I have been sent a picture of our house as it was in 1997 when it was acquired by the Spitalfields Trust. It describes how the houses were acquired and the photograph shows the state they were in at the time, as well as the row of shops in front:-.
133-139, Mile End Road
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
We used to have a neighbour – probably about fifteen years ago – who had some involvement with the Spitalfields Trust. He subsequently moved to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey (which I found very funny as, despite having spent childhood summer weekends and holidays there at our static caravan, I had no idea that Sheppey had a historically important bit). Anyway, knowing where I came from, he showed me this photo and it immediately made sense why I had no recognition of your splendid house from when I was growing up. When I was walking past a lot, for example going to the municipal baths in the 1970s, these shop fronts were what I would have seen. I see that the typewriter repair shop (now there’s a trade that died a death) had a 790 telephone number, as did we. (Infuriatingly I can remember that number unlike most numbers that I currently call!)
Yes, we never realised how fine the houses were in spite of passing often (from Limehouse). Charles
Not on this subject, but I’ve just discovered what the new massive gallery at MONA is for. See IanVisits website for 27August.
Ah, yes, we’re going to see it on Monday. Exciting. Charles