Category: West London

Formerly the Pavilion, the cinema at 58, Shepherd’s Bush Green reopened in 1955 as the Gaumont. ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was released a year later in the UK. The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 31st August: ‘Reports of near-riots at the Gaumont, Shepherd’s Bush, when ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was shown Continue reading

A couple of months ago, Bill in Harrow phoned BBC Radio London to contribute to Robert Elms’ excellent ‘Notes & Queries’. He told Robert what he knew about the time his wife’s step-grandad climbed Nelson’s Column. The following article appeared in the local press on 19th April 1946: ‘People at Trafalgar Square on Saturday could Continue reading

The Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary took place on this day in 1911 at Westminster Abbey. The two following articles later appeared in the West London Observer: Here, the traders, with enthusiastic goodwill, had vied with each other to make the road as bright as possible after dark, and they succeeded. Numbers Continue reading

The news that Barry McGuigan would fight in London for the World Featherweight title was all over the press and the media in April 1985. Not only was the fight with Panama’s Eusebio Pedroza in London but it was to be staged at Loftus Road. The fight was shown live on BBC TV and also Continue reading

The following article appeared in the Hammersmith & Bush Gazette on 10th February 1966: ‘A Hammersmith group who started practicing in a garage are now stealing the local limelight. Calling themselves the “John Brown’s Bodies,” these five Hammersmith boys plan to entertain professional audiences before the year is out. The group came into existence when Continue reading

Situated virtually next to ’The Seven Stars’, the Park Cinema opened its doors at 6pm on 27th June 1912. Prior to its opening the following article appeared on 16th May in ‘The Bioscope’, titled: ‘Application Against a Shepherd’s Bush Cineatograph Company.’ ‘In the Chancery Division on Friday, before Mr Justice, on behalf of the occupier Continue reading

Following his wedding in early 1929, legendary Notting Dale boxer, Alf Mancini, was set to make his come-back against Carlo Galbusera at Rangers’ Loftus Road on 1st June. A report appeared in the West London Observer on the following Friday: ‘There were two striking features about the open-air boxing tournament which was held at the Continue reading

Earlier in the year I purchased a CD collection of old Music Hall songs entitled: ‘Hullo! London Town’, which included one from 1916 about the Bush: ‘Dear Old Shepherd’s Bush.’ Performed by Nat. D. Ayer it was co-written and composed by Nat. and Clifford F. Grey. ‘I’m so delighted, I’m so excited, With my folks Continue reading

This 1953 newspaper cutting is from a National Daily Newspaper. I think it appeared around Christmas time. ‘Tearful Lauren Roan, aged four and a half, didn’t think much of the occasion; but three-year-old Richard Marley gave Norman Wisdom grin for grin when TV visited Paddington Green Children’s Hospital yesterday. And when Norman gave his act, Continue reading

The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 28th July 1944: ‘There is someone else selling papers at the busy street corner in West London where for years “Old Stumpy”, the legless paper boy, had sat, perched on an upturned soap box, with a perpetual grin on his face and a quire of Continue reading