Out & About Magazine, Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth and Osterley, February-March 2020

FREE CHISWICK, ISLEWORTH, BRENTFORD & OSTERLEY

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

Lightopia FESTIVAL

at Chiswick House

Misbehaviour KEIRA KNIGHTLEY’S LATEST FILM

LONDON UNDERGROUND

Design Icons Keira Knightley’s latest film • Bedford Park Bicycle Club • Lightopia at Chiswick House Brentford Together • Jazz at George IV • With Love from Ella Fitzgerald Brentford Sports Fest • Interview with the Head of Chiswick School • Hen Corner London Underground Design Icons • Vote your choice for the W4th Plinth

www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk

2019

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020

Contents Photography credit: Ray Marsh

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INSIDE

Features

Regulars

Brentford Together 6

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Letter from the Editor

12

Hen Corner Sara Ward preparing her garden

Community sewing classes

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Lightopia Magical sculptures in Chiswick House Gardens

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Community Art Work Vote for your favourite

GET IN TOUCH DIRECTOR Amanda Rowley info@outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Gerry Devine geraldineholden@icloud.com Tel: 07710 574479 EDITOR Bridget Osborne bridget@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk PUBLISHER out&about Magazines Banstead, Surrey www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk Tel: 07967 660772

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10-11 London Underground Design icons

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Brentford Sports FEST Take part

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16-17 Misbehaviour

Keira Knightley’s latest film

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Friends of Osterley Park Making the Park accessible

22-23 Chiswick School’s

Head teacher Laura Ellener, on a year in the job

28 Jazz at George IV Spring season

29 From Ella with Love

Helen Theophanous sings Ella Fitzgerald

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome Great to be back after a couple of months’ absence.

The magazine has changed hands and is now under the capable stewardship of Amanda Rowley and Gerry Devine and I’m very pleased to be continuing as editor.

This issue has the usual mix of what’s on and who’s who in our area.

There are community sewing classes in Brentford, under the ‘Brentford Together’ umbrella. P6 Lightopia provides a magical night time stroll through the gardens of Chiswick House, following the trail of brightly lit, interactive sculptures, until the end of February. P7 You can vote for your choice of community art work to go on the wall of the railway embankment at Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick. P9 Sara Ward is putting in the effort now to ensure her garden is as productive as possible later in the year. P12 Read about Brentford Sports FEST and then lace up your running shoes and take part. P13 Read my interview with Rebecca Frayn, the creator of Misbehaviour, Keira Knightley’s latest film based on the true story of the Women’s Libbers who disrupted the 1970 Miss World contest. P16-17

Fnd out how you can help make Osterley Park accessible to the local community and the House a fun place to visit with Friends of Osterley Park. P21 It’s been a year since Laura Ellener took over as the head teacher of Chiswick School and she’s a real force for the good. Read my interview with her. P22-23 The Spring line-up for Jazz at George IV offers some fantastic live jazz musicians. P28 And a special Cabaret night in March, in which Helen Theophanous sings the songs of Ella Fitzgerald. P29 Spring is on the way!

Best wishes,

Bridget Editor: Bridget Osborne

COVER IMAGE Chiswick Park Station Undergroud poster artwork P10

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BRENTFORD TOGETHER

Spring SEWING

Mary from ‘Brentford Together’ shares her sewing skills in community classes The spring season brings a fresh feeling of renewal and brighter colours in our wardrobe, kitchen and garden and is an ideal time to get ‘out & about’ in different ways!

Since the ‘Brentford Together’ community project started last May, more than 300 local residents of all ages have taken part in free classes and workshops - trying out sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening and bike maintenance.

The ‘Brentford Sewing Bee’ takes place weekly on board the Cathja barge on the River Thames. As a sewing tutor and vintage fashion stylist with a background at Liberty and Harrods, I enjoy teaching traditional techniques such as blanket stitch and pattern cutting

and sharing the joy of making your own clothes, updating classic items or customising ‘charity shop finds’.

We are a small, friendly group including mothers of young children who benefit from a change of scene, retired people seeking to develop their interests and we all like to socialise! Members bring in homemade Portuguese cakes, Czech biscuits and at Christmas we went to a local carol service together wearing some of our class creations - joined by family, including toddlers and pets. Louise made a comfortable green cord skirt for walking her dog, Pavlina a stunning LBD for parties, Sarah Jane a poncho and pyjamas for her children and Quina a stylish

summer skirt with a 30 year old piece of fabric!

We will also be holding ‘taster’ themed workshops, all free to attend. Classes are open to anyone interested in meeting people or learning a new skill.

