Mechanically Minded – an intimate, short film about resilience and community

Mechanically Minded celebrates the extraordinary life and exploits of 96year old. Edward Ernest Etty,‘Ted’, owner of Etty & Tyler motorbike and cycle repair shop on Upton Lane, est.1963.

Ted still works at 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 Teds 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

Etty &Tyler was the inspiration behind the Full Cycle Heritage lottery project which explores the extraordinary cycling heritage of Forest Gate. As the ‘gate-way’ to Epping Forest, Forest Gate, was a major bike manufacturing hub, fuelling the craze for wheel-based leisure, liberation and activism, in late 19th century. https://framesofmind.uk/full-cycle-2024/

The evening will not only be a celebration of Etty & Tyler, but also of the boroughs rich heritage of cycle manufacture, outdoors space and life and the great work happening in our corner of East London to promote healthier, cycle based living.

Working with local residents, primary school children and cycling organisations Frames of Mind has co-produced the Full Cycle bike trail; eight QR code stops, featuring short films, at site-specific locations across E7, bringing new audiences to heritage and getting people peddling.

Full Cycle bike trail maps can be picked up at Forest Gate library, Etty & Tyler, and The Wanstead Tap and accessed online: https://framesofmind.uk/full-cycle-tour-map/