Chiswick House Friends

Welcome

The purpose of the Chiswick House Friends is summarised by the following extract from the Trust Deed dated 20th June 1984:

Chiswick House Friends will assist in the restoration conservation enhancement and protection of Chiswick House and the grounds and the statues and other monuments therein for the benefit of the inhabitants of Chiswick and its neighbourhood and other members of the public and further to inform such visitors to Chiswick House about its history and significance.

Our aims are to:

• promote and act as an advocate for Chiswick House and Gardens.
• provide a forum and voice for our members to express their wishes.
• We publish a newsletter twice a year.
• raise funds to contribute to special projects, educational initiatives and acquisitions.
• encourage greater public appreciation and enjoyment of Chiswick House, its architecture, paintings, furniture and collections.
• invite exploration and enjoyment of the unique and fascinating gardens.
• help provide educational facilities and events to inform people about the House and Gardens
  

The Chiswick House Friends is a registered charity (number 289907) and its activities managed by a group of Trustees.

CHOW

CHOW — Chiswick House Organised Dog Walkers — was set up in 2006 by a group of local dog owners who regularly exercise their pets in the gardens of Chiswick House. The group was formed in response to the proposals outlined by the CHG Trust in their bid to obtain Heritage Lottery funding for the redevelopment and restoration of the House and Gardens.

CHOW has a mandate from dog owners to represent them in their desire to continue enjoying the Grounds whilst recognising the needs of the redevelopment and other users.

To this end, CHOW has devised a Dog Code, in conjunction with the Gardens management, which can be seen on the notice boards in the Gardens. The Code asks dog owners and walkers to ensure that, whilst enjoying the freedom of the Gardens to walk their dogs, they also take account of the needs of all other users.

CHOW works with the Gardens management, CHGT and CHF on all matters relating to dogs in the Gardens. In conjunction with CHF it organises the annual Dog Show and, through the generosity of the Dogs Trust, arranges for dog waste bags to be available to all dog walkers.

For more information on CHOW and its aims click on www.chowgroup.co.uk

The Friends Contributions Over 25 Years

The Friend's contribute matching funds for big projects, which are essential to get plans off the ground and also contribute to amenities, educational or social activities, and to those small but important gaps which no one else fills.

The Friends and their donors can be sure their independent support will go directly to Chiswick House and Gardens where and when it is most needed.

The Friends donations have make a difference. In the House, the Friends’ major donations over the years have included £1,250 towards the purchase of a Nollekens bust of the fifth Duke of Devonshire, £10,000 towards the purchase of the two magnificent Bosun and Guelfi pier tables and for two Rysbrack paintings and £1,000 towards the purchase of a painting reputed to be of Lord Burlington’s mother.

In 2004 they gave £2,000 towards the re-hanging of the painting collection. In 2007 they gave, at short notice, £15,000 augmented by some private donations, which probably tipped the balance in securing at auction a spectacular contemporary view of the House by Rysbrack.

In the Gardens, the Friends gave £10,000 towards the restoration of the two great Coade stone vases in the Conservatory. They also gave £10,000 in addition to £7,000 contributed by other donors, towards the complete overhaul and restoration of the Cascade. They contributed substantially to the replacement of the stone lions on the Staveley Road gates and to the two benches beside the House. In their Silver Jubilee year they look forward to playing a big part in the restoration of the Rosary and the replacement of the statue of the Medici Venus on the Doric Column.

Among their other donations, the Friends have paid for new trees. They have bought chairs for events held in the House and have contributed to arrangements for disabled access. They contributed to a report on the causes of pollution and algae in the lake and water testing.

By 2003 conditions in the Gardens had become so bad that the Friends exceptionally paid £1,000 to a security company for night patrols and gave £850 towards the cost of speed dips in Duke’s Avenue. Other contributions include the purchase of equipment for the Goosefoot Volunteers and Chiswick House and Gardens staff, and support for research projects and school activities.

In order to continue this excellent work we need your support by becoming a member and/or making a donation. Click here for details.

Trustees

Mr George Nissen, CBE Chairman
Dr John Armstrong Deputy Chairman
Mr James Stitt Treasurer
Mrs Hilary Whalley Secretary
Mrs Halcyon Palmer Membership
Mr David Beattie
Mrs Felicity Crawley
Mrs Louise Chapman
Mrs Jo Monroe
Mr Guthrie Luke
Mrs Felicity Barwood (representing Hounslow Council)
Miss Nicole Ruduss

Chiswick House Friends say NO to Heathrow Expansion

Earlier in the spring of 2008 the Friends mounted a campaign against the expansion of Heathrow. The trustees felt that the new runway 3 flight-path, the end of alternation and the increase in flights from 473,000 a year to over 700,000, would pose a serious threat to the peace and atmosphere of the House and gardens.

Find out more from the Spring 2008 Newsletter

Membership

By joining the Friends you are contributing to the long term future of Chiswick House and Gardens, and can also add your voice to the influence we have for the future of the site.

There is a significant role for the Friends in representing the views of local people and visitors by influencing the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust in their future plans.

Membership costs from £10 per year for singles, and £15 for double and £20 for corporate membership.

Click here for printable membership form

PDF requires free Adobe Reader software available here.

Benefits of Membership

• Free entry to the House
• Private views to exhibitions in the House
• Talks and walks around Chiswick House Gardens
• Social functions in the House and Gardens
• Receive regular newsletters E-mail updates for registered e-mail addressees
• Influence the development of the House and Gardens
  

Newsletters

Click here for the Archive

Check out the Neighbours!

Friends may be interested to know more about another fine example of Palladian architecture, Marble Hill House, just a few miles from Chiswick House in Twickenham.

This link below will take you to the website of the Marble Hill Society giving details of the House and the Society www.marblehillsociety.org.uk

Friends Celebrate Silver Jubilee

Last year the Chiswick House Friends celebrated their Silver Jubilee.

Since 1984 the Friends, among many other activities, have brought furniture and sculptures back to Chiswick House. In 2007 their donation tipped the balance in buying a superb eighteenth century view by Rysbrack. In the Gardens they helped in getting the Cascade back into full working order and in having the two great Coadestone vases restored. They have paid for new trees, bought equipment for the staff and volunteers and sponsored many community events.

In 2009 they contributed the lion’s share of the costs of the restoration of the Rose Garden. The Jubilee was crowned by the installation of a new stone copy of the statue of the Medici Venus on top of the Doric Column, standing as she did 200 years ago.

Thank you for your help. The Friends are the independent local voice of supporters of Chiswick House and Gardens. Please join us and keep the good work going!

Photo Library

(copyright applies) View images >

Shop

As new items are constantly being added to the shop do be sure to come back on a regular basis. All proceeds of the items sold in the shop go towards the fund which the Friends maintain for supporting the House and Gardens, such as the Lottery Project.

CHRISTMAS CARDS:
Cards with featured scenes from the House and Gardens are available to order from this website. Click for CHF Shop

POSTCARDS and GREETING CARDS
Postcards and Greeting cards also avialable. Click for CHF Shop

Ecology & Use of the Gardens

The Friends believe that there must be a balance between the natural ecology of the grounds of Chiswick House and its future development. This is broadly to ensure that the natural flora and fauna are preserved and enhanced as the site is restored.

It is hoped that all parts of the community will be represented as usage of the gardens develops and that these demands are balanced with the needs of the natural environment. Nick Massie, local naturalist, may be contacted at: nick.massie@gmail.com