Forum Topic

Brentford Christmas Cards

We are delighted to let everyone know that the Brentford Christmas cards are now printed and available to purchase from various outlets around Brentford including my office (Quilliam Property Services, 206 High Street).They look great, twelve scenes of Brentford in the snow.Please feel welcome to call past and take a look and hopefully purchase some.  All the money raised after printing costs will go towards the Christmas lights and to the Brentford Toy Library.Anyone who would like to help sell some cards please do let me know.Many thanks to everyone who donated photographs, I hope you will be pleased and proud to have made a real difference to Brentford this Christmas and for years to come.  Your kind help is very much appreciated by all of us in the Brentford High Street Steering Group.

Julia Quilliam ● 6797d33 Comments

Another of the cards in the Brentford in Winter series."The Thames Lock" bythe Forum's Mike Fletcher.

Jim Lawes ● 6761d

Hope the glue on the envelopes is strong - we know somebody working on the Christmas post who is amazed how many envelopes have sprung open.  Maybe a discussion needs to be started by the post office to let people know they probably need a small piece of tape to secure their letter/card as well?Thanks for posting the pictures of the cards, there is something quite magical about new snow, isn't there.

Sarah Felstead ● 6767d

Entitled "Thames frontage to Kew" this picture was also taken by Michael Fletcher.All the cards are blank inside..so they might be suitable to use as greeting cards ..all year!

Jim Lawes ● 6768d

Aother BRENTFORD IN WINTER blank Christmas/greeting card.The picture here taken by Mary Spice.  Mary come and join us!! ;o0)

Jim Lawes ● 6769d

Thanks Duncan and Jim.The book "The Butts, Brentford an Outline History 1664-1976" by M.R.M.Sattin (unpublished dissetation) in Brentford and Chiswick libraries has a chapter on this (nos 24, 26) house - Marlborough House.  He reprints Grade II description o the architectural features of building from 1951.  He refers to the very high quality of the brickwork, panelling and external structure saying that the local theory is its nearness to HamptonCourt by river allowed craftsmen working under Wren (1689-1700) to build it.  It seems to have definitely built befor 1726. Photographs show it is unchanged at least since 1906.  Around 1828 it was known as Marlborough House.  The property seems to have been split then in 1893 re-combined as nos 24 and 26.It was used between 1893-1927(?) as BrentfordCottage Hospital with sufficient reputation to have patronage from Duke of Northumberland in 1899.  After then it was in hands of Stallabrass family who sold nos 24 and 26 separately.Sattin points out that Marlborough House w as not shown on JohnRoque's map (1745) where there is open ground.  He guesses that Roque used an earlier map as a basis for his own - the map immediately preceding his was William Morgan's of 1682 which did not cover Brentford in detail - at 1/2inch:1mile.

Michael Fletcher ● 6771d

Another Brentford Greeting card..remember the insides are blank..the picture this time taken by the camera of Mr Nigel Moore.

Jim Lawes ● 6771d

This is a beautifully proportioned building, from the roof to the cellars. I love the height of those chimney stacks, and how they continue the vertical lines from the windows and door frames, reaching up. The snow emphasises these lines, a superb photo Michael.

Duncan Walker ● 6772d

Another attractive card featuring a picture from the camera of Michael Fletcher.

Jim Lawes ● 6773d

Jim Lawes ● 6774d

Neil,Will you be able to buy the Magpie's card alone..in bulk!! ? ;0)Here,above, is another of the cards. This image is scanned in..but you should see the card itself..a stunning picture of Boston Manor Park by KAREN READER. (part of the set of 12 "Brentford in Winter" series)

Jim Lawes ● 6774d

My favourite has to be the Magpie & Crown card.

Neil Chippendale ● 6775d

Just back from an evening out in Brentford, together with the set of cards. What good value. And, for me, an added bonus is that they are blank inside..and so one can use them as thank you cards etc. Very handy.They are A5 4pp landscape..so will stand well on a mantlepiece! (if you have one!)This snap..in my view.. is a beauty and was taken by our very own Michael Fletcher. Well done Mike..a collector's item I reckon.  That's Kew Palace in the distance.

