Most of this locality is built-up, ethnically diverse, inner city but is already undergoing huge regeneration in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. Stratford is one of the major London transport hubs and is soon to be connected to the Eurostar giving East London a direct link to Europe. For a bit of open space and greenery Forest Gate is the most pleasant part. West Ham is most well known for its Premiership football club which has its ground at Upton Park.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.
