February 2016

East life
he published her paintings of the East End in
Spitalfields Life it was a sensation. Several galleries
became interested and a solo show is now
planned.
It's wonderful to hear stories like this and it shows
just how influential Spitalfields Life has become
and how many possibilities it has created.
In all the years the Gentle Author has been
writing, and to his own surprise, he has been able
to keep his identity secret. Writing anonymously
is not a publicity stunt but a device deliberately
chosen to put the people and the culture centre
stage. “I decided to step back and all I want to
reveal is that my intention in doing this is benign.”
We are lucky to have had the chance to meet the
Gentle Author and, by way of Spitalfields Life, will
continue to accompany him on his wanderings
for many years to come.
What makes you most proud?
I suppose you could say that I’m proud that
the 1838 Marquis of Lansdowne Pub is still
there in Cremer Street, Hoxton. We saved that
pub when the Geffrye Museum wanted to use
Heritage Lottery funding to demolish it. I thought
it was disgraceful, because they call themselves
a "museum of the home" and in the East End
the pub is an extension of the domestic space.
When the director of the museum justified this
by saying that the museum was "not interested
in the culture of the labouring classes" it was very
disappointing. But at that point I realised that we
had a huge readership who could write letters of
objection. It was class war. And the Hackney
Planning Committee refused
permission for demolition. That’s
a victory you could say I'm
proud of.
What are you working on?
Photographer John
Claridge took more
photographs in the
East End in the
fifties and sixties
than anyone else.
Because he
was just a kid
with a camera,
Paul Gardner in his paper bag shop
everyone was very open to him and he took many
beautiful photographs, which we are now putting
together into the definitive book of his work to be
published this summer.
Best coffee in these parts?
I don’t drink coffee but my favourite places for a
cup of tea are Pellicci’s in Bethnal Green, Leila’s
Café in Shoreditch and the Town House in
Spitalfields. Those are the places I like to go.
Where do you eat out?
I like St. John Bread & Wine in
Spitalfields – it’s my regular and it
never disappoints.
What do you do at
weekends?
I don’t really have
weekends, but I do
love to go to the
market.
6 LOVEEAST