The fight for the soul of Spitalfields

Save Brick Lane - BBC London News https://t.co/Lkpq0z2DnT

— Spitalfields Life (@thegentleauthor) September 14, 2021

"Tonight, Tuesday 14th September, Tower Hamlets Council’s Development Committee makes its decision upon the Truman Brewery’s controversial planning application for a shopping mall with four floors of offices on top, as the first step in the redevelopment of the entire brewery site into a corporate plaza." (More)

Short Story of the Month, October 2021

We're back with all new stories. Here's something to think about because, you know, nothing at all is happening in the world these days, is it? Read the whole story before you make up your mind about this one. It might not be just what you think. (Ed.)

The Willesden Herald Short Story of the Month

October 2021: How They Do by Jack R. Johnson

“Al Nash kept the dark secret of his hair loss hidden under his favorite blue canvas Navy cap, and pulled it even lower as he told his son, Troy Nash, about Robert E. Lee …”

Jack R. Johnson

Jack R. Johnson is a monthly columnist for North of the James Magazine in Richmond, Virginia; an editor of The Alliance for Progressive Virginia blog and a contributor to Style Magazine. His published works include short stories, articles and the novel, An Animal’s Guide to Earthly Salvation. His latest novel, In Black and White, is scheduled to be published by Propertius Press in 2022.

Call for Submissions

Story of the Month is back as an occasional feature.

• Guidelines
• Previous Stories of the Month
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Editor in Gladstone Park, attended by atomies, 2009

I look forward to reading those new short stories that are out there somewhere, running around, gambolling and frisking but also lazily drowsing, hysterical or … actually this could be quite a long list, so let’s just say send your best. (Steve)

It's 20mph for a reason

Not long ago replaced lamppost smashed again near a bend on Wood End Road

The scene is an S-bend where the road crosses the Chiltern Line. There's a blind bend at each end of the bridge. Here's hoping no one was badly injured. (Ed)

What's for dinner? (cartoon)

 

Crime scene: Wood End Road closed

The scene at 1pm 2/8/2021

One or two police cars have been parked in the driveway of the same house for the past few days. Today there are crime scene tents and the road has been completely closed, including to pedestrians. If you are on foot, and need to get to the other side of the closure, there is a very narrow, winding alleyway that connects South Hill Grove to South Vale.

"Attention: Why are you dumping rubbish?"

Notice, Wood End Road, 28/7/2021. Don't be a 'tosser'.

Sweet Corner - Greenford Road

Sweet Corner

Cakes, Ice Cream and Coffe

Choosing the flavours

Birthday cakes to order

All kinds of chocolates and sweets too

The shop is opposite Sudbury Hill underground station.

Alarming rise in Covid cases in Harrow

1694 active #COVID19 cases in #Harrow up 617 from last week. Source: https://t.co/4LVpsMXpXx pic.twitter.com/F1B0YNbFNi

— Stephen Moran (@stephen_j_moran) July 10, 2021

Updated 10 July 2021: Number of active Covid cases in Harrow is 1694 up 617 from last week. Source www.covid.joinzoe.com

Walk-in centres are available for anyone at all to walk in and get your Covid vaccine. It's free and you don't need an NHS number. Click here for links and details of London walk-in mass vaccination centres

Wood End Library boarded up

It's not looking too good for Wood End Library and Children's Centre, Whitton Avenue West, in the borough of Ealing, this Sunday.

The windows and doors are metal-shuttered.

Another view with the shelter

The library is next door to a very large school population from Wood End Infant School and Greenwood Primary school. 

Vaccine poster defaced - Harrow

Billboard on the corner of Greenford Road and Cavendish Avenue near Subury Hill underground station

It looks like white paint has been hurled from a can repeatedly at a government poster that says "Join the millions already vaccinated." The area around the poster is covered with splashes of paint from this very sloppy bit of vandalism.

