Friends of Brentford As from the 1st January 2008 
St.George's School |
from the beginning of the Year of 2007
would like to send them an email.
COME ON!!! send a photo of the yourself, when you are sending
me emails, it would be nice to see who you are, even better if
you had a photo as you were and one to show how you are now,
just like mine on our home page. I'm sure that your old Friends
would like to see you now, so let's be having you
send those photos!!!
Date: 21/04/08 13:10:54
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Francis Swinden
May you give me some information about a clock maker
in the XVIII - XIX century call Francis Swinden in Brentford?
Thank you so much.
M. I. Colmenares - Spain
Date: 17/04/08 02:17:43
To: Peter Rutt
Subject: email address
Hi Peter
Due to a stuff up with Telstra my email address is now
charles.ottewill@bigpond.com
Date: 06/04/08 17:37:44
To: peter rutt
Subject: memories of Brentford
Hi peter,
I just thought I'd keep in touch with some more stories of my past.
I recently phoned my friend Eileen Gent to let her know about this
wonderful web site as her husband Leslie was a brentonian She does
remember you and your sister. She tells me that she thinks you attended
their wedding however she is going to get her son Andrew to log
into your site. I now live in Lincolnshire but I still keep in touch
with most of my friends in Brentford they include Barbara Margaret
and Joan Cox they lived in the Ham also sisters shirley Brenda Pauline
Jennings two Brothers Ron & Ian. I do hope that someone reads this
it would be great to get in touch.
PS My cousins live in Church Alley John Sylvia Len & Janet with
their parents John & Violet all part of the Wapshott
regards Marjorie Holley nee Wapshott
Date: 04/04/08 15:24:12
To: Peter_w_Rutt@onetel.com
Subject: BRENTFORD
After looking at your excellent web site I thought I would write
with my memories of Brentford.
I lived at 51 The Ham with my parents Harry and Mary Wapshott
and my sister Marjorie and brothers Henry, Brian and Ronald. I
attended first St Pauls school up to the age of 11 and then to
Brentford Secondary Modern School for girls (as it was called then).
My grandparents Harry and Ellen Wapshott lived next door to us at
number 53 where (I think) my father was born.
During the high tides we were often flooded out and I remember
one occasion when we came home from school and could not get home.
A Ham Wharf lorry was going to the Ham Wharf and took us kids on
the back. Unfortunately, when we arrived home we were unable to
get into the house, because the flooding was half way up the stairs.
One of the Ham Wharf men came with a ladder and we went up the
ladder to the first floor bedroom window and got into the house
that way.
I remember we were a very close knit community in the Ham and
everyone helped everyone else. I remember Barbara and Marge Cox
and Shirley and Brenda Jennings and June Chandler among many of
the neighbours. I wonder where some of them are now?.
Keep up the good work.
Very Best wishes
Jean Jordan (nee Wapshott)
Date: 03/29/08 00:01:15
To: pete w Rutt
Subject: old brentford.
Dear Peter,
My niece in Yorkshire has just emailed your web site,
and I am finding it really interesting, I am an old
Brentford girl born in 1941 and lived in York Road
until coming to Australia, my parents were the Clarks
of No 7, before I was born they also lived in Lionel
Road, Windmill Road and in the 1920s Dad was the
caretaker of the British Legion when dad was young he
worked for a brewery in Brentford he has horses to pull
his cart then after the war he worked for the London
Transport, he was in both wars, I went to Ealing Road
School, and the Brentford Seniors, unfortunately I have
lost touch with the friends of schools days except for
one Ann who lived in Ealing Road and now lives in Ipswich,
my Grandmother on my mothers side lived in St Pauls Close
which I think is now a supermarket, her family were the
Days of Brentford, she lived there in 1899 until 1951.
I will follow this web site with much interest
with thanks
Pearl Mitchell nee Clark
Date: 24/03/08 17:40:56
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: brentford a town to remember
Dear Peter,
I once lived in the Ham in brentford, I lived at number 51
with my parents and my siblings sister Jean, brothers Henry,
Ronald and Brian twins (they were born in 1951) and they were
taken to Queen Charlottes hospital in Hammersmith as they were
very tiny, the ambulance driver was Mr Bob Hubbuck who worked
at Brentford fire station.
I also remember being flooded out and couldn't attend school
which happened to be Brentford Girls school. I hope this is
of interest to you or anyone else who knows the Wapshott family.
What a great site,
thankyou Peter
well done
Marjorie Holley
Date: 23/03/08 20:16:32
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Brentford Youth Football Team
Hi Peter.
I lived in Brentford and played for many football teams,
both on Saturdays and Sundays, in my youth. I am writing
to ask if anyone reading your website knows the whereabouts
of the many chaps I played football with in the 1960s.
I played for Brentford Youth Club and Brentwick United.
