#084

'From a place of death to a place of life' is one of the descriptions given to housing initiative Project Malachi by The Salvation Army. It is apt because the site was originally used by Gilderson & Sons Funeral Directors, a business established nearly 150 years ago and which still operates in Ilford. Today, in place of its original premises is Malachi Place a series of repurposed chipping containers which offers accommodation, training and guidance for the homeless to get back on their feet.
Source:
www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news...

[@UNKNOWNKILLAAAAA]

Ahh yess I rember this place

[@rajnirvan3336]

Ah yes I can just about remember this

[@IlfordRetro]

It was easy to pass by and not really notice it to be honest

[@lilmandan96]

I worked there from 1979- 1982 as an undertaker ( stating the obvious 😇 ) absolutely loved it, sad to see it go 😪

[@IlfordRetro]

Great to hear that it was an enjoyable job despite the generally morbid affair. Not being familiar with how such buildings are used, can you clarify whether it was mainly offices, perhaps with a small mortuary at the back?

[@lilmandan96]

@@IlfordRetro The office was at the front, the Chapel Of Rest, was behind, upstairs living qaurters for manager and family, back of building garage for Hearses and Limousines , small Mortuary, next to the changing room ( yeah chuck the workers round the back🤣) dont think I've left anything out👍

[@IlfordRetro]

@@lilmandan96brilliant account of what was there, thank you 👍 Not many people will have known any of that. Interesting to hear that there were (still) living quarters upstairs, and typical that the workers were relegated to the back room!

[@lilmandan96]

@@IlfordRetro just as a footnote, all the coffins were made in Tanner st Barking, in a ex railway shed, next to the bridge, we called it the Coffin Shop, and we called the coffin maker John the Box🤣👍 ( even thats been pulled down 😔)

[@IlfordRetro]

@@lilmandan96Great nickname! Fascinating to hear how local the whole operation was. I know Gilderson himself was from Romford and had also lived in Dagenham. Sounds like the foundations he laid locally continued for well over 100 years.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

I thought I remembered Gildersons as occupying a premises down Ilford Lane but maybe I getting confused

[@IlfordRetro]

As far as I know it wasn't ever based in Ilford Lane, but that's not to say they didn't have a premises, or even a painted advert on an end-of-terrace, which could have made you think that.

[@lilmandan96]

They had a small shop in Barkingside, and what we called the coffin shop😆 was bottom of Tanner st, by the railway bridge Barking, it was alarge x railway shed, and we made the coffins there👍

[@IlfordRetro]

@@lilmandan96wow, they really did have a spread across the town. Thanks again for the details.... Tanner Street is an interesting one and has changed a lot in recent years, what with the flats and new streets behind it (built around 2005). I guess the old railway shed that Gildersons used is no more?

[@lilmandan96]

@@IlfordRetro Yeah, they pulled it down, its now like a small electricity power house! all tho' the iron gates are still there!

[@IlfordRetro]

@@lilmandan96I'll have to have a look next time I'm passing.........

[@YasinBusEnthuiast2024]

Its remind me someone who lives in hostels 🤣