Mechanically Minded: Film screening, celebrating the life of local legend, Ted Etty

Etty & Tyler on Upton Lane, Forest Gate, E7 was established in 1963 and shares its 60th anniversary with the London Borough of Newham.

Ted ran Etty & Tyler with his two sons Anthony and Martin and grandson Tyler, on Saturdays. The shop is more than a bike shop, it is a unique community hub.

Mechanically Minded interweaves the daily banter and operations of the shop with Ted’s fascinating stories about living, working and surviving in East London, adapting to the perpetual cultural and socio-political changes, from a two-wheeled perspective.

I’ve always been mechanically minded … trends come and go, but the workings of the bicycle, have basically stayed the same – Ted Etty

Local film makers and cyclists Zoe Flynn & Bo Chapman were inspired by Ted’s stories to apply to the Heritage Lottery and explore the extraordinary cycling heritage of Forest Gate.

Mechanically Minded is part of the Full Cycle project. Frames of Mind worked with residents, schools and cycling organisations to co-produce the Full Cycle Bike Trail; eight QR code stops, featuring short films, at site-specific locations across E7, to attract new audiences to heritage and get people peddling.

https://fullcycleheritage.com

Ted sadly died in early June 2025, aged 97.

Alongside the Mechanically Minded (22 minute documentary film), we will be sharing previously unseen footage of Ted talking about his observations and local adventures. We invite you to celebrate and raise a glass to this extraordinary, well-loved community figure.