East End Photographs and Drawings

[George Hutchinson]

I'll give you the advice I give to everyone - keep off the estates if it's already dark. Don't flash your money around. Don't flash an expensive SLR camera around in front of hoodies. Don't go taking photos near schools, sports courts or playgrounds (or police stations close up!). If you do them, you will be absolutely fine. It's not as bad as you'd think. I've been tour guiding there a two or three times a week for five years and I've never had a serious incident - loudmouth threats on a few occasions, but that's literally about once a year and when I have a group of people with me and am thus bringing attention to myself.

PHILIP

[Observer]

What money!!!

Thanks for that Philip

all the best

Observer

[Mike Covell]

Great advice Philip.
By the time I arrived on Durward Street the local school was closing and the street was milling with kids, and several police patrols!
I had to wait until all the kids had gone and not get the officers in my shot!

On Gunthorpe Street there was a group of youths looking shifty, watching me watch them! They were obviously dealing so I took a quick shot and left!

In Mitre Square there was a parked car with a lady in watching my every move. She was probably just curious, but being in the City alone the place gave me the creeps!


Monty, Thanks for the heads up on the football arena. We have them in Hull and they have a similar usage!

Sam, Thanks for the heads up on it's other usage. I guess it could be used to stop John Prescott getting out to get the food too! Mind you, when he's hungry there just no stopping him!

[Monty]

As bad as that Monty?

Seriously, what's it like walking around the the East-End today? I'm planning a visit in the near future, my first since the early seventies

all the best

Observer

Ive never had any problems Mike. Then again, I look shifty myself so its not an issue.

I remember having a look around the back of the Wentworth Dwellings some years ago and getting the odd look from a market trader who was trying to get his stock out (the access is down a small passage way) but thats as near as Ive gotten to any hassle.

Believe me mate, if you can survive the Bransholme at night you can survive anywhere.

Monty

[John Bennett]

I must say I have had no real trouble in 20-odd years, apart from interactions of a surreal nature with the occasional vagrant or druggy.

That said, whilst making my silly film, I walked through the Flower and Dean estate with my camcorder. Obviously, it hay have been different at night, but I've walked through there many a time without a problem.

And I'm usually alone, striding purposefully in my inimitable way.

Besides, I'm dead hard and the gangstas are scared of me.

JB

[Paddy Goose]

By S W Rawlings, c. 1950 - Dunbar Wharf, Limehouse.

Paddy

[Mike Covell]

Believe me mate, if you can survive the Bransholme at night you can survive anywhere.

Monty

I dare not travel that for North!
I was in a pub in Bransholme many many years ago, doing a bit of kareoke, when some guy said "You have a great voice!"
"That bloke thinks I have a good voice" I smiled to my mates who all lived out that way!
"That's Mary", they smiled, "He will want to take you home later!"

Never been back since!

[Paddy Goose]

London Hospital bombed

[Mike Covell]

London Hospital bombed

So thats how Stephenson got out!!

[Rob Clack]

Just some photos I took yesterday:

Stepney Green:

Dunstan Houses in the distance:


One of the entrances to Dunstan Houses:


Which was built by:


Restored signage in Stepney Green:


Durward Street


and again:


Mitre Square:


St Botolph from Minories:


Goulston Street looking towards Bell Lane and Providence Night Refuge in Crispin Street:


Part of the huge roadworks and rebuilding around the Gardiners Corner area.


Rob

[Mike Covell]

I love the Stepney Green one's Rob, that row looks fantastic. Dunstan's House look's quite atmospheric and would love to see a night shot!

[Rob Clack]

Hi Mike,
It's a nice little area for old houses and Model Dwellings. Dunstan Houses are part of a triangle. Cressy Place is just to the right on a corner with Dunstan Houses. These are the buildings at the other end of Cressy Place. Dunstab Houses were covered in scaffolding when I took this last year.



Rob

[Mike Covell]

If these walls could talk! I love the high arches over the balconies, very nice.

[Rob Clack]

I got a copy of 'The Graphic' from 1911 today and there was a photo of Detective Sergeant Ben Leeson, who was a P.C. involved with the Francis Coles murder.

Saturday 7 January 1911:



And this is from a loose page from the 14 January 1911 issue which might interest some. The inside of a Jewish restaurant in Fieldgate Street.



Rob

[Observer]

Hi Rob

I was interested in your photo

Goulston Street looking towards Bell Lane and Providence Night Refuge in Crispin Street:

Would I be right in stating that Dorset Street runs immediately East of the Providence Night Refuge? If so it really brings home to the viewer that Dorset Street is very very near to where the killer dropped Eddowes apron. Kelly would have slept there the morning Eddowes was murdered, I didn't realise the two locations were as close.

all the best

Observer