I am particularly looking for Johnny Gardiner and Tim Holt,
to name a couple.
With many thanks.
Mick Macken
Date: 23/03/08 20:11:09
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Hi Peter.
I've once again been looking at your excellent website.
I was very interested to see the recent email from Jane,
whose grandparents lived in Harnage Road, where I was born
in 1947. I remember them well and also their family.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone that
lived in that area in the 50s and 60s and who remembers
my parents Rose and Arthur and also my brother Alan.
I remember the shop which we children called
'Susie Butler's, the coal merchant on the corner of
Bedford Road, Betty Harmer who lived on the third
corner and of course the newsagents on the fourth corner.
Keep up the excellent work. Regards. Ann Macken (Nee Collins)
Date: 18/03/08 12:59:31
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Family History Research
HI Peter,
I found your web site very interesting and has helped me
with an insight into Brentford the place where my mothers
family the Webb's and Marriner's lived before coming to
Western Australia in 1916.
My Great Grandmother Mary Ann Marriner lived at 4 Paradise
Place Brentford her husband Jesse Webb was a Lighterman and
I guess worked at the Brentford docks, is the Street still
there I wonder?
My Grandfather Charles Henry Webb also worked on the docks
before going to the Boer war returning home in 1902 he lived
at 100 Duke Road Chiswick with his wife Ellen Mabel. My Mother
Ellen Florence was born at this address in 1903.
My Great Great Grandmother Elizabeth Marriner lived in Back
Lane which you feature in your photos .
Thank you so much for providing so much information
Regards
Peter Walton
Date: 18/03/08 15:23:56
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: BRENTFORD
Hello Peter,
Just dropping you a line to say that I found your website
last year and that I really love it. I am interested in all
the history of Brentford as my family come from there.
My nan (on mums side) is Jean Burwood (nee Pilgrim) and as
I am very close to my grandparents she tells me all about
the 'old' days and the characters of the area and also,
of her parents and my grandads too. ( Stanley Burwood)..
they are both still with us despite some poor health in
the last year and still see Sid Sheppard..i gather that he
had a twin, Vic who passed away last year. They still live
in Brentford, I am based in chiswick, so none of us have
wandered far!..they have 3 great grandchildren now, who
also love to hear about the history.
Also the Bates, who emigrated to Canada still keep in
regular contact with my grandparents. Unfortunatley my
nans brother Kenny Pilgrim, passed away suddenly last
year after a short illness. My Nan is now the only Pilgrim
left as all her brothers and sisters have passed on.
My grandad's sister Joan (baker..nee burwood) and him
are the only surviving Burwoods too...I have told them
about the website and shown my nan whilst she visits
and she remembers everyone from Harnage Road,..the
Tompkins had a daughter Iris, who until recently was
my grandparents next door neighbour. She is now over
90 and has gone into a home in Isleworth..but still ok!
Both Jean and Stan tell me great stories of a long forgotten
era, which I love to hear..they were especially fond of
Jackie Chapman and my grandad still bears the tattoos
they all had done as part of his gang!...wonderful days Im sure!
I will try to get some photos to you from them to put onto
your site..they do have a few..my nan especially has an old
school photo of her at Lionel Road school aged about 6 which
is lovely!..
Thanks again for the site and lets not forget how great
Brentford really was!!
Feel free to reply with any memories of my grandparents in
their younger days..would love to hear some tales!!
best wishes
Jane Lawrenson
Date: 18/03/08 13:44:55
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Hi Peter
This is in reply to Matin Elsom about his mum and aunt
who lived In Bedford road Brentford I lived in Bedford road and
remember the Thomas family but don't know if it is the same ones,
The Thomas family I remember were the coal merchants who loved at
number 2 Bedford Road.
Thanks
Peter Linda Ferguson (Winkworth)
Date: 18/03/08 12:59:31
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Family History Research
HI Peter,
I found your web site very interesting and has helped me with
an insight into Brentford the place where my mothers family the
Webb's and Marriner's lived before coming to Western Australia
in 1916.
My Great Grandmother Mary Ann Marriner lived at 4 Paradise
Place Brentford her husband Jesse Webb was a Lighterman and
I guess worked at the Brentford docks, is the Street still
there I wonder?
My Grandfather Charles Henry Webb also worked on the docks
before going to the Boer war returning home in 1902 he lived
at 100 Duke Road Chiswick with his wife Ellen Mabel. My Mother
Ellen Florence was born at this address in 1903.
My Great Great Grandmother Elizabeth Marriner lived in Back
Lane which you feature in your photos.
Thank you so much for providing so much information
Regards
Peter Walton
Date: 12/03/08 11:01:17
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Brentford
Hello Peter
I have just found your site and have found it very interesting.
