Brent Youth Parliament challenges Brent Council on its response to Black Lives Matter

As the Black Lives Matter movement focuses attention on the actions of politicans both local and national it is worth looking at the historical context. Thirty years ago the Council launched the above video. Having been pilloried by the press as 'Barmy Brent', Brent Council tried to put the record straight with this film of the work the council was undertaking in the borough. A young journalist, instructed to get a story reinforcing the stereotypes, discovers something quite different. The section on the Development Programme for Educational Attainment and Racial Equality (DPEARE) starts at 6.33.

One of the main targets of the right-wing press was what they called 'Race Spies' (DPEARE),  advisers sent into schools to help them develop the curriculum and learning strategies to improve the quality of education and race equality:

Mail on Sunday October 19th 1986

The BBC made a notorious Panorama programme, Brent Schools - Hard Left Rules (30.3.87)  that took up the Mail's theme and All London Teachers Against Racism and Fascism tried to set the record straight:

Altarf Newsleter May1987

More than 30 years on the Brent Youth Parliament has challenged Brent Council on its response to the Black Lives Matters movement.

These are the questions and responses tabled for next Monday's Council Meeting.

Question from Brent Youth Parliament to Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council

1.As a body that not only represents black communities but also many other BAME communities, does the council feel obligated to speak up on the matter? Is it simply enough to show purple lights to condemn the killing of George Floyd? On behalf of young people in the borough we are concerned that there has been no talk of action that can be taken to support BLM, even though this movement has highlighted the prevalence of systemic racism in the UK.

2. Brent’s communities are very diverse and some themselves do not think about the way they treat black people. Prevalent issues such as colourism in the Asian communities often cause such discrimination. As representatives of these communities would you call upon various ethnic minorities within Brent to consider their treatment of black people?

Questions 1 & 2:  Communities in Brent, one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, continue to be affected by inequalities and require decisive and urgent action by the Council and partners.

 In the context of global and local challenges and events the Council met with 72 black community leaders and representatives on 11 June to listen to concerns and take decisive action to make improvements for residents. In partnership with the black community leaders the Council has created the Black Lives Matter Action Plan and it is a demonstration of the council’s commitment to making long lasting changes for the Black communities of Brent.

The council wants to show respect, support and solidarity to our black community in Brent and that we are a borough where there is no place for racism and where equality and diversity are respected.

3. Moving forward, in order to create change, would the council consider reviewing the education system in Brent? As many schools in Brent are Academies, does this not allow the council some leverage and encourage schools to implement the teaching of Black history?

Brent young people are our future. The Council has a leadership role, in partnership with schools and colleges and a successful track record of working together to deliver good and outstanding education. As an example of the impact of this partnership approach, a project commissioned by the Council and started in 2018 has helped raise the achievement of boys of Black Caribbean Heritage. The most recent (2018/19) achievement data shows significant narrowing of gaps between the attainment of boys of Black Caribbean heritage and all pupils at Key Stage 2. In reading, writing and mathematics combined there has been an improvement of 16pcp representing a remarkable 70 per cent fall in the size of the gap. For the youngest children, there was a significant reduction in gaps for the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage. At Key Stage 4 for older children there was also an improvement, with the gaps between boys of Black Caribbean heritage and all pupils down from 12 percentage points to 8 percentage points.

We will continue to work with schools to encourage the teaching of black history. Brent Council has provided Brent schools with support to help them develop their curricula, for example, as part of Brent’s London Borough of Cultures 2020 programme, an education programme has been co-created with school leaders and young people, to help connect children and young people creatively with their local area, their heritage and their hopes for the future. Brent Council will build on this work to continue to influence and promote the teaching of black history in Brent schools.

Many of our schools offer excellent examples of the teaching of black history. Good practice examples include our schools which have been awarded the United Nations Rights Respecting Schools Award and schools complementing the national curriculum with the United Nations global sustainable development goals to reduce inequality and to promote inclusive societies and institutions.

