Shelagh Allsopp, the River Wall, The Boat Race and Seal Watch
Chiswick Riverside councillor Gabriella Giles reports back
Cllr Gabriella Giles
April 6, 2025
As a councillor, our duties can vary from week to week. The formal meetings, such as full Borough Council often require a lot of preparation; suggesting motions, agreeing questions, reading reports, group meetings, speech writing…and that’s even before the evening of the meeting!
Some weeks, it’s just about being present, and supporting others, and that’s very much how this week turned out.
Monday
I decided to work from Hounslow House for the day, as the Mayor, Councillor Karen Smith, was hosting an afternoon tea for members of the community from Chiswick Homefields and Chiswick Riverside wards in recognition of their outstanding contributions over the past year.
This year, I was delighted to nominate Shelagh Allsopp for her work with Refugees Welcome Hounslow, an organisation that was set up in 2016 to support refugees that were arriving in Britain as a result of the first resettlement scheme. Since then, the organisation, set up by members of the Hounslow Friends of Faith, has supported 277 refugees and 50 vulnerable asylum seekers, with the aim to offer friendship and social activities. Examples of these activities include weekly English classes and hosting regular social gatherings and outings.
Shelagh was joined by one of the first beneficiaries of the programme, Sanaa Haloul, an English teacher from Syria, who has since become an integral member of the team. It was an inspiration to hear from them both, and we managed to get out onto the roof of Hounslow House for a spot of sunshine after the tea.
L-R; Sanaa Haloul, Mayor Karen Smith, Shelagh Allsopp, Cllr Gabriella Giles
Tuesday
I started a new job in January, and following a co-working day with the team in Pimlico, I hopped on the train for a meeting of the Port of London Authority (PLA) at Thames Rowing Club in Putney. As the current Chairwoman of the Thames Landscape Strategy, it’s useful to attend these public meetings, not only to see the PLA PR machine in action, but to hear from other interested parties about their concerns.
While it was good to see how much the PLA has done in the last year by way of its community outreach, there’s still a lot of concern about the governance of the body, and recent rulings around Chelsea Harbour. However, it was also good to hear about the timeline for the restoration of the towpath in Kew, where works are expected to start next week, and be completed in August.
Wednesday
I was on auntie duties, taking my niece to an early years annex in neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham in the morning before heading up the M40 to help a friend out with her newborn. While it was nice to get out of London for a bit, looking after small kids is really exhausting, and my hat goes off to all those parents out there!
Thursday
I hotfooted (staying safely under the speed limit) back to London, for an in-person meeting with Hounslow Highways and various officers from Hounslow Council for the inaugural project board meeting of the Strand-on-the-Green riverwall. This wall has been a growing concern for many years, with Hounslow Council investing only as deemed necessary, with around £200,000 in the last 20 years.
This meeting has been at least four years in the making, and unfortunately, the need to properly invest in the maintenance of this vital asset was highlighted in October 2024, when part of it collapsed. Thankfully, the cost centre had been established, which meant that money was readily available to undertake the emergency works.
Collapsed section of Strand-on-the-Green, November
Repaired section of the wall, December 2024
While the fix came to around £70,000 for a three-metre stretch of the 1 kilometre-long towpath, there are hopes that as a result of the project board, and a proper structure, we will be able to ensure that repairs are made efficiently - in terms of both time and cost. While we don’t currently have a timeline for the completion of this project, I am hopeful that as a result of monthly meetings, we will be able to keep an eye on this project and ensure that momentum is maintained.
After this meeting, it was home for a couple hours of work, before getting the chance to catch up with neighbours at the joint Strand on the Green Residents Association & Grove Park Group social event at the Bull’s Head. It’s always great to catch up with members of both groups, and there’s always a lot to discuss and learn.
Friday
An early start for work, as I had yet more meetings planned that afternoon - firstly at the Chiswick Pier Trust for a meeting of the Community Engagement sub-committee. First thing on the agenda - our preparation for one of our biggest annual events, the Boat Race. We’re in a prime position, being at the halfway mark of the race, and with our pontoon, definitely have the best view of the races. I can tell you from experience, that it’s a pretty unique experience to be boat-level when the crews row past - and even the rocking from the wake of the boats and accompanying flotilla is somewhat exhilarating.
The Pier House will be open from midday on 13th April until 4pm, Fullers have generously donated a couple of casks of London Pride, and we will also have the big screen showing the races so spectators won’t miss a thing. Be sure to get there early to secure a prime spot!
The women’s race starts at 13.21, with the men’s race starting an hour later.
Next on the agenda was our next talk, to be held in the Pier House on 29th April at 7pm. My good friend, Mary Tester will be back to update us on her work with Thames Seal Watch and upcoming projects. These talks are always fascinating, and a reminder that there’s certainly a lot of marine life action going on in our river. You can book your tickets here.
The afternoon closed out with a meeting at the Brentford Digital Dock to meet the team behind the Brentford Heritage Harbour. While this project is still in the nascent phases, the ambition of the team to set up a charity to recognise the riparian heritage of Brentford is to be praised. Brentford’s location on both the River Thames and Grand Union Canal have been fundamental to its long history and boating tradition, and it’s about time that we celebrate this.
I hope you’ve all been able to enjoy the sunshine this weekend, and I’m certainly hoping it will hold out for Sunday as I’ll be off to the GTech to cheer on Brentford as they compete with Chelsea. I for one, am hoping that the Bees make us proud.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025
Anyone can attend public meetings of the council at Hounslow House which is fully accessible. Most meetings take place on the 6th floor of Hounslow House which is at 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.
8th April: 6:30pm: Cabinet Question Time in Brentford
15th April: 7:00pm: Cabinet
Important Current Local Issues During weekends, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:
To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS
Chiswick Gunnersbury ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
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