Chiswick Local's Trip Down Memory Lane Makes News In Canada
Alan Bignell returned to Montreal home after 51 years
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A Chiswick resident has taken a trip down memory lane to a house in Canada where he lived 51 years ago. The visit by Alan Bignell to the house in St Catherine Street West, Montreal, that he shared with a group of four young English people, made local news in the Westmount Independent.
Alan's visit was recorded by a photographer who matched
a 1968 photo of him sitting on the porch steps accompanied by his housemates,
with the same pose, but this time with his wife, Arlene, and the present
owner.
As a young man, Alan Bignell lived in Montreal for two years, sharing
a house built in 1899 with four other young people from the UK. On this
return trip, he was visiting Canada to promote his recently published
book, ‘The year I became Al.’ which retraces his first year in North America.
While visiting Montreal, he discovered the house was still standing and because of its age now enjoys heritage status. The present owner, Vincent, was delighted to show Alan around the house which, although completely refurbished, was still recognisable from half a century ago.
Image - copyright Alan Bignell
The resulting article in the Montreal paper has aroused interest from both the local historical society and the district library.
‘The year I became Al.’ is available from Amazon Books.The book's title comes from the fact that, after arriving in Canada, Alan was never called anything else but Al.
Alan lost touch with his Montreal housemates when he returned to England but is hoping publicity around the book might lead to a reunion.
Image - Alan Bignell
Alan lives in Bedford Park, with his wife and son, who is currently studying at Nottingham University.
During the time he lived in Canada and for several years after he returned to the UK, he worked as a copywriter in advertising. However, for the past twenty years he has taught the Alexander Technique both in Chiswick and in Central London.
He also plays guitar in a music group called A Wing and a Prayer which until last September played on Sundays at Our Lady of Grace church on the High Road and now performs country and Irish music at care homes in West London.
You can read more on Alan's weekly blog about the Canada trip and the book.
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June 4, 2019
