The Chiswick Empire
by Christina Pain
A short history of Chiswick’s major establishment for entertainment, designed by Frank Matcham. It began with music hall performers and occasional films in 1912, was for a time mainly a cinema, added shows with performers from Cliff Richard to Liberace, and closed in 1959
The Condition of the Poor in Rural Brentford
by David Shavreen
Both Old and New Brentford struggled to care for the poor, the sick, the unemployed, whether residents or travellers passing through, using poor relief and new charities. This account covers the period from the Elizabethan Poor Law to the mid 19th century, when expansion of the town and the arrival of new industry helped provide employment, lifting many out of poverty
Van Gogh in Chiswick
by Gillian Clegg
The Dutch painter’s short career as a young school teacher in Isleworth and Turnham Green during the 1870s where he lived in the household of the Rev Thomas Slade-Jones and was known as Mr Vincent. Includes extracts from his letters to his brother Theo describing his life here
Work & Colour: Sanderson & Chiswick 1879-1928
by Freddie Launert
A major business in Chiswick from 1879 until 1928, this article provides a well-illustrated description of the Sanderson family, their business and disastrous fire which prompted their removal to a new works in Greenford, written by the then company archivist. Their legacy survives in the family home, which became Chiswick Library and premises in Barley Mow Passage, including Voysey’s only factory.
Local History on the Internet
by Shirley Seaton
The internet as a source of information, offering access to new kinds of material for the local historian, described by an experienced historical researcher
The Chiswick Workhouse
by Peter Hammond
A short piece determining the location of Chiswick’s early workhouse, using records in the Chiswick Local Collection and at Chatsworth to pinpoint the site just west of the Windmill pub
A Chiswick Childhood
by Elizabeth Wilcockson
Memories of living in Stamford Brook in the 1930s as a little girl until she was evacuated to the country “labelled like a parcel”
Commemorating Hogarth
by Val Bott
A brief account of the Chiswick Traders’ Association project, raising funds for a millennium statue of Hogarth which was unveiled in 2001
Lost Clitherow Portrait Found?
by Janet McNamara
Three Romney portraits of members of the Clitherow family were listed in the 1922 catalogue for the sale of Boston Manor House in Brentford and two have subsequently been returned for display in the House. The author describes the discovery of the third in Detroit
Princess Amelia’s Bath-House
By Val Bott
An archaeological excavation and new historical research seem to have confirmed that at least part of the folly with a plunge pool and adjoining chamber date back to Princess Amelia’s time at Gunnersbury
Historical Mural
by Janet McNamara
A description of the colourful and jolly mural by Nic Boothby, inspired by elements of Brentford’s history,at St Paul’s Recreation Ground
Book Reviews:
The Birth of a Parish: The Creation of St Michael and All Angels, Bedford Park
St Nicholas Parish Church, Chiswick: Some notable tombs in the churchyard
