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The Brentford Library building..what a gem.

Driving down Boston Manor Road its easy to miss the splendours of the Brentford Library. "THE GIFT OF ANDREW CARNEGIE Esq 1903" says the inscription.So, as an apres Farmers Market activity, thought I'd pop in to have a look.....with my newly acquired Borough library ticket/card.The spacious hallway area tempts one to stop..and survey the interior scene and adjoining staircase.  Lots of bundles of leaflets and Magazines on display for visitors..and available to take. HM magazines,Hounslow Homes newsletters, "Freedom of Information" leaflets..etc etc. Then cabinets filled with a large selection of Local History books and brochures available for purchase. Postcards of Chiswick Empire, Brentford walks, 19th Century Ordnance Survey maps, and some older ones too.There were over 20 people in the Library at 2pm in the childrens section, active at the line of computors, reading the newspaper, and browsing the bookshelves. Great sight.Outside again..and examining the scene from the roadway..I felt that this gem needed a little extra loving care to the vegetation.. to make the building  a prime attraction on that corner of Clifton Road.  Whilst there are many lovely trees there..two fir trees could do with chopping down as they obscure the building. The laural bushes at the pavements edge look untidy..and don't show off Andrew Carnegie's gift that well.   An ugly blue coloured wheeley bin couldn't be more inappropriate..parked as it is on full display.The Brentford War Memorial there is in a fine setting. The area just needs that finishing touch!  (Who runs the Dept of Finishing Touches in Brentford?) Then have a word with the Inverness Club..that ought to look majestic too!!

Jim Lawes ● 7465d14 Comments

Dont forget Boston Manor House with the wonderful ceiling.

Nicholas Beard ● 3003d

When I worked at the Mille in the sixties I often went in. The Roman artegacts were of particular note I thought.

Nicholas Beard ● 3004d

The outside of the library is looking a bit of a mess these days.  Barriers are still lying around from when the roof work was done a few weeks ago and there has been no attempt to tidy the wall where the tree came down earlier this year; the old tree stump is still in and bricks lying all around.And the poor old yew tree - will it ever recover!

Reg Ghosh ● 3005d

I rember Brentford swimming pool.

Nicholas Beard ● 3005d

Sorry to hear that the Brentford Swimming Pool is closed. I think I remember one time that a temporary floor was put over the pool and a dance was held one Saturday night, that I attended. In my memory Saturday evening was the time that most of the local Town Halls had dances with live music played, I remember going to Chiswick Town Hall, and also Richmond to attend Saturday night dances.    I went to school at the Chiswick County School for Girls on Burlington Lane, the headmistress at the time was Miss Baxter. Some of the other mistresses were, Miss Reid, French Teacher, Miss Vine, History, Miss Eldridge, Maths, Miss Joseeph, Gym teacher. Part of the time I spent at the school we were evacuated to Chesham and attended the Amersham Grammar School.

Doris M. Lediard ● 7454d

How nice to see that these Brentford jottings are being enjoyed in America. Have a nice day DORIS and JIM! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7454d

Doris: Good to hear from you..and pleased that you still enjoy news about the Borough.The Brentford Swimming Baths ..as you say..are just around the corner in Clifden Road...but they have been closed for many years...and I'm not sure what the plan is. The main local baths now are at Feltham, Isleworth, the old Chiswick Pool in Edensor Road has been modernised and is still active. A major new leisure centre and pool is now open on the corner of the Great West Road..where the old Brentford Market used to be.Which School did you attend in Chiswick? The Grammar School for Girls with Miss Cox? You mentioned the Chiswick Library .That is still going strong too..and has a splendid Reference Library and archives...as does Hounslow.

Jim Lawes ● 7454d

I also remember the Roman artifacts in glass cases at the Brentford Library, and are so glad to read that they have been preserved, although in another museum.  When I attended school in Chiswick I also used the library quite a bit, in those days reading was about all we could do in the evenings, aside from listening to the radio.    I live in the USA now but still enjoy reading all the news from Brentford and Chiswick.    I wonder if the old Brentford Swimming Baths are still open?  If my memory serves me correctly it was not too far from the Library.

Doris M. Lediard ● 7455d

The Rattenbury shop front was put in stotage at the Musuem of London, about 4 years ago it was put on display in the Musuem. If you go to the Georgian/Victorian street gallery you will see it. The display is very good.

Neil Chippendale ● 7462d

The Rattenbury shop front was put in stotage at the Musuem of London, about 4 years ago it was put on display in the Musuem. If you go to the Georgian/Victorian street gallery you will see it. The display is very good.

Neil Chippendale ● 7462d

Thanks, I've often wondered what happened to all that stuff.  Do you know where the Rattenbury's (pawnbroker) shopfront went. I remember it being opposite the Fire Station. I thought it also had gone to the Museum of London. What a treasure trove that place was. Anyone remember it ?

Pat Kingham ● 7463d

All of the items belonged to Thomas Layton who left them to the people of Brentford. A small amount of the items are at Gunnersbury Musuem, the majority are at the Museum of London, if you go to the pre Roman gallery you will see a number of Layton items.Thomas Layton also left his vast book collection to Brentford. These are now held at Hounslow Library and some are worth 1,000s.Layton lived near Kew Bridge and was Chairman of the local Council. He lived his life back to front. He sleeped during the day and worked at night.When he died they found that the house was completly filled with books from top to bottom.

Neil Chippendale ● 7463d

When I was at school I remember the ground floor of Brentford Library being full of show cabinets with Roman artefacts, coins etc found in Brentford. Anyone know where all this stuff is now ?

Pat Kingham ● 7464d

The people are still waiting the removal and restoration of the war memorial outside St. Lawrances to the library garden. This was promised years ago.

Neil Chippendale ● 7465d