My thanks to eddie Spiegelhalter of Barnstaple who has emailed some fascinating background to the family: "My grandfather, who came to England in 1845 to work winding clocks in Yorkshire, was a third cousin of the Leo Spiegelhalter who had the very large family in the East End which complicated running the business later on. The families branched away from each other around the 18th century, but we both go back to a Bartholemew Spiegelhalter in the early 1600s." Eddie (who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday) has also recommended a website which has more details of the family: http://www.yorkbeach.co.uk/family_history/spiegelhalter/index.html One cannot separate buildings from the people who once lived in them. Communities are about roots, and social connections, and continuity. These and much more will be lost if 81 Mile End Road is demolished and replaced with a heartless 'artwork' in a sterile lobby. So thanks Eddie, and thanks all of you for supporting this petition. We're approaching 2,000 signatures - so please keep spreading the word! All good wishes David