83 and 302 bus routes diverted in Kingsbury

 From TfL website

Bus Route 302 Disruption

Reason for disruption: PlannedWork

TUDOR GARDENS HA9: Road closed eastbound, from Monday 11 August 08:00 to Friday 5 September 17:00, due to Affinity Water works. During these works, ROUTES 83, N83 and 302 towards Golders Green and Mill Hill Broadway will be diverted via Salmon Street, Fryent Way and Kingsbury Road. STOPS NOT SERVED: Tudor Gardens (BC), Deanscroft Avenue (BD), Lavender Avenue (BE), Queensbury Road (P), Slough Lane (R), Kingsbury Green (S), Kingsbury/Pipers Green (H).

Additional Bus Route Information

Valid from: Mon 11th Aug 2025, 7:00AM UTC
Valid to: Fri 5th Sep 2025, 4:00PM UTC

 

Note: I did see one stop at The Paddocks bus stop but that may have been unofficial. It would be useful  to make it official for those bound for ASDA and Wembley Park - just walk up Kings Drive from the Paddocks bus stop

90 years ago my Uncle Ron lamented the loss of trees in Honeypot Lane

 

Honeypot Lane (Centre) 1923

 

 

Honeypot Lane beginning to be built up (1935)

When he was 18, my maternal Uncle Ronald (Jefferies) lived with the family in Church Drive, Kingsbury, having only recently moved from Peckham. They all enjoyed what remained of the countryside around Kingsbury, my mother often reminded us when we said we were bored that she used to jump over the ditches of the Welsh Harp and urge us to get off out from under her feet. My Aunt Muriel worked at Bush Farm in Kingsbury during World War 2 and she and my mother kept a pair of goats in the garage of their Crundale Avenue home!

 

When a child my mother looked up to her big brother Ron who tried to educate her about Shakespeare, poetry and music and he clearly made a big impact. He later joined the Communist Party and as an ETU shop steward was indirectly involved in the 1961 controversy LINK.

 

Back in 1935 he was a romantic teenager and on Saturday 15th February wrote a poem about Honeypot Lane that was then undergoing development that seems to have involved the loss of woodland. It is a fairly typical teenage poem (I have some embarrassing examples of my own) but captures a moment of change in our area  that I thought was worth sharing:

 

Ronald Wilfred Jefferies

 

Thanks to Philip Grant for this photograph of Honeypot Lane probably taken around the time of Ron's poem.

 

The Lane

I mourn the loss dearest friend,

No more happy ways I wend,

Amidst thy green and shaded grove, 

Men will execute and move, 

What God gave for their delight,

And put instead an ugly sight,

 

The wind thunders in my ears,

It confirms, trees all they fears. 

'Tis the crack of doom for thee.

Gaunt fingers upraised you plea,

To a grey and windswept sky,

But all in void, for you must die,

 

As they shine through boughs and leaves, 

Moonlight or sunlight magic weaves,

A fairy web along the lane,

Shadows I'll never see again.

Farewell! Around another bend,

Perhaps there lurks some new friend.

 

Ronald Jefferies 

 

1976 - not currently available

 

The volume above contains some background on Honeypot Lane  LINK

 

There is something incredibly rural and homely about the name 'Honeypot Lane' and yet, in the late 20th century, it is an unsuitable and incongruous title for a highway which includes a dual carriageway for part of its length and many factory buildings along its eastern flank.

One explanation for its unusual name was given in Volume 3 but a reader has reminded us that there is at least one other probable reason for the 'Honeypot' title.  There was, and still is, an old country saying, "Stuck like bees on a honeypot", when referring to the effects of a strong adhesive.  Villagers used this expression when describing Honeypot Lane during wet weather, at which times the sticky nature of the moist clay made it almost impassable.  This theory is supported by the existence of another lane of the same name in Alperton, where similar conditions prevailed.

The history of this old lane stretches back over aeons of time; it has been trodden by the feet of armies, robbers and labourers - and even earlier by the Druids and possibly Stone Age men.  It was a brief stage on the long route which connected Dover with Brockley Hill, before continuing on to Holyhead.

It is quite an awe-inspiring thought when one considers that this route, which was once a path, then a track and later a lane, had altered very little in concept for more than two thousand years - until suddenly, in the late 1930s, the whole scene began to change radically.  Put another way, it means that the last forty years in which it has adopted the modern motor highway image represents less than one fiftieth of its known existence.

