A writer has told the story of Pitshanger's past 100 years by giving readers an insight into his home in a new book.
Jeff Pack, 67, released This House about a month ago and the Pitshanger book shop has already sold its 100th copy.
The non-fiction work, published by Woodfield Publishing Ltd, tracks the various occupants of Mr Pack’s house in Queens Gardens over its 112-year existence, the square mile immediately around it and its unusual religious, republican and royal connections.
It also shares the story of the man who built the property, who lost a fortune in development but died a rich man thanks to his wife’s influence.
Mr Pack, who is retired and took up writing just for fun, said there are lots of interesting stories in the area to be discovered.
He said: “Finding out about the area was fascinating and quite a lot of people have shared their stories which has been good.
“There has been a considerable amount of local interest since it is about Ealing generally and the Pitshanger area specifically. Even MP Steve Pound bought a copy.”
This House is Mr Pack’s fourth book, the first three are titled Love is in the Air, A Cornucopia of the Packs and The Mystery of 13 Sandowne Road.
The latest took about 18 months to complete, the shortest time for him.
Mr Pack said: “I was lucky I found all the information I needed fairly easily.”
The six-bedroom house was built in 1901 and bought by Mr Pack in 1981. He lives there with his wife and raised his two children there.
It was one of the first to be built in North Ealing, he said.
He said the idea for the book came from his wife, and the two of them are very fond of the borough.
MP for Ealing North Steve Pound advertised the book at Pitshanger’s Light Up The Lane event last month and has called it ‘extraordinary’.
He said: “You peek into the keyhole but what a keyhole to peep through. Every house tells a story but not many people take the trouble to reproduce something so beautiful.”
