Welcome to the Cricklewood Town Team website where details of the Cricklewood Station History Panels are set out.
We hope that while studying the artwork that now adorns the glass panels on the Passenger Waiting Shelter on Platform 1 at Cricklewood Station you want to learn more about the history of Cricklewood. The QR code you have used links to this page, the Introduction to the Panels. To find out more about the history that links to the other 3 panels you can either use the individual QR code in the middle of each Panel or click on the links below.
The artist Freddie Needle created the artwork, which reflects the industrial history of Cricklewood, as a montage of imagery in a variety of mediums, including her paintings, prints and photographs. During the investigation of Cricklewood, Freddie was assisted by Town Team member Bee Dred. Measuring 9 by 6 metres the work captures the history of Cricklewood from the arrival of the railways in 1860s and their subsequent impact on the area. The aero industry followed and was based at Clitterhouse Farm, which was rented by the father of Suffragette – Gladice Keevil, from 1874 – 1926.
The Farm was used to test early tanks, with the Handley Page factory based there during WW1; the Aerodrome was used for commercial flights to Paris from 1919. Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930 lived in Vernon Court, where a Blue Plaque is displayed linking with the tribute mural to her by artist Lakwena on the Platform wall. Walk along the Platform after turning left at the top of the walkway and you will see Lakwena’s colourful mural.
The Handley Page logo in Panel 2 provides a link to the eye-catching imagery of Handley Page biplanes on the walkway up to platform created by Cricklewood-based artist Alistair Lambert.
Freddie has captured images of the industrial businesses which thrived in Cricklewood and of the historic Crown Hotel, whose provision for coaching travellers dates from the 1750s; it was rebuilt in 1889. In the last century the Crown was the focal point of the Irish community who migrated here, many men to help build the roads and houses so badly needed after WW2 and the women to work in the NHS or the factories in Cricklewood area.
Local historian and artist Bernard Canavan has included his painting from the 1970s which shows the Irish labourers loading up early in the morning and the delivery of Irish food from O’Kane’s red van, with the young boy – Eddie O’Kane aiding his uncle; he is the owner of the painting and has kindly provided a copy of this artwork. O’Kane is a thriving Irish Foods business still located in the neighbourhood. Bernard is a well known for his local talks and walks about the migration of the Irish community.
Key industries included Stoll Studios who produced a series of silent films in 1920s including The Prodigal Son and The Four Feathers and was then the largest in Britain. Smiths Crisps were developed by Frank Smith and his wife near the Crown; they invented the “twist of salt in a blue wrapper” and Smiths Industries who produced watches and clocks. In 2012 a restored vintage clock was installed on the Broadway.
Freddie Needle tells us that she “has always been interested in architectural history and the connection it has with the past. I choose a sepia background to reflect an air of nostalgia. I wanted to create a visual narrative that recorded Cricklewood’s industrial diversity and was accessible to all.”
Bee Dred added that she’d “lived in the area for 20 years and it was a pleasure to share my enthusiasm for the architecture and history of Cricklewood with Freddie.”
The vinyl graphics were undertaken by Modelsigns, whose support through the design process has been immeasurable.
The QR codes and related IT links to the Cricklewood.net website were undertaken by Damean, who provides our regular IT support.
Thameslink’s Radlett to Cricklewood Station Manager, Marc Asamoah said: “Local residents take huge pride in their station here at Cricklewood and it’s wonderful to see their ideas being brought to life. This artwork has enhanced the new passenger waiting shelter and will be admired by all who use the station; it has generated much interest.”
Cricklewood Town Team lead for this project Angela Payne said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Freddie and Bee to capture the rich history of Cricklewood and provide the opportunity to engage local communities in the history of their area. Travelling on Thameslink after linking on the QR code will enable passengers to learn as they travel. Bernard Canavan’s input into the history of Irish migration and the importance of the Crown has been inspiring. And the support from Damean with the QR codes and links to the Town Team website ensured this project met all the aims. This is the final project being delivered at the station thanks to the Passenger Benefit Fund.”
The Cricklewood Town Team are a station partner to Govia Thameslink and have worked to enhance the station in the past, including the planting at the entrance to the station and the display of 30 welcome signs in different languages.
Contact for Freddie Needle, Bee Dred, Bernard Canavan and Alistair Lambert is through info@ttcricklewood.net
For Damean – www.damean.co.uk | www.webdezigner.co.uk