East End Photographs and Drawings

[Rob Clack]

Tother was if there was basement access at the rear? Rob and I discussed this when we had a look at the back some years ago. We could see a lentel but were not sure if it was a door or window one.

Those pics answer that....thank you.

Monty

Indeed, it makes me wonder if the basement door entrance in Goulston Street led right through to the back and another way out.

Rob

[Monty]

Rob

I dont see why not. I suspect the basement may have been a laundry room of types. I really do find it odd that Long or any Police report doesnt mention this...unless its lost of course. That passage we went down, is that original?

[Rob Clack]

I believe it is, It's not clear enough on the 1890s Goads



Also looking at the front of the dwellings in the 1976 photo, was there another way down to the basement? It looks like there might be for the corner one, with the metal fence there.

Rob

[Monty]

Rob

I agree mate Again, I know the other entrances had steps and a door down to the basement. I suspect that end one, nearest the baths, was different. Though the question is was it an oringinal or converted sometime prior 76. I have some pics of that end one, with the wall, somewhere. Didnt I mail em to you?

[Rob Clack]

Good question, I just assumed the entrance to the basement was just the door to the left of the staircases. The end one looks like it may have had an outside staircase leading to the basement and all the rear entrances looked as if they may have had outside staircases leading to the basements and may have had an internal one as well.

Rob

[Simon Wood]

Hi Rob,

What are the two blue and black Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts on the Goulston Street Goads Plan?

Regards,

Simon

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Rob, What are the two blue and black Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts on the Goulston Street Goads Plan?

... is it because the two fattest policemen in London just happened to be on point duty when the map was drawn?

[Rob Clack]

Hi Simon,

They are Hydrants.

Regards

Rob

[John Bennett]

Rob, Monty

If Wentworth Dwellings had a basement wouldn't the Goad map say so?

eg the number denoting storeys would say 5 + B or Bast. or something.

Also, when I saw the doorway opened up in 1990, the left hand side part by the steps was completely open and went through to the rear of the building.

I did take a photo, one of those that is now mislaid. It may have shed some light on the matter. Poo.

[George Hutchinson]

I don't know if I'm stating the obvious here, but the current owner told me three years ago that when he ripped out the stairs for the chippy circa 1990, he kept the stairs down to the basement and they're still there under a trapdoor or something behind the counter. He did intimate to me at one point when we were shooting that Freemasonry documentary outside that the company could film it, but they didn't think it necessary. He might still be amenable to showing it.

PHILIP

[Rob Clack]

Rob, Monty

If Wentworth Dwellings had a basement wouldn't the Goad map say so?

eg the number denoting storeys would say 5 + B or Bast. or something.

Also, when I saw the doorway opened up in 1990, the left hand side part by the steps was completely open and went through to the rear of the building.

I did take a photo, one of those that is now mislaid. It may have shed some light on the matter. Poo.

Hi John,

The later Goad Maps show the basement. I can't imagine a basement being added later so it might have been included on the 1890 one (although I can't imagine why).

I don't know if I'm stating the obvious here, but the current owner told me three years ago that when he ripped out the stairs for the chippy circa 1990, he kept the stairs down to the basement and they're still there under a trapdoor or something behind the counter. He did intimate to me at one point when we were shooting that Freemasonry documentary outside that the company could film it, but they didn't think it necessary. He might still be amenable to showing it.

PHILIP

Philip, if he throws in a bag of chips, I'm game .

Rob

[John Bennett]

Re: Goads - Thanks for that Rob.

Re: the basement - Throw in a Pukka Pie and I'll jump down there meself.

[Monty]

Rob,

Ive mailed you some images about this basement topic. Let me know what you think.

Throw in a crispy duck and Im in too.

Monty

[Rob Clack]

Rob,

Ive mailed you some images about this basement topic. Let me know what you think.

Throw in a crispy duck and Im in too.

Monty

Got em, cheers. This one as you said is the interesting one.



Although the arrow should be a bit higher up. I think it's just clear enough that there is a gap at the front of the building similar to the rear. The question is did it extend along the whole of the front when it was built. It may have done and it would explain the outline on the largescale O.S. from 1894



Brunswick Buildings just to the South and on the otherside of Goulston Street were built this way as this 1970s photo shows.



Rob

P.S memo to Philip, if the Happy Days chef feeds us we'll brave the basement.

[Monty]

Thanks Rob

The arrow was placed to point out the wall which flummoxed Jake and myself as it seemed to have stuck out for no reason but now has been answered. To wall off that basement well which couldnt be seen. I think your suggestion is a valid one. I know the buildings were built to the same spec. I cant recall if there are any footprints of these wells, can you?