Steven Harris

Great Eastern Buildings Steven Harris

As London embraced the sounds of the 60s and pirouetted to the sounds of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Motown, 'the buildings' or Great Eastern Buildings as was their proper name, stood proud in remembrance of Victoriana. At a time of economic optimism, liberalism, post war enthusiasm, freedom and rebuilding, there they stood, reminders of harsher times, a link between those of 'Eastend-past' who had been desperately poor and ill educated and the people of the 60s - the 'Eastend present' - who continued to have little despite the rapidly modernizing and wealthier face of London. The buildings were undoubtedly slums, leftovers of a Victorian working class existence, but the spirit of the era pervaded and people looked to the future with greater confidence than any previous generation of Eastenders; hoping, dreaming, partying, surviving and, inevitably, misbehaving. For all that the buildings were, of the people living there, of the misbehaviour they witnessed and the secrets they held, of the dreams that never materialized, of the grime and decay, those buildings were much cherished, almost revered, by those who have memory of them. For whatever 'better society' made of the inhabitants (and contrary to stereotype, there were some pretty decent folks who did take a bath!), among themselves there were friends, helpers, comrades, workmates, schoolmates tied together in social and familial networks just like all other people. They had ups and downs, fun and frolics, good moments and bad, regrettable and memorable people but at all times a sense of fondness and 'comfyness' about where they were and who they were. The buildings provided a form of sanctuary to so many and acted to connect the inhabitants regardless of who or what they were, giving a context and placing all in the same position which, in turn, created an affinity with and for the buildings and those within. As someone who lived in the buildings during the 1960s and continued to be a regular visitor until the mid 70s the author recalls events, people and activities that made up the lifestyle of the buildings. Some aspects belie accurate depiction and can only be described as 'in need of understanding and improvement' whilst others might be described as 'vulgar, confusing or gross' but at the same time the life, laughter and devilment of those times is revealed; the ability to find moments of colour, humanity and positiveness pepper the account. Fond memories of children laughing and playing, adults dancing and singing and half mad dogs chasing cars down the road come to the fore; bizarre characters did as bizarre characters do and people and incident were hyped into almost legendary status. Time has moved on, the buildings gone and people elsewhere but memories of summers spent sneaking onto the roof for a smoke with other kids whilst risking life and limb by hanging over the edge, neighbours chatting and 'gobbin' from window ledges, things that go bump in the night, petty pilfering, rumour mongering, house parties, half-baked plans, beano's, crazy folks, of knowing people and not pretending to be anything other than what had been given, live on. The buildings remain much missed.