Ships Nostalgia banner

anchor house canning town

1 reading
8.3K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  Mad Landsman  
#1 ·
From 1970 - 1974, I was a volunteer in Anchor House Canning Town London along with a number of other girls from St Louises Hostel London.

I wonder if any of you out there have any memories of the good times we had in the ballroom with Direct Sound disco Fr McGuinness keeping a close watch over proceedings
Names such as Valerie, Clive, Andy, Mary, French Claire, to name but a few all spring to mind
Would love to hear from anyone who was around during those few years.
Anchor House is now a shelter for the Homeless
 
#2 ·
Hello.
I was a fairly frequent visitor to the Anchor House dances between 1963 and 1971, approximately.
It was a great institution, and it served thousands upon thousands of seafarers absolutely brilliantly.
Come to think of it, looking back, I think many of us were such regular visitors to the place that we simply "took it for granted" so to speak.
One thing for sure, I never before got around to thanking you all for those magnificent disco's, dances, parties etc., etc.
Fortunately, thanks to your post on this website, I now have the opportunity to do that.
Accordingly, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you so very much, and I think I speak for thousands of us. Those really were great days - and Anchor House was very much immensely influential in that. It is, in my view, so very important that you be informed of that - even though it be so long delayed.
It is gratifying to note that the place is still being put to good use these days.
I Can't really remember the names of all the girls but collectively you all meant so much to us.
Thank You, Thank you, and Thank you.
And a very warm welcome to this site.
(Wave)
 
#14 ·
Anchor House, Canning Town



Dear Oldman

I read your post regarding Anchor House from a while ago and see that you stayed at Anchor House. My name is Josie and we are running a heritage project 'Dancing 'Round Canning Town' based around the history of Anchor House. We are looking for stories from people who were involved in Anchor House or frequented there. We make the stories into short films. We have already got lots of stories but still need a few more. The films will be screened as part of an exhibition about the project in Oct 2018 at Anchor House. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Here's our website https://www.dancingroundcanningtown.com
Best wishes
Josie
 
#4 ·
anchor house - disco

Thanks for your reply.
Looking forward to more funny memories from other viewers from the 1970 - 73 era.
Anchor House was a special place for a number of us who were away from our family and friends.
A group of us have remained friends since and enjoy looking back at the fun times
We met people from all walks of life and from so many different parts of the world and wonder where they all are now

Good to hear from you.(Wave)
 
#5 ·
Welcome

Claire,

Also on behalf of the SN Moderating Team, thanks for your introduction and a warm welcome aboard.
You will thoroughly enjoy your time on SN and will also get many happy hours entertainment from your membership. (Thumb)
 
#7 ·
Do u have memories, photos etc. of the dance hall/bar at Anchor House the old seamans mission, now a homeless hostel, on Canning road opposite Rathbone Market in Newham London. The dance hall has now been demolished to make room for more housing. However some of the current residents are researching its history and plan an exhibition of old memories, recordings, pictures etc. then inviting the local community in to see it. Can u help?

morcegapaula2017@gmail.com
07714198825 my whatsapp number
Thank You
 
#13 ·
Anchor House, Canning Town



Dear John

I read your post regarding Anchor House from a few months ago and see that you were in contact with Paula regarding photos of Anchor House. Paula was helping us connect with people who were involved with Anchor House. My name is Josie and we a heritage project 'Dancing 'Round Canning Town' based around the history of Anchor House. We are looking for stories from people who were involved in Anchor House or frequented there. We make the stories into short films. We have already got lots of stories but still need a few more. The films will be screened as part of an exhibition about the project in Oct 2018 at Anchor House. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Here's our website https://www.dancingroundcanningtown.com
Best wishes
 
#12 ·
Anchor House, Canning Town

Dear Claire

I read your post from a long while ago.

I am working on a heritage project based around the history of Anchor House, 'Dancing 'Round Canning Town'. We are looking for people who have a connection with Anchor House, either they worked there, stayed there or went to the ballroom. We are creating short films based on people's stories of the place. We have already had stories from lots of people but we need some more. The films will be screened at an exhibition about the project at Anchor House in October 2018.

We would love to be in contact with you about your experience at Anchor House.

Here's the project's website to find out more.
https://www.dancingroundcanningtown.com

Best wishes
Josie (working with Caritas Anchor House)
 
#15 ·
Anchor House

Replying to Claire Ursula.
I have only just found this site and read your post.
My name is Ray, and I was one of the Direct Sound DJs and remember the names you mentioned.
I worked at Anchor House from 1972 until the discos ceased in 1979.
What wonderful times we had there. I married one of the girls that used to come on the coach from Victoria - Pauline Byrne.
I could write pages about those times, so if you or anyone else who used to go there wants a 'chat' please post a message on this site.
Best Wishes
Ray
 
#19 ·
My late husband, Don Coghill an engineer with Shaw Savill Line for over twenty years often shared memories of Anchor House and Fr McGuinness and those working there. He was so grateful to be able to find a place to stay while awaiting transport to his home and family in Ness the Isle of Lewis. Said Fr McGuinness and others were remarkable people.