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The Derelict London website is sponsored by: |
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Derelict London - Updates for Autumn 2012
I now intend to upload pictures every month or two. I used to do this on the old site and its one thing that people have missed. I have been putting some on the Facebook & Instagram pages as I go along but I appreciate that the people who visit these social networking pages are only a tiny % of fans of this site.
There is alot of Limehouse on this page and this will be explored further in my Derelict London guided tours of 2013 so keep an eye open for those or join the mailing list.
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Limehouse Mattresses
"Sleeping rough on the streets of London is frightening, demoralising and isolating. Homeless people are some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people in our society.
Homeless support agencies reported that around 3,500 people slept rough in London last year, which is almost half the number of rough sleepers in the whole of the UK. The life expectancy of a long-term rough sleeper is only 42 years, compared to 79 years for the average UK citizen. A homeless rough sleeper is 35 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person in the UK." This text was taken from From the StreetsofLondon.org.uk website:
Homeless support agencies reported that around 3,500 people slept rough in London last year, which is almost half the number of rough sleepers in the whole of the UK. The life expectancy of a long-term rough sleeper is only 42 years, compared to 79 years for the average UK citizen. A homeless rough sleeper is 35 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person in the UK." This text was taken from From the StreetsofLondon.org.uk website:
Decaying Shops on the Commercial Road in Limehouse - but for how much longer?
Old gaslight holders above disused doorways at Limehouse Station
A short stroll along the LIMEHOUSE CUT
The name Limehouse came from the lime kilns were sited here from the 14th century onwards. The lime produced was used for the plaster in the wattle and daub timber-framed buildings of the period.
In the 18th century Limehouse was London's Chinatown. There was a population of Chinese sailors who had come off the boats. In the Sherlock Holmes stories Limehouse was thought to be filled with Chinese opium dens.
The Limehouse Cut, authorised by an act of parliament in 1766,is actually the oldest canal in London and provides a short cut from the Thames to the Lea. It originally cut its way directly to the Thames, but this lock was replaced in 1968 with a short canal leading into the Regent’s Canal at what is now Limehouse basin.
In the 18th century Limehouse was London's Chinatown. There was a population of Chinese sailors who had come off the boats. In the Sherlock Holmes stories Limehouse was thought to be filled with Chinese opium dens.
The Limehouse Cut, authorised by an act of parliament in 1766,is actually the oldest canal in London and provides a short cut from the Thames to the Lea. It originally cut its way directly to the Thames, but this lock was replaced in 1968 with a short canal leading into the Regent’s Canal at what is now Limehouse basin.
POPLAR, E14 - DERELICT SCHOOL
This school in Bullivant St, Poplar has been vacant for many years. It was squatted by a number of people who follow the Derelict London Facebook page though they were evicted 3 years ago and the place has deteriorated ever since.
POPLAR BATHS update
In July 2012 Poplar Baths welcomed the general public for the first time since its closed its doors in 1988. Arts company Frieze,is hoping the renewed interest in the building will prop up the campaign to bring it back into use.
The reoppening in July 2012 was only for a few weeks and giant inflatable sculptures filled the empty swimming pool. The doors to the building are now firmly closed again but refurbishment is on the cards.
Tower Hamlets say: “The council is undertaking a public procurement exercise to appoint a partner for the refurbishment. It is anticipated that a proposed partner will be appointed in the autumn of 2012.”
The reoppening in July 2012 was only for a few weeks and giant inflatable sculptures filled the empty swimming pool. The doors to the building are now firmly closed again but refurbishment is on the cards.
Tower Hamlets say: “The council is undertaking a public procurement exercise to appoint a partner for the refurbishment. It is anticipated that a proposed partner will be appointed in the autumn of 2012.”
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LIMEHOUSE E14 - Caird and Rayner Sailmakers
Regulars of this website will be familiar with the frontage of this building and here now are some alternative views mainly from the canal at the back. This workshop was built in 1869 as a sail-makers’ and ship-chandlers’ warehouse. It was occupied by Caird & Rayner from 1889 to 1972 and was never substantially altered, so the building retains its original cast-iron window frames and two double loading doors that open on to the Limehouse Cut. Caird & Rayner were engineers and coppersmiths who specialized in the design and manufacture of seawater distilling plant for supplying boilers and drinking water on Royal Navy vessels and Cunard liners.
The building is the only original sail-makers’ and ship-chandlers’ warehouse surviving in Tower Hamlets. After various changes of ownership in recent years there are no immediate plans for the premises which remain vacant apart from some live in security and some very ferocious guard-dogs.
The building is the only original sail-makers’ and ship-chandlers’ warehouse surviving in Tower Hamlets. After various changes of ownership in recent years there are no immediate plans for the premises which remain vacant apart from some live in security and some very ferocious guard-dogs.
LIMEHOUSE - The £95-a-ticket boats to the Olympic Park.
The Olympic and Paralympic passenger boat service along the Lea was planned to evolve into a popular leisure business over the course of its 15-year contract. Water Chariots, which ran river transport to the Games but provoked fury with its prices went bust before London 2012 even finished.
Water Chariots boasted it would offer up to 120 return trips a day to the Olympic Park from its newly-renovated base at Limehouse Basin marina, south of the venue by the Thames, and from Tottenham Hale to the north, using a fleet of 15 specially-built vessels. One of these vessels named Usain Boat, had its name plate unveiled by Prince Charles.
Water Chariots boasted it would offer up to 120 return trips a day to the Olympic Park from its newly-renovated base at Limehouse Basin marina, south of the venue by the Thames, and from Tottenham Hale to the north, using a fleet of 15 specially-built vessels. One of these vessels named Usain Boat, had its name plate unveiled by Prince Charles.
LIMEHOUSE - THE STAR OF THE EAST
This pub has had its up and downs over the years. It closed down and reopened again without any sort of refurb and continues to limp on. Outside are some surviving gas street lamp holders. These lamps once had to be lit each evening by a man who went round with a lighter on the end of a long pole.
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LIMEHOUSE - DRINKING FOUNTAIN
This is part of a series of photos that I am compiling of decaying drinking fountains.
LIMEHOUSE - ACCUMULATOR TOWER
This octagonal tower was built in 1869 was used to store water which provided the hydraulic power for the cranes and locks in the adjacent Limehouse Basin. Long gone is the engine room that would have stood next to the tower.
BLACKFRIARS - BON APPETIT CAFE
Closed a few years ago, fenced off and surrounded by construction work for the Blackfriars Station redevelopment. Now the Station is complete the cafe site is now accessible though this dusty slightly forlorn place looks out of place next to the modern new Blackfriars Station. Only a matter of time before it becomes something else due to its prime position. Maybe another cafe but more than likely a chain. Star*ucks anyone?
KILBURN HIGH ROAD - But could be anywhere in the UK. The familiar face of the High Street....
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The same goes for this shopping mall in ARCHWAY:
