Local artist: Paul Donnellon
Jo Reynolds talks to local artist Paul Donnellon. When did you move here? 2000. Before, I lived all over London, from Lewisham to Islington to London Bridge, but my wife Diana lived in Hammersmith Grove. I didn’t know people could live in Hammersmith because I thought it was just a…
Local actor: Andy Nyman
Andy Nyman (above) talks about acting, writing, directing – and magic. You were born in Leicester in 1966. Are you a football fan? No, but my dad was the dentist for Leicester City Football Club. How long have you lived in the area? I moved here in 1987 and have…
Local artists: Kate Fishenden & Jonathan Mercer
Kate Fishenden & Jonathan Mercer tell Jo Reynolds you should never turn your hobby into your job. How long have you been in the area? Jonathan: Since 1985. We moved here from Belsize Park, which sounds very smart but we were in an attic. Kate: We bought a friend’s flat…
Local historian: Caroline MacMillan
Caroline MacMillan tells Jo Reynolds why she loves Askew Road. How long have you lived here? Over 30 years. What brought you here? My husband and I ran a book distribution company, and when we moved it to Park Royal we needed something this end of London. We lived in…
Local murderer?: Kate Webster
Contrary to our welcoming promise to introduce you to your neighbours, there’s one you definitely would not want to meet: Kate Webster. Mind you, there’s little chance you will meet her because she died in 1879. That was the year she was executed for murder. Don’t worry. You can sleep…
Local event organiser: Alison Hierlehy
Ex-Hot Gossip dancer Alison Hierlehy tells Jo Reynolds that dancing for charity is great for the libido. How do you pronounce your name? Her–le–hee. There used to be an O’ at the start but we lost that many moons ago. What or who is Hot * Flush? I got the…
Local writer: Alice Peterson
Alice Peterson tells Jo Reynolds why she gave up tennis to write a hit. When did you move to the area? 2004, so ten years ago. What do you most like about it? I love the park, and I love my neighbours. For people unfamiliar with your writing, what have you…
Local piano teacher: Margaret Langleben
Margaret Langleben tells Jo Reynolds about what she’d do to bankers and politicians. When did you move to the area? 1969. Has it changed? Ha! Back then, some people I know considered this the slums of Hammersmith. It was all workman’s cottages. We all had outside toilets. Most people had…
Local barber: Nicos Pavlou
Warm-hearted local barber Nicos Pavlou cuts to the chase about fleeing sunny Cyprus for west London. Interview by Jo Reynolds. What brought you to London? My mum and dad, myself and my brother, we were kicked out of our home during the invasion of Cyprus in 1974. We drove away…
Local hairdressers: Marcus Filotrani & Mark McLaughlin
Local hairdressers Marcus and Mark flash their blades and get reflective with Jo Reynolds. What are your surnames? Mark: McLaughlin. Marcus: Filotrani. What tempted a pair of Glaswegians to London? Mark: I came down when I was 17. I was looking for something different from what Glasgow had to offer…