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 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…
Local school founder: Toby Young
Toby Young (above) talks to Jo Reynolds about growing up. Why did you set up the West London Free School (WLFS) here? Initially we looked in Ealing but the council was pretty unhelpful. Hammersmith and Fulham were a lot more friendly. As well as this secondary school, you’ve just opened…
Local vicar of the parish: Father David Matthews
Jo Reynolds talks to Father David Matthews, vicar of the parish. How do you prefer to be addressed? David. When I’m in robes, I’m happy to be “fathered”, but otherwise David. Only my sister calls me Dave. Why did you leave Canada? I did some research in the UK for…