


As part of the programme of events for the centenary anniversary of the First World War, Newham Council is holding a series of special commemorative ceremonies in honour of the soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest military award for gallantry and valour in the face of the enemy.

These ceremonies are part of a nation wide programme that celebrates Victoria Cross recipients: the intent is to honour their actions, provide a lasting legacy of local heroes within communities and enable residents to develop a better understanding of the role of their areas during the First World …

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London 2012 Paralympic Story


It is now widely accepted that the London 2012 Paralympics were, as Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) declared, ‘the greatest Paralympic games ever’. With a history of the games as we know them dating back to 1960, this is no small compliment. Furthermore, as the Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales observed, it was the warmth and welcome of the people of Newham who created the spirit of success and achievement that would endure throughout the games. The residents of the borough made up a large part of the volunteers and staff that …

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