East End Watch

[John Bennett]

Here's a little snippet - just to show how much the profile of the East End has changed. Wedding of the owner of Carphone Warehouse, Christchurch Spitalfields, yesterday:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1219558/A-Carphone-wedding-guest-called-Stu.html

I was standing outside at the time (pre-tour) and spotted Peter Mandelson, Simon and Yasmin LeBon and Johnny Vaughan. Missed Tony Blair, though.

[Suzi]

Superb!

Great shots John!!!...There's a postcard in that!!!!!!
Greetings from Brick Lane!!!!!!...onto it!!!!!

[George Hutchinson]

Brilliant, John! Even some of the posters and graffiti are having an effect of nostalgia upon me. Why do I look at this building and need a curry? That's rhetorical, by the way.

PHILIP

[John Bennett]

Seven Stars, Brick Lane

I put this together to show the changing face of the pub over the last 5 years. The latest shot was taken yesterday.

[WARSPITE]

Oh dear,yet more history gone. Can you let us know John/Phil if anything goes ahead,so I can pop down and make sure theres no original cobblestones from the old square underneath?
Pete

[George Hutchinson]

Hi John

That plan has been bandied around for a few years now and I don't know if it's ever had approval. It's horrible. If it were replacing something pretty unpleasant, then I'd say 'fine'. In fact, I think the glass tower block would be a vast improvement on Priory House. However, even though the current Square interior is not largely original, it would be horrible indeed to lose that. God knows what we're going to do with the tours for the couple of years it would no doubt be shut.

Another thing to add - Goulston Street has just been re-tarmac'd.

PHILIP

[The Grave Maurice]

This is no good. There doesn't seem to be any room left for the K & T warehouse. And what are those...palm trees?

[John Bennett]

Two things.

Firstly, the Seven Stars on Brick Lane has been stripped inside following the whitewashing of the front (graffitti has already appeared!). There is nothing to see inside at the moment except white walls. Perhaps it's going to be a gallery space or something. Who knows.

Secondly, in the not too distant future, Mitre Square is going to look like this.


That's progress, huh?

[Suzi]

Or' The International Jack the Ripper Centre'...Hmmmmmmmmmm Lottery win this weekend chaps!!!!????

[chrisjd]

"(or what it's going to be)"

What about a Curry Restaurant?

;-)
C

[John Bennett]

Seven Stars, Brick Lane

I've noticed that the long-disused 'Seven Stars' pub is getting a makeover. A while back, the graffiti and posters had been removed, as had the name.

Yesterday afternoon some people were literally whitewashing the whole frontage and the door was open, revealing work going on inside.

I've no idea what is happening (or what it's going to be), but I will try and get a photo tomorrow.

[Monty]

We don't. Our tours only last 2 hours.

Ah, but I got a free meal and a pint.

They looked studenty to me last Friday. City types tend to hit the Grapeshot, Artillery Passage way.

Bulldog,

The Alice is usually heaving in the evening. I note that many Ibis stayers hit there as its cheaper that the hotel bar.

Monty

[John Bennett]

Sgh, I've PM'd you.

Thanks John, do you know how much they.... err forget that.
Had a quiet drink in the Ten Bells, but noticed how busy it gets after work. Is it city workers or students.

Answer to question 1:
I'll forget that. Dunno anyway.

Answer to question 2:
They all look like students to me, but I'm sure that's not true of all of them. That said, after I turned 40, everybody under the age of 30 looked like a student!

[WARSPITE]

Thanks John, do you know how much they.... err forget that.
Had a quiet drink in the Ten Bells, but noticed how busy it gets after work. Is it city workers or students. Never seemed to be like that in the 80s, nineteen eighties I mean. I fancy tryin The Bell next time.
Also shared a fag with 2 folks begging outside Itchy Park. Some things never change.

[sgh]

What a superb photo, Steve. Got any more?



We don't. Our tours only last 2 hours.

Many Thanks, John.
I have a few more shots to process so I'll bung 'em on here when I've processed them.
I took a nice one of you with the Ten Bells blurred in the background whilst you were doing the talk. I would not post it without your permission though due to privacy rights etc, however I will be happy to email it to you.

I intend to return to Whitechapel soon to do a purpose photoshoot, I was more interested in what you had to say about the case, so just grabbed 'record' shots as best as I could whilst keeping my ears open.

Best
Steve