A BRIEF HISTORY OF GREENFORD

The following information and photographs are extracts from the book 'Ealing, Hanwell & Greenford' written by Richard Essen and published by Budding Books. I'm sure the author will forgive my breach of copyright if you each buy a copy of it.

Grenan Forda is first mentioned in 845, in a legal transaction. In the 17th century, as urbanisation began to spread, development in the Greenford area was dominated by 2 families - the Costons and the Ravenors. An Urban District Council of 9 members was formed in 1894 for Greenford, Perivale and Twyford. The population at this time was growing from 545 in 1891 to 672 in 1901. In 1904 the Great Western Railway reached Ealing from Old Oak and a branch opened to Greenford. Building on the Ravesnor Park estate , the first housing estate in Greenford, began in 1912. In 1924 Greenford Road was built and replaced Oldfield Lane as the main north-south route. In 1926 the Urban District was merged with the Metropolitan Borough of Ealing. Western Avenue cut across the area in 1934 and house building filled in the area between these major trunk roads.

Costons Lane and, in turn, Coston School were named after Simon Coston, a foundling who disappeared from the village and returned a rich man. He died in 1637.

Above -Greenford schoolhouse, Oldfield Lane, 1935. It was built in 1878 by the Revd Edward Betham of Holy Cross, Greenford. In 1939 Sir Albert Richardson's New Holy Cross Church was built.

Above - Costons Lane c 1925. The lane was split by the Greenford Road, which was built in 1924. This view shows nos 108 to 90 , on the left of Costons Lane.

Above - Frederick G Skinner's confectioner's shop, Oldfield Lane c 1930. The shop was on the corner of Ravenor Park and Oldfield Lane.