Willesden Green Wassail

Willesden Green Wassail is an absolute must. In their own words: “Held (most years!) since 2009 and established by storyteller Rachel Rose Reid, we are a free, joyful, family-friendly walking, talking, singing celebration of local shops, community groups and performing artists, travelling from the station to the library. A rural wassail wishes good health for apple trees, but here in Willesden, we do things a little differently…..”. Join the parade through Willesden Green with songs, poetry and music, an event that cheers up the coldest winter. The Wassail begins at Willesden Green station and parades along the high street down to the library where revellers can enjoy snacks and drinks with the performances.

Willesden Jewish Cemetery

At the end of the High Road behind the bus garage is the peaceful and beautiful Willesden Jewish Cemetery which incorporates the House of Life Heritage Centre.  A historically important and prestigious burial ground for London’s Jewish community since 1873, the grounds are a peaceful place to visit.  Find out more about the House of Life Heritage Centre at this link and learn more about events such as guided walks, birdwatching groups and an In-Person Death Café.  Find out more at their website about this wonderful cultural space open to all visitors.

Central Mosque of Brent, Station Parade, Willesden Green

“The Central Mosque of Brent is an all-purpose, multi-level mosque that aims to serve the religious, spiritual and societal needs of the larger Brent community. The Mosque Committee was formed in 1973 with the ethos that the young generation needed basic Islamic and religious education and awareness in their own customs and cultures, which were in danger of being lost over time.”   The Mosque in Willesden Green is much loved by the community and runs a large foodbank and does much to support the community. Find out more on their website.

The Wassail has it’s roots in Medieval England, the word itself (and it can be a verb too) is both an early English toast to someone’s good health (“waes hael” meaning be well or be in good health”) and a hot drink that is made with wine, beer or cider, spices, sugar and usually baked apples. The tradition of Wassail celebrations range from a rural tradition where communities came together to sing, play music, drink to the good harvest (and especially to apple trees) and involved much merry making and calling in beneficial spirits to encourage nature to produce well. Also, household wassailing might involve carol singing at Christmas time from house to house, offering a cup of wassail (the hot spiced cider or ale).

Thanks to the Willesden Green Wassail, our retailers are the beneficiaries of the annual merry-making which focuses on the support of health and prosperity to our high street. For more information find them on Facebook at this link.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden

It may not be in Willesden Green, but we had to include it. One of the biggest Hindu Temples in Europe was founded by a small group of friends searching for a place to worship. From humble beginnings, it has grown to become an inspiration to thousands, keeping the Hindu culture, music and language alive with the hint of the British lifestyle worshipers and patrons have grown up with. It continues to teach the core foundations of the Hindu religion: compassion, thirst for knowledge, morality, and respect for all human beings. As an important part of the local community, Willesden Temple has become a place where lifelong friendships have been made.” The temple was officially opened in 1975. The focal point of the Temple is the Mandir, a home for God where worshipers are encouraged to purify their thoughts and look to the heavens. This is the centre of worship, visited every day and attended to by monks, with seven pinnacles and seven shrines, each with a sacred deity. Find out more at their website, and on their Facebook page.

St Mary’s Church Willesden Green

Willesden Green is home to 20 churches each with their own traditions.  The ancient parish church of Willesden, St Mary’s, now worshiping in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, dates back to 938 AD.  Containing one of the country’s great medieval shrines of Mary (learn more about Marian Shrines & Pilgrimage at this link) there is evidence that by the 15th Century, the Church was part of a significant pilgrimage tradition, especially for Londoners.