The Thames above Kew Bridge, 14 January 1891

Our Christmas meeting features an online illustrated talk by Val Bott & Janet McNamara at 7.30pm on Monday, 19 December 2022

It will offer glimpses of past life in winter – a joyous time for some, grim and harsh for others – using newspaper reports of the weather and charitable work, images of the frozen Thames and canal in Brentford, details of local entertainments, Christmas postcards of Brentford & Chiswick from local publishers, and greeting cards designed by local artists. There is an illustrated Christmas poem by artist Jessie McGregor, who lived in Stamford Brook. And we even have the script of a Chiswick mummers play from the 1840s, recited by boys begging for money in the street!

We will admit ticket-holders from 7.15 to allow people to get settled before the formal start at 7.30.

There will be no charge to join this event but please reserve your place via Ticket Tailor – your ticket will provide the Zoom joining details.

B&CLHS is one of the sponsoring societies which promotes an annual local history conference. This year it is once again on zoom, so you can view the day’s programme from the comfort of your home! The programme looks at sports in our area in the past, placing them in their social context. Tickets cost £15.00 and can be bought on line from Ticketsource

After an introduction to the sheer range of sports in our area by Simon Inglis, author of Played in London, Caitlin Davies, author of Downstream, will speak on the history of swimming in the Thames, Rob Jex, a Brentford FC historian, will talk about the club and the development of professional football, Philip Boys will look at the impact of Victorian cricket and other ball sports on Wandsworth Common and Graeme Roberts will provide a history of Harlequins Rugby Club, now based in Twickenham.