Forum Topic

Canalside History of Brentford

Kew Steam Museum opened an audio-visual exhibition on the changes in Brentford's waterside last night. It will run from today until February 28th.Maps from the 16th Century on, paintings, illustrations and old photos plus taperecorded reminiscences, all chart our changing scene.Go and have a look!

Nigel Moore ● 7448d2 Comments

What a great location and venue for an exhibition about Brentford. The display of maps and photos only covers a small section of the Kew Bridge Steam Museum but the ambience is just right. Outside the lower part of the Water Tower has been floodlit...and on entry to the Museum the welcoming sight of displays and a bookshop puts one into a nostalgic mood.There are many historic maps of Brentford canal side pinned to the display boards and Ridgeways is never far out of sight. (so:it must be an important part of the local heritage!). I like the detailed map of the railway sidings...and the maze of rail lines ..and in particular the location of turntable for those steam engines.When you go there ..you must buy for yourself ..from the bookshop.. a book called "Hammersmith and Hounslow Tramways" by Robert Harley and published by Middleton Press.(ISBN 1 901706 33 8) It's a Brentford classic. There are so many great old pictures of Brentford & Isleworth High Streets that you'll forget to sip your tea. The tram terminus at Kew Bridge...butted up to the Fountain in the centre of the junction...is a gem. It seems that because of the narrowness of the High Street in certain places..there were "passing zones" for the trams. The economic history of Brentford is fascinating and is worthy of study by all in high office: the life on the river,the canal and the canal basins,the changing modes of transport,the elegant Victorian Buildings and the cobbles,the little shops and industries..and the lives of the hard working populus. Brentford is a town to be relished and appreciated..so keep those bulldozers and property developers in check.  That's all. A scotch egg and tea awaits!

Jim Lawes ● 7447d

Nigel: Thanks for drawing our attention to that exhibition at the Kew Steam Museum. It sounds great. Perhaps it should have a permanent site somewhere.Maybe in the New Year Forum members could meet up there for a get-to-gether, view and chatter...about our heritage.

Jim Lawes ● 7448d