Brentham Family Cycle – Sunday 25th July

This year's Brentham Cycle takes place on Sunday 25th July. Hop onto your bikes for a leisurely ride, mainly off-road, from Pitshanger Park to Osterley Park. We’ll arrive in time for a well-earned cup of tea or juice, and home-made cakes or ice-cream – or bring your own picnic. Pop into the Tudor stables to watch an atmospheric film, visit the National Trust shop, or simply enjoy the beautiful parkland and lake.

Meet from 1pm onwards at the main entrance to Pitshanger Park for a prompt 1.30 start. We aim to be back by 5.30. The route and pace is suitable for all ages. For further details email alan@brentham.com

Read the latest issue of Brentham News!

There’s been an exciting find of archive material at the Brentham Club, read about what Brentham house prices have been doing since 1995, catch up with Brentham politics in 1913 - as well as the latest news from Brentham Garden Suburb.

Brentham May Day

The crown bearer concentrates on carrying the crown, moments before Katherine (pictured in the arch) was proclaimed May Queen 2010 on Brentham May Day, which this year took place on Saturday 15th May. Hundreds of spectators followed the procession of 140 children round Brentham Garden Suburb to the Brentham Club, where the children performed traditional dances round the maypole.

Brentham Reading Group - Monday 20th September

The Brentham Reading Group is taking a break over the summer and will resume meetings on Monday 20th September (a week earlier than usual). September’s choice is The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve.

The group usually meets on the last Monday of the month, from 8pm to 9.30pm in the Brentham Club coffee shop, followed by an optional visit to the bar afterwards. Everyone is welcome to attend – simply turn up, or, if you would like to find out more email the Brentham web administrator and ask for a contact phone number for one of the group members. There is a small charge of £1.50 to cover the cost of room hire. To find the coffee shop, go through the gate in the fence immediately beyond the main door.

In October the group will discuss The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (25th October).

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.

Oak Processionary Moths in the February issue of Brentham News

...plus news on Denison/Ludlow Green, the annual Brentham Society Garden Awards, a Brentham MBE and more. Read all about it!

What Is Everyone Holding?

Despite miserable February weather, about 70 Brentham residents turned out for the first Brentham Society Get-Together at the Brentham Club to meet neighbours over a glass of wine, find out about what the Society is up to and exchange ideas about potential future projects. There was also the opportunity to preview the new ‘Living in Brentham' residents' pack, designed as a permanent, renewable information resource for all Brentham households, and packed with useful information and advice on looking after your house and living in an Article 4 Conservation Area. Pictured are the team who produced the pack. Left to right: Rosanna Henderson (project manager), Alan Henderson (chair, Brentham Society), Sue Elliott (editor), Heather Moore (planning and conservation input), and Dave Hobbs (design and production). Every Brentham household will be receiving a pack over the coming weeks.

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?

Brentham Garden Groups

The two Brentham Garden Groups meet once a month from March/April to October. New members are very welcome. The afternoon group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, 2-4 pm (contact: Maggie Stevens), while the evening group meets on the first Tuesday of the month, 7.30-9.00 pm (contact: Em Cunningham). If you would like to open your garden for the Brentham Garden Day in June, please contact Gina Jenkins. Email the Brentham webeditor if you would like contact details for Maggie, Em or Gina.

Brentham Residents Visit a Remarkable Museum

Robert Opie (pictured above, second from the right) started collecting wrappers and packaging as a schoolboy more than forty years ago – the first item he collected was a wrapper from a Munchies bar. A group of Brentham residents met Robert on a visit to the remarkable Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising on 21 November. The museum houses 12,000 items of everyday life – it’s well worth a visit!

Join a Specialist Brentham Group

The Brentham Society delegates its work to informal specialist groups covering Heritage, Planning, Communications and occasional ad hoc projects. If you think you'd like to make a contribution to one of these specialist groups (you don't need to be on the main committee) we'd love to hear from you. Contact Alan Henderson or Sue Elliott.

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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