Kensal Rise Has A Story - North West London local history trail (4K)

[@chrissinann]

I came across this today. I often work with local history projects with schools and libraries where I live in the north midlands of Ireland but this is an excellent model. Simple to access and very effective. I grew up in Kensal Rise. My parents lived in Holland Rd when I was born in 1950. We moved to Keslake Rd, on the Rise and then to Herbert Gadens. Although, until I moved to Ireland in 1990, I lived most of my adult life in Surbiton and Chessington, my connections to Kensal Rise were active until the erly 2000's. It had changed so much by then. I have many memories of the Rise in the 50's. For example, I still remember so many of the shops. There was the fish and chip shop, chips cost 3 old pence. There was the co-op shop, I think on the corner of Keslake where the buiscuits, tea, etc. were kept in brown metal boxes with glass top panels, weighed out and packed in paper bags, twisted shut. Money paid went to the cashier in 'whizzer' capsules. There is so much more, I can almost still do a walk over the rise in my head. I still remember playing on bomb sites, by the 50's softened with wild buddlia and valerian. I also remember venturing into the closed up cafe at Kensal rise station sometime after school in the late 50's, with a school friend because we thought, or wanted to believe it was haunted. We got out qiukly when he put his foot through the floor! Queenspark, Roundwood park where you could see the prefabs, and the cemetary from the swings... I could go on.

[@seanjamescameron]

It was such a beautiful day when I visited and thoroughly enjoyed walking around the route - twice, once with yourself. Great to hear that some of the signs are still on the lamp posts. All our streets are full of ghostly memories now faded and lost through time and the deaths of generations but this project captures some of those and brings the past back to life as you stand and listen to the voices recall memories. It would be great to think those yellow signs would remain for many decades to come. A wonderful project.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Sean - it was great to walk the trail with you that day

[@Tom_J23]

I got off at this station for the last 8monts. The singing lady from the station has a beautiful voice. In the cafe next door, Artur serves the best bacon and egg sandwich. The place has its own special charm. Thank you John for the video !!

[@passat24666]

It was so nice to see home again. I used to live on Keslake Rd right across from Queens Park. My family left in August of 71 to come to the states but I never forgot Kensel Rise, My true home...

[@johnhoward2402]

Once again you have stirred the memory John. My dad was born and raised in Kilburn Lane, and I used to visit my nan there until she passed in 1968. I remember the Old Plough as it was back then. Thank you!

[@peckinpahlady]

Thank you so much for this. I moved from Kensal Rise (Whitmore Gds) in 2016 after living there for 27 wonderful years. I was involved with the fight for the Library and watched the area change from run down to 'trendy' without losing its friendly character. I miss it so much.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

I absolutely loved this John, an amazing project, all the stories and perspectives were fascinating and a really different and personal way to experience the history of the area from the point of view of the residents. I would love to see more like this, innovative and inspiring

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Lois

[@mungmungie]

Willesden is yet another area around London where my family lived. I checked with the church a couple of generations were registered with, and I got the same tragic story as at least two other sites. There were some records of burials, but the Luftwaffe took care of any tangible evidence.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

As an 'audio guy' I cannot believe I missed this awesome project John. Thank you so much for resharing it. Brilliant! You might have inspired me to do something like this in my local area. Genius!

[@janetsherwood7210]

Mr. John Rogers brilliant ideas you have. You yourself have a kind "old soul" I do believe. Enjoy all your walks. Thank you for giving us this pleasure. God's Blessings to you & family. 🌿🌾🍃

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Janet

[@stephentalas1940]

Thanks for this my mum and dad lived on Mostyn Gardens for nearly getting on 50 years , Hungarian refugees from 1956 who made their lives here, raised me I lived on the Rise and loved it in many ways.

[@josephfranklin7711]

So amazing. Thank you, Mr. Rogers.

[@barneykennett9282]

Excellent way to learn about local history...👍.

[@angiebolton-cox1490]

I grew up on All Souls Avenue, so did my mum and my gran. She brought the house in 1921 . Such lovely memories, thanks John x

[@trevorjacobs]

This type of project should be done everywhere

[@Britoverseas]

What a brilliant idea to literally be able to walk through history and at the same time make a legacy that will be an historic document itself. Thank you so much. Lance

[@robbojax2025]

A charming and interesting video this week.

[@nancywysemen7196]

excellent. love sound recording. lovely to"see" experiences.

[@mheuman]

personal stories are the best history. Thank you so much, John.

[@djrudog1158]

Thanks John.... I enjoy Sundays because of you.. 👍

[@louix6733]

Love the variety of voices as voice-over rather than direct interview - something special about that.

[@heidismit5261]

Only 12 minutes!! Ooooh more places to go and see. Thanks John I am looking forward to this!

[@johnstephens649]

Thanks John and yet again you bring back memories. My maternal grandparents lived in Kilburn and Queens Park since just after WW1 so regular trips by train from South Kenton where we lived to see them as a kid in the 1960s. My parents had friends who lived in Kensal Rise so the trip home was via Brondesbury Park to have tea with them, one stop towards Willesden Junction.