Class details as follows: Day: Tuesdays Time: 6-8pm Venue: Cathja Barge (on the river behind South Street, Isleworth) As there are a limited number of spaces available, please get in touch to book onto a session.

For more information, please contact alice.vodden@globalactionplan.org.uk | 0203 817 7636

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CHISWICK HOUSE LIGHTOPIA

CHISWICK HOUSE

Lightopia opened in the grounds of Chiswick house on 22nd January and continues throughout February.

A series of illuminated sculptures all around the gardens create a magical wonderland. Visitors can control some of the extraordinary sculptures using touch pads and drums.

Following on from Chinese lantern displays in previous years, the handmade silk installations by Outreach Creative combine ancient techniques of Chinese lantern making with modern technology to create spectacular outdoor show.

This year’s display is much more interactive than previous shows. There are 45 groups of light installations, including the Tree of Life centrepiece: a 10m tall sculpture surrounded by 20 drums, which the public can use to change the tree’s colours.

FRIDAY NIGHTS LIVE MORE INFORMATION & BOOK AT

watermans.org.uk

In another part of the grounds there’s a stunning 18m long peacock. Light pulses through its wings in time with the beat of the music.

Elsewhere there’s a display of 70,000 individual flickering roses, there are enormous glowing eggs which change colour when rocked, and musical buttons on the ground which create musical light shows when stepped on.

The installations have been designed by contemporary artist Ava Moradi, with a mission to create an immersive artistic experience for visitors of all ages, around the theme of Harmony. The event also features acrobats and musicians.

For more information: info@lightopiafestival.com

Cabaret, dance circus, music and more.

Liven up your Fridays at your local arts centre Lili La Scala

“Lightopia”

CATERERS Friendly, professional service • Private parties • Weddings • Corporate events • Business lunch buffets TAKE AWAY DELI (Monday – Friday) Delicious fresh lunch food • Salad bar • Main meals • And much, much more

Burchell’s of Old Isleworth 5 Lawrence Parade, Lower Square Old Isleworth, TW7 6RG

020 8569 9278, sales@burchells.co.uk

Calendar THE CHISWICK

The Chiswick Calendar is a local website which tells you what’s going on in our area on a day to day basis. Beautiful photographs by local photographers - Page per day listings of what’s on, constantly updated - Interesting videos - Our own events.

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and get a free club card, giving you access to deals and discounts from quality local businesses.

Go to www.thechiswickcalendar.co.uk

THE W4TH PLINTH

THE W4TH

Plinth

Karen Liebreich asks you to vote on your choice of community art work The W4th Plinth art space was launched by Abundance London in September 2019, taking its name from the Trafalgar Square 4th plinth of rotating artworks.

While Sir Peter Blake’s Chiswick Empire Theatre held the stage magnificently for the first six months, we welcomed submissions for the next artwork. We had 31 entries, of very high quality, and it was a difficult decision. A panel led by Sir Peter Blake selected the shortlist of four, and these are now subject to public vote to decide which one will be installed for the next six months on the wall overlooking the piazza at Turnham Green Terrace.

Voting opened on 19th January and closes at midnight on the last day of February. The winning entry will be installed in March. We are now inviting submissions for the next work, to be installed in September. Abundance London will pay for the printing and installation.

To vote (or submit a new artwork), visit www.abundancelondon.com

SHORTLISTED WORKS

David Kimpton: Penny the Orangutan Indonesian rainforests are being cleared to create palm oil plantations.

Our artwork was created to raise funds for the Sumatran Orangutan Society, whose message is ‘every penny counts’ in the fight to save the endangered animals and their environment.

Alfred Daniels: Chiswick House Dog Show In 2014 the late Alfred Daniels was asked to design a poster for the Chiswick House Dog Show. Jan Preece, Chair of the Show committee, gave him a selection of photos of dogs who walk in Chiswick House grounds and from these Danny put together this painting.

Flor Ferraco: Oh Vincent!

Suzan Inceer: We are all Characters

“Vincent screams freedom, movement and hope. What your eyes can feel is what I want you to receive. As he said, ‘What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything...”

“It’s a London sofa, a London street, the Thames at the top left.

There is an audience, but it’s unclear – who is the entertainment? Are they communicating? Being understood? Or are they/ we just shouting in a language known to no one else? I, for one, am curious.”

Which one will you vote for? www.abundancelondon.com L@outandabout_mag

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LONDON UNDERGROUND – DESIGN ICONS

LONDON UNDERGROUND

Design Icons

Arts Society Chiswick talk on the design history of the Underground From the Tube map to Art Deco architecture, London Transport designs have become iconic design classics.

The London Underground has continuously set a benchmark for design that has influenced transit systems from New York to Tokyo, Moscow to Paris.

