~ CHISWICK HERITAGE WORKING PARTY / PROJECTS ~

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CAUSEWAY

The causeway by St Nicholas, originally the landing stage for the ferry from Chiswick to Barnes, has been falling into disrepair and the Old Chiswick Protection Society has been looking for ways to restore it. Now, the Port of London Authority has agreed to undertake its refurbishment. The PLA is to commission a team of construction workers with experience of working in tidal waters to stabilise the structure in wood and rebuild the pavement with a layer of concrete as a base for paving with bricks, granite setts and stone slabs - similar materials to those already used in the structure .

CHISWICK PARISH CHURCH

The church has just completed a Project Plan Study (PPS) of the Graveyard, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to identify tombs, monuments, buildings, pathways and other necessary works to bring the graveyard up to a more acceptable standard. The next stage is to carry out the work identified in the PPS supported by a ten-year maintenance plan. It will be necessary to seek major funding to identify this work.

CHISWICK PIER

The London Development Agency has been exploring the possibility of persuading boat operators to stop at Chiswick Pier for passengers to visit the Chiswick attractions which are close to the Thames. To this end it commissioned The Tourism Company to conduct a feasibility study, which was published in March 2007. The research among scheduled boat operators found that the operators of scheduled boat trips did not feel Chiswick had enough attractions to warrant a stop, and that an additional stop would lengthen present cruises to unacceptable levels. The feasibility study recommended that the various Chiswick attractions should take a co-ordinated approach to increase awareness of Chiswick as a visitor destination, and that special events – eg a music festival, a food festival - should be planned; that links with other west London attractions should be forged – eg visits to several historic houses in the area – and that specialist days could be organised, such as a trip to Chiswick House for gardening enthusiasts or for those interested in Chiswick House’s Masonic symbols.

DUKES MEADOWS

The Water play area was identified as a priority by local people after the closure of the old pools a decade ago. Funds were raised, designs agreed and finally in August 2006 the new area opened, incorporating a pool, a fountain, sandpit and refreshment kiosk. 2007 sees a series of children’s entertainments, including donkey rides, Punch & Judy, visits from Hounslow Urban Farm to celebrate the re-opening of such an important local amenity. The bandstand was made safe, repainted and re-opened in time for the Boat Race in April 2007.

The Community Gardens were started in 2006 by volunteers taking a garden design class run by Hounslow adult education services. They provide a tranquil garden and pond with seating for local residents from the nearby flats who don’t have gardens. In addition there are five mini- allotment plots to enable flat dwellers to grow their own food. In March 2005 three hundred fruit trees to form an orchard, sponsored by K raft foods, were planted up on the Plateau. As they reach maturity they will provide an area of beauty, shelter and tranquillity. In 2004 the new riverside footpath on Dukes Meadows was built, running from Barnes Bridge to Chiswick Bridge. This was a joint initiative between CiP, The Friends of Dukes Meadows (precursor to the Trust) and Hounslow Council.

There are ten artists studios (and one flat) which together form an intimate artists’ community space. Occasional ‘at homes’ are held. As well as adding an important dimension to the work of Dukes Meadows, the revenue from the studios helps support the community project. Currently the Trust is negotiating to create more Studios in the old Tractor Shed.

The next big project for the Dukes Meadows Trust is the restoration of the rundown play area and the old paddling pool basins. The aim is to create a new play area and a wild-flower area. Consultations with local schoolchildren about the type of play equipment they would like are underway, and grant-awarding bodies are being approached. This is a big project for Dukes Meadows Trust in all senses – it will be relatively expensive and could have an important impact in providing a real focus for children and young people in the area.

The first and third Sunday of the month are volunteer project days when some area of Dukes Meadows needing work will be targeted. contact@dukesmeadows.org.uk to volunteer or to find out more