Tag: Spitalfields

Life in a Victorian Dosshouse

For many of us, the closest we come to experiencing what Victorian poverty was like is by watching a television adaptation of a work of Charles Dickens. He would use his writing to bring about societal change in a similar way to how actors and musicians put their name to good causes today. It can… Continue reading Life in a Victorian Dosshouse

Rabbitwoman and Dogman

I wrote last week on the wonderful new work of public art in London entitled The Wildlife Table of Love in Paternoster Square. I mentioned in that post how I have long enjoyed seeing the public work of artists Gille and Marc around London and indeed in many other large cities around the world. Some artwork… Continue reading Rabbitwoman and Dogman

Wooden Spools of times past outside a beautiful old Spitalfields House

I’ve written countless posts over the years about Spitalfields, Whitechapel and Aldgate and many of them have been on less than savoury subjects but recently when I was out and about walking through the area I decided to revisit one of the more upmarket districts. Of course at one point the whole area was very… Continue reading Wooden Spools of times past outside a beautiful old Spitalfields House

Snooping around a Charnel House (House of the dead) in Spitalfields, London.

Whilst I was out looking for my beigel a few weeks ago in Spitalfields, I decided to do a bit of a detour to look for an old ruin which if not quite in plain sight then is at least walked over by thousands of people every day without their ever really knowing. I’ve written… Continue reading Snooping around a Charnel House (House of the dead) in Spitalfields, London.

Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant

Michael (Mickey) Victor Davies (sometimes mentioned as Davis) was born in Stepney in East London on the 22nd April, 1910. Sadly as a result of some sort of spinal defect, he only grew to the height of 4 feet 6 inches tall and became affectionately known as “Mickey the Midget”. Despite his small statue Mickey became an… Continue reading Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant

Elizabeth and John Sodeaux – Two unintended victims of Jack The Ripper

We often see on the news today after horrific events around the world, the impact and effects it has on those who survived disasters or live amongst horrific events.  Todays post shows that the stresses of living through nightmarish events isn’t a new one, especially when the they stretch out for months with Jack the… Continue reading Elizabeth and John Sodeaux – Two unintended victims of Jack The Ripper

To be on Tenterhooks in Spitalfields

Have you ever heard of the phrase “on tenterhooks”?  It has come to mean being in a state of tension, uneasiness, anxiety, or suspense, and that is because tenterhooks were once very common sights indeed.  Tenterhooks aren’t the big hooks you might see in a meat market or butches but are instead related to the cloth… Continue reading To be on Tenterhooks in Spitalfields

Whitechapel Street Art

I’ve written before about my Jack The Ripper Tours in Whitechapel, London and even posted a few photos too. Today I arrived there with an hour to spare so decided to have a little look around as I often do in this area. Whitechapel is of course famous for its poverty and crime problems. In… Continue reading Whitechapel Street Art