Pitfield Street Photos

I couldn’t even remember the name of the street, so i had to look it up – but it turns out that occasionally walking along Pitfield Street for 5 minutes on Saturday mornings to play football is one of my most documented journeys from 3 years of living in London.  It links Old Street roundabout to Angel, going through Shoreditch Park on the way – a pretty unremarkable route.  Somehow it’s lined with, what feels like, dozens of off-licenses each only a few doors away from another.  And nothing else.  In fact, in comparison to the landmarks nearby it’s wholly unremarkable, so I’m not too sure why I’ve taken photos of the route on so many occasions.  Probably just because I tend to have a camera on me at football.

Anyways, here are some photos from the journey which I’m sure are fun enough for anyone to enjoy…

As it’s in the Shoreditch / Hoxton area ‘artists’ like to ‘get creative’ in the park.  That’s why there’s a dreamcatcher in the tree instead of above someone’s bed or in a bin.

The Ice Cream Van sits next to the park all day and looks unlike any Ice Cream Van I’ve ever seen.  It doesn’t even have a ‘Mind That Child!’ tagline on the back.  It looks more like a disused paramilitary vehicle that has been decorated with old CDs.  I’m fairly certain it’s not an artistic statement.  The (emaciated) Lion Club is a fairly sorry sight.  It’s use of parentheses only add to the sadness.

Despite it’s pleas for youth, there are seemingly only old people living nearby… Although, the observant viewer will notice some of the football crew in the background.

This off licence sells cheap booze, which is a difficult prospect to get your head around, I know.  To avoid any confusion about its purpose the owners have cleverly called the shop both ‘Off Licence’, and ‘Cheap Booze’.  Any remaining chance of doubt as to its function is obliterated with the erection of two signs for each name.

I’m not the only person drawn to take photos of this lively part of East London.  Such was his haste to photograph the roof tiles of this disused building, this guy decided to forego trousers in order to speed the exit from his house.  A wise move.