Turner’s greatest work of art: preparing Sandycombe to receive his paintings
Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4, 20 October 2025, 7.30pm

The artist, J M W Turner, lived in Brentford in his youth in a house where the Weir pub stands today; a new commemorative plaque has been installed this year. He built Sandycombe Lodge in Twickenham for himself, acting as architect. Marking the 250th year since the artist’s birth, Ricky Pound will describe his unusual role as house director there, making it the only place in the world where Turner’s paintings were displayed in his own house. He will highlight practical logistical problems such as security and environ-ment and look at the work of art historians and curators on subsequent exhibitions.

All are welcome, no need to book. Doors open 7.15, talk starts 7.30pm. Find the rest of our autumn 2025 programme here

Plate 1 from Pyrus Malus Brentfordiensis, Hugh Ronalds Jnr’s apple book, a lithograph by Elizabeth Ronalds, his daughter

The Ronalds of Brentford & beyond, 7.30pm Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place W4
Using over 20 years’ research, David Shailes will tell the story of this important horticultural family from the 1750s onwards, when Scot Hugh Ronalds Snr established a Brentford nursery; the last descendant in Brentford, Robert Ronalds, died in 1880. David’s sources include an archive in Canada and a descendant in Australia. Ronalds family members include the inventor of the electric telegraph, the author of a definitive book on fly fishing and famous chemist.The family tomb at St Lawrence’s has been restored and a new road named for them.

This will be an in person talk and all are welcome – no need to book. We intend to place a record of the talk on our website later.

Details of the rest of our autumn programme are listed here

We are delighted to publicise the celebrations of Bedford Park’s 150th Anniversary this year.

A team of volunteer researchers from The Bedford Park Society worked for some months to create a special anniversary exhibition entitled: The Community at Bedford Park 1875-2025 ‘Ahead of the World in Everything?’. This reveals newly unearthed information and many rarely seen images including some recently discovered early photos of the suburb. Launched at St Michael & All Angels Church in May, the exhibition is being presented in various local venues during 2025, admission free. You can see it at Hounslow House 6-14 September and it will be back at St Michael & All Angels 15-22 September (with a walk for Open House on the 20th). Other venues are being finalised.

In 1875 Jonathan Thomas Carr (1845-1915) purchased the first part of the 113 acres he would eventually acquire near Turnham Green railway station. He went on to build about 400 houses on this estate, which he called Bedford Park.

The exhibition focuses on the community and communities of Bedford Park from its beginnings in 1875 through to modern times. It reveals the early community’s enthusiasm for ideas and behaviours which challenged contemporary norms. The younger, radical and liberal residents of this period included professionals and artists. In their sociability, social campaigning and interior décor they sought to be ‘ahead of the world’ in breaking with the earlier Victorians’ social and aesthetic convictions.

Stories and images in the exhibition paint a vivid picture of the many different groups attracted to the garden suburb — whether political, social, professional or recreational. The exhibition reflects on the interactions of the groups with Bedford Park’s architecture and village atmosphere and how these moulded the community.

The Society is extremely grateful to Knight Frank, Savills, Whitman & Co and Hounslow Thriving Communities Fund for supporting its anniversary projects and to Chiswick Auctions and St Michael & All Angels for providing venues for the exhibition.

Contact information@bedfordpark.org.uk for more information. Find news of events here and here and at #BedfordPark@150