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Reading Kensei's post made me want to do the Ripper Tour all over again. The first time was late 1960's/early 1970's (I can't remember exactly when) before the wholesale redevelopment and reconstruction of the East End, when there were still bomb-sites plainly visible and here and there living reminders of the social deprivation that was once the way of life for most of the people living there. Durward St was still virtually untouched when I visited, and 29 Hanbury St still stood (I tried the door-handle to see if it was open, but lost my bottle and scarpered..).
The last time I visited the East End was about 10 years ago to see a customer in White's Row (I work in the textile trade) and things were changing big time. There was a life and a vibrancy about the area which had been lacking nearly 30 years before. And Bloom's Restaurant was still open, where I ate latke....at my employer's expense.
I was interested to hear Kensei describe how modern East Enders seem to neither know nor care about the Ripper. I can't honestly say I'm surprised - these things happened 5 or 6 generations ago, and the ethnicity of the East End has changed out of recognition. In 1976 I was working in Germany about 50 miles from the Moehne Dam, and it amazed me to meet young Germans who were totally unaware of the Dam Busters raid! Their ignorance was, obviously, for reasons somewhat different to the modern East Enders' indifference to the Ripper, but nevertheless it drove home to me just how time moves on and leaves memory way, way behind.
Still. Kensei seems to have enjoyed his visit, which is what matters, and it was a joy to read his post. Best of luck, mate!
Cheers,
Graham
The last time I visited the East End was about 10 years ago to see a customer in White's Row (I work in the textile trade) and things were changing big time. There was a life and a vibrancy about the area which had been lacking nearly 30 years before. And Bloom's Restaurant was still open, where I ate latke....at my employer's expense.
I was interested to hear Kensei describe how modern East Enders seem to neither know nor care about the Ripper. I can't honestly say I'm surprised - these things happened 5 or 6 generations ago, and the ethnicity of the East End has changed out of recognition. In 1976 I was working in Germany about 50 miles from the Moehne Dam, and it amazed me to meet young Germans who were totally unaware of the Dam Busters raid! Their ignorance was, obviously, for reasons somewhat different to the modern East Enders' indifference to the Ripper, but nevertheless it drove home to me just how time moves on and leaves memory way, way behind.
Still. Kensei seems to have enjoyed his visit, which is what matters, and it was a joy to read his post. Best of luck, mate!
Cheers,
Graham
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