Our talks will take place in person at the Chiswick Memorial Club. Doors open 7.15pm, talks start at 7.30pm. For this season we will not be running hybrid meetings, with talks on line as well as in person, as this has proved to be so difficult technically and disappointing for the audience. We will, however, upload to the Society’s website recordings or copies of future presentations wherever this is possible in relation to copyright matters. In addition to this seasonal programme, members will receive email reminders for each talk and subsequently details of each one will be put onto this website for a wider audience. Download a printable pdf to keephere
15 September 7.30pm
The Ronalds of Brentford and beyond
Using 20 years’ research, David Shailes will tell the story of this important horticultural family from the 1750s when Scot Hugh Ronalds Snr established a Brentford nursery, up to the death of Robert Ronalds in 1880. David’s sources include an archive in Canada and a descendant in Australia. Ronalds family members also include the inventor of the electric telegraph, the author of a definitive book on fly fishing and a famous chemist. At St Lawrence’s the family tomb has been restored and a new road has been named for them.
20 October 2025
Turner’s greatest work of art: preparing Sandycombe to receive his paintings
J M W Turner lived in Brentford in his youth and built Sandycombe Lodge in Twickenham for himself, acting as architect. Marking the 250th year of 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 environment and look at the work of art historians and curators on subsequent exhibitions
17 November 2025
The Griffin Brewery
As a film-maker, David Rust worked with B&CLHS members some years ago on the Brewery’s history and the process of brewing, including oral histories and information from the then staff team. At the time it was published on DVD. Now he manages The Chiswick Pier Trust, based a stone’s throw away from the Brewery site. His illustrated talk will include excerpts from the film.
15 December 2025
The Scott Brothers, pineapples and possibly Chiswick’s first garden centre!
The Chiswick Nursery stretched from the High Road to the Bath Road along the east side of Turnham Green Terrace, from at least the 1750s. Val Bott, who runs nurserygardeners.com, will use James Scott’s lavish trade card to show the range of plants, equipment and services he offered and will also tell his brother’s story, from working as a senior Chiswick House gardener to setting up a pineapple nursery of his own.
Also . . .
The 45th West London Local History Conference, Duke Street Church Richmond, Saturday 11 April 2026
The theme is Shops on the High Street in the history of South & West London. Tickets cost £15 and will be available online later this year
