Sixteenth Annual Report
Sixteen years ago this week, I began to publish a daily post in these pages.
In this year’s report, I am delighted to announce two pieces of good news. Firstly, the Truman Brewery’s office development has been rejected by Tower Hamlets Council. Secondly, the book of Tessa Hunkin’s Hackney Mosaic Project will be published by Spitalfields Life Books on 2nd October.
SAVE BRICK LANE
As a result of years of campaigning by Save Brick Lane, the community came together in Spitalfields to demand housing not offices on the former Truman Brewery site and the elected councillors responded by rejecting the plans for a corporate gated plaza unanimously in July.
There are over 23,000 people on the housing list in Tower Hamlets and the Truman Brewery site has the potential to offer 345 homes for local people but the proposed development only offers 6 units of social housing.
Yet the story does not end here because there will be a public inquiry in October which will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State who will make a final decision next year.
TESSA HUNKIN’S HACKNEY MOSAIC PROJECT
Thanks to the support of you – the readers of Spitalfields Life – who contributed to our crowdfund in the spring, our plan to publish a handsome hardback monograph of the work of Tessa Hunkin’s Hackney Mosaic Project has come to fruition.
Over the past months, we have been working behind the scenes to compile a beautiful art book, photographing the mosaics, editing the text and designing the pages. In July, Tessa travelled to Vicenza to oversee the printing and ensure that the mosaics are reproduced exactly as she wants them to be seen.
You can help publication by preordering now and we will post you a copy signed by Tessa Hunkin at the end of September. Additionally, we are including a complimentary copy of A Hoxton Childhood (cover price £20) with all pre-orders in the United Kingdom.
Both Save Brick Lane and Hackney Mosaic Project are inspirational examples of local people coming together to work collectively to improve their neighbourhoods and in such troubled times we need to celebrate these endeavours that give everybody hope.
With these thoughts in mind, thus ends another year in the pages of Spitalfields Life.
I am your loyal servant
The Gentle Author
Spitalfields,
22nd August 2025
Tessa Hunkin signs off pages of her book at the printer
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY AND GET A FREE COPY OF ‘A HOXTON CHILDHOOD’
We are sending a complimentary copy of A Hoxton Childhood with all preorders in the United Kingdom
Schroedinger is currently on holiday
Thank you. This really is people power (for want of a better phrase).
We must keep standing up for the things we believe in.
A happy ending .
Well done everyone and Gentle Author .
Andy
What a truly wonderful achievement. All power to the local community and Tessa Hunkin is a true legend. Also congratulations on your 16th anniversary. I love reading your daily musings. Thank you.
Congratulations dear Gentle Author – on coming thus far and on all that you have achieved and helped achieve. Thank you
Thank you so much Gentle Author for keeping all ‘us exile Londoners’ in touch; especially the ones passionate in history & architecture like myself.
Excellent news and congratulations to you.
Together we are strong — congratulations on what you have achieved so far! And full steam ahead!
Love & Peace
ACHIM
Thank you so much for saving Brick Lane. People need more housing, not offices, otherwise this city will become a soulless shell
I hope our collective applause has not, ahem, disturbed Schrodinger. (smile) Afterall, he is
taking a break.
With great thanks for your daily optimism, we are your local Readers.
Can’t wait for the Mosaic book!
Congratulations for another year of delightful stories and photos, GA! You are always a good beginning to a new day and I enjoy sharing your postings.
Lydia
Thank you Gentle Author. Good news to hear but also, sixteen years, what an achievement; wonderful!
I’m glad to hear about Brick Lane. I was in London last week, my first visit in 12 years. I flew from Zurich to London City and found the journey to Tower Gateway on the DLR depressing, tower blocks of close together flats everywhere. It felt like being in a dystopian wasteland or on the set of a sci-fi movie.
I also found the skyline of all the modern skyscrapers in the City ugly, out of step with all the historic architecture London has to offer. The one saving grace was my hotel room overlooked Tower Bridge and Butlers Wharf which were magnificent after dark.
Dear Gentle Author, I have been reading Spitalfields Life for most of those sixteen years; returning to some of the articles many times. I cannot describe what a source of comfort, a reminder of memories, a provider of historical information and pure joy your articles are. I have just ordered Tessa Hunkin’s Hackney Mosaic Project. Although I haven’t lived in London for sixty years my roots are in the East End, my Ruthven grandparents coming from Hackney. I am looking forward to receiving my book. Thank you.