An interesting aspect of this revelation is that many residents who are not very much beyond the stage of middle age can clearly remember the old Honeypot Lane, which was alternately grassy and muddy, depending upon the season - and even with the advent of the 1930s - was still unmade.  One resident described it as a "one cart track.  Two carts could not pass unless the driver of one opened a gate and backed into a field".

The only signs of civilisation in its entire length were a few isolated cottages (four of which, namely Marsh Cottages, still remain near the 'Green Man'), a sewage farm and an isolation hospital, which later changed its function to that of a maternity centre.

The public house near the junction with Whitchurch Lane was built in the late 1930s but the previous establishment was more commonly known to the local residents as the 'Hog and Donkey'.  Other long-standing public houses in the Lane are The Queen of Hearts' and 'The Honeypot'.

 

Honeypot Lane 2021

 

John Betjeman, of course,  wrote nostalgically about Middlesex LINK:

Dear Middlesex,

Dear vanished country friend.

Your neighbour, London,

Killed you in the end. 

 But I wonder if anyone has written poetry about the more recent changes in Wembley Park, Northwick Park or Alperton? 

  

 

 

 

Police call for the suspension of Carlton Lounge's premises licence after stabbing incident

 

Photo: Carlton Lounge

Following the stabbing outside the Carlton Lounge/Tiger Bay in Kingsbury on May18th the police have applied for the suspension of its licence.  A decision will be made by the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Friday at 10am.

The police list a number of 'failings':

1) Police were called at 03:31 hours on Sunday 18th May 2025 by LAS - which had in turn received a 999 call from a man reporting a stabbing at Tiger Bay. On police and medic arrival, no casualty was present.

At 03:40 police had a call from a nurse at Northwick Park Hospital to report a man had come in with stab wounds.

 

2) CCTV shows a large-scale disorder immediately outside the venue from about 03:25 to 03:30, during which the victim received a stab wound and collapsed at the scene. He was taken to hospital by other people, before emergency services arrived. Estimated 20-25 people involved in the disorder.

 

3) There was no call from the venue staff or management to reports of the disorder, or anything else. Staff were present and witnessing events, and security personnel were involved in the disorder, in apparent attempts to separate people.

 

4) The suspect can be seen entering the venue at 02:00am, with others. There is no search of any of them, frisk, metal detector, wand or otherwise.

 

5) The suspect is later seen outside with a large knife, which was used in the disorder and appears to have been used to stab the victim, ultimately killing him (subject to pathology confirmation on cause of death).

 

6) Appears likely that the knife was in the suspect’s possession inside the venue.

 

7) Police body worn video (BWV) shows a manager telling an attending CID officer that the groups involved in the disorder had not been inside Tiger Bay before the disorder. This was untrue, as they had been and indeed most, if not all, of the people had come from inside Tiger Bay, some having been specifically ejected by the staff/security.

 

8) Police BWV shows the manager saying he thinks a bottle/bottles were involved. A customer approaches and says a knife was used and had been pulled out inside the venue. He was promptly ushered away by another manager/member of staff.

 

9) House to house enquiries revealed local residents complain there is frequently noisy anti-social behaviour from the venue.

 

Summary

 

This incident on 18 May 2025, constitutes serious crime and disorder, which has triggered this review. The Metropolitan Police have serious concerns that the premises management and staff members demonstrated a lack of control and failing to undertake pro-active searches. The staff initially indicated that the incident did not start in the venue and later retracted their statement, admitting that both groups were in fact inside the venue, where the altercation started.

 

Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, it is currently difficult to establish the full facts from a licensing perspective. However, from the information we have gathered so far, the Police have that the aforementioned points above demonstrate that the licensing objectives are not being upheld.

 

Police Recommendation – The Police request an immediate suspension of Carlton Lounge’s premises licence pending a full review due the level of seriousness of the incident.

 

There are many documents on the Agenda website many of which are are similar wording.  Below are an example of a comment for suspension and one in favour:

Dear Licensing Team,

 

Subject: Request for Confidentiality – Representation Regarding Carlton Lounge (Tiger Bay) I am submitting the attached representation in support of the review of the premises licence for Carlton Lounge (Tiger Bay), 232–234 Kingsbury Road, London, NW9 0BH.

 

Due to the serious nature of the incidents associated with this venue and the fear of potential retribution, I respectfully request that my personal details be withheld from the premises licence holder and any other parties not directly involved in the licensing authority’s internal process.

 

As a local resident, I am deeply concerned about the ongoing serious incidents linked to this venue, including criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, and consistent late-night disturbances. These have had a direct and damaging impact on the local community, creating a heightened sense of fear and unease among residents. There have been multiple occasions of violent disorder, noise nuisance, and other behaviours that clearly breach the licensing objectives—particularly those relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety. The presence of this venue in its current state has significantly deteriorated the quality of life for people living nearby.

