Comments on: At the Fruit & Wool Exchange, 1937

By: Alan Heard

Alan Heard — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 21:11:23 +0000

Stumbled on this by chance and read Alan Godwin’s account. Strange to see his account as I worked with him on a company called Henry W Arnold in the 60s and 70s. I have often wondered what happened to him as we lost touch. It would be great to hear from him to see how he is doing if he ever reads this. I’m on Facebook. Many happy memories of the market, the fruit exchange and of course the people working in the market.

By: Stuart Kira

Stuart Kira — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 12:04:34 +0000

I have many memories of attending the thrice weekly auctions with my late father, David Kira, initially during my visits to the market during school holidays and then in later years in the 60s and 70s when I joined the firm. Also memories of inspecting the samples in the basement prior to the auction commencing. Bidding was in pounds, shillings, pence, halfpennies and even farthings and I rmember my father pouring over his Ready Reckoner checking the figures against invoices received. There was also another company who held regular actions in Spitalfields – J&J Lyons whose warehouse and auction room was based in Gun Street. They had the sole rights in the UK to sell the famous “Eat Me” dates brand.

Incidentally, I believe The Orontes was used for the transporting emigrants from the UK to Australia under the £10 passage scheme in the 60s.

By: Alan Godwin

Alan Godwin — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:24:52 +0000

I worked in Spitalfields in the 60’s and 70’s and have many happy memories around the Fruit Exchange (and very near by in The Gun) and the Fruit Exchange building together with Spitalfields church were the pillars of the Market and as the church is preserved so should the London Fruit Exchange.

By: Polly

Polly — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:25:19 +0000

I heard the wonderful news the other day, hooray, it so deserves to stay!

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:45:45 +0000

Wonderful news! I’m so happy to hear this!

By: Chris F

Chris F — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:24:57 +0000

Brilliant… At last, some common sense prevails.. Three cheers for the Development Committee.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:53:15 +0000

Hooray

By: Philip

Philip — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:41:29 +0000

Congratulations!

By: Save The London Fruit and Wool Exchange

Save The London Fruit and Wool Exchange — Thu, 31 May 2012 22:13:33 +0000

SAVED!! Thank you, thank you to the GA and to all the wonderful followers of Spitalfields Life who have championed the London Fruit and Wool Exchange. Tonight at Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee, every Member voted to refuse permission for the demolition of the Exchange, the Gun public house and the Barclays Bank and Dorset Street. There truly is life in Spitalfields! Thank you.

By: Save The London Fruit and Wool Exchange

Save The London Fruit and Wool Exchange — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:03:31 +0000

See the good ship “Lesbian” in the brochure…oranges are certainly not the only fruit!

The “Oronsay” was still sailing in the 1960’s as a passenger liner (with cargo?) Some east enders may recall these ships. Got to love the “Madge Llwellyn” and the “Egyptian Reefer” too. Wonder if there are any memories out there of these ships, the docks, their cargo and the Exchange? “Cokernuts”?!