Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again, Everyone,
Here's an interesting group photo (that's been in the wars a bit!) that was given to me by my sister-in-law over the Christmas period.  Her great-grandfather Edward GATFIELD, b.1868 stands tall, second left in the middle row, white shirt under waistcoat, proudly gazing into camera...
What she and I would like to know is where the photo might have been taken - he lived in Poplar in London - what the type construction work might have been, and when the photo could have been taken.
There are one or two clues, a sign advertising a music school, name unclear, and the scene is set at some kind of street junction, I think.
Any ideas, anyone, and if any of those clever people on here could possibly improve its appearance/defects, we'd both be most appreciative!
Very best wishes, keith

[ScouseBoy]

It may have been construction or excavation for the Tube, or London Underground.

[kath davis]

Super photo - I like a bit of detective work!  1901 census: Edward Gatfield, bn London City was a bricklayer, living 519 Old Ford Rd, St Mary Stratford Bow plus wife and 4 chn. Not a lot of help there - he looks like a forman in the pic - so is probably quite a bit later.
Kath

[cazza59]

Hi Keith

First, AMAZING photo!  However, my software is showing it's only 72dpi.  Can you possibly rescan at 300 dpi and repost.  Alternatively if you have problems resizing, pm me and I'll get you to email the unsized version and I can post it for you.

In the meantime, I've had only a quick tinker with it to enhance details so perhaps the clothing experts could give us a date.  There is a  chap at the back wearing a straw boater which was worn during summer and popular around the turn of the century.  The music school looks like And??? School of Music, so perhaps Anderson?

Cheers
Caroline

[Keith Sherwood]

Kath,
Yes, that's him, and in the 1911 I was confused about his occupation on the original Census form when I misread it for a few seconds as "Nanny".  It was of course meant to be Navvy...(at 15, Lamprell St. Poplar)
And if that was the case still then, perhaps the man in the bowler (?) hat distinguishes him as the foreman.  Though I'm not at all sure.

[Keith Sherwood]

Caroline,
Posts crossed in the ether, will PM you now and send the fullsize photo to your e-mail address when I get it..
keith

[ScouseBoy]

The one odd thing, to my mind, is that there are no spades or picks in evidence.

[ainslie]

1]  Laying tramlines?
2]  AndREWS School of Music?
A

[cazza59]

Hi All

Here's a resized version with less compression.

Caroline