 For those Brent schools which are academies, it is correct to say that they have some further flexibilities in setting their curriculum as they do not have to follow the national curriculum. Once schools and colleges have fully opened in the autumn, the Council, along with the Brent Schools Partnership, will be discussing the development of curricula with schools, to stimulate the positive teaching of black history in Brent schools.

4. Would the council consider commissioning a project to express black injustice in a creative way such as a Mural, similar to the one dedicated to the Grunwick strike, in order to remind those that come into the borough that we not only recognise black injustice but as a result we are dedicated to correcting the situation?

The council supports the idea of creating a mural in the borough to express black injustice and is willing to explore this idea.

5. Finally, how is the council planning on reaching young people in Brent that may be isolated or marginalised to reassure them about the council's position on the black lives matter movement?

We are committed to young people having a voice. In close consultation with local black community leaders/representatives, including young people, the Council has put together a Brent Black Community Action Plan setting out steps that will be taken to ensure we can help make improvements for local residents. The action plan includes an explicit commitment “to engage with young black people in the borough in settings and ways that are convenient for them. Treating young people as stakeholders with a voice.” Actions being taken include the following:

· The Council is collaborating with Young Brent Foundation to produce a series of podcasts exploring issues and concerns for young people in relation to the BLM movement and the impact of Covid-19 in the borough. The podcast will be designed to engage with young people, particularly those from BAME communities, through a series of conversations designed to encourage meaningful and constructive responses to BLM in their localities.

· We recently commissioned a special ‘Time to Talk Covid-19’, phone-in radio show with The Beat London to discuss why the BAME community is so disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The panel included a Brent Councillor, a community leader and a young person and aired during prime time to reach a large proportion of the young BAME community. We plan to continue working with The Beat London as one of our main channels for two-way engagement with young people in Brent around BLM issues.

The Council see Brent Youth Parliament as a crucial part of reaching young people in Brent who may feel marginalised, to reassure young people as to the Council’s actions and to give more young people the opportunity to have a voice, as you have so creditably done today

Elsewhere on the July 13th Council Meeting Agenda the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee notes:

The cancellation of the 22 April meeting meant a report on School Standards and Achievement Report 2018-19, including Action Plan for Raising Achievement of Boys of Black Caribbean Heritage, could not be discussed; however, the chair has committed to rescheduling it along with the deferred items in the 2020/2021 work plan to be presented to Council in September.

Only a quarter of places at the new Neasden Lane High School will be available for children in the immediate area

The new school on Neasden Lane

My question tabled for the Council meeting to be held on Monday July 13th. The School Places Planning document suggested that most pressure for additional secondary forms of entry will be in the north of Brent so a north Brent school makes sense,  but this one will be in the south of the borough and involve commuting by 75% of the pupils. According to Google Maps the motoring distance between the two sites is 4 miles.

Question from Martin Francis to Councillor Amar Agha, Cabinet Member for Schools, Employment & Skills

There was some confusion at the Planning Committee that approved the new North Brent School in Neasden Lane (School number 11 on map) about the catchment area of the new school. Pupils currently attending the North Brent School on the Wembley campus of Wembley High School Academy Trust will transfer when the new school opens. Is it the intention to have a North Brent catchment area for the school as it admits more year groups, or will the catchment area extend to the Neasden/Harlesden/Stonebridge area? What will be the geographical admission criteria for the new school?

Response: The Wembley Academy Trust, as the overarching Trust of which the North Brent School is a part, acts as its own admissions authority and as such publishes its own admissions arrangements, including catchment areas. The current admissions arrangements for North Brent School are published on their website and set out the following as part of the oversubscription criteria:

·75% of places will be offered to children who live closest to Wembley High Technology College. (School number 16 on map)

Distance will be measured using a straight-line measurement from the main entrance of Wembley High Technology College to the main entrance of the child’s home.

 ·25% of places will be offered to children who live closest to the permanent site of North Brent School. Distance will be measured using a straight-line measurement from the main entrance of North Brent School to the main entrance of the child’s home.

 In terms of future admissions arrangements, as Wembley Academy Trust acts as its own admissions authority, this is a question that should be put to the Trust directly. We can confirm however that the Trust has engaged proactively with the wider community in establishing current admissions arrangements and has committed to continue to do so in any changes proposed to future admissions arrangements.

