Comments on: Joan Brown, Secretary at Smithfield Market

By: Ron King

Ron King — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:56:44 +0000

I am nearly 84 and I started work in Smith field Meat Market at the age of 19 as a Pitcher that is a man who carries the meat into the market starting late at night, before that I worked the race courses playing the three card trick and the spinning jenny plus being a thief as well, but the cops where getting hot on us and meat came off ration so all the team went to Smith Field, but being young I could not help myself nicking meat for my MUM and of course I got nicked and got 9 Months at the Old Bailey and I did my time in Lewis jail for young prisoners, but when I came out I got back in Smith Field but not long after I got under a side of beef and one of the guys called Harry Frampton got under his end and dropped dead so I ran and got changed into my clothes and returned to the game I knew best, the guys I worked with where hard men but very fair and loyal at all times and they were very pleased when I went back sometimes to see them, THEY DONT COME ANY TOUCHIER THAN THEM, so leave the place alone dont they think they have taken enough memories away in LONDON as it is.

By: Eric,wicker

Eric,wicker — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 22:28:09 +0000

I worked with Joan 1964/5. M.D. John Garton Jenkins and Co. Secretary Chris Kubler before I transferred to Luton abbattoir for Associated meats. Joan was totally loyal and honest, a lovely lady. I was only 18 but hope she remembers me. Trust she is still well.

By: Peter Martinelli MBE

Peter Martinelli MBE — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 07:25:10 +0000

I got a job with AJPoels the Company headed by John Jenkins in June 1954 just before the Market re-opened after WW11. The interview would have been at the West Smithfield Office and no doubt this wonderful lady was there. I was a mere 24 and thrilled to get the job.

The Company had several Smithfield Stalls including “Dean and Hatton” – “Packing House Products” – and the ‘Griffin Meat Company.” I began as a deputy cashier and progressed to a junior salesman when owing to a vacancy became the offal trader at “Packing House Products”

I spent some 9 years with the Company before moving to “Ridpath” and then went onto a junior partnership with John Silver. Later I branched out on my own and through a series of events my Son Paul is now MD at P.j.Martinelli Ltd still trading at Smithfield.

Please convey my very best regards.

Peter J Martinelli MBE sub editor Smithfield Gazette.

By: Roger Tiller

Roger Tiller — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 10:12:45 +0000

Please please don’t knock it down

By: Carolyn Badcock - nee Hooper

Carolyn Badcock - nee Hooper — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:19:23 +0000

Gentle Author – this is a magnificent post to your blog! The photography is to be treasured and as for Joan Brown – her story is simply wonderful! She surely has lived her life superbly.

By: Erin M

Erin M — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 06:14:34 +0000

We love your site and were very happy to read Joan’s story. Hope its okay we used her image on our site with link to yours. Here: http://ballarateast.net/spitalfields-life/

We are rallying our community around issues of sustainable development. Good luck with your fight. Erin

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 14:36:11 +0000

If I’m not mistaken the final word on this development will rest with Boris Johnson. With his track record for walking all over local democracy (viz. Deptford) this will need a very strong, co-ordinated protest. He is even willing to risk Westminster’s World Heritage Site status in the pursuit of Chinese money to raise tower blocks along the Thames!

By: Moyra Peralta

Moyra Peralta — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 23:25:14 +0000

So interesting, these life stories. Thank you Joan & GA! Lovely photographs, too.

By: judy blankenship

judy blankenship — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 16:31:57 +0000

From a far-away fan of Spitalfields Life, I loved this interview with Joan Brown and the accompanying photos of Smithfield Market. Recording and preserving these oral histories are as important as saving the buildings. The Gentle Author does a great job! I look forward to your blog every day, and hope to visit Spitalfields in the future.

By: valerie-Jael

valerie-Jael — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 13:27:52 +0000

I wonder if the people who want to destroy our history and heritage have anything in their brains apart from greed? This is really shameful. Valerie