Trade Routes & Warpaths: the amazing role of Syon House in shaping  North America, Howard Simmons, 16 February 2026

Pocahontas memorial on the wall at Syon, Claire Ireland

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

Our speaker, Howard Simmons, is an expert guide at Syon House. His talk will cover the creation of the Colony of Virginia, the governorship of Jamestown under the Earl of Northumberland’s younger brother and the visit of Pocahontas to Isleworth. The 2nd Duke was a British general in the American War of Independence while Henry Percy’s links with key abolitionists and Native American warriors fed into the War of 1812 when the United States invaded Canada. And Syon has apparently affected Trump’s decision making!

The talk is open to all, admission free, though donations from non-members are welcome. The membership year begins in January, so this is time to renew your membership or join the Society!

Please note: the Society is seeking someone with the technical skills to manage hybrid meetings (once a month from September to May) to reach members who are unable to join us in person. While we have begun to add the text and images from a presentation to the website (when copyright allows) there is no substitute for being able to join the meeting even if only remotely. If you could help, please contact us with details of your experience on info@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk. Many thanks

“Erected by Lord Burlington to the memory of his favourite bricklayer”, 7.30pm 19 January 2026

Daniel Lysons’ sketch of Wright’s memorial tomb, Yale Centre for British Art

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

In this illustrated talk June Ford Crush will introduce you to Richard Wright (c1672–1734), the builder so highly regarded by Burlington that he was commemorated with a superb memorial designed by William Kent. She has been researching Wright and his family and will share more about this man of great skill and substantial property, as well as about his handsome memorial. The Friends of St Nicholas’ Church have an impressive record of raising funds for restoring significant tombs there and this is their latest project.

The talk is open to all, admission free, though donations from non-members are welcome. The membership year begins in January, so this is time to renew your membership or join the Society!

Spring Programme, January to May 2026

The new programme has now been issued to members and is available on this website. For your diary . . . the first talk of the season will take place at 7.30 on 19 January at Chiswick Memorial Club. The subject will be Richard Wright whose magnificent memorial, designed by William Kent, stands in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Chiswick

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