Comments on: Tony Bock At Watney Market

By: A. Welsh

A. Welsh — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:51:59 +0000

I lived in Gelston Point, when it was brand new in the early 1970s as a child and clearly remember shopping in Watney market. Joe the grocer always chatted with my mum and let her have an apple or an orange for free! Lovely people. Nice to see these photos.

By: Colin Young

Colin Young — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 12:49:52 +0000

53 Watney Street in 1913 was Sanders Bros “The Peoples Corn & Flour Market” was run by my grandfather & grandmother, Ernest & Emily Young. He was 23 then. My father was born here. They eventually moved & managed another Sanders Bros shop at 233 Roman Rd. Will try to post photos of 53.

By: John Harvey

John Harvey — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:18:41 +0000

I served my apprenticeship at J F Hunts (engineers) on Martha Street) one job I had was to fetch tee in a “Billy can” from “Fays Café” opposite Shadwell station and under the bridge she was a very friendly Jewish lady who seemed to know everyone.No one has mentioned her yet this was in the late 50s and yes I loved the bustling street market…John Harvey

By: Bernard Samuel

Bernard Samuel — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 07:33:13 +0000

I used to live in Zion House in the Sidney Street Estate and used to visit Watney Street Market with my grandmother [Dora Fedman]. I knew Doodie Dix and his wife Cissy [included in the pictures…the one with tomatoes at 15p a lb] and of course Minnie Payne the fishmonger who was always glamorous.

My mates and I would pass through the market on our way to Shadwell Park.

However my east end has long gone….my synagogue is closed and is now flats…good memories but the east end is a living place and the past is just that a lovely memory….history!

By: Claire Bridger

Claire Bridger — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 21:17:08 +0000

My Grandparents ran a Butchers (L Bridger) at 60 Watney Street, I’m just starting to dig into the family history so wondered if anyone had any memories??

By: Mike Tobias

Mike Tobias — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 02:26:32 +0000

My dad’s family had the fishmongers shop in Watney Street, Tobias & Sons. My grandfather opened it, but as a kid in the 60’s and 70’s when we used to visit from Brighton, I always remember my Uncles Mickey and Georgie running it…..On the Man Alive video posted above my Uncle Georgie is seen after the Live Eels shot.

By: Howard Smith

Howard Smith — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 14:01:49 +0000

Further to my earlier posting I’ve since found the BBC ‘Man Alive’ programme that had been uploaded to you tube entitled ‘Alright, we’ll do it ourselves’ from October 1972. It’s about a Stepney Festival and the organisers go down Watney Street asking for donations and includes my father ‘Joe the Grocer’ and Minnie Payne who had the fishmongers stall infront of our shop.
Copy or paste this link to see ‘Stepney’ in the 1970’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nxgsvLXKmA

By: Howard Smith

Howard Smith — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:33:44 +0000

Well what great memories of Watney Street. I’m the son of ‘Joe the Grocer’ and spent many Saturdays helping in the shop and market stall outside. My mother Norma, Joes wife has celebrated her 93rd birthday this year and we often still spend time reminiscing. I remember Syrett and Press the butchers who had shops either side. Also Andersons the bakers, Caters and Sainsbury’s counter stores. There was also a stall holder that only sold tomatoes. When it came to ‘Hopping Time’ customers would stock up with groceries for their holidays. I do remember that the film To Sir with Love was filmed in the market and one of the episodes of the BBC programme ‘Man Alive’ featured it. Thinking of going back to see what it looks like now.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 07:08:27 +0000

I loved looking at these photos,of the old market I grew up their and worked in the market as a young girl,jacks shop was under the railway arch, in one of the photos I can see a small glimpse of it , he sold everything from children’s socks to curtains by the yard, he had a daughter Brenda who I worked with she was nice, we got on well I remember the winters were bitter standing out Side on the stall on Saturday legs turning blue with the cold, when the opportunity came to work in the chemist at the end of the market I went for the interview and got the job it was great,the atmosphere of market life was happy.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:23:17 +0000

I moved out of Wapping Riverside Mansion in 1953 aged eight.my dad was a docker.I remember looking out of my bedroom window at all the ships going past.
.And especially president Tito sticks in my mind.I lived at 32 my cousin at no 1.My aunt had a cafe that used to serve all the dockers.We all had such wonderful friends & neighbours.Now I live in Hornchurch only have work colleagues.& family neighbours are just there we don’t really socialise.