BY

CHARLES S.P. JENKINS

A series of nostalgic memories of a childhood spent in the East End of London
(Bethnal Green, Stepney, Whitechapel, Hoxton & Hackney)

www.eastend-memories.org.uk

INTRODUCTION

Born within the sound of Bow Bells
and brought up amongst costermongers,
pie ‘n’ mash shops, jellied eels & tailors,
this site is lovingly dedicated to
my parents, Mr. G.
and
to all the other people that I knew
during those years

Within this site, I have endeavoured to offer a collection of stories, photographs and musical clips together with links to other related sites for your pleasure. I would ask that the reader remembers that this presentation consists of personal accounts of my area of the East End of London. As a result, I cannot always vouch to the strict accuracy of all facts including technical ones. However, I have done my best to be as truthful as possible. Perhaps I am guilty of not always seeing the past as it was. This may well be the case at times, but as far as I can recall, I have been as honest as my memory permits. Please remember that the site is not intended to be a truthful history of the area, but a reflection of what I remember. However, should you feel that I have made an error, gross or minor, please right the wrong by contacting me and your comments and corrections will be included here. Finally, if you have a story to tell or a contribution to make from your own personal memories of the East End, please, feel free to contact me. Perhaps your story can find a home here.

THE HACKNEY EMPIRE One of the many great wonders of the East End

THE EXCELSIOR CINEMA One of the lost great wonders of the East End

CONTENTS

WHO IS A COCKNEY?

BETHNAL GREEN - THE ROUGH DIAMOND IN THE CROWN

REMEMBERING THE HACKNEY EMPIRE (1948-1956)

PART ONE – THE THEATRE

PART TWO – THE FIRST HALF

PART THREE – THE INTERVAL

PART FOUR – THE SECOND HALF

PART FIVE – THE GREAT CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION – THE PANTOMIME

PART SIX – CONCLUSION

MUSICAL EVENINGS

CATARI! CATARI!! …
THE POWER OF AN UNGRATEFUL HEART

A FEW COLOURFUL CHARACTERS

THE PRINCE

THE PHANTOM

MA'S SECRET

MEMORIES OF THE EAST END CINEMAS

GOING TO THE PICTURES

EAST END CINEMAS

PICTURE PALACES PHOTO GALLERY

A TRIP TO GAMAGES

THE MIRACLE IN HOMERTON

EAST END TOFF

AFTER THOUGHT

EPILOGUE - THE QUEST

CLUB ROW DOGS

MY DOG

FIDO AND FIDO

THE LAST DOG

DO YOU BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION?

PETS PHOTO GALLERY

SUNDAYS IN THE EAST END

SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS, MEETING PARENTS & IRONING

DOWN THE LANE - SPIVS, WIDE BOYS AND COSTERMONGERS

SUNDAY MARKETS - BRICK LANE, PETTICOAT LANE – BUYING ‘RECORDS

SUNDAY MORNING MARKETS - COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

SUNDAY MARKETS PHOTO GALLERY

DRAIN PIPE TROUSERS - ROCK MY SOUL

AFTERMATH

INVITATION TO THE DANCE

RADIO LUXEMBOURG – 208-ON-THE-DIAL -
STATION OF THE STARS

RADIO BEFORE RADIO LUXEMBOURG

208 – RADIO LUXEMBOURG – THE EARLY YEARS

208 – RADIO LUXEMBOURG – THE STATION OF THE STARS

AFTER THOUGHT

THE HISTORY OF THE FOOTBALL POOLS

LINKS PAGE

Sign the GUEST BOOK

Other works by the author:  

NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS

CHAPTER ONE - A GOOD LIFE, A GOOD NAME

to be contunued....

If you are a rights holder and are concerned that you have found images on my website, for which you have not given permission, or is not covered by a limitation or exception in national law, please contact me by e-mail and they will be removed.