THOSE EAST END NIGHTS

Ahh, those memories of the East End before it became compulsory to have a TB shot and an Urdu phrase book to visit. On this page, our man recalls the days he spent with a pair of notorious brothers, and The Kray Twins.

" I first hit the streets of the East End after graduating from the Golda Meir cookery school, where I'd graduated with honours for making the perfect Bagel, you know the sort, not too soft, nice and circular, and my thumb was the perfect size to make the little imprint in the middle. Back then Hebrew was the second language of East London, and I immediately made myself at home in the Bagel Bake in Brick Lane. One Sunday morning I'm serving behind the counter when these two well dressed blokes came ambling in. They politely requested a dozen Bagels for "their old mum". As the norm I scooped up the Bagels and placed them in a paper bag. The blokes were going to take off without paying, saying they had a deal with the owner, but as quick as a Jew spotting a penny on the floor I was at the door blocking their exit. I wouldn't let them go until they had paid their sixpence, and as they left I overheard them talking about the new tough nut at the Bagel Bake and how they'd need to be careful there in the future.

A few days later I got a phone call from a geezer called Ronnie who asked me if I played Billiards. I'd never heard of the game, but he asked me to come along as they wanted a little chat with me.

Well I don't normally talk to strangers, but this guy sounded different so hopping on the bus I made my way down to a run down part of Mile End. There I found a smokey old Billiard Hall and who should be sitting facing the door than one of the guys who tried to get away without paying for the Bagels. "You seem tough, do you want to join our firm?" he said. Well I told him I already had a good job at the Bagel Bake at which point he laughed. "Nah, not as an employee, we ain't that sort of firm, you know a nice little rumpus, terrorising business to get cash, that sort of thing." Well my social life had suffered since the bagel Bake went on to a 3 shift pattern so I happily agreed, as long as I got to keep the protection money the Bagel Bake normally paid.

Me with Ronnie and Reggie © Wanko/Gimpo Productions

So began a life of smashing up Pubs, betting shops, and general villainy which was to stand me in good stead in later years. At this stage I had not yet been involved with Mossad but with this on my CV, I was going to be a certainty to get in. The owner of the Bagel Bake became concerned that my work was suffering, but I was having so much fun with Ronnie and Reggie I didn't care.

One day, Ronnie called me up to ask a favour.

"Can you ride a bike?" he asked. Well that's a bit like asking if the Pope is an old geezer, of course I could ride a bike I said, who can't.

"I can't" replied Ronnie "That's why I'm asking you. Do you ride Tandem?

Now with this I got a bit worried, Ronnie had a bit of a reputation as a mans man if you know what I mean.

"Er...yeah what do you want me to do?"

Ronnie explained that he had some business to take care of at a pub called The Blind Beggar down in Whitechapel. As he was planning to have a drink or two he needed a designated rider, so I would have to sit in the corner with a Coke bottle and a Straw and keep quiet. I thought it was a good idea, I could do with a night out so I agreed.

"6 O'clock, Vallance Road and don't be late."

Well I thought, as it's a night out I'd better dig out my best cycling shorts and polish my bike clips. A process that kept me occupied for most of the afternoon. I called in sick for work and made my way to Fort Vallance as it was known.

I was on time which pleased Ronnie no end, and we got on the Tandem and cycled to the Blind Beggar which was less than ten minutes away. As we got there Ronnie dismounted quickly and told me to chain the bike up as there might be some crooks about. He moved smartly into the pub while I looked for a railing to chain the bike too. After a few seconds I heard a couple of loud bangs from the pub. Blimey, I thought, someone's let off those party popper things, maybe it's a surprise Birthday party. Can't wait to get inside there might be some cake. However at that point Ronnie emerged from the pub and confirmed my suspicion. "Private party we can't go in, take me back to Vallance Road." I was a bit disappointed as I was looking forward to spending an evening in Ronnie's company, he could be a real joker let me tell you. My contact with Ronnie and Reggie died off a little after that. They did call me on another evening, something to do with a bloke called Jack and a hat, but I was on overtime at the bakery so couldn't join them. Imagine my surprise when not long after I found they were in prison. I did write to them regularly to keep them up to date with my activities but the only letter I ever got was one from Reggie after Ronnie's death thanking me for my shark shaped wreath.

David bailey took this picture of us together, sadly it got damaged and only a cursory repair got done.