
At the time there were two railways into Edgware, the Northern Line and also a Branch line of the LNER, that had a station and goods depot at the site of what is now the Broadwalk shopping centre. There were plans to convert this into a tube line, all that now remains of this branch is the spur to Mill Hill East from Finchley. Jay Foreman made a fascinating video about the line, which is well worth a watch.
When the underground arrived in Edgware, it caused massive change and development. This picture from @time_nw on Twitter shows just how much the area has changed. This was taken in 1926
By the 1950's Edgware had become a bustling town centre, with a good selection of shops and other servicesEdgware @northernline station from the air in 1926.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) June 10, 2019
The arrival of the London Underground kick-started a massive development of this once sleepy part of North West London, in fact back then, it was still refered to as part of Middlesex. Note too the proposed extension.. pic.twitter.com/48t39BmzAF
By the 1960's it had become a successful and pleasant suburban town centreThe Time Machine has landed. Here we are in Station Road, Edgware in the early 1950s. pic.twitter.com/BFX0HQmClz— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) April 16, 2019
For many of us who grew up with a great affinity to Edgware, the cinema was the centre of many activities. Although the frontage changed over the years, it was a much loved an appreciated building, which just about everyone who lived locally would have watched films such as The Sound of Music, Gone with the wind, Star wars and the Indigo Jones films. Sadly the cinema got bulldozed and is now a block of flats.Station Road, Edgware, circa mid 1960s.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) September 5, 2019
How many cars can you name?
(Image via @sainsburyarch ) pic.twitter.com/7KBl9ryBoc
Another important facility was Edgware General hospital, as I was born there, I had a particular affinity for the place. Broken limbs and other ailments warranted many a visit. In the mid 1980's, I spent six weeks in there following a burst stomach ulcer, so I knew it well. I thought for a time it would be where I both entered and left the planet! The hospital has morphed into Edgware Community hospital, which sadly no longer has and A&E department. Despite the efforts of the then local MP, Sir John Gorst, who voted against his own party to save it, the hospital was closed. His successor, Labours Andrew Dismore was elected on a manifesto of saving it, but this was the first promise he broke. The new hospital has some great facilities, but for locals a trip to Barnet or Northwick Park is not the easiest journey and many still feel bitter about the closure.Special request from @Gosbert -— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) June 27, 2019
The cinema in Station Road, Edgware, that went by several names over its history, including the Belle Vue, The Ritz and the ABC https://t.co/vk3OkZEJ0m pic.twitter.com/aBq4nlA2g2
As for local businesses, there were and still are some car show rooms, perhaps not quite as glamourous these days.Redhill Hospital (now Edgware Community Hospital) from the air, in the 1930s. This Aerofilms photo hangs in the entrance of the current facility. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/cNRAKcCG8G— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) December 7, 2019
In the late 1980's the former LNER station was redeveloped into the Broadwalk shopping centre. This more or less spelled the end of the thriving high street. Sainsburys moved from one end to a much larger premises in the Broadwalk. Sadly this development was a very soulless and bland design, that never really generated much love.Model posing in front of Perry's Ford Showrooms, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, 1966.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) August 9, 2019
Until recently this building was a tile shop, and is now the new home of ClassicCarsLondon. pic.twitter.com/u5iMDxkCfO
The Sainsbury's in Edgware, at the time of opening in 1989.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) May 23, 2019are associated with many of the local shops and businesses. There is a rather nice write up about the community in the JC, which is well worth a read. Some of these such as Grodzinski's bakers have been around for well over a 100years. There is also a thriving parish community at the Anglican Church of St Margaret of Antioch on Station Road and St Anthony's Catholic Church, just off the High Street, which has a thriving social club
Image via the brilliant @sainsburyarch
https://t.co/vq26sOZl0T pic.twitter.com/5h2X990KeV
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ST Anthonys, Edgware |
Another important part of Edgware was the lively pub scene. Edgware had some marvellous pubs. The biggest and best of these was The Railway Hotel on Station road. A grade II listed building of Mock Tudor design, originally serving the busy local railway stations.
The Railway Hotel, Edgware, in the 1930s and this morning.#railwayhoteledgware pic.twitter.com/m5CWeYE3mN— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) June 11, 2019
The Barnet Eye got together with local historian to make a short film explaining the appalling decline of the building, which shut over 10 years ago and has gone to rack and ruin.

There is a nice shot of the White Lion in 1904 here
The laying of tramway tracks outside The White Lion pub, Edgware, in 1904.@EdgwareTownFC played at the rear of this pub, which is why the lion is on the shield.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) January 24, 2020
This is the approximate scene now.
Archive image from Old Edgware in Camera by Quest Books. pic.twitter.com/IPTGRHFjV1
Around the back of The White Lion was Jingles nightclub, scene of many shenanigans. Another major Edgware Landmark was also at the back of the pub, with the former home of Edgware Town, yet another lost Edgware icon.
