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Download the What's On Guide January - March 2012  >

Your guide to events and activities in Hounslow.

Calendar Events  >          Regular Events & Exhibitions  >

Cancer Awareness

Where: Osterley Library
When: Thursday 2nd February
9.30am - 12.30pm

The Mulberry centre, a local cancer support centre, will be running information desks in our libraries. Two in every five people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year and yet 50% of cancers can be avoided with a few simple lifestyle changes. Visit our information desk and receive advice on what signs and symptoms to look for. An early diagnosis saves lives.

Admission: Free

Help In Hounslow

Where: Osterley Library
When: Thursday 2nd February
9.30am - 12.30pm

Help in Hounslow provides advice and information on local services to help you get what you need.
   • Got money worries?
   • Worried about managing day to day at home?
   • Do you feel lonely?
   • Concerned about housing?
   • Worried about a relative or friend who may need help?
If you’re an adult with a disability, elderly or a carer Help in Hounslow can help.
Admission: Free

Celebrating National Libraries Day

Where: All Hounslow Libraries
When: Saturday 4th February

Show how much you love your local library by celebrating National Libraries Day with us.
How many books did you borrow in 2011?

The top adult and child borrowers in Hounslow libraries will be revealed and rewarded. check out your local library for more information.

Admission: Free

Sugarcraft

Where: Hanworth Library
When: Tuesday 7th February
10.00am - 12 noon

Ever wanted to decorate cakes but not sure where to start? Come and learn basic skills in
cake decoration using sugar paste.
Places limited - Please book in advance through Hanworth Library.

Admission: £2.00

Charles Dickens and the Borough of Hounslow

Where: Hounslow Library
When: Tuesday 7th February until 29th February

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth the Local studies Department will be putting up a display on the links between Dickens and the Borough of Hounslow.

Admission: Free

Win, Lose or Draw - Reminiscences of Brentford FC - A Questor's Roadshow

Where: Paul Robeson Theatre

When: Wednesday, 8th February

2.30pm - 4.00pm

‘Win, Lose or Draw’ tells the collected stories of Brentford Football club’s fans over the years. You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this Reminiscence Roadshow – there’s something for everyone in this celebration of the fans’ commitment and enthusiasm
…win, lose or draw!
This show is based on recorded interviews with Brentford fans in the collections at
Gunnersbury Park Museum.

Admission: £1.00 (includes refreshments). Payment to be made at time of booking.

French Storytime - FRERE JACQUES, FRERE JACQUES... VENEZ ECOUTER DES HISTOIRES EN FRANCAIS ET CHANTER AVEC NOUS...

Where: Chiswick Library
When: Thursday 9th February 2012

11.00am - 11.30am

Come and listen to a special storytime in French. Join us in singing traditional French songs.
The session is suitable for children aged 2+.
Places limited, please book in advance through Chiswick Library.

Admission: Free

Mammal Safari

Where: Hounslow Heath
When: Sunday 12th February

10am

Using animal friendly traps see some of the small mammals that make Hounslow Heath their home and learn something of their secret lives in the undergrowth.

Cost: £1 per child/concession, £2 per adult.

Love Is In The Air

Where: Boston Manor House
When: Sunday 12th February

12 noon - 5.00pm

Special preview – Join us to reminisce about past lives and events in this wonderful
historic house. We will have special talks, events and tours where you can feel the
romance and history of the house.

Admission: Free

Half Term Activities
Beavers Monday 13th February & Wednesday 15th February 10.00am – 12 noon
Bedfont Tuesday 14th February 10.30 – 11.30am
Brentford Tuesday 14th February 11.00am – 12 noon
Chiswick Tuesday 14th February 11.00am – 12 noon
Cranford Monday 13th February 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Feltham Thursday 16th February 10.30 – 11.30am
Hanworth Monday 13th February 11.00am – 12 noon
Heston Tuesday 14th February 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Hounslow Thursday 16th February 11.00am – 12 noon
Isleworth Tuesday 14th February 11.00am – 12 noon
Osterley Tuesday 14th February 2.00pm – 3.00pm

Our activities are normally aimed at children aged 5+ and cost 50p per child. Younger children attending these sessions are at the discretion of the individual libraries and would need to be accompanied by an adult.

