The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 14th May 1915: Probably the most riotous doings in the district were those which were enacted in Askew Road, where the smashing up of the facades of two different establishments went on simultaneously. The premises in question were both bakers’ shops. One, which was carried Continue reading
Category: West London
The Summons taken out in 1927 against Harry Kirby, a Bookmaker from Ladbroke Grove
The following article comes from a 1927 daily newspaper: ‘At the West London Police Court yesterday Mr Marshall heard the summons taken out at the instance of the National Anti-Gambling League against a bookmaker named Harry Kirby, of Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, for having on four days in September: “At a certain place at the Continue reading
The Dale Youth ABC are planning to re-open in August following the Tragic Fire at Grenfell Tower
Mick Delaney is a top boxing coach and has been associated with the famous Dale Youth ABC for over 40 years. The Club’s gym was situated at the bottom of Grenfell Tower and Mick is planning to re-locate to another premises in Ladbroke Grove. Matt Christie wrote the following article for Boxing News: ‘Boxing News Continue reading
The Grenfell Tower Fire
We are truly horrified to hear the unfolding news of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower. Our sincerest thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected. Whilst the full scale of the disaster is yet to be known, we fully support and applaud all efforts by Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club to assist the victims, their Continue reading
Graham Moffatt, formerly of 64 Godolphin Road, London W12
Godolphin Road dates back to 1874. It was named after Sir William Godolphin (1634-96), who had left some land for charity and from the accrued rent Godolphin School came into fruition in 1856. Growing up at No.64 Godolphin Road was Graham Moffatt. Born on 6th December 1919, his father, Frederick, was an ex-soldier and his Continue reading
Weston’s Cider House – 339 Harrow Road, London W9
My father told me a few tales about ‘Weston’s Cider House’, cheap “Lunatic Soup” cider, served by men in white coats! There was sawdust on the floor and sometimes you’d need a boat to get to the WC as most of the piss was on the floor. Not a place to bring a first date! Continue reading
When there was an Outbreak of Highway Damage by Treasure-Seekers in Shepherd’s Bush (and Beyond)
The following article appeared in the Cornish & Devon Post on 30th January 1904: George Stevenson, twenty-four, plasterer, was brought up at West London Police-court, on a charge of wilfully damaging the surface of the highway on Loftus-road, Shepherd’s Bush. A police-constable said he saw defendant scraping the earth away from the roots of trees Continue reading
Memories of Paddington
Born and brought up in Paddington, with family connections that go back well over a hundred years, ‘Paddington Paul’ was an obvious choice for me for a user name on this site. The first mention of Paddington is as ‘Paddintun’. ‘Tun’ being the Saxon word for a fortified farm. It is mentioned in documents that Continue reading
The Ealing Theatre/Hippodrome – Formerly Located at 22, Ealing Broadway, London W5
The theatre dominates the right-hand side of the postcard (circa 1907) shown below, with the tower and right-hand spire and the elaborate gable bearing the name ‘Ealing Theatre’ in the centre. A hall of variety was Ealing’s sole place of entertainment in 1832. It stood next to the New Inn in St. Mary’s Road and Continue reading
London’s Smallest Houses in 1926 were situated in Notting Hill and off the Bayswater Road
The following article appeared in an issue of ‘Wonderful London’ magazine in 1926. ‘At No.10, Hyde Park Place, a street off the Bayswater Road near Lancaster Gate Tube Station, the quaint dwelling seen in the upper photograph is to be found. No one seems to know how it got there. Tradition says it was built Continue reading