Robotaxis rollout delay welcomed by Brent Green Party

Brent Green Party Councillor Suzanne Gallagher and Councillor Amandine Alexandre organised a protest against Waymo in Harlesden on May 22nd. They are asking the Mayor of London to hit pause on the robotaxis trial. Photo: Suzanne Gallagher 

 

  

Earlier this year, Londoners were led to believe by Keir Starmer’s government, Brent Labour leadership and big tech companies that the introduction of robotaxis in the capital was essential, inevitable and imminent. 

 

However, since April, when a serious Waymo incident happened in Harlesden, a coalition formed by Brent Green Party, trade unions and campaigning group Pull the Plug has been challenging this narrative and asking Sadiq Khan to hit pause on the robotaxis trial. 

 

Now, just over three weeks after Brent Green Party members, trade unionists, local transport workers and residents protested outside Waymo’s depot in Park Royal, the FT has revealed that driverless vehicles are unlikely to be introduced in London this year. 

 

TFL is not in a rush to publish regulatory guidance for driverless companies, and the Transport Committee of the London Assembly is yet to publish the result of its investigation on Autonomous Passenger Vehicles.

 

Councillor Amandine Alexandre, Green Party councillor for Harlesden and Kensal Green said:

This delay is a win for all the people who have been lifting up the veil on the negative impact robotaxis would have on jobs, road safety, privacy, but also safeguarding of our children, and our environment. This spanner in the wheel of extractive tech companies will be welcomed by the majority of Londoners. According to a YouGov poll published in July, 42% of us are opposed to the roll-out of so-called Autonomous Vehicles. 

 

Londoners have a lot of issues to battle with day-to-day - a suffocating rising cost of living, unaffordable housing and extreme heat. Improving their quality of life and protecting their jobs, and their health, should be the priority of the Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. 

 

AI-powered vehicles that generate tons of data stored in water and energy-hungry data centres are not the future of London. Londoners are the future of London.

NOTES 

•   Harlesden Says No to Waymo is a Brent Green Party campaign that was launched at the end of April 2026 after a WAYMO vehicle drove through a live police cordon on Harlesden High Street on April 22nd while officers were investigating a double stabbing.
•  A petition was launched at the same time and has gathered so far almost 450 signatures. 

Sandra White, Harlesden community leader, to oversee £20 million investment programme in her community

 

Sandra White

 

From Brent Council

Sandra White has been offered the role of Independent Chair of the Neighbourhood Board that will decide how £20 million will be spent to improve Harlesden – part of the government’s Pride in Place programme –over the next 10 years.

Pride in Place is a major government investment programme, designed to deliver visible improvements in places across the country that are facing high inequalities.

Subject to completing the formal appointment process, Sandra will lead the Harlesden Neighbourhood Board, which will develop a long-term plan for the area and ensure that decisions about how the money is spent are made by and for local people.

It builds on recent investment in Harlesden town centre, including the transformation of the iconic Picture Palace into a new community hub, the restoration of historic buildings on Harlesden High Street, and the celebration of cultural heritage with the Harlesden Walk of Music. Together, these improvements to public spaces provide a strong foundation for the next phase of community-led change in Harlesden.

Sandra brings extensive community leadership experience to the role. A Harlesden resident for more than 20 years, she has worked with young people and supported a wide range of community initiatives across the area. She has a longstanding commitment to Harlesden and its diverse communities and has played a key role in community-led decision-making, most recently serving as Chair of the Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: "Pride in Place represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Harlesden. The success of the programme will depend on strong local leadership and genuine community involvement, and Sandra brings both in abundance. Her experience, credibility and deep connection to the area make her an outstanding choice to lead the Neighbourhood Board as we begin this exciting new chapter for Harlesden."

Georgia Gould MP for Queen's Park and Maida Vale said: “Sandra has a proven track record of bringing people together and delivering for the diverse, creative and entrepreneurial community in Harlesden.

“I have seen firsthand her passion for Harlesden and commitment to community led change and I know she will make sure that Harlesden’s residents are leading this programme.

“I am really excited by the huge interest there has been in being part of Pride in Place, and I am looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life.”

Sandra White said: "Harlesden has been my home for more than 20 years, and it is a place and community I care about deeply, so I am genuinely honoured and excited to have been offered the role.

