Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Toponymy
The name is first recorded in 848 as ''Grenan forda''. It is formed from the Old English 'grēne' and 'ford' and means 'place at the green ford'. Greenford was known as '''Great Greenford''' in order to distinguish it from Little Greenford, which is now known as Perivale. The affixes 'Magna' and 'Parva' have also been used to denote the difference.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
History
Industrial
Greenford is considered to be birthplace of the modern organic chemical industry, as it was at Sir William Henry Perkin's chemical factory in North Greenford, by the Grand Union Canal, that the world's first aniline dye was discovered in March 1856. Perkin called his amazing discovery 'mauveine'. Today there is a blue plaque marking the spot in Oldfield Lane North, just south of the Black Horse Public House. Greenford is home to the Hovis factory. The former Rockware Glass on the canal is commemorated by Rockware Avenue. Greenford formed part of Greenford Urban District from 1894 to 1926 and was then absorbed by the Municipal Borough of Ealing.
J. Lyons and Co.
[[File:Grand Union Canal, Greenford - geograph.org.uk - 835456.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A modern view of the Grand Union Canal through Greenford, with the former J.Lyons & Co. factory in the background]]
Post World War I, tea blender and food manufacturer J. Lyons and Co. were looking for a secondary site on which to expand production beyond Cadby Hall, Hammersmith. In 1921 they bought the first piece of an eventual site, due to its location close to good transport links from both the Grand Union Canal and the Great Western Railway's Great Western Main Line, and the West Coast Main Line and onwards to the Midlands at Willesden Junction railway station.
The factory officially opened in July 1921, with the first single-storey buildings known as "Zig-Zag" due to their northern light aligned windows allowing maximum light into the production area. There were steam and electrical power plants on site, which powered both the plant as well as the staff canteen and medical facilities, accessible to all plant employees and their dependents. Transport docks and a canal basin had been developed, allowing shipment of tea and coffee directly from London Docks into HM Customs excise controlled bonded warehouses. The extensive onsite railway infrastructure allowed precise positioning of heavy raw goods into the factory, as well as the extraction of finished product. Lyons bought their own steam shunters to move wagons between the GWR exchange sidings and the factory system.
Lyons quickly became Greenford's biggest employer. A later pioneer in electronic machines and computing, Lyons deployed the latest factory automation technology, making Greenford a show place that was regularly visited by the media, academics, competitors and royalty, with more than one visit by King George V and Mary of Teck. In the 1950s, the site developed the breakfast ceral Ready Brek. Areas of the site not initially developed for factory use were landscaped, with many trees planted. As the factory developed these diminished, particularly after the development of the Lyons Maid Bridge Park factory in the 1950s, and the new administration block in 1971.
After the merger of Lyons with Allied Bakeries in the 1980s, and the focus of the new Allied Domecq business to focus on spirits, with the sell off of the businesses associated with the factory, the need for the facility dwindled. Redeveloped from 1998, today it is known as Lyon Way Industrial Estate.
Art and culture
Five hundred yards north east from William Perkin's dye factory was a triangular field in which he kept horses. On this ground was built the Oldfield Tavern public house, which became a popular venue for a Rock music group called the Detours, who met a drummer there called Keith Moon. On Thursday 20 February 1964 they were introduced to the audience of the Oldfield Tavern as The Who.Joe McMichael, Jack Lyons (2004) [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=w_bXxPnQtooC&pg=PA11&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false The Who Concert File]. Omnibus Press. ISBN 1-84449-009-2. Accessed 2010-06-25John Atkins (2000) [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=AcdRcQMWEVQC&pg=PA15&dq=%22the+who%22+%22oldfield+tavern%22&hl=en&ei=nBQlTMeyKYSLOPjByNwC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q= The Who on record: a critical history, 1963-1998] McFarland, ISBN 0-7864-0609-7 (The Tavern has not survived, however, and has since been replaced by a small block of flats and a Texaco petrol station.)
Andy Locke, Dave Kerr-Clemenson and Wal Scott, were all in Edison Lighthouse, with chart topping Love Grows all came from Greenford.
Expansion
{| class="wikitable" align="left" style=font-size:85%;margin-left:10px;
|+'''Greenford (parish) population'''
|-
!align="center"| 1881
|align="center"| 538
|-
!align="center"| 1891
|align="center"| 545
|-
!align="center"| 1901
|align="center"| 672
|-
!align="center"| 1911
|align="center"| 843
|-
!align="center"| 1921
|align="center"| 1,199
|-
| colspan=2| Absorbed by Ealing parish Ealing
|-
|style="font-size:smaller" colspan=2 align=center|source: Census#United Kingdom
|}
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Education
* The Cardinal Wiseman School
* Our Lady Of The Visitation Catholic Primary Schoolhttp://www.olov.ik.org/
* William Perkin Church of England High School (a new secondary Free school (England) opening in September 2013http://www.williamperkin.org.uk/)
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Transport
Tube
Greenford station, on the Central line.
Rail
Greenford station, on the First Great Western.
South Greenford railway station, on the First Great Western.
