Category: West London

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

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

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

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

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

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

Previously a restaurant, the building situated at 87 Notting Hill Gate, dates back to 1861. In 1911 it opened as the Electric Palace. Later known as the Embassy Cinema, it was badly damaged during a World War 2 bombing raid. It was renamed as the Classic in 1957 and in October of that year the Continue reading

The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 26th March 1870: ‘The enclosure of this open space which is regarded by the inhabitants of Hammersmith, more particularly those who reside in the immediate neighbourhood of the Green, as one of the lungs of the parish, would effectually remove an intolerable nuisance which has Continue reading

First published in 1864, ‘Pretty Polly Perkins’, was a very popular Music Hall song composed by Harry Clifton. Harry Clifton was born in Hoddesden in 1832 and he passed away in Shepherd’s Bush, aged 40, in 1872: ‘I am a broken-hearted milkman, in grief I’m arrayed, Through keeping of the company of a young servant Continue reading

The following newspaper article appeared in the West London Observer on 8th November 1957: ‘Free drinks were available to customers who visited a new public house which was opened at the White City Estate on Wednesday. The new “local” is called the ‘Springbok’ and is in South Africa Road. For the opening many local residents Continue reading