| Wednesday, 07 October 2026 | Print
On Sunday, 4 October 2026, Civil Society Together CIC, led by Founder Director Mark Ereira-Guyer, arranged and hosted the ‘Modern Cockney’ Poetry Grand Slam with Michael Rosen at St George-in-the-East Church, London. The event was part of the 90th-anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Cable Street and brought together dozens of poets, writers and poetry lovers.
The evening featured a rich and diverse range of poetic voices, including Michael Rosen, Stephen Watts, Ovyuki, Mike Raggett, Faruk Ahmed Roni, Andy Green, Kaberi Mukherjee, Serena Lee and Farah Naz as well as many other poets and participants from across London.
The programme explored Modern Cockney identities and the Cockney diaspora, alongside the theme of unity and comradeship among East End communities. Poetry was placed at the heart of the celebration as a way of breaking boundaries, reclaiming voices and bringing different communities together.
At the centre of the evening was Michael Rosen, one of Britain’s best-known poets, writers and performers. His distinctive work, humour and energetic performances have introduced poetry to generations of readers and audiences. His own 2026 programme also records 4 October as part of the commemorations for the Battle of Cable Street.
The date was deeply significant. On 4 October 1936, thousands of East End residents and their supporters came together to stop Oswald Mosley’s fascist Blackshirts from marching through Cable Street. The local community’s resistance became an enduring symbol of solidarity against fascism, racism and division.
Ninety years later, the same East End was filled with a very different kind of gathering. Instead of confrontation, poets came together through words, creativity and shared cultural expression—connecting the history of Cable Street with the diverse London of today.
Civil Society Together CIC works to strengthen community connections, solidarity and social cohesion. Its involvement in the New Cockney Poets project reflects a wider commitment to using creative activities to bring people from different backgrounds together. The project was developed with partners including Hidden Literature, Modern Cockney Festival and United East End.
Posted 1:16 pm | Wednesday, 07 October 2026
globalpoetandpoetry.com | Faruk Ahmed Roni
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