Forum Topic

Bleak House Lane W4

A mention of Bleak House (the novel) on another thread caused me to google Bleak House Lane just off the High Road. Apparently the "Bleak House Club" was the name given to the social club for employees of Sanderson's Wallpaper manufacturing company nearby, hence the name of the alley: ‘Bleak House’ was the name given to the Sanderson social club. Initially situated on the site of the Voysey factory, the club’s headquarters were later moved when the new building was erected. Situated in Chiswick High Road, about 100 yards from the factory, it was equipped with a bowling green, club rooms, billiard rooms, reading rooms and a dining room where meals were served at cost price. Social events, including swimming galas and flower shows, were regular activities organised by the company. https://brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk/publications/the-journal/journal-10-2000/work-and-colour-sanderson-and-chiswick-1879-1928/
Does anyone know why the club was called that in the first place, since it sounds anything but "bleak"! Meanwhile, my search also revealed this great photo, taken about 75 years ago: [IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D62FVsMW4AExrYb.jpg[/IMG] Contrast that with a more recent one of the same site: [IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D62FVsTW0AAN-xH.jpg[/IMG]

Richard Cathcart ● 2442d11 Comments

Regarding the above, can someone please reproduce the photos using the .jpg's above? Thanks.

Richard Cathcart ● 2442d

A pleasure

N V Brooks ● 2442d

I have noticed every time you make a post the forum software adds an hour to your post time.This only shows up on the topic's last post time hence keeping that topic at the top of the list for an hour longer than it should.Only for you NV - what's your secret?

Will Watson ● 2442d

No secret, I use the new version of the site which removes the need to use image tags.
https://new.chiswickw4.com
It's not 100% stable and the odd refresh is needed to read some threads but it's much more user-friendly.

N V Brooks ● 2442d

The new version gets the time wrong?

Will Watson ● 2442d

So when will this new improves site be made public?

Chris Blishen ● 2442d

It is, just use the link I posted.
The Ealing and Brentford sites also adopt the new format if you add new. in the URL

N V Brooks ● 2442d

The new design is in some ways worse than the current one.Shame they didn't bit the bullet and just adopt an open source forum package.

Will Watson ● 2442d

I've no idea why the Bleak House name was/ is used but I have been puzzled about the exact location of the Club.There were previous threads on this Forum in years gone by (2016 etc...use search box to read the entries)... and the answer was revealed in the 1911 Kelly's Directory. Yes 338 CHR where Santander is today..and Burton the Taylor previously.

Jim Lawes ● 2442d

Does anyone remember that staircase to the left of Burtons the men's outfitter which led up to a Billiard Club!Maybe that was located in the remains of the old Bleak House Club!    Interestingly there was another Billiard Club just along the High Road on the first floor above Goodbans (remember them?). Two Clubs in competion.This information is contained in the  Pre-War 1938 edition of Kelly's Directory.

Jim Lawes ● 2441d

The Kelly Directories are a great source of information. I recently found 4 of the Chiswick ones on line, 1889-90, 1893-94, 1907 and 1911, they have loads of others on there including a few of the Middlesex ones from even earlier.http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4

Colin Potter ● 2439d