The two brothers who caused a night of chaos and no less than 3 helicopters to hover above Kilburn until the early hours of the morning have pleaded guilty in court.

And on crime…. a lot of shop windows have been smashed along the high road in the past few weeks. Those damaged in this fortnight include the new Tex Ann restaurant and Maison de la Vie.

…And there were thieves at the North London Tavern…in 1946.

The “Tin Tabernacle” will be opening its doors on 31st May for a night of music. If you’ve never been inside, please attend and discover a gem of Kilburn.

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We always praise the window displays of Traid in Kilburn. We have had 2 wonderful displays in less than 2 weeks! One of them brought a bit of “Extinction Rebellion” to Kilburn, while the other featured proudly in “Vogue”.

Istanbul Mangal at 363 Kilburn High Road, has new owners and is being refurbished. Will reopen as “Somar Restaurant”

Sam’s Chicken is also refurbishing as have Ariana II.

Both “Bokor” and “Usta” got very good Hygiene Ratings. Well done! Unfortunately “Meaty Buns” only achieved a rating of 1.

A new nail place “The Nail Box” and a new restaurant, “LoLo Kitchen” have opened on Willesden Lane.

Tex-Ann have opened with some delays, and have installed the ugliest extractor chimney despite the Planning Application not being approved yet.

At last a new commercial tenant is moving to 271 Kilburn High Road.

Brondesbury station will loose its tickets office but will gain lifts by 2020. Let’s hope the lifts happen as they were meant to be installed by 2017!

Have you ever wondered what this building opposite Paddington Cemetery was?

The ICMP is offering evening singing classes.

2 local musicians will be hosting a fundraising night on 16th of May to fund a new “IT and creativity centre” in Watlings Garden, named “Kilburn State of Mind”. Do support them if you can. Entry is only £5.

Kilburn is in the top 10 rental locations searched on Zoopla.

The Big Clean Up of the Brent side of Kilburn High road was meant to happen on 13th/14th April, with a government fund of £57000. It obvioulsy did not happen! The Brent team came back during the Easter weekend and attempted to remove stickers, without a very satisfactory result.We ran a poll that clearly shows that the promised big clean did not bring the expected results.

Are you looking for a dance class? This might be for you.

Loads of new courses at the SHELL centre and Sidings Community Centre.

Looking to play football? Go to Maygrove Peace Park on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm

Here are the dates of future Community Festivals on the Camden side of Kilburn.

“Street Kitchen” will start in Kilburn and are looking for volunteers.

The Cock Tavern have until the 23rd July to remove the ugly structure they have built at the front of the pub. Gucci Tallava at 260 Kilburn High Road have been served a planning enforcement notice. It shows that if people report breaches of Planning Regulations, the authorities action.

We’re pleased that the new Camden Transport Strategy document announces signifant funding in the Kilburn area. We’ve had a lot of promises since 2013, but no significant improvement. Maybe we are onto a winner this time! TFL were less than impressed by the latest “Kilburn Liveable Neighbourhood” bid, though.

Unfortunately window smashers are targeting Kilburn businesses; Holland and Barrett, Cancer Research, Subway and  Maison de laVie.

Brent’s Cabinet decided to go ahead with the redevelopment of the Granville and Carlton Centres despite local opposition.

Camden Alive, a cultural project will come to both the Sidings Community Centre and Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate. Do get involved. More details to follow.

A year after the Tricycle was relaunched as the Kiln, Indhu Rubasingham reflects on the last year.

The Tuesday’s Comedy Nights at the North London Tavern will end on 18th June, so enjoy while you can.

Horace Brodzky, a famous artist, spent most of his life in Kilburn. Dick Weindling will be giving a talk about “Kaisers Spies” on 24th May.

Want to enjoy live music, have a look at the brilliant line-up at “The Fiddler”.

And finally,it looks like Brent Council are flytipping their signs in Camden!

What is happening this fortnight

1st May BRAT meeting

4th May “Bright Nights” at the Priory Tavern.

5th May-Upfront Comedy at the Kiln

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

What is happening a bit later

15th May – Mapesbury Dell AGM

16th May: Music fundraising night at “The Fiddler”

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

18th May- Piano Concert at St Cuthbert’s Church. Free with donations for Foodcycle.

24th May. 1-3.30pm “Kaisers Spies” talk by Dick Weindling at the Sidings Community Centre

1st June- Fordwych Summer Fair.

5th June Family day in Grange Park

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

19th September “Abbey Autumn Festival£ at Abbey Community Centre.

12th October Heritage Fair at Sidings Community Centre.

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 Campbell, live 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.

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! Continue reading →

We started Life in Kilburn a year ago this week! Why? We wanted to highlight what is good about Kilburn. We wanted to inform you about what is happening in the area and provide a voice for Kilburn. Kilburn is a “bit rough around the edges”,  but where else in London would you find such a varied mix of people, a great Theatre, great parks, great shops and food from around the world?