Love Is In The Air

Where: Chiswick Library
When: Tuesday 14th February
6.00pm – 8.00pm

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us. Agnieszka Studzinska, a local poet from Isleworth, will
be reading selected love poems from her own work and other famous poets.

Bring along your favourite love or romantic poem to read.

Admission: Free

Interview Skills Workshop

Where: Hounslow Library, Green Room
When: Monday 20th February
10.00am - 12 noon

The interview skills workshop will enable participants to gain a greater understanding of
different types of interviews they may encounter and the preparation required to be successful.
This workshop is run by the Next Step Service.

Admission: £1.00

Jewellery - add a little bling to your life

Where:Brentford Library
When: Thursday 23rd February
10.00am - 12 noon

Create your own piece of jewellery using beads and basic tools.

Only 12 places available. Please book through Brentford library. This event is run over two hours. Please arrive to be seated by 9.50am

Admission: £2.00 - Payment to be made at time of booking.

Catwalking

Where:Ground Floor, Hounslow Library
When: Friday 24th & Saturday 25th February 2012
11.00am - 4.00pm

Are you into fashion? Do you follow the latest fashion trends? Pop into the My Voice space on the ground floor of Hounslow Library for some hands on fashion fun! Hounslow Library will join the Treaty centre to celebrate fashion through the ages. Visit our displays on costumes in times gone by explore and try your hand on textile and craft sessions.
Look out for more information nearer the time. There will be something for everyone.

Admission: Free

Our Sporting Life - A Celebration of Local Sporting Clubs & Heroes

Where:Gunnersbury Park Museum - Exhibition
When: Saturday 25th February - Friday 30th March 2012
11.00am - 4.00pm

One of a series of exhibitions being held throughout the country as part of the build up towards the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Our Sporting Life will provide a unique insight into how sport has shaped the country, its communities and people.
Local clubs such as Brentford Football club, Acton swimming club and Ealing Lawn Tennis club have all done much to promote sport in the boroughs of Hounslow and Ealing. Many sporting stars have started their careers in this area, including tennis champions Fred Perry and Dorothea Chambers ; cricketer Mike Brearley; Olympic athlete Sylvia Cheeseman; and one of the founders of the London Marathon, John Disley .

Come and find out more about these local clubs and heroes. Tell us your sporting memories and which sporting personalities have inspired you. Our sporting Life wants everyone to get involved. Leave your thoughts and ideas at www.oursportinglife.co.uk  >.
Our Sporting Life has been funded by Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) through its Innovation and Renaissance programmes, and created by the Sports Heritage Network, which comprises all the UK’s major sports museums and archives.
Admission: Free

HOTS - Hold On To Sports - Hounslow 2012 - FREE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL

Where: Gunnersbury Park & Museum
When: Sunday 26th February

11.00am - 4.00pm

Warm up for London 2012 with Gunnersbury’s exciting sports day!
Join in with the multi-sports activities provided by ‘Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’ in the park, and visit the museum to find out about our many local sporting heroes.
You can put your face on the cover of a sports magazine and even create your own sports medal to take home with you.  No advance booking, places allocated on a first come first served basis.
Admission: Free

World Book Day

Where: Chiswick Library
When: Thursday 1st March

What’s your favourite book?  To celebrate World Book Day we are asking you to nominate your favourite book and tell us why you would recommend people to read it. Your entry will go into a competition and the three recommendations will win a book token. 
Please pick up a review form from your local library from the 1st February and return it by the 19th February.

Winners will be announced on World Book Day, 1st March at Chiswick Library just before the local history talk starting at 7.30pm.

