Hanwell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hanwell is a town situated in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, between Ealing and Southall.
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[edit] Places of interest
[edit] Westminster Cemetery
In 1987 the Westminster Cemetery in Hanwell was one of three cemeteries that Shirley Porter's Westminster City Council controversially sold to land developers for 15p.[1]
[edit] The local parish church
The earliest parish church recorded is that of St Mary. The present church structure was built in 1841. As such, it stands as one of George Gilbert Scott's very early churches, executed in the style of Gothic Revival, and consists of masoned white limestone and gault brickwork, with flint-rubble and mortar panels. Scott himself later condemned his work of this period as "a mass of horrors". However, the famous painter William Frederick Yeames, who at one time was its churchwarden, is thought to have done the wall paintings in the chancel.[2]
Whilst the most famous rector was Dr. Glasse, had a memorial place in his memory in Churchfield Recreation Park which lays alongside, the best-remembered of late is perhaps Fred Secombe, since he has now become a prolific author.
No archaeological evidence has been found, so far, to show that any church existed here earlier than shown in written records. However, due to its commanding topographical position, which enables the distinctive broach spire to be seen from many miles away, it has been suggested that this may have been a pagan place of worship long before Christianity reached this part of the world. There is, however, no evidence to support this theory. An early supporter of this hypothesis was Sir Montagu Sharpe KC DL, who was a local historian and a member of the Society of Antiquaries.[3] (In nearby Northolt, the parish church, which is also on high ground, has had much evidence found around it of past occupation by the beaker people.)
[edit] The Wharncliffe Viaduct
Carrying the Great Western Railway across the River Brent, the Wharncliffe Viaduct was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel
[edit] Hanwell Flight of Locks
The Hanwell flight of six locks raises the Grand Union Canal by just over 53 ft and has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by English Heritage.[4] At the top of the flight of locks towards Norwood Green is the Three Bridges designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is still often referred to locally as simply Windmill Bridge and is very close to the spot where the eponymous windmill once stood; attracting the attention of a local Brentford artist named Joseph Mallord William Turner.
[edit] St Thomas The Apostle Church
St Thomas the Apostle Church was designed by architect Edward Maufe in preparation for his work on Guildford Cathedral and includes a sculpture by Eric Gill.[5]
[edit] The Central London District School/Hanwell Community Centre
The Central London District School was built in 1856 to house and educate the poor of London. By far its most famous resident was Charlie Chaplin who lived at the school from June 1896 until January 1898.[6]
The school was closed in 1933 but parts of it remain standing and it is in use as the Hanwell Community Centre.
The Community Centre was used as a location in the film Billy Elliot.
It has been declared a Grade II listed building by English Heritage[7] but its future is uncertain.
[edit] Hanwell Clock Tower
The art deco clock tower on Hanwell Broadway was unveiled on 7 May 1937 in celebration of the coronation of King George VI. The mayor at the time Frederick Woodward, said "I consider Hanwell one of the finest gateways to the city of London, and I cannot think of a more fitting place for the clock".[8]
[edit] Hanwell Asylum
Lying to the west of the River Brent and so actually in the precinct of Norwood, the Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum was commonly referred to as the Hanwell Asylum because it was closer to the centre of Hanwell than either Norwood or Southall. The asylum was opened in 1831 to house pauper lunatics. In 1937 it was renamed St. Bernard's Hospital by which it is known to day. Built on some of its former grounds to the east is Ealing Hospital. Most of the original asylum still remains, with over half having been turned into flats and the rest remaining as a psychiatric hospital. The most interesting parts are the chapel and an entrance arch visible from the Uxbridge Road.
The hospital was remarkable as one of its physicians, John Conolly, 1794-1866, was progressive in the treatment of patients, and avoided the use of restraints. A memorial garden dedicated to him is at the junction of Station Road with Connolly Road, Hanwell, London W7 UK. The hospital used to have a museum housed in its chapel, but this has now been relocated. It included a padded cell (which was not as bad as it sounds: a wooden framework with padded walls and floor, but no ceiling at all).