Jim Lawes ● 6775d

Just recieved a pack of the crads from Julia. They are great. Looking at the Magpie & Crown card and wishing I was sat at the bar having a chat to Steve while drinking a pint of real ale.Julia also sent me some of her companies promo postacrds. Great viwes of Brentford.GO OUT AND GET YOUR SET OF CHRISTMAS ASAP.

Neil Chippendale ● 6782d

As Jim said Neil, Val did the talk on the market gardners of Brentford. However you will doubtless be chuffed to know that at one point Janet interjected to quote you on the Australian wine industry point!

Nigel Moore ● 6785d

Cheers JimI thought Janet was due to talk on the Market Gardeners of Brentford.

Neil Chippendale ● 6786d

Hi Neil,Val Bott gave the talk tonight. Well delivered and staggering detail. I'll do a brief report..but it won't do the occasion justice!

Jim Lawes ● 6786d

Jim,Was Janet's talk interesting.

Neil Chippendale ● 6786d

Janet Macnamara, the Boston Manor and Borough Historian, took a set of the new Brentford Christmas cards along to the History Society meeting in Chiswick this evening.Her set was not for sale..but for display. At £5 for 12 different scenes is good value. I particularly like the one showing the snowy scene in Boston Manor Park..with the huge cedar tree in view.A collector's item one day?

Jim Lawes ● 6786d

Well I can dream Neil !!!

Mark Welland ● 6788d

Mark,"Stunning good looks"....Have you had a face lift recently?

Neil Chippendale ● 6788d

Well I have been likened to Brad Pitt...the stunning good looks have always been a curse Julia !!!

Mark Welland ● 6788d

Mark Welland..... what are you like?

Julia Quilliam ● 6789d

Just to let you all know that the Council are putting up the lights on the High Street this morning Monday 12/11/07 Kind regards Craig

Craig Quilliam ● 6793d

I cant wait to be jumped on by a member of your staff Julia !!!...would it be possible to arrange Suuuusieeee or Danielle to perform this !!!

Mark Welland ● 6794d

Thanks Julia, will do.

Neil Chippendale ● 6795d

Hi Paul, yes it would be good perhaps for everyone to see more of the pictures but only if it isn't too much trouble.  Many thanks for your trouble.Hi Neil, I'm sure I can organise some cards for you, I guess you are not local.  Send me an email with your details to julia@quilliam.co.uk.

Julia Quilliam ● 6795d

BIG FAVOUR.......Would anyone be willing to purchase a pack for me as I would love to have them as part of my Brentford collection.

Neil Chippendale ● 6796d

Hi Julia,please let me know if you would like any of the other pictures posted?RegardsPaul

Paul Fisher ● 6796d

Thanks for your kind comments everyone and a big thank you for downloading the pictures, I wouldn't have a clue how to do it.The cards are selling well and it seems that everyone here on the High Street is competing with each other to see who can raise the most money.  So get down to Quilliam Property Services to buy your cards!  Eileen at Grand Union is doing very well indeed.I must apologise for my team who, competing with each other, are all being very pushy in a bid to sell the most cards, especially Suze.  Anyone who walks through our doors is being jumped on by my eager lot with armfulls of cards.  Its all for a good cause though.Thanks again and have a good weekend.

Julia Quilliam ● 6796d

Thanks for those pictures Paul..they have arrived no problem.Good, aren't they?  Look forward to seeing the others. The Canal Boat scene picture looks as though it was taken from the Lock bridge in Dock Road...or perhaps from Dock Road itself..and is pointing towards Johnson's Island.(the south east side)The Dry Dock is straight ahead..and to the right the overhanging wharf..and the waterway to the north of the Island..opening out to Town Wharf and that collection of house boats/ canalboats.

Jim Lawes ● 6796d

Ok lets hope I can remember how to post pictures on here!!

Paul Fisher ● 6796d

Well done Julia !!! I for one will be in your office as soon as possible just in case you sell out.Im sure they will be very popular.

Mark Welland ● 6796d

I nipped in this morning to buy some and it seems there is a serious competition to sell the most cards.I was asked kindly to inform readers to ask for Susanna when popping in to make your purchase.I also had a quick peek at the Christmas lights which have now been delivered and have full permission to post some photos of the cards on this site which is great news.

Paul Fisher ● 6796d

Is it poss you can post piccies on here or somewhere for us to view, maybe on your website?

Emma Rowlatt ● 6797d