[@edenjs1503]

A thumbs up for this collage of people's thoughts. A lovely reminder of how interesting people and places are 👍

[@davidshearer8793]

What a fascinating tale. I shall be watching this one again.

[@bnpandsc]

A living history made available to all..what an incredible and inspiring project. you made & coordinated.... more places should run the same project to highlight interesting people and stories from their London streets and villages.

[@andrewsyrett3270]

Thank you for yet another wonderful film. My wife and I watch these from Norway, and they are always interesting and inspirational. This was an amazing project and the sort of thing that every community should have; for visitors and for the community itself to appreciate the history and meaning behind places. I was once a teacher, and I can't imagine a better local history project for a school. Brilliant! Thanks again. See you next week, wherever you may be.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks indeed Andrew

[@mozdickson]

Ate my Irish Stew on sourdough bread, prepared by my wife, as I watched this amazing wee filim - both lunch and tour were excellent!

[@terryblack2219]

What an incredible project and such an interesting video to watch, of course it’s always interesting seeing you walking around talking about places many I have lived in or worked and had no idea of what was under my foot steps. But in this video to hear from from local people in a very mixed age range of people some quite elderly some quite young but seeing their area . My only question I would ask is why on earth do these pubs change the name when some go back so far even back to the 17th-century it’s criminal thank you

[@paulhutchins6019]

Another great walk and so informative. My Dad worked for a small family business in Amhurst Rd and they had David Greig's shopfitting contract. I used to travel in the van with him to different stores in the summer holidays and watch him install the glass counters and frames. Thanks ever so much for bringing that memory back John 😊

[@kevinpowell7948]

Wonderful John, what lovely people.🍀

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Kevin, it was a real pleasure to meet them all

[@lindasueanderson8024]

how deilghtful to see more of your varied creative work up close - especially for those of us so far away. And what a great idea to make storytellers out of the people who live in that beautiful space.

[@johnmiller5630]

Don’t know the area at all but still felt compelled to watch and wasn’t disappointed. Well done John, super idea and project.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John

[@terryvialls6512]

Brilliant, I really enjoyed listening to locals telling their stories. Especially when they talk about their parents and grandparents experiences.

[@ttv2951]

What a brilliant video, Fantastic idea and so much help from a wonderful community 👍

[@rossybink]

Amazing work John. I went to college at St Charles down the road from Kensal Rise and many people I knew lives round this area. Really when you think about it, this project you done should be all over London or indeed the world. Imagine all the stories, magical, nice one 😄 Ross x

[@timlorlor6888]

What an excellent idea. I would love to do a similar project in my area ,being Warrington. Am interested in the local social history. The folk of the town have interesting stories to tell and they won't be about forever

[@kevincross9206]

Excellent project, really brought the whole experience alive.

[@The3Kosmos3]

The sound trail - what an amazing idea!

[@jenniferlevine5406]

John, this could be the best video ever. We always participate vicariously, but this is a step beyond that. When I visit London, and I will soon I hope, this is the form I hope my experience will take. Thank you.

[@ruthbrierley1798]

I loved this video. What a cool project! Reminds me of the kinds of stories my grandparents used to tell.

[@emb54]

What a lovely project this was! Thank you John and thank you Sean for sending this along.

[@sianwarwick633]

oh well this is quite great - I loved hearing the people's stories . just looked up the history of Kensal Rise Library. what a battle. very good. pleased to hear a Welsh voice too

[@runningforasthma_]

What a beautiful video, thanks John.

[@oc2phish07]

Really close to where I live now, and where I lived, and went to school as a young man. Great stuff Mr Rogers.

[@peterblakey576]

That was mind blowing. Really found that interesting listening to all these interesting people and their every day life and stories of the area families and past. Loved it what an Interesting thing to be involved in. It would be lovely to see more of this in other boroughs of London. Thanks as always for sharing something as magical with us John.

[@thewordofgog]

An amazing project John, thanks for sharing.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Just brilliant - history coming alive - you can be justifiably proud of this work. It's also a lovely model for others to emulate in their corners of the world.

[@alexg5452]

Loved this, I enjoy all your walking tours but this one really stood out.

[@osptony]

This is one of the best vids I've seen John. Thank you.

[@stuartbee5716]

Kensal Green resident here, it was a great project! Many thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Stuart

[@joehales5674]

Great to see some of the faces. Wonderful project John, glad to be involved in a small way.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

You were integral Joe - thanks for your fantastic work on the project

[@julianwhite4855]

What a wonderful thing to do. Recording history for others to enjoy. Keep it up 👍🏻

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Julian

[@peterspencer396]

Great one John! Fascinating! Always great to hear real stories from real people!

[@JTTW1455]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing

[@morriganwitch]

What a fab episode John , wish I d done the journey . Thank you to all xxx

[@paulmessis1094]

John, this is very emotive. It's a really good aspect about bringing the people and history together...I liked this.

[@MeTheRob]

Short & sweet. I could have listened to another half hour of that.

[@angelenoof206]

Delightful and moving

[@peterharrison4187]

Love all you videos, keep it up. We are in Australia, you do such an excellent job, loved Your soho walk

[@michaelmiller641]

What a wonderful video, John!

