Programme for 2026 – 2027
Meetings in September and October 2026, and March and April 2027 will be held at Hounslow United Reformed Church, Chapel Road, Hounslow, TW3 1UL. Non-members are welcome to attend and will be asked to pay a visitors fee of £2.00 per person, per talk. The meetings will start at 7.30 pm. For our three other meetings in the current programme, in November, January and February, members are invited to log-in to local history presentations that will be web-cast, via ZOOM. These will be held on our society’s normal meeting nights, which are the last Tuesday in every month, from September to April, excepting December.
‘Tuesday 29th September 2026 [In-person at Hounslow URC]: Gardens and People of Twickenham by Andrew George. Twickenham Park was created by Richard Earl of Cornwall, brother of King Henry III. Henry V founded Syon Abbey there, it later moved to Isleworth. The history of Marble Hill, Strawberry Hill and the 19th century gardens of Twickenham’s wealthy residents are discussed. Andrew George has lived in Richmond and St. Margarets for 34 years and has published books on local history.
Tuesday 27th October 2026 [In-person meeting at Hounslow URC]: Aspects of Brentford by Michael Peacock. Michael Peacock, a Hounslow Heritage Guide, will highlight aspects of Brentford and explain how it has transformed from an agricultural area and a freight transhipment centre to the changing town of today.
Tuesday 24th November 2026 [On-line]: Isleworth Through the Ages by Christine Diwell. In 1046 Earl Algar’s Manor of Isleworth was valued at £80. Under St. Bridget’s rule the Abbey of Syon housed both Monks and Nuns but was run by a woman. A grand Victorian Villa, rented in Spring Grove, came with 6-months free train travel. This and more will be revealed by Christine Diwell, an Isleworth resident and a founder member of Hounslow Heritage Guides.
Tuesday 26th January 2027 [On-line]: Ham House and Garden by Serrie Meakins. Ham House is a rare 17th century survival, shaped by strong women including Elizabeth Murray, Lady Dysart, who, with her husband created a palace fit for King Charles II. Serrie Meakins is a volunteer at the house and a specialist on the life of Lady Elizabeth, who, she believes, presided over the most colourful period in Ham’s history.
Tuesday 23rd February 2027 [On-line]: Trade Routes and Warpaths by Howard Simmons.The amazing role of Syon House in shaping North America includes the creation of the Virginia Colony under the governorship of The Duke of Northumberland’s younger brother, and the visit of Pocohontas to England. The involvement of Native Americans in the War of 1812, when the USA invaded Canada, seems to have affected President Trump’s decision making today! Howard Simmons is a guide at Syon House and a Hounslow Heritage Guide.
Tuesday 30th March 2027 [In-Person at Hounslow URC]: The Strange Death of Sir Godfrey Kneller by Ed Harris. Sir Godfrey Kneller should be amongst the most famous painters in Britain’s history. But he is all but forgotten. Even the location of his grave was kept a secret. Ed Harris is a published author on local and military history, London and film. He is the Chair of Twickenham’s local history society and project manager for Twickenham Museum.
Tuesday 27th April 2027 [In-person at Hounslow URC]: The Annual General Meeting of the Hounslow & District History Society, followed by Place-names Make History, by James Marshall. This talk looks at place-names in and around West Middlesex and their links to the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. James Marshall is a committee member of the H&DHS and a Hounslow Heritage Guide.
Presentations made remotely, over the internet and hosted by the Hounslow and District History Society use ZOOM. All members for whom we have e-mail addresses will be invited to join these sessions. Please contact James Marshall [ajmarshall54@gmail.com] if you would like to be enabled to log-in to one of our society’s ZOOM meetings.
*** The presentations will begin at 7.30 pm on each occasion***
Please contact the H&DHS via this web site to ask for a ZOOM Link invitation to log in to one of our on-line talks. The ZOOM meetings will be open to log-in to from 7.15 pm.
Please ensure that the Membership Secretary has your e-mail address if you would like to take part. Thank you for supporting the society.
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Great West Road Art Deco architecture walks, with James Marshall, author of The Great West Road, A Centenary History (2024). Sunday 13th September (a Free walk for London Open City week) and Sunday 27th September, 2026 for Hounslow Heritage Guides. Meet in Brentford Market Place at 2.30 pm. Cost £5.00 – pay the guide on the day.
- Past Programmes of the society can be seen here