Buses
Greenford has the following bus routes travelling through it: 92, 95, 105, 282, 395, London Buses route E1, London Buses route E2, London Buses route E3, E5, London Buses route E6, E7, E9, E10 and London Buses route E11.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Recreation
The grounds of the former Ravenor Farm has become Greenford's largest park. It is the venue for the annual Greenford Carnival, which is held every July.Ealing Council [http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/leisure/ealing_summer/carnival.html Greenford Carnival].
Until 1910, the land that formed Ravenor Farm / Ravenor Park was a detached part of Northolt parish, with the tithes to the land going to St Mary the Virgin, Northolt and not the Greenford parish of Holy Cross.
The former Ravenor Farm buildings in Oldfield Lane South are now home to the London Motorcycle Museum.
There are also the Northala hills near Northolt.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Sport & Leisure
Greenford has two Non-League football teams London Tigers F.C. who play at the Avenue Park Stadium and North Greenford United F.C. who play at Berkeley Fields.
The trotting track at Greenford was a pioneer Motorcycle speedway venue and open meetings were staged 1928–1930 . The track would be called a long track now, as it was of the order of half a mile/800 metres per lap. The trotting park was situated on what is now Birkbeck Avenue, just north of the A40 road (London) Western Avenue (London).
{{multiple image
| width = 245
| footer = '''Places to visit.'''
| image1 = Greenford Heritage Centre 3668.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Heritage Centre
| image2 = Triumph Speed Twin.jpg
| alt2 = Triumph Speed Twin
| caption2 = London Motorcycle Museum
}}
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Places of interest
'''The Heritage Centre''': a cornucopia of British-made domestic paraphernalia of 20th century is on display - a variety of household items that were commonly found in British homes and gardens in the past.Ealing Gazette (2008-09-19) http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/lifestyle-ealing/listings-ealing/2008/09/19/what-s-on-at-greenford-64767-21857258/ What's on at Greenford.
The London Motorcycle Museum is the capital's only motorcycle museum, opening in 1999 with a display of around 60 exhibits and now have around 200 exhibits on display including a wide range of bikes & memorabilia as well as knowledgeable staff.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Economy
Significant local businesses include: British Bakeries, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK, pharmaceutical research and development), Panavision, Panalux, Wincanton plc (Distribution Centre) and Royal Mail (Regional distribution centre). KBR (company) has an office in Greenford."[http://www.kbr.com/locations.aspx Locations]." ''KBR (company)''. Retrieved on 13 January 2008.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Political representation
Greenford is part of the Ealing North (UK Parliament constituency) Parliament of the United Kingdomary constituency, represented since 1997 by Labour Party (UK) Member of Parliament Stephen Pound.
Greenford is made up of three and a half electoral wards for Local government in the United Kingdom elections: Greenford Broadway, Greenford Green, North Greenford and half of the Lady Margaret ward, which is situated on the south side of Greenford Broadway. These wards all elect councillors to London Borough of Ealing. Ealing Council is currently run by a British Labour Party administration.
Political status of Ealing Council:
* British Labour Party: 40 seats
* Conservative Party (UK): 24 seats
* Liberal Democrats: 5 seats
Greenford is in the London Assembly constituency of Ealing and Hillingdon which has one assembly member: Richard Barnes (British politician) (Conservative), who was re-elected in May 2008.
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Nearest places
{{Geographic location
|title = '''Neighbouring areas of Greenford'''
|Northwest = Northolt
|North = Northolt
Sudbury Hill
|Northeast = Sudbury, London & Perivale
|West = Yeading
|Centre = Greenford
|East = Perivale
|Southwest = Southall
|South = Dormers Wells
|Southeast = Hanwell
}}
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
Notable people
* Sculptor C. J. Allen (sculptor) (1862–1956), a figure in the New Sculpture movement, was born in Greenford
* Tennis player Blanche Bingley (1863–1946), six times women's singles champion at Wimbledon championships, was born in Greenford
* Comedian Freddie Frinton (1909–1968), who remains a household name in Germany and Scandinavia, lived in Greenford
* Supermodel Jourdan Dunn was born and raised in Greenford.
* Jack Good (producer), pioneering music Television producer with links to artists including The Beatles and The Monkees, was born in Greenford
* Nineteenth-century actor Charles Kean (1811–1868) grew up partly in Greenford
* Singing sisters The Nolans attended the The Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford
* Drummer Doug Sandom, Keith Moon's predecessor in Rock music band The Who, lives in Greenford
* Lieutenant General Sir William Thornton (British Army officer) (1779–1840), a leader of the Light Brigade, lived in Greenford
* Jason Roberts (footballer), professional footballer, attended The Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford.
* Dave Kerr-Clemenson bass player with Edison Lighthouse, White Plains (band) and Fast Buck lived in Hedgerley Gardens, Greenford for 22 years.
* Glamour model and Page 3 Girl Nikkala Stott
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
References
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40 road, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of Holy Cross (14th century); and Betham House, built by Edward Betham (c. 1780).
External links
*[http://www.greenfordmagna.info/ The Parish of Greenford Magna]
*[http://www.greenfordmagna.info/documents/general%20-%20visitors%20guide.pdf/ A Visitor's Guide to Holy Cross church]
*[http://www.london-motorcycle-museum.org/ London Motorcycle Museum]
Category:Areas of London
Category:Districts of Ealing
Category:Chemical industry in London
Category:Districts of London listed in the Domesday Book
Category:Post towns in the UB postcode area
