While he explained my Gt Grandmother’s possible Old French medieval name of Payne thought to be originally ‘pagan’, he took the time and trouble to walk me around to other tables to see various forms of weaving being demonstrated. He was a mine of fascinating knowledge.
Inspired, l promised Stanley l would endeavour to learn how to re-cane the teeny ancient traditional chair gifted in Spain as a small throne for my cat.
Just this week, at last, l began my first weaving workshop in a helpful, warm, collaborative group. As Stanley found his fulfilling purpose, mine is to learn as many oldee skills as possible before l leave. I am doing very well. My small stained glass window inspired by St Ethelreda’s is my pride and joy. One day l may find a house it will fit.

I am astonished to learn Stanley’s age, as l believed ‘His Dapperness’ to have been in his 70s when he must have been in his 80s at that time.

I loved that he was gifted the last of the bread pudding by Nevio after lunch at Pellici’s.
I know that feeling when, unrequested, we unexpectedly receive something. I much doubt it remained in the bag all the way back home on the train. I would have settled in the carriage and eaten it at once.

Sincere condolences to Stanley’s family. A huge loss in these times.

I met Stan on a couple of other occasions and when I said I planned a tour of Spitalfields with friends – to include a visit to Denis Sever’s House – he offered to break his weekly pattern and show us Christ Church on a Wednesday. Unbeknown to any of us the Church was taken over by another event that day so instead Stan took us on an impromptu tour of Brick Lane and into Bethnal Green, to Pellicci’s where we treated him to lunch. As we were leaving Stan remarked on the last slice of bread-pudding behind the counter and Nevio Pellicci wrapped it up and passed it – free of charge – to a surprised and happy Stan.

We continued our tour back into Spitalfields, where he showed us the birthplace of Bud Flanagan, then Elder Street, Bishop’s Square for the ruins of the medieval St Mary Spitalfields and Charnel House and finally at the end of the day we were granted a quick look inside Christ Church as they were closing up and Stan proudly showed us the plaque provided by his family to his ancestor Jean Rondeau, the master weaver and Sexton. We then bid farewell as he strode off, belying his 80 years, to Liverpool Street and his train back to Enfield seemingly less tired than us.

A remarkable and generous man.

My Gt Grandfather also moved to Enfield.

Lived at Blenheim House, Chirchbury Lane Enfield. Last of that family lived there until 1973.

Love & Peace
ACHIM