Swallow Gardens

[Roy Corduroy]

Andrew Firth photographer.
From Howie Brown's site.

[Roy Corduroy]

The School

Thank you for the snapshots, Lechmere.

The school faced the entry into Swallow Gdns.

Part of Jake's photo from his post showing the Catholic school on the right.


Inside the top floor, then called Tower Hill Primary School. From this site


Then it was the church community center. site

[Lechmere]

Inside the arch - via the letterbox

[Lechmere]

And another from Chamber Street showing that it is still arch 45.

[Lechmere]

Here's a close up of the southern (Royal Mint Street) opening (now closed).

[Celesta]

This is a great thread. Stephen, those are amazing shots of the archway. The only thing I might add would be a panorama shot, made from the south, on Royal Mint, looking north towards Chamber, to show just how extensive the archway area is. It runs for a long way. Google Street View gives a preview of what a long shot would look like and is a useful tool for a non-Londoner, like me.

Good illustrations, All.

[Andrew Firth]

Hi Philip,

Yes, I seem to remember the gates on the opposite side to Pinchin Street. It's more of a "dream photographic opportunity" than something that I'm specifically planning. A bit like managing to get into One Mitre Square before they demolish it, to take some aerial views of the area.

Or getting a shot of the basement stairs at the Happy Days restaurant, which I think I remember reading somewhere were still there, under the floor beneath the serving counter...

Still, that shot of yours is excellent, with a real sense of atmosphere about it!

All the best
Andrew

[George Hutchinson]

Hi Andrew.

There's a business in the Pinchin Street arch these days. Its entrance is through the big, high metal gates on Backchurch Lane but I've never seen them open. It appears to be an office of some kind now.

PHILIP

[Andrew Firth]

Many thanks for posting the Swallow Gardens picture Philip! Apart from the ones that Colin Roberts took this is the only other I've seen of what is clearly a very dark and sinister archway.

I took some friends around the east end in May (on a Wednesday), and as can be seen here, there was no van parked outside, which you would have expected to see on a working day, had there still been a business trading there.



It's got me thinking now, about whether or not the current owners/tenants of the Pinchin Street archway could be persuaded to grant access for a minute or two...?

I'm off down to London next Friday for the very purpose of taking some new arty shots of all the streets and buildings, so you never know!

All the best
Andrew

[Celesta]

Heh - neither of you need to worry. It's not coming down. It can't - there's a train line on top of it from Fenchurch Street station! I managed to get in there through some exploring, detective work and permission.

Stan, Barney's Seafood moved out of there some time ago - a year, at least. It's been unoccupied since then.

PHILIP

I knew about the railway, of course. But, well, you know, sometimes old archways get replaced. Anyway, that spot near the end of the concrete platform is about exactly where I visualized Frances was found.

This is pretty cool, Phil.

[Archaic]

I believe you, Stephen; I'll read it!

I love reading & I'm always looking for good books to add to my reading list.

Thanks, Archaic

[Stephen Thomas]

The book you mentioned, "84 Charing Cross" I believe is about antique book sellers, but I don't know much more than that... Do you think I should read it?

Most definitely, Archaic. It's an astonishing little book which is completely factual and historical yet strangely magical. I know 'books' and this is a really special one. There's also a very good movie of it with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft but you need to read the book first.

I kid you not.

[Monty]

Well, theres your selling point mate.

It dont reek of eels anymore.

Monty

[Rob Clack]

You did indeed.

Rob

[Monty]

Wise move Rob.

I told you I thought the Fishmonger had gone.

Monty