[edit] Other places of interest
- Brent Lodge Park (known locally as "The Bunny Park").
- Elthorne Park including a Sarsen stone displayed at the entrance.
[edit] Famous Hanwell residents past and present
- Anna Brownell Jameson writer and feminist.
- Al Bowlly, singer, is buried in Westminster Cemetery.
- Charlie Chaplin, actor (attended Hanwell Central School but never resided in Hanwell),
- Daniel Hack Tuke: Distinguished mental doctor and related to the line of Tuke's which founded the York Retreat.
- Deep Purple rock band, rehearsed for their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock in the Hanwell Community Centre. Promotional photographs for the album were taken in the grounds.[9]
- Derwent Coleridge distinguished scholar, author was rector at Hanwell.
- Edward Augustus Bond (1815 – 1898) was born in Hanwell. He was a Librarian and Palaeographer who co-founded the Palaeographical Society.
- John Conolly was superintendent at the Hanwell Asylum between 1839 and 1844. He then ran a private asylum at Lawn House, Hanwell.
- Freddie Frinton, comedian, is buried in Westminster Cemetery.
- Fred Secombe (b.1918) One time Vicar of St. Mary Hanwell. Born in Swansea he is the elder brother of the late Sir Harry Secombe. Since retiring he has become an author of seven books, in a style of which, has had him referred to as 'the ecclesiastical James Herriott.'
- Jimi Hendrix owned a house in Hanwell, but never lived in it.
- Jim Marshall had a small shop in Hanwell where he started manufacturing and selling his world famous amplifiers. In an interview for Musicians Hotline Jim Marshall said "So many players came to my
Hanwell shop, it was almost like a rock and roll labor exchange because a lot of groups were formed there".[10]
Jonas with his brolly - Jonas Hanway, writer, philanthropist and the first man to carry an umbrella in London is buried in the crypt of St Mary's Church.
- Henry Corby, businessman and politician, born in 1806 at Hanwell, died 25 October 1881 at Belleville, Ontario, Canada.
- Henry Maudsley (1835–1918) was a pioneering English psychiatrist. From 1866 until 1874 he ran John Conolly's private asylum at Lawn House, Hanwell.
- Henry Scott TukeRA: Son of Daniel, he became a famous painter. They both lived at Golden Manor.[11]
- Peter Crouch, footballer, was a former pupil of Drayton Manor High School.
- Philip Jackson, actor.
- Rick Wakeman, keyboardist for the band, Yes. Although Wakeman never lived in Hanwell, he attended Drayton Manor Grammar School, on Drayton Bridge Road, leaving in 1966.
- Sir Montagu Sharpe: Lived at Brent Lodge.[12] An historian and one time president of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society. On local history he wrote the books: Bygone Hanwell; The Great Ford of the lower Thames; Middlesex in Roman and Saxon Times and Middlesex in the Domesday Book.
- Steve Benbow (29 November 1931 – 17 November 2006) was a British folk guitar player, singer and music director.
- The Magic Numbers, indie-pop band.
- The Who rock band rehearsed in Hanwell Community Centre prior to their 1969 US Tour.
- William Frederick Yeames RA: Famous for having painted And When Did You Last See Your Father? the artist lived in Campbell Road (there is a Blue Plaque on his house to commemorate this). He was also a one time churchwarden of St Mary's church.[13]
- Ulmus × viminalis, a variety of elm tree, was first described from a specimen growing in Hanwell (in 1677).
[edit] The Hanwell Carnival
The Hanwell Carnival, which had existed up until World War II was resurrected in 1961 with the help of circus showman Billy Smart, Jr.[14] It is now a popular annual event with a procession of floats which travels from Brentside High School to Elthorne Park where a show arena hosts various events and local charities and organisations have stalls. There is also a music stage, a craft fair, a dog show and a funfair.
