Cheshire Street Warehouse
These photographs were taken a few weeks before this warehouse was demolished and the space used for a luxury housing development. There used to be a number of warehouses on Cheshire Street which facilitated a rich variety of stalls catering for a wide range of tastes. You could by a restored valve radio, cameras, tools, CD’s, clothes and old photographs and paintings. It was a delight to simply walk through the warehouse just to view the stalls. The man sitting behind the jewelery appears to be looking around in a way that suggests he doesn’t want certain people to see the contents of his glass case.
Man viewing jewelery in a glass case, Cheshire Street warehouse 2010
Although the cabinet is partially held up by an empty coke tin the demeanour of the owner of the wood and glass cabinet adds an air of urgency to any potential sale. His body language is communicating: “everything in the case is for sale at well below the market value but you had better buy quickly as I will be leaving soon.”
Man viewing watches in a glass case, Cheshire Street warehouse 2010
Sadly there are no warehouses left on Cheshire Street that sustain men with glass cases full of jewelery and watches. It is no longer possible to buy a restored valve radio or old watch. The place has become gated and organic.
Cheshire Street, 1983
City Trees
No matter how tall, majestic and strident they may be, soaring buildings are still eclipsed by the random etchings of tree branches. It just takes one tree to challenge the angular voice of city buildings.
Tree branches New York City, 2005
Trees that survive the clinical aspirations of planners still manage to assert authority. They remind us that the vanity of metropolitan architecture is peripheral compared to the seasonal voices of trees.
Tree branches New York City, 2005
It is impossible for sleek lines, marble and economy of design to challenge the arbitrary signals of a tree.
A tree in Mile End Park in East London, 2007
Street Read
The man reading the fly posters on Mile End Road enjoys a collage of contemporary tabloid treats. They include a special report on the world’s richest kids.
Man reading fly posters on Mile End Road, 1983
Man reading a paper on Whitechapel Road, 1984
The man in the Whitechapel betting shop (below) compliments the pavement reader. I suspect they are both studying racing form.
Man in Whitechapel betting shop, 1984
Man reading a paper, Bishopsgate goods yard 1999
Fishermen in Chittagong
Fisherman in Chittagong, 2008
Fisherman in Chittagong, 2008
Fisherman in Chittagong, 2008
Fisherman in Chittagong, 2008
Market Trader
This is the late Bernie Saunders photographed in 1989 in Brushfield Street.
Bernie Saunders in Brushfield Street, 1989
For many years Bernie sold fruit and vegetables from a stall in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane). The close proximity of the Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market enabled him to provide fresh food of a high quality.
Bernie Saunders in Brushfield Street, 1989
Bernie was assisted on his stall by his daughter and other family members. In addition to his market business he devoted a great deal of time to his work as a local Councillor in Tower Hamlets.
