This is Harlesden
This booklet sums up the spirit of Harlesden as seen by young people in summer 2010. Harlesden can be described as a melting pot of cultures and is home to a vibrant community. This booklet celebrates that fact through the colour, patterns, images, poetry, captivating stories and facts the young people collected. This booklet records the young people’s journey as they explored the identity of Harlesden and discovered its positive and celebratory aspects. Credits Photography
Anna Shkalla Benedict Johnson Photography Ltd Young people Archive images courtesy of Brent Archives
Design
Anna Shkalla
With thanks to
Jean Joseph- project Artist Adisa the verbalizer Ann-Marie Johnson Mohammed Hasan
Funded by
Renaissance London
Participants: Yhon Tas Destiny Krystian Ameer Nikita Leah
Angela Antonio Waneta Georgina Rhianne Zulxikor Chanelle
“I would describe it as an eclectic mix” “Harlesden has always been known as the musical town”
“I call it sunny Harlesden. The sun always shines in Harlesden”
“I love it” “There’s a little bit of everybody here”
In 1086 there were 22 villagers in Harlesden, but 100 pigs.
In 2001 there were 263,474 people living in Harlesden. (2001 Census)
nt e m ettle Tun’ s n s axo rewulf’ S sa a ‘He d). n d a e beg lly call rmstea n e a a lesd origin ulf’s f r a H as rew w e H d an ing n a ore m y n a (me re not m esden. e w e r the Harl In 1599 n houses in ve than se In 1837 the railway line was built to the south of Harlesden village. Willesden Junction w as opene and kick s d in 1866 tarted con , struction in the area. The Jub ilee Clo ck w as b uilt in 1 888 .
THE FACE OF HARLESDEN
beautiful, aggressive adventurous, outgoing smart, attractive joyful, passionate that sparkle of culture what a jewel the unique attraction tall and proud which sparkles with the juice of imagination spreading the joy like a calm overflowing river memories of historic places surround his inner core unwanted spots on his face are the punches thrown by rivals gliding to the beat of pop harlesden’s got rhythm
He walks down the street with his tropical skin He’s always confused like a bouncing ball His eyes change colour like the nature of summer And he dances with R&B in his ears He looks left and right he doesn’t know where to go Then he sees Brent Cross And he goes to see a show He wears red ruby on his face Anger is always close to his face
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she’s a trustworthy friend she keeps businesses safe she’s always a borrower who can decide my fate she works everyday yet you don’t have to pay when you ask, she gives she’s strong and stiff she’s an unfiggerable riddle, if you don’t know how she is she can be fast, lean, slow people crowd around
the best memories the fun times the new friends the old friends the first friends the hellos and the goodbyes the tears the laughter the smiles and frowns the first crush the first kiss the first boyfriend the first gift
.........at times I don’t want to leave
“I ha and ve run t ove my cus his sho r Lo t ndo omers p for 30 n” com e fro years ma “By the ll 1970s, McVitie factory ’ was th e bigge s biscuit factory st biscu in the w it estern world” “All these businesses have been here for years, 30 years, 40 years and even 60” t for 3 s a l d l u ign wo or 33” s e h t f id “He sa t it’s been up , is e u b c , s year l pla t” a v i arn secre c e , th t kept y n oga ’s bes h a n “M sde e l r Ha
“This is my father’s identity card from when he came over from Jamaica in 1949, he kept it all this time. First stop was Paddington and then they moved to Harlesden in the early 1950s. I’ve lived here for most of my life”
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face as wrinkled as a prune heart as peaceful as a classical tune the messy appearance is not as it seems as deep into the root happiness and wisdom lurk like a trifle, full of character and looks confusing to the eyes you long to discover what awaits you inside like gold he can be soft and fragile
This booklet is part of ‘This is me, This is Harlesden’, a project Brent Museum and Brent Archives undertook with young people during 2010 to explore identity. ‘This is Harlesden’ involved a group of young people working with an artist to explore Harlesden’s identity, both past and present. The group recorded positive aspects of Harlesden through photography, sketching, writing poems and interviewing local people. The young people used their research as inspiration to create two banners, which were displayed at Harlesden Library Plus. ‘This is Me’, the other part of the project, explored fashion and identity with young people and resulted in a short film, available as a separate DVD. ‘This is Me, This is Harlesden’ is part of Stories of the World, one of the major projects at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The Cultural Olympiad began in 2008, and uses the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially amongst young people. For more information about this project please contact the Learning Officer at: Brent Museum and Brent Archives 020 8937 3600 museum@brent.gov.uk http://www.brent.gov.uk/museum