Truth is stranger than fiction: More of the weird and wonderful history of Queen’s Park

Exploring the fascinating history of Queen’s Park with Steve Crabb, Irina Porter and Mike Simkins

The beloved Community Tent staple is back, with yet more revelations and stories about our local area. With historians Steve Crabb and Irina Porter, hosted by the actor and author Mike Simkins

Irina Porter

London Blue Badge Guide Irina Porter is passionate about local history. She is Chair and Journal Editor of the Willesden Local History Society, and over the past 20 years she has been researching the fascinating world of Brent’s streets.  In 2021/22 Irina created a series of local history tours for Brent Heritage Tours and Trails, part of Being Brent – Heritage for Health and Wellbeing, a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by Brent Museum and Archives. She is currently working on new and exciting programme of tours, trails and events celebrating the rich heritage of Brent.

Steve Crabb

Steve Crabb is an author, consultant and journalist. He has won multiple awards for his writing and campaigning, including Magazine Editor of the Year. He lives in Queen’s Park with his wife Natasha, children Ellie and Rhydian and whippet Xander, and represents the area as a councillor. Queen’s Park: A History (published September 2022) is his first history book.

Mike Simkins

Michael Simkins is an actor and writer. He has starred in many productions at the National Theatre in the West End, including: Chicago, Mamma Mia, Yes Prime Minister, Donkey’s Years, Mary Stuart, Democracy, and Hay Fever. He says the four most memorable people he’s ever worked with are Meryl Streep, Bjorn and Bennie, and Ken Dodd.

He is in addition a regular newspaper columnist for The Times and The Daily Telegraph, and is the author of several best-selling books, including the theatrical memoir What’s My Motivation and the Costa-nominated Fatty Batter. As Sir Ian McKellen said of him ‘It’s thrilling Michael is having such success as a writer… anything to keep him off the stage…’