29 Hanburry street

[cats meat man]

I believe the cat's meat shop was owned by Samuel Stockton, Harriet Hardiman's brother who was a cats meat man at various stages in his life. The cats meat vendors would work their own patch so I wonder if there was ever any violence as a result of competition?

[Brenda]

Hi Graham,
did the place seem as spooky as it does in photos?
I wonder how many people from Casebook actually ever visited 29 Hanbury Street?

[Graham]

Thanks, fellas.

My memory's very vague of that particular day, but it was stinking hot, I can remember that. Also, I don't think there was much in the way of buildings either side of No 29 (but can't be certain), but the 'Brill' barber's sign was still in place. Sadly, until digital photography was thought up, I never owned a camera, much to my regret...

One rather nasty thing I can add (and I'm sure it's been mentioned before) is that "cat's meat" in those days was the boiled remnants of slaughtered horses...the pong must have been absolutely dreadful. Not quite the same as the little tins of delicious-looking 'sea-food platter' my own dear puss Joolz is partial to...providing it's served to him on a nice clean saucer with a little bowl of a decent Chablis to...no, I'm going off on one now.

Cheers,

Graham

[Rob Clack]

Hi Rob,

Didn't someone (maybe on the old pre-crash site) post some accurate info as to when Hanbury Street came down?

Graham

Hi Graham

I don't think you can get much more accurate than what John said a few posts back. The first week in March 1970.

Rob

[Robert]

Graham, apparently 1967.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2003/nov/21/history

She wouldn't have let you in - you're not as suave as James Mason.

[John Bennett]

Does anyone know the date of the James Mason film of 29 Hanbury Street?

1967, Graham.

[Graham]

Hi Rob,

Didn't someone (maybe on the old pre-crash site) post some accurate info as to when Hanbury Street came down?

This is of direct interest to me, as (and sorry to repeat myself here) I actually grabbed the door-knob of No 29 and bottled out about opening it, as I felt someone was still living there. I can never quite nail the date of that particular visit to the East End, but I'd have said 1969 or 1970. Certainly before I was married in July 1971.

Does anyone know the date of the James Mason film of 29 Hanbury Street?

Cheers,

Graham

[Rob Clack]

I would have had 29 Hanbury Street coming down around January 1970. I presume Ramsey got it from Trumans Magazine as I think the photos he reproduced of the demolition are from there.

Rob

[Andrew Firth]

John,

Many thanks for the clarification on those dates.

Monty,

I can imagine Swallow Gardens being just the same, smell-wise! I suppose any public right of way, covered over by a railway viaduct, and therefore not having the benefit of direct rainfall to keep it clean, would smell less than pleasant.

All the best
Andrew

[Monty]

Andrew,

Sn experience aint it?

I recall a contemporary news piece on the Coles murder thst describes Swallow Gardens in a similar state.

As for Hanbury St, Ive seen some guides describe the buildings opposite 29 as the murder scene of Chapman, least some got the right side.

Monty

[John Bennett]

I was just thinking of Durward Street and George Yard Buildings. They seem to have been demolished around then.

Durward Street (the houses) was January 1972. George Yard Buildings was January 1973.

[Andrew Firth]

I took a couple of friends around the east end last month, and we passed through Abel's Buildings.

Suffice to say, we didn't hang around for long!

All the best
Andrew

[Monty]

Sara,

I think most modern Ripperologists would find most of the East End in 1888 to be quite malodorous, so I'm not sure using a passageway through a home with a cats-meat store in the front parlor was that much more offensive than many other places. Those who yearn for time machines and enjoy modern notions of hygiene are apt to be in for some unpleasant surprises if their wishes are granted.

Don.

If anyone wants to recreate the 'odours' of Victorian eastend then I suggest a stroll through Abel buildings.

I did that last month and the stench of human excrement was quite exquisit.

Monty

[Andrew Firth]

I was just thinking of Durward Street and George Yard Buildings. They seem to have been demolished around then. And did I once see an illustration printed in a newspaper around 1974 of one of the buildings in Mitre Square that was set for demolition?

All the best
Andrew

[John Bennett]

An excellent find there John!

It's nice to have such an event pinpointed in time so accurately! Now we just need to find proof of when all the other "about 1972-ish" demolitions took place in the East End!

All the best
Andrew

Cheers Andrew. Which 'about 1972-ish' demolitions would you be referring to? Might be able to help there...