Welcome to Chiswick House Friends

Very changeable weather this February and March. Early to middle March was very warm causing the terrapins to come out of hibernation and bask in the sun, while it was very cold in late March.

Photograph by Paul Brown

Dr David Jacques has published a new book about the Gardens: “300 Years of Creation and Recreation”. It chronicles a hard-fought and never-ending contest – between the natural forces of change and decay on the one side, and the desire by we humans to preserve and cherish our finest creations on the other.

The Chiswick House Friends donated £20,000 to the first stage restoration of the Chiswick House and Gardens playground by the café. The first phase will fix the broken equipment and make the playground safe. A subsequent fundraiser will be launched to invest in new equipment.

This brings to £60,000 donations to the House and Gardens from the Friends since Covid restrictions began and includes £25,000 raised by the Chiswick House Lego Brick Model.

It wasn’t the best of days weather-wise but it didn’t stop nearly 600 dogs registering in the 17 classes this year! The day before had glorious weather, perfect for getting the site ready for the show.

I was hoping to introduce myself and talk about future plans. But unfortunately events have overtaken us and I have been catapulted into COVID-19 crisis management.

The lockdown has affected all other events in the House and Gardens: most have either been cancelled or postponed. This leaves the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust in a financially desperate position.

We are pleased to introduce you to Sir Derek Myers, newly appointed Chairman of the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. We recently met Derek to talk about his new role and his plans for the future.

It's been a busy summer for the Trust with the appointment of a new Chairman, many visitors and activities, and lots to celebrate.

We held two very successful chamber concerts in the House this summer.

Our pair of male swans did not go to the Thames to moult this year but stayed here. The long term resident Egyptian goose pair who lost their breeding nest tree have been eased out by a younger pair who have not yet bred…

This picture, which was published by Country Life in April 1901, shows an ivy-engulfed statue of a mythical sphinx in the Gardens.

It’s now officially spring and the gardens are looking lovely with the spring flowers and blossoms emerging. The camellias bloomed earlier than last year because of the milder weather, and the Camellia Show was a great success.

This year it will be 35 years since the Friends was formed: in this article we look at some highlights.

One of our Trustees sent us this picture from 1969 - fifty years ago.

The Carol Concert was held in front of the House last December in very cold, wet weather! In spite of this there was a cheerful gathering of Friends and visitors.

The pair of Egyptian Geese, whose breeding tree fell down last June, have still not yet found a replacement nesting tree, but they are checking out a cedar.