Bedford Park, Area Forums and Chiswick's Big Sunny Weekend
Chiswick Homefields councillor Jack Emsley reports back
Cllr Jack Emsley
May 17, 2025
Summer (or at least that early fool's summer that catches me out every year before an inevitable late May cold snap) is finally here in Chiswick! With the warm weather comes a very exciting side of Chiswick that sees packed beer gardens and vibrant green spaces. It’s a great reminder that we live in the best spot in London - and that I and my colleagues are extremely lucky to represent the three Chiswick wards as local councillors!
This past week has been another busy one as a local councillor…
150 years of Bedford Park
On Wednesday Cllr John Todd and I went over to St Michael and All Angels for a special viewing of the Bedford Park Society’s 150th anniversary exhibition. We were joined by the exhibition’s curator, Nick Mesquita, who talked us through each of the exhibitions panels, charting the history of the community and communities of Bedford Park from its earliest days in 1875 right through to present day.
The sheer breadth of the different groups and personalities who have called Bedford Park home in its 150 year history is quite astonishing: from radical politicians to literary giants and great actors. It’s a fantastic reminder again of the incredible history of our local area, which was described by Poet Laureate and heritage campaigner Sir John Betjeman as “the most significant suburb built in the last century, probably the most significant in the western world.” High praise!
I was particularly taken by a reference in the late 19th century to the “institution” of a morning pint at The Tabard - in the spirit of the garden suburbs 150th birthday, I wonder if we can convince the council’s licensing panel to reinstate this tradition?!
A huge thanks and well done to all who have been a part of making this exhibition happen, particularly all involved in the Bedford Park Society and, of course, Nick Mesquita for his work in curating such a fascinating walk through our local history. The exhibition is on show at St Michael and All Angels until Monday 19 May, and will then be hosted by Chiswick Auctions in their showroom at Barley Mow Centre W4 4PH from Tuesday 10 June to Friday 20 June. Don’t miss it!
Chiswick Area Forum News
On Thursday, the borough’s Conservative councillors had our AGM. It was a really positive meeting where we were able to get together and do three things - discuss our plans for the upcoming municipal year, elect group officers and vote on committee positions, and importantly, have the chance to get together afterwards with a beer and some food.
At that meeting, I was really pleased to have been elected as the next Chiswick Area Forum Chair. Big shoes to fill as I follow in the footsteps of Cllr Ron Mushiso and Cllr Gabriella Giles who have both chaired the Area Forum since the last election. Keep an eye out for more details of my plans for the forum, including the agenda for our first meeting of the new municipal year on the evening of the 2 July.
A weekend in the sun
Shortly after writing this on Saturday morning, I’m heading across to the Duck and Ball in Dukes Meadows to meet with the new Chair of the Chiswick Horticultural and Allotments Society, Jo Rabin. I was pleased to be re-elected the society’s Vice President a few weeks ago, following in the footsteps of many brilliant Chiswick councillors including my colleague Cllr John Todd and former Riverside councillor (and now Alderman) Paul Lynch. I’m looking forward to continuing to support the allotments - another fantastic example of a brilliant local community group!
There’s so much to explore in Chiswick this weekend - I’m particularly looking forward to visiting the Flower Festival at St Paul’s Church in Grove Park. Billed as a “flower show, not a competition”, refreshments and live music will be available outside in the garden from 11:30am-6pm on Sunday 18 May (today, if you’re reading this via the newsletter!).
Also on Sunday are the usual variety of brilliant Chiswick markets - on the High Road it’s the Chiswick Cheese Markets turn, whilst back in Dukes Meadows it's the regular (and brilliant) Chiswick Food Market. There’s so many reasons to get out and enjoy the weather around Chiswick over the next few days!
Talking of markets, I’ll be attending next week’s lLcensing Panel hearing on the 20 May to speak in favour of the renewal of Chiswick Flower Market’s licence to operate. National legislation requires the High Road markets to re-apply for their licenses every 6 months, which necessitates regular statutory consultations. The markets have been hugely successful and are now a staple of Sunday mornings in Chiswick. I’m looking forward to continuing to be a strong advocate for them.
Cllr Jack Emsley
07977 396017
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.
Council Meetings - Borough Council
- 27 May 2025 7:30 pm - Annual Meeting of the Council
- 22 July 2025 7:30 pm
There is public access for these meetings via a direct lift from the ground floor to the Council Meeting Room
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings – Licensing Panel
20 May 2025: 7.30pm
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings – Audit and Governance Committee
- 15 July 2025 7.00pm
- 4 Nov 2025 7:00 pm
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Important Current Local Issues
During weekends and regular Public Holidays, 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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