please empty your brain below
Yet again another fascinating and informative piece of writing that deserves a bigger airing. Thanks for the enjoyable read.

Maxwell Hutchinson used to do a London piece every now and again on BBC London news, I think, but his weren't a patch on yours dg.

Where can we all go next?

Shellers | 09.06.06 - 1:32 a.m. | #

I spent a pleasant hour outside this station dealing with a head injury - waiting for the ambulance to turn up. Around me were half a dozen plains clothes policepeople.

There was, as you say, one drunk collapsed in the corner, with his mates around him.

One had a wee against the wall while the police and I stood and watched.

I agree about the bus route - I'm not to sure about walking down Brick lane though. You are likely to get mugged - not by the criminal element, but rather by the resturanteers seeking to sell you a curry.

I swear DG - you should be a regular fixture on TV with writing like this.

Tom Reynolds | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 2:58 a.m. | #

Best piece of writing I've seen come out of this blog in a long time. I honestly really enjoyed reading this.

It's a shame I won't get a chance to see Shoreditch one last time, but I've used it a whole three times in my life. I wonder if the rectangular glasses set will pop out of their bars tonight to have a look..

Nico | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 5:44 a.m. | #

I remember visiting London for the first time in 1977 and wanting to ride the complete tube network. This, of course, had to include the Shoreditch Station, which I thought was open during the rush hour because it would be full of city commuters. I was surprised getting on the train by myself that afternoon and I'm amazed it has remained open(-ish) and used so little for another 30 years after that.
Love the series, DG, even looked at from the other side of the world.
Will you do a series on trams (current and past?)

Uroskin | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 6:08 a.m. | #

As per the other commenters above, and once again as per some of the other London series that you've done all I can say is: Simply Brilliant.

Jag | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 9:29 a.m. | #

Thanks DG, I love it when you go on a journey and tell us about it in your wonderfully witty and insightful manner. Well done

Andrew | 09.06.06 - 10:17 a.m. | #

Poignant. I think that is the only time I have ever used that word, I had to look up how to spell it. But poignant is the apropriate word for an excelent obituary.

Rick | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 10:49 a.m. | #

^^^^ all this.

I know the icon next to the closed Shoreditch station is supposed to represent a bus, but it really looks more like a Mini. Are they really going to have a replacement Mini service?

quin | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 11:14 a.m. | #

I was sad to read that there was only one donkey at the Spitalfields city farm. Donkeys are sociable animals and should always be kept in pairs. I followed the link to their website and they also mention Bayleaf's older companion Mavis. Maybe Mavis was elsewhere or Bayleaf is awaiting a new companion.

Don't mind the nitpicking from some of us, its all brilliant stuff.

dg writes: Bayleaf the donkey shares a paddock with Tilly the Shetland pony. They are, apparently, inseparable.

Pedantic of Purley | 09.06.06 - 11:38 a.m. | #

Ditto! I also love to 'share' your travels around London... particular favourites of mine are your visits to the London Boroughs... when's the next one due out of the jar? (I think it was a jar you said all the bits of paper were in anyway!)

Michelle | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 11:54 a.m. | #

yet another superb article DG - from a country lad and tube afficionado in Yorkshire who visits London now and again for a change of scenery. I've learned more about 'the hidden London' from your blog than from any other source.

excellent work as always - I don't know how you find the time and inspiration - please keep it going.

Paul | 09.06.06 - 11:55 a.m. | #

Another fine series of blogging DG. Never been on the ELL but wish I had done now. I was actually in London on Monday, and even had an appointment near Liverpool Street, so was going to take the oportunity to go to Shoreditch on the way home. But it all overran, and I didn't have time in the end, before I had to head back to Heathrow. Things I Will Regret For The Rest Of My Life #376 ...

Wayne | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 12:18 p.m. | #

RIP shoreditch. as superb as ever. i once went there on a train in and out, and once walked to the outside of the building (whilst it was closed), but never went there on a train and left the station, or walked to station through the ticket hall and onto a train. i really regret that now. sigh.

Ian | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 1:09 p.m. | #

Thanks for a brilliant article

Simon | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 3:46 p.m. | #

Coming from Sarf Lunnon it was well handy to hop onto for beigels on the ocasional Sunday morning. And I love the Spitalfields farm. Believe me, even at 39, I'm like a little kid when I see real animals, having grown up on inner city council estates!
I don't drink anymore, but in my bad, alkie days, there used to be a Sunday boozer than opened up at half eight in the morning...sadly at one stage of my life I was quite a regular, using the beigels as my 'excuse'. That signal box would make a great little flat to live in!

The Fatalist | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 7:55 p.m. | #

Here's four photos taken on Shoreditch's last afternoon:
• black flags above the station entrance
• looking down, bathed in sunlight
• they've cut back the grass and weeds
• a last train (but not the last train)

diamond geezer | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 9:34 p.m. | #

... and a couple taken while travelling on the last train to and from Shoreditch (don't ask).

Shoreditch roundel

Last train in public service to leave Shoreditch arrives at New Cross Gate

pixeldiva | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 11:39 p.m. | #

oh. i've been walking past posters about the east london line closure for weeks, but had thought it was a temporary closure. i'm sad that it's closed now, but still glad you've written such a nice piece and taken good pictures.
i used to take the line up to shoreditch from canada water regularly, and loved it. even in rush hour it doesnt have that rushed stressed feel - the trains are so slow and infrequent you just can't. and there were very bold mice - not the tiny underground grey mice - proper brown mice with white bellies - at shoreditch in the evening. great for daydreaming out of the window at old overgrown brick walls... i'll miss it

blue\\_mai | Homepage | 10.06.06 - 12:35 a.m. | #

Great obit post, DG.
This is a really informative series and quality writing. Deserves a wider audience. Are you going to syndicate your travels around London? You should.
Cheers.

LukePDQ | Homepage | 12.06.06 - 12:58 a.m. | #

I can't believe they cut the grass! Like shaving a corpse who had always worn a beard...

Wayne | Homepage | 12.06.06 - 1:04 p.m. | #

I was hoping to make the last trip to see the station before 10th June, but didn't. Now wish I did, and glad you did for those photos.

For 3 years - 2000 to 2003 I travelled to Shorditch on my way to work 10 mins away in Curtain road.

Yes Shorditch was old, but as you mentioned had character you rarely find these days. It had a sense of peace too, and I still look back at those days at the station, albeit winter or summer.

Redeem.

redeem | 26.06.06 - 5:59 p.m. | #











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