How Chiswick Could Help Council's Bid For 'Borough Of Culture'

Suggestions include Town Hall becoming a 'cultural hub' and an upgrade for the library

Chiswick's councillors have published the cultural compendium they compiled to support Hounslow Council's bid to be Borough of Culture 2021.

The Council has already submitted its bid to the Mayor but some locals felt that Chiswick was not sufficiently considered.

Cllr Gabriella Giles, who compiled the report on behalf of the nine local councillors commented: 'We were dismayed when we realised, while compiling our report and ideas, that not only had very few people in Chiswick been asked to contribute to the bid but also that the deadline given for the public to send in their information and ideas was after the council team had set off to deliver the bid to City Hall. Doesn't the council want to know what Chiswick has to offer – or what could be done to make the borough's cultural life even better? The report compiled by the local councillors has now been submitted to City Hall.

Some of their suggestions incude that the Grade II Chiswick Town Hall become a cultural hub for local groups. A sensitive upgrade – including an in-house PA/AV system and much-improved lighting – would assure its place in the heart of Chiswick as a sought-after venue for special celebrations, retaining its value as a source of revenue, and encourage its use for community events offered at a lower cost

They also seek long-needed improvements to Chiswick Library including installing a lift to make it fully accessible and improving its spaces so it, too, could become a community hub.

They are actively exploring possibilities for several locations in Chiswick to become hubs for teenagers, a much-forgotten and under-represented group of residents who have few routes to influencing their local areas and what could be provided for their cultural entertainment.

Their report looks at Chiswick's culture in its widest sense including its architecture and structures, the river, the faiths and denominations that support Chiswick's community, literature, entertainment, horticulture and trees, open spaces, food and drink, sport, volunteering, diversity and notable residents.

Councillor Giles (Chiswick Riverside ward), said, 'We wanted to support the bid by showing just how much goes on in Chiswick and the very large contribution made by residents to our cultural life. Having spent most of my life in Chiswick, I have always been aware of the significance of the cultural contributions made here. When we sat down, with everyone contibuting knowledge about what goes on in their own wards or their own experiences of Chiswick's cultural significance, we were all amazed by the extent of our cultural world. Everyone knew something that others didn't know.

'I have relished pulling it all together to build our contribution to Hounslow's bid and delving deeper into Chiswick's history and the significant impact it has had on the wider world through the writings and creativity of its residents, not just in the past but at this time, too. With such a foundation, we believe Chiswick can have an enormous impact on Hounslow's chances of winning.”

To improve Chiswick's cultural life even further, Chiswick's councillors would like the Grade II Chiswick Town Hall to become a cultural hub for local groups. A sensitive upgrade – including an in-house PA/AV 
system and much-improved lighting – would assure its place in the heart of Chiswick as a sought-after venue for special celebrations, retaining its value as a source of revenue, and encourage its use for community events offered at a lower cost

They seek long-needed improvements to Chiswick Library including by installing a lift to make it fully accessible and improving its spaces so it, too, could become a community hub.

They are actively exploring possibilities for several locations in Chiswick to become hubs for teenagers, a much-forgotten and under-represented group of residents who have few routes to influencing their local areas and what could be provided for their cultural entertainment.

Cllr Giles went on to say, 'This is by no means a comprehensive list. We know there is a lot more going on here that we haven't noted. We wanted to share this with residents so that they can provide additional information, uncovering more hidden treasures, so we can draw together a comprehensive compendium of Chiswick's cultural life”.

'This compendium is a starting point, one that I hope will will surprise residents who might not know the extent of what goes on here. We know it will change and evolve. With residents' help, we can expand it and bring it up to date,” Gabriella said

If you know of other activities or events, or have additonal historical information to add to the compendium, please email Gabriella on gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk.

November 14, 2019