Source: BBC News Today the Independent R’s would like to send a message of sympathy and condolence to the family of Alice Gross. We are shocked and appalled by the news of this senseless tragedy. Our thoughts, as well as those of the QPR family and the wider West London community are with you at Continue reading
Category: West London
67 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill – Making Toys for British Nurseries in 1915
This picture, shown below, appeared in the Daily Graphic on 16th March 1915 with the following caption: ‘The first great British Toy Fair and Market opens at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, today, when the public will have an opportunity of seeing for itself how far against the enemy’s toy trade has progressed. The picture Continue reading
“Friends and Associates” by Irish Jack
As arranged, I met Martin Gaish and his brother Lee, who was also a Mod, at Hammersmith tube station. It was the very first Tuesday night of the Marquee residency, and the rain was pissing out of the November heavens. It was November 24th, 1964 to be precise. I’d walked down King Street from Dalling Continue reading
‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ – Dusty Springfield’s Early Duet with Peter Miles: Rehearsed in West Ealing and Recorded in a Studio in Queensway.
The following article was written by Michael Russell and appeared in the Ealing Gazette on 27th August 2010: ‘A jazz singer and actor who duetted with Dusty Springfield is to have his track released by a major record company more than 50 years after they first sang together. Peter Miles, of Bradley Gardens, West Ealing, Continue reading
Introduction and Part One of – “Let’s have Dinner” by Irish Jack
Just over eight years ago on Monday 22nd May 2006, I sat down in front of a camera on the floor of the Goldhawk Social Club, to an inch of the very spot I had sweated through my Mod clothes high on energy tablets and danced ‘The Dog’ to the Who’s rendition of ‘Heatwave’. Behind Continue reading
The 1951 Hammersmith Palais Jazz Band Ball (Jiving is Forbidden!)
The following article was written by Robert Raymond and appeared in the Picture Post on 7th April 1951: ‘Jazz as they play it at the Hammersmith Palais, is a serious matter. Youth goes mad about it – one way or the other. It’s the music of an unsafe, unsure, age. Hundreds of boys and girls Continue reading
Drama in January 1950 at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire when Madame Kocka was strangled by her 14ft Python
In January 1950 the thrill of the tropics arrived at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and what a show it must have been! Pete Collins’ exotic “Jungle Fantasy” opened there on Monday 16th January. The complete programme of events were listed as follows: 1. Prologue spoken by Planter Norman Prince 2. The Indian Jungle: (a) From Continue reading
Millie at the Goldhawk Club in 1964
The following report was published on the front cover of the Shepherd’s Bush Gazette on the 7th May 1964, and describes a concert given at the Goldhawk Social Club by young Ska singer, Millie (Small), who had a number one hit at the time with ‘My Boy Lollipop’. The language is somewhat archaic but is, Continue reading
Can anyone help with the Name of this 1940’s/50’s Barber Shop in (Probably) Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush?
Sue Holman grew up in Askew Mansions, Shepherd’s Bush and as a child she had her hair cut in a barber’s shop close by. Later, the family moved down to Cornwall, and she used to return to the Bush from time to time to visit relatives, but doesn’t remember if the shop was still there Continue reading
The Brook Green Hotel, 170 Shepherd’s Bush Road, London W6
Built as a hotel in 1886, the premises were originally a Coach House which was owned by the Swail family until Young’s Brewery purchased it in 1944. It is said that the original Brook flows underneath the building. A review in 1981 described the Brook Green Hotel as ‘a two-bar pub that was once a Continue reading