MEMORIES of people who grew up and lived in Mayfair are to be shared at an exhibition.

Mayfair Library, in South Audley Street(COR), will play host to the display of photographs and sound recordings of people's experiences of the area, from the beginning of May.

Librarian Katrina Blench(COR) is part of a team at the library which has been collecting archive material and interviewing people about their memories.

She said: "The exhibition starts in the 17th and 18th Centuries with engravings and pictures of Mayfair, when it was literally just a fairground with a maypole in it. At the moment, we're recording people speaking about their memories, including a group from a day centre at the West London Synagogue, in Upper Berkeley Street, Mayfair."

Other people have shared their memories of the area during the Second World War.

"We've spoken to some people who worked in Selfridges, and others who helped repair bomb-damaged homes with the fire services," she said. "When the air-raid sirens went off, they would have to take shelter in Bond Street tube station."

Ms Blench also revealed that around that time, people used to visit a bath-house instead of washing at their own homes.
She said: "People would be given a cubicle and a towel. If they wanted more hot water, they'd have to shout, 'Hot water to number five' and someone would come and top up the bath."

The team has arranged several meetings with people to discuss their experiences, but would also like more people to come forward in the next few weeks.

To share memories of old Mayfair, call Katrina Blench at Mayfair Library on 020 7641 4905 or email kblench@westminster.gov.uk

• Queen's Park Library, in Fourth Avenue, Queen's Park, is carrying out a similar project to celebrate the history of Harrow Road. A session will be held at the library on April 22, from 10.30am-12pm, where people can share their memories of the area. For more information call the library on 020 7641 4579 or email queensparklibrary@westminster.gov.uk