On Thursday 12th March, writer and broadcaster Mark Ovenden gives a talk, hosted by the Arts Society, Chiswick, about the history of one of the world’s most celebrated design achievements, and of the visionaries who brought it to life.

Based on the information in his book London Underground By Design, published in 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first underground passenger railway, Mark charts the history of the graphic design, cartography and architecture of the Tube.

commissioned some of the most recognisable icons of London Underground’s identity: the Johnston typeface, Charles Holden stations, the roundel and Harry Beck’s Tube map.

Chiswick Park station, built between 1931 and 1932, is a perfect example of Holden’s modern European style. It is still an inspiration for artists today, as is Osterley station, designed by Stanley Heaps, which opened in 1934.

The current textile designs for the seating: hard wearing, colourful and instantly recognisable, are direct descendants of the early designs by Californian textile artist Marion Dorn, also created in the 1930s. One of the twentieth century’s leading textile designers, she also produced her ‘sculptured carpet’ designs for the Savoy hotel, Claridges and the Queen Mary.

From the pioneering Victorian age onward, the architecture, branding, map design, textiles, posters and signage have contributed not only to the identity of London Underground, but the branding of London itself.

One man is perhaps responsible more than most for establishing the brand. Frank Pick, chief executive officer and vice-chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board from its creation in 1933 until 1940,

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LONDON UNDERGROUND – DESIGN ICONS It was Frank Pick who commissioned the beautiful art deco posters which promoted the Underground’s trains and London General Omnibus Company’s buses as a means of reaching the countryside around London.

These prints and products made out of the seating fabrics (cushions, furniture, with the patterns even to be found on socks) are among some of the best-selling items at the London Transport Museum shop in Covent Garden.

Mark traces the importance of design to London Underground all the way through to Canary Wharf station, opened in 1999, designed by architect Sir Norman Foster.

Date:

Thursday 12th March

Venue: The Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK), 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0RF Starts: 8.00pm (Bar opens 7.00pm) Tickets: £10 on the door Chiswick Park Station Photograph by Jon Perry / Print by Rachel Busch

To join the society please contact The Arts Society Chiswick by email: info@theartssocietychiswick.org.uk. theartssocietychiswick.org.uk L@outandabout_mag

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HEN CORNER Photography credit: Pam Wade

Cracking ON

Sara Ward gets on with the spring tasks at Hen Corner in Brentford It can be pretty chilly in early spring, but there’s still loads that we can be getting on with to stay ahead of the game and ensure the garden is as productive as possible.

Last year, we totted up the value of everything we harvested and were jolly pleased with the £1,708.75 total, much more than the previous two years, though I must give most of the credit to the chickens who laid a whopping 2,750 eggs between them!

We were significantly down on the honey harvest; squirrels took most of the fruit from the trees and the veg plot was struggling to say the least. So I am determined to crack on and get those seasonal jobs done now that should increase our yield later on in the year.

This time last year, we were down to just one healthy colony of honey-bees so reproduction was the priority for them. Fortunately, we ended up with four strong colonies that have all made it through winter, so some good investment now to treat them for mites and ensure that they have enough food will help them get the best start as they forage on the crocuses, snowdrops and hyacinths that we’ve planted for them. Pretty soon the queen bees, when they discover there’s lots of food available, will start laying more eggs and the hives will be a-buzzing.

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A key to successful fruit and vegetable crops is fertile soil. A problem in our kitchen garden is an overly large bay tree which is drawing moisture and nutrients from underneath our raised beds. In the short term, shovelling on heaps of home-made compost, enriched with chicken manure, works as both a mulch to reduce evaporation of vital moisture and as food for the soil to nourish our crops.

Fortunately, our faithful chickens respond to the seasons like clockwork and, as long as their coops are cleaned out regularly and they’ve got enough food and water, they don’t require much work from us.

They are beginning to lay more eggs now than at any other time in the year, so I’ll keep up the treats - they love a handful of mixed corn - and stock up on egg boxes.

HenCorner.com

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BRENTFORD SPORTS FEST

BRENTFORD

Sports Fest

Get your trainers on and join in Local residents are encouraged to lace up their running shoes and take part in Brentford’s biggest running event – Brentford Sports FEST. Residents of all ages and abilities can take part in a 10k run, 5k run, 1k and a children’s fun run on Sunday 5th April 2020 in the grounds of Syon House.

Organised by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, in partnership with developers Brentford Lock West, the event offers runners the opportunity to run in the

Walking, paddleboarding and yoga Apart from running, Brentford Sports FEST also offers a range of sporting activities for all the family. There’s a 5k Walk and Talk (in association with West London NHS Trust). For water lovers, there is the opportunity to take part in a paddleboarding lesson and kayaking at Brentford Lock.