Update, the view next day (Sunday)

Update 23/6/2021: The worn-out hoardings on that side of the road have been completely renewed, pigeons evicted from behind them and the edges sealed. There are two matching billboards on the other side of the street, and those are in an equally decrepit condition, with pigeons nesting behind them too. It's a pity for the pigeons but in that location, there are so many that they could be a health hazard to passersby. [Not the only health hazard around there. Ed.]

The second of the old worn-out hoardings was replaced today.

The sad, shameful demise of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry

The sad, shameful demise of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry https://t.co/YIeKthPLdo

— Spitalfields Life (@thegentleauthor) May 14, 2021

From The Yard to Tiffty's Tavern and from Maher's to Moloney's

A signwriter changing the name of this pub in North Greenford from "The Yard" to "Tiffty's Tavern" 

The font and colours suggest "an Irish pub." There are Irish pubs all over the world, and if the Irish state had marketing rights, it could probably live on the proceeds. But like the Murphy's, we're not bitter. My California/Filipino air steward friend says wherever they stopover, she always looks for the Irish pub. From Kuala Lumpur to Montevideo, from Cape Town to Anchorage, Alaska [You just made that bit up, didn't you? Ed.], you'll see the Gaelic font and assorted bicycles, mirror adverts etc and find a cold pint of the Dublin ambrosia awaits you, though it might have been brewed in Nigeria. So wherever you may be, "Sláinte Mhaith!"

The result. Tiffty's Tavern

And before it became "The Yard" it was "Gerry Mac's".

So, what gives? Is there really someone called "Tiffty" and was there someone called "Gerry Mac"? It seems unlikely. Further down Greenford Road, the same sort of name-changing has been happening with what was Ryans Bar, which then became Tommy Maher's Irish Bar and lately Moloney's Bar.

A photo of "Tommy Maher's Irish Bar", which used to be "Ryans" and more recently "Moloney's Bar"

According to WhatPub.com, Moloney's Bar was previously named Dugout Sports Bar, Ryan's, Maher's Irish Bar, West Bar, Old Bull and Captain Morgan's.

Harry Lemon

More info: What Pub - Tiffty's Tavern, What Pub - Moloney's Bar

Day of the Flying Leaves (Selected Poems) by Stephen Moran

Cover image: Bridleway, Harrow on the Hill by the author

“Like everyone, I go around imagining things, trying to identify what I see and hear and conserving memories. My poems are thoughts portrayed in words, in the belief that sometimes a word is worth a thousand pictures.” (Stephen Moran)

Day of the Flying Leaves (Selected Poems) by Stephen Moran, Amazon KDP, 2021

Scenes from launderettes

Fulham Palace Road

Greenford Road

Photos taken in previous years

Ladbroke Grove Launderette

Corner of Ladbroke Grove and Treverton Street, W10

Short Story of the Month, December 2020

We're back to sharing favourite stories. How could anyone not love a story that contains the line "I was a cactus."(?) And don't tell me it's not December, months last for years now! Ed.

The Willesden Herald Story of the Month

December 2020: Christmas Present by Lynsey Rose

“I wrote this a few years ago, when we were asked to write a story with the theme of Christmas for my writing group. Of course, Christmas is a crappy theme so you have to go the full ‘Carrie’ with it. Happy Christmas!“

Lynsey Rose

Lynsey Rose is the author of the novel First Aid Kit Girl, described as “girl meets razorblade meets boy…”

Chemist shop: "Covid tests available" (Sudbury Hill)

CuraPharm chemist shop, 154 Greenford Road. Scrolling sign says "Covid tests available" 16 January 2021 (video) #CovidUK #SudburyHill pic.twitter.com/RuJHcECXp2

— Stephen Moran (@stephen_j_moran) January 17, 2021

CuraPharm chemist shop, 154 Greenford Road. Scrolling sign says "Covid tests available" 16 January 2021. (Twitter video). N.B. You can get a free test. Google "Covid tests near me" or visit this official site to request a free test online.

Lifts being built at Sudbury Hill station (photo)

View from Greenford Road bridge

These lifts, when complete, will enable step-free access from the platforms to the ticket hall. From there to the street is already step-free. However, from platform to train is not.