Comments on: 200 Years In Rhondda Grove

By: Reddy

Reddy — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:39:18 +0000

I was born in December 1951, I lived with my Mum and Dad, Mr. And Mrs. H Orwell. MY Nan and grandad, my Mums parents also lived there, their name was Maggie and John Doyle.
We lived at number 20 Rhonda grove. ON the top floor was a mr and Mrs Cockle, I think mr cockle became a councillor at sometime. I was about six when we moved to Huntingdon buildings in Bethnal Green. WE had no water on the floor we lived and my Mum had to go and collect water, must have been very hard for her as she had two babies to look after.
WE had Nuns living opposite us on the corner, my Nan would sell flowers for them, when my grandad died they never came over to send their condolences, this broke my Mums heart

By: John McManus

John McManus — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:03:05 +0000

I lived in 24 Rhondda Grove with my wife and our Jack Russell terrier between 1995 and 2007. It was formerly occupied by British artist John Copley and his artist wife Ethel Gabain. There were some of his work pasted to the underside of the staircase leading to the basement. He was primarly interested in lithography. He did a series of drawings based on hospital theatres and operations and was a war artist during WW2, he won a silver medal in the 1948 Olympics for painting and engraving. During our time there I was working as a film editor in Soho, working on TV commercials and Music Videos. Danny Boyle lived across the road from us in a more modern house, probably circa 1970s. We loved that house and it’s lovely garden and remember it with great fondness.

By: MV Marziale

MV Marziale — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 07:20:48 +0000

Walking down this street on a regular basis, I was always curious to know the full story of such an attractive side-street. It clearly had a more glorious past than some of its less imposing neighbours and this has proven to be the case. It’s a beautiful backwater with its bosky feel and Georgian proportions, and yet is only moments from Mile End station. Somehow it feels impressive whatever the season, although late spring and early summer are best. I had always assumed that the fill-in modern dwellings were inserted as a result of bomb damage, rather like the fillings a dentist might use to repair lost teeth.
Congratulations on a well-researched and fascinating piece of local history.

By: Christine Swan

Christine Swan — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 07:34:08 +0000

Thank you Naman and the GA for this very interesting account. I always admire the beautiful architecture of historic streets – the villas of Rhondda Grove are stunning. I also appreciate the painstaking research that went into this account. It is important to document the social history of London’s streets and how the city was shaped. I was also fascinated by the concept of the scattered homes. Workhouses were indeed no place for children ( or adults come to that). I would like to think that these facilities were more kind and homely.

By: mick o'leary

mick o'leary — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:38:55 +0000

I walked these streets as a kid and as an adult and always marvelled at the simple, elegant beauty of these ‘Welsh’ streets. Another kind of East End.
Excellent piece of local history – very evocative and beautifully written. Thank you Naman for rescuing from obscurity some wonderful EastEnders. I was fascinated to read about the ‘scattered homes’ for workhouse children

By: Gillian Mercer

Gillian Mercer — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:51:39 +0000

So interesting. The houses and squares are so elegant, and you have brought the people to life.

By: Dr Richard Turkington

Dr Richard Turkington — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:17:36 +0000

One of the most interesting articles of recent times reflecting considerable applied research. The introduction provides a lovely evocation of the area before urbanisation. It would be interesting to know the post-war history of the area. Thank you so much.

By: Mark in Colorado US

Mark in Colorado US — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 13:50:10 +0000

A well done pleasant read and photos..thank you.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:31:27 +0000

Which one is Danny Boyle’s? 🙂

By: Tina Carr

Tina Carr — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 10:03:43 +0000

Between the two World Wars the street was renamed, becoming Rhondda Grove, as a nod to its Welsh roots.
Do you know any more about the Welsh roots of the Grove?