There’s also a free health and sports ‘village’ where you can try out hatha yoga or have a go at making pizza. You can test your batting technique with cricket simulator.

Children can throw themselves into a variety of games with fun inflatables or have a go at rugby with the

private grounds of the estate. For runners hoping to beat their personal best, all races have chip timing.

Anna Rutowicz, who took part in the 10k last year, says: “Taking part in Brentford Sports FEST was such a fun experience that contributed to my motivation for running more”.

The course is a mixture of trail, path, meadow and parkland, including the Duke of Northumberland’s private gardens.

activities provided by London Irish Foundation; while little ones can play in the soft play area.

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, health, sports participation and community engagement all year round, in partnership with Brentford Football Club.

It has been doing community work in Brentford and the surrounding area for thirty years, using the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all walks of life. The Trust has won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and now employs more than 100 members of staff.

Sign up for the event at www.brentfordsportsfest.co.uk

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Thursday 27th February 2020

Festival of Business 2020 Breakfast 8:00am - 9:15am Exhibition 9:30am - 4:00pm Hounslow is the borough of Business – our economy is strong, made up of nearly a third of a million people, over 18,000 businesses. It is an economy of nearly £20bn, the second largest economy in the UK – the first is London.

Holiday Inn London, Brentford Lock, Commerce Road London TW8 8GA The Hounslow Festival of Business is part of that celebration, showcasing and promoting our diverse business community.

The event is free to attend, you just need to book.

Book your stand at a starting price of £195+VAT. The Stakeholder’s Breakfast is £20+VAT for members and £30+VAT for non-members.

Keynote speaker: Justin Urquhart Stewart For any further queries contact Sally on sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk

5 Reasons to Join • • • • •

Regular networking events / conferences Signposting & introductions International trade missions & export documents Lobbying Annual Business Awards / Festival of Business sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk 020 8326 6416 www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

“Without the Chamber, we wouldn’t be Hounslow” Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, 2019

@HounslowC

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MISBEHAVIOUR

Misbehaviour

Bridget Osborne meets Rebecca Frayn, creator of the new Keira Knightley film Misbehaviour Keira Knightley stars in a new film released in March, about the disruption of the 1970 Miss World contest

by Women’s Lib protesters. I spoke to the film’s creator Rebecca Frayn, who lives in Chiswick.

Rebecca has a track record of making films about women, (Annie Leibovitz, Lennie Riefenstahl, Norah Ephron, Aung San Suu Kyi and the BBC 2 documentary Tory Wives).

She also knows a thing or two about campaigning, having set up the We CAN environmental movement, which lobbied the government to take action on climate change in the run up to the 2010 Copenhagen Conference.

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She vaguely remembers the protest – women throwing flour bombs, squirting water pistols and shouting ‘moo’ in protest at the ‘cattle market’ being hosted by American comedian Bob Hope at the Albert Hall – but she was still a child at the time.

“Golliwog moment” “For me it was what I call a ‘golliwog moment’” she tells me, where something everyone was familiar with, which was completely normal and unremarkable, was suddenly seen in a different light.

She had grown up watching Miss World, as did millions of people around the world, as family viewing

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MISBEHAVIOUR on primetime television. The women paraded in swimsuits as their breasts and hips were evaluated, and turned in a long line across the stage as the camera panned across their backsides.

“As a young woman you had a sense that something was amiss and oppressive, and you didn’t know what it was” she says.

There’s a great line in the film (penned by co-writer Gaby Chiappe) in which the main protagonist, Sally Alexander, is at home with her mother and takes exception to her encouraging her little sister to twirl around like a beauty queen. “You used to love playing Miss World when you were a little girl” says the mother. “Yes and we also liked eating our own snot” retorts Sally.

It was when Rebecca was listening to The Reunion on BBC Radio 4 that she realised what a great feature film it would make. The radio programme had brought the five protesters who were arrested back together to reminisce.

The dramatic possibilities of the flour bombs and water pistols were a given, but she was also attracted by the women’s wit and anarchic exuberance. “They had a great sense of mischief and humour” she says. They defended themselves in court, calling Bob Hope and Miss World organiser Eric Morley as witnesses, and when they declined to appear, calling a policeman to take the stand to ask him questions like ‘who washes your socks?’ and ‘who irons your shirts?’ to ‘put Patriarchy in the dock’.

Keira Knightley plays Sally Alexander, the intellectual leader of the group, and she is backed by a brilliant cast.

