Comments on: Kevin O’Brien, Retired Road Sweeper

By: r wood

r wood — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 15:05:50 +0000

I worked at the chocolate factory 1961-2 making the sugar glass sheets for film/tv companies . Just one of the seventeen different jobs I’ve had before retiring . I remember Vinegar yard where you are standing outside Sarsons . Just to your right in the picture, I think used to be some wide ledges, where I used to snog with the local greengrocers daughter ( Mandy ? ).
I do recall the deaths in those dangerous vats and were reminded when seeing them years later, travelling back to London Bridge station, from the train. Like you I spent lots of time exploring all the local bomb sites ,especially “Dead City” between Guys hospital and Weston St when we were kids.(what else was there to do apart from stuffing tissue up button B in the local phone box for some pocket money) I wish I could get a memory recall pill for all the things we used to get up to
in those technology- freedom days.

By: Peter Misselbrook

Peter Misselbrook — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 21:44:32 +0000

I know Kevin and his family very well one of his sisters is a sister in law Kevins twin,, had many a drink with his father John senior, who was a bit of a character himself well known in most of the local pubs. always enjoyed times with his brothers as well. Nice to see this article about him, he worked with my mother in law at Gardeners she loved him.

By: Phil maxwell

Phil maxwell — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 18:59:30 +0000

What a fab blog to finish the year on. Thanks for introducing us all to Kevin – what a lovely man.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 12:24:52 +0000

Great story. Glad Bermondseys still home with all the changes.
Sad about the Sarsons suicides. People had to relive their wartime experiences alone.
Thanks.

By: Mike Brown

Mike Brown — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 11:03:32 +0000

Your blogs are always an inspiration

By: Bob Ball

Bob Ball — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 09:31:26 +0000

Dear GA….Happy New Year! A series of coincidences led me to your Fournier Street door in May. With Tim’s outstanding contribution I am doing something that was always there but with no way of expressing. The journey started in Islington and spread to Spitalfields. It is wonderfully complimentary to my first love. The Surrey Hills.
With Kevin I could have nightmares about vinegar! Good luck this year.

By: Neville Turner

Neville Turner — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:58:45 +0000

A very interesting story of Kevin’s life and how he tells of trips up to uptown Soho which was and still is a very contrasting life style to Bermondsey a sea of tolerance and interesting places which Kevin found uplifting and good for the soul, it seems that Kevin has found his place in the world.
Good Luck Kevin
A good profile to end the year on. Keep up the good work.

By: Ronald McKenzie

Ronald McKenzie — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:19:33 +0000

Well told story of a life lived well and hard.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:16:58 +0000

Happy New Year gentle author to you and Mr Pussy of course. And thank you for all the interesting history that you bring our way so frequently, I appreciate all your hard work very much. Today’s offering is no exception as my great grandfather was born in Bermondsey Street (well not exactly in the street I hope but close by).

By: Nadi

Nadi — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:56:29 +0000

This fine man carries the history of the whole area in his bloodstream!
Wonderful to read his account, not just of survival but of finding a home, livelihood and community in the streets where he was born. (.. bet he could tell some more stories about the “little fiddles along the line’ :-))

Thank you for your story Mr. O Brien, thank you gentle author for giving us all the opportunity to read such interesting and colorful accounts, and here at this years end let me wish the both of you, and all who pass here the very best for the coming year.