 

The fact that people feel unsafe speaking out should be of grave concern and further supports the need for urgent and decisive intervention.

 

I strongly urge Brent Council to consider revoking the premises licence or imposing stringent new conditions that will prioritise the safety, peace, and wellbeing of the community.

 

I understand that under the Licensing Act 2003, representations usually need to be attributed to named individuals. However, I ask that you exercise your discretion under your powers to protect the identity of persons who may be at risk, and treat this representation with the appropriate level of confidentiality

 

 -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

My name is [] and I have dedicated 16 years to education, working as a [] across both primary and secondary schools. Now, as the [] and [] of based at [] in Brent, I continue my commitment to developing young people, instilling discipline, and providing opportunities through sport.

 

I am writing to express my full support for the premises licence held by Carlton Lounge (Tiger Bay), located at 232 - 234 Kingsbury Road, London, NW9 0BH.

 

Carlton Lounge has been a steadfast supporter of our []for the past seven years,  providing financial assistance that has directly benefited our  []. Their contributions have helped equip our young athletes with essential gear, allowing them to train, develop their skills, and build confidence in a structured and positive environment. Their sponsorship is not just about funding, it is about investing in young people, giving them opportunities to thrive both in sport and in life.

 

As someone who has personally overseen the development of young boxers within our programme, I can confidently say that Carlton Lounge has been a valued partner in supporting positive community initiatives. Their generosity has empowered children and young adults who may not otherwise have access to sporting opportunities, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, discipline, and self-belief.

 

Beyond their contributions to our [], Carlton Lounge has consistently demonstrated a commitment to operating responsibly as a licensed venue. Senior members from [] regularly attend Carlton Lounge for social sports events, and I can personally attest to the professional and well-managed environment they provide. We have never experienced or witnessed any antisocial behaviour linked to the premises, and the management team is proactive in ensuring a safe and welcoming space for their customers.

 

Carlton Lounge is more than just a hospitality venue, it is a place where people feel safe, supported, and valued. The team behind it is actively engaged in fostering community spirit. Their dedication to upholding licensing conditions, managing their establishment professionally, and supporting local initiatives speaks volumes about their role within our neighbourhood.

I firmly believe that the licensing authority should recognise the long-standing commitment of Carlton Lounge to compliance, community enrichment, and responsible venue management. Their contributions extend far beyond their premises, positively shaping the lives of young people and strengthening our local area.

On the third strike day The Village School strikers claim victory as all their demands met by Academy Trust

 

Undaunted and solid in their unity - today's picket line

NEU members at The Village School,  Kingsbury declared victory today as negotiations with the Academy Trust on the third day of the strike brought concessions from the Academy Trust that runs the school.

The union claims that they have won:

• Original leave of absence policy restored and uploaded 
• Reimbursement for all staff who lost money through the operation of the rogue policy
• Written agreement to operate in accordance with trust scheme of delegation which means 12 policies can only be changed by going through a six stage process which now requires mutual agreement first between trust and union reps at JCC
• Pledge in writing to honour our trade union recognition agreement and links to this placed on policy and trust websites
•  Email to staff clarifying that our position was correct 

Twenty new members joined the NEU during the strike and there were three days of picket lines of more than 60 people. More than 100 staff were on strike on each of the three days, leading to the school being shut. As this is an SEND (special school)  the majority of strukers were support staff. There were multiple messages of support from parents during the strike action and backing from Brent Trades Council and retired NEU members.

Jenny Cooper, on of the school NEU reps said:

When all else fails, don't despair: STRIKES WORK

 

 

 

 

 

NEU members at The Village special school in Kingsbury to strike tomorrow after paid leave cut

 

The Village School, Kingsbury

 

From Brent National Education Union

 

NEU members at The Village School, Brent- part of the Compass Learning Partnership academy trust- walk out tomorrow, angry that they have lost pay protections for pregnant and disabled staff among others

 

Teachers and support staff at the school have reached out to the Trustees to try to resolve and issue that began last year when a school policy was changed without consultation and resulted in pay cuts for staff needing hospital appointments, ante-natal appointments and carers’ leave. Trustees have acted against their own processes by not negotiating with unions and staff have been left out of pocket.

 

Over 100 members of the NEU will be on strike tomorrow and the school will be closed to all pupils. Pupils at the school have a range of complex needs, disabilities and autism.