“This investment gives us a rare opportunity not simply to change how Harlesden looks, but to help strengthen and heal our community, build on the incredible talent, creativity and resilience that already exists here, and create new opportunities for our young people and future generations.

“I want this to be a chance for Harlesden to show what is beautiful about our neighbourhood, while also being honest about the challenges we face. I look forward to bringing everyone together to shape a shared vision and create lasting change that Harlesden can truly be proud of."

Harlesden is one of two Brent neighbourhoods selected to receive Pride in Place funding over the next decade, alongside St Raphael’s Estate. The Chair for St Raphael’s will be announced in due course.

If you have an idea for how the money should be spent in Harlesden or St Raphael’s, share it with the Neighbourhood Board by filling out an online form.

 

Harlesden Says No to Waymo - read and sign the petition if you agree with the reasoned argument put forward

 

We petition the Mayor of London to:

• Implement an immediate moratorium on the expansion of the Waymo pilot until a transparent safety audit is completed.

• Publish a full log of all safety breaches, "near misses", and traffic violations involving autonomous vehicles in London to date.

Why is this important?

Over the last few weeks, American company WAYMO has been testing autonomous vehicles in Harlesden and across London. On 22 April, a WAYMO vehicle drove through a live police cordon on Harlesden High Street while officers were investigating a double stabbing.


We, the undersigned, call on the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) to immediately suspend the trial and roll out of Waymo autonomous vehicles on London’s streets. We further request a police investigation into near misses and other incidents where public safety was at risk. 

REASONS FOR THIS PETITION

The current rollout of Waymo autonomous vehicles (AVs) across London, and specifically within the Harlesden area, is proceeding without adequate democratic oversight or proven safety protocols for complex urban environments. Our concerns are based on the following:

1. Breach of Police Cordons: Footage has emerged of a Waymo vehicle in Harlesden breaching a live police line. Such actions constitute "wilful obstruction" of the police. If a driver of a regular vehicle had committed this act, they would likely be under investigation and could face criminal prosecution. We cannot allow a "two-tier" justice system where corporate AI is exempt from the laws that govern Londoners.

2. Unresolved Safety Risks: Autonomous vehicles are struggling to navigate the "edge cases" of London’s busy streets, including responding to emergency sirens, physical police barriers, and the unpredictable movements of pedestrians and cyclists in high-density areas like Harlesden.

3. Lack of Community Consent: Residents in Brent have not been adequately consulted on this trial. Public streets are being treated as a laboratory for unproven technology without a clear framework for liability when things go wrong.

4. Extra traffic on our roads: if Waymo or any other autonomous vehicles are allowed on the streets of London, that will lead to extra traffic on our roads. It will further compromise the Mayor of London's traffic reduction aims, led by Sadiq Khan, focus on reducing overall traffic volumes by 10-15% by 2041 and cutting car kilometres by 27% by 2030 to meet Net Zero and health targets. We need more accessible and affordable public transport, instead of more cars on our roads.

5. Vision Zero Compromise : The Mayor’s "Vision Zero" strategy aims to eliminate road danger. Introducing vehicles that fail to recognise and respect police cordons is a direct contradiction of this safety goal.

 

IF YOU AGREE SIGN HERE 

International Reggae Day in Harlesden Tuesday July 1st starting at 4pm

 

Calvin Robinson, defrocked turbulent priest, has Brent political and religious connections

 

Calvin Robinson at Christ Church, Harlesden, 2022

Calvin Robinson giving a salute, resembling a Nazi salute, at National Pro-Life summit in the U.S.

I first met Calvin Robinson when he was a by-election candidate in Kilburn back in 2016. Tall and lean, of mixed parentage and with a huge afro, he was not your typical Brent Conservative candidate. He did not win the by-election nor the Camden by-election that followed.  His adherence to the Rightwing Henry Jackson Society should have been a warning.

He joined the Brent nest of rightwingers when he became a governor at Michaela School in Wembley, where Suella Braverman had been the founding Chair of Governors. 

Robinson moved on from the Conservative Party to support the Brexit Party as a candidate in 2019 and in August lst year became the lead spokesperson for UKIP. He was dismissed from GB News in 2023 following his support for Dan Wootton who had been suspended over Laurence's controversial comments on Wootton's show.

Robinson was a Free Church of England deacon of Christ Church in Harlesden and then a priest in the Nordic Catholic Church. Moving to the U.S. he joined the Anglican Catholic Church until they defrocked him following the Nazi salute incident.

