Things you didn't know about... Hendon

A flying start
The London Aerodrome was founded in Hendon in 1910 by Claude Grahame-White. His claim to fame? He was the first person to fly a plane at night.

The long arm of the law
Say "Hendon" to a police officer and they'll assume you mean the Hendon Police College or Peel Centre (named, presumably, after Robert rather than John!). The college is the main training centre for the Metropolitan Police. It features in the 2007 film Hot Fuzz starring Jim Broadbent.

Hendon sent
The Bus Driver's Prayer, a humorous version of The Lord's Prayer recorded by singer Ian Dury, begins: "Our Father, who art in Hendon..."

First post
We did warn you about the flying theme. In September 1911, a gentleman called Gustav Hamel flew a Bleriot monoplane 33 km (21 mi) between Hendon and Windsor. Since the plane contained many items of mail, including some very collectable commemorative postcards, this is credited as being the very first airmail service.

The start of a great innings
Hendon was the birthplace of one of Britain's greatest cricketers, Denis Compton. His record for the quickest triple century in history (181 minutes) stills stands.

Top of the class
Politician Peter Mandelson, Rabbi Lionel Blue and novelist Ruth Prawer Jhabvala all went to school in Hendon. Mandelson is believed to have enjoyed the odd drink in a Hendon pub called the Load of Hay, which was demolished in 2004.

Making hay
Hendon was once famous for the production of wood and hay. This is reflected in local names such as Hendon Wood Lane and the Load of Hay. Much of the woodland belonged to All Souls College, Oxford. Wood from Hendon was said to have been used in the building of Westminster Abbey.

Margaret Thatcher's launch pad
In May 1979 the Iron Lady addressed the Town Hall in Hendon, where the votes for her constituency, Finchley, were being counted. It was her first speech as Prime Minister.

Holiday destination
Back in the 1880s, Hendon Brent Reservoir (popularly known as the Welsh Harp) used to attract 25,000 people on public holidays. Among the popular pastimes on offer there were ice skating and angling.