Forum Topic

Syon - Duchess Gate Access ?

Does anyone know the state of play with the footpath access into Syon Park from Duchess Gate ?I thought it was meant to be opened up in connection with the construction of the Waldorf Astoria. However it has always been closed when I have travelled along London Road. Yesterday I was in the park and saw a dedicated board at the Astoria end of the path which showed the opening times - but it was covered up with an old notice reading something like "Path closed - Construction Works". I couldn't see any obvious indication of work activity having taken place recently.Googling, I came across a Sustainable Development C'tee Proposal from 2003 which included:"...SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE  11 MARCH 2003Phase 1 – prior to hotel openingRestoration and re-opening of Duchess Gate for pedestrian use with an associatedpermissive footpath with hours to be agreed.3. Duchess Gate AccessThe report previously stated that ideally the gates should be open between 6am ordawn which ever is earlier until 6pm or dusk whichever is later. The DuchessGate is proposed to be open between the hours of 8am to 5:30pm from Novemberto February, 7am to 7:30pm during March, April, September and October, and7am to 9pm from May to August. This compares with the previous offer of 8-00am to 5-30pm. The proposed hours broadly comply with the hours sought andreflects the hours of daylight throughout the year particularly in the evening.Recommendation: This is considered to be acceptable"Any target date for opening ?

Tim Henderson ● 4709d36 Comments

We must thank Tim for starting this thread..and for the tongue in cheek frivolity about the gate opening. As Neil from distant Australia said this gate was near the site of a gem of a place called Little Syon House...which, according to Neil was damaged (or destroyed?) at the Battle of Brentford.Tim has sent me a great Report of the Gate's Opening Event..but more of that later ..when the pictures appear ..from somewhere!However, it seems that Simon  xxxx ,a gardener at Syon Park has done lots of research ..much of which appears on a Museum of London webpage as follows:(Copy and Paste)http://www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/syon-park-excavation-%E2%80%93-the-gardener%E2%80%99s-tale-how-%E2%80%98little-syon%E2%80%99-was-re-discovered/

Jim Lawes ● 4647d

What happened?Was there a ribbon cut?Did the Duke show up?Maid of Honor cakes?The Mayor and Councillors?Fancy dress?Mead?A TW8.com photographer?Lute players?Tim's choir? 100s of onlookers?Oh what a nuisance. I was whacked after a huge volunteering day yesterday. By the way, someone tells me that the Gate's opening is merely to enable Syon Park staff to get to the Coach and Horses pub more easily!!

Jim Lawes ● 4649d

Thank you for the link Tim.Theo's picture is a bit on the big side in this posting.The Notice Board looks attractive doesn't it?

Jim Lawes ● 4655d

No, I didn't go under the arch (wheeling my punctured bike at the time).Theo's message says the official opening is Thurs 15th Nov at 1pm.but he did tweet today :" Just met a happy resident aged 78 who has just used the Duchess Gate - made her feel like royalty she says pic.twitter.com/c7DYiDEu "So that's what the open gate looks like in daylight.

Tim Henderson ● 4655d

So you've done it..and got the T-shirt..ahead of tomorrow's Official Opening.. Tim.Hope you don't get done for trespassing.

Jim Lawes ● 4656d

Hurrah !I passed by at 18:10 last night and was pleased to see the gate open.(The smart blue sign inside says it is only supposed to be open until 17:30 in November - but I'm not complaining !)

Tim Henderson ● 4657d

"Impressive leaf sweeping was going on at Busch Corner"Well yes Tim...they know I'm going to be passing by in half an hour to start my 5 hour shift at Morrison's!

Jim Lawes ● 4659d

I don't know why it isn't open yet for us plebs but the earliest I could get both the Mayor and Syon together for an official opening is next Thursday 15 November at 1pm - I will bring some salami sandwiches and maybe some pop.The Mayor was available today but Syon have a big event on - with lots of filmstars in C17 garb (if I could have hired them all I would have).

Theo Dennison ● 4659d

Gate was still shut at 11:55 as I pedalled back from Morrisons (when is your shift on the poppy stand ?).Impressive leaf sweeping was going on at Busch Corner - they must be getting ready for the State Procession to the Opening Ceremony from the Civic Centre.

Tim Henderson ● 4659d

I don't know !I thought I was late when I dawdled along London Road this morning and arrived at the gates at about 8:09.My hopes were raised by a figure crossing the road who produced a key to unlock the padlock and I asked if this was the Opening Ceremony. He said he didn't know about that and that he was on his way to work - but he did offer to let me through with him.I politely declined - it would be improper to claim precedence over the ranks of civic dignitaries who would surely be arriving presently - and just mentioned that today was supposed to be the Opening Day. I noticed for the first time a newly uncovered noticeboard inside the gate that proclaimed the usual hour of opening as 08:00. And with a comment that he hadn't heard that there was going to be champagne , he passed through and locked the padlock after him.Still the delay does give me further time to consider the best filling for my sandwiches.....

Tim Henderson ● 4659d

Now I'm a busy boy.  I'm at Morrisons most of the day on the Royal British Legion poppy appeal stand!But I could nip off for half and hour to take mead and maid of honour cakes in celebration of the opening. What time is it?

Jim Lawes ● 4659d

At the time of the attack he was away looking after one of the Queens houses.