[@markriley4665]

What a fantastic project John. Very inspiring. Thank you.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Yes most certainly enjoyed. thank you😄

[@CthulhuInc]

that was pretty cool, john! as others have probably already stated, i wish that this sort of thing was possible in my childhood neighbourhood - all those, people, all those memories, now fading away, and too soon, all will become ghosts

[@grooveexplorer]

Outstanding content,love what you give us,you are a shining light in a darkening world.

[@brandondean8060]

Can't wait to get off of work to watch. Ahh Sundays. 🤠👍🏾

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you enjoy it Brandon

[@anitaevans2432]

What a fabulous project John! 💛

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Anita

[@bryan3550]

Oh My! I spent most of 1972 living in Chamberlayne Road, kind of opposite the primary school at number 80 something. Fresh from DownUnder, and a white teenager, I walked into that Barber Shop mentioned and was greeted with "What you want, Man?" I simply replied "I want a haircut" and was duly served but with what I fancied was great suspicion... An interesting experience..!

[@mamnisel4815]

Having lived in Kensal Green for five years I found this project to be fascinating and very community minded.Well done John very,very good idea!!

[@Jpkjr52]

Unusual and informative. Thanks again in Chicago

[@KKB226]

Great work, John. I grew up in Kensal Green, though i also spent much of my time in Kensal Rise and Kensal Town.

[@Slycockney]

Brilliant John, just brilliant.

[@suewhite6612]

This is just fantastic John. It's such an important bulwark against the rising displacement in London caused by a society that treats property and community as commodities. Great to hear these stories in their locations too, reminds me of Howard Zinn's wonderful People's History.

[@Mistydazzle]

That was truly wonderful! I love this way of sharing History - thank you!

[@Magicalmike1]

Fascinating John thanks so much info , I doubt I will remeber it all but non the less enjoyable.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

What a brilliant idea, to have those QR codes that anyone can scan to get almost a living history of the area. Very well presented John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Lionel & Mary

[@benblumenstein7656]

That was AMAZING!!!! THANKS JOHN!!!!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Ben

[@TXMEDRGR]

As the British say, "brilliant." I hope this is the way of the future; well done!

[@lizstevenson7801]

That was very different yet again, but very enjoyable. The history that the locals have is worth so much and should be told nomatter what area you live in. Thank you so much John 💕🇦🇺

[@sonic-factory]

This is awesome!

[@kevinstark4294]

What an amazing idea / project 😀👍

[@Ukedc259]

Great project. Must have a stroll there this week.

[@ashleysgaze]

Some nice insights into the community, John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ashley

[@shiprapandey43172]

Nice work,nice walk 🚶‍♀️ 👌 really a good and nice video 📹 Respected sir 💝🦢👩‍💻🙃💖💯thanks

[@cgj3888]

Great project, when can we expect another one 👍👌

[@StarWarsJay]

Wasn’t there a similar project in Leytonstone 10-15 years ago using radio of the pre-M11 link road era?

[@michaeldillon3113]

What a great project ✌️

[@LauraAgustinNA]

This is wonderful. I'm interested in ways to make education lively, mobile, based on community voices with varying perceptions of what's important. The soundscapes are a great example. I love hearing different voices, not just one - thank you.

[@lisaholly3846]

Thank you so much for posting! I recently discovered this area and I find it so charming! You did such a great job sharing the character of the area and the residents. Did you grow up around there?

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

Thanks John… it’s a shame you don’t live in my neck of the woods 🙂. Fascinating project 👌👍

[@biddylisduff]

Thanks John, and also those involved in the project. I'm confused about the Cemetery - is this the Kensal Green Cemetery of the "Magnificent Seven"? Haven't heard it called "All Souls Cemetery" before? Very interesting, great to hear people's memories.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Bridget - exactly Kensal Green Cemetery is in fact originally All Souls Cemetery, one of the Magnificent Seven

[@williamrobinson7435]

Really interesting, this. That beard was fab. 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks William

[@GeorgeChoy]

Great video, thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers George

[@2H80vids]

What a wonderful idea John and the more I think about it, so ****** simple. Every community/village/suburb could, no 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅, have something like this. To make this go national would require a wee bit of admin but it's perfectly achieveable. I'd love to see a scheme like this really take off. One obvious attraction is that a car is no help; walking is the only way to do this, whether you arrive at the starting poiint by car or by public transport. In many cases, the station, or the site of the closed station, would make a natural starting point and the railway is often important to local history anyway. This whole idea needs copied and imitated across the country.😁👍

[@gparry42]

Wonderful John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Gareth

[@zenarobinson3851]

thank you! i lived in chevening road, about late 60s - 70s, and apart from the station, didn't recognise anything! (i think the piece about greig's may have been one i knew on chamberlayne road). perhaps i was more queen's park than kensal rise??

[@nancywysemen7196]

happy to do the walk again.

[@garysharpe4660]

Superb and than you 😊😊😊

[@doghot77]

I enjoyed this thank you

[@paulstanley2789]

Clever idea John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Paul