More picture's, of Edgware Town's old ground, The White Lion. @EdgwareTownFC @EtfcFans @JubileeSilver pic.twitter.com/rDxdcEoHeF— Matt Shotter (@Shottersshouts) August 10, 2018
For the record, Edgware Town are now playing at the home of Kingsbury Town.
For us music lovers, Edgware was rather spoiled with two excellent records shops. There was Stephen Seiger's on the corner of Station Road and the High Street (now a fruiterer) and Loppylugs at the other end of Station road, opposite the Nat West bank. Stephen Seiger specialised in Bluesy Jazz and Rock, whereas Loppylugs was for the lovers of Pop and Dance music and later Rock and Metal music.
Sadly, like many trades, the record shops have long departed Edgware.Still loving the mural next to my desk of the record shop in my old town @KulaStudioLIV #loppylugs #edgware #home pic.twitter.com/ZacwvbwHkN— Steve Wiseman (@iambrave_stevew) July 24, 2015
There are a few business of note to recall in Edgware. Green Shield Stamps, an iconic 1960's brand were based on Station Road, Edgware
Music Manufacturer Boosey and Hawkes, the UK's top music brand of years gone by also had a factory in Edgware...finally, the HQ of Green Shield Stamps, on Station Road, Edgware, circa 1965. This later became the HQ for Argos, then renamed Premier House. A few years ago it was remodelled into an apartment block.— NW London TimeMachine (@time_nw) August 10, 2019
Image via @age_fotostock
More on Green Shield here https://t.co/0P4WMwqjC8 pic.twitter.com/KTRsTnG87b
.Photos of the Boosey and Hawkes factory on Deansbrook Road, Edgware in the 1940s where they manufactured brass instruments.— Mill Hill Hist Soc (@MHHistSoc) November 24, 2019
Images from @HornimanMuseum who hold their museum and archive: https://t.co/kk21onddHF pic.twitter.com/N5Z2n1SehR
Sadly these days, the only factories you read about in Edgware these days, are of a rather different kind
As for the politics of Edgware, it has always been a staunchly Conservative ward in the local elections.Two drugs warrants executed yesterday by Edgware SNT and other local SNTs. One cannabis factory found and closed and two suspects arrested. pic.twitter.com/C99RIdQrow— Edgware Police (@MPSEdgwareQA) December 19, 2017
Edgware
Surname | First Name | Description | Votes |
Barber | Stephen David | Liberal Democrat | 273 |
Bilbow | Andrea Lesley | Labour Party | 1311 |
Dhanani-Sumaria | Kunal | Green Party | 407 |
Ferrero Tijera | Jose-Angel | Liberal Democrat | 252 |
Freedman | Linda Margot | The Conservative Party Candidate (Elected) | 3370 |
Gordon | Brian Colin | The Conservative Party Candidate (Elected) | 3567 |
Khnifess | Amir | Labour Party | 1077 |
Manalo | Maria | Liberal Democrat | 268 |
Scammell | Jordan Caileigh | Labour Party | 1019 |
Wardle | Sarah Jane | The Conservative Party Candidate (Elected) | 3289 |
If you live in Edgware and don't know your local councillors, Brian Gordon has been a member of the council for a very long time. He has often been a controversial character, having got himself into a spot of bother on more than one occasion. In 2009, he upset former Chipping Barnet Tory Grandee David Miller by blacking up for a party.
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Brian Gordon in 2009 |
The second councillor is Sarah Wardle was elected in 2018. She works for BECG a property consultancy and is a specialist in specialises in "setting early engagement strategies for estate regeneration projects"
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Sarah Wardle |
With two property experts as Councillors, Edgware is fortunate to have councillors who understand the planning process. Whether they have applied their talents to the benefit of locals is a matter of public debate.Did you see the tweets posted by your colleague @lindi_lmf that resulted in her suspension from the party? Did you think these were ok? pic.twitter.com/surt8b3hY1— A Better Mill Hill (@ABetterMillHill) September 22, 2019
We will finish our tour of Edgware with some of the famous local people to have emerged from Edgware. The former speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow was an Edgware local. One of my favourites was Tony Currie, one of the best footballers of the 1970's
OTD 1950— Football Masters (@mag_masters) January 1, 2020
Tony Currie was born in Edgware.He played for Sheff Utd Leeds and QPR, he also played 17 times for England
Football Masters loves the maverick players and Tony was one of the very best.
FM will look at his time at Sheffield United #SheffieldUnited #QPR #LeedsUnited pic.twitter.com/VxXTR9lK0I
Legendary music promoter Harvey Goldsmith was also an Edgware boy.
We will finish with a good friend of this blog. Local ace guitarist Boz Boorer. Now touring the world as the musical director of Morrissey, but here on Top of the Pops with fellow local legends The Polecats! Boz is the one in the blue shirt playing guitar.