Just off of Bethnal Green Road overlooking Weaver’s Field you will find an interesting red brick building known as Oxford House.
The Geezers were lucky to have a guided tour of this excellent and historically important building by John Ryan an extremely knowledgeable volunteer.
Oxford House was founded in 1884 as a ‘settlement’ house for graduates of the University of Oxford volunteering in East London. As part of the wider social reformist movement of the 19th century, volunteers from Keble College lived at Oxford House and provided practical support to the community of East London. Schemes to tackle the challenges of urban poverty included legal advice, youth and working men’s clubs, labour exchanges, and adult education courses.
Throughout the years, Oxford House has remained a thriving community hub for our local area. During World War II, Oxford House evacuated local children to free boarding schools, while at home the building served as a bomb shelter for up to 300 community members and continued running youth clubs for local boys and, for the first time during the war, local girls.
After the tour the geezers decided to visit one of our favourite pubs the lovely Camel in Globe Road.
Run by Debbie a close friend of the Geezers as was her Dad.
