I cannot write about the devastating day which led to the events that follow.
Jackie and I, sadly, parted in September 1972, and, for the first time, I left SW19/20 for East London, where I spent a month with Tony and Madeleine, at whose wedding in 1970 ‘The Bridesmaid’ photograph was taken. I will never forget seeing, when bereft, and carrying a suitcase, I turned into Lolesworth Buildings, Thrawl Street, Whitechapel, Madeleine standing on their top floor balcony beating a carpet hanging over the railings in the bright sunshine that caught the flying dust. Tony tells me this building, c.1880, was demolished in 1979.
Thrawl Street stands off Brick Lane which, since the 18th Century, has received successive groups of immigrants. The French Huguenots fled to this part of London in the 1700s. Irish people and then Ashkenazi Jews followed in the 19th Century. In the later 20th century, Bangladeshi Bengalis from Sylhet comprised the major group of immigrants and gradually predominated in the area. Many Bengali immigrants to Brick Lane were from the Greater Sylhet region of what became Bangladesh.
During the month I lived there I ate almost daily at one of the two or three Bangladeshi men’s cafés. There was just one set meal of a curry and chapattis with a saucer of raw chillis on the side. The price was £1 and it is where I developed my taste for hot chilli. Opposite my favourite of these establishments stood the Brick Lane synagogue, which had begun life in 1743 as a Huguenot church. The building was acquired by the Jewish immigrant community in 1898 and, because of the decline in numbers on account of their moving to other parts of London, closed in 1973, the year after I was there. In 1975 it was sold again, to become a mosque.
Now known as Banglatown, Brick Lane and streets off it are packed with top class Bangladeshi restaurants. When I visited there with Sam and Holly in the early part of this century, we dived into any nearby one simply to avoid scouts sent by other restaurants to seek our custom.
Monica Ali’s excellent novel, Brick Lane, is based on a family of immigrants from the country of her birth, now living in London’s East End.
Before I knew him, Geoff Le Pard posted https://geofflepard.com/2014/06/30/upcycling-buildings-if-only-it-was-as-easy-with-people/ which covers this history in greater depth, and with more photographs. He has added this link to his comment on my post.
I’ve not heard of Brick Lane, Derrick, the physical place or the book. It sounds like it has a most interesting history.
It really does, Robbie. Thanks very much
Whatever occurred to pull you and Jackie asunder, I’m glad the two of you found each other again. I can’t imagine one of you without the other.
Thank you so much, Leslie
I agree wholeheartedly with nananoyz.
Thanks for sharing a bit about Brick Lane and the area. It sounds like it’s had a fascinating history.
I imagine those curries, peppers, and chapattis were very tasty.
Thank you so very much, Merril
You’re very welcome, Derrick.
Top spot for excellent food
Thanks a lot, Sheree
That opening sentence hit me quite hard. Our marital relationships can be so severely tested that many, including mine, do not survive “’til death do us part.” You don’t mention your children, so I’m assuming that Jackie left with them.
Jackie stayed with them. More to come next time, Rosaliene. Thank you very much.
That opening sentence hit me hard as well.
🙂 X
Some spots are too tender for public scrutiny. I find the potted pen history of that area very interesting indeed.
Thank you so much Anne, for both observations
Fascinating. In case you want a couple of images of the mosque today here’s a posting wrote about its curious history back in 2014
https://geofflepard.com/2014/06/30/upcycling-buildings-if-only-it-was-as-easy-with-people/
See how I have amended my text and included this link. Thanks very much, Geoff
you are a star//
This is very interesting how the people living in this one area have changed often. 🇬🇧
It is fascinating, John. Thank you very much
…and you found your way back to one another ❤️ But that’s a tale for another day…
Thanks very much, Donna. It is
Sometimes – oftentimes – what is left unsaid speaks volumes. Your opening sentence says all that it needs to and much more. Hugs, Derrick, to you and to Jackie. I’m so pleased you found your way back to each other 💕 (You have also inspired me to add Brick Lane to the long list of books I want to read. It’s in there already somewhere but now it’s bumped to the top.)
Thank you so much, Sandra X
Oh now I must cook some curries…lovely post and narrative Derrick 🤓💫👌sending you joy ~ hedy
Thank you very much, Hedy
I worked for a while in Tower Hamlets in about 1992. I remember some really good food there.
Certainly great choices, Andrew. Thanks a lot
Writing about events (good or bad) is part of our growth and we heal with every word, every sentence, yet starting to write hurts a whole lot sometimes.
I am debating myself if I should mention certain events about our “Losing times” but if I don’t, would it still be the same. However, if it’s too painful, then I just don’t touch the subject. I have written about my Grandma (my hero) my father (a useless drunk and coward) yet I have never touched my mother (the monster, the child abuser.) Perhaps one day I will and if I don’t then so be it.
Cheers to Jackie!
Thank you very much, Bridget. You are so right about the pain and healing of the writing process, and that we can also revisit the joys. We all have memories that are not for the public domain.
Yes, a difficult opening to read but I knew there would be more. Waiting patiently.
Thank you very much, Chrissy. This was the tough one.
Yes, that opening sentence slammed into my heart. 🙁
I’m so glad whatever happened and however your journeys took you…your paths crossed, you found your ways back into each other’s lives again. <3
(((HUGS))) to you and Jackie!!! <3
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Hard times! Glad you are back together.
Thank you very much, Laurie
I’m very happy that you two were able to reconnect. The immigrant history of the area sounds fascinating. I have never developed a taste for anything hotter than a mild jalepeno.
Thank you very much, Pat
Glad you were able to mend things with Jackie later in life. Can’t wait for the next chapter.
Thank you so much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Hugs to you both. Our history of struggles is what creates us.
Quite so, Jodie. Thank you so much X
xo
I have my own tale of a rather dramatic if drawn-out sundering that’s interesting in the extreme and even a little humorous now, but I’ll never write about it. Contrary to what our societies seem to believe these days, not every detail of private life needs to be made public. That said, you’ve finally made sense for me of that “second marriage” I read about in the past — and I’m so glad that it happened, for you both!
Thank you so much, Linda.
Some days hold lingering grief, no matter how many years have passed. But I’m glad you survived and are doing well now. History is so much more interesting when told through personal stories.
Thank you so much for your understanding, JoAnna
You are very welcome.
That is a surprising turn of events. I am waiting for your reunion in past!
Thank you so much, Uma. It took a few years, as you know
A heartbreaking time for you both.
Yes. Thank you so much, Sue
The history of that area is very interesting. It is sad you and Jackie parted back then, but your paths converged again later. Your reunion makes me happy. Love prevails! Love to both of you. ❤️
Thank you so much, Lavinia. A journey from devastation to delight X
I think I’ve never tried Bangladeshi cuisine…however I’m glad you two are back together 😉
Thank you so much, Ribana
I do not like to read of your pain, as I’m sure you don’t like reading about mine. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life, Derrick, and to express your memory of Madeline cleaning the carpet. If I were nearby, I’d catch you both in an embrace.
Thank you so much, Crystal. At least I can write about it now X
<3
I will look for this novel, Derrick, and I thank you for recommending it. It looks like a very colorful ethnic neighborhood.
It is, Dolly – so full of the history of the succession of immigrants who have passed through. Thanks very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
So glad you and Jackie found each other again…..
It was meant to be.
x
Thank you so m much, Melanie X
Hi Derrick, It’s good to see you again.
Thanks a lot, Jim. You, too