Forum Topic

BRENTFORD FESTIVAL

Brentford Festival is on Sept 1st this year at their brand new location  Blondin Park . Loads of stalls have booked but there are still  some available, So if you are a local group, sell arts & crafts, foodie stuff, ora  charity it'd be great to see you there. Stalls are from as little as £20 and can be booked via the web site www.brentfordfestival.org.uk

Viv Ellis ● 4397d43 Comments

Well my husband and I went along and thoroughly enjoyed it. Good food, interesting local history, wide selection of  stalls (even started my Christmas shopping by buying some jewellery). The German sausages were excellent - really good quality, well priced, delicious rolls and pickles/sauerkraut. We later tried the paella which we unfortunately tipped straight on the ground and the stallholder very generously refilled our bowl. That was so kind and also in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.The attractions were very spread out and we wondered if the stalls could be closer together in future which would have generated more atmosphere.The buses were a stroke of genius!Well done to everyone involved and thank you for all the effort you made to create such a successful event.

Deborah Hall ● 4352d

Really enjoyed it. Although I wish the beer tent was nearer to the Pimms tent and the stage!The kids enjoyed it too.

Peter McGovern ● 4356d

To all involved in staging the event. My wife and I enjoyed it very much. And thanks for the programme Jim and the directions of where everything was. A great day.

Keith Iddon ● 4358d

We all went, and got a bit bored, as we did last year. But thought Blondin Park was a better venue in several ways. It could have fitted into St Pauls Park easily.By far the best bit was the Routemaster bus.We also went to the Mela which seemed completely unlocal and rather duff compared to a few years ago.One wonders why Brentford festival should not rotate around Brentford.Carville hall Park, Gunnersbury Park South West side, Boston Manor Park, Blondin Park, Syon Park and maybe a Routemaster show as they were a product of Chiswick LT engineers and Built in Ealing Borough.It needs a bit more Va Va Voom.But rather good considering it's all done by volunteers and compared well with the rather overfunded Mela to the point where wonders where the funding went?

Raymond Havelock ● 4358d

I managed to get to the festival today, in between a friends silver wedding celebration and the Mela in Gunnersbuty Park (unfortunate clash). There was a lot to see and do, and a lot of people there.  I agree that it was quite spread out and I do hope there was a good attendance at the community stalls - on the far field behind a hedge.  There were at least 6 stalls with a Brentford or Hounslow borough connection and it was good to catch up with old friends there.Well done to Linda and the large team of volunteers who made it possible, and I am pushing LBH to address the issues behind the venue shift, so the Festival can be back in Boston Manor Park next year.

Cllr Ruth Cadbury ● 4358d

I went briefly Jim and was a bit disappointed.People had obviously put a lot of effort into it and there were laods of stalls and people and the kids (in particular) were having a whale of a time.My problem was it didn't seem very Brentford.. some of the stalls were more Hanwell/Ealing related. Plus I actually think the site was a bit too big - sort of detracted from the atmosphere.Still well worth a visit though and thanks to all those who made it happen - I hope you take my comments as constructive.

Guy Lambert ● 4358d

In my view it was a great success, the sight of red Routemaster buses in the area, the 100+ stalls who all seem to do plenty of action, and the masses of children and dogs who had a day to remember!A huge Park is Blondin..and the extra space provided a relaxed atmosphere and, of course, the Organisers and visitors were blessed with fine weather.Just one thing, I normally have met at the Brentford Festival over the years.. lots of the Borough of Hounslow's 60 Councillors including Brentfords three. But this year I didn't meet one, not one, in my meanderings around the Park or during my 1 hour stint on the Front Gate. Did I just miss seeing them?Some pictures have so far been posted on the EalingToday Forum.

Jim Lawes ● 4358d

you were thinking about yesterday..and all is well!From 12 noon...go go go..

Jim Lawes ● 4359d

Bravo Lindy Massey, her teams and the Sponsors...

Jim Lawes ● 4359d

We are finally here - the team have worked so hard over the past months and I can't tell you how many favours we have pulled in the past few days to get us where we are at. Looks like the weather is going to be good so its now your turn - see you on site.

Linda Massey ● 4359d

http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20130901T12&p0=136&msg=Brentford+Festival&csz=1#

Jim Lawes ● 4360d

Come and join us..the Brentford Festival in Blondin Park needs support!

