The strides were inspirational in their kindness, ease of nature and never judgemental. I spent many hours trying to mix the guitars in the church with Derek and Steve and also helped in the Hanbury street church club at the top of the building, and the crypt with the wonderful stories that Ken Noble could share

My Father, Tony ran a cafe in Fournier street in the early 70s and that’s when I became involved in the church, I have now retired after 42 years to Christchurch, Dorset and have recently started to come back into east London and have helped my Daughter and husband aquire a property in Sidney Square.

So love and best wishes to Irene and I will never forget having tea around your kitchen table in the rectory. Best wishes from Harold, they were hard times but what an upbringing and education in life. X x

In the late 1960’s, when my father told people he was moving to Spitalfields, people asked him how he could possibly take his children to a terrible place like that? His answer was that if he didn’t go, he would never forgive himself. We moved in in 1970.

Despite peoples’ fears, my brother and I loved it. It was rough, mad, poor, dangerous and exciting. We got in so many scrapes, and survived – definitely character building. Totally loved the place and made many great friends, who we are still close to today. The richness of relationships in that environment stays with you. Living in the Rectory gave us a wonderful and unique life. We both married local girls, who despite the challenges of their childhoods became professionals in their respective careers.

I still live in Spitalfields, and all my kids grew up here. There are a hundred stories to tell.

Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb in British India at King George’s Hospital, Victoria Street, in Lucknow, which was then part of British India. His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb, a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways, and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely. Richard is primarily of English heritage, but he had one great-grandmother who was of half Welsh and half Spanish descent, born of a Spanish great-great-grandmother named Emiline Joseph Rebeiro.
The Webb family lived in a modest home in Maqbara, near the main shopping centre of Hazratganj. Dorothy’s mother served as the dormitory matron at the La Martiniere Girls’ School. Richard has three sisters, Joan, Jacqui and Donna.
1970s.. I am the Welfare Administrator at Providence Row 50 Crispin Street Spitalfields – London’s oldest off the street Night Shelter for men & women – founded in 1860. The last two victims of “Jack The Ripper” sheltered a couple of nights there, prior to being murdered..
Rev. Eddy Stride, local Vicar, phoned me. He needed a witness signature to a Grant Application. In his church crypt – All Saints, Spitalfields – a Shelter for “Crude Spirits Drinkers” run by The Church Army functioned. After some light chat, he invited to meet some visitors in his parlour. In turn, I was greeted by Lord Longford, Mrs. Mary Whitehouse and Cliff Richard. The singer was an established Pop Star of the time. Eddy said it was an inaugural meeting of what would become “The Festival of Light.”
I was struck by Cliff Richard’s wide smiling face, dark glasses and gleaming gnashers. They dominated to the extent of his face being all teeth and spectacles. I realised that it was a few days away from his birthday. So, just as an ice-breaker, I mention that we shared the same birthdate, the 11th January, 1940. He expressed delight and curiosity. “Did you have a good war?” Where were you born?” He mentioned he was born in India. Mrs. Whitehouse quipped “Cliff – you got lucky! “Yes” chipped in Lord Longford. “Lucknow, I believe.” Everyone laughed. Not Eddy. He hinted to me that it was time for me to go, as a busy meeting was about to start. His nudge indicated the door was open for me to be on my way. On my turning to go, Mrs. W. said to me “We will turn back the tide of filth”. Cliff advised me to ” ..turn to Jesus.” He was closest to the door and offered me his hand which I shook. His companions called out goodbye.
On the corner of Fournier Street and the entrance to the Crypt, a group of men lining the steps waited. This indicated a vacancy was imminent. One among the group who could prove sobriety for 24 hours stood a good chance of being admitted. Their sleeping rough appearance was a distinct dismal contrast to the celebrity status company I had just left. Eddy Stride was an advocate of strict abstinence from alcohol use. Elizabeth Stride – no relation – was one of the alcohol dependent victims of the 1888 murderer, known as Jack the Ripper.
Oscar Wilde is said to have visited the area. Was he thinking of the same street I was walking on when he wrote? “We are all in the gutter – but some of us are looking at the stars.”
I speculated it means that while humanity whether rich or poor, healthy or sick, is struggling and fighting its own daily battles feels so low that it is as miserable as being in a gutter. In contrast, there are some who have the will and determination to have lofty ambitions and a desire to fulfil them. Their current circumstances don’t hold them back from dreaming, from thinking high and persevering to change the world – theirs and eventually other’s.
I already knew Lord Longford. He fancied me as the next Director of St. Martin of Tours House, re-hab facility for released into homelessness prisoners, where a vacancy was in the offing. The Press labelled him “Lord Porn” subsequently. He had already introduced me to the Duke of Norfolk, (Providence Row Trustee) which led to tea at Arundel Castle.
Sometimes I enjoyed the hospitality of Bishop Trevor Huddleston. His “Palace” was a few streets from my house in Commercial Road. I admired him greatly from the time I read his book: Naught for Your Comfort.
The retired heavy weight champion boxer, Henry Cooper fronted a fund raiser for Providence Row. I strolled a stretch of “Around the City Gates” with him. Later he entertained me at the Thomas A Becket Boxing Club in The Old Kent Road
After Providence Row I assisted John Profumo on an abortive day centre initiative. In retirement, I was up close and comfortable for 2 hours with HRH Prince Charles. At the same event Archbishop Runcie and Cardinal Hume and the Abbe Pierre, were guests. It was the official opening of a residential facility for former homeless men & women EMMAUS. As founder Chairman, I was succeeded later by Terry Waite – the current Chair of EMMAUS Greenwich,
Another Official Opening.. Park Lodge Hackney. A residential facility for former homeless men & women It was held in a trendy night club – Twinkles – a few doors away. Eddy and I were alongside HRH Princess Alexandra. Suddenly, one of the slightly tipsy PL residents wandered over and was about to plant a kiss upon- I supposed on either of us – I could go on: better stop now.
Tony Brady
Anthony J M Brady Author
Scenes from an Examined Life
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