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Hear Sue Elliott interviewed on Hayes FM
Sue gives a fascinating insight into the pioneering spirit that helped create Brentham Garden Suburb in this 17 minute radio interview New Video on Youtube - Unveiling of the Fred Perry Green Plaque
As part of their centenary celebrations, the Brentham Club, in conjunction with Ealing Civic Society and the Brentham Society, unveiled a green plaque on 16th June to commemorate Fred Perry, the last British tennis player to win Wimbledon, or indeed any Grand Slam tennis event. (This plaque is not to be confused with the Blue Plaque to be unveiled at 223 Pitshanger Lane later this year or early next).Fred was a member of the Club from 1919-1935 and developed his tennis skills on the courts at the Brentham Club.
Pictured above are: Front row: Mayoress of Ealing, Mayor Cllr John Gallagher, Angie Bray MP and Cllr Diana Pagan. Directly behind them are Roger Draper (Lawn Tennis Association) and Cllr John Popham. Others in the photo are (left to right) Bob Gurd (Ealing Civic Society), Colin Hearn (Brentham Club), Julian Bell (Leader of Ealing Council) and John Kinder (Brentham Club). Brentham Resident Tony Miller Honoured
We were delighted to hear that Brentham resident Tony Miller is one of five Ealing residents to receive the honorary title of freeman of the borough of Ealing. This is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a resident by Ealing Council. Tony is currently a Brentham Society committee member, and a former chair. For many years (decades!) Tony has volunteered in a wide range of community activities. He is currently a director of Ealing Arts Centre, works with Save Ealing’s Centre, sits on the committee of Ealing Civic Society, is vice-chairman of Ealing’s Liberal Democrats, and chair of the Hanger Hill ward police panel and ‘Streetwatchers’. Well done Tony! Read the Latest Issue of Brentham News
There’s plenty of change in the air. Find out more in the August issue of Brentham News. Read about the 20 mph speed limit consultation in the September 2011 update. Brentham Visit to Letchworth
Brentham took its place as a small but significant member of the Garden City family in Letchworth's recent centenary celebrations - Letchworth: Who Do You Think You Are? - on 2nd & 3rd July. Alan and Rosanna Henderson (pictured above), Sue Elliott and Bevan Jones set up the Brentham stall in a marquee on the history of the movement, alongside representatives from some of its best-known products including Bournville, Hampstead and Harlow. Despite competing attractions in the nearby fairground, a steady stream of visitors came to find out more about Brentham, usually opening the conversation with ‘we've never heard of you!’ As a reward for their labours, the Brenthamites later enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of Letchworth by David Walker from the upholstered comfort of his vintage Citroen Big 6. After meeting so many lovely people from other garden suburbs and cities, we all agreed that 'the family' should get together more often! Famous Brentham Strawberry Tea
The rain held off (mostly) at this year’s Brentham Strawberry Tea on 19th June, when residents of all ages, the deputy mayor and several councillors packed into the Barbara Murray’s back garden. The annual tea is a highlight in the Brentham calendar. Brentham Open Garden Day
After weeks of praying for the wet stuff it decided to deluge Open Garden Day held on Sunday 12th June. Despite the downpours the variety of gardens combined with the warm welcome from their owners made for an absorbing afternoon. What united the ten gardens was their strong themes – from cottage garden planting to modern courtyards, from the Mediterranean-inspired to the currently fashionable, but always with the traditional Brentham pottinger arrangements. Sally Kelly’s plant sale proved as popular as ever, as did tea and cakes, which this year were enjoyed under gazebos and in the summerhouse rather than in the sunshine. In total £933.20 was raised to support the work of Brain Tumour UK – a fantastic achievement given the weather. Brentham May Day 2011
Despite some ominous clouds and a brisk north westerly wind, Brentham May Day 2011 was a great success. The rain held off and the sun shone as the procession, led by the Yiewsley & West Drayton Brass Band, wove its way along the traditional route through Brentham. The dancers, aged from 4 to 13, then wove their way around the maypole in patterns reflecting an even more ancient tradition. Daisy Whittaker (pictured above) was crowned May Queen.
