Where is all the rain coming from? Walk in Stoke Newington
Monday, 24 February, 2020
It just keeps raining! On Monday, Shanaz asked me if I could accompany her to a home visit for a new Bump Buddy mentee. Off I went, although not smoothly since the bus countdown app announced my bus was going to be 18 minutes late. But, of course, it did come eventually and I switched to another bus to cut the last bit of my journey down. Shanaz met me at my bus stop to tell me that, just ten minutes earlier, the person had cancelled. So instead we had tea.
I was supposed to meet Lisa after our meeting so I called and moved our meeting earlier. Lisa said she’d pick me up from in front of Whole Foods.
I haven’t walked on Stoke Newington Church Street for a little while. The rain was relentless but I just walked slowly, taking photos anyway before arriving at Whole Foods.
Stoke Newington iconic ‘fruit and veg’ shopThe florist is amazing but I was across the street unwilling to break my rainy journeyA rather nice ghost sign above Anglo Spice Grill, the oldest Indian restaurant in Stoke Newington. I always wonder what the sign was forApproaching the Abney Park wall – the building on the right must have some historyMother Kelly’s is a bottle shop – wine refillsThe best ghost sign in the area – WALKER BROS, FOUNT PEN SPECIALIST. Must check on thisThe usual alleyways off the main streetViolins & cellos for sale, repairs: London: Bridgewood & Neitzert – since 1982Mews cottages behind a gateKing of the MewsA glimpse of homes off Church Street – trendy bakery on the corner
More historical research must be done!The new church of St Mary’s cost £17,000 to build in 1852. “Stoke Newington is a funny place with lots of funny people, Thomas Jackson built a church but could not build a steeple.” The spire was added in 1890. The old church still stands opposite.
Obviously, there’s much to learn on Stoke Newington Church Street so perhaps I need to check if there’s a tour going. It seems with every little area, the history is so dense that it would take several lifetimes to uncover it all.
Meanwhile, here are two lovely old Bethnal Green pubs, seen on another walk.
Originally the White Hart, The Star of Bethnal Green dates from at least 1810The Grade II listed Salmon & Ball proudly adorns a sign saying, ‘est. 1733’. It has a mysterious and macabre history
