Residents assist with Poplar estate demolition
Poplar residents spent a day demolishing their former homes last week.
Locals were tracked down by Poplar HARCA and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation to help with the destruction of Currie and Dunkeld House on the Aberfeldy Estate.
The blocks first opened in the '50s, but will now make way for new family homes.
MP Jim Fitzpatrick was among those who attended as the demolition crew moved in.
Keith Ashenden, 51, grew up in Currie House and was on hand to watch it crumble.
He said: "I lived at 17 Currie House for more than 20 years and my memories are of the cold and damp. It was so freezing that the first thing I did each morning was to put my clothes on as quickly as possible.
"I wanted to join the demolition and witness Currie House being knocked down. I'm pleased to hear that Poplar HARCA and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation are investing in new homes - Tower Hamlets needs them desperately."
Poplar HARCA chief executive Steve Stride said: "I'm really pleased that some of the original residents from Currie and Dunkeld are here to see these buildings come down.
"Having lived in the area all my life I know of the many social problems people experienced living there."
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lived @ 3 currie hse and 5 dunkeld hse for 20 years, yes there was ice on the inside of windows
lived @ 15 Dunkeld House and 79 Currie House for 15 years.I remember Aunt Ada cleaning the brass handles in Dunkeld and my Dad hanging out of the windows in Curie House, cleaning them!
I moved from Trego Road prefabs when the flats, Dunkeld House, were brand new. Such luxury in comparison to Hackney. Our neighbours at no 1 were the Glovers, upstairs were the Mosses. Next entrance over and the Hoopers were amongst the residents. I went to Culloden Street school and then on to Coburn. I remeber with affection the icecream man, Rossi, with his little pony and cart. He sold the most exquisite lemon ices,all hand made. We played cowboys and indians along a "track" that started behind Currie House along , almost, to the hospital. We moved down to Hove in Sussex in the late 50's but I have always had fond memories of Dunkeld House.