Comments on: An Old Whitechapel Bell

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:14:09 +0000

I wish you all success. Thank you for the photographs of these beautiful bells.

By: Rupert Bumfrey

Rupert Bumfrey — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:11:31 +0000

The contempt shown by Tower Hamlets Council, led by Mayor John Biggs, has echoes of the Poulson corruption in the 1960’s ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Poulson ) .

Far better there is full disclosure of all the facts now, with the recent request under the Freedom of Information Act dismissed/ignored, why?

The Planning Committee should be made aware of their liability to the Courts, in the future, if any wayward practices are disclosed, and the decision should be suspended until full disclosure occurs.

By: Su C.

Su C. — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:18:37 +0000

I will be here in Oakland California (w)ringing my White Chapel Bell Foundry table bell at 10 am in support of the correct decision that should be made, and which I hope wholeheartedly is made.

Good luck.

By: Hilda Kean

Hilda Kean — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:15:43 +0000

Your article is excellent since it is not just focussed upon the physical location of Whitechapel Bell Foundry but relates its existence and status to aspects of the history of London. That is, it is not just about ,say, one particular church but a plethora of similar buildings existing throughout the town – and over centuries.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:55:57 +0000

Thank you GA for all this amazingly detailed history which has so many personal poignant links for me in one article.

My English ancestors hailed from the City, Clerkenwell + Bethnal Green.
l attended Burlington School originally founded in 1699 in Piccadilly by Irish Lord Burlington – the first for children of servants. Later a Grammar School
This twinned with St Clement Danes School in the 1970s.
(l did not attend in 1699 ; -)

My Irish pop served in the Royal Air Force so the dedication of St Clements Church was meaninful.
And l visted Ireland attempting to find traces of our Spanish ancestry from the Armada and beyond, to reconcile our black hair + dusky looks and why l magically speak Spanish as a second language as easily as English.

Since moving back to England from Spain l have missed their warmth and affection, but l note the readiness to chat and to help others is still tangible across the cultures in the East End and l love being there too.

Long live the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and all its neighbours.

Mary G above has sadly hit the nail on the proverbial.

A “boutique” hotel is such an insult to our ancestry and heritage but if they have more dosh and drive than any other interested parties to buy the plot, that will be sadly all that counts.

l am unsure of Historic England’s purpose.

By: Stephen Watts

Stephen Watts — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:35:43 +0000

Thank you for this & also for the piece about Saturday’s demonstration outside the Bell Foundry. I was there on Saturday with my mountain sheep’s bell, ringing heartily. I’d much like to do the same tomorrow outside the Town Hall, but almost certainly can’t be there : for everyone who is there, the Council should know there are others who can’t physically be, but in spirit very much are. If my mountain sheep’s bell seems inappropriate, it is utterly not the case : LBTH is a place of historic migration & my grandfather migrated to London from the Italian mountains where he was a shepherd & I’ve lived in Shadwell for over 40 years now. I wish the Bell Foundry would remain what it always has been. The wonderful culture of bells is international & it would look good for LBTH (as well as bringing & conserving local jobs), all bests Stephen

By: Mary G

Mary G — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:24:49 +0000

Best wishes to all attending the rally and council meeting tomorrow night, I will be there with you in spirit if not body.
Whatever the decision made by the Council Planning Committee there are many questions to be answered about the relationship between Raycliff Capital and Historic England throughout this sorry business. I also wonder what communications have taken place between Historic England and the Planning Committee. Perhaps Channel 4 “Dispatches” could investigate and broadcast?

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:14:49 +0000

This needs to stay put it is part of east London heritage

By: Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 08:16:06 +0000

Come on, GA! London desperately need more stupidly-themed boutique hotels! Why, the others are overflowing at present (40% average occupancy rate), and it isn’t as if the city’s been around long enough to have a heritage worth preserving.

Oh, no, wait a minute …