The Monty Python star, who has lived in Gospel Oak for more than 60 years, was invited to share his experiences at ‘An Evening with Michael Palin’ in support of Queen’s Crescent Community Association (QCCA) on April 14.
More than 100 fans listened as he told stories from his life to journalist Lindsay Mackie and Foyezur Miah, chief executive of the charity.
The globetrotter said he had been home a month after visiting Venezuela and had finished his latest book about the country that day.
He went on to tell the audience of adventures in ‘no go areas’ such as North Korea and Nigeria, and said that while he had never been shot at, he had been “intimidated” by people with guns in Venezuela.
Sir Michael Palin is interviewed by journalist Lindsay Mackie at the Queens Crescent Community Association centre in Gospel Oak (Image: Nathalie Raffray)
After telling Mackie he had lived in the area for 68 years, the interviewer said he must like Gospel Oak.
“No, I just hate moving,” he told her.
Invited to give a “shout-out” to the area he added: “Oak Village is itself a good community.
“I think it’s the relationship the houses have with each other: no long drives, that sort of thing, people have to meet, people get on. I’ve always found people terrifically friendly and supportive.
“It’s near the Heath, we have wonderful schools. Our children went to William Ellis and Parliament Hill, it seems it ticks all the boxes and still does.
“It’s very special and not attempting to be something it isn’t. Estate agents used to call it Hampstead fringes and all that. They don’t bother anymore.”
He ended the meeting thanking the charity, which he has been involved with for “a long time”.
He added: “It’s really terrific it’s really important. I’m certainly glad it’s still going.”
Mr Miah said after the meeting that he was grateful for Mr Palin’s contribution.
He said the “small, dense community” of Gospel Oak was “one of the most deprived areas in England”.
“We’re at a very challenging time where the pressures of funding is more than ever. We’re constantly pedalling faster because the demand has outstripped what funding is available,” he added.
He said the charity was the first port of call for people going through food poverty, IT poverty, and failure to find employment.
He added: “We trying to find new ways to engage with the community, particularly the affluent community, to shed some light in this area.”
