London, Greater London

Hackney in the east end of London

My nana was born in Hackney in 1907. She was born to an unmarried mother in the Salvation maternity hospital for unmarried mothers on Mare Street, Ivy House to be precise. She stayed in Brent House mother and baby home just around the corner.
Does any one out there know of anyone else who was born in this hospital?
I would... [more]

George Inn

I was general manager of the George Inn from 1984 to 1998. I made many friends in the Borough, it was like a small village.

The Bank of England

The "Bank" has occupied this site since the late seventeenth century. Although you cannot see from either this view or indeed from the street, there is an exquisite garden and lawn in the centre! The Bank underwent an extensive building programme between the time of this photograph and the second world war. There are now five floors and also three levels... [more]

A Spectacular Entrance to Central London.

Before my time, of course, but this is still a very familiar view to me . Not only did I intern (from Westminster Technical College Hotel School) at the Charing Cross Hotel on the right but also passed through the station 5 days a week for two years.

On occasion I'd stay too late at a party on a Friday... [more]

Prodigal Son Returned

I think it ought to be mandatory, for every person of English heritage, to pass through Westminster Abbey at least once!

Returning from Canada and, later, the USA , for only the second time in 35 years I took my late teenage son and daughter to tour Westminster Abbey. There we joined the throng as it somehow wound its way... [more]

1960's

The George Inn in Southwark was one of the favourite watering holes and eating houses for the young men of the accounts department of Borax Consolidated Ltd. in Victoria. In those days the serving wenches were all dressed in Dickensian costume and we would order a steak and kidney pudding. I don't mean individual puddings but a large one set in... [more]

Painful memories of Paulton Square.

As a frightened 7 year old, in 1950,  I was plunged into an unfamiliar London life when my meddling and self righteous aunt unfortunately reminded my stepfather of fulfill his promise to my dying mother to 'take care of Jimmy'. He had since remarried and brought  my sister and I together again after we had spent three years apart,my sister with... [more]

London,Piccadilly Circus 1951-1955

I was a young Constable in the year 1951, and fresh from Peel House, Westminster was assigned tio the Savile Row station known as CD. I lived at the Section House on Broadwick Street, Soho named after Lord Trenchard. Many times I was assigned to Piccadilly Circus, on the early turn or at 5pm to 1am for a two week period.... [more]

London Pocket Album

This famous junction was once known as Regent Circus and developed out of Nash’s elegant modelling of Regent Street. George IV likened Piccadilly Circus to an illusion of preventing ‘the sensation of crossing Piccadilly being perceived’. In 1886 many of its buildings were demolished and the open space considerably enlarged.

London Pocket Album

Decimus Burton’s impressive arch is topped by a decorative frieze depicting horsemen, the design imitated from the Elgin Marbles which were on display in the British Museum. So much of this luxurious neighbourhood mimics the glories of classical Greece.

London Photographic Memories

Decimus Burton's impressive arch is topped by a decorative frieze depicting horsemen, the design imitated from the Elgin Marbles which were on display in the British Museum. So much of this luxurious neighbourhood mimics the glories of classical Greece.