The Church said:

While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition.

In a personal statement Robinson said:

My attempt at dry wit, in that typical British way, was not a joke at the expense of WWII, nor an admission of my membership in the Nationalist Socialist Party. That would be an incredibly ignorant and bad faith assumption to make. The responses are very telling, though. The people who understand, cheer – those who have eyes to see. The people who do not want to understand, reach for their pitchforks. They have found a new channel for their hated. They remain in my prayers; may the Lord soften their hearts.

Where Robinson will go now is anybody's guess but he will certainly not be avoiding the limelight. The publicity may well have brought him to the attention of one Donald Trump. 

Watch this space.

 

 

Join the Harlesden People’s Community Council for the national launch of their campaign to get Bridge Park added to the National Heritage List for England.

 

From Harlesden People's Community Council

Join the Harlesden People’s Community Council for the national launch of their campaign to get Bridge Park added to the National Heritage List for England.

HPCC's transformation of Stonebridge Bus Garage into Europe’s largest Black-led community enterprise is an extraordinary story of community action and resilience.

The trailblazing initiative saw an underserved community harness local craftsmanship and creativity to transform an old industrial building into a pioneering centre for Black excellence and self-empowerment. 

This exciting event will bring together founding members of the Harlesden People's Community Council, along with experts from UCL's Bartlett School of Architecture and Sarah Parker Remond Centre, to discuss the significance of Bridge Park, its role in expanding the way we think about heritage, and the current threat of demolition by Brent Council.

You’ll also hear from celebrated actor and Bridge Park alumnus Ray Fearon, who will reflect on how the centre helped shape his career. 

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 23rd January 2025
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Location: Harrie Massey Lecture Theatre, University College London, 25 Gordon Street, WC1H 0AY
• RSVP: https://savebridgepark.eventbrite.co.uk 

Please RSVP through our Eventbrite link to confirm your attendance. The venue is wheelchair accessible and is just a short walk from Euston Station. 

We strongly encourage Harlesden residents and Bridge Park users to attend and show their support for this important cause. The Overground and the 18 bus both go directly to Euston.

Two sides of Brent as community mount a fire rescue and a woman dies in a shooting

 It was a real mixed 'Brent weekend' with the community coming  together to save people from a serious fire in Willesden LINK and the dreadful news of a female dying in a fatal shooting in Harlesden LINK. Our thanks go out to the life savers in Willesden and our sympathy to the family and friends of the Harlesden victim.

My thanks to Michael Roberts of the Michael Styles hair salon in High Road, Willesden for permission to publish the videos he posted on Next Door and other social media:  first hand account of the rescue and the struggle to get help for a hearing impaired man in the aftermath.

 

Michael Roberts has set up a Funding page for Albert to help him get back on his feet.

Statement from Cllr Muhammed Butt after female fatality at Harlesden shooting

 Following the tragic news of the fatal shooting of a woman in Harlesden, The Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt has issued a statement. 

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said:

Along with everyone in Brent, I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that a woman has tragically died following a fatal shooting on Gifford Road, Harlesden, last night, which also left two other people injured.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s loved ones and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time.

While incidents like this are rare in our borough, I know it will cause concern within our community. I want to reassure everyone that we are working closely with residents, partners and the police to make sure our residents feel safe and supported.

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact the Metropolitan Police on 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD7137/14Dec.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

Campaign to list Bridge Park as a 'site of national architectural and historic interest' to be launched in the new year

Wembley Matters has covered the long struggle by the Stonebridge and Harlesden community over Bridge Park and it is not over yet.  (Type in 'Bridge Park' in the search box). Many locals were sceptical of the plans revealed recently at the public exhibition  LINK on Brent Council's proposals, and in conversation stressed the contribution Bridge Park had made to local black history. At the very least a panel about its history was suggested for the new building.

Harlesden People's Community Council has gone further and launched a campaign for the original building to be listed and have won the backing of Lord Boateng, former MP for Brent East.

HPPC explain:

Bridge Park was the brainchild of the Harlesden People’s Community Council, a cooperative formed in 1981 against the backdrop of the Brixton uprising by a group of young Black residents of Stonebridge Estate. Between 1982 and 1988, the group spearheaded the transformation of Stonebridge Bus Garage into a dynamic community complex that championed Black excellence and self-empowerment.

