Comments on: The Gentle Author in Piccadilly

By: Oliver Powe

Oliver Powe — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 13:24:12 +0000

Hi Kenneth

I was wondering if there was a direct line of communication I could reach you on?

Would be delighted to hear more about your time in the Bishopsgate branch of Hector Pow

Many thanks
Oliver Powe

By: Chris Garner

Chris Garner — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 19:48:58 +0000

Kenneth,
Appreciate you responding. I am probably clutching at straws but my natural father worked there, I think as a Manager, before, during and possibly after WW11.
His name was Eric Burningham.
Do you have any information on him, however meagre?
Many thanks
Chris Garner.

By: KENNETH BAKER

KENNETH BAKER — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 01:18:33 +0000

I stumbled on this request for former employees at Hector Powe’s, 50 Bishopsgate.
Yes, I worked there in my early life. London, at that branch of Hector Powe, was
always full of bankers and stockbrokers from Threadneedle St. and yes, the occasional
salty cockney who had found success in his business world. The clients came from
a variety of backgrounds seeking classic British styling, many of whom could do justice
to the characters of the bowler hat brigade, depicted by the hilarious John Cleese.
Write should you seek more information of daily life in the world of Hector Powe.
For me, I gained some great lessons in life which contributed to my success in later years.

K.Baker

By: Chris Garner

Chris Garner — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 19:49:27 +0000

Message for Roger Lewis,
Would your father still be alive?
I am trying to trace employees at the Bishopsgate branch of Hector Powe.
Thanks

By: Roger Lewis

Roger Lewis — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 14:09:18 +0000

Dear GA, Within the theme of Piccadilly I thought you and your readers might enjoy this song by the man who wrote ‘Lord of the Dance.’

EROS Sydney Carter (1915-2004; tune: “Yankee Doodle”
Performed by the Spinners; John Foreman; Mike Sparks

1. Me father was a Cupid and me mother pushed a barrer.
I was born in Piccadilly, with a bow and arrer.

CHORUS: One leg up and one leg down, like an old cock sparrer,
Flying over Piccadilly with me bow and arrer.

2. Caesar came to London Town, thought the girls were pretty.
Look at all those Roman noses, walking round the City.

CHORUS

3. Up the river came a load of whiskers long and flaxen.
If your eyes are china blue, then blame it on a Saxon.

CHORUS

4. Up the river came a Viking, out for blood and thunder,
Saw a lady to his liking, then began to plunder.

CHORUS

5. William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir;
So, if you look like Georgie Bush, then you know who to thank, sir.

CHORUS

6. I’ve got feathers on me back, and arrers in me quiver,
Just because me father came a-flying up the river.

CHORUS

7. Where’s your Cockney pedigree? I’m surprised you asked it.
Cos, everybody’s been and put a bun into the basket!

CHORUS

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 21:13:33 +0000

Good luck with the lantern show ‘up west’ – love that phrase. The photos are fascinating; the Ritz looks so French! I can remember visiting McDonalds in the Haymarket in the mid 1970s (I think) when it first opened, it seemed so exciting.

By: Teninchwheels

Teninchwheels — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:09:54 +0000

When I moved to London in 1992 there were still old ladies selling Nottingham lace outside what was then Tower Records. They seemed to vanish overnight.

By: Stephen Barker

Stephen Barker — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:59:18 +0000

Surely the centre of the world is Greenwich on the meridian.

By: Ellen in NEW England

Ellen in NEW England — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 01:54:58 +0000

Great photos and stories, and I am sad to miss the magic lantern show.

I am sorry to disappoint you, but the actual Hub of the Universe is Boston, Massachusetts (USA). The Center of the Universe is Grand Central Terminal, in New York City. You can tell by the ceiling there. Picadilly must be something a little different. 😉

Best wishes from NEW England.

By: Classof65

Classof65 — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:20:25 +0000

Break a leg!