So Long, Stuart Goodman
Photographer Stuart Goodman died on Wednesday aged seventy-three of the coronavirus. In these pages he is celebrated for his documentation of Broadway Market in the eighties and, two weeks ago, he published a book of these photographs which is now his elegy.
John Sims
Take a walk through Broadway Market in March 1982 with Stuart Goodman, when it was quite a different place to the fashionable destination it has become in recent years.
A former Fleet St Photographer & Picture Editor, Stuart sent me these pictures. “They were first shown in 1983 at an exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, organised by the Greater London Council,” he explained, “which was ironic really because the GLC had a massive 1000-property compulsory purchase scheme to construct a nightmare version of the Westway through East London, that included the market.”
“I first found Broadway Market by mistake in 1976 and fell in love with the place, the cobbles, the people and the Cat & Mutton pub. By 1977, I was a partner in Hot Shots, a short-lived screen printing extravaganza, and I lived in an exceptionally squalid flat above and below the shop at number 52. I met both my wives there too, though – thankfully – not at the same time.
Although I lived in Broadway Market for a few years, I only photographed it once, wandering around for a couple of hours. Now I live in Norwich but I still have connections with the place, my sister-in-law was the ladybird book lady, running a stall opposite where I once lived, and my brother sells vinyl in the upmarket bit up the road.
I miss the place, not the squalor, the outside loo, the cold – but the people, the community and, somehow, the optimism. In those days, there was not a gastro pub in sight and no-one had ever heard of a buffalo burger. ”
Photographs copyright © Estate of Stuart Goodman
Stuart Goodman unpacks copies of his new book from the printer and shows his wife
Great historic images. Thanks for posting.
So sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing in these difficult times. Condolences to his family.
I am so sorry to read of the death of Stuart Goodman. My thoughts are with his family as i watch the clip of Stuart opening the book for the first time. Watching his delight emerge as he carefully unpacks the delivery and the unquenchable enthusiasm of his wife moved me deeply.
The publishers of Stuart’s book OWN IT!! say in their tribute to him ‘ It is a privilege to publish ‘One Saturday in 82 on Broadway Market’ and to have had the chance to work with Stuart. It’s such an important book, one that captures and preserves a time and community which would otherwise be easily forgotten.’.
RIP Stuart. Thoughts with his family and friends unable to grieve properly at this sad time. So glad the book remains as his legacy. Thank you for sharing it today
Wonerful evocative photos of Stuart’s. Very sad passing. This virus is bad.
PCU
Thank you so much for this lovely tribute. It’s touching to know he got the chance to see his collected works in book form. God rest his soul. He is the second Englishman in his 70s I’ve heard of who has just recently died from this ghastly virus; the other one was much loved and admired rabbi in Manchester.
What a fine man, such a great photographer. Thank you for sharing his photos. May his spirit soar.
very touching
I like the hat too
Lovely human joy in the video, truly great memories for Stuart’s survivors!
Rest In Peace Stuart.
Looking at these photographs you did indeed ‘capture and preserve a time and community which would otherwise be easily forgotten’… creating happy memories for me.
I Will be ordering a copy of your wonderful legacy.
My sympathies to your family at this very sad time.
RIP Stuart.
I think the photo of John Sim is absolutely brilliant – a truly great photo.
My friends and I used to meet in London Fields for a hot Summer (1976) before we went off to college/uni, and I remember Broadway very well. Having been back recently (my son now lives on Richmond Road) I could not believe how the place has revived. All those buildings which one felt had seen their best have remarkably taken a second life. Which makes one feel that the GLC for all of their care and concern for Londoners were so mistaken in their drive to clear whole streets (and communities). Broadway is part of that lesson in town planning!
Great record of the past.
Rest in Peace Stuart.
Such sad news today. RIP Stuart Goodman, photographer extraordinaire.
