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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Priya Bharadia

‘Mishmash of people, but there was kindness’: ‘Cockney Sikh’ on east London

Suresh Singh in hat, white beard, sunglasses and white shirt in Spitalfields
Suresh Singh, the self-styled Cockney Sikh, in Spitalfields. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Guardian

Suresh Singh never uses the word multiculturalism. “It’s nonsense to me,” he said. “What matters is your actions. What does ‘multicultural England’ mean, when we still build our little castles and don’t even ask anyone round for a cup of tea?”

Singh, also known as “the Cockney Sikh”, has walked the streets of Spitalfields in east London for six decades. A teacher, architect, musician and author, he is often spotted in his three-piece suits and Lock&Co hat. This week he organised a nostalgic walking tour of the area, showing visitors its history.

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