Jessie Buckley plays the firebrand Jo Ann Robinson; Phyllis Logan is Sally’s mother; Keeley Hawes plays Miss World organiser Julia Morley, and Rhys Ifans her partner, the late Eric Morley. Greg Kinnear plays Bob Hope.

The film has been made by an all-female team - written

by Rebecca Frayn and Gaby Chiappe, produced by Suzanne Mackie and Sarah-Jane Wheale and directed

by Philippa Lowthorpe, the only female director to have won a Bafta.

Misbehaviour images courtesy of Pathé

Rebecca Frayn - photograph by James Willcocks

Misbehaviour will be in cinemas from 13th March

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HEAD GARDENER’S NOTES Box Caterpillar and its effects on our box hedging Andy Eddy, Head Gardener at Osterley Park writes:“Most of us who garden in London will probably have experienced the incredible damage that the Box caterpillar – Cydalima perspectalis - will have in our gardens if we have box hedges or clipped specimens.

This pest first arrived on our shores in 2007 and had become widespread in our gardens by 2011 causing significant damage across the London area by 2014. This native of east Asia spins webs across the foliage during the late summer months and soon causes unsightly defoliation across the whole plant, it has now become so established that it even has a second infestation in the autumn if the weather is warm. The caterpillars are greenish-yellow with black and white stripes and can be up to 1 ¼ inches in length.

They can, of course, be controlled using chemical pesticides however most of us will not want to resort to these methods as any of these chemicals, when they enter the natural food chain, can be extremely damaging to other wildlife.

There are some natural, biological ways to control them using nematodes which are their natural enemy however this will still be only a way of controlling them and not eradicating them completely.

Planting Design and Maintenance Telephone 07594 622547 katepeacock@hotmail.co.uk

kate: the gardener

They can be picked off by hand – very time consuming – and there is some anecdotal evidence of British birds such as Blue Tits feeding off them, with the Gardeners at Ham House noting that Jackdaws were eating them too.

Here at Osterley we have been ruthlessly brave this autumn and ripped out all of the box hedging in the garden and replaced it with other types of plants that are not affected.

As all of the box hedging here has been planted as part of our restoration process none of the hedges were more than ten years old and not part of the historic landscape so could be replaced with something more suitable. In one part of the garden we have planted Berberis thunbergii a low growing deciduous shrub that forms a neat hedge and colours well in the autumn. In another area we have planted Lonicera nitida another neat, dwarfish evergreen that will look similar to box and thus give the same effect.

None of these plants will have the same stature as box and none will give the same old garden look that we plant it for, however as our gardens change – and the plants in them – we will have to take more of these difficult decisions in the future of we want to continue gardening without endangering the delicate balance of wildlife and nature around us.”

HarperCollins Children’s Books presents A special exhibition celebrating Judith Kerr’s life and work

The Tiger Who Came to Tea A National Trust exhibition at Osterley Park and House Saturday 11 January Sunday 1 March 2020

Normal admission applies nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley

© National Trust 2018. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

FRIENDS OF OSTERLEY PARK

Friends

OF OSTERLEY PARK Osterley Park and House Osterley Park is a unique and historic country estate, hidden in the leafy suburban location of Osterley and Wyke Green. The Park and surrounding farm land form a designated Conservation Area, an area of natural beauty and biodiversity, and is criss-crossed by numerous rights of way footpaths. The Tudor house itself was built for Sir Thomas Gresham, and was transformed in the 1760s into a neoclassical mansion by the architect Robert Adam for the banker Robert Child. The House, retaining Adam’s original decorations and furniture, passed by marriage to the 5th Earl of Jersey.

In 1949, the 9th Earl gave the House and the Parkland to the National Trust. These were leased to respectively the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Ministry of Works, and opened to the public. In 1991, the National Trust took over the direct management of the Property and began an ambitious programme of conservation and restoration. In the late 1990s, they were able to acquire the surrounding farmland. Visitor information can be found at the National Trust website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park I want to join the Friends of Osterley Park If you would like to support the work of the association by becoming a ‘Friend’ of Osterley Park, please click the FoOP website navigation menu item: ‘Become a Friend of Osterley Park’. Membership provides a wide range of benefits including a regular newsletter, access to talks, visits to National Trust and other heritage properties, and social events.

Friends of Osterley Park In 1991, the Trust initiated the formation of the ‘Friends of Osterley Park’ (FoOP) to build on the strong affection which had developed locally for the Property and to provide practical and financial help to improve the amenities and visitor experience of the Park and House.