Great photos though which will live on as his legacy for future generations. As always they make me ask the question why do market traders make such a mess? It is still the same here, where I live, even now. After the market closes in our High Street the waste paper blows about everywhere and litters the pavement and the entrance to our Town Hall, it is shameful and traders should be ashamed of themselves.
An enduring legacy. An. Enduring. Legacy.
Those words have extra meaning today. I am so happy to see Stuart’s work. He is part of a photographic braintrust, who’ve captured your region in the most granular and meaningful way.
For whatever reason, I heard a mournful soundtrack by John Dankforth (sp?) in my mind as I looked at this series. Woven together with the rustle of the swirling papers, scuffing footsteps crunching the glass from the decimated car windshield, and the bumping wheels of the stroller passing over cobble stones. Goodness — the young woman holding the scant bouquet of flowers, looking right at us. I need to know HER story.
Thank you Stuart, and thank you GA. Art lasts.
Was so sad to hear the news of Stuart’s death,I had the privilege to work with Stuart at the
Evening Standard during the late 80’s and early 90’s, he was a complete professional and
enthusiastic photographer with a passion for life. My thoughts are with his wife and family at this very sad time.
RIP Stuart.
But brilliant that he got to see his book in the flesh and was obviously so thrilled with it.
The video brought a lump to my throat…
Thanks Stuart. A great record of a lost world. The book is a fitting legacy.
So sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing. They were indeed wonderful photos. Thank you, Gentle Author, for keeping us informed in these difficult times.
Sincere sympathies to Stuart Goodman’s family and friends.
I’m glad Stuart managed to see his significant book of Broadway Market, London published before he sadly died.
God bless you Stuart.
Thank goodness you published.
Thank goodness you saw the fruits of your passion in print.
And thank goodness for your wonderfully appreciative wife.
She said all the magic words.
l loved the windowless Simca, the Ford Cortina, the Bedford van with it’s ‘spare’ handily accessible. The little girl in the furry hood who spotted you.
The higgledy piggledyness of the market brought on severe nostalgia of my 20s.
My favourites of all your images were the prams and children’s pushchairs kitted out with boxes to wheel about the shopping, when they weren’t used as
go-karts.
With love to your family.
I am so sorry to hear this. Sad times, indeed.
Gone before his time. Very sad to here about his passing. My condolences to his family.
Glad that he got the joy of seeing his book.
R.I.P.
Sad news indeed, and at such a watershed moment, just as his book was published.
And the video. The childlike joy on Stuart’s face at the first sight of his book … Tears.
How very very sad. But what a legacy he has left behind. rip Stuart Goodman
What wonderful photos. And I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. Goodman’s passing at this time.
Beautiful photos and from the poignant video the book looks to be a beautiful tribute. Our thoughts are with Stuart’s family and friends.
Sad times.
Stuart was so cheerful and enthusiastic, he had great ideas and a strong vision for the children of Wensum Junior School. He was an individual who always regarded the diverse community around our school as a wealth of inspiration.
He will be missed by so many, I hope his family gain comfort from all the well wishes at this sad time.
What a joyful, heartwarming video and beautiful keepsake: Stuart’s face lighting up when he pulls his book out of the box…the music in the background…his trademark hat …and Annie’s enthusiastic appreciation. So glad Stuart got to see his book published! He captured and preserved an era I remember well: striking photographs that make you feel curious about the characters in them – and those cars, so familiar and yet they look ancient today!
So very sad to hear of Stuart’s death and sending love and comfort to Annie, J and A
such an uplifting video, so poignant now
I have written a book subject to publication and have wondered if Stuart Goodman’s heirs would grant me permission to include some of his wonderful photographs of The Broadway, where as a boy I was often down there, particularly Cooke’s Pie & Mash shop. My book is regarded as social history and part autobiography. It is a non-profit project basically to record how things were growing up in Bethnal Green in the 1930’s. All profit will go to the British Heart Foundation and for Cancer Research.. I will look forward to hearing from you