Jim Lawes ● 4360d

"Come along and enjoy the delights of freshly cooked food in the centre of Blondin Park=Fishmongers Kitchen for seafood paella, oysters washed down with Cava=Cidinha’s Mexican Way for Chili and Rice, bbq skewers=Sunjam Caribbean Food=Provender Falafel=Clive’s Donuts and Sandwiches=Steve’s Burgers=The Sausage Man for German SausageRefreshments by=The Urban Cafe - coffee tea and milkshakes=The Friends of Boston Manor - Pimms tent and Real Ale Bar=Ice Creams by Tropical Ice.Plus there's bound to be a tea-cake stall or two.

Jim Lawes ● 4361d

Let's give that a go! And thanks for the Blondin connection with that activity.  Blondin Avenue and Niagara Avenue here we come!

Jim Lawes ● 4361d

Yes he retired to Ealing and married a woman from Brentford. In his honour, the festival has some slacklining (similar to tightrope)

Viv Ellis ● 4361d

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_BlondinCopy and paste to read his story. It seems he lived his final years in Niagara Road, just off Northfields Avenuenext to the Park.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd there's a You-Tube video about him too.

Jim Lawes ● 4361d

Jim Lawes ● 4362d

And thanks for your posting..I thought I was overdoing things!!See the Brentford Festival 2013 website for details of services from Brentford, Hanwell etc.

Jim Lawes ● 4362d

You have done a marvellous job of spreading the word onto the local forums Jim. Well done, I hope it's a great day on Sunday for all concerned.

Keith Iddon ● 4362d

There must have been some 10,000 festival goers at the 2011 Event held in Boston Manor Park...which was abandoned last year..and has now moved out of the London Borough of Hounslow this year! Crazy?So please support the Brentford Festival in Ealing!

Jim Lawes ● 4362d

This ROUGH Map might be helpful..and spot the spelling mistake!

Jim Lawes ● 4362d

And you too?

Jim Lawes ● 4363d

There will be Routemaster buses ferrying Festival goers to and from the Event. See the website.

Jim Lawes ● 4363d

http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2013.htmCopy and paste the above url...for all the information.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000Here is the poster.

Jim Lawes ● 4363d

Jim Lawes ● 4366d

Thanks Linda and Keith. The Acton Forum has been visited already and agreed it's time to spread the happy news to Ealing and Chiswick.

Jim Lawes ● 4367d

I'm looking forward to it very much. Perhaps you could post these posts on Ealing, Acton and Chiswick forums Jim.

Keith Iddon ● 4368d

Great to see that the Brentford Festival is still appreciated and that Jim Lawes is as enthusiastic as ever with his support and creative banners.  We have just secured a Redroutemaster shuttle service to ensure people can find the new venue which will be starting at Brentford High Street at 12 noon.  Visit http://redroutemaster.com/brentford/ for the approximate timetable.

Linda Massey ● 4368d

Jim Lawes ● 4368d

Excellent cards, beautifully handcrafted..and modestly priced.

Jim Lawes ● 4368d

http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2013.htm#2013stalls

Jim Lawes ● 4368d

Lots of events and music bands.Lots of stalls and places to eat,drink and relax..Your Community Event..And the cost of entry?  It's free!See you there.

Jim Lawes ● 4368d

Shame it is having to be held out of Borough, I had to look up where Blondin Park was.  Ealing do have some lovely parks and seem to be keen on community use of them.Well done you organisers in arranging and keeping the event going!  :-) x

Sarah Felstead ● 4371d

http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2013.htmYES, Shame about the move..just across the border into Ealing.. BUT...  http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2013.htm

Jim Lawes ● 4371d

Councillor Ruth Cadbury has tweeted that she hopes to see the event back in LBH next year.  You just couldn't make it up, could you?

Phil Andrews ● 4372d

Memories are made of this!

Jim Lawes ● 4372d

So Sad that The BRENTFORD Festival is being held in EALING.....PATHECTIC !!!!

Mark Welland ● 4372d

Jim Lawes ● 4373d

Jim Lawes ● 4374d

I believe posters are in the pipeline....in the meantime...Brentford Festival 2013 at Blondin Park, Northfields Sunday 1st September

Jim Lawes ● 4375d

Where can we get some posters to advertise??...just found out about the event.

R Mon ● 4377d

Blondin Park is named after Charles Blondin - the Victorian tight rope walker and all- round daredevil scamp. In his honour (& 'cost it's fun to watch and do) we have Harry Coudfoot - the UK's foremost slack liner. Come and have a go - go on we dare you!

Viv Ellis ● 4381d

Bump Bump Bump.  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 4381d