A mural depicting the history of a 150-year-old pub and its link to the infamous 'Tottenham Outrage', has been created to celebrate its first year anniversary under new ownership.

Wood Street Walls (WSW) teamed up with The Royal Oak in Hale End Road, Highams Park, to have the artwork designed on the side of the pub building. 

The mural by WSW artist Frankie Strand, 22, from Stoke Newington, reveals the pub's history in three sections; from its beginnings as a beer house in the 1860s and registered licensed venue in 1879, to the dramatic final shoot-out of the 'Tottenham Outrage' next to the pub, the 12 cottages that formed the hamlet of Hale End, and the pub rebuild in 1906. 

The Tottenham Outrage, also known as the 'Walthamstow Tram Chase' was an extraordinary police chase that occurred in 1909 after two men held a factory wage clerk at gunpoint and robbed him of £80.

During the chase through the Tottenham marshes and streets of Walthamstow, Chingford and Highams Park, they shot wildly at their pursuers, killing a policemen, a 10-year-old boy and seriously wounding several others.

The final shoot-out took place in one of the 12 cottages next to the pub.

Pub staff have organised a party for Sunday (August 30) where the mural will be officially unveiled alongside a BBQ, Pimms tent and mini-ale festival.

General manager, Rhonda McCutheon, said: "It was always our intention of having a history board but we just never got around to doing it after the refurb.

"It was no easy job researching and condensing the story of this pub, but it was well worth it and we've had a lot of compliments from customers.

"The Royal Oak has always been known as somewhere to get a drink, but I couldn't believe how long it has been here and how it survived through both World Wars.

"Without the community, this pub would not be the success it is."

Gill Poulter of the Highams Park Planning Group (HPPG), helped organise the project.

"Frankie has done a fantastic job at making this landmark building even more notable and we hope this will be the first of many collaborations in Highams Park with the team from Wood Street Walls," she said.

"The Royal Oak is a true community pub and has been transformed it into a real family pub.

"It is a great boost to the community".

Ironically, Ms Strand said she was told the story of the 'Tottenham Outrage' a day before being commissioned to create the mural.

The Royal Oak re-opened in August last year following an extensive refurbishment and restoration project by Irish pub company, Tommy Fynn's.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

(L-R) Royal Oak general manager Rhonda McCutcheon with chairman of the Highams Park Planning Group (HPPG) Gordon Turpin and HPPG member Gill Poulter