9 Responses
leave one →
There are more than 5,000 stories by The Gentle Author with 43,000 pictures to be found in the categories and archives on this site
@thegentleauthor
SpitalfieldsLife@gmail.com
© Spitalfields Life Books Ltd 2009-24
Unauthorized use or duplication of these words and pictures without written permission is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Spitalfields Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Spitalfields Life is published daily by Spitalfields Life Books Ltd
Working in Finchley in Reception, a very charismatic man walks into the building asking politely if he could use the gents, he needed to wash his hands after clearing away some debris in one of our adjoining car parks. Chatting to him for a while I discover he used to be a boxer and soon realise he must have connections to My Gym . He introduces himself as Billy, and I am totaly intrigued by this well groomed man, with his hair neatly slicked back and smelling of cologne. He tells me he used to box and I tell him that I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that he has the build of a disc jockey, his eyes lit up and raised his hand to point at me and say ‘ you’ve got an eye on you’ he goes on to tell me some wonderful and fascinating stories of his past, anecdotes which have me in awe. This man has certainly lead a colourful and happy life, talking so beautifully of his late wife and proudly showing me photos of grandchildren. I could tell that there was something special about this man, he just had such a positive aura about him and I felt a warmth to him , he popped by again the next day and brought in some more photos this time of his wife , I tried to disguise the tear in my eye when he showed me the funeral order of service. He says he’ll see me tomorow but I tell him I’ll be away for a couple of weeks on holiday. My colleagues inform me of a man calling in by the name of Billy Meak asking after me, and I hope dearly that he comes by today, and to my surprise he strolls in eating his lunch from Greggs offering me some, we chatt again and off he goes. I came home and was recalling the days occurrences and decide to look him up- there he was!!!
Billy is my cousin.
If you read the Kray twins autobiography you will see the name Billy Meek. Billy and his brother John used to decorate for the Beatles and later John decorated Paul McCartney’s house when Lynda was alive and their dad John (Mickey) did the french polishing. In his younger days he lived in Hoxton.
An amazing man with lots of stories to tell, keeping our street free from falling leaves, for free…
I was fortunate enough to meet Billy Meek on Saturday afternoon at The Five a Bells pub in East Finchley. I take my father there most Saturdays for an afternoon drink and Billy sat alone eating a burger he was admiring a wedding reception which was being held in the pub. Billy was keen to engage in conversation, instantly I could tell he had an interesting life and like penny enjoyed listening to him tell me of his good old days as a jockey and boxer. He had such a glint in his eyes when he spoke of those days and of his family especially his wife. He told me christine Keller and the krays obviously all true . Like penny I was fascinated enough to look him up and here he was….. We shook hands said good byes and I said billy it was a pleasure to have met you ……and it was.
I’ve known Billy since the 60s but have lost touch a long time ago and would love to see him again. If you know how I can get hold of him please get in touch.
Thanks
Krysia
I met Billy a few years back in Hoxton. He told me his name and that he used to be a boxer. He told me how he knew Christine Keeler. He was looking for a family, but wasn’t sure what number they lived at and said it was years ago since he had last visited. He looked very confused and I asked him if he was OK. He admitted he was confused and so I asked him where he lived and he wasn’t sure. Having met people with alzheimers before I assumed maybe he had, on account of his confusion and wanted to get him home safe but was at a loss what to do. He was a lovely chap. I can only assume he got home safe and sound.
His granddaughter Izzy is my son’s girlfriend and Billy has just had to leave his Care Home (with Alzheimer’s ) and has been sectioned. He is still v flirty and fit apparently! Coincidentally my own Aunts (Servis sisters) were allegedly at school with the Krays
The sad news Billy Meek died and his funeral is at East Finchley Cemetery next Friday 29th
September 2017
Billy Meek was my father. I would love to know more about his early life. Please get in touch!