St. Mary's Old Church, Willesden

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 January. Presentation by Colin Chester, of Brent Archives, informing us of the past and future projects. 

Tuesday, 20th February. Visit to the London Transport Museum Depot at Acton Town, exploring the Art and Poster Store.   1.00 p.m. start.

Wednesday, 20th  March. Brent Women of Renown by  Angela Payne and Amanda Epe of the Cricklewood Town Team.

Wedensday, 17th April: A tour of Paddington Cemetery. Details to follow.

Wednesday, 15th May. The Mercenary River, talk by Nick Nigham. His new book of the same name tells the story of London’s water supply through the centuries.

Wednesday, 19 June. AGM. Details to follow.

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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.

Index of articles

  • Recordings of some of the online lectures

Index of videos

  • Downloads of walking tour guides

Index of walks

Local history publications

Available to buy online

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.