A snippet of West Hampstead history:

West Hampstead (or West End as it was then known) nearly lost its Green (opposite the fire station) in 1875; when it was ‘granted’ to John Culverhouse by the Lord of the Manor.

Intending to sell the land for building, he had a hoarding set up around it but the local people pulled this down. So the situation remained until 1882 when a Mr Fowle arranged to buy the land and set up a much stronger hoarding and began to strip the turf. A further protest escalated and locals converged to demolish the boards and burn them on the Green. Eight men were arrested but perhaps wisely found ‘not guilty’. At the trial, evidence was given that the Green had been a recreation ground ‘from time immemorial’.

Thanks to them our neighbourhood continues to enjoy the Green today!

[Source: The Streets of West Hampstead, by Camden History Society’s Street History Group]

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