The Street with Two Names
Recently our attention was drawn to a street sign that appears on a house in Dewsbury Road on the corner of Aberdeen Road. It’s fairly hard to decipher but our best guess is – “St Raphael’s Way” – which does exist near to the North Circular but how has the sign ended up here?
A reference copy of “From Bacon Lane to Yuletide Road – A Guide to Brent Street Names” is held at Brent Archives and is an invaluable source of information on the origin of street names, although not exhaustive!
It’s not uncommon for streets to have been re-named. The most famous local example being Wrentham Avenue, previously known as Ladysmith Road, which was changed after the Crossman trunk murder and suicide in 1904.
The reason for Dewsbury Road’s double identity remains a mystery… Please send us an email if you have any thoughts.
Posted by Rachel
brentmuseumandarchives
Colin C.
Emir Ghariani
I was interested to see the reference to “From Bacon Lane to Yuletide Road – A Guide to Brent Street Names” which is held at Brent Archives and described as “an invaluable source of information on the origin of street names”.
Is it possible for residents to obtain a copy?
I’m afraid there are no copies available for sale. It can be consulted at Brent Archives, and relevant sections photocopied if required. Best wishes Malcolm Barres-Baker Brent Archives
My guess is that the old sign was a replica of the St Raphael’s Way sign a good few decades ago which was recycled (painted over) to read Dewsbury.. after years of weathering it revealed the old name. Anyway, just a guess!