Comments on: In Fleet St

By: Ian Cochrane

Ian Cochrane — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:51:42 +0000

I worked in Fleet St in 1966, for E.J. Wills, an agent for numerous regional newspaper groups. The going rate for a cup of tea then was 3d, but there was a small cafe much used by printers, from memory it was in, or near, Fetter Lane, the tea there was 2.5d ( twopence ha’penny, or 1 new pence) There was another cheap place called the Soup Bowl that served home-made soup in 2 different sizes of blue and white striped mixing bowls, served with half of a French stick. The first time I went looking for the Soup Bowl I was misdirected and ended up at The Soup Kitchen which was a trendy spot frequented by the “Bright Young Things” by the time I realised, it was too late and a week’s lunch money had vanished. Anothe lunch memory was to get sandwiches and savoury snacks from, “Jolly, the Appetiser” a deli near the Ludgate end, then eat in the churchyard of St Brides, where some folks would take a nap with a note tucked in their top pcket saying something like, “Please wake up at 1.00” Happy days

By: Linda Pagnani

Linda Pagnani — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:26:17 +0000

Thank you for the marvelous photos of an area dear to my heart. My great-great grandfather had law offices on Essex Street, my great grandfather was christened at St. Clement Danes and later had offices at Paper Building Middle Temple and tried andv/or defended many cases in the Royal Courts. I have visited several times but it’s not likely that I’ll return so the details of your photos are much valued.

By: Paul Ridgway

Paul Ridgway — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 19:57:21 +0000

Wonderfull medium black & white, especially for architecture.
I remember Fleet Street and the bombed churches from the top of a No 11 from L’pool St to Chelsea in the late fifties.
Also the trucks delivering newsprint down narrow lanes off Fleet Street. Ancient offices of important colonial newspapers “The Straits Times” from Singapore where you could go and read back numbers. Incidentally this paper was received by the City Business Library as late as the 1970s.

There was a pub on the south side towards Ludgate Circus (Punch?) with a gas flame for the lighting of cigars.

Once a year I used to hand deliver to the dailies a press release covering a national seafarers’ charity’s AGM. Seem to remember it could all be achieved in an hour except a bus ride was necessary to The Guardian then in Grays Inn Road.

By: julia harrison

julia harrison — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:31:37 +0000

What a fascinating set of comments: i never knew women were not allowed to drink in some of the bars. Thank you for taking me back to walks i used to take with my father, who loved the city of London, the churches, and Samuel Johnson. He sits on my shoulder now, as i admire these photographs.

By: Ian Silverton

Ian Silverton — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:26:01 +0000

Just thought about another moment this Street had for me,and the time had a large collection of stamps, a stamp dealer at the time,had his shop,next too Clifford’s Inn,got chatting to him about selling my collection,he bought the lot about 6 albums full,now young man what are you going to do with all this money, next thing got introduced to the Banker Mr Hoare,he gave me sound advice,been there ever since, Londons Oldest Bank

By: Ian Silverton

Ian Silverton — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:12:58 +0000

Used to live in Clifford’s Inn, off Fetter Lane, when working in Fleet Street in 60s, great times to have lived and worked in such busy area in the start of my working life, every day was an adventure,meeting famous people,and the not so famous of the time, drinking in the pubs,was.real eye opener,the Street was never quit even weekends, remember Conrad opening his first Soup Kitchen,side of the Daily Express,for the rich,not the poor,his waitress,were the best looking of all,all the printers took up drinking soup,just for a look,LOL open very late in the evening, just selling soup,couldn’t make it up. Remember the reporter Tom Mangold,walking about with a Black Face and tinted Black Hair,having a photo shoot at the Mirror,to find out what it was like for Black people in the UK and how they where treated by the local people. My local Barber Shop in Fetter Lane,had Wee Willie Harris in there one day,having his hair tinted bright red,for a photo shoot, the place,called Clifford’s Hairdressers, also had an all night service,and mobile service for the printers,and lawyers.

By: Annie G

Annie G — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:53:48 +0000

Such an excellent street to stroll down, whistling. I always look for the statue of Mary Queen of Scots when I am there. Somehow I am pleased to see her still in place.

By: gkbowood

gkbowood — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:43:51 +0000

Your pictures are great!! Loved this stroll along Fleet Street – so where to next?

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:20:02 +0000

So many memories of one of my favorite London areas. Also not allowed to drink in El Vinos back in the day. Thanks for the tour!

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:57:15 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, what great shots of Fleet Street – the black ‘n white presentation makes the details on the buildings so much clearer. I love walking in that area, and continue to enjoy the architecture even when we are crawling along in a bus. So much variety and history.

Headed for London in a few days and will review these photos before leaving…