Comments on: In Jeffrey Johnson’s Footsteps

By: Rescuedogdexter

Rescuedogdexter — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 19:55:30 +0000

The “Magpie & Stump” in Dickensian literature is thought to be the Seven Stars in Carey Street, toward the rear of the Royal Courts of Justice. The Old Bell in St Pancras was initially fairly difficult to find, however the “giveaway” was the German Gymnasium towards the rear of the sight in the original photograph.

The destruction of much of Londons working class (and by default drinking) culture to what is now a sea of glass and steel is indeed sad to see. Indeed the bow window above the door to the Bulls Head was unlikely to have been saved. The developers would have been too busy putting a shiny new office block on the site to worry about small details such as salvage of a window. I hope I am proved wrong however.

Finally, no I am not related to the great police dog, Hogan. I only wish I was as brave and fearless.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 02 May 2019 16:45:16 +0000

Is Rescue Dog Dexter related to the late great Police Dog Hogan?

By: ron

ron — Wed, 01 May 2019 17:05:06 +0000

Really enjoyed this. Great to see pics of the places from the 70s. Sad to see some of them go, but at least stories like this are raising awareness of the inherent value of these aging beauties. Thanks for another great post!

By: Ian Silverton

Ian Silverton — Wed, 01 May 2019 16:18:27 +0000

The first picture in Bethnal Green Road of the Knave of Clubs,began life as the VAN TRUMP, then the Boxer Sir Henry Cooper took it on and it became the COOPERS, had a small Men’s Barbers attached when I was a boy called Barney Benns, it was where the true cockney crowd went when they where getting smartning up for a date in the 50s, and something for the weekend was always heard by us small boys sitting there on planks of wood having ours cut, we never understood what it meant.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 01 May 2019 15:33:47 +0000

Great work, sad stories. Can only imagine the work it took to protect the few remaining.
Well done!

By: Sonia Murray

Sonia Murray — Wed, 01 May 2019 14:11:43 +0000

The sympathetic conversion of the Dericote St building to a private residence is lovely! I do hope the beautiful bow window over the Bulls Head was saved, and is in a museum today. It’s sad to see the architectural interest of old London destroyed and replaced by concrete and glass.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Wed, 01 May 2019 14:09:04 +0000

Bear with a long-ago memory from a New Yorker. We were making our first trip to London (first of MANY), taking a chartered bus from the airport into your grand town. Now — imagine someone entering London for the first time. SO much excitement and anticipation. A very mannerly lady in black dress, pearls and even one of those little net thingies on her head was speaking into a microphone so we would be aware of all the nuances. Suddenly she inserted (in an excitable voice) that
“New York City is burning!”. Back at home, we had experienced a black-out and the horrific outcome of that event was harrowing. Sadly, looting and rioting was taking place. And yet here we were in beautiful London. Sigh. I got out my travel journal and began recording the names of the pubs as they appeared through the bus windows. I still have the list. One in particular that tweaked my imagination: Stanley’s Library. I have no idea if it still exists (and, heck , maybe in my excited state it never existed……….) but it has stuck in my memory.

Yours in a wonderful, enduring city! Thanks for allowing me to “return” to London almost
every morning. I can’t think of a better way to begin the day.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Wed, 01 May 2019 09:31:24 +0000

In relation to this item and to the Tadman’s one last week I wonder whether someone can remind me of the legal situation that resulted in licensed premises being preferentially reconstructed/repaired after bomb damage, thus accounting in part for their preponderant, isolated placement at street corners and junctions.

It does look like a case of ‘to those who have shall more be given’, but perhaps there is some better justification too.

By: Paul Loften

Paul Loften — Wed, 01 May 2019 08:57:48 +0000

Love the photos! Thank you for your work in showing them to us

By: Annie G

Annie G — Wed, 01 May 2019 07:36:56 +0000

The Magpie and Stump saddens me. I remember it well from the 70s. Is it the same M&S that Charles Dickens watched executions from, do you think? And the pub in St Pancras. That’s a shame. Glad to see so many still helping the capital’s drinkers.