St. George in the East
Walking round London, you often come across surprising buildings, gardens or other sites.
I was in need of a drink and the courtyard of this church was selling tea, coffee and cakes in aid of a children’s hospice, Richard House.
Note the excellent information board from English Heritage. We need a lot more of these!
So I went in and had a cuppa.
St. George in the East was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, who also designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard amongst many other famous buildings.
The church was badly damaged in the Blitz and a new interior was built inside the shell of the original.
The Anonymous Widower 
Lots of churches in area which have lots of visitors are doing this, in response to the crazy price of teac, coffee cake etc in cafes. Yesterday morning I went into a coffee shop I hadnt been to before and order my usual largest size decaff skinny cappucino to go. They charged me £3.10 for for a very small cup – certainly not even a half pint. Although as my daughter says that is what you get for buying something in Hale Barns, which is a posh and expensive bit of Cheshire
Comment by liz | April 17, 2011 |
In this instance, they were doing it for the marathon spectators, as were many other places. A council care home was also selling tea and renting out the toilets. Everybody was having great fun.
Comment by AnonW | April 17, 2011 |
It is a good idea to do that. And makes money for a good cause instead of lining someones pocket.
Comment by liz | April 17, 2011 |
The East End of London is a unique mix and it has always been thus. Let’s hope it all bodes well for the Olympics!
Comment by AnonW | April 17, 2011 |
My knowledge of London geography is mainly of the Northern suburbs – Finchley, Hendon, Golders Green etc, where my aunts lived. My grandfather lived in Hackney at one stage, and used “cycle into the city across the marshes”. My gt gt grandfather had a veneer and timbermill on the banks of the Thames at Avon Wharf,there was a huge crane which I was shown as a small child but didnt realise the significance of it. The factory used to have the original 1866 lathe on the roof, put there when they replaced it with a newer model. But that has now gone, and the area involved is now Mile End Park, and I have no idea which bit of London that is in. Gt Grandparents came from Plaistow area, they were successful ironmongers who actually made things as well, they had a large farm in North Norfolk as well.
Comment by liz | April 17, 2011 |