‘Mishmash of people, but there was kindness’: ‘Cockney Sikh’ on east London
Suresh Singh has turned his memories of growing up in Spitalfields among diverse communities – and the far right – into a walking tour
TL;DR
- Suresh Singh, the 'Cockney Sikh,' leads walking tours of Spitalfields, focusing on its immigrant history and his personal experiences.
- He rejects the term 'multiculturalism,' prioritizing actions and kindness among diverse communities.
- Singh recalls growing up amidst various immigrant groups and facing racist attacks from the National Front.
- His father, Joginder Singh, arrived from Punjab in 1949 and his life became an archive of Spitalfields, now housed at the Bishopsgate Institute.
- Singh pursued a music career as London's first Punjabi punk, playing with bands like Spizzenergi, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Cure.
- He began documenting Brick Lane life to reclaim ownership and space against external observation.