[edit] In popular culture
Hanwell has been the filming location for a number of films and television programmes:
- There for Me, British feature film: From 7th-14 July 2007 the Hanwell's First Choice Cafe on the corner of Hanwell Broadway was converted into the Broadway Café for this film. It stars Paul Bettany (born nearby, in Harlesden) and was written by his close friend Dan Fredenburgh, together with Doraly Rosen; Dan and Doraly play the lead roles. Other cast members are Olivia Williams and Rita Tushingham. It is about two people who find they have to make tough and emotionally difficult choices about their lives.
- Bridget Jones's Diary (film) (2001): Used Hanwell Cemetery as one of its many London locations. [1]
- Staggered (1994): Stared Martin Clunes as a man late for his own wedding. St Mary's was used for most of the church shots. [2]
- Shine on Harvey Moon (1993) for ITV television: This was a period drama series set in the 1940s. The funeral sequences were also filmed at St Mary's. [3]
- Peep Show: The Dolphin pub (series three, episode four) and the exterior and interior of St Mary's church for Sophie and Mark's wedding (series four, episode six).
- Carry On Constable (1960): Used many locations around Ealing, with Hanwell Library serving for the exterior shots of their Police Station.
- Carry On Teacher (1959): The Maudlin Street School exterior scenes were shot at Drayton School in West Ealing. [4]
[edit] Transportation
In 1901 the first electric trams began to run along the Uxbridge Road causing the population of the village to expand. Plans to reintroduce trams again in the form of the West London Tram scheme have been suggested, but have now been abandoned by Transport for London in the face of local opposition.
[edit] Buses
- Transport for London: Bus services to and from Hanwell. Accessed 2007-06-05
[edit] Nearest tube station
[edit] Nearest railway stations
- Hanwell railway station, built circa 1875-77, has been declared a Grade II listed building by English Heritage, but the buildings are now in "a dilapidated condition".[15]
- The Crossrail train scheme is planned to include a stop at Hanwell railway station.
- Castle Bar Park and Drayton Green railway stations also serve the town.
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] External links
- Hanwell: Introduction, A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962), pp. 220-24. Date accessed: 24 June 2006.
- Hanwell History
- Central London District Schools
- Ealing Borough Council (2007). Hanwell Clock Tower Area Conservation Character Appraisal. Accessed 2007-06-26
- Hanwell.org.uk Website aims to provide useful information to the local residents. Accessed 2007-09-21
- Hanwell Steering Group
- Lawns Residents Association, Hanwell Residents association representing the Lawns area of Hanwell. Accessed 2007-09-21
- Hanwell Midtown Residents Action Group. Accessed 2007-09-21
Local Cemeteries
Local sport clubs:
[edit] References
- ^ House of Commons Hansard Debates for 16 July 1990 accessed 8 September 2006
- ^ 'Hanwell: Churches', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962), pp. 230-33. Date accessed: 25 July 2007.
- ^ Sharpe, Monagu (1926). Some accounts of bygone Hanwell. page 24. Brentford Printing and Publishing Coy., Ltd. London. UK.
- ^ British Waterways Hanwell Flight of Locks accessed 8 September 2006
- ^ St Thomas The Apostle, Hanwell Our Building accessed 8 September 2006
- ^ Higginbotham, Peter Central London School DistrictOxford University last accessed: September 2nd 2006
- ^ English Heritage entry for Hanwell Community Centre; accessed: September 2nd 2006
- ^ London Borough of Ealing Hanwell Clock Tower accessed 8 September 2006
- ^ Deep Purple Appreciation Society Deep Purple A-Z accessed: September 8, 2006
- ^ Musicians Hotline interview with Jim Marshall accessed: September 30, 2006
- ^ Neaves, Cyrill (1971). A history of Greater Ealing. United Kingdom: S. R. Publishers, p128. ISBN 0-85409-679-5.
- ^ A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962). Hanwell: Other estates. p 225-26. Date accessed: 1 June 2007.
- ^ A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3: Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington (1962). Hanwell: Churches. p 230-33. Date accessed: 1 June 2007.
- ^ Hanwell Carnival - A Short History. Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
- ^ English Heritage entry for Hanwell Station accessed: September 2nd 2006
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