Goodbye Kilburn

Thanks for the prompt all, it’s been a while since my last update…

That’s because after 3 interesting years, we decided it was time to grow up and move out of Kilburn. Sorry for the lack of updates, but they do say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do – ‘they’ are right!

The decision was actually made because of where we lived, and not Kilburn itself – moving from a pokey little flat with noisy neighbours to a big house with a gorgeous garden (for not much more money) was quite an easy decision for us.  And after 3 years, we’d made quite  a few friends in the area – neighbours / man in corner shop / fellow dog walkers that we’ll remember fondly.

It all boiled down to the fact that in terms of value for money, it just didn’t make sense for us.  I’d still say NW6 is a very overpriced area of London in relation to standard of living.  And while I’m very much in support of London’s unique mix of private and social housing, it  definitely made a difference to our quality of life, and not for the better.

But overall, I’m happy with my time in Kilburn, and will be back to visit and keep tabs on how it changes over the years – farewell good friends…

What’s the polite way to get rid of canvassers?

If you were at home in NW6 yesterday you were probably visited by the super-persistent Lib Dem canvassers as well.  What’s a polite way of saying ‘I really wish you would go away, I think I ate something dodgy yesterday and it’s not a good time for the hard sell right now?” Or is that too much information!?

Crime in Kilburn… Again!

I feel so bad for my poor neighbours – they’ve been the victims of crime not once, but twice in the last month!

First their brand new bikes were stolen from outside their flat, and then some beggar made off with all their plants! Is nothing sacred?

I can’t help thinking that there must be quite limited overlap between people who like a nice window box and lowly criminals, but there you have it.

Can people just buy their own things please? Thanks.

Goodbye London

I always look out for London-theme books / movies (even if the incredibly irritant Hugh Grant happens to make an appearance) – it’s such fun to be able to spot places & people you recognise.

I’ve been sent this really fun music video from Luke Jackson featuring our lovely city – enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8nrDz1xNFE

Must… Have… Fry-up!

So this week, we decided we’d had enough of our ritual of Sunday brunch at J on West End Lane.  They do a serviceable breakfast, but whether or not you get what you asked for, within the hour, from your scowling Italian waiter is another story.

It makes you wonder if there’s anywhere decent in the area for a leisurely Sunday breakfast.  Recently we’ve sampled:

a) The Kitchen Table

37 Mill lane , London, NW6 1PZ

Pros: It’s organic and kiddie-friendly.

Cons: A basic, limited menu and it’s rather expensive!  (Also, gaggles of screeching toddles aren’t everyone’s idea of fun when fighting off a hangover)

and

b) Hugo’s

21 Lonsdale Road, NW6 6RA

Pros: Good (also organic) menu, and nice relaxed feel . They do a great dinner as well, if you’re into live jazz as background music.  And it’s a bit hidden away, so usually frequented by the more discerning among us.

Cons: It might depend on when you catch them, but the service wasn’t the best last time I went. Usually it’s absolutely fine though.

Any other recommendations?  Let me know and I’ll give it a go this weekend and report back

Yobs in Kilburn – what a surprise…?

I’m aware that I haven’t posted any local news for a while, but I couldn’t really keep schtum about this story.

Young boys mugging people in broad daylight is the type of thing you’d hope wouldn’t happen in Kilburn any more, but apparently it still does.

What’s even more bemusing is that this happened in Messina Avenue – the road opposite Kilburn Grange Park, which is supposed to have been transformed into an idyllic community playground.  It’s also very near where I live.

I really hope these boys get caught, to act as an example to anyone who thinks this is acceptable behaviour.  I’ll try and find a larger picture of them to post – who knows, someone out there might recognise them…

Trams proposed for West Hampstead

Picked up on this article in the Hendon & Finchley Times – apparently there are plans in the works to build an electric tram system that runs through West Hampstead and Cricklewood.

While it’s true that West Hampstead is exceptionally well served in terms of public transport links, it can still be difficult to get across London; the current Overground system does allow you to get from West to East London, although perhaps not in the most direct way.  But is it worth £16bn?  And where is the money coming from?

Bear in mind that there are also plans to extend the Tube to include a Brent Cross line, which would run through to Acton:

 

I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve seen more detailed plans.  Does anyone think this would be a particularly good idea?

Name that Path!

Apparently there are three roads (well, pathways) in West Hampstead that haven’t been named yet – and residents are being asked for suggestions. 

The paths in question are an alley behind the Thameslink station that leads to Broomsleigh Street, a stretch that links Finchley Road with West End Lane, running behind the Lithos Road estate and another that leads from West End Lane to Lymington Road.

If you have any good ideas, why not send them in – to john.bryant@camden.gov.uk, by the end of January.

The only rules are:-

1. It shouldn’t be a duplicate of an existing road, and

2. It should be named after a local resident (but preferably not one who’s still alive) or landmark

Why not give a few suggestions, should you be sufficiently inspired?

Property Price Puzzle

Bearing in mind the current financial crisis (I think it’s fair to call it a crisis now), you’d expect a bit of caution in the property market, wouldn’t you?

Well Foxtons don’t seem to have any such fears – there are still houses on the market for ridiculous amounts.  This one, in the heart of Kilburn, is still on the market for £1.325m!  Who can they think would possibly buy it? 

5 bedroom house in Kilburn, NW6 - £1.325m (Foxtons)

I’ve been past a few branches of Foxtons in the last few weeks, and let’s just say the phones weren’t ringing off the hooks.  Are they just leaving properties on their books for show, or is there a mini-property boom in North West London?

Random Acts of Kindness

Well this is a heartwarming local story. Did you hear about this? A group of four men from West Hampstead who go by the name of ‘The Kindness Offensive’ have been in the news this week for giving out food to the hungry.  Good on them. 

The Kindness Offensive (source: Camden New Journal)

This also drew my attention to the Random Acts of Kindness movement.  Not that there should have to be an organisation to make us all be good to each other!  But it’s easy to see how living in London can make you more prone to violence than kindness, especially when you have to deal with the awfulness of bus drivers, sales assistants and traffic wardens on a daily basis.

It’s probably been a while since I was randomly kind to someone (I helped an old lady with bags across the road a few weeks ago, but I don’t think that really counts), but I will try. 

Do tell – what kind things have you done recently?