An open letter to Brent councillors on safe cycling infrastructure

An open letter to Brent councillors from Charles Fernandes

Dear Councillors, 

I'm writing with regards to the urgent need for safe cycling infrastructure in Brent. 

PERSONAL STORY 

Today marks ten years since I first bought a bicycle as an adult. That was when I started on my journey from depending very heavily on public transport into a new world of empowerment, freedom and wellbeing. At the time I was emerging from a long difficult period of depression. Cycling transformed my life in so many ways for the better. 

COVID IMPACT ON BRENT

Brent is amongst the boroughs with the most cumulative cases of ​Covid-19​ infections and deaths. 

The public are told to avoid ​public transport​ as much as possible. However Brent has the most train connections and is the borough most dependent on public transport. 

There's a harsh disparity in how ​BAME​ communities are impacted from Covid-19. [01]. And Brent has amongst the largest and most diverse BAME communities in the country.
Brent is amongst the most ​polluted​ boroughs in the UK [02]. And there's growing evidence that pollution makes coronavirus worse [03]. 

Brent has the highest rates of ​obesity​ and ​diabetes​ [04] [05]. These amongst some other illnesses disproportionately affecting Brent closely correlate with inactivity. 

Partly from its demographic and geography, Brent seems to have a ​unique combination of circumstances​ that makes it very badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It continues to be at risk from resurgent outbreaks and also from the ongoing climate crisis impacts on health.

URGENT AND MANDATORY 

The need to social distance has led to a sudden reduction in public transport capacity and a recommendation to avoid it where possible. A small transfer to cars leads to road gridlock. Both cycling and walking are now recognised as the favoured means of transport by far. These points are what has led to the Department for Transport issuing emergency statutory guidance on 9th May 2020, instructing local authorities to reallocate space to safely enable both cycling and walking. The mandate specified “Measures should be taken as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks, given the urgent need to change travel habits before the restart takes full effect.”​ [06] 

ACTION IN BRENT 

I recognise there has been important attention on care homes, with Brent Council apparently doing well to save lives there. This work must be complemented by enabling people to travel safely while minimising new infections. The aim of reducing infections is also to protect the same people Brent

Council protected at the peak of the pandemic. Otherwise while saving lives in one aspect, it risks taking lives in another. 

Most London boroughs have been taking action on active travel, with a mixture of low traffic neighbourhoods and pop-up protected cycle lanes appearing throughout April, May and June. To my knowledge, Brent has still not implemented any such measures. It appears that Brent is not appreciating the emergency, and may be at severe risk of breaching the DfT’s 9th May mandate. 

BENEFITS
Extract from Forbes article: 

“A DfT report found in 2014 that investing in cycling brings huge economic, social, and health benefits, with some cycling schemes having a ​benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) of up to 35 to 1​. That is, for every pound spent, the U.K. gets back £35 in social benefits.

The DfT’s “Value for Money” guidance says an infrastructure project will generally be regarded as “medium” if the BCR is between 1.5 and 2; “high” if it is above 2. 35 to 1 is, therefore, off the scale”​ [07] [08]

Amongst other reasons, such an incredible benefit-to-cost ratio should be sufficient alone for a local
authority to fast-track cycle infrastructure, without waiting for external funding. 

People may lack the time or motivation to incorporate ​exercise​ into their daily routines. Cycling as transport can integrate exercise seamlessly into an individual’s way of life. 

Compared with the ​financial costs for individuals​ of using public transport and driving, the financial costs of cycling are minimal and very quickly recouped [09]. 

There are countless studies showing that pedestrian- and cycle-friendly realms benefit local ​business​. [10] 

OBSTACLES 

Resistance from some should be expected. The council should put efforts into educating people of the benefits, combating misconceived fallacies, informing that people who need to drive will still be able to do so, etc. 

PROGRESSIVE 

Cycling as transport is progressive. It’s a mode for people of all incomes. 

