Comments on: A Walk To View The Gasometers

By: Martin Palmer

Martin Palmer — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 23:07:32 +0000

Many thanks for this one, Gentle Author. I am sure it was not your intention to write a piece on the best part of my daily walk to school from Haggerston to Victoria Park, but you did.

Every day for five years I carried my homework back and forth along that section of the Regent’s canal. Back then, it was a far quieter, almost desolate place, and we could not get on to the tow-path without climbing the iron railings. And, of course, there were no boats moored along the canal. What a nice surprise that was, this past spring, when I walked this route for the first time in forty years.

If my memory serves me well, there was what looked like a little drained tributary canal coming off of Regent’s into Haggerston Park. And there were deserted warehouses, long gone now, were as kids we would hunt for pigeons eggs. I well remember the cathedral-like interiors: pigeons cooing high up in the rafters, and pigeon poop everywhere.

By: Elizabeth cornwell

Elizabeth cornwell — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 16:18:03 +0000

I have always loved gasometers!Its such a shame that these arent listed,I hope,as you say they are included in any future development.Too much of the past is being swept away by greedy ignorant developrs.That looked a nice little pub too!I hope they save that as well!

By: Achim

Achim — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 15:01:18 +0000

Wonderful mystical constructions, which should be kept for the future!

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: MsMischief

MsMischief — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:32:49 +0000

There was a group of really fine gasholders at King’s Cross, and one could look across the great railway track north and see the sunset through these noble structures. Now they have removed them, and replaced the with some of the ugliest architecture ever erected, which blocks out the sky. No more sunsets, and no nobility of form, either.
I think certificates of immunity should be given to structures like this to render them IMMUNE TO DEVELOPMENT, not to remove all protection. Whoever devised a system of preventing protection, and calling it this?
I am ashamed of the fragility of protection available for fine historic Victorian structures like these, and of English Heritage’s shameful part in it.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:10:06 +0000

Shame on Historic England.

By: Rhonda Alperin

Rhonda Alperin — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:56:45 +0000

American & Britcom fanatic, I first heard ‘gasometer’ in an episode of RISING DAMP eons back. Indeed these weren’t destined for protection as they occupy large areas ideal for corporate greed. But how wonderful if green spaces with park benches could be developed around a few of these noble behemoths. Imagine ivy twined around the second level…..hanging baskets of colorful flowers….a circular observation platform from which people could view the city…swings for children….bench swings for adults. No need to worry about sturdiness of the framework! Perhaps such would be a profitable tourist attraction. Alas, we all know what an insurance nightmare swings and platforms would present. But one can dream….

By: Annie S

Annie S — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:50:44 +0000

I really hope they are kept, I love that area, it’s just so interesting and the gasometers are part of it all.

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:17:19 +0000

Fabulous photos, which capture the architectural purity of these structures.

By: Heather Dyer

Heather Dyer — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 09:43:39 +0000

Love these gasometers. An exhibition of paintings and prints and photographs of these iconic structures should be set up as it’s been an inspiration to so many. Can anything be done to save them from destruction?

By: John Barrett

John Barrett — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 09:14:29 +0000

I agree with Greg Tingey’s comments he has a good solution. If you made a small public park around the gasometer structures the ground should be tested for industrial contamination. The Soil Association are the experts on soils. They did have the same problem in Bristol on the old gasworks site. See the web for ‘Green future for old Bristol gasworks’ a big casebook here. John- PS The Bethnal Green structures could be further enhanced with mobile displays in the wind. General Public must show an interest in this site or they will lose it.