“Garden as though you will live forever”

7.30pm, 16 November 2026, Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4

Rosie Fyles, Head of Gardens at Chiswick House and Gardens will talk about more than 300 years of garden history in Chiswick and her role in looking after its historic gardens for the future. She will share some of the projects there that epitomise the innovative approach being taken. Rosie will consider whether historic gardens can give us clues and inspiration as to the best way forward in the face of climate change, dwindling biodiversity and human disconnection from nature.

Rosie was previously the Head Gardener of Ham House and also had a career in communications, running her own agency and working internationally before retraining in garden management. She has been a National Trust ‘Garden Champion’, guiding other head gardeners. At Ham House, Rosie and her team received numerous accolades for their transformative, creative and nature-friendly gardening in an historic context, appearing in broadcast and print media.

All are welcome and admission is free, though donations from non-members are welcome.

Copies of David Jacques’ book Chiswick House Gardens will be on sale on the night at the special price of £30.00. It is also on sale by mail order in our bookshop

James Wisdom, Photo Steve Larcombe

The charity is seeking a new Chair on the retirement of James Wisdom after 42 years in the role.
The Society was founded in 1958 to foster interest in and encourage research about the history of the area. It is flourishing, with sociable monthly talks, open to all, from September to April, and an AGM in May. It became a registered charity in 2025. We also watch carefully how the heritage of Brentford and Chiswick, from historic buildings to local archives and museums, is cared for. Subscribing members receive a high quality annual Journal.

The successful candidate will be interested in the history of the landscape and communities of Brentford and Chiswick though not necessarily an expert historian. Membership of the Society is desirable but not essential until appointed. He or she will provide leadership for the team of trustees, ensuring high standards of governance and strategic oversight, contributing to the Society’s development and helping to recruit new members from a wide audience, including younger people.

We are seeking someone with proven management skills and experience of the charitable sector, preferably at board level. They will work with the Society’s trustees to keep the organisation strong and solvent. They will chair our monthly trustee meetings and our public lectures. They will uphold the Society’s values of inclusivity and the sharing of relevant local history research. He or she will become a strong advocate for the Society in its relationships with the local authority and within the wider world of local history.

Recent talks have included the following topics:
The Temples of Industry project (Great West Road) at Gunnersbury Park Museum
The servants at Boston Manor House, Brentford
The 150th anniversary of the Bedford Park estate
Turnham Green in 1863 (analysing a rare early photograph)

Articles in recent Journals have covered the following themes:
The Hawleys of Brentford and their global connections
Stamford Brook in the 18th century
Sir John Collins Squire, poet and journalist of Chiswick Mall
Thornycrofts’ Coastal Motor Boats

A survey of members’ interests in 2026 demonstrated enthusiasm for talks and activities on architecture, people’s lives, rivers/canals, homes of both the rich and the poor, gardens and farming, industry, transport and entertainment

A great interview with James is written up on the Chiswick Calendar

Notes

●The Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society(B&CLHS) was set up in 1958 when the borough of Brentford & Chiswick’s Library Service was support efforts to revive the Victoria County History (VCH). This huge project was founded in 1899 as a national project to write the history of every county in England but had not been active since before World War 2. They hoped that the new Society would generate interest and help with research for the Middlesex volumes.

● B&CLHS is run entirely by volunteers who give their spare time to ensuring that the Society is secure and active, managing its funds, planning the talks programme, running the lecture meetings, and compiling the Journal. It welcomes members who would like join in this work.

● For more information or to apply, potential candidates should contact the Society by email at info@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk

Patsy Hendren (1889-1962) in about 1924

Patsy Hendren: A Different Kind of English Hero

7.30pm, 19 October 2026, Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4

Our speaker is Jeremy Lonsdale whose recent biography of Hendren celebrates one of the great sporting personalities of the 20th century. Born in Turnham Green, educated in Acton and living for much of his life in Ealing, between the Wars Hendren was not only a famous Middlesex and England cricketer but also a Brentford FC footballer. He is one of the greatest run-scorers in cricket history, and was also inducted into Brentford’s Hall of Fame in 2015. A prolific sportsman until his retirement from top-class cricket at the age of 48, he also did much to support fundraising for church and hospital causes in west London, using his fame and popular personality to good effect.

Jeremy’s book will be on sale on the night.

All are welcome and admission is free, though donations from non-members are welcome.