Disabled people, as well as elderly people, are often disabled by the environment not being made inclusive; many are only too willing to use adapted or mobility cycles such as tricycles or handcycles. A Guide to Inclusive Cycling by Wheels for Wellbeing: wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FINAL-v3.pdf 

Parents want to cycle with, or to allow their children to cycle to school. Children who cycle to school have measurably better concentration than those who don't. [11] 

There are political rewards too as demonstrated by Anne Hidalgo being re-elected as Mayor of Paris with her plans to reallocate road space to cycling and walking. [12] 

HOW? 

A ​Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN)​ by means of modal filters such as bollards or planters, restrict rat-running through traffic, while opening up a neighbourhood to a pedestrian- and cycle-friendly realm. Living Streets and London Cycling Campaign have published an introduction livingstreets.org.uk/media/3843/lcc021-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-intro-v8.pdf​ and the more detailed guide ​livingstreets.org.uk/media/3844/lcc021-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-detail-v9.pdf 

A ​School Street​ is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times. Find out more at ​schoolstreets.org.uk 

Pop-up cycle lanes​ are a reallocation of road space on main routes to provide a protected, safe and inviting space for cycling. These provide the connectors between LTNs and School Streets. 

We often hear ​contrary arguments​ that it cannot be done from people theorising about potential problems. Yet a cycle-friendly environment is not theory. The Netherlands over four decades ago began changing from a car-centric society – just like ours – into a cycle-friendly society. In London, Waltham Forest has become a beacon and is continuing to make a substantial transformation. 

I urge Brent Council to learn from good real-world examples, including how they managed to overcome local obstacles. 

Brent Cycling Campaign provide some ​FAQs​ in their blog posts: * Emergency Measures? What Does This Mean? 

brentcyclists.org.uk/2020/06/14/what-are-covid19-emergency-measures 

* Wembley To Willesden Junction Healthy Streets
brentcyclists.org.uk/2020/03/10/wembley-to-willesden-junction-healthy-streets 

SCRUTINY AND LIAISING WITH PARTNERS 

I'm pleased to learn of announcements of funding for emergency cycle infrastructure in Brent. However, in recent cycle route infrastructure schemes Brent received funding for, it has implemented the schemes very poorly, that in no way meet the aims of enabling new people to cycle. 

This is most notable with Kingsbury Road and Quietway 3. So I urge for a willingness to be open to scrutiny, to liaise with partners such as Brent Cycling Campaign, London Cycling Campaign, Clean Air for Brent and others. 

Yours sincerely, 

Charlie Fernandes
Resident in London Borough of Brent (address supplied) 

REFERENCES
[01] Covid-19: understanding the impact on BAME communities (PHE, June 2020)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-understanding-the-impact-on-bame-communities

[02] Brent listed three times in top 10 of worst air pollution breaches across the UK (Brent & Kilburn Times, 2019) https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/environment/toxic-air-in-brent-worst-in-the-country-1-5975064
[03] Air pollution likely to make coronavirus worse, say UK government advisers (The Guardian, July 2020) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/01/air-pollution-likely-to-make-coronavirus-worse-sa y-uk-experts
[04] Brent named as the ‘fattest borough’ in London (Brent & Kilburn Times, 2016)
https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/brent-named-as-the-fattest-borough-in-london-1-4523843
[05] Brent 'worst borough for diabetes' (BBC, 2013)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24331891
[06] Statutory guidance: Traffic Management Act 2004: network management in response to Covid-19 (DfT, published 9 May 2020, updated 23 May 2020) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory- guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-network-management-in-response-to-covid- 19
[07] UK Government Dangles £100 Billion For Green-Recovery Infrastructure (Forbes, 2020)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/06/13/uk-government-dangles-100-billion-for-green-recov ery-infrastructure-deadline-june-18/
[08] Value for Money Assessment for Cycling Grants (DfT, 2014)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/3489 43/vfm-assessment-of-cycling-grants.pdf
[09] Is cycling to work really cheaper than public transport? (BBC, 2016)
bbc.com/worklife/article/20161206-is-cycling-to-work-really-cheaper-than-public-transport
[10] The Complete Business Case for Converting Street Parking Into Bike Lanes – An annotated, chart-filled review of 12 studies from around the world (Bloomberg, 2015) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-13/every-study-ever-conducted-on-the-impact-conv erting-street-parking-into-bike-lanes-has-on-businesses
[11] Children who cycle to school have measurably better concentration than those who don't (Road.cc, 2013) https://road.cc/content/news/75965-children-who-cycle-school-have-measurably-better-concentration-th ose-who-dont
[12] Anne Hidalgo Reelected As Mayor Of Paris Vowing To Remove Cars And Boost Bicycling And Walking (Forbes, 2020) https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/06/28/anne-hidalgo-reelected-as-mayor-of-paris-vowing-t o-remove-cars-and-boost-bicycling-and-walking/

