Joshua Kirby Trimmer 1767-1829
A short biography revealing the results of the author’s recent research. He describes the life of Joshua Kirby Trimmer and some of his siblings, their business interests in brick-making, mining and quarrying and sheep-farming (the latter with Sir Joseph Banks’ merinos). Greg Finch is, like J K Trimmer, a descendant of Sarah Trimmer of Brentford.
Greg Finch

J M W Turner – connections with Brentford
The article uses research by Dr Tim Marshall and Dr Selby Whittingham to correct some of the inaccurate information in the first biography of J M W Turner, by Walter Thornbury. It shows how Turner’s stay with his uncle in Brentford as a boy influenced his later life. Many of his friends came into his life at that time. The uncle’s premises were where the White Horse pub (later The Weir) stood. The author was Editor of the Journal
Carolyn Hammond

Frederick William Strange – founder of modern sports in Japan
The surprising story of a man dubbed ‘the father of Japanese rowing’ who grew up in Chiswick; his memorial stands in the grounds of Tokyo University. Using hired boats from Maynard’s boatyard at the downstream end of Strand on the Green, he honed his rowing skills on the Thames locally. He emigrated to Japan, probably because of contacts with Japanese pupils at his school. There he came to play a significant role in the development of sports at a time of modernisation in Japan. The writer is author of Chiswick Past and The Chiswick Book.
Gillian Clegg

The History of St Michael’s, Sutton Court
An article marking the centenary of consecration of the church for the new parish of St Michael, created to serve the growing suburb of Chiswick. Funded by the sale of the site of St Michael, Burleigh Street, just off the Strand in London, a church designed by Caroe was built in a new road, Elmwood Road, and many of the furnishings and fittings, including the organ came from the older church. The author describes these and the fine windows. At the time of writing he had recently retired as churchwarden.
Ian Peacock

Bedford Park on 10 May 1878
The author reveals what can be discovered from a remarkable set of photographs of the new suburb of Bedford Park by Bedford Lemere and Co taken on one day in 1878. These are now in the Francis Loeb Library at Harvard University. The author, a long term resident and historian of Bedford Park, came across poor quality copies of two of them (originally obtained by historian Andrew Saint) in the Greeves collection at Chiswick Local Studies Library. He obtained high quality copies of five of them from Harvard and three are reproduced in the article
D W Budworth

The Duke’s New Road
The author has been exploring the records at Chatsworth for several years, discovering material relating to Chiswick’s history. A group of papers about ‘diverting a footpath, etc’ includes maps and even the actual notice announcing a public meeting in 1821. These reveal the process of creating Duke’s Avenue from Chiswick High Road to Chiswick House, at about the time the Horticultural Society was negotiating for a lease of garden ground.
Peter Hammond

Hogarth’s House refurbishment
A short note from the What’s New section revealing the damage caused by a fire at Hogarth’s House in August 2009.
Val Bott

Chiswick House Gardens
A short note from the What’s New section reporting on the HLF-funded restoration work at Chiswick House Grounds, recently completed at a cost of £12 million.
Gill Clegg