Forum Topic

Brentford is Brilliant

The essence of a good slogan is that it should have some basis in reality and I don't think 'Brentford is Brilliant' is easily sustainable.However, whose bright idea was it to string a banner with  the message between two derelict buildings?  It faces you as you come down Half Acre and seen in that position the slogan is even less believable.  Risible might be a better adjective

Robert Parkhill ● 4899d34 Comments

'Brentford is Broken'?

Sarah Thomas ● 4899d

I could think of something far ruder!

Vanessa Smith ● 4899d

Brentford should be brilliant

Paul Badiani ● 4897d

Its a shame to knock the effort behind the 'Brilliant' campaign. It is an aspiration but with lots of success behind it in promoting the positives we have as a community......

Iain Muir ● 4897d

Robert A Field ● 4896d

There may be a certain irony with the placement of the sign but at least it shows a boldness and we should be proud to live or work in a community which is real (unlike some of our neighbours) and is trying hard to create its own positive identity and spirit.

Nick Kilby ● 4896d

Well said Nick but do you think that the neighbours are slowly creeping into Brentford?

Sarah Thomas ● 4896d

Run that by me again Nick...which 'neighbours' have you in mind ans what type of community do they have? Unreal,imagined or surreal?

Keith Iddon ● 4896d

Brentford many years ago was indeed Brilliant and can be yet again,lets get these derelict buildings torn down, use great imaginative architects, for goodness sake no more flats our Sewers,Doctors,Schools and Hospital cannot take anymore.Let us have exciting shops and restaurants good things that will encourage people who now reside in our community to want to both shop and eat around here.I can remember a time when our pavements were not big enough for pedestrians who were doing their household shopping in Brentford High Street we could have those days back with just a little foresight.

Dawn Hardy ● 4896d

I enjoy living here and know that there are many positives to it but logically,if it was 'Brilliant', it wouldn't need N millions spending on it.It needs smarting up substantially but does not need development to the scale of what Ballymore's have in store imo.

Keith Iddon ● 4896d

Not knowing what Ballymore have in store Keith I can't comment,however I hope it is not any more hideous buildings like the one on Ealing Road.

Dawn Hardy ● 4895d

The plans have been widely available for a while and a well attended meeting was held at St. Paul's some time ago.

Keith Iddon ● 4895d

Then I have no excuse,apologies.

Dawn Hardy ● 4895d

I don't think the local communities of Chiswick, Richmond, Barnes or Twickenham to name a few would have the passion or balls to put up a "we are brilliant" sign. Maybe they don't need to (depends where you are coming from)? The way I see it is that those behind the current effort to raise community pride recognise things are far from perfect, certain proposed plans may not be the answer but at least there is an effort to get this town moving in a positive direction. Maybe if we all channel our energy in such a positive way we can really make the statement a reality for all.

Nick Kilby ● 4895d

In the field of "Local History" Brentford is fabulous.There's far more to Brentford than just the short High Street!Readers who have looking at this board over the past 8 years would have received an excellent education of how the area has evolved since say just the early 1800's. Brentford is teeming with historical stories and my own personal interest is unending...even though I'm from Chiswick (before the War)Whilst Chiswick is throbbing today with relative newbys...and local history there abounds..it's not a touch on TW8. Take Boston Manor Road for example. Starting at the charming and clean Boston Manor Station, one eases down to Boston Manor House, the Stables, the Park, the Cafe, and sight of the amazing structure of the M4 viaduct (with the GSK building as a backdrop). The Paragon Site with it's University campus...opposite the corner where the Macleans Factory used to be.Crossing the GWR one recalls where St James' Church used to be..whilst admiring the charms of the 60 year old and successful Boston Cafe.  Onwards past the Station and the site of the old marshalling yards..opposite the site of the old Cottage Hospital..then the historic Library and War Memorials come into view.  Plenty to be proud of there. The stories about the Swimming Baths and the plaques, and then the Inverness Club adjacent (Have you seen the ballroom ceiling or the plaques upstairs?)You've seen The Butts just across the road..and then the Brentford Forum stories about the Half Acre and the pubs and shops which once lined the road. And don't mention Charlotte's Cottage, or the Bug Hutch or the site of the old Post Office, or the old Council Chambers, or the cobbles behind The Beehive pub and the history of that site.As this is all in just one Brentford road!When you start to think about Gunnersbury Park (in Brentford Ward), the Kew Museums, Syon Park, let alone the fascinations south of the High Street.No wonder Celia Cotton has been able to develop such a wonderful BHS website chronicling Brentford's past families and traders etc.When I've been doing the Poppy Collections at Morrison Super store I've been so impressed by the pleasantness of Brentonians/ Brentfordians. Agreed there are some scalleywags around... but in a few words..Brentford is full of hidden away secrets and charms.One could write pages on the place..and the place has to be Brilliant to be able to do that!