 

Alongside state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facilities, Bridge Park housed Brent's first Information Technology Centre, a creche for working mothers, start-up units for local businesses, and a 24-track recording studio. The centre played an integral role in preventing a race uprising in Harlesden throughout the turbulent 1980s and remains an outstanding, early example of community-led adaptive reuse in England. 

 

“Bridge Park is one of the most important developments I have seen in this country for a long time. [...] It is the most remarkable example of a community getting together and being determined with an inspired leadership to work against what must have been impossible odds to create this kind of centre for the community.”

King Charles III

 

“The Bridge Park Complex is a profoundly significant building because of its provenance in local government transportation and community use. There could be no finer tribute to Leonard Johnson and Brent community activism than it being granted listed status.”

The Rt Hon Lord Boateng

 

In 2017, Bridge Park was sold by Brent Council to a developer. Local campaigners fought back, but in 2020 they lost their High Court challenge against the sale of the site, leaving Bridge Park and its cultural legacy at risk of erasure. Listed status would help safeguard the centre for future generations and mark its importance as site of national architectural and historic interest. 

 

HPCC's aims:

1. To honour the remarkable achievements of Leonard Johnson and the Harlesden People's Community Council.

2. To recognise a more representative and diverse heritage through the National Heritage List for England.

3. To open up the possibility of an alternative redevelopment proposal that focuses on reactivating Bridge Park's existing fabric and re-establishing a community-led approach to its governance.

4. To foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Stonebridge/Harlesden'scultural identity and in doing so, act as a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable, and culture-led regeneration in the area.

 

HPPC held a public meeting on Sunday 24th November 2024 at Brent Hub Community Enterprise Centre to discuss their campaign to get Bridge Park Community Centre added to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). The meeting was attended by local residents and a number of Brent councillors, including Kathleen Fraser, Tony Ethapemi, Abdi Aden, and council leader Muhammed Butt. 

 

During the meeting, HPCC members Mike Wilson and Lawrence Fearon presented an overview of Bridge Park’s history, highlighting the site's cultural significance and impact. The presentation was followed by a video message (extract below) from award-winning British actor Ray Fearon, who shared how Bridge Park had played a pivotal role in his journey to stardom and voiced his strong support for the listing campaign.

 

.

 

Rebecca Markus, a recent graduate of the Bartlett School of Architecture (BSA) at University College London, who helped initiate the campaign, then provided insight into the listing process. She was joined by Edward Denison, Professor of Architecture and Global Modernities at the BSA, who shared his expertise and told local residents that if they decide to move forward with listing they have the BSA’s full support.

 

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session giving attendees the opportunity to voice their opinions and provide feedback. A verbal vote was then taken to determine whether residents wanted to proceed with the listing application.

 

“We're thrilled to hear a resounding ‘yes’ from the local community to move forward with the campaign,” said Mike Wilson. “The public meeting was a key moment to introduce residents to the idea of listing Bridge Park, assess community interest, and engage in meaningful discussion with local councillors about how listing could be integrated with current redevelopment plans. The strong community support voiced here today underscores the importance of safeguarding a place that holds deep social, cultural, and historical significance for the Black community.”

 

A number of questions were directed to Brent Council’s leader, Muhammed Butt, challenging the rationale behind the proposed demolition of Bridge Park. Attendees questioned the argument that the building is no longer fit for purpose, suggesting instead that retrofitting Bridge Park would not only preserve the structure but also accelerate the delivery of essential community facilities while being more environmentally sustainable.

 

Several residents also voiced concerns about not being properly consulted on the council's new plans, emphasizing that this was not in line with the recommendations of Judge Michael Green QC in London Borough of Brent v Johnson [2020], where he stated in his concluding remarks: “Now that the legal issues have been resolved in my judgment, I would again urge the parties to move on and seek to achieve, by mutual co-operation and agreement, the best outcome for Bridge Park and the local community.”

 

The Harlesden People’s Community Council invites local residents and interested members of the public to join them for a national launch hosted by the BSA on Thursday 23rd January 2025 from 6 to 8pm at the Harrie Massey Lecture Theatre, 25 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AY. 

 

Rumi's Kitchen Reimagined: A New Chapter at 120 Craven Park Road and it is wonderful

 I was so impressed by seeing this on Rumi's Newsletter today that I felt I must share it with you. They have done a beautiful transformation job on this Harlesden building and their work contributes so much to the community.