Admission: Free

Cancer Awareness

Where: Osterley Library
When: Thursday 1st March
9.30am - 12.30pm

The Mulberry centre, a local cancer support centre, will be running information desks in our libraries. Two in every five people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year and yet 50% of cancers can be avoided with a few simple lifestyle changes. Visit our information desk and receive advice on what signs and symptoms to look for. An early diagnosis saves lives.

Admission: Free

Help In Hounslow

Where: Osterley Library
When: Thursday 1st March
9.30am - 12.30pm

Help in Hounslow provides advice and information on local services to help you get what you need.
   • Got money worries?
   • Worried about managing day to day at home?
   • Do you feel lonely?
   • Concerned about housing?
   • Worried about a relative or friend who may need help?
If you’re an adult with a disability, elderly or a carer Help in Hounslow can help.
Admission: Free

Chiswick Library Local History Talk

Where: Chiswick Library
When: Thursday 1st March
7.30pm - 9.00pm

Local historian and author Carolyn Hammond will give a talk on the history of Chiswick’s public library for World Book Day. The library has been located at its present site since 1898 but chiswick has had a library since 1890. Come and learn more about its fascinating history.

World Book Day favourite read winners announced.
Please book through Chiswick Library

Admission: £1.00

Flower Arranging

Where: Bedfont Library
When: Tuesday 6th March
1.00pm - 3.00pm

A 2 hour workshop teaching you the basic skills and techniques of flower arranging, during which you will construct a simple floral table decoration. This session will be supported by local young people doing community voluntary work.
Only 15 places available. Please book through Bedfont Library.

Admission: £2.00

Signs of Spring Walk

Where: Bedfont Lakes
When: Saturday 10th March

10am

Take a leisurely stroll by the lakes. See spring flowers, frogspawn and other signs that tell us that winter is finally over.
Cost: £1 per child/concession, £2 per adult.

Come and Meet the Author

Where: Paul Robeson Theatre
When: Thursday 15th March
4.30 - 6.00pm

Trilby Kent has written two novels for children. Her first novel for adults, Smoke Portrait, has just been published. Trilby will be coming to Hounslow to give an interesting insight into the world of a writer and the ideas behind her books.

For information on either of these events, contact the Hounslow My Voice coordinator on 0845 456 2894 or rachel.bowles@laing.com

Admission: Free

Basic Introduction to Microsoft Word

Where: Feltham Library Skills Suite
When: Thursdays - 15th March - 22nd March
10.00am - 12.00 noon

Learn how to create a basic Word document.

Places limited, please book in advance through Feltham library.

Cost: £1 per session. Payment to be made at the time of booking.

Education in Feltham and the Histories of Local Schools

Where: Feltham Library
When: Saturday 17th March
3.00pm

A talk presented by members of the Feltham History Group about the history of education in Feltham and of schools in the district, past and present.  Were you educated in Feltham?
come and hear about the history of your old school.

Doors open at 2.30pm.

Admission: Free

Growing Your Own Produce

Where: Hounslow Library
When: Friday 23rd March
10.00am - 12 noon

Always wanted to grow your own vegetables but not sure how to start? come along
and try it out. We will provide all the materials, whether for gardens, window sills or
balconies. Take it home to watch it grow!
Supported by Continental Landscapes.

Places limited.  Must book through Hounslow Library.

Admission: £1.00

Spring Walk

Where: Hounslow Heath
When: Sunday 25th March

11am

See the Heath as it bursts into blossom. Hear Stonechats singing from the gorse bushes and observe other springtime sights.
Cost: £1 per child/concession, £2 per adult.

Heston Meet and Greet

Where: Heston Library
When: Tuesday 27th March
3.30pm - 5.30pm

Are you looking for new books to read or maybe you would like to know what events and
activities Hounslow Libraries can offer you and your family?

Come along to Heston Library for a friendly informal chat and discover how Hounslow Libraries can support you.

Admission: Free

French Storytime - FRERE JACQUES, FRERE JACGUES... VENEZ ECOUTER DES HISTOIRES EN FRANCAIS ET CHANTER AVEC NOUS...

Where: Osterley Library
When: Thursday 29th March 2012

11.00am - 11.30am

Come and listen to a special storytime in French. Join us in singing traditional French songs.
The session is suitable for children aged 2+.
Places limited, please book in advance through Osterley Library.

Admission: Free

Basic Introduction to The Internet

Where: Feltham Library Skills Suite
When: Thursdays - 2nd February - 1st March
10.00am - 12.00 noon

(For those who are new to computers and the internet). Don’t get washed up in the
waves of the URL ocean. Surf the Web with complete confidence.
Please note these are stand alone sessions, not a course.

Places limited, please book in advance through Feltham library.

Cost: £1 per session. Payment to be made at the time of booking.

Setting Up An Email Account and Sending an Email

Where: Feltham Library Skills Suite
When: Thursdays - 9th February - 8th March
10.00am - 12.00 noon

Throw away your stamps and envelopes! Discover an instant way to send those important
messages. Learn to set up and manage an email account.

Places limited, please book in advance through Feltham library.

Cost: £1 per session. Payment to be made at the time of booking.

Basic Introduction to Microsoft Word

Where: Feltham Library Skills Suite
When: Thursdays - 15th March - 22nd March
10.00am - 12.00 noon

Learn how to create a basic Word document.

Places limited, please book in advance through Feltham library.

Cost: £1 per session. Payment to be made at the time of booking.

Super Stars Drama Group

Where: Feltham Library
When: Thursdays: Starts 6th October until 15th December
4.00pm – 5.30pm

Well this course could be your springboard for diving into the pool that is Broadway...
Sign up to this 9 week friendly new drama group at Feltham Library. We’ll get together to produce the kind of shows you like and learn about improvisation, characterisation, poetry and build up confidence. At the end of the course you will put on a fabulous performance for
friends and family. Come on and give it a go!! For 12-15 year olds.

Cost: 50p per session. Book through Feltham Library.

Bedfont Lakes Conservation Volunteer dates

Where: Bedfont Lakes
When: Saturdays (dates below)

Meet at the Information Centre at 10am

17th December 2011
7th January 2012
21st January 2012
4th February 2012
18th February 2012
3rd March 2012
17th March 2012
31st March 2012

• Looking to gain experience in the conservation industry?
• Wanting to meet like-minded people?
• Interested in putting something back into your local park?
• After a greener way to lose weight?

Then why not join Bedfont Lakes Conservation Volunteers?

Please bring clothes appropriate for the weather, sturdy footwear, plenty to drink and some lunch. For more information, see www.blcv.co.uk  >

Toddlers Storytimes (Term Time Only)

A time to share stories and songs. These weekly events last for approximately half an hour and are suitable for under 5s.

Cost: FREE

After-School Clubs (Term Time Only)

Cranford Library & Bedfont Library

Every Tuesday 4pm - 5pm

Need help to find information for your school projects?  Don’t know where to start?
Schools over and you're just looking for something fun and interesting to do?
The Cranford Library after school club has it all for children aged 6 - 11.

Admission FREE

Booklovers/Reading Groups for Children and Teens

CHILDREN

A range of activities exclusively for children aged 7-10 who enjoy reading for fun.

Hounslow Children’s Book Lovers Group
When: 1st Tuesday of every month: Tuesday 3rd January, Tuesday 7th February &
Tuesday 6th March 2012
4.00 – 5.00pm
Heston Children’s Book Lovers Group
When: 1st Thursday of every month: Thursday 5th January, Thursday 2nd February &
Thursday 1st March 2012
4.00 – 5.00pm
Cranford Children’s Booklovers Group
When: 2nd Monday of each month: Monday 13th February & Monday 12th March
4.00 – 5.00pm
Isleworth Children’s Booklovers Group
When: 1st Saturday of each month: Saturday 4th February and Saturday 3rd March
10.00 – 11.00am

TEENS

A chance to meet and chat about the latest trends and crazes for teenage booklovers.
Cranford Teen Group
When: 2nd Thursday of each month: