Comments on: Packing Up Gardners Market Sundriesmen

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:21:19 +0000

The kindness of Community…

By: Carol Himmelman-Christopher

Carol Himmelman-Christopher — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 19:35:07 +0000

Beyond sad that he had to leave the historic old shop. But thrilled that he and his family had the support of the community he and his family have faithfully served. I have followed his story with interest since he first appeared on the pages of The Gentle Author. I look forward to celebrating the new life of this treasured family business.

By: Annie S

Annie S — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:31:57 +0000

Well done to the hard working volunteers!

By: Clare

Clare — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 18:23:53 +0000

Last photograph, Paul looks like a chimney sweep and they bring good luck!
All the best in the new location to Paul and family, from well wishers in Glasgow,
Sconnie Botland.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:52:59 +0000

As always, you and Sarah Ainslie have taken us exactly where we want to be. We’ve been privileged to meet Paul Gardner via your blog, and (as a paper fiend) I’ve been envious of those
who could pop into his fascinating emporium and find “just the thing!” as well as endless
impulse purchases. It’s always looked exactly like MY kind of place.
Transitions can be so hard — emotionally and physically — and I’m glad the whole cheering section turned out to help. Oh that shot of Paul on the floor, with the telephone. Actually made my
feet hurt, in solidarity.

Onward and upward!

By: tanya reynolds

tanya reynolds — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 14:05:26 +0000

It makes me so very sad to see to end of Paul trading in the Spitalfields area. Another legend gone! I wish Paul, Jane and the family the very best of luck in their new premises

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 13:08:25 +0000

GA, that was a great story about the community effort to help the Gardners clean up and move there shop from Spitalfields to Leyton.

One detail caught my eye – the shop had been “opened by Paul’s great-grandfather James in 1870 as the first tenant of the newly-constructed Peabody Building in Commercial St.”

I presume that this building was part of some “55,000 properties across London and the South East” built by the terms of the Peabody Trust founded in 1862 by American philanthropist George Peabody (1795-1869). Peabody had amassed a fortune in the textile and banking industries which he shared liberally on both sides of the Atlantic.

Queen Victoria was so impressed with his largess that she offered to have him buried in Westminster Abbey. But Peabody had determined to return to his home in what is now Peabody, Massachusetts, about fifteen miles north of Boston. A royal contingent accompanied his remains.

An impressive stature of George Peabody by American sculptor William Wetmore Story stands near the Royal Exchange in London.

By: paul loften

paul loften — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 13:07:54 +0000

So sorry I could not get down there to help due to a last minute plumbing emergency. I wish Paul lots of luck in his new shop in Leyton !

By: Jane Gardner

Jane Gardner — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 12:46:20 +0000

Reading this post was very emotional and difficult as the tears were rolling down my cheeks. Thankyou Gentle Author.

By: Su Mason

Su Mason — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 11:11:09 +0000

I’m so glad to see this and to know that Paul had lots of help. A mammoth task!
Wish I could come to the party but can’t do.
I will be at the new shop soon though. It’s five minutes away from my daughters in Leyton.
A new start to 2020 …