PHIL MAXWELL

The Golden Heart Pub Spitalfields

August 11, 2016

During my life I’ve visited many pubs and bars all over the world. Possibly the one I’ve visited most is the Golden Heart pub in Spitalfields. My friend Sandra Esqulant is the licensee and is one of the oldest residents around Spitalfields Market. The pub has changed over the years due to its proximity to the City of London and Brick Lane. In the past local residents, market workers and artists were the main clientele. Today there are more tourists. Nevertheless you can still find times when the pub is not packed with tourists; afternoons and early week day evenings are my favourite times. If you are lucky you may even meet the charismatic Sandra who is often referred to as ‘the Queen of Spitalfields’.

The Golden Heart pub 2010

Commercial Street by The Golden Heart pub, Spitalfields 2001

The Golden Heart pub 2010

Lawrence in the Golden Heart pub, 1998

Sandra (photographing me) in the golden heart 2010

Rose in the bar of the Golden Heart Pub c.2000

The Golden Heart pub, London 2008

Sandra (below) has appeared in a number of films I’ve made with Hazuan Hashim about the East End of London.

Sandra during a film interview, 2013

Golden Heart Pub c.2008

Rose at ‘The Golden Heart’ c.2000

Sandra 2007

Sandra, Commercial Street c.1999

Sandra (above) is an expert with the Hula Hoop and can occasionally be seen performing in and outside the pub.

Sandra with her Hula Hoop in the Golden Heart. London 2005

A woman passes the painting of Sandra. Hanbury Street, London 2012

A woman passes a painting of Sandra. Hanbury Street, London 2012

Sandra, 2008

You may also like:

Sandra Of The Golden Heart

Sandra (30 minute film)

Petticoat Lane Over The Years

August 10, 2016

More than a thousand stalls spread over two streets make up Petticoat Lane Market. I’ve walked up and down it hundreds of times in the last 35 years. Unfortunately it’s not as lively as it was; many decades ago it was packed with shoppers from all over the East End. The market has been operating since the 1750’s or earlier and is named after the petticoats and lace once sold there by the Huguenots who came to London from France. The street was renamed Middlesex Street in 1830 by the Victorians who wanted to avoid references to women’s underwear, but the name has stuck. Today the market specialises in new goods ranging from running shoes to kitchen utensils.

Petticoat Lane c.1988

Petticoat Lane 2002

Petticoat Lane c.1988

Petticoat Lane 2003

Petticoat Lane c.1986

Petticoat Lane 2003

Petticoat Lane c.1989

Petticoat Lane 2003

Petticoat Lane c.1989

Shoe shop Petticoat Lane 2014

London Pride (2)

August 9, 2016

London Pride 2016

Today I publish more photographs of this years London Pride March. The event was such a wonderful affirmation of LGBT rights and pride that I ended up taking hundreds of photographs so this will be the first of several blogs I will publish on Pride over the next few weeks.

I was pleased to march with the Peter Tatchell foundation. We marched in opposition to hate, Islamaphobia and homophobia.

Throughout the route the watching crowd gave us an incredible reception – the expressions on peoples faces say it all. They were delighted with our message: “LGBT & Muslim Solidarity. Unite against ALL hate,” “Defend LGBT Muslims against EDL & Islamists,” and “Fight both homophobia & anti-Muslim prejudice. Solidarity!”