Jim Lawes ● 4895d

Not sure it has anything to do with 'passion or balls' Nick and I would wager the people of those areas have the same positive opinions of their community as you have of Brentford. I think it's better that people express their love of the local community and area by supportibg local businesses as much as possible and by supporting the bcc.Being neighbourly and helping someone out from time to time too.Having 'Brentford is Brilliant'signs on the high st. would be ok if it was not a tired and outdated area.

Keith Iddon ● 4895d

That was a pleasure to read.

Dawn Hardy ● 4895d

You give a poor dismal point of view about Brentford,the helping out of each other still does exist here. However apart from Morrisions and Greigs plus Martins and the Post Office,what do we really have to entice shoppers here.Oh yes there are 4 Nail Parlours, I do my own.Brentford could make a fortune for innovative business people,I for one would not go to Chiswick or Kew to M&S if we had one here,the potential is great.

Dawn Hardy ● 4895d

I think one of the reasons why we do not have enough shopping facilities in Brentford is that we do not have enough shoppers willing to shop and spend their money here.

Alex Shpinkov ● 4895d

Alex - I think it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation. I would love to spend money locally and support the community but there is nothing to buy - so I go to Chiswick.

Chris Broadbent ● 4895d

What do you mean Dawn? I help my neighbours out and it gets  reciprocated.You took what I said and misunderstood it.I mean that the community spirit is strong,but Brentford as a town,the buildings and the wasteland is far from 'Brilliant'.Moving to Brentford is the best move I've made in 36yrs in London.

Keith Iddon ● 4895d

Years ago we had so many shops and less people than there are now,also we had the Docks,Heron Island now sits on one dockyard and Brent Lea sits upon another the Marina another.We also had the Gas Works plus a Cinema and a Snooker Hall.Then disaster struck all the cottages were demolished and the dreaded high rise came about.That was when Brentford began to commercially die and the embodiment of Old Brentford quietly disappeared.

Dawn Hardy ● 4894d

I think we both misunderstood,pax! Unfortunately whilst Brentford has been left to stagnate Hounslow of which I remember a 100ft street of shops,that was Hounslow High St (Hounslow Bus Garage to the Bell)just the road.It has been encouraged to grow greatly without thought or concern for other nearby towns such as ours.

Dawn Hardy ● 4894d

Unfortunately lots of those who live in the high rise are not much of shoppers-they don't have much money to spend. The less portion of those who can have to travel to Chiswick or Richmond for that, and they are used to it and local businesses have to go an extra mile to attract them. This is not always possible as there is hardly any support from authorities. Local businesses that could attract people who are willing to spend money here cannot compete with the well established Chiswick, Richmond, Ealing. Additional council and/or affordable housing does not make it any better. Sadly, I'm very pessimistic about potential revival of Brentford.

Alex Shpinkov ● 4894d

Same here Chris. I also spend my money elsewhere. Chicken and eggs, you are quite right.

