The New Cockney Poets – from Bow to Billericay 2026
In a nutshell:
Building on the recent successes of the Togetherness Poetry Challenges, this year with a fresh and new partnership we are compiling an anthology of poems under the combined two themes of 1) “Modern Cockney identities & Cockney Diaspora; 2) Unity & Comradeship of East End Communities – in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street”. This continues the work of flagship initiative, 32 Steps to Togetherness, which aims to bring people together and foster community.
From March to May 2026, the call for poetry submissions will be open to everyone aged over 18 years old (see submission guidelines here). In partnership Civil Society Together, Hidden Literature, Modern Cockney Festival and UNITED East End will host an in-person event in Autumn 2026 as part of the Cable Street 90th anniversary community celebrations launching the anthology. Other events are planned as part of the Modern Cockney Festival in March 2026 and by Civil Society Together in Barking & Dagenham in July 2026.
Theme 1: What do we mean by “Modern Cockney Identities and the Cockney Diaspora”
Modern social identities are complex, multilayered and fluid. People have many badges, not just one identity. We need to find ways of engaging at many different levels and dimensions to begin respectful conversations around identity to build cohesion and togetherness.
We don’t need an exercise in nostalgia celebrating a mythical past, nor do we need a ‘Royal Institute of Cockney’. Rather, by providing emergent spaces like the Modern Cockney Festival (a month-long celebration in March) bringing people together – on or offline – enabling anyone to explore, discover, and celebrate their shared sense of who they are, while respecting the rights of others to be the person they ought to be – the world is a better place through celebrating the Modern Cockney – aka the ‘non-posh Londoner’.
Celebrating Cockney identity in a context where its story is told by others, or more likely mistold, negatively stereotyped, ignored, even airbrushed out of history.
In the last 100 years or so, and especially in the post-war period, we have seen the migration of cockney speakers to places outside of London – often into Essex (or Kent) and many of the new towns of Harlow and Basildon, up to Clacton and further into East Anglia – places like Thetford and Haverhill. The more extensive Cockney diaspora spreads, of course, much further afield.
We are also mindful of the so-called ‘Cockney School of Poets’ from the early 19th century, and a dismissive term first used in 1817 by snobbish poetry reviewers, and became part of the insulting of London-based Romantic poets, such as John Keats or Leigh Hunt – and even Percy Bysshe Shelley – whereby the establishment sought to mock these poet’s for their perceived lack of pedigree and sophistication, referring to their ‘low born’ status and accents, and most tellingly their radical Cockney political views.
Theme 2: What do we mean by “UNITY & COMRADESHIP IN LONDON’S EAST END – 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street”
United East End (UEE) was founded in 2010 as a non-party political, anti-racist alliance, comprising community and faith organisations, trade unions and other civil society groups. The specific aim of UEE was to prevent far-right and overtly racist organisations such as the EDL, and more recently, UKIP, from marching through Tower Hamlets. As such, UEE sees itself as working in the best tradition of the Battle of Cable Street, when the local community united to prevent Oswald Mosley’s fascist Blackshirts marching through the East End. UEE is now working with others to develop a programme of cultural events to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street and highlight its relevance for today.
Poetry is a powerful tool for bringing people and communities from different backgrounds together. It breaks boundaries, allowing us to express truths that don’t fit into rigid frameworks. It invites us to reclaim our voices, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate diversity, fostering deep connections in the process. By writing and sharing poetry, we can dismantle old ways of thinking, honour all our histories and heritage, and imagine a future where every voice matters.
Social cohesion is vital in holding communities together. The anthology’s themes celebrate the unique cultural heritage of London’s East End and bring it into a modern-day diverse and inclusive context. In sum, it will make up our shared world while exploring poetry’s role in fostering mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of community coming together: Unity & Comradeship.
We believe poetry is a transformative tool in the creative process of “decolonising minds” and generating fresh, shared identities which are respectful and tolerant of difference and nuance. You can visit Civil Society Together’s Poetry Challenge website to see what has been done previously: https://www.togethernesspoetrychallenge.org
Proposal summary
In collaboration, we are launching a call encouraging everyone – aged over 18 years old – to write and share poetry on the two themes. All east London boroughs (but especially Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Barking & Dagenham), civil society and faith organisations will be encouraged to become involved and promote the call for submissions.
The resulting anthology – estimated to comprise 50 poems – will be selected by the partners editorial team as set out below, co-ordinated by Mark Ereira-Guyer (from Civil Society Together). The Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman will be requested to write a preface; and Micheal Rosen an introduction.
The anthology will be designed and produced both as a digital version and printed version. Further sponsorship will be sought for printing costs, however seed-corn funding is being provided by Civil Society Together/National Lottery’s Awards for All grant.
Timeline
Launch of call for submissions – March 29th 2026 (as part of this year’s Modern Cockney Festival – on their website and as part of overall promotions, with a digital flier for wide circulation)
Submissions: Sunday March 29th – Thursday 30th July 2026 (a four-month window)
Poems to be sent to: [email protected]
The submission guidelines would be based on previous Poetry Challenges: https://www.togethernesspoetrychallenge.org/submission-guidelines
Celebratory Event: Date TBC – as part of 90th anniversary celebrations
Prizes and Editorial Team
A prize of a Monkey for a poem judged as one that brings either of the themes most alive; Two Tons as commendation prizes.
Team will comprise:
– Ovyuki from Hidden Literature
– Mark Ereira-Guyer from Civil Society Together CIC
– Saif Osmani, Bengali East End Heritage Society
– Andy Green from Modern Cockney Festival
– Abdullah Faliq & Glyn Robbins from United East End