IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Mace Street, LONDON, E2 0RG

Former social housing block reflected in Regent's Canal.

This statue, in front of some of the low rise buildings and tower blocks that comprise Cranbrook Estate, is a representation of the blind beggar of Bethnal Green by Elisabeth Frink, dated 1958. The blind beggar was reputed to be Henry de Montfort, son of Simon de Montfort, who having lost his sight at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, ended up begging at a crossroads in what is now Bethnal Green. This unlikely riches to rags story captured the imagination of Tudor audiences and has been passed down the ages; it gave its name to the pub on Whitechapel Road where Ronnie Kray murdered George Cornell. Clearly the Metropolitan Borough Council were sufficiently impressed to grace their show-piece housing estate with this public artwork. In fact, the historical record suggests that Henry de Montfort was killed at Evesham and probably never came anywhere near this corner of east London - but then why spoil a good story?

Elisabeth Frink's statue depicting the Bethnal Green legend of the blind beggar, seen from Roman Road. See Image for context and more information.

The large old block, now flats, was once a school, whose name over the years had variations incorporating 'Cranbrook'.

To the left between the trees is a 'winding hole' enabling narrow boats to be turned round

At the end of the Hertford Union Canal.

The ramp on the right leads to the bridge carrying Old Ford Road and also accesses the Hertford Union Canal which meets the Regent's Canal at this point. Note the punt under the willows!

The junction pound below Old Ford Lock has been drained for wall and bank repairs. The towpath bridge ahead is over the start of the Hertford Union Canal. This has been stanked off in the entrance narrows, with pumps across the stank to assist the drainage. There is inevitably a flow into the pound via the Old Ford overflow weirs.