Dagenham Civil Defence Bunker
On entering the bunker you first come to a airlock consisting of two heavy wooden doors which would have been locked with a gas seal. One of these can be seen on the left on my photo.
Behind the heavy wooden door is a original sign which says 'Headquarters Control Centre Notices' turn right and you have entered the bunker.
The bunker was built in the 1953 and was designated 51B2 reporting to the North East Group Regional War Room at Wanstead Flats. It is a purpose built underground bunker beneath a low grass covered mound to the rear of the now former Civic Centre and on the western side of Central Park.
On entering the bunker you first come to a airlock consisting of two heavy wooden doors which would have been locked with a gas seal. One of these can be seen on the left on my photo.
Behind the heavy wooden door is a original sign which says 'Headquarters Control Centre Notices' turn right and you have entered the bunker.
The bunker was built in the 1953 and was designated 51B2 reporting to the North East Group Regional War Room at Wanstead Flats. It is a purpose built underground bunker beneath a low grass covered mound to the rear of the now former Civic Centre and on the western side of Central Park.
Red Lion Street area, Kirk's Yard, Nottingham, 1919
This whole area was demolished in the late 1920's-early 30's. All the houses were replaced by some of the first purpose built council houses. Narrow Marsh lay beneath the cliff on which stands the Lace Market, seen here in the background. The area was notorious for its slum dwellings and outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. Note the houses on the left show frame-knitters windows. The timber-frame house, 'Marsh Farm' looks to be possibly Tudor, and shows a marvellous display of repairs and patching. The small plaque on wall says 'Gallahers Irish Roll'.
This whole area was demolished in the late 1920's-early 30's. All the houses were replaced by some of the first purpose built council houses. Narrow Marsh lay beneath the cliff on which stands the Lace Market, seen here in the background. The area was notorious for its slum dwellings and outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. Note the houses on the left show frame-knitters windows. The timber-frame house, 'Marsh Farm' looks to be possibly Tudor, and shows a marvellous display of repairs and patching. The small plaque on wall says 'Gallahers Irish Roll'.
Spitalfields is a very large area that runs up to shorditch and parts of Bethnal Green and takes in most of Whitechapel.
Spitalfields takes its name from the hospital and priory, St. Mary’s Spittel that was founded in 1197. Lying in the heart of the East End, it is an area known for its spirit and strong sense of community. It was in a field next to the priory where the now famous market first started in the thirteenth century.
As an international city, London is celebrated for its diversity in population. The East End has always been recognised for the wealth of cultures represented. Spitalfields served as a microcosm of this polyglot society, the ‘melting pot’ fusion of east and west. Historically, it has played host to a transient community – primarily for new immigrants.
Spitalfields had been relatively rural until the Great Fire of London. By 1666, traders had begun operating beyond the city gates – on the site where today’s market stands. The landmark Truman’s Brewery opened in 1669 and in 1682 King Charles II granted John Balch a Royal Charter giving him the right to hold a market on Thursdays and Saturdays in or near Spital Square.
The success of the market encouraged people to settle in the area and following the edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots fleeing France brought their silk weaving skills to Spitalfields. Their grand houses can still be seen around what is now the conservation area of Fournier Street. Today these houses are home to many artists including Gilbert and George.
The Huguenots were soon followed by Irish weavers in the mid-1700s following the decline in the Irish linen industry and subsequently, many of whom would work on the construction of the nearby London docks. As the area grew in popularity, Spitalfields became a parish in its own right in 1729 when Hawkesmoor’s Christ Church was consecrated
The Irish were followed by East European Jews
There are many fine examples of Huguenots houses left all over Spitalfields, over the years it has been cleaned up in many ways, no longer is there a prostitute on every corner the length of Commercial Street, as long as there was a market there, there were Prostitutes working in this area. Today the whole area is a wave of pop up art installations bars night clubs and coffee shops. Poor are still to be seen in spitalfields long with the heroin and crack addict and sociable Street drinker. Home now of the student and the .com entrepreneur
Has much changed??
Spitalfields takes its name from the hospital and priory, St. Mary’s Spittel that was founded in 1197. Lying in the heart of the East End, it is an area known for its spirit and strong sense of community. It was in a field next to the priory where the now famous market first started in the thirteenth century.
As an international city, London is celebrated for its diversity in population. The East End has always been recognised for the wealth of cultures represented. Spitalfields served as a microcosm of this polyglot society, the ‘melting pot’ fusion of east and west. Historically, it has played host to a transient community – primarily for new immigrants.
Spitalfields had been relatively rural until the Great Fire of London. By 1666, traders had begun operating beyond the city gates – on the site where today’s market stands. The landmark Truman’s Brewery opened in 1669 and in 1682 King Charles II granted John Balch a Royal Charter giving him the right to hold a market on Thursdays and Saturdays in or near Spital Square.
The success of the market encouraged people to settle in the area and following the edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots fleeing France brought their silk weaving skills to Spitalfields. Their grand houses can still be seen around what is now the conservation area of Fournier Street. Today these houses are home to many artists including Gilbert and George.
The Huguenots were soon followed by Irish weavers in the mid-1700s following the decline in the Irish linen industry and subsequently, many of whom would work on the construction of the nearby London docks. As the area grew in popularity, Spitalfields became a parish in its own right in 1729 when Hawkesmoor’s Christ Church was consecrated
The Irish were followed by East European Jews
There are many fine examples of Huguenots houses left all over Spitalfields, over the years it has been cleaned up in many ways, no longer is there a prostitute on every corner the length of Commercial Street, as long as there was a market there, there were Prostitutes working in this area. Today the whole area is a wave of pop up art installations bars night clubs and coffee shops. Poor are still to be seen in spitalfields long with the heroin and crack addict and sociable Street drinker. Home now of the student and the .com entrepreneur
Has much changed??
A notorious smelly East End Hospital during its latter years. St Andrew's Hospital was founded in 1868 as the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum, under the Metropolitan Poor Act of 1867 along architectural lines favoured by Florence Nightingale, and opened in 1873 with over 500 beds but only 26 nurses and 1 doctor.
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New ward blocks were added increasing capacity to over 750 beds by the 1890s .The Asylum was renamed St Andrew's Hospital in 1921. The hospital closed in 2006 due it being in poor condition. By the end it was mainly used for geriatric care.
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Demolition of the entire site began in 2008 and redevelopment work started immediately afterwards on this 3-hectare site situated next to Bromley-by-Bow station. Nearly 1000 homes plus a health centre have since been built on the site bordering Devas St, Devons Rd, the A12 and the tube line containing new private roads named Nelson/Hannaford/Truman/Harston Walk. Now, years later, the only trace as to the existence of the site's past is the odd redundant street sign pointing pedestrians towards St Andrew's Hospital.
.
New ward blocks were added increasing capacity to over 750 beds by the 1890s .The Asylum was renamed St Andrew's Hospital in 1921. The hospital closed in 2006 due it being in poor condition. By the end it was mainly used for geriatric care.
.
Demolition of the entire site began in 2008 and redevelopment work started immediately afterwards on this 3-hectare site situated next to Bromley-by-Bow station. Nearly 1000 homes plus a health centre have since been built on the site bordering Devas St, Devons Rd, the A12 and the tube line containing new private roads named Nelson/Hannaford/Truman/Harston Walk. Now, years later, the only trace as to the existence of the site's past is the odd redundant street sign pointing pedestrians towards St Andrew's Hospital.