The FoOP have, since 1991, given over £140,000 for major items such as the purchase of the Courtesy Buggy, and for various projects. The FoOP also pays for: • Maintenance of the Courtesy Buggy which shuttles between the car park and the House • Maintenance of self-drive Battery vehicles used by less mobile visitors; • Materials for the volunteer gardeners growing flowers for displays in the House • Costumes and props for the Volunteer Costume Team The FoOP fund specific items at the request of the Property. These have included: the bases for the Chinese Parade Jars in the Long Gallery; the materials for the benches for visitors in the House; floodlights for demonstrations in the house during Conservation in Action week; room signs; a boat, a rotavator, a mulcher, a bat detector and other equipment for the Estate. We equipped the Education Centre with tables, chairs, storage units, a projector and a craft cart.

The FoOP run a number of events each year, including coffee morning talks, one-day coach trips to other National Trust and heritage properties and much more.

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CHISWICK SCHOOL Laura Ellener

“CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW WHO’S IN CHARGE” Bridget Osborne talks to Head of Chiswick School Laura Ellener Laura Ellener has been Head of Chiswick School for a year. She arrived in January 2019, at a time when the school was badly demoralised after a period of huge instability, having had five head teachers in as many years. Not surprisingly Ofsted decided the school ‘Requires Improvement.’

The school has some 1300 children, two thirds from Chiswick, one third from surrounding areas. The population of the school is 60% boys, 44% from ‘disadvantaged’ backgrounds, and 50% have English as their second language.

Discipline has been her first objective. The children now line up silently in the playground before they go into school in the mornings and you will see her and other senior staff on the buses, policing their students’ behaviour outside school as well as in.

“It’s nice” she says. “They found it odd at first but now we chat about the week, I find out all sorts of things,

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and they quite like it”. Bus drivers have hugged her for ending the purgatory which was the school run.

You may meet her on Chiswick High Rd on a Friday night in her high-vis vest, her very presence enough of a deterrent to bad behaviour by Chiswick pupils. Shop keepers in places such as Poundland where Chsiwick students congregate, know her, see her every Friday and have her mobile number in case of trouble. “We’re now actually getting calls saying how nicely behaved our students are” she says.

At first she said the children were cynical, unimpressed by promises made by their leaders, which they thought they wouldn’t keep. But, she says, they have learned to trust that she will do what she says she will do.

“Children need to know someone else is in charge” she says. “They don’t want to be in charge. They feel much safer and more secure when teachers are in charge”.

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CHISWICK SCHOOL Higher standards

“I want to save parents £150,000”

“When I arrived there was a high number of supply teachers. That’s bad for discipline and for learning.

A number of people who have worked with me before have come here. We don’t have a problem with recruitment and I’m very choosy about who we’ve employed”. 20 of the staff are currently working with the Ambition Institute, spending time every fortnight on sessions which are improving their professional development.

Laura is aware that people in Chiswick can be a bit sniffy about the school; that many see it as the choice of last resort if they can’t afford private schools. “I want to save them £150,000” she says, “for people to see the school as an important part of the community that they can be proud of ”. And she says she’s already seeing a difference. The children are happier, safe in the knowledge that their lessons won’t be disrupted by bad behaviour, and they’re enjoying lessons. The work in their books has improved. The feedback from parents is also good.

Students now read a book together every morning in class groups, when they first come into school.

With the exception of Mondays, when they have class business for the week to get through, each class reads a book which is chosen for the whole year group – something relevant and discussion provoking: One Of Us Is Lying about the corrosive effects of social media in year 10; The Bone Sparrow about refugees. “The kids love it. We started in September, first of all with the teacher reading and now the children read”.

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Chiswick School is due an Ofsted inspection. That statement generally throws teachers into paroxysms of fear. While she’s cautious enough not to give me a prediction, Laura is quietly confident that the inspectors will see clear improvements.

Chiswick School, Burlington Lane, W4 3UN chiswickschool.org

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FROM £1,175 PCM Living Here Exclusive resident amenities including:

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PODIUM GARDEN

RESIDENTS’ LOUNGE

ONSITE GYM

Lampton Park

PRIVATE DINING ROOM

CO-WORKING SPACES BULSTRODE RD

mycharterplace.co.uk

@mycharterplace

BATH RD

@mycharter.place Aldi

S RD

E STAIN

CENTRAL LONDON

40 mins

Lampton Park

5M IN UT E

LA MP TO

NR D

Alexandra Primary School

K AL W

Spring Grove Primary

HOUNSLOW EAST

N

DO

RD

N LO

The Gym

D

The Kingsley Academy

Hounslow Central

YR

SLE

G KIN

200m

Asda

HEATHROW

15 mins

HIGH

ST

The Treaty Centre

NW OR TH

RD

VE RD GRO

HA

S RD

E STAIN

TH OR NW

RD

HA

Inwood Park

PEARS RD

RD

BATH RD

Aldi

Anytime Fitness

Oak Heights School

Thornbury Park

D

NR

DO

LON

GE BRID

N RD LAMPTO

BULSTRODE RD

Bus Garage

Visit us: 714 London Road, Hounslow, TW3 1BH

CHARTER PLACE

CHARTER

Place

Introducing Charter Place, a beautifully simplified living experience in the heart of Hounslow.

