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Slow bike race and more

February 11, 2011

Below we see a slow bike race in Spitalfields. The winner was the rider who could cycle the slowest without falling off their bike.

Slow bike race

Slow bike race in Spitalfields, 1984

The boy on the bike below pauses among the street debris which includes furniture and a stenciled door announcing ‘new media’.

Sclater Street. Boy on bike

Boy on a bike in Sclater Street, 2000

Boys on a bike in Marakech

Boys on a bike in Old Town Marakech, 2005

Children with a bike on Brick Lane

Children with a bike on Brick Lane, 1984

Bicycles at the entrance of Pauline House

Children with bicycles at the entrance of Pauline House in Hanbury Street, 1985

Trolley Heaven

February 10, 2011

I believe street photographers may be unwittingly drawn to particular elements of street life. Looking through my archive I’ve noticed a preponderance to record people pushing shopping trolleys around the East End of London. I have so many of these photographs which I want to share as they seem to say so much about character, place and belonging. Here are a few more of a lady I have revealed before together with some more recent additions.

Lady pushing a trolley in Spitalfields

Lady with a trolley in Spitalfields, 1999

Lady pushing a trolley in Spitalfields, 1999

Lady pushing a trolley in Spitalfields, 1999

This gentlemen (below) came up to me to complain about the 25 bus service. He must have thought I would be a good listener and was oblivious to my camera; I agreed with his sentiments regarding the 25 bus.

Man with a trolley on Whitechapel Rd, 2010

Man with a trolley on Whitechapel Rd, 2010

Lady pushing a shopping trolley, Brick Lane 2009

Lady pushing a shopping trolley, Brick Lane 2009

Rainbows East and West

February 9, 2011

The protruding hand from this rainbow bus in Dhaka leads me to the rainbows I have come to enjoy in Whitechapel over many years.

Rainbow city bus

Rainbow city bus with potruding hand, Dhaka 2009

Rainbow over Whitechapel

Rainbow over Whitechapel, 2006

Brick Lane Tea Pot

February 8, 2011

This curvaceous tea pot has caught the attention of the two men standing near the Bagel shop on Brick Lane. They obviously know the man carrying the pot and have seized the opportunity to engage in some street banter.

Tea pot on Brick Lane

Man with a curvaceous tea pot on Brick Lane, 2002

A smaller tea pot has caught the attention of this boy (below) at the Sunday market in Sclater Street.

Teapot in Sclater Street

Boy examining a small teapot at the Sclater Street market, 1987

Seven Stars Brick Lane

February 7, 2011

The former Seven Stars pub on Brick Lane had quite a reputation for ‘erotic dancing’. There were two bars. The one at the back facilitated drinking and conversation without interruption from live entertainment. I have fond memories of the place and regret that it has been closed for many years. The building nevertheless has served as a magnet for graffiti artists and fly posters over the years. Today I can reveal a moment in the back bar which captures a history not revealed, inspired or related to the daubing outside.

Children walk past the seven stars pub

Children walk past the Seven Stars pub, Brick Lane 2002

The exterior of the pub has changed rapidly on a weekly basis.  The more recent photograph below illustrates the side entrance and the ‘public art’ it attracted.

The Seven Stars pub, Brick Lane 2009

The Seven Stars pub, Brick Lane 2009

The real Seven Stars is revealed below.

Seven Stars Pub, Brick Lane 1999

Seven Stars Pub, Brick Lane 1999