The Raven came into existence in 1839 and it didn’t surprise me to learn that it was originally a stable block. Formerly known as ‘The Raven Tavern’, the name is supposed to be linked to the old Ravenscourt Manor House and the park. The Manor House was at one time surrounded by a moat fed Continue reading
Category: West London
The Rutland Arms, 15 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, London W6
Situated close to Hammersmith Bridge, this riverside pub is said to have been established in 1849 and then re-built in its present form around 1870/80. The Hammersmith Regatta in August 1921 was in aid of the West London Hospital and the prizes were presented on the balcony of the West End Boathouse which used to Continue reading
The Friends of Wormholt Park Are Raffling a Pair of W12 Club Hospitality Tickets
The Friends of Wormholt Park are a voluntary group who do a magnificent job looking after the park. The park recently celebrated its 100th birthday. Bob Still, Chair of Friends of Wormholt Park, informs me that Winkworths in the Uxbridge Road have kindly donated a pair of W12 hospitality tickets for the match against Aston Continue reading
Russell Grant Backs the Campaign to Save Cooke’s & the Victorian Buildings in the Goldhawk Road
As some of you will know, Hammersmith and Fulham Council intend to allow a developer to demolish the Victorian buildings that make up 30-52 Goldhawk Road, which includes of course the very popular pie and mash establishment, Cooke’s. The Goldhawk Road shopkeepers have united against the plan and have spent a huge amount of their Continue reading
Halt ! For Gootness Sake der ‘Bushmen‚’ Are in Sight & They Mean Bizzness
The title doesn’t refer to a warning given out to the other Premier League Clubs, but it actually comes from a WW1 propaganda postcard that I have in my collection. It looked interesting when I purchased it and realised of course, that it might not even have any connection with the Bush. Later on closer Continue reading
The Crown & Sceptre, 57 Melina Road, London W12 – Part One
George Evans’s dad used to work behind the bar years ago and one thing that he remembers well that is, ‘every Christmas the blokes from the BBC would do the place up with all fancy lights. A couple of the well known ‘chaps’ used to get in there from time to time.’ Jimmy Murray also Continue reading
Never Felt More Like Whistling The Blues.
‘Singing the Blues’ was written by Melvin Endsley in 1956. Guy Mitchell had a big hit single with it and Tommy Steele’s version also topped the charts in January 1957. Numerous other artists have also covered the song. Then Rangers’ fans adapted it many years ago and it’s been heard quite a few times this Continue reading
The First Attempt To Blow Up Hammersmith Bridge.
Three times Irish Republicans have attempted to blow up Hammersmith Bridge. The first incident was in 1939 and there were to be two further attempts in 1996 and 2000 respectively and as we know, thankfully all failed. Maurice Childs, a hairdresser from Chiswick, was walking across the bridge in the early hours of the morning Continue reading
The Campaign To Save 30-52 Goldhawk Road From Demolition.
On 20th September, Coll McDonnell brought us the news on facebook that the Victorian shops on the Goldhawk Road, numbered 30 to 52, are threatened with demolition: ‘It has come to my attention that Hammersmith and Fulham Council want to make “improvements” to Shepherds Bush Market. While some of the suggestions may be welcome, the Continue reading
Was There A Poltergeist At 321 Kilburn High Road, NW6 In 1949 ?
On the 25th February 1949, the Willesden Chronicle covered the following strange story on its front cover, regarding some very intense poltergeist activity at the American Shoe Stores Ltd, 321 Kilburn High Road, NW6, titled: ‘Kilburn Workshop Is Haunted.’ A Poltergeist or mischievous spirit is said to be haunting the shoe repairing dept. of the Continue reading