Comments on: Meandering Along The River Lea

By: Pennie Hammond

Pennie Hammond — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 03:18:03 +0000

Thank you for this website. I have found many things of interest. My ancestors, as far back as I have been able to trace, lived along the Lea – at Waltham Abbey, Lea Bridge, Mile End, Bow – for a hundred years. Grandpa was born at Lea Bridge in 1874 right on the river at Hammond Cottages (destroyed in the 1930s I think) but was sent to Canada at six with two older brothers. Their last home was probably the Annie Mcpherson home on Tower Street near London Fields. I have visited Hackney numerous times, but your website has given me a sense of history of the area and the heritage that we lost when he was sent to Canada.

By: NdeQ

NdeQ — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:28:21 +0000

The statue depicts Sir Corbet Woodall (gas engineer) and Governor of the Gas Light and Coke Company (1906-16) and much more. The statue was originally at Becton Gas Works. He was my great grandfather and I was proud to ‘discover him’ recently on my doorstep.

By: paul loften

paul loften — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 00:11:27 +0000

It’s strange, just sitting here in front of my computer reading over today’s posts, I pictured the old lightning-struck tree, which I described as sited by the river’s edge with the thick rope that hung from the branch that overhung the Lea. Somebody must have put the rope there and in those days nobody worried about kids using it as a swing. The branch protruded a few feet over the river and when it was used as a swing by the boys it went over the deep water. There was a boy who stood on the knotted end and swung into the river and fell off and sadly drowned at that spot. I never saw t happen or knew the boy. However, my memory brings back a particular day when we went there and saw workman cutting down part of that tree that overhung the river. We were hoping to use it and asked why they were cutting it down. I saw a man crying and his terrible sadness had struck me. He was the father of the boy that drowned there all those years ago.

By: Bert Woodruff

Bert Woodruff — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 21:11:55 +0000

Looks like an Egyptian Goose–not a goose at all, a duck introduced in Western Europe (from Africa, I think).

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:20:15 +0000

As always…your strolls and beautiful photographs are balm for the soul in these troubling times.
Keep well Gentle Author and take care.

By: Pauline Taylor

Pauline Taylor — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:06:46 +0000

Wow this is great, my great grandparents, my grandfather and his two brothers and one sister lived right beside the River Lea in Spring Lane, I do have photos and there are paintings which my cousin’s family have now although I have sent copies to what was Hackney Archives when David Mander was there. All of the houses were demolished a long time ago but I have been able to walk along Spring Lane.
Thank you so much for the photo of the sculler as well, my grandfather, Alfred Russell, was a champion in the single sculls and I have some of the prizes that he won including a beautiful gold Gladstone medal. He belonged to a rowing and sports club on the River Lea, and I have a very big photo of all the members with my grandfather sitting cross legged in the front row and looking very modern in his cap and and a white knitted sweater.
All these photos have been a treat for me in these grim times that we find ourselves in now so thank you so much GA.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:54:08 +0000

The water fowl’s name is Bruce and he owes me £20.

By: Liz Olson

Liz Olson — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:47:23 +0000

I have something to say. Thank you for the breath of fresh air each morning. Your words and photographs tug at my heart.

By: Harriet

Harriet — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:10:01 +0000

In quarantine due to Clovid-19 concern in US and very much appreciate the photos and tour. Thank you.

By: Kasey Grier

Kasey Grier — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 12:58:21 +0000

Please take care of yourself, Gentle Author! Fresh air and sunshine is always good for the soul — but be sure to maintain your “social distance” (ugh, what a term) when you are out and about.