Jo Reynolds questions local cat burglar, Darjeeling, a real cat – who burgles – for real. What’s your name? Darjeeling. You know, as in the tea grown in the mountains of Northern India. What breed are you? Bengal. My owner,…
Brackenbury blog
Local history?: Murder at the Brackenbury Museum?
Eminent local historian Oliver Cyriax reveals why there is little chance of the Museum reopening soon. Brackenbury Museum in its 1960s heyday It’s not every day that she comes to Brackenbury. This was a mercy-mission, from the goodness of her…
Local history?: Brackenbury – the Musical
Eminent historian Oliver Cyriax cracks open Brackenbury Museum’s archive and breaks into song with Diana Dors. This futuristic piece from the 1950s had a glittering first night at the Tabard. My old friend Kathryn (Bigelow) agrees it has promise. Backers…
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…
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…
Local theatre director: Madani Younis
Madani Younis, artistic director of the Bush Theatre since 2012, tells Jo Reynolds about the theatre’s new home in the old Shepherd’s Bush Library. What brought you to this neighbourhood? I’ve known the Bush (theatre) all my professional life. I…
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.…
Brackenbury Hound: Darjeeling, cat burglar
The Brackenbury Hound goes undercover to catch local cat burglar Darjeeling – cartoon by local artist Paul Donnellon. What is this cartoon about? Read about Darjeeling
Local namesake?: Sir Bob Brackenbury
So, who is – or was – our namesake? A Wiki moment later, we can report without fear of litigation that our Brackenbury is the once beknighted Sir Robert Brackenbury, a nobleman and courtier who hailed from near Darlington 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…