The High Street, Harlesden, Brent, 1997,
Harlesden was once a Saxon settlement. The Domesday Book calls it “Hervlvestvne”. In 1997, Harlesden was in the London borough of Brent, as it remains today. It’s when Peter Marshall was walking around the place taking pictures.
Bordered by the north-west London -dens of Neasden and Willesden, Harlesden is different. In 1908, the Olympic Games marathon race course went through Harlesden. On the way to the finish line at White City Stadium, the runners entered Harlesden via Craven Park Road, turned down Manor Park Road, ran up the High Street, passed the Jubilee Clock and Willesden Junction.9
And then after Nazi and IRA bombs, new housing estates, and factories that came and went, in 2001 the place had the highest murder rate in the UK. In 2007, the then Prince Charles (now King Charles) visited Harlesden and told media: “I don’t think I have enjoyed myself so much for a long time going down the high street and popping into one or two shops. I’m sorry I couldn’t go into more of them.” He’s not been back.
As Harlesden-born artist George The Poet put it: “Non-gentrified and possibly non-gentrifiable (M&S left in 1984 and never came back), it has an atmosphere reminiscent of the Wild West.”
Norfolk Rd, Brownlow Rd, Harlesden
Jubilee Clock Tower, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1997,
In 1968, label Trojan Records opened in Harlesden, and was influential in bringing reggae music to the UK. Antonio ‘Chips’ Richards of Trojan explains: ‘London was the launching pad for the world … Reggae had a home and Trojan was the mother’.
House, Harlesden Avenue, St John’s Avenue, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1988
Harlesden Tyres, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1988
144, Minet Avenue, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Harlesden Rd
Brownlow Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
The Lounge, Restaurant, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
(2019) Peter Marshall
(2019) Peter Marshall
The Crown, Rat & Carrot, pub, 34, High Street, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
The Creole Organisation, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1988
The Ball & Cue, Nite Club, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Tejal Motors, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1988
Tavistock Youth Centre, Tavistock Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Steps, St Mary’s Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Shops, Craven Park Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Shops, Baker Rd, Acton Lane, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Sculpture, Flats, Harlesden Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Royal Oak, pub, 95, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Gibraltar House, Connaught Road, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Gangamaiya, 1a, Avenue Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Church of God of Prophecy, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1988
Cardinal Hinsley High School, Harlesden Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
Bridge Cafe, Bridge Rd, Harlesden, Brent, 1997, 97
Acton Lane, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
168, High St, Harlesden, Brent, 1997
If you fancy visiting Harlesden, London NW10, Brent Council has produced this video:
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.