 

Jenny Cooper of the NEU national executive, who also teachers at the school, has stated:

 

We have reached out to the trust multiple times to try to resolve this issue- the last thing we wanted was to strike- but they are not engaging with us. The Trust has four executives on salaries over £100000 but refuse to pay our frontline staff when they need to attend vital appointments. The school cannot operate without us; they will need to negotiate sooner or later

.

 

Roe Green Walled Garden Open Day Saturday May 17th 11am - 4pm

 

Fundraising Concert at St Andrew's Church, Kingsbury, May 24th - arias, songs and musicals

 

 CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS

 

Door open at 6.30pm

Interval refreshements available

Parking in Church car park

83 and 302  bus

Roe Green Walled Garden Open Day, Kingsbury, Saturday May 17th 11am-4pm

 

Have you seen muntjac deer in Kingsbury or Wembley? Passion Pictures would like to hear from you re London wildlife documentary

 

Muntjac deer in Chalkhill Open Space (Photo:  Jay Patel)

There have been confirmed sightings of muntjac deer in the ground of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove allotments and Chalkhill Open Space LINK. There have also been unconfirmed reports in Monks Park beside the River Brent.

The latter would require deer to use the tunnel beneath the railway line between North End Road and Brent River Trail.

You may not have seen then but heard them 'barking' LINK.

Passion Films have been in contact with Wembley Matters:  

We are Passion Pictures - an award-winning documentary film making company based here in London. We're making a film for BBC1 focusing on all the amazing wildlife and biodiversity that we can still see in the London area. 

I am aware you have seen muntjac deer in your area of Wembly - I would love to find out more about this!

How frequently you are seeing them and in what sorts of numbers.

Ideally we're looking for somewhere they are spotted regularly to film and ideally with some kind of urban back drop.

If you have seen muntjac in your area please give details in comments below or email:

nancyl@passion-pictures.com

 

AFFINITY WORKING ON BURST WATER MAIN IN THE MALL

 

UPDATE AT 21.10 SATURDAY

What we’re doing

Our repair team have stayed on The Mall and are continuing to repair the burst water main. As soon as we know how much longer this will take, we’ll let you know.

We’re really sorry for the disruption. We’re working hard to get your water flowing again soon.

Due to the traffic conditions, we’ve temporarily closed the road so our team can work safely. We’re really sorry if this causes any disruption to your journeys.

Once it is safe to do so, the road will be back open for you. We’re working hard to get things back to normal for you, but we really appreciate your patience at this time.

What you can do

Until we’ve sorted this, please avoid using your:

• Washing machine
• Dishwasher
• Electrical appliances that use water

If you still have water, we recommend you put some in your kettle or fridge for drinking in case your water needs switching off for the repair.

We’re really sorry about this, we’re working to get your water back to normal as soon as possible.

We added this message at 21:10 and we'll update it again after 08:00 on Sunday 25th August 2024

---

 

 

Some history events in Brent which may be of interest!

Guest post by local historian Philip Grant 

 

Passport of Lotte Rosendahl, issued in 1939. [The Jawne Team / Courtesy of Yael Nemenoff]

 

There is a variety of history events taking place locally over the next month or so, which you may not have heard or read about. Martin has kindly agreed that I can share the details with you, so that you can make the most of what is on offer, if they are of interest to you.

 

Already on, in the family space at Willesden Green Library, is a small exhibition which opened on Holocaust Memorial Day called "Kindertransport Children in Willesden". It tells the stories of some of the around 10,000 unaccompanied children who were brought to this country to escape the growing Nazi threat to Jews in German-controlled lands in 1938-39. The passport pictured above was issued to one of them. This exhibition is only available to view until 28 February.

 

 

Also taking place at Willesden Green Library, in the Exhibition Gallery on the second floor from Monday 19 February, is a major Brent Museum / Learning through the Arts exhibition: “The Road to Freedom – Ending Slavery in Britain”. This free exhibition will be on until the beginning of September (but if you go in the opening week, you can also see the Kindertransport exhibition in the same visit!).

 

It is only 190 years ago that slavery was finally abolished throughout the British Empire. I wrote about the inhuman stain of slavery (and the indentured labour which followed it) on our history, in an article last month about why we should commemorate the centenary of the British Empire Exhibition. 

 

The title of Nabil Al-Kinani’s talk on Friday 16 February.

