Simon Shorvon will give an illustrated talk about Lucien and Esther Pissarro and their private press in Stamford Brook. Dr Shorvon was a contributor to the recent exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. Copies of the book which accompanied the exhibition, with his essay about the Pissarros’ life in our area, will be on sale at the meeting

photo by Anna Kunst

16 January 2012, 7.30pm at Chiswick Memorial Club, Afton House

In this illustrated talk, Val Bott will reveal the full history from 1713 to the present day, using her detailed research for the new displays at Hogarth’s House.

This is our usual annual get-together. Small contributions of seasonal food to share will be very welcome, while drinks will be on sale in the bar. Our book stall offers a chance for last-minute present buying and there will be jolly things to do with a local history theme.

21 November 2011

An illustrated talk on 18th century farming in Chiswick,  by James Wisdom. This talk is based on recent research using an inventory of Burford’s property and possessions.

17 October 2011, 7.30pm, at the Chiswick Memorial Club

Jon Cotton, formerly of the Museum of London, presents an illustrated talk about Thomas Layton (1819-1911) and some other antiquarian collectors of his time.

This talk marks the centenary of the bequest of Layton’s collection of antiquities, books, maps. Most of the artefacts are in the Museum of London where many are displayed in the London Before London Gallery.

An illustrated talk by Vanda Foster, Curator of Gunnersbury Park Museum. She will be exploring aspects of her current exhibition, highlighting some famous products made in Brentford and Chiswick.

The exhibition is open daily at the Museum, admission free, 11am to 5pm, April to October, 11am to 4pm, October to March.

Sutton Court and Chiswick House, gardens open 10am-5pm, 12 June
London Open Garden Squares weekend

Between 1680 and 1700 Lord Fauconberg was creating a formal garden and park at Sutton Court. Lord Burlington bought the estate in the 1720s to add to the grounds of Chiswick House. James Wisdom, B&CLHS chairman, will show that traces of this lost landscape can still be seen in a talk at Sutton Court (11-11.30am). He will lead a guided walk from Sutton Court at 2pm through Fauconberg and Burlington’s lands to the Chiswick House walled gardens, ending about 4pm with a short slide show.

display on the electrical industry in Chelmsford

Saturday 23 July 2011

Three significant local history museum projects

Valence House Museum in Barking, the new Havering Museum in Romford and the Chelmsford & Essex Museum have all seen major investment recently, the first two with Heritage Lottery Fund grants. We will visit all three to learn from what they have achieved. A discussion over tea at the end of the day will help us contribute to planning the future of our local museum at Gunnersbury.

Tickets cost £30 to include coach fare, admission fees, lunch at Romford and tea at Chelmsford. The coach leaves at 8.45am from Heathfield Terrace/Chiswick Main Post Office, returning about 7.30pm.

To book, send your name, address and phone number with a cheque made out to the Society and an SAE to The Chairman, 25 Hartington Road, London W4 3TL.

Ferry Inn, Brentford, from a postcard

Saturday 4 June, 11am to 4pm, Brentford Library

This annual event is provided by the Hounslow’s Local Studies Department, working in partnership with local historians. The theme this years is Pubs in and Around Brentford. As this is the centenary of the death of local antiquarian, Thomas Layton, there will also be a display about him.

The business meeting will begin at 7.30pm. It will be followed by three very short talks by individual members, updating us on recent research.

Issue 20 of the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Journal will be available at the meeting and our bookstall will be open as usual.