PHIL MAXWELL

Cat lady on Brick Lane. Late 1980’s.

The woman in this photograph was always dressed in a head scarf and large coat. Usually she would pull a shopping bag on wheels behind her. She was the cat lady of Spitalfields. She knew where every cat and kitten lived in the wild and made it her task to feed them every day. Her bag was full of cat food which she would serve on newspaper at designated spots around Spitalfields.

Cat lady on Brick Lane near the Seven Stars pub

The cat lady pauses for a second near the Seven Stars pub on Brick Lane. She has just left some food in the ‘private road’ for some cats.

Cat lady near Christchurch school on Brick Lane

The cat lady floats past Christchurch school on Brick Lane. With her eyes closed she contemplates the next cat awaiting a delivery.

Cat lady on Cheshire Street with her shopping trolley

The cat lady waits outside her favourite cafe in Cheshire street. Now a trendy boutique, in the 1980’s you could buy a cup of tea and a sandwich for less than a pound at this establishment.

Cat lady in Cheshire street cafe

The cat lady ‘kept herself to herself’ and avoided the company of others.

Cat lady sits alone in her Cheshire Street cafe

It must be about twenty years since I last saw the cat lady of Spitalfields. She devoted her life to feeding the stray cats of the area. I have no idea where she lived and I never saw her talking to another person. She seemed to live in her own separate cat world. Even though I was sitting opposite her when I took this photograph I felt that she had created a barrier and would be reluctant to engage in conversation. It was impossible to make eye contact. I’m pleased I photographed her on the streets and in her Cheshire street cafe. She would not recognise Cheshire street and Brick Lane today.

This is one of my favourite blogs from 2010 which I am pleased to publish again today.