Every week the Gazette will delve into its archives to see what was happening in Hackney 30 and 60 years ago. This week features a race attack at the Salvation Army.
30 years ago:
Vandals struck at the Salvation Army offices in Mare Street and caused thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
Pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered just minutes before commanding officer Captain James Williams was set to give a sermon on loving the unlovable.
Thugs even threw a chair through a £300 copper-plated window.
Two bungling jewel thieves missed out on a golden opportunity – because of a traffic jam. After raiding a shop in Roman Road, Bow, they tried to drive off, only to get stuck in gridlock yards from the door.
The owner confronted them and got his jewels back and they ran off, leaving the car in the road.
60 years ago:
A headmistress delivered a straight-from-the-shoulder speech to students at her school’s first prizegiving ceremony.
Mrs H R Chetwynd of the new comprehensive Woodberry Down School offered few pats-on-the-back and was not clouded with a mass of success percentage figures. Constructive criticism easily outweighed compliments.
There were strong comments about “15-itis” and Teddy Boys and Girls – and even a telling off for newspaper reporters who called her for comments at busy times of the day.
A labourer was charged with trying to murder a police officer. The 23-year-old man was accused of attacking Pc James Norman at the Broadway, London Fields.
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