Alex Shpinkov ● 4894d

"There may be a certain irony with the placement of the sign but at least it shows a boldness and we should be proud to live or work in a community which is real (unlike some of our neighbours) and is trying hard to create its own positive identity and spirit."Two weekends ago, on a lovely sunny Sunday evening, we walked through Waterman's Park.  Deserted of residents, it was however, strewn with McDonald's wrappers, cups and other sundry beer cans etc. When we walked over the bridge to Kew Green, the scene we were met with was quite startling; there were numerous groups of adults with children playing French cricket, rounders etc., on both the Green and the cricket field. There was no sign of litter anywhere. So, our neighbouring communities may not have sign's up, or strap lines, but is it a case of actions speaking louder than words?Brentford does have the potential, but the community needs to want Brentford to be brilliant.

Andrea Hall ● 4894d

Indeed Andrea. Brentford will never be brilliant until the community understands what brilliant means and strives to make it brilliant.

Alex Shpinkov ● 4894d

Every community comes with a sense of responsibility and pride.Only a small bit of Brentfords population seems to have that.One has only to walk around council estates, house with gardens or flats to see just what kind of respect too many treat their funded homes.For those who do look after and treat their home and surroundings with pride & respect in these areas, it must be soul destroying.Having lived in both areas the difference in attitude is still 30 years later, rather sad.The "why should I ? It's for the council to do, I pay my rent and council tax"I still hear that from people who won't even mow their lawn or clean their windows.That's not true of all, some of the nicest and best people I know live on local estates but they do have an uphill battle with people with big mouths and bad attitudesSecondly there is the thorny ethnic issue. Some cultures simply do not have any awareness of the civility of this or other western countries. Litter, Queuing, spitting, coughing, even using a flush toilet are not instinctive in several cultures.It's bad enough sometimes in our native culture and that is why for at least 90 years we have had posters and slogans to educate and keep things to the fore.It's probably need as much now as then but public information posters and adverts have all but vanished.I'm sure most from other cultures would easily embrace things here if it were made clear. But it isn't and thus hard to blame them when they do not treat the place as we would like.

Raymond Havelock ● 4894d

As for posters - a few years ago TFL had a "what is love..." campaign. Neat funny posters on the tube and buses explained some simple things that unfortunately some people forget or ignore - "love is" not getting in front of the queue, not listening to loud music and not eating smelly food when others may be disturbed with it, giving your seat to someone who may need it more... Unfortunately this campaign is over.

Alex Shpinkov ● 4894d

It was a good point Andrea made about the contrast with Kew and Kew Green just across the Bridge. Agreed the style is different there. Unbeknown to perhaps 99% of Brentfordians there were two brilliant events held in Brentford this weekend.On Saturday evening at The Lord Nelson Pub in Enfield Road the magnificent singer Richard Blair returned to the venue for a very agreeable 3 hour performance. The audience were enthralled with this Brentford resident's talent. I think he's topnotch.On Sunday at the Musical Museum members and guests were treated to joyous entertainment and refreshments after they'd had their AGM. It would have been magical listening to the classical and popular sounds. Both events were on your doorstep.

Jim Lawes ● 4893d

I don't suppose this Brentford front garden would be allowed in Kew.  But in TW8?  Perhaps neighbours or a local voluntary group could help this resident.

Jim Lawes ● 4893d

How would it not 'be allowed 'in Kew Jim? Would we have a  gnomes revolt on our hands?I drove down Sandycombe Lane a few weeks ago btw.There are a few front gardens there that would no doubt have you outraged Jim.

Keith Iddon ● 4893d

There are always going to be situations where someone is incapacitated and can no longer look after their garden and that's where scouts and local community always used to help a bit.But so many like in this picture have a house full of able people and they do nothing.Personally I would remove them from a house and place them in a flat and put occupants who would appreciate a garden in.A few draconian moves but it would soon send out the signals to look after and treat what is not yours with the same sort of respect as to what is yours.

Anthony Waller ● 4893d

Oh please can we not have this descend into the kind of personal spat that occurred on the 'CPZ/reply from Cllr Ed' thread. It really detracts from a subject and puts people off becoming involved in a thread in case they incur the same kind of personal attack.

Andrea Hall ● 4893d