Enjoy tastefully furnished apartments just 200m from the Piccadilly line and within 15 minutes reach of Heathrow.

Exclusive Amenities At Charter Place your home extends past your front door to numerous exclusive spaces beyond. Included in your rent, explore the private gardens or onsite gym as well as the welcoming lounge area where you can relax with friends or work from home in style. You’ll also enjoy access to the private dining room, perfect for those special occasions or when you simply can’t fit everyone around the table.

Tailored Living Our team foster a friendly neighbourhood spirit focussed on personalised service, bespoke social events, comfort and security. Whether it’s a parcel collected, a dog walker booked or local recommendations, we’re here to take away the pressures so you can focus on the important things.

Pet-friendly Live with your best friend. Apartments at Charter Place are pet friendly, because we understand that for many of us, pets really make a home.

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High-specification Charter Place offers spacious apartments as well as designer furniture packages for added style. Bedrooms are both snuggly and spacious with pure wool carpets and most have built in wardrobes. Our rental apartments are designed to the highest specification featuring statement kitchens with fully integrated top of the range appliances.

Discover Hounslow Get where you’re going, love where you live. Charter place is conveniently located on London Road in the vibrant Hounslow East. Perfect for contemporary urban living, these homes are well placed to make the most of brilliant transport links to anywhere from Central London to Heathrow, so you will always be well connected for work, play, and overseas travel.

Website: www.mycharterplace.co.uk

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For all your

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JAZZ AT THE GEORGE IV

Jazz AT THE GEORGE IV Great line up for the spring

Jazz promoter Larry Pryce has been promoting live Jazz in London for 40 years and knows all the best musicians who either live in London or are regular visitors.

Together with The Chiswick Calendar website – www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk - over the past few years they have put George IV in Chiswick High Rd on the map as a great venue for live Jazz.

Here’s the programme for the spring.

Thursday 6th February

Thursday 5th March

Thursday 2nd April

Dom Pipkin’s “Smokin’ Boogie, Bad Boys, Bourbon & The Big Easy

Blues Engineers

Jazz Mondays

Singer and guitarist John 0’Reilly is internationally acclaimed for his amazing slide and steel (resonator) guitar playing. Together with the multi-talented saxophonist, flautist and harmonica player Nick Payne, who regularly plays with top stars such as Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, their repertoire covers an impressive range of Country and Urban blues, including some of their own original material.

Chiswick based 13 strong band famous for their eight strong ‘wall of saxes’. Their eclectic repertoire ranges across Jazz to Soul, Ska and Funk, from Dizzy Gillespie to Amy Winehouse. The group formed years ago, when they were all individually learning with the same teacher at an adult education class. Now she plays with them and they practice together on a Monday. Don’t be fooled, the gig is on Thursday!

The renowned pianist and raconteur brings his highly successful West End show to the Boston Room, paying homage to the music of New Orleans, with songs from Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair, James Booker and Fats Domino. Dom has recorded and toured with Paul Weller, Ray Davies and Laura Mvula amongst others. “When Dom plays the piano, magic happens ……” Paloma Faith.

George IV is at 185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 2DR Gigs start 7.30pm in the Boston Room, Tickets £10 in advance from Eventbrite (£8 for Chiswick Calendar Club Card holders) & £12 on the door.

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WITH LOVE FROM ELLA

With Love FROM ELLA Larry Pryce invites you to a special night at George IV

Ella Fitzgerald was one of the greatest jazz singers of all time.

From her early days in Harlem to her glittering world-wide career her songs have become much loved jazz standards, including “Caravan”,”Perdido”, “April In Paris”, “”Embraceable You, “The Very Thought Of You””, Every Time We Say Goodbye”, “Lullaby of Birdland” and many more.

Helen Theophanous is well known on the London jazz scene, regularly appearing in major venues including her much talked about Sunday lunchtime residency over at The Jazz Room at the Bull’s Head Barnes for the past three years,

where she has twice participated in the prestigious EFG London Jazz Festival.

Of Greek and Irish heritage, Helen Theophanous has been singing since an early age and studied music at Goldsmith’s College and the Guildhall as well as with the awardwinning American singer Lea DeLaria, star of the Netflix series, “Orange Is The New Black”.

