Work starts on 182 council homes at Charlton House
Published Thursday 12 November 2026
Visit free open studios, book a family museum tour and have your say on plans for St Paul’s Reception intake.
Top Updates
Work starts on 182 council homes at Charlton House
Work has started to replace 92 homes at Charlton House and Albany House with 182 council homes for social rent. Around 30% will be larger family homes. The Brentford redevelopment also includes ground-floor commercial space and more than 2,500 square metres of landscaped green space.
St Paul’s proposes keeping Reception intake at 30
St Paul’s CE Primary in Brentford proposes making its reduced Reception intake permanent: 30 places rather than 60 from 2028–29. The school cites falling pupil numbers and financial pressure. Comment by Friday 18 December 2026 at admissions@stpauls.hounslow.sch.uk; governors will consider responses before deciding.
Funding risk for Hounslow’s domestic-abuse refuge service
Hounslow’s domestic-abuse refuge service may need extra funding to keep its current level of support; no cut has been agreed. Senior councillors have approved seeking bids for a women-only service from April 2027 to March 2029. If you cannot safely stay at home, ask the council for housing help.
Date For Your Diary
Sunday 13 December 2026 · noon–2pm
Meet Santa at Heston Fire Station in Isleworth
Meet Santa on a fire engine, try on firefighter kit and collect a goodie bag at 520 London Road. The grotto will raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity and Institute of Cancer Research. No on-site parking.
What's On
Thursday 12 November
Book club at Brentford Community Hub and Library, 6.15–7.30pm · free. Join the monthly book club for adults aged 18+ at 11F Boston Manor Road: call 020 8583 5550. The venue has wheelchair access and an accessible toilet.
Friday 13 November
Cole’s Kitchen pop-up at The Lord Nelson, 6–11pm. Cole’s Kitchen will serve small plates at this one-night food pop-up. The pub recommends booking early.
Headliners comedy at the George IV in Chiswick, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November · 8pm · doors 7.30pm · £24. Stand-up comedy with Maureen Younger on Friday, Steve Bugeja on Saturday and Ross Smith as MC, at 185 Chiswick High Road. Line-ups may change; book through The Chiswick Calendar.
Saturday 14 November
Piers Torday storytime at Everybody Reads, Chiswick, 10.30–11.15am · free. Piers Torday will read Books According to Dog and Owl, followed by bookmark colouring for ages 6+. Register your child at 6 Chiswick High Road or call 020 3793 5633.
Open studios at Brentford’s Waterman’s Building, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November · noon–5pm · free. Meet artists and see finished work and art in progress at XYZ Communities, 40 High Street. These drop-in sessions are part of the 13–15 November programme. See The Chiswick Calendar’s open-studios guide.
Family and Children’s Tour at the Musical Museum, 2–3pm · £15: one adult and up to two children; £25: two adults and up to three children. A guided tour for ages 5–12 will end with a Wurlitzer organ sing-along at 399 High Street. Children need an accompanying adult. Book by midnight on Friday 13 November; tickets are non-refundable.
Sunday 15 November
Classics & Cake at Duke of London, 10am–2pm · pedestrians/passengers £2.05 including fee. See classic cars and supercars on Level 7, Brentford Waterside Car Park, Corson Yard. Families and dogs are welcome; please arrive from 10am. Tickets for pedestrians and passengers exclude parking; displaying a vehicle costs extra.
Monday 16 November
My Time to Play at South Isleworth Children’s Centre, 10am–noon · free. Guide Dogs’ play group on Worple Road welcomes children aged 0–4 with a vision impairment, plus parents, carers and siblings. Further sessions: 30 November and 14 December. Register and ask about spaces: alister.riedl@guidedogs.org.uk.
Nature and Wellbeing Dementia Café at Boston Manor House, 2.30–4pm · free. People living with dementia, carers, friends and family are welcome at this café session, with refreshments at Manor Kitchen Café and gentle guided activities in Boston Manor Park. No booking needed.
Community gardening at Boston Manor Station, 3–5pm. Help with seasonal gardening at the station on Boston Manor Road. Everyone is welcome; tools will be provided. Sign up on the event page or email finley@energygarden.org.uk.
Garden history talk at Chiswick Memorial Club, 7.30pm · free. Chiswick House’s head of gardens, Rosie Fyles, will explore 300 years of garden history and responses to climate change at Bourne Place. Everyone is welcome; donations are invited from non-members.
Roadworks and Transport
Lift fault at Syon Lane’s platform 2
Platform 2 lifts were out of order on Wednesday 11 November. Check current access information before travelling. Help points are available, but there is no staff assistance.