From loo to The Louvre as Sudbury brightened up in homage to Covid19 workers & volunteers

From Paul Lorber

Following on from Philip Grant’s excellent Wembley history series - especially the last one about Sudbury, perhaps I can provide an update on Butler’s Green.

A very large part of Sudbury was originally massive green open space called the Sudbury Common with a large number of farms being established over the years.

John Copland who was a Purser (Sort of accountant/purchase manager) on British Navy ships and served during Horatio Nelson’s time at the Battle of the Nile acquired a property called Crabbs House on what is now Barham Park. Over the next 40 years he continued to acquire land in the area and at his death in 1843 (he is buried in a vault in Kensal Green cemetery) he owned around 350 acres  of  land stretching from the Triangle in Wembley all the way to the bottom of Harrow on the Hill - this must have also included what is now Butler's Green.

At some point in the 1870s that part was acquired by William Perkin when he moved into Sudbury near to the present Methodist Church.

Sir William Perkin (he was Knighted in Early 1900s) is probably Sudbury’s most famous person in the world.

As a young boy he was very keen to pursue scientific education. While experimenting with tar (residue of coal) trying to create a substitute for anodyne he accidentally created a purple liquid substance. When trying it on some cloths he realised that he actually created a first synthetic dye for colouring cloth. Following a few more experiments, tests and refinements his dye product turned out to be much more reliable and longer lasting than natural dyes used at the time.

He set up a factory in Greenford and started manufacturing dyes as a business. It was a big success and young William is claimed to be the founder of the modern clothing industry which his colour dyes revolutionised.

In the 1870s when he moved to Sudbury the population was tiny and most of the land was still open fields. Like in other nearby places the population explosion came as part of the arrival of the Railways with the Sudbury & Harrow Road station opened in 1903 and Sudbury Town a year later.

Sir William Perkin died in 1907 and the land that is now Butler's Green was purchased by Wembley District Council in 1920 from the Trustees of his Estate. As Philip mentioned in his article it was renamed Butlers Green after Edwin Butler who became the first Mayor of the newly formed Wembley Borough Council in 1937.

He only became the 1st Mayor because Titus Barham who was due to be the “Charter Mayor” and who paid £4,000 for the mace and chains of office (over £250,000 in today’s money) died on the very day he was due to take up the his office.

I am one of the Trustees of Barham Community Library based in Barham Park. Philip Grant has kindly presented a number of his history talks in our library and we hope for more in the future. We are always keen to help local people learn of the local history of our area but also to pursue improvements with a bit of art.

Despite its important local history Butlers Green has been somewhat neglected in recent years. 

We therefore decided to bring a bit of colour to the area by creating a Thank You Mural to all the workers and volunteers who continued to support our community during the Covid 19 crisis, on hoarding erected around a disused toilet block.

The Mural was designed by Alessandra Grasso, who is Barham Community Library ‘artist in residence’ with the help of her sister Francesca and others.

The idea was supported by Sudbury Town Residents Association and Daniels Estate Agents. It has been paid by a small Love Where You Live Grant and donations from local people.

Barham Community Library and Sudbury Town Residents Association plan more murals to brighten up the Sudbury area and are identifying more sites and raising funds.

Artists Alessandra on the left and Francesca on the right.

The disused toilet block is leased by Brent to U.K. Power Networks. Hoardings had to be placed on 3 sides as the brickwork is cracking up.