Helen is well known for her warm, passionate vocals, impressive range and exciting swinging style and has been described by Claire Martin OBE as “Classy …. stunning …… with drama and presence ….” and

Date: Thursday 19th March Venue: The Boston Room at George IV, 185 Chiswick High Rd, W4 2DR

“Deliciously warm vocals and terrific scatting….” Cabaret Scenes.

This special performance showcasing the songs of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald sees Jazz Helen with her top quartet featuring John Crawford, one of Britain’s most accomplished pianists and composers, together with top UK saxophonist Tim Whitehead, (Nucleus, First Musician Artist In Residence Tate Britain), double bassist Tim Wells from the USA (Stan Sulzmann Big Band) and drummer Steve Taylor, (Frater & Taylor, Steve Taylor Big Band Explosion).

Starts: 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm) Tickets: £12 in advance from Eventbrite (£10 for Chiswick Club Card Holders) & £15 on the door

Ella Fitzgerald

Helen Theophanous

You can also find the details, with the ticket link, at www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk (Just put Ella in the search box)

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The weather may be cold & wet but we offer delicious food, drink & entertainment to give you a warm toasty glow!

SIX NATIONS RUGBY 2020 Cheer on the boys when your team plays home and away. All games shown live including these ones in February. ** Sat 8th Sat 8th Sun 9th Ireland v Wales Scotland v ENGLAND France v Italy KO 2.15pm KO 4.45pm KO 3.00pm

Sat 22nd Sat 22nd Italy v Scotland Wales v France KO 2.15pm KO 4.45pm

** Sun 23rd ENGLAND v Ireland KO 3.00pm

Live music after the rugby on Sat 8th & Sun 23rd Feb

**

VALENTINES DINNER FRIDAY 14TH FEB

BUBBLY LUNCH EVERY SATURDAY

SUNDAY QUIZ ~8PM THE DINING ROOM

Join us for a romantic 3 course set dinner.

Celebrating a special occasion, or just want an excuse to catch up with friends or family?

Enjoy a bottomless glass of Prosecco plus lunch for £28.50 per head.

20% off meals for all quizzers. £30 Pub Voucher for 1st Place.

Only £25 per head with a glass of bubbles.

Tables must be pre-booked please

Tables must be pre-booked please

Chase the Ace for a chance to win the Jackpot!

No quiz on Sunday 23rd Feb due to the Rugby at Twickenham.

20% OFF MEALS MONDAY TO SATURDAY** Please give this voucher to your server to receive this discount. Max table size 8. **Excludes Meal Deal Offer. Not available on Sundays, Twickenham Rugby dates, Valentines Day or with any other discount or voucher. Valid until 29.03.2020.

128 Worton Road, Isleworth, TW7 6EP ~ T: 020 8560 2906 ~ W: royaloakisleworth.co.uk ~ FB: theroyaloakisleworth

ASHTON HOUSE SCHOOL

ASHTON HOUSE SCHOOL

50/52 Eversley Crescent Isleworth Middlesex TW7 4LW

50/52 Eversley Crescent Isleworth Middlesex TW7 4LW

Want to give your child a child? first class education?

Choosing a school your Choosing a school for yourfor child?

Ashton House School has for the past

Ashton House School has for the past a happy, 80 years beenfrom offering highpurposeful quality primary education with to children environment high academic standards and an primary education the surrounding areas; enriched by to children from enriching broad-based curriculum which aims at a purposefulthe environment with high surrounding areas; by ‘adding inordinate value’ to each enriched child’s learning.

80Ashton years been offering high quality House School offers

academic standards and an inspiring,

a purposeful environment with high We have anand excellent exam and scholarship academic standards and an inspiring, excellent exam scholarship record and our assessment data makes us a highly record with the vast majority of broad curriculum. We have an achieving independent school. children moving on to the school excellent exam and scholarship of their choice. Our academic record with the vast majority of Contact us for the latest results on our latest record certainly makes us one of Benchmarking (IBT).

They theInternational highest achieving independent children moving onTests to the school schools Weststudents London. at Ashton House School are showinthat of their choice. Our academic achieving at a very high level and are competitive record certainly makes us one of Be inspired: with children anywhere around the world. the highest Find out how we can help your child today.achieving independent schools in West London.

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Be inspired: Find out how we can help your child today.

To find out more call us on

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Come and meet our committed and caring staff.

They are passionate about helping children achieve their best.

To find out more callCRESCENT us on or visit our website:MIDDLESEX TW7 4LW 50/52 EVERSLEY ISLEWORTH

8560 ashtonhouse.com T:020 020 8560 39023902 F: 020 8568 1097 E: principal@ashtonhouse.com