Trico: A Victory to Remember
“May 24 was a mild, overcast day with no hint of the heatwave to follow that long, hot summer of 1976. It was the day 400 women voted in West London’s Boston Manor Park, to take strike action for equal pay.” (Sally Groves) In 1976, one of the most far-reaching equal pay strikes was successfully won at the Trico-Folberth factory in Brentford. An American company … Continue reading Trico: A Victory to Remember
Peace Brings the Crowds Back to Football
From 1914 competitive football ended and teams played instead as The London Combination. The Brentford team had struggled with only 11 contracted players, relying on numerous guest players. Some had been called up, some had been killed and one had died of influenza in October 1918. After the Armistice attendances increased and Brentford ended the 1918-10 season as champions. Brentford FC v Chelsea, report from … Continue reading Peace Brings the Crowds Back to Football
Layton’s Book Collection
Discovering a hidden book collection – Layton’s Library from Medioto on Vimeo. Last year saw an exhibition of Layton’s Library: A Curious Collection, held at Hogarth’s House and Boston Manor House. Following that exhibition is a new short film which explores Thomas Layton’s book collection, a collection that he bequeathed to the people of Brentford and Hounslow. The film attempts to show the diversity and … Continue reading Layton’s Book Collection
Local Studies at Chiswick Library
Chiswick Library holds a wealth of ancient books, paintings, newspapers and other reference documents charting the rich history of the area in its little seen Archives. James Marshall, Local Studies Librarian for Hounslow Library Service opens up the Archives to ChiswickBuzz and gives a glimpse into the treasure trove it holds! Hidden Gems Part One (video) Hidden Gems Part Two (video) Local Studies at Chiswick … Continue reading Local Studies at Chiswick Library
Fourth Century Christian Symbol Discovered
An eagle-eyed volunteer spotted an inscribed pottery fragment whilst sorting through hundreds of pieces of pottery shards found in the 1970s in an excavation on Brentford High Street due to road widening.
The fragment is inscribed with the chi rho, the first two letters of Christ in the Greek alphabet, which was a common symbol in the early Christian church. Continue reading “Fourth Century Christian Symbol Discovered”
Little Ealing History Group Authors Book on John Quincy Adams
It’s not Brentford, but it is next door and does refer to Brentford. It’s also a very well produced book that is attractive.
The Little Ealing History Group has published a unique local history book based on the diaries of John Quincy Adams, a leading nineteenth-century American statesman and diplomat. A serious man with a strong sense of public duty, he was elected the sixth President of the United States in 1825. Between 1815 and 1817 he served as the United States representative in Great Britain and lived with his family at Little Boston House on the border of Ealing and Brentford in West London. Continue reading “Little Ealing History Group Authors Book on John Quincy Adams”
M4 Motorway
The construction of the M4 flyover, or Motorway On Stilts courtesy of British Pathe from 1963. Footage from April 1963, courtesy of Huntley Film Archives, showing the Great West Road including (briefly)the Lucozade factory by large M4 roadworks, Brentford area, past light industry, Martini clock tower, the Wimpey building and Gunnersbury Park. The opening of the M4 flyover in 1964, again courtesy British Pathe. Continue reading M4 Motorway
Clements’ Gravestone
In loving memory of RICHARD CLEMENTS Died August 22, 1896, aged 3½ months. Also SIDNEY HADLOW CLEMENTS Killed in action at Ypres September 29, 1915 in his 21st year. Although we mourn his loss we are consoled that he died with others fighting for King and Country And of JAMES CLEMENTS, J.P. Who passed away Dec. 21st 1934 aged 72 years A man amongst men … Continue reading Clements’ Gravestone
Vote for Clements in 1914
Vote for Clements
who stands for:-
Careful Administration.
Local Work for Local Men. Continue reading “Vote for Clements in 1914”
Vote for Clements in 1911
Brentford Urban District Council Election, 1911
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The period for which you elected me as one of your representatives on the District Council having expired I have again decided to seek a renewal of your confidence.
I have always supported and shall if elected continue to support any measure which in my opinion will contribute to the welfare of the inhabitants of our town, and I strongly favour the idea of acquiring ground both for recreative and allotment purposes and thereby securing for our working classes the privileges which are enjoyed by neighbouring districts.
If you deem my past services worthy of your support kindly favour me with one of the four votes you will have at your disposal on Monday next.
I am Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
James Clements Continue reading “Vote for Clements in 1911”
The History of Brentford 