Every week the Gazette will delve into its archives to see what was happening in Hackney 30 and 60 years ago.

Hackney Gazette: Hackney Gazette 16.7.56Hackney Gazette 16.7.56 (Image: Archant)

30 years ago:

A campaign was launched to stamp out a rise in racist attacks in Finsbury Park.

A growing number of black and Asian families were being targeted and a rota was in place to escort kids to and from Highbury Quadrant Junior school as a result.

Bangladeshi children in particular were suffering racist abuse and racist graffiti was also scrawled across walls of three schools after break-ins.

Hackney’s deputy mayor Nasrullah Syed said Bangladeshi families were living in a “state of siege”. Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn promised regular surgeries for people wanting to give information.

Three Hackney lads from the Chapel Royal Choir were set to sing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York.

60 years ago:

A son torn between loyalty to his mum – a “difficult woman of 72” – and the girl he planned to marry was driven to breaking point when he grabbed his mum by the throat.

Edward Roberts, 41, of City Road, Shoreditch, admitted the assault at the Old Bailey, but denied attempted murder.

A prophetic headmaster warned pupils at Queensbridge Secondary School about the importance and influence of automation on their future.

Delivering his annual report at the school’s Speech Day, P. G. Glover said: “To meet this new world of automation when machines will control machines, every child will need highly developed skills to take his or her place in industry – which means a longer period at school.”