Begin reading Zadie Smith’s The Fraud, and realise that early parts of the book are set in Kilburn, in fact on what is now, though was not in 1830 when the book was (partially) set, Kilburn High Road. There are references to Kilburn Wells, which became known in the eighteenth century as a pleasure resort. It had grown up around a medicinal spring of fresh water in Abbey Fields, near the site of the old Kilburn Priory and in the grounds of The Bell public house. Described as a pleasant two mile walk from Oxford Street for a day’s relaxation.
The Kilburn Priory was long gone by that time, having fallen victim to Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. The Bell Pub, however is much more familiar. The original establishment was pulled down in 1863 and replaced with a pub that is still there. We’ve had more than one pint in it but had given up on it. This was both because it was part of the Wetherspoon chain owned by the unpleasant Tim Martin (he who donated £200,000 to the Brexit Vote Leave campaign) and because it smelled unmistakably of piss - though you could drink outside in the garden. However, it is no longer a Wetherspoons pub and recent reviews are quite good so it may be time to pay it another visit.
The Fraud has had mixed reviews but has garnered prizes (published last year). Smith herself was born in Willesden, the community immediately to the west of Kilburn.
And the UK elections? By early evening today:
Declared councils - Lab +8 | Lib Dem: +1 | Con: -8 | Ind: +1 | Hung: +2
Councillors - Lab +169 | Lib Dem: +92 | Con: -432 | Ind: 88 | Green: +66
And someone nabbed a priceless photo.