Comments on: Caroline Gilfillan & Andrew Scott’s East End

By: susyhogarth

susyhogarth — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 20:53:27 +0000

love the photos and the poems of Caroline Gilfillan.

By: anna coburn

anna coburn — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:54:38 +0000

Liberation and bra burning in the early 70’s.
You were on the road, singing,
being serious about feminism.

I was just starting the married road.
Spare Rib.
Their message made me feel guilty.
I was to be a wife, a mother.
My decision.
These were the different roads we took.
I don’t suppose either of us regrets our choice.

By: Caroline Gilfillan

Caroline Gilfillan — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 07:15:50 +0000

Nicholas thanks for the thumbs up. Andrew Scott and I are putting together a collection of poems and photographs and looking for a publisher. I’m sure it will happen.

By: Caroline Gilfillan

Caroline Gilfillan — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 07:11:45 +0000

Margaret, how lovely to read your post. The Stepney Sisters is indeed the band referred to and I have vivid memories of your sister and her Serendipity van. The gig at the Women’s Arts Alliance was memorable for a number of reasons: I think that was where a speaker fell on a borrowed guitar and broke it. Benni created a sculpture of kitchen implements, too. I’m writing a collection of poetry about those times and that gig must find its way in there.

By: Margaret Nairne

Margaret Nairne — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:52:54 +0000

Thank you for featuring these touching poems. Brought back clear memories of staying in a squat in Chalk Farm where my much older sister lived. She burned her bra in the early ’70s and, amongst other things, founded the Women’s Free Arts Alliance and, I understand, sometimes roadied for the band, The Stepney Sisters, in her pink painted lorry which said “Serendipity” down the side! Perhaps this is the band referred to in the poems.

By: Eastendbutcher

Eastendbutcher — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:06:10 +0000

Fantastic photos of a London that I remember so well from my teenage years. The combination of the sharp and gritty poetry makes the whole thing come alive. Terrific subject!

By: Nicholas Sack

Nicholas Sack — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:31:51 +0000

Terrific poems, Caroline: tough, assured, clear-eyed. Loved the Aldgate Gent. How about publishing a book illustrated by Andrew’s poignant photos?

By: Joan Bailey

Joan Bailey — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:21:05 +0000

Great poems and photographs. I especially liked the poem about the woman in the launderette. Plus, the gentlemen with the beard, long coat and brimless hat is my husband’s doppelganger.

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:18:31 +0000

Great combinations

By: Helen George

Helen George — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:11:04 +0000

I love waking up & checking my emails and there in among the endless ‘offers’ there’s your post like a message from a friend – golden nugget! I never know what it’ll find when I open it, this was a real treat I especially loved the poem about the launderette. Thanks to you all.