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
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
who stands for:-
Careful Administration.
Local Work for Local Men. Continue reading “Vote for Clements in 1914”
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”
Between 1874 and 1894 Brentford was an independent town run by a Local Board responsible for public health matters by supplying clean drinking water and sewers, clearing slums and cleaning the streets. Provision of a Fire Brigade was later added and by 1894 it was an Urban District Council (UDC) whose responsibilities included town planning, parks and cemeteries. This operated until 1927 when it amalgamated with Chiswick to become the Brentford & Chiswick UDC that met in the Town Hall in Chiswick.
One man who was involved from 1894 was James Clements. Continue reading “Councillor James Clements”
The Old Fire Station, 55 High Street, Brentford TW8 0AH Originally used as a fire station and now a Cuban bar downstairs and a Persian restaurant upstairs. Constructed 1897; Grade II statutory listing; In St Paul’s Conservation Area, Thames Policy Area History Opened on 22 February 1898 with much pomp and celebration; ticket-holders were able to see inside. It was designed by Nowell Parr, surveyor … Continue reading The Old Fire Station
In November 2010 a site was cleared in Dock Road.
It was occupied for over 100 years by a warehouse that was originally built in the garden of 80, High Street and had painted on the fascia board
UNDERWOOD’S
HAY & STRAW
DEPOT Continue reading “Underwood’s Hay and Straw Depot, Dock Road”
A memorable and busy Easter is ahead for Mr H. W. (Bill) Dodge, the genial Brentford FC president. memorable because he celebrates his 90th birthday on Saturday, and because he and Mrs Dodge have their 60th wedding anniversary next Monday.
Busy because Mr Dodge will, as usual, be working in his garden and attending the game he loves – soccer. He’ll be at Griffin Park to see Walsall on Saturday, and both he and his wife will be journeying to Northampton next Tuesday for the return League game. Continue reading “What an Easter for Brentford’s President”
“The corner of Brook Road and Lateward Road, Brentford, is of particular significance for Micky and Albert Mancey, who now live in Ealing Road, Brentford. It is here where the Brentford couple first met more than 50 years ago, when Albert used to buy chocolates for his niece from what was then a confectionery and tobacconist owned by Micky’s mother.
“Our picture in the Looking Back section below, taken of the shop in 1926, shows (from left) Micky; her mother, Hetty Wastell; and sister Nelly, who now lives in Christchurch. Continue reading “Brook Road Sweet Shop”
Long established family shopkeepers are difficult to find in towns today. But in Brentford, if you wander around the Victorian terraced back streets, a small handful of them still open their doors for business every day – a tradition that dates back generations.
Greengrocer, Bill Daubney, aged 65, is one whose name has been above his shop in Brook Road South for the last 46 years, and could conjure up an entire panorama of Brentford as fresh as his vegetables.
Bill produced two oval gilt framed portraits of his parents, “I only found them the other day” he said. He recalled that the pictures cost 24 shillings each. “My mother paid 6d a week for them” he said.
Bill, his parents and seven brothers and sisters , lived in a small cottage in Albany Road, one street away from where he works now.
His father was a greengrocer, and his grandfather worked in the fish trade. Both were born and bred in Brentford. Continue reading “Daubney’s Greengrocers, 45 Brook Road”
The History of Brentford 