Although I am not a Brentonian my mother's family (the Clarks
and the Days) came from Brentford. Looking through the pictures
and e-mails brought back some happy memories of the times I stayed
with my Grandparents. Would you have any information or pics on
York Road, Castle Road and St Pauls Road. I tried to look at Windmill
Road but unfortunately the link is not working.
I am also interested in Trico-Folberth Ltd on the Great West Rd.
My mother was employed there in or around 1952 as the Factory Nurse.
If you or your 'readers' can help in any way I would be very grateful.
Thanking you
Linda
Date: 21/02/08 20:42:01
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: pictures and Info
Hello Peter
I am writing on behalf of my mum Ellen Thomas and
autie Jean Thomas both who lived in bedford road
in the 1940's, would you be able to send any pictures
you have from the street party in greet road and any
other pictures or stories which would be of interest
as my mum would love to see them.
hope you can help.
Thanks
Martin Elsom
Date: 02/22/08 00:20:11
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Great West Road
Hello there,
I have been looking at your website on Brentford and the great west
road with interest and wondered if I could ask you a few questions?
I'm 28 and work in this area and have gradually been finding out bits
about it's history on the internet and a from a few books I've seen here
and there.
I work at Sky in in Grant Way and noticed the railway out the back
quite a while ago serving the west waste depot and managed to find
some web pages of it's history and a section in the book 'Lost railways
of Middlesex' which I found really interesting. Somebody I know was
also telling me about the Firestone factory where one of Sky's buildings
also currently occupy. I notice the gates and posts are all still there.
What I am interested in though, and don't know much about, is the
biscuit factory. McFarlane & Lang / united biscuits. The picture
of this factory on your website doesn't seem to be working at present.
Where was that factory situated? On the site where Tesco now stands,
or where Sky's buildings are, behind the old Gillette factory? I
understand there were sidings coming from the railway onto the
site where Sky now is as well? On a small service building within
Sky's premises, I have noticed on a wooden door an old plastic
plaque with United Biscuits engraved on it and some numbers,
which is what got me curious. Also, before they extended their
store, tesco had an old picture on the wall near the checkouts
of a railway station - a caption gave some details regarding
commuters from the biscuit factory. Not sure if this was a
picture of syon lane station or something to do with the
brentford branch?
I've found 'Google Earth' really useful to find clues of old
buildings and the railway track-bed leading down to where the
docks used to be.
Kind regards,
Daniel
Date: 10/02/08 10:40:39
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Family History
Dear Sir,
I came upon your website and would like some information about the area.
Edward Lampard m Caroline Eliza Russell son William Edward Lampard.
Caroline passed away in 1881 or 1882 1 month after W.E was born and
I am attempting to track her down. My Gr8 Gr8 Grandparents came from
this particular area and it is of interest to me. Do you know of any
cemetary indexs? for eg:
Kindest regards,
Mr Lampard-Mills
AUS
Date: 08/02/08 05:50:07
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Brentford Register Office
Hello Peter,
I've just been enjoying your excellent website.
My grandparents got married at Brentford Register
Office in 1937. I know it closed down in 1947 and
I'm just wondering where it would have been and is
the building still there now. If you could help at
all I'd be really greatful.
Kind regards,
Michael Chandler
Date: 02/01/08 22:42:42
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Old Moving Pictures of Brentford High Street
Dear Peter,
I am Chairman of the Musical Museum in Brentford. As you may know
we have created a ‘street’ named Lamb’s Passage. At the end of which
is a screen on which DVDs are projected. I am trying to find some
old moving pictures of the High Street if possible. Would you know
of their existence or would your interesting members know of any
Michael Ryder
Date: 01/12/08 22:42:23
To: peter_w_rutt@onetel.com
Subject: Brentford history
I'm afraid I don't quite count as a Brentonian as I was born in
West Mid Hospital and lived on the Northumberland Estate to the
west of Syon Lane as a child, then moved to College Road in Isleworth
and attended the Green School. My Dad's Home Guard unit was also
based in Brentford, so I must dig out his memoirs and see whose
names he mentions - I have a photo of him and his platoon which
also features an Indian man, so perhaps he and your father knew
each other. However, my connections go back to Brentford through
my great grandmother's family and it was in researching her that
I found your web pages. My mother always claimed that her Grandmother
lived in the Butts as a child, but I haven't found that connection
yet. What I have found in the 1851 census was that the family lived
in Back Lane, so clearly very humble, I should think, especially as
G-g-g Grandfather Thomas was a Chelsea Pensioner with a large family,
and in 1871 G-g granny and her daughter were living in Market Place
- slightly better, perhaps. I'd love to know how to get hold of
copies of the photos, if you could let me know. I have really enjoyed
browsing the pictures and remembering holiday jobs at Firestone and
at a small firm beside the Grand Union Canal just on the Brentford
side of the bridge over the London Road.
Bring back those trolley buses, I say!
Photographs of Brentford
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