Down in the Basement

Join teacher, writer and campaigner Chris Searle, The Basement Writers and BBC Broadcaster Alan Dein, for a 50th anniversary celebration of working-class writing with a rebellious East End spirit.

The event will include discussions, reading, performance and film.

About Stepney Words & Cockney Rebels

This event forms part of the programme ‘Stepney Words & Cockney Rebels’ a project marking the 50th anniversary of the Basement Writers.

In 1971, eight-hundred schoolkids from Stepney went on strike when their teacher Chris Searle was sacked for publishing a book of their poetry. In 1973, Chris started The Basement Writers, an after-school club for local teenagers to continue to write about their own lives. The project grew to include all kinds of extraordinary working-class people and became one of Britain’s first community publishers. Many former members still write today. Stepney Words & Cockney Rebels marks 50 years of creativity led by working-class communities. Join us for a day of activities exploring stories old and new.