Our talks will take place as usual at the Chiswick Memorial Club as well as online via Zoom. Doors open 7.15pm, talks start at 7.30pm (though please not that the January meeting starts earlier). Despite the technical difficulties it has been pleasing that so many members and visitors have been able to join in using this hybrid mode. We send members an email reminder for each talk with details of how to book a Zoom place so do make sure we have your current email address.
The new membership year starts on 1 January 2025 and we hope you will continue to be a member. This year the subscription fee has increased and we have sent out details about these changes on 17 December. Paid-up members receive the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Journal; the 34th edition will be issued at the AGM in May then it will be posted to those unable to attend in person.
20 January 2025
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING to approve a new constitution to support an application for charitable status for the Society followed by
Chiswick High Road in 1863 An illustrated talk by James Wisdom. He will use the remarkable earliest photograph of Turnham Green with paintings and other sources to uncover what we can find out about the life of this busy and important part of Chiswick
17 February 2025
Brentford High Street
Janet McNamara and David Shailes are both long-standing Brentford residents. They will present a broad sweep of the history of Brentford, sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge in this illustrated talk. Janet is our Vice-Chair and leads walks for Hounslow Heritage Guides while David is one of our committee members.
17 March 2025
Photographing the heritage of Brentford and Chiswick
Brentford-based photographer Peter Hughes has undertaken a number of commissions linked to our local heritage and community. In his illustrated presentation he will show images from these and other assignments, talk about how this work integrates with the heritage sector and what is involved in producing photographs that are worthy of the subject matter.
14 April 2025 – NB not the usual 3rd Monday but the 2nd to avoid clashing with Easter!
High Status Servants at Chiswick House
Val Bott has been studying the wills of local people in the 18th century. A small group of senior staff who helped to manage Chiswick House were sufficiently well-off to write wills. This illustrated talk will show how these documents reveal their property, their bequests and their friendships.
19 May 2025
Annual General Meeting
The business meeting will review the year and receive the financial report. It will be followed by an illustrated talk (details to be announced). Journal 34 will be published that evening and distributed to all paid up members.
Also . . .
Sanderson’s Archive visits
Following Caitlin Stracey’s talk in November, she has agreed to host tours of newly-restored Voysey House and the company archive for B&CLHS members next spring. Dates have still to be agreed; members will be sent booking details nearer the time.
The 44th West London Local History Conference, Duke Street Church Richmond, 5 April 2025
The theme is Threads Through Time: textiles and clothing in the history of South & West London. Tickets cost £15 online from 12 January: book here
