“Commemorated at St Nicholas” -talk postponed

We have decided, in common with many other organisations, that we ought to postpone our planned talk by Ann Rix and Francis Ames-Lewis, which falls on the evening of the Queen’s funeral, 19 September.

The speakers have agreed that we can add it to the Spring 2023 programme. Their research provides the foundation of a display in the south aisle of the church which opened this summer and is likely to continue into 2023. You can still visit the display and explore the memorials inside and gravestones outside.

Our next online talk will take place on 17 October. In Refurbishing Boston Manor House, Hounslow’s Historic Houses Manager, John Collins, will reveal the stunning work that has been undertaken recently at Boston Manor, describe how its story will be presented to visitors when it re-opens and the ways in which the restored building will be used. Full details of how to book will be sent out nearer the date.

Boston Manor House refurbishment on television

Nick Knowles’ “Heritage Rescue” programme looked at the building repair and refurbishment work at Boston Manor House on 5 July. Unfortunately we had very little notice that this was on.

However, you can catch up online if you wish to see it on discovery plus

Local historian, Wesley Henderson-Roe, wins national award for article on Chiswick High Road

Wes Henderson-Roe

The Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society is absolutely delighted that one of its members, Wesley Henderson-Roe, has won a national award for his article, Chiswick High Road – a retail revelation, which we published in Journal 30 (2021). Wesley was surprised and delighted by the news – it is a tremendous achievement.

The article compares two surveys of Chiswick High Road – one in 1936 and one in 2020. Wesley shows how shopping has changed in the 84 years and what this means for such an essential part of Chiswick’s life.

The award was made by The British Association for Local History (BALH) and announced at their recent Local History Day. Wesley’s article was selected from more than 300 articles from all over the UK, published in the local history society journals and transactions sent to the BALH’s magazine, The Local Historian, during 2021. It is one of their Research and Publication Awards.

Wesley grew up in Chiswick and has come to local history research after a career in teaching and the theatre; he was Head of the famous local Corona Stage School for a time. The article was inspired by his father William Roe, the Society’s Vice-Chairman for many years. William went to work as office junior for Tyser Greenwood at the age of 14 in 1934; after his death, Wesley found amongst his papers the 1936 survey of shops on Chiswick High Road and used it as a base for his own survey in 2020.

James Wisdom, the B&CLHS Chairman, commented, “The Society is very proud of our Journal and of the local historians who contribute its rich content. We are very pleased indeed for Wesley and delighted to have been able to publish this award-winning article. Even more, we are thrilled to have had Awards for articles in two successive Journals.”

Copies of Journal 30 can be purchased online on the bookshop page

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