Paul Howard Lang

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Richmond upon Thames has changed and developed over the last century.

An accessible history of Ealing from its beginnings to the present day highlighting the districtâ??s significant events and people.

Originally a county town in Middlesex, Ealing became known as the ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ at the beginning of the last century. Famous for the Ealing Studios, the oldest film studios in the world, in this book authors Paul Lang and Dr Jonathan Oates delve into the fascinating but often lesser-known history of this district. Characters associated with Ealing include Olga Grey, hockey player and MI5 agent, and Ealing’s pro-Hitler MP, and other links with espionage and political extremism include suspected Soviet spies and a Communist cell in nineteenth-century Hanwell. Crime has stalked the streets of Ealing with the tale of the disappearance of Peregrine Henniker-Heaton and dissent when the borough was home to anti-German riots in 1915 and the Sunday Opening controversy in the 1930s. Alongside these tales the authors uncover stories of sports stars, film studios, wartime and ancient Ealing. Secret Ealing explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the borough through the years. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this West London district.

Known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs', Ealing is best known as being home to the world-famous Ealing Studios, the oldest film studios still in operation. However, there's much more to Ealing’s historical and architectural heritage than this. Ealing in 50 Buildings explores the history of this West London borough through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures, from the Grade I listed medieval St Mary’s Church in Perivale to the twenty-first-century gurdwara in Havelock Road, the biggest Sikh temple outside India. There are buildings associated with famous people, such as the Poor Law school, which was attended by Charlie Chaplin; public buildings such as St Bernard’s Hospital, where reforming surgeon Dr John Conolly worked; as well as mansions designed by John Soane. Local authors and historians Paul Howard Lang and Dr Jonathan Oates celebrate Ealing's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way as they guide the reader around the borough's historic and modern buildings.

Petersham, or Patricesham as it was originally called, is mentioned in the Domesday Book, while Ham came under the manor of Kingston, so was not individually mentioned. Both areas are now incorporated in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames. Both Ham and Petersham have historically important buildings. Ham House is possibly the best known, but there are others, which include Elm Lodge in Petersham (where Charles Dickens wrote part of Nicholas Nickleby), Ormeley Lodge, Montrose House, Pembroke Lodge and Sudbrook Lodge. These areas have always attracted important people, for example explorer Captain George Vancouver, who retired to Petersham and is buried in the parish churchyard. In more recent times Tommy Steele, a pop star of the late 1950s and early 1960s, lived at Montrose House. In spite of the drastic changes imposed on them by the modern world, Ham and Petersham have retained many remarkable buildings and still hold their individual identities. This unique selection of old and new images and informative captions, compiled by local author Paul Howard Lang, is essential reading for anybody who knows this part of South West London.

Hanwell and Southall both have surprisingly interesting historical associations. The adjoining Middlesex parishes are linked by the Uxbridge Road, formerly the Oxford Road, which was connected to London. Hanwell and Southall were both reliant on agriculture right up to the end of the Victorian period. It was during the Edwardian era, and particularly after the First World War, that Southall began to change to an industrial district – greatly facilitated by the good transport links such as the canal and railway networks. Hanwell never industrialised to the same extent as Southall, and remains far more suburban in character to this day. Hanwell is linked in the popular imagination with Charlie Chaplin, who went to school at the Central London District School. Contrasting images of the school as it was and how it now appears are shown in this book. Southall has the distinction of having the oldest manor house in Greater London – dating from the sixteenth century and restored. The Middlesex County Asylum, dating to 1831, was also in the Southall parish. The building still remains and is currently undergoing restoration. The importance of the railways and the local connection with Isambard Kingdom Brunel is dealt with, as well as the importance of the Grand Junction Canal in speeding the growth of industry in the Southall area. Hanwell amalgamated with Ealing in 1926 and Southall in 1965, but they still retain their own identities in the present day, as they did a hundred years ago.

Ealing was once known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs', though this phrase is more commonly used now by estate agents. Ealing Through Time enables the reader to judge for themselves whether the viewpoints of Ealing justify the title in question, both in the past and in contemporary times. Ealing was a 'country town near London' when these postcards were commissioned. It was blessed by many fine open spaces and was near to the countryside too. Yet it also had good transport links by train and tram to the capital and the West of England. It had a number of prestigious private schools and other establishments that made it attractive to middle-class residents. Much the same can be said now, despite the many changes that have taken place in the last century.

Contrasting a selection of 45 archive images alongside full-colour modern photographs, this book traces some of the changes and developments that have taken place in Ealing during the last century. Accompanied by detailed and informative captions, these intriguing photographs reveal changing modes of fashion and transportation, shops and businesses, houses and public buildings, and, of course, some of the local people who once lived and worked in the area. Ealing Then & Now will delight all local historians and will awaken nostalgic memories for all who know this London Borough.