What’s happened this fortnight 14th April 2019

Live music made a big comeback to Kilburn this fortnight with the opening of “The Fiddler” at 229 Kilburn High Road, and the first “Bright Nights” event at the Priory Tavern.

We, of course, went to the first night (5th April) of live music at “The Fiddler”. Run by legendary Vince Power, the old Kingdom Bar has been transformed to accommodate a stage, lighting and sound equipment. The decor has also been upgraded. “Mojo Hand” was playing that night. A delightful evening with great music! We invite you to look at the upcoming gigs. Some great names!

Is Kilburn about to get a make-over? The Kilburn Neighbourhood Planning Forum meeting on 2nd April was well attended, and these possible improvements were discussed. Please do contact them if you would like to be part of the group shaping the future of Kilburn. One of the recommendations is to unify the street furniture. Does not seem to be on the Brent agenda for bins!

One disgraceful phone box, after being knocked over, has been removed! One less out of the 21 on Kilburn High Road.

Unfortunately the scheduled “Big Clean” on the Brent side of Kilburn High Road on 13th and 14th April did not happen and the pedestrian guardrails that should have been removed by 10th March are still standing. Does Kilburn not deserve better?… after all it is only the second largest town centre both for Brent and Camden Councils.

The Kiln theatre celebrated its 1st Birthday as “Kiln”, by publishing a list of plays performed at the venue.

Tex Ann is opening tomorrow at 178 Kilburn High Road. Has Istanbul Mangal at 363 Kilburn High Road closed down?

The Friends of Paddington Old Cemetery hosted a talk by Dick Weinding on 10th April. Some amazing people are buried in our local Cemetery. Read about Laura Bell.

56 years ago the Beatles performed at the State in Kilburn.

“The Brondesbury Tapestry”, by local author Helen Harris has made it to the finals of the People’s Book Prize. Please vote for the book.

We love the Ubitricity electrical charging points that have appeared on Netherwood Street, without additional pavement clutter.

In the shop windows news, Traid again excel with their window display, while sadly Holland and Barrett have had their windows smashed.

Foodcycle Kilburn is getting a new kitchen, so the next free Saturday meal will be on 27th April.

We also attended the WHAT meeting about possible impact of the Brent Cross regeneration on Kilburn and surrounding areas. We were shocked to learn about the 7500 homes being planned, with 2500 private cars and the impact of the waste transfer station and the rail freight hub on our already very congested and polluted Kiburn. Do we need to have a permanent continuous air quality monitoring station on Kilburn High Road to monitor the impact?

Oval Eyes opticians at 381-383 Kilburn High Road are offering a new “Contact lenses recycling facility”.

Abbey Community Centre continues to provide excellent classes. Have a look.

Here is the spring timetable of activities at the Granville.

And if you are crafty, see what’s on offer at Kingsgate Workshops.

Volunteers helped with the beds in Kilburn Station. Do join them every first Sunday of the month from 11am to 1pm!

A plot to blow an Al El flight involved a Kilburn woman, courtesy of Dick Weindling.

Howard Goodall started writing “The hired man” in a bedsit, 36 Mowbray Road, Kilburn.

The Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate, made it as pawns in this luxury chess set.

Gerry Anderson, who would have been 90 today, was born on West End Lane and went to Kingsgate school.

Sadly 2 men were stabbed in the early hours of 9th April, on Kilburn High Road. Please help the police identify this man.

Was Kilburn built by Bengalis and Arabs? We  invite Cllr Cooper to meet with our local historian…

Great news that the work to rebuild Grange Park’s adventure playground will start on 15th April. There might be a new playground ready for the summer.

And because Kilburn is Kilburn… Have toys escaped?

What is happening this fortnight

16th April- 7pm at ICMP Brent Kilburn Safer neighbourhood meeting.

20th April “Bright Nights” live music at the Priory Tavern

25th April “The Half God of Rainfall” opens at the Kiln Theatre.

Until 27th April, Thursdays to Saturdays Exhibition at Kingsgate Project Space

27th April 10am-12pm Residents meeting of MILAM association

30th April –  6pm-8:30pm exhibition featuring some of the local artists from Kingsgate at the Hampstead School of Art

What is happening a bit later

5th May-Upfront Comedy at the Kiln

5th to 6th May – Canal Carnival in Little Venice

15th May – Mapesbury Dell AGM

17th May. Opening of new exhibition at Kingsgate Project Space

15th June – Midsummer opera evening at Mapesbury Dell

2nd June Upfront Comedy at the Kiln.

29th-30th June – Queen’s Park Book Festival

7th July – Family wild day at Mapesbury Dell

Regular Events

Monday Nights: comedy/show nights at the North London Tavern, Open Mic at Sir Colin Campbell

7pm-8:30pm Kingsgate readers group at the Kingsgate Community Centre (not on the 15th or 22nd April or bank holidays). Email for more info

Tuesday Nights  quiz at the Black Lion Kilburn and at the Priory Tavern. Comedy at the North London Tavern.

Wednesday nights:  open mic  at the Earl of Derby, Swing dance at the North London Tavern

Thursday Day:  Watling Gardens gardening club 10am -11:30am
Thursday nights: Karaoke at the Earl of Derby

Friday nights:  Live Irish Music at Sir Colin Campbelllive music at the North London Tavern, Karaoke nights at the Cock Tavern, band night at Earl of Derby and Live Music at Maison Vie.

Saturday day from 11am to 1pm Gardening in the St Cuthberts garden

Saturday 1.15pm Free Foodcycle Lunch at St Cuthbert’s Church- All welcome.

Saturday nights: Live Irish Music at Sir Colin Campbell, retro evenings at the North London Tavern, DJ night at Earl of Derby.

Sunday nights:  quiz at the North London Tavern, Live Irish Music at Sir Colin Campbell. Live Irish music at the Black Lion pub 6pm – 8pm

If you have news, an event, some local history or just a favourite corner of Kilburn you’d like to share please email us news@lifeinkilburn.com or tweet to @lifeinkilburn.

1 thought on “What’s happened this fortnight 14th April 2019”

  1. James and I will stay and explore your neighborhood in early Nov.2019 …having stayed Hyde park Bayswater , Lancaster gate area many times , we like the Back lion pub so ..we are looking forward to a new experience in your back yard this trip …we reside in New Mexico and are old hippies still open to new adventures …..we await all your news and upcoming events !! James and Karen ….

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