A Talk on the History of Brentford High Street
Janet McNamara and David Shailes present an illustrated lecture
Brentford High Street on Queen Victoria’s Wedding Day in 1840. Picture: Local Studies Collection at Chiswick Library
February 14, 2025
This month’s meeting of the Brentford and Chiswick Local History society will be a broad sweep of Brentford’s history.
The speakers, Janet McNamara and David Shailes, are both long-standing Brentford residents. They will share their enthusiasm and knowledge of the area in this illustrated talk. Janet is the society’s Vice-Chairman and a Hounslow Heritage Guide, and David is a committee member who led Brentford's Local History Month in 2022.
This will be an in-person event at the Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, W4 and will also be offered via Zoom at 7.30pm on Monday 17 February. There is no charge to take part and if you are attending in person there is no need to book.
If you want to join online, reserve your place via Ticket Tailor.
Click on the blue button on screen to go to the booking page. Your ticket will provide the Zoom joining details
Membership secretary, David Bright, will be able to take subscription renewals by card at the meeting (remember the new sub is £15 per person or £20 for two at the same address.
Also, James Marshall’s new book – The Great West Road: A Centenary History – will be on sale at the meeting, price £25.
You can also buy it from the society’s on-line bookshop.
Future meetings of the society
Monday 17 March - Photographing the heritage of Brentford and Chiswick
Brentford-based photographer, Peter Hughes, has undertaken a number of commissions linked to 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.
Monday 14 April (NB the second Monday to avoid 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 the 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.
Monday 19 May - 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.
Spring 2025 - 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. Dates have still to be agreed; members will be sent booking details nearer the time.
Membership of the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society ensures that you receive details of the Society’s programme of talks and outings and entitles you to a copy of the annual Journal. From time to time there are opportunities to join a small research group or assist with a local history project.
Meetings, usually on the third Monday of the month, take place at Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, off Dukes Avenue opposite Chiswick Library. The membership year runs from January to December and the annual subscription costs £15 or £20 for two people at the same address .
If you wish to join, either come along to one of the meetings, or print off, complete and send the membership form with your details and cheque for payment, or if you wish to use your credit or debit card through PayPal, click here but also send an email to membership@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk giving your name, address, phone number, and confirmation that the society may contact you by email in the future.
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