Exhibition marks 40 years of West Hampstead transport group working hard for community

Campaigning against leaded petrol, wrestling with the local council on traffic issues and putting West Hampstead on the map are just some of the successes celebrated at a community group’s 40th anniversary exhibition.

Committee members of West Hampstead Amenity and Transport (WHAT) gathered at West Hampstead Library on Monday to celebrate the society’s years serving the area.

A montage of pictures and articles showcasing its history will remain in the library for another few weeks.

WHAT persuaded the council to work with it on improvements to West Hampstead Railway and taught the council that “West Hampstead existed and existed in its own right”, said Fortune Green Cllr Flick Rea, a founder member of the group.

She added: “It was a very nice evening with lots of people around who were original members. We recalled some of our successes and remembered old friends, including Don Hill, who originally set it up, who died a few weeks ago.”

The 40-year celebrations began in September with members taking a walk from the Railway Tavern in West End Lane to the Alliance pub.