Harlesden and Kensal Green councillors pledge to campaign for a change in the law after approval of Adult Gaming Centre

 Harlesden and Kensal Green Labour councillors have posted a Facebook comment on the approval of another Adult Gaming Centre by Brent Planning Committee.

We continue to stand up for the residents of #Harlesden and #KensalGreen who are fed up with our neighbourhood being targeted by gambling companies. This week Cllr Chan spoke at the Planning Committee in opposition to the application from Silvertime for a new high street casino on Park Parade, and Cllr Kelcher spoke at Licensing Committee in opposition to the application from Merkur for a new bingo site on the High Street. Unfortunately, the law as it currently operates severely limits the ability of Councils to block these facilities, which is why we’re campaign at a national level.

A little local history...

Plans for a Las Vegas style £320m casino and hotel complex for Wembley Park was put forward by Quintain and Caesars Entertainment back in 2004.  Quintain were not happy when it was turned down:

24 August 2006

Developer Quintain is forced to put forward alternative plan following Brent council's decision

The London Borough of Brent has withdrawn its support for a regional casino in the area meaning developer Quintain will have to progress with alternative plans on the proposed site.

Quintain’s joint venture with Caesar’s Entertainment has now lapsed as the developer will need to come up with an alternative plan for the site which is capable of accommodation up to 203,000 sq m of development.

Nick Shattock, Quintain’s deputy chief executive said: “We are not surprised by this turn of events. Of course, we were aware that both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives campaigned on an electoral ticket to stop the regional casino coming to Brent. Obviously, when they formed a joint administration in July, excluding the Labour party members, who had made the application, there was an increasing air on inevitability of this course of action.”

 

 April 2012 

QUINTAIN Estates and Development is confident of winning Government approval to build a new super-casino at Wembley.

Nick Shattock, Quintain's property director, said he was 'OKî with the Government's latest backtracking on the number of large casinos it would allow nationwide, down to eight at the last count.

He said: 'If it is eight there is just a bigger prize to be chased.’

Quintain unveiled plans in October to build a £335 million gambling and leisure resort on land it owns near the new Wembley stadium in a joint venture with Las Vegas casino owner Caesars Entertainment.

The developer would split the cost with Las Vegas casino owner, Caesars Entertainment in a joint venture to transform a 650,000-square-foot site on the land around the stadium owned by Quintain.

The plans for the complex include a 400 room hotel, a casino to house 110 gaming tables and 1,250 slot machines, numerous restaurants, shops and a performance area.

Battle over another Adult Gaming Centre in Harlesden at Planning Committee tonight

 

The premises

The latest chaper in the battle over an additional Adult Gaming  Centre (AGC) in Harlesden takes place at Planning Committee tonight after a number of applications and Planning Inspectorate appeals.

It pits ward councillors and 19 objectors who oppose the application against the recommendation to approve it made by planning officers.

The Harlesden and Kensal Green ward councillors are Mili Patel, who is deputy leader of Brent Council; Matt Kelcher, who is chair of Brent Planning Committee, and Jumbo Chan.

Clearly officers are seeking to avoid yet another appeal by the applicant to the Planning Inspectorate and rely on some changes in the application and its context to recommend approval.

The narrowest one is the proportion of AGC shop fronts in the area which has been reduced by one such shop front coverting to retail.  The quota is 3% and with this application at 5-6 Park Parade comes in at 2.74%.

 The Officers Report states:

In summary, the proposed change of use would not result in an unacceptable over-concentration of Adult Gaming Centres as defined within the Council’s adopted policies, it therefore would not harm the vitality and viability of Harlesden Town Centre. The proposed development is in accordance with to DMP 1 and BE5 of the Brent Local Plan 2019-2041. The principle of development is in accordance with the Council’s policies and the London Plan and therefore is considered acceptable.

 The proposal is now for one Adult Gaming Centre unit in the double fronted shop rather than an AGC plus betting shop as previously. 

The concern over the impact on crime and anti-social behaviourof another AGC preying on a vulnerable population is undermined by the Planning Inspector's findings:

Comments were received raising concern that the use would result in crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, noting the Police objected to a previous applications. Previous comments from the Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team suggested that adult gaming centres were driver for anti-social behaviour, maps were previously provided showing the location a concentration of anti-social behaviour, violence and drug offences. The comments noted a concentration around the Jubilee Clock and Silvertime gaming centre. The Safer Neighbourhood Teams raised similar concerns with the Appeal Scheme (Appeal Ref:

APP/T5150/W/21/3269557) , a list of offences were submitted and the Inspector was furnished with this.

