Latest issue of Brentham News

Read the latest issue of Brentham News.This is the first issue introduced by the new chair of the Brentham Society, Richard Costella. Find out about the gardening, walking, reading groups, catch up with reminiscences from Perth Australia - and much more!

Groundforce Day - 10th March

In 2011 the Brentham Society arranged two “Groundforce Days” to clear and restore common areas of the estate that had become overgrown. A team of volunteers set about cutting hedges and grass in the area between Fowlers Walk and Brentham Way. On 10th March, we will be setting about the next stage of the clearance, so if you fancy a couple of hours of collective gardening, please come along. We are also aware of other areas which need the same attention, so if you are willing to volunteer for this, please contact Heather. The sessions are informal and a great way to get some exercise and meet your neighbours.

Gardening Groups Don Their Gloves

Brentham Garden Suburb’s evening gardening group meets every first Tuesday of the month, starting this year on 6th March. If you are interested in gardening and would like to meet like-minded people, contact the webeditor for Gina’s contact details.

The afternoon gardening group will meet at 2pm on Wednesday April 18th, and thereafter on the third Wednesday of the month.

Walking Group - Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7.40am

Join the Brentham Morning Walkers on their twice weekly 30-minute walks round Pitshanger Park, and Scotch Common every Tuesday and Thursday morning. The BMWs estimate the walk is approximately 3,000 steps long – a third of one’s daily target.  Not only do the BMWs enjoy the exercise, the fresh morning air and the changing scenery, but they also discuss films, theatre and anything else that is topical. For more information contact Rosanna.

Reading Group Diary Dates

Brentham’s reading group meets at the Brentham Club at 8pm on the last Monday of each month (excepting Bank Holidays). £1.50 per head is payable each time for room hire. Forthcoming titles to be discussed:
January: Visitors by Anita Brookner
February:  After You'd Gone by Maggie O’ Farrell
March: Consequences by Penelope Liveley
April: The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal

For more info contact the webmaster for Jenny’s contact details.

Art and Craft Group?

Following the success of the recent art and craft exhibition which showcased work by some creative Brentham residents, an informal art and craft group is proposed to bring local artistic people together. Depending on response and interest, the group could get involved in various activities such as visits, lessons, exhibitions and art trails. If you are interested in forming a group, please contact Rosanna.

Brentham May Day - Can You Help?

Brentham May Day will be held on Saturday 12th May this year. The organisers are very appreciative of the teams of people who erect the maypole early in the morning, dress Jack in the Green's frame, and sell programmes. They would also be grateful for any help you can give with teaching the maypole and country dances, helping at rehearsals, stewarding on the field on the day, and walking with the procession. With offers or for more information please contact Pat

Hear Sue Elliott Interviewed on Hayes FM

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Sue gives a fascinating insight into the pioneering spirit that helped create Brentham Garden Suburb in this 17 minute radio interview

Fred Perry Blue Plaque is Being Struck!

The commemorative Blue Plaque for tennis champion, Brentham Club member and Brentham resident Fred Perry which is to be unveiled at 223 Pitshanger Lane is currently being 'struck'.  The ceremony is expected to take place around the time of Wimbledon fortnight, 25th June – 8th July. Further information, including details of who will perform the unveiling ceremony (will Andy Murray perhaps be stepping forward?) will emerge nearer that time.

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!

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.

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:

• The proposed design is out of keeping with the character of Brentham
• Green space, trees and wildlife habitats will be lost
• Flood risk (especially to houses in Woodfield Crescent) will increase
• Traffic congestion will be exacerbated, causing safety problems

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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