Local History Society Announces Autumn Talks Programme
First up is a look at the WW1 coastal motor boats built by Thornycroft
An image from the cover of David Griffiths and Martin Kelly's book on the subject
September 15, 2026
The Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society has unveiled an engaging autumn programme of talks that explores a wide range of local history subjects, from pioneering naval engineering and sporting heroes to historic gardens and one of Brentford's oldest family businesses.
The season opens on Monday 21 September at 7.30pm at the Chiswick Memorial Club with a presentation on John Isaac Thornycroft & the Coastal Motor Boats: The Thames Perspective.
Speakers David Griffiths and Martin Kelly will discuss the development of the Coastal Motor Boats used during the First World War.
They will present new information that has emerged from their research about the Thames boatyards including Maynard’s in Chiswick and Platt’s Eyot, in Teddington. These were involved in production of the revolutionary, high speed, torpedo-carrying vessels. They will reveal John Thornycroft’s use of ground-breaking research methods to design the boats, and David’s experience of managing a team to build a replica. Copies of the speakers' recently published book will be available for purchase.
The October meeting will focus on local sporting history. On 19 October, historian Jeremy Lonsdale will present his biography of Patsy Hendren, one of England's greatest cricketers. Born in Turnham Green and educated in Acton, Hendren enjoyed an illustrious cricket career with Middlesex and England while also playing football for Brentford FC. The talk will examine the life and legacy of this remarkable west London sportsman, who also used his fame to support local charitable causes.
On 16 November, attention turns to Chiswick's historic landscape when Rosie Fyles, Head of Gardens at Chiswick House and Gardens, discusses more than 300 years of gardening history in the area. Her talk, titled "Garden as though you will live forever", will consider both the preservation of historic gardens and their relevance to contemporary challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss and the relationship between people and nature.
The final talk of the year, on 21 December, will examine the extraordinary history of Goddards' Brentford furniture store. Local historian and Society vice-chairman David Shailes will chart the story of a business that has been serving Brentford since 1815 and remains under the ownership of the Goddard family six generations later. The presentation will highlight how the company has adapted and endured while continuing to trade from premises in Brentford.
All talks will be held at the Chiswick Memorial Club. The Society is not currently able to run hybrid meetings, although records of presentations may be made available on its website where copyright permits. Members will also receive email reminders ahead of each event. In addition to the talks programme, the Society's autumn newsletter highlights a number of local events connected with London Open House, including walks, tours and building visits in Brentford and Chiswick, as well as information about other local history activities taking place later in the year.
For further information about the autumn programme and upcoming events, visit the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society website.
Meetings, usually on the third Monday of the month, take place at Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, off Dukes Avenue opposite Chiswick Library. The membership year runs from January to December and the annual subscription costs £15 or £20 for two people at the same address .
If you wish to join, either come along to one of the meetings, or print off, complete and send the membership form with your details and cheque for payment, or if you wish to use your credit or debit card through PayPal, click here but also send an email to membership@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk giving your name, address, phone number, and confirmation that the society may contact you by email in the future.
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