The Brentham Club celebrated its centenary by augmenting the event with a special marquee for the dancers’ tea party, a tug of war and a spectacular release of blue and yellow balloons that were soon whisked across the sky by that brisk north westerly. A rock duo catered for those children who still had energy to dance after the main event. Even the FA cup final, screened in the Club bar, couldn’t distract a larger-than-usual crowd from the colourful event that played out in the fields of Brentham.
Brentham Garden Groups Welcomes New Members
There are currently two groups for gardeners - and would-be gardeners - in Brentham. You don’t need to know much about gardening to join one of the friendly groups of Brentham residents, who meet to swap plants and seeds, and share success stories (and sympathy). Both groups meet once a month from March/April to October. The afternoon group meets on the third Wednesday of the month (2pm to 4pm - contact Maggie Stevens). and the evening group meets on the first Tuesday (7.30-9.00 pm- contact: Emma Cunningham. New members are always welcome. Do you want this?
This photo was taken at Wavertree Garden Suburb, Liverpool where conservation has lapsed – note the plastic windows, satellite dish and front garden car parking. Brentham is a special place because of the flair and imagination of the planners and architects who created it a century ago, but also because of the way succeeding generations have kept faith with their inspiration and conserved Brentham’s special features. Swingeing cuts in the Council’s Planning Services mean a near 30% reduction in the staff who deal with development management, planning enforcement and conservation/urban design. In all, nearly nine full-time posts will go. Conservation will suffer as a result. Though the laws and guidelines on conservation are unchanged, there will be fewer professional staff to enforce them. If enough small but important changes slip through the net to change its basic character – the odd satellite dish here, the ‘wrong’ window there – we may risk losing our Conservation Area status altogether. That would be the end of Brentham as a special place to live. So we all need to take extra responsibility – not just for our own property, but for our whole neighbourhood - and demonstrate the pride we feel in it. If you value Brentham and want to help keep it special, please get more involved. Please contact Alan to find out more about the different ways you can help. Planning Permission Granted to Expand St Gregory’s School
On 16th March the Council granted planning permission to St. Gregory’s School on Woodfield Road to expand by 50%. The large building scheme will impact especially on residents living nearby, but also affect the Brentham Conservation Area as a whole. The Brentham Society has stayed in close touch with the local residents’ campaign against the expansion, and has objected to the planning application on the grounds that it will adversely affect our Conservation Area. Specifically:
In a follow-up letter, the Society also put on record objections if the plans were to include, as has been suggested, an all-weather sports pitch and changes - including removing a barrier - to the access path behind houses on the south side of Woodfield Crescent. There’s more information here. Brentham Architectural Salvage
Do you have any unwanted original Brentham house fittings such as doors, fireplaces, window furniture? We hope to establish a repository of all things Brentham which others may find helpful in restoring their homes. Contact Heather Brentham Postcards
By popular demand, an exclusive set of postcards of Brentham has been produced. The set includes 12 superb images – a mix of historic and contemporary – that reflect Brentham’s unique heritage and charming present. The postcards can be bought individually (60p) or in a set of 12 (£5) from Pitshanger Bookshop, or direct from the Brentham Society. Email Sue for details of how to buy postcards through the Brentham Society. Brentham on YouTube!
A charmingly quirky music video entitled ‘Unemployed in Summertime’ has received over 55,000 hits on the popular YouTube website. Can you identify the Brentham and Pitshanger Lane locations? Conservation Guidance Did you know that if you live in Brentham and are thinking of making changes to your front path, hedge or exterior paintwork, you will need to apply for planning permission? To help residents steer their way through the unusually strict planning controls for this ‘Article 4 Conservation Area’, the Brentham Society has produced new guidance for residents. Read the clear, informative guidance here . It could save you time, money and anxiety if you are planning changes to your home. |
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