
Willesden Local History Society
Covering Brondesbury, Cricklewood, Dollis Hill, Harlesden, Kensal Green, Kensal Rise, Kilburn, Mapesbury, Neasden, Stonebridge, Oxgate, Park Royal, Queen’s Park and Willesden Green
Bartholomew
Willesden
d.1493
Formed in 1974, the Willesden Local History Society believe that a community’s future health is enhanced by a good knowledge of its past.
Our aim is to foster interest in history, archaeology, conservation, and related subjects, with particular emphasis on our own locality, and to carry out research into the history and culture of our own locality.
WLHS has members of all types, active researchers, family historians, authors, photographers, and some who just enjoy the lectures and fellowship at the meetings. All are welcome.
The annual subscription is £15, which includes
- Free entry to monthly meetings (September to June), – now online – with a Willesden flavour, guided walks and outings to places of historic interest
- The Journal, which comes out twice a year
- Access to the members only area on the website, with back issues of the Journal and other local history materials
- Opportunities to take part in local history research and education projects
We are looking for people to become more involved in the running of the Society. Please come along and have a chat with us if you have an interest in local history and would like to help with the Society.
Events
All talks will be in person, with an option to join online.
For full details and arrangements, visit the Events page
Wednesday, 17th September
Cricklewood Library: Saved for the Community!
Sally Long, WLHS member and Cricklewood resident, will tell us about the history of Olive Road Library, and how it has been kept as a Community facility after threat of closure.
Wednesday , 15th October
Street Signs in Willesden
A talk by Simon Morris, of the London Topographical Society, who has been researching historic London street signs, the history behind local street plates, their design, how Willesden and neighbouring parishes chose and erected them and how local residents reacted to them.
Wednesday, 12th November
Volunteer for the International Brigade
Dave Chapple tells the story of young Howard Andrews of Kilburn, who joined the International Brigade in July 1936, to volunteer to fight in the Spanish Civil War against fascism.
Wednesday, 10th December
Christmas Party at “The Grange,” Neasden Lane
Vijay Amin has kindly invited us to hold our Christmas Party at The Grange, again this year. We look forward to an evening of food and friendship, with a quiz and Christmas Raffle.
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Recording of previous meetings are available from the Archive
What we offer
The WHLS archive:
- All back issues of the WLHS Journal, which started in 1994.
- Recordings of some of the online lectures
- Downloads of walking tour guides
Local history publications
Available to buy online
News
Recent Posts
Our Areas
Traditionally a parish in Middlesex, Willesden became a municiple borough in 1933. It covered a large area in North West London, including the localities listed below. In 1965 it joined Wembley to become part of Brent. WLHS covers the areas included in the original parish of Willesden.