This post is purely self-indulgent. As readers of my book will know, one of my favourite places in Stepney is Cressy House, near to where we live and with a surprising communitarian feel to it, full of bicycles and potted plants. There is apparently a book about it called The Red Cliffs of Stepney, but I’ve never seen a copy (if anyone has, please let me know). It was opened in 1896 by the East End Dwellings Company, a semi-philanthropic enterprise, established by Canon Barnett when he was vicar of St. Jude’s. The idea was ‘to house the very poor while realizing some profit’. I wanted to see if I could catch its character better with the Leica:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
The Leica is going to be a major addition to the blog and to the next book !
Hi there, I happened on your article entitled Dunstan House and felt I should mention that though I live here and welcome any article referring to it, the above is in fact Cressy House, a building that I believe was erected in 1896 and is not on Stepney Green but behind on Hannibal Road and Cressy Place. regards Bev Willis Esq.
Thank you ! I’ve corrected it. Charles
Cheers! However I may be wrong but I think the Red Cliffs of Stepney referred to Dunstan House….
Probably ! Charles
Hi Charles I have located where you might be able to buy a copy of The Red Cliffs of Stepney!
Try this >
http://www.diandsaulbooks.co.uk/the-red-cliffs-of-stepney-by-connor–critchley
Cheers Susie
Brilliant ! Thank you. Charles
Our first flat in London was in Cressy House. I didn’t know about the book – interesting. N once noticed a gentleman, Mr Gold, pointing up at our window and saying he had raised nine children in the tiny one bedroom flat. The posh flats had toilets. There’s a lovely guerrilla garden looked after by one of the residents in a raised bed on the corner of Cressy Place and Redmans Road. It has cardoons and sunflowers among other wonderful plants. I like the Leica pictures – I hope you’re using film!
No, digital, I’m afraid. Gave up film in about 2005. Charles