 

As part of that commemoration, Wembley History Society is welcoming Nabil Al-Kinani, to share a different perspective at its meeting on Friday 16 February at 7.30pm. Nabil’s talk, on “Decolonising Wembley” will explore the legacy of the 1924 Exhibition, examining the attitudes of the time, and asking whether the 21^st Century developments in the Wembley Park area reflect a more modern and sensitive take on our post-colonial world. Visitors are welcome, for a small charge, at the Society’s meetings, which take place at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Kingsbury, NW9 8RZ.

 

Liam MacCarthy, and the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

 

One country which had recently been given semi-independent Dominion status, within the British Empire, in the early 1920s was the Irish Free State. Two men, whose names are now remembered through sporting trophies, for hurling and Gaelic football, are the subject of a much-anticipated talk at Willesden Green Library, on Thursday 14 March at 6.30pm. One was born in London, to Irish parents, while the other came to work here as a Civil Servant, and both were heavily involved in the capital’s branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Marcus Howard’s talk on “Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire: The Forgotten Sons of Ireland” will look at their political, as well as their sporting activities. You can find more details and reserve your free place for this talk on this Brent Libraries, Arts and Heritage Eventbrite page.

 

Sam Maguire (centre, with ball), captain of the London Hibernians Gaelic football team, 1903.

 

If you missed the premier of the film “Brent Women of Renown” last November, there is another chance to see it at a Willesden Local History Society meeting on Wednesday 20 March at 7.30pm. The three women featured are Kilburn suffragette Violet Doudney, aviator Amy Johnson and Dame Stephanie Shirley, who came to Britain as a five-year old Kindertransport child, and grew up to become a mathematician and pioneer computer engineer at the Post Office Research Station in Dollis Hill.

 

Amy Johnson working at Stag Lane Aerodrome, early 1930.

 

The film will be presented by its producer Angela Payne, and director Amanda Epe, who will also talk about the Cricklewood Town Team project which led to its creation. The meeting takes place at St Mary's Parish Centre, Neasden Lane, NW10 2TS. Non-members of the Society will be welcome to attend, for a small charge.

 

Car bodies under construction at Kingsbury Works in 1924.

 

The last event I will mention is a free illustrated local history talk which I will be giving myself, at a Kingsbury Library coffee morning on Tuesday 26 March at 11am. Kingsbury is now seen as a mainly residential area, but during the First World War its rural fields provided space for several aircraft factories. “Kingsbury Works, 1915 to 1980” tells the story of one of these (with lots of pictures!), and how the buildings there developed after they were taken over by Vanden Plas coachbuilders in 1923.

 

A 1935 Kingsbury-built Bentley limousine, which went on a sales tour around India.

 

Since I first gave this talk online during lockdown, I’ve found out even more about Kingsbury Works, and gathered many more illustrations, so I am looking forward to sharing this version at a Brent Libraries event. The most recent addition to my information is the site’s association with vampires (but no need to send for Buffy)! You can find more details, and book your free place for this talk, on the Eventbrite page for it.

 

Philip Grant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring flowers and rubbish in the historic Old St Andrew's churchyard

 

I always enjoy a stroll through Old St Andrew's churchyard in Kingsbury at this time of year as the first signs of Spring emerge. Naturalised snowdrops and crocuses mix with lesser celandine and the first leaves of bluebells.

The flowers  had lifted my heart but the amount of litter was truly depressing: beer cans, plastic bottles, fast food packaging  and items of clothing were everywhere, even on the less walked paths. Full black plastic bags of rubbish were thrown into the undergrowth and as you can see below even furniture had been discarded.

Walkers on the Capital Ring often take a detour to see Old St Andrew's Church, Brent's oldest buiding and Grade 1 listed. 

It is not just the churchyard that suffers there is also regular fly-tipping in the shrubbery outside the Riverside care home and on the verge opposite the Welsh Harp Sailing Club on Birchen Grove. People in cars parked along the road adjacent to the allotments in the evening leave fast food packaging, cans tissues and even used condoms.

 

A Musical Journey along the Danube – at St Andrew’s Church, Kingsbury, Saturday 23 September at 7pm

 

Following on from its successful Heritage Open Day last Saturday, St Andrew’s Church in Kingsbury is opening its doors to the local community again next Saturday evening, for a concert. The Magic Violin String Trio and Mihajlo Stojanov Gruen will be performing music from along the River Danube, “From Vienna towards the Black Sea”.

Tickets are £10 each, either in advance on Eventbrite or at the door, and the proceeds will go towards the restoration of the beautiful Victorian building you will be sitting in as you enjoy the music. The concert begins at 19:00hrs (7pm), and you can find out more and book tickets via the Rekindling St Andrews website.