This curious article appeared in the Willesden Chronicle on 20th January 1888:- ‘Since Christmas, the whole neighbourhood of College Park and some parts of Kensal New Town and Willesden, have been in a state of amazement, not to say alarm, at the doings of a supposed supernatural being, or a man in the resemblance of Continue reading
Category: West London
International *Clash* Day at the Maxilla Hall, Latimer Road, W10 with the Rotten Hill Gang & the Goldborns etc.
Coming up on Friday 7th February at the Maxilla Hall in Latimer Road, is ‘International *Clash* Day’, featuring the Rotten Hill Gang, the Goldborns, the Clash tribute band, Take the 5th and many others. Mark Millar described the Rotten Hill Gang as: ‘Formed in a heartbeat within the cracks and back alleys of Ladbroke Grove Continue reading
The Hammersmith Stadium Club
Hammersmith Stadium was situated at 45 Brook Green Road, which is thought to have been a stretch of road between Hammersmith Broadway and Brook Green? News of a 1936 boxing event held at the Stadium appeared on this Home Page early last year. A few articles from the West London Observer relating to the Stadium’s Continue reading
Lane’s Club No.2, Queen Street, Hammersmith, London W6
Lane’s Club No.2 opened its doors in November 1934 in Queen Street, Hammersmith. Queen Street became known at some point as Queen Caroline Street. Titled, ‘Lane’s Club Closed’, the following article appeared on 28th February 1936: ‘Mr Paul Bennett, the West London Magistrate, heard summonses brought by the police on Monday (24th inst.) in respect Continue reading
Shepherd’s Bush took on Wycombe Wanderers at Loftus Road in 1912
In 2004 I purchased a copy of Frances Trinder’s excellent book: ‘Loftus Road Legacy – The History of Shepherd’s Bush Football Club.’ She writes in detail about events leading up to the Club’s move to Loftus Road and includes a short report of their first match on 22nd October 1904 against long-standing rivals, Old Malvernians. Continue reading
In 1926 all Notting Hill was chuckling at the pranks of a troupe of 13 escaped Monkeys
A couple of years ago, Robert Elms’ superb ‘Notes & Queries’ slot on BBC Radio London featured a wonderful tale about the antics of a troupe of escaped monkeys that had begun in Latimer Road. This prompted me to ask Colin Woodley to search the newspaper archives for further details. On 22nd November 1926 the Continue reading
Queen’s Park was announced as a New London Park in 1887
The following article appeared in Lloyd’s Weekly on 6th November 1887: ‘The Lord Mayor yesterday afternoon dedicated to the free use of the public for ever a recreation ground at Kilburn, which by the special permission of her Majesty, will be known as Queen’s Park. The ground will be readily accessible to the large population Continue reading
Wisdom at Shepherd’s Bush Market in 1952
The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 12th December 1952: ‘A detective rigged up the witness box at West London on Monday to resemble a market stall and demonstrated how a man put a £1 note and a cigarette lighter into an envelope and invited his audience of about 50 people to Continue reading
Shepherd’s Bush Shopkeeper & Burglar, Bertha Cruch, who Greeted Detectives with a Smile
The following article appeared in the Belfast Telegraph on 31st July 1924: ‘A young and attractive woman, whom the police consider the most extraordinary woman burglar of modern times, was sentenced to fourteen months’ imprisonment at the Middlesex Quarter Sessions yesterday. She is Bertha Cruch, a married woman with two children. She is a veritable Continue reading
La Paloma Club, 103 Westbourne Grove, London W2
The following article appeared in ‘The Stage’ on 17th October 1963: ‘It does not seem possible that it is six years since the Gateway, one of London’s most durable little theatres, finally gave up the ghost, but La Paloma Club, which inherited the premises, held its anniversary party last Friday and the management solemnly assured Continue reading