this is langley history II

 

hawker "hurricane"

Between 1938-50 Langley was the site of the former Hawker Siddley aircraft factory, Hawker built the famous Hurricane and other fighter aircraft in Sutton Lane. This later became a manufacturing plant for Ford Iveco - the site offered a classic brownfield redevelopment opportunity. Residential developments and light industrial premises have since occupied the land.

The Hurricane along with the Spitfire were vital to the battle for air supremacy in  World War 2. The Hurricane was the first British monoplane fighter aircraft, and the first British fighter to exceed 483 kph (300 mph) in level flight. The fighter was developed in the mid 1930's by Hawker Chief Designer Sydney Camm and it ranks as one of the most important aircraft designs in military aviation history

The National Air and Space Museum owns the Hawker Hurricane (below) which Hawker built at the Langley factory early in 1944, just six miles from what became Heathrow airport.

There are many resources on the internet detailing the life of this famous fighter aircraft.

Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIC

Fighter Airplane

Hurricane/PZ865

 

Hawker Hurricane reproduced from www.nasm.si.edu

 

the ladybird factory

Langley was home to another of Britain's best known brands.

By the mid 1960s Ladybird was established as one of the most successful brands in Britain, with the Langley factory producing millions of garments every year and exporting them all over the world.

The story begins over 300 hundred years ago with a Bohemian weaver called Johannes George Pasold who set up a knitting and weaving business in Czechoslovakia. Fearing unrest the family and business moved to a green field site in Langley and built a small factory.  Work was completed in 1932, when they recruited a team of local workers. One of their first orders came from Woolworths - totalling 28,000 dozen pairs of knickers. This began a long relationship with the high street store leading to the eventual takeover of the brand.

The Ladybird Factory Langley

village in the news

A story from the BBC Website on Wednesday, 2 June, 2004 highlights a part of Langley's recent history.

" Residents are being invited to visit a new exhibition about the history of a 50-year-old council estate which provided Londoners with a fresh start. Hundreds of inner city families looking for a new beginning embarked on a different life in Trelawney Avenue, Langley, Slough, Berkshire. The estate was built by the then London County Council (LCC) in 1954. "

Tony Pilmer, local studies librarian, said: "We hope residents who live on the estate will join us at the launch event on 7 June and share their stories, as well as read about the history of the place they call home."

The exhibition at Langley library was run in conjunction with Langley Forum. A booklet was also produced called, " A New Start: The LCC estate in Langley 1954 - 2004. "

langley carnival

Each year there is a local Carnival which has a procession of floats through the village ending up at the Langley Memorial Ground.

 

Langley Memorial Ground on Carnival Day

 

The Carnival has a long history, dating back to the days of the Flower Show when Langley was a rural village centred round its church and duck pond.

After World War 2, local enthusiasts and  the late Percy Beckett prominent among them, revived the annual procession and fete. During the 60's, the newly formed Langley Community Association took over.

By the early 70's, they sought assistance from the Play Leadership Group, All other local associations were asked to co-operate and the Langley Carnival Association that exists today, was formed. The Carnival grew from strength to strength, with the aim of the Association  to raise money for local causes.

The Annual Langley Carnival is on the second Saturday in July at the Langley Memorial Recreation Ground. The event is a day of fun and entertainment, bringing young and old people together in one place, in the true tradition and spirit of carnival.

If you would like to help or know more about Langley Carnival, feel free to phone Don Hewitt (Langley Carnival, Committee Chair) on 01753 677632.

 

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