The Inspector did not support the Local Planning Authorities view in terms of crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder, at paragraph 16 of the Appeal Decision (Appeal Ref: APP/T5150/W/21/3269557) they stated

‘The Council have detailed concerns relating to crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour including comments from local residents and bodies, the Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the Metropolitan Police. The Harlesden area is identified as an area of high deprivation with unemployment and homelessness levels generally high. There is no unequivocal link presented to me between these matters and the proposal which would result in a single AGC leading to a harmful effect on crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.'

 Planning Officers' conclude:

The principle of development is acceptable and would not result in an over concentration of AGCs within Harlesden Town Centre as defined within the council's planning policies or result in harm to the vitality and viability of the town centre. The proposed development is considered to be acceptable in terms of impact to character and appearance of the subject property and the wider streetscene and the development would preserve the character of the Harlesden Conservation Area. The proposed development is not considered to have an adverse impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties.

 

Subject to conditions, the proposed use would be acceptable and not result in harm to the locality and neighbouring occupiers. The proposal is considered to be in general accordance with the development plan having regard to material considerations.

Approval is accordingly recommended.

 

 The full Officers' Report is HERE

The meeting is in the Conference Hall of Brent Civic Centre at 6pm tonight. It is also live streamed HERE.

British Reggae Allbums Covers Exhibition - Talks and Music - Monday October 14th 6.30-8.30pm at Harlesden Library

 

Cleaner Greener Harlesden Drop-in Wednesday 18th September Harlesden Library 4.30pm-7.30pm

 

Some forthcoming British Empire Exhibition talks you may wish to enjoy

 Guest post by local historian Philip Grant

 

Some images from Burma at the British Empire Exhibition

 

If you have found my recent articles about the Pageant of Empire in 1924 of interest, you might like to discover more about the British Empire Exhibition from one (or more) of the three illustrated talks I will be giving over the next few weeks, as part of its centenary.

 

The first, “The Jewel of Wembley – Burma at the BEE”, is on Friday 20 September, from 7.30 to 9pm, in St Andrew’s Church Hall, Kingsbury. This is at regular monthly meeting of Wembley History Society, but visitors are welcome [we just invite a contribution of £3 (£1 for students) towards the cost of the hall]. All the details you should need are here:

 

 

One of the aspects of the Exhibition’s history that I am most keen on is the perspective of people who came here from the countries of the Empire, rather than just the “official” British view. The album on which much of my talk is based contains dozens of newspaper cuttings and photographs. One of the most intriguing of which is an article by a female journalist of her interview with Ma Bala Hkin, the leading actress and dancer of the Burmese theatre troupe at the Exhibition.

 

One of the headlines from the “Evening News” article.

 

If you want to know what Ma Bala thought of the English women she saw in Wembley in 1924, you should come along to my talk!

 

The second of my talks, “A Harlesden Photographer at the B.E.E. – the West Indies at Wembley in 1924”, is a free coffee morning event at Harlesden Library, on Tuesday 8 October from 11am to 12noon. 

 

 

Back in the 1990s, Wembley History Society received a donation of photographs, together with some glass plate negatives, showing images of the Exhibition in 1924, especially from inside the West Indies Pavilion. They were the work of a little-known local photographer, whose stamp was on the back of some of the prints:

 

Harlesden Library seemed the ideal place to present this talk, and you can find more details and reserve your free place on the Brent Libraries, Arts and Heritage Eventbrite website. This talk is part of the Becoming Brent project, re-examining the British Empire Exhibition and its legacy.

  

The final talk I will be giving in the Exhibition’s centenary year is “When Wembley Welcomed the World”. This is being hosted by Preston Community Library on the afternoon of Sunday 27 October (exact time and further details will follow). It will be a free event, but with donations to the work of the community library invited from those who attend.

 

 

This illustrated talk is an introduction to the various nations which took part in the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park in 1924, and their people who came here for the event, but then moves on to show how Wembley has continued to welcome people from across the world ever since the 1920s.

 

I hope that “Wembley Matters” readers will find something of interest in these presentations, and I look forward to welcoming you to any of these events.

 

Philip Grant.