Neil Chippendale ● 4663d

Jim Lawes ● 4663d

Topnotch information Neil.So, Sir Richard Wynne was a Brentfordian...living on the London Road near the Coach and Horses public house.Now my trips to Morrison's (Recycling Centre), passing the Duchess Gate, will have added value as I cherish this further knowledge.Oh look there's a picture in cyberspace of the gentleman dressed in his finest. At what time of the day on Monday the 5th November will the Gate be formally opened?

Jim Lawes ● 4664d

Perhaps they should have people dressed in 17th century costumes as the gate is on the site Sir Richard Wynnes house which was attacked during the Battle of Brentford.

Neil Chippendale ● 4664d

O that the ghost of Hounslow's composer, Zerubbabel Wyvill would reveal a lost anthem for the occasion.Perhaps the texts could be "The ways of Syon do mourn ; all her gates are desolate" (Lamentations) for before the ribbon cutting and "That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Syon" (Psalm 9) for afterwards.

Tim Henderson ● 4665d

Well done Tim and all... Surely there should be a small ceremony on this historic occasion... perhaps with a medieval twist!Tim strumming a string instrument and choral hymn,  Theo in period costume.. and with the ribbon cut by the Syon Park head gardener.  Then a wander along the path to the six star Hotel for mead and Northumberland sandwiches.Count me in! After 3pm preferred to avoid aircraft noise which wouldn't be appropriate.

Jim Lawes ● 4665d

I really like salami but additionally progress always appears to come a thin slice at a time.

Theo Dennison ● 4665d

I am wondering whether telling us the will be content of your will be butties Theo has a perjorative meaning or whether you just like to plan ahead? ;-)

Keith Iddon ● 4665d

That's great news.Will the ribbon be cut to allow the November opening time of 8 am to be achieved ?  Or perhaps a more civilized ceremony with brass band later in the day ?I'll have to give more thought to the topic of what to fill my sandwiches with.

Tim Henderson ● 4665d

The gate will open on Monday 5 November on completion of the tree work, re-seeding and fencing etc.  I am planning to make some salami sandwiches and have a trip out to use it.

Theo Dennison ● 4665d

I wonder which Duchess of Northumberland the Gate was named after.Anyone know?

Jim Lawes ● 4670d

Any further news on the opening date ?I walked by this afternoon and saw that the north-western of the three oaks at the hotel end of the path had had a good going-over from the tree surgeon recently. Presumably that was the work that was subject to the TPO or is there further demanding safety work to be done that stops the path being used ?

Tim Henderson ● 4670d

Thanks for the update.Hopefully it is only the tree surgery work that is causing the delay on safety grounds rather than the seeding and tree-planting.

Tim Henderson ● 4705d

Apols for my delay in responding to the original post.The main reason for the delay in creating the new footpath from the Duchess Gate to the car park has been the relocation of the Tropical Zoo. The site was vacated in March and since then the estate say that most of the work has been completed to create the new path and level the ground around it ready for re-seeding and reinstatement to parkland and tree planting this winter.  The estate are planning to open the path shortly when the work is completed.  Outstanding work includes tree surgery work to a large oak and an application for this work to the TPO'd tree has been submitted to the Council.  Officers have asked Syon Estate to keep them informed and I will let you know when I have a date for the official opening.

Theo Dennison ● 4705d

Perhaps I am more of a cynic than you.

Vanessa Smith ● 4706d

Surely the Duke and the management of the Waldorf Astoria want easy access for the kids from the Syon Estate to enjoy the delights of the Park ?Why would anyone want a cunning plan ?

Tim Henderson ● 4706d

That maybe a cunning plan to ensure that the path isn't used and there's the excuse to shut the gate off?

Vanessa Smith ● 4707d

The report says pedestrian use (but that's not to say I could not be tempted to use the bike - though I'd have to be wary of all the Astoria guests trundling their suitcases to catch the 237).I can't see much construction work going on in your shots - indeed the path could do to have someone walking on it to prevent the grass encroaching even further....

Tim Henderson ● 4707d

Is the pathway meant for cyclists too Tim? Dogs, cyclists, joggers, prams and pedestrians could have fun passing by each other!

Jim Lawes ● 4707d

Thanks for drawing our attention to this Tim. The Gate and pathway are another Brentford attraction.Another shade of grey too!

Jim Lawes ● 4707d

I can easily be impressed by "weeds" ! Weren't the meadows in the Olympic Park magnificent ? (Only a shame there weren't any bees to enjoy them.)I'll have to go and have a look.

Tim Henderson ● 4708d

Planeted? Meant planted of course...

Keith Iddon ● 4708d

Anyone else seen the state of then 'garden' outside the Hilton on Syon Park.Not sure what effect they are trying to achieve but the shrubs and bushes they have planeted,this is adjacent to the path leading from Brent Lea,are interspersed with loads of very impressive weeds.Maybe they can't be bothered to do the gardening.Ironic really,being opposite a garden centre and all...

Keith Iddon ● 4708d

Yes, that's the one.The gate is there and locked and the path looks (to my eyes) complete on the other side of it.

Tim Henderson ● 4708d

Is this the Gate you mean Tim?  I remember seeing it being repaired.... and being able to see daylight through it.

Jim Lawes ● 4708d