David Walker, Local Studies librarian
I am the Local Studies Librarian at Kensington Library and I’ve been here since 2004. But I’ve worked with the Local Studies collections since the 1990s and as a Chelsea resident I’ve roamed the streets of Kensington and Chelsea for more than 20 years and spent a lot of time just looking and thinking. I’ve spent so much time looking at old photographs that if it was possible to step back in time into one of them I like to think I wouldn’t have too much trouble finding my way around.
My staff and I answer enquiries on Local Studies topics at the library from people who live just around the corner or thousands of miles away. We deal with enquiries on ancestor research, house history, and mysteries in maps, photographs and drainage plans. We look in rate books, diaries, mortuary ledgers, manuscripts, scrapbooks and many other places to find answers to the questions which I’m glad to say keep on coming.
For Local Studies enquiries contact us at: centrallocalenquiries@rbkc.gov.uk
If you want to email me direct: dave.walker@rbkc.gov.uk
I tweet preview pictures (when I know what I’m going to write more than a day in advance) on Mondays or Tuesdays and notifications on Thursday mornings when the new posts are loaded. Follow me at: @daveinlocal
January 12th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Hi Dave,
In my days at Notting Hill, Andrew Harvey came across an archive of stuff from the Town Hall which detailed archaic library rules & regulations. One of the more memorable was that ‘there shall be no willful jostling and no throwing of orange peel’. I just wondered if you had seen them?
Thanks for the Library Time Machine, it’s utterly fab. Best wishes, Deb Chapman, late of Notting Hill & Central.
April 17th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Dear Mr Walker,
I stumbled upon your truly fascinating site when searching for information on the historic Belle Vue House (92 Cheyne Road, Chelsea) for a Wikipedia article I’m currently writing. I would like to ask you if you have ever considered uploading some of the images you’ve posted here, most of which are probably in the Public Domain due to their age, to the Wikimedia Commons. As you may know, the Commons are a comprehensive archive of free media with the purpose of making these media available to a larger public. Considering your knowledge of the subjects, you could really make a great contribution to the project.
In regard to Belle Vue House, I would like to ask if you could provide any additional information on the photos with the respective tag (http://rbkclocalstudies.wordpress.com/tag/belle-vue-house/), especially regarding the date of creation, the photographer (James Hedderly), and the technique he used.
I’d be very grateful for any reply.
All the best,
Philip
June 28th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
[...] images found via Retronaut from The Library Time Machine, the Kensington Library blog curated by Dave Walker. A leading Punch cartoonist at the time – no doubt Linley Sambourne took photos to help him [...]
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
This is an amazing blog. I came across it while looking up Lots Road Power Station. You had a fascinating article on it. I’m a photographer and very keen on London architecture. All the very best. Rob Schofield.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Rob
Thanks, and if you don’t mind a bit of flattery, excellent photos on your blog.
Dave
November 27th, 2012 at 5:13 am
I just want to tell you that this site is amazing. The photos are stunning, and your commentary is both insightful and thought provoking. Thank you for letting me peek into this lovely world.
December 9th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
This is a great site Dave,thank you for the opportunity of having a browse
The Black Bond™
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:30 am
Lovely site – I spent my early childhood in Kensington in the ’50s (on the site of what is today the Royal Garden Hotel) before moving out to the suburbs. The allure of Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon and prospect of meeting girls at the Commonwealth Institute brought me back in my teens. There is an atmospheric film of the Hight St. In the ’50s at:
http://londonist.com/2011/08/video-driving-round-london-in-the-1950s.php
February 10th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
This is a brilliant site! I am currently researching my Chelsea ancestors – four generations of cab builders, owners and cabmen, mostly associated with the Rectory yard on Old Church St. I actually lived for a year or two in Lordship Place in the 1980s, just round the corner, yet unaware of much of my family connections. The Hedderly photographs in particular are fascinating…. And your captions and comments are entertaining and insightful.
More power to your elbow Dave – keep ‘em coming!
March 1st, 2013 at 10:08 pm
[...] my visit to Westminster City Archives today, Judith recommended I visit Dave Walker, Local Studies Librarian at the Kensington Library. So after navigating the underground and a [...]
March 25th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Great site.I spent most of my childhood days in Shawfield street in the prefabs that were erected after the war between the years of 1948 to 1965. I have read one or two articles about the bombs that hit that area and have one or two photos of the prefabs. I’m just wondering can the library can come up with any thing.