I’ve wanted to visit Greenbank Synagogue for quite a while now but have been putting it off due to fear of being caught breaking an entry and fear of coming back with nothing. This morning I woke up and knew today was the day I had to go.

When I got to the Synagogue I stopped outside the gates as I could see a truck and clearly hear the engine roaring. I saw a man sat in the drivers’ seat and walked over, asking if he was working there, if he had access and if so could I please take some photographs- to which he said “no”. After some pleading he asked a colleague who responded “I don’t see why not” and I was in!! The man was a great tour guide and I’m rather glad I was accompanied as it was pitch black lower ground level, I couldn’t see a thing and there was smashed glass and crockery everywhere. It was much different to how I imagined and so much more to see than visible online.

Although the buildings design is simply great, the beauty was shining through in all the broken places. The walls were painted white, but where the paint had cracked and come away was lovely pastel blues, peaches, pinks revealing the plaster beneath. In the main hall itself and on the staircases, the sunlight beamed in from outside. There were so many other rooms in there: bathrooms, kitchens, offices, function rooms etc. I was told there have been plans put forward to turn the place into lots of apartments. I’m glad I was able to see the place in its current condition before any of the plans go ahead.