We also wanted to remind the authorities that we are a vibrant place at the frontier of 2 boroughs (not counting Westminster in the South!), 6 electoral wards and that we deserve a bit of investment and love. Because we’re at the edge of so many boundaries, it can sometimes feel like we’re a bit forgotten about.

Hopefully we have helped you discover our rich history, numerous businesses, our green spaces and our lovely Community Centres. There is plenty to do and enjoy in Kilburn!

So “who is behind Life in Kilburn?” we hear you say. We are 2 individuals who live locally with a passion to help make Kilburn even better. We have no political agenda and do not have any commercial motive. If you have a great tip, news or community information you’d like to share, please tweet or email us.

Enough rambling and back to the newsletter….

The new exhibitions at Kingsgate Project Space opened on the 29th March and the new Billboard was revealed. Please do go and pay a visit until the 27th April.

Foodcycle Kilburn launched on 30th March with a superb 3 course meal. We were delighted to be amongst the 40 persons in attendance and of course loved the food and atmosphere. Foodcycle is all about serving free meals to foster a community spirit, from ingredients destined to the bin!. So please do attend, as it is great way to meet people and share news about the community while being fed. Thank you St Cuthbert’s Church for having opened your doors to such a wonderful initiative. Joanne from NW2 Garden friends will possibly also be organising garden tours on Saturdays before the lunch and is welcoming any new volunteer gardener.

We attended the Camden Kilburn Safer Neighbourhood meeting on 20th March and were glad to hear that this side of the High Road has very few reported crimes. It would be nice for some of the local Councillors to attend in the future.

There was a huge Police presence on Tuesday from 5pm to 1.30am. One helicopter then 3 helicopters. In case you have missed out this was due to 2 individuals who escaped police arrest by climbing onto roofs via a scaffolding. They were feared to carry weapons thus the massive police intervention. All ended well with the individuals arrested, a few possessions misplaced and material damage that the police “corded unit” recorded. Once again the community came together, with Quex Road Methodist Church and the Mazenod Centre opening their doors to stranded residents. The Kilburn spirit was not defeated and it was an occasion to get to know neighbours.

The best new shop signage award goes to Piccolo at 340 Kilburn High Road. They are hosting an open mic session on 2nd April.

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Great news! The planning application to the new adventure playground in Grange Park has been approved.

We’re happy to report that all Estate Agents signs on the Camden side of the High Road should now have been removed. If you spot any left, please let Camden Council know with a pic.

Ruchi at the corner of Messina Avenue and Kingsgate Road has closed down.

Want to know where the food editor of the Sunday Times shops? At Hilal food store in Kilburn of course!

We are delighted to share with you the “Guide to Paddington Old Cemetery“, written by Kevin Barrett, a useful resource to fully appreciate this site on Willesden Lane. And if you want to help preserve the Cemetery please do join the Friends of Paddington Old Cemetery on 21st March. Or why not learn all about foraging on the 14th April?

Read about this murder in Charteris Road, Kilburn, by local historian Dick Weindling.

Live in Camden and own a car? There are proposed changes in residents car parking. Comments until 29th March.

Incredibly frustrating that the Kilburn liveable neighbourhood scheme has been rejected by TFL. For the third time in a row, bids have failed.  We would love to know why? Continue reading →

We found the resting place of the creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond, in Paddington Old Cemetery in Kilburn off Willesden Lane.

We also attended and helped run workshops at the first meeting for helping to improve Kilburn’s night time economy. In attendance were officials from both Brent and Camden, the police, local businesses and representatives of local residents association. We hope this is the first of more to come and look forward to sharing the outcomes and improvements that will come to Kilburn. During this meeting, it was confirmed that Brent have approved 2 pots of money to improve wayfinding and lighting under the bridges by Kilburn station and to commission street art at key locations.

Have you got tickets to see Kiln’s latest production The Son? It’s been recommended by the Guardian, Metro, Evening Standard and New Statesman!

The best shop window display goes to Traid again this fortnight with an homage to Karl Lagerfeld. The Three shop window was a strong contender. Continue reading →

After the snow came the sun…

The price for “best window display” this fortnight goes to TRAID.

The Sir Colin Campbell Pub has been nominated for pub of the Year award by CAMRA. If you are a CAMRA member please vote for them by 23rd February. And if you fancy a pub crawl, CAMRA are organising one on 23rd February. Continue reading →

Relieved that our Santander Branch proudly displaying St Augustine’s Church will not close despite numerous branch closures around the country.

The new NatWest Branch on the high road is almost open.

There’s an interesting story about the  late president of Malawi, Hasting Banda, and his mistress who lived in Kilburn from local historian Dick Weindling.  Also of interest is the story of 2 influential women with links to our neighbourhood. Continue reading →

Our MP made the national news by delaying the birth of her son to be able to vote in Parliament. Welcome to Raphael! We hope to meet him soon in Grange Park.

Click here  to find out the link between this iconic building and Kilburn.

There are rooms for rent at the listed Animal Dispensary in Cambridge Avenue. Surely this historical building has not been turned into a HMO (house in multiple occupation)? Continue reading →