In the midst of life I woke to find myself in the East End of London
April 6, 2013 4:46 PM Subscribe
Spitalfields Life is a blog about an East London neighbourhood. Sometimes it's about the dogs of Spitalfields. Sometimes it's about the wallpapers of Spitalfields. Or the leather shops of Spitalfields. Or people in Spitalfields who collect pictures of dogs.
There are posts about the history of Spitalfields, settled by Huguenot refugees who prospered in silk-making; and built up by generations of Jewish, Jamaican, Bangladeshi, Somali and other immigrants. There are posts about Spitalfields' famous markets. This being the East End, there are posts about jellied eel stands.
Mostly it's posts about the people who live in Spitalfields-- curry chefs and meatball queens, raven keepers and pigeon flyers, local artists, locals in cafes, local artists painting local cafes, 18th century thieves and 20th century thieves. Teachers, spoon carvers, and sartorialists. Umbrella Makers. Boxers. Publican/artists restoring 200-year-old pubs. Life begins and life ends in Spitalfields.
Spitalfields Life has been linked to a few times here at Metafilter but I don't believe it has had its own post.
The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life wishes to remain anonymous, even in newspaper profiles. But his or her cat Mr Pussy is sometimes persuaded to appear.
There are posts about the history of Spitalfields, settled by Huguenot refugees who prospered in silk-making; and built up by generations of Jewish, Jamaican, Bangladeshi, Somali and other immigrants. There are posts about Spitalfields' famous markets. This being the East End, there are posts about jellied eel stands.
Mostly it's posts about the people who live in Spitalfields-- curry chefs and meatball queens, raven keepers and pigeon flyers, local artists, locals in cafes, local artists painting local cafes, 18th century thieves and 20th century thieves. Teachers, spoon carvers, and sartorialists. Umbrella Makers. Boxers. Publican/artists restoring 200-year-old pubs. Life begins and life ends in Spitalfields.
Spitalfields Life has been linked to a few times here at Metafilter but I don't believe it has had its own post.
The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life wishes to remain anonymous, even in newspaper profiles. But his or her cat Mr Pussy is sometimes persuaded to appear.
I wwas expecting something rather different from the "leather sops" link, but now I find myself charmed.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:24 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:24 PM on April 6, 2013
>wwas expecting something rather different from the "leather shops" link
Ah, you might be looking for Knickers of Spitalfields! (don't often say this on the internet, but do read the comment)
posted by Erasmouse at 5:34 PM on April 6, 2013
Ah, you might be looking for Knickers of Spitalfields! (don't often say this on the internet, but do read the comment)
posted by Erasmouse at 5:34 PM on April 6, 2013
BJ at Great Expectations shows off his colourful jocks.
Metafilter, you never fail to bring me the most wonderful sentences!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:59 PM on April 6, 2013
Metafilter, you never fail to bring me the most wonderful sentences!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:59 PM on April 6, 2013
I love the selection of Staffordshire Bull terriers on the dogs link and just watched a guy make a spoon. Fascinating.
posted by arcticseal at 6:50 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by arcticseal at 6:50 PM on April 6, 2013
I love the story of the lady who collects dog pictures. Great post, thanks.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:08 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 7:08 PM on April 6, 2013
Oh my goodness, the dog & owner profiles are wonderful! I wish there were a blog like this with nothing but profiles of dogs and their owners from around the world. I'd read it all day long. And the lady with the dog photos, that was wonderful, too. Thank you so much, this is my favorite post in ages!
posted by HotToddy at 8:42 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by HotToddy at 8:42 PM on April 6, 2013
This is great.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 9:07 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by the christopher hundreds at 9:07 PM on April 6, 2013
I've never been there but I think it's where the amazing Dennis Severs House is, and that place is very high on my list of places to visit.
posted by Miko at 9:08 PM on April 6, 2013
posted by Miko at 9:08 PM on April 6, 2013
Mr. Pussy looks like my Midnight (if Midnight weighed about 10 pounds less).
posted by mike3k at 9:40 PM on April 7, 2013
posted by mike3k at 9:40 PM on April 7, 2013
After today's post about the Keeper of Human Remains and her scheduled lecture on the 16th, I'm reminded how even with the extraordinary cost of living, great cities are great for a reason.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 7:02 PM on April 8, 2013
posted by the christopher hundreds at 7:02 PM on April 8, 2013
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posted by Glinn at 5:21 PM on April 6, 2013