East End Watch

[Steve S]

Still 'ere my end!!!.......Just written on your wall!!!

But you come up in black,so you can't be clicked on!!

[kensei]

Hi Kensei,

Couldn't help noticing that you keep mentioning White's Row. A slip?

White's Row has nothing to do with the murder site which is in the unnamed service road to the north (that used to be Dorset St).

Access to White's Row is as normal. Dorset Street is a no-no.

Regards
JB

Sorry, I guess I've made a mistake then, so thanks for pointing it out. I thought the service road and White's Row were one and the same. Was going by the map in "Uncovering Jack the Ripper's London" by Richard Jones and Sean East, on which the murder site is along a road marked by dotted lines instead of solid ones- the only one on the map that is like that- just off of White's, which I took to mean a street that is no longer physically there (Dorset). My bad. (And I've been there three times!)

[Suzi]

Still 'ere my end!!!.......Just written on your wall!!!

[George Hutchinson]

Suzi - off-topic... where's your Facebook account gone? Lyn can't find you and says you're not listed on anyone else's account.

PHILIP

[Suzi]

Blimey! What a total embuggerance this is! - I can't get the idea of taking a few car loads of 'tourists' into White's Row Car Park - driving to the top opposite- well you know where- and doing an aerial view out of my mind!!!!

Never say die Frip!.......You don't mean a latchet gate in a big gate do you???? He He! I must take one of those empty shops just down from the car park and sell some grapes from my front window- JPdL would love that- nothing like authenticity I say!!!!

[John Bennett]

One thing they ARE asking for is exact times every time when the guide will be arriving, so they can let them in. I don't need to tell you that that simply cannot work.

PHILIP

That is a tricky one indeed. Personally, if I'm not there by 8.10pm, I start to get the heeby-jeebies.

[George Hutchinson]

I don't know what gate arrangement they're thinking of but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a tall one with only small holes in it so you can get a rough outline of what's down there but not a proper view.

Actually, on Saturday night I got down there fine and the security car went right past me but I know they are taking this seriously. Richard Jones phoned the City Surveyor on Monday and they're getting it sorted. I even was honoured by a phone call from Mr Rumbelow himself on Sunday asking for details.

One thing they ARE asking for is exact times every time when the guide will be arriving, so they can let them in. I don't need to tell you that that simply cannot work.

PHILIP

[John Bennett]

Say Phil, will the murder site still be basically visible at a distance to passers-by from either end of White's Row (Bell Lane or Commercial Street), or are there going to be obstructions now that block peoples' view? Surely they can't prevent people from taking pictures from a public street as long as they don't enter.

Hi Kensei,

Couldn't help noticing that you keep mentioning White's Row. A slip?

White's Row has nothing to do with the murder site which is in the unnamed service road to the north (that used to be Dorset St).

Access to White's Row is as normal. Dorset Street is a no-no.

Regards
JB

[kensei]

Say Phil, will the murder site still be basically visible at a distance to passers-by from either end of White's Row (Bell Lane or Commercial Street), or are there going to be obstructions now that block peoples' view? Surely they can't prevent people from taking pictures from a public street as long as they don't enter.

[Bailey]

All good, Mr Phil. I'd hate to think I might someday get myself over there and not be able to get you to show me around!

B.

[Sam Flynn]

A great opportunity for a bit of added theatre, Phil, as they open the gate!

(Always the "half-full" type, me )

[George Hutchinson]

Hi, Bailey. I have personal Public Liability Insurance anyway, so by having a copy of the licence granted to the company, I'd be at liberty to go there any time I chose. Technically, I legally fit all the requested criteria right now, but the City still have to get us the licence to say they have acknowledged it.

PHILIP

[Bailey]

Well, I wasn't planning to go with anyone but you anyway, Philip, so it's all good

As a licensed guide for a licensed company, would you get access for small private tours, or would you have to be on an "official" one?

B.

[George Hutchinson]

Here's hoping summat's going to happen there - at least clearing it before something does. It's sat there like this with nothing happening there at all for over a month now.

Back on the Dorset Street saga, I had a long chat on the phone with the City Surveyor this evening, and I have to say it's a baptism of fire.

It's not just the prostitutes and druggies in the service road that are causing the issues, it IS the Ripper groups as well - but fear not; he is open-minded.

The service road is, indeed, privately owned by the City and they are thus liable for members of the public should someone in a tour group have an accident (some groups have had people stepping into the line of cars and the like). When you look at it that way, you can see their point.

I was told that the action was largely to prevent the crappier guides. He is well aware there are varying standards and he is all for the Ripper industry, but he (rightly) doesn't like it when tourists get told nonsense by the charlatans. Consequently, he said that the Commercial Street end is due to be gated and only licensed (being cost-free) guides will be permitted in with groups after being buzzed in.

I explained to him about the company I work for and told him I personally have Public Liability insurance up to £15 million and he said that is exactly the sort of thing he means. He said that though he is aware that contact slips have been given out to many people, I was the first Ripper guide to contact him and he was happy to work with Richard Jones (as my boss) to discuss the issue and that the company John and I work for would probably be the first to be granted a licence.

In short, this means that whilst it is currently a pain, a few weeks down the line there will be certain parties able to access the street again but from what he was saying it looks at the moment like it will only be us and Original London Walks, or ones who actually work for the City.

This might well mean the casual Ripperologist won't be able to go there by themselves and certainly people unlucky enough to go with one of the less reputable companies won't get there at all.

PHILIP

[Rob Clack]

These are the photos I took of the old Aldgate East site and The Aldgate East Arms.

This is from Aldgate High Street with Goulston Street on the right. I presume the area behind the wall is the cellars for the Aldgate East Arms and the area in front of the wall belonged to the Underground.


This is basically from the same spot.


and this is from Goulston Street looking towards Middlesex Street


Rob