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The Wet Crypt

These pictures were made in 1978 and 1979 in Aldgate where there was a wet crypt – one where people were free to bring their drink or drugs - beneath St Botolph’s Church in some damp cellars where street drinkers would gather in the evening to booze and talk and fight and get a little food.

The wet crypt at St Botolph’s was a scary place. On a cold night there could be 60 or more homeless, mostly alcoholic and/or addicted, badly damaged men and women jammed in. Very loud and chaotic – singing, shouting swearing. The thick stink of old clothes and rarely washed bodies mixing with meths, cider, surgical spirit and piss. Violence and threats of violence were frequent. I lost count of the number of times I was told “point that thing at me and I’ll stuff it up your arse” but there’d always be others, no less drunk and violent, who would come to my rescue.

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090810 Homeless Old Man 2 Homeless man seeks a little peace outside the wet (alcohol allowed), chaotic & very crowded evening...
090810 Homeless Old Man 2 Homeless man seeks a little peace outside the wet (alcohol allowed), chaotic & very crowded evening shelter at St Botolph's church, London. 1977.d traditional use available on request. Credit is required. No part of this photo to be stored, reproduced, manipulated or transmitted by any means without permission.
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
F62-26 Bobbie Beecroft cutting Mr Sheridan's hair in the wet crypt at St Botolph Church, 1978.
F62-26 Bobbie Beecroft cutting Mr Sheridan's hair in the wet crypt at St Botolph Church, 1978.
F63-12 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
F63-12 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
F65-36AA St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
F65-36AA St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
H10-28 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H10-28 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
Homeless Old Man 1
Homeless Old Man 1
G101-6 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
G101-6 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
G31-4A St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
G31-4A St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
G48-29 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
G48-29 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H10-28X St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H10-28X St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H2-17 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H2-17 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H2-19 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
H2-19 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978
J13-26 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J13-26 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J20-30 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J20-30 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J20-35 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J20-35 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J21-23 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J21-23 St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J27-8a St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J27-8a St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J93-1X St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
J93-1X St Botolph's Crypt wet shelter 1978.
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