Tenants’ groups can seek £40,000 energy grants

Published Thursday 22 October 2026

Check eligibility for home energy improvements, plan around the Splash Zone closure and book Northfields’ £2 Halloween trail.

Top Updates

Tenants’ groups can apply for energy grants up to £40,000

Brentford tenants’ and residents’ associations can apply for grants of up to £40,000 from Hounslow’s Community Energy Fund, which opened on 19 October. Its rules allow domestic energy-saving improvements where an association has a formal constitution and its landlord’s permission in principle. Projects must benefit and involve the community and deliver measurable carbon savings. The fund cannot pay ordinary household bills or accept applications from individuals acting alone. Groups have until Friday 22 January 2027 to apply.

Splash Zone closes on Monday for museum restoration

The London Museum of Water and Steam’s outdoor Splash Zone will close on Monday 26 October, with reopening expected in summer 2027. Scaffolding is needed for the Great Engine House restoration, which will make the historic building watertight and conserve its beam engines. Families can still visit the museum for half-term trains and indoor crafts, but the water-play area will be out of use and parking will be limited.

Green Dragon parents offered help with children’s resilience

Green Dragon Primary’s parents and carers can join an NHS-led session at 9am on Friday 23 October about helping children persevere when learning something difficult. The school session is run by Hounslow’s Mental Health Support Team. Its wider offer includes up to eight one-to-one sessions for parents and carers to help primary-age children with mild-to-moderate anxiety or behaviour difficulties. Ask your child’s school about access to that support; Friday’s workshop is for Green Dragon families.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 31 October, 2.30–7.30pm

Book Northfields’ Halloween allotment trail

Witches, scarecrows and ghostly sheds will fill Northfields Allotments’ Halloween trail. Timed tickets cost £2, including the booking fee; under-threes go free, and no tickets will be sold at the gate. This year’s entrance is at Mattock Lane. If coming from Northfields, approach along Radbourne Walk from Occupation Road. Last entry is 6.30pm; bring a torch after 5pm.

Friday 13 to Saturday 21 November

Brentford’s equal-pay strike takes the stage in Ealing

On the Line at the Questors Theatre, 12 Mattock Lane, is a fictionalised drama marking 50 years since the Trico factory strike. Evening performances start at 7.45pm, with no show on Monday 16 November; the Sunday matinee is currently sold out. Standard tickets cost £14–£25, with concessions available. Recommended for ages 10+.

What's On

Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November

Find Gunnersbury’s creepy creatures, 10am–4pm · £2. The Creepy Creatures Nature Trail opens this weekend, with eight creatures to find around Gunnersbury Park and facts about why they matter. It costs £2, suits ages 3+ and needs no booking.

Saturday 24 October

Try ballroom dancing at the Musical Museum, 2–5pm · £12. Dave and Diane’s tea dance mixes ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing at 399 High Street. The £12 ticket includes a 30-minute introductory lesson and a tea, coffee or glass of prosecco. Beginners are welcome; book ahead.

Sunday 25 October

Make a pumpkin flower arrangement at the Brewery Tap, 2.30pm · from £28. Gather Flowers will lead a dried-flower workshop at the Brewery Tap, 47 Catherine Wheel Road. Build an arrangement on a real pumpkin, then detach it to keep after Halloween. The organiser’s booking price starts at £28; a £40 advance-booking package adds a cocktail and slice of pizza.

Monday 26 October

Bring a team to the Lord Nelson quiz, 7.30–9.30pm. The Monday Mastermind Quiz combines familiar rounds with cryptic clues, either-or questions and a wipeout round. Teams compete for a £50 bar tab at the Lord Nelson in Brentford; book your team’s table in advance.

Wednesday 28 October

Design your own wallpaper at Boston Manor House, 10am–noon · from £12. Artist Sangeeta Weatherley will lead Patterns, Places and Memories, using the house’s historic wallpapers and your own experiences as inspiration. No previous art experience is needed. Tickets start at £12; book for the two-hour workshop at Boston Manor House.

Roadworks and Transport

Buses replace trains beyond Hounslow this weekend: On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, engineering work will close the railway through Staines. Waterloo–Weybridge trains on Saturday and Waterloo–Woking trains on Sunday will terminate at Hounslow, with replacement buses between Hounslow and Staines. Sunday afternoon and evening Kingston services via Hounslow will also stop at Hounslow. SWR’s October works notice says weekend journey planners will be updated the night before, with short-notice changes possible.