Comments on: Clive Murphy’s Spitalfields

By: Sally Ellis

Sally Ellis — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 04:36:41 +0000

The pictures and the stories of people’s lives are worth solid gold. It brings an attachment a feeling of belonging. Is it not amazing that simple things and tasks complete our daily living. It is like the magic of seeing for the first time. Very visually enriching and to read that this is someone’s relative who knows the kinder days and life of these treasured people.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 18:36:19 +0000

These photos show, in addition to tough conditions back then for so many folks, a sense of community that’s too often lost when neighborhoods gentrify. Thank you GA for your efforts to sustain old connections and build new ones amongst the people around you, and for sharing them with us (even as far away as San Francisco).

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 15:56:02 +0000

Although I know nothing about Spitalfields at this time these look good to me, and I particularly relate to the one of the winos and the dog as it reminds me of one of our customers whom I suspect is a reformed wino. He asked , very politely, on his first visit, if it would be all right if he brought his dog, Ben, into the shop, I agreed, since when he and Ben have become regular visitors, and he has become a customer. Later on I congratulated him on rescuing Ben, to which he replied, “I didn’t rescue him, he rescued me.”

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 13:55:04 +0000

Common sense should have prevailed the frozen food feeder. Poor Pushkin.

By: Karen Rennie

Karen Rennie — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 11:54:00 +0000

Oh I am lost for words – it is so sad to see my Uncle Harry (Fishman) in 1987.
What conditions, and to see his chilblained hands and nose. I know my Dad tried to help him.
He told us how he was always being robbed, but he was a lovely kind man. He was the only
member of the family who never left Brick Lane. It was truly another world back then.
I don’t think I can forward this to the family – it is too sad.
A happier photo of Uncle Harry appeared a few years ago in Spitalfields Life.

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 10:58:07 +0000

I always love snapshots like these, they show real life and not posed situations.
Valerie

By: Gerry King

Gerry King — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 10:50:19 +0000

Absolutely brilliant selection of photographs and anecdotes – so evocative of that period, the colour, the characters but especially the magic that is Clive Murphy.

By: Joan B

Joan B — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 10:41:34 +0000

I have read the this and the older links about Clive from the days before I discovered Spitalfields Life or indeed became a regular acolyte. What a strong individual Clive is. So many of us keep treading the path of the almost conventional, while others have the courage to walk their own individual way. A fascinating man.

By: murray batley

murray batley — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 10:34:13 +0000

Great shot of the Market Cafe in the snow