They were painted white with fading paint and a bit unsightly.

We decided on a colourful makeover with people, animals and flowers. Young children passing by love the animals and the overall reaction was positive.

We also painted other bits and provided a Notice Board for local history and local information.

We asked the Council to improve the outlook of the 2nd disused toilet next door which is also unsightly.

The bear in the picture is our mascot ‘Titus Bear’ after Titus Barham. The bear was part of the Barham Coat of Arms.

Uncovering the history of Church End and Chapel End, Willesden – Part 1

Responding to readers' requests, after the popular local history series by Philip Grant, for some local history of the south of the borough this is the first of a new local history series, by Margaret Pratt of Willesden Local History Society.

Church End, in the Parish of Willesden, has grown from a small medieval hamlet surrounding the church of St. Mary, Willesden. The main routes to other parts of the Parish converge here. Church Road, leading to Harlesden, meets Neasden Lane (to Neasden!), and Willesden Lane (later the High Road) to Willesden Green and Kilburn.

1.     A pictorial map of Willesden in 1840. (Based on a map in “The Willesden Survey, 1949”)

Other villages in Willesden (“the hill of the spring”), such as Neasden (“the nose-shaped hill”), Oxgate, and Harlesden (“Herewulf’s farm”), date from the Anglo-Saxon period, and were already established settlements at the time of the Norman Conquest. Willesden and Harlesden are mentioned in the “Domesday Book”, commissioned by King William I in AD1086, to record all his newly acquired lands, and the tithes, or taxes, due to be paid.

2.    A copy of the entry for Willesden in the Domesday Book. (From “Brent: A Pictorial History” by Len Snow)

There is no mention of any church in the Domesday survey. The reason could be that Willesden lands were already under the control of St. Paul’s Cathedral, at Ludgate Hill in the City of London. St. Paul’s had been gifted the Willesden lands in late Anglo-Saxon times, and now “farmed” them. Farming, in the medieval period, also meant the collecting of tithes (one tenth of the income and produce of land that was owned), to provide the monks and Canons of the Cathedral (‘canonici S. pauli’) with their food and living expenses. 

The tithes collected would not appear on King William’s list, nor would most churches, as they did not pay any taxes. There could have been a small wooden Saxon church on the site at Church End, a base for the priests who would minister to the 300 or so parishioners of Willesden at the time. However, there is no documentary evidence to prove it.

What is a matter of record is that a small rectangular stone church was built by AD1181, when an “Inquistion,” or visitation, from St. Paul’s records the church and its contents. The church had been built on the rising land to the east of the marshy ground bordering the River Brent, and fed by the Mitchell and Harlesden Brooks. It was soon increased in size, by around AD1200, when side aisles and a tower were added to the original structure, and was known as St Mary’s Church by 1280.

3.     St Mary's Church, Willesden, in a print by E. Orme, 1799. (Brent Archives online image 703)

Willesden is rich in sand, gravel, clay and flint, like many places in the Thames Valley, but has no building stone. The loads of ragstone used in the construction of the church must have been brought for some distance, probably from Kent. The stone could have been shipped up the Thames, and then hauled up the River Brent from Brentford, on flat-bottomed rafts. Ingenious engineers of the time could have dammed off sections of the Brent to form ponds to make their task easier - unfortunately this is just conjecture! 

The 800-year history of St. Mary’s has been well documented (though not online) by our best local historians. Suffice it to say here that the church has weathered storms, wars, plagues, famines, times of social turmoil, pilgrimages, the depredations of Henry VIII, neglect, restorations, and calls for its demolition. It still stands firmly on its plot, surrounded by the churchyard which is the resting place of untold thousands of Willesden people.

In 1830, the author Harrison Ainsworth, who lived at Kensal Manor, on the Harrow Road, described Church End as: “A very retired little village, with its church, rectory and vicarage, and about twenty cottages, housing , among  others, a bricklayer, a butcher and a general dealer; also a group of wooden poorhouse dwellings in the churchyard.”  Ainsworth used Willesden and its church as the setting for his novel about the 18^th century highwayman, Jack Sheppard. His “very retired little village” was to go through great changes as the century progressed.

4.    Jack Sheppard, thieving in the church, arrested in the churchyard and escaping from the Round House.
(Illustrations by George Cruikshank from Ainsworth’s 1839 novel “Jack Sheppard”: Brent Archives no, 1696/97/98)

The opening of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal, across the fields to the south of Willesden, in 1801, brought new transport opportunities to the area, and industries such as brickworks, gasworks, and rubbish removal appeared alongside the canal. The Great Western, and London to Birmingham Railways appeared, again to the south of Willesden, in 1838. The first railway to be built across Church End was the Acton branch of the Midland and South Western Junction Railway in 1868, which cut off the village from the farmland to the north. 

Chapel End came into being when a brick chapel was built by non-conformist villagers in 1820. This was to the east of the Church End settlement, at the corner of Willesden Lane and Dudden Hill Lane. The name “Chapel End” was soon in use, and the residents felt themselves to be different from the people of Church End. A few years later the name “Queenstown” was also used, supposedly commemorating a visit by Queen Victoria. There does not seem to be any record of such a visit, so perhaps it was simply an attempt to commemorate Victoria’s Accession in 1837!

5.     Willesden's Fire Brigade, passing the 1820 Willesden Chapel, c.1900 (Brent Archives online image 1265)

The Queens Town name was used well into the 20^th century. The small original chapel, at the Dudden Hill Lane corner, was replaced around 1890 by a much larger Congregational Chapel, on the corner opposite Pound Lane, of the soon to be renamed Willesden High Road. The old chapel was used as a Sunday School, then demolished for road-widening in 1908.

6.     The Congregational Chapel, High Road, Chapel End, c.1900. (From “Willesden” by Adam Spencer, 1996)

During the 19^th century, people were attracted to Church End and Chapel End to find work, and needed somewhere to live. In 1810 the ownership of land in Willesden, and legal boundaries, were finally settled by the passing of an Act of Inclosure.  Landowners began to see the profit which could be made by selling off acres of farmland to developers for building houses. 

The land at Church End was part of the old Manor of Willesden’s Rectory Estate. John Nicoll of Neasden had purchased this Estate back in 1738, and after passing through several hands in the early 19^th Century, it was sold to The United Land Company, in 1869. In the same year, the company bought some land at Chapel End from the daughters of James Henry Read, who had died. This would later become the Meyrick Road estate. “Land for Sale” notices began to appear in the district, and developers and builders purchased plots at auction.

7.     Bramley's Farm, just north of Chapel End, c.1880 – one of the farms lost to housing in the late 19^th century.
(Photograph by Stanley Ball – Brent Archives online image 1261)

8.     Beaconsfield Road, Chapel End, 1960. (Brent Archives online image 2570)

Nine acres at Church End Paddocks were sold in 1873, then Church Farm Estate went up for sale in 1875. This consisted of 4 acres next to the White Horse, and became the Cobbold Road estate. Roads and building plots were also laid out at Beaconsfield Road. House building on The United Land Company’s estates was finished by the mid-1890s. Southward expansion from Chapel End was prevented by the opening of the Jewish Cemetery (1873), and Willesden New Cemetery in 1893, because St Mary’s churchyard was no longer large enough.

9.     Willesden New Cemetery, early 20th century postcard. (Brent Archives online image 7255)

To the disappointment of the directors of The United Land Company, Church End and Chapel End did not provide them with big profits. Their stated aim was to build first-class estates which would attract investors, but the plots of land were small in size, so small houses were built, and the area became working-class. It was Church End Ward that elected the first Socialist member of Willesden Council, in 1904! The quality of the building work varied, but many of the terraces of small houses have survived into the 21^st Century, and have stood up well to being modernised and extended.

Amenities such as shops and laundries flourished, especially along Church Road and Willesden High Road. Other buildings such as public houses, meeting rooms, schools and cinemas were put in place alongside the housing, and some of these landmarks have survived to the present day, while others live on in people’s memories. We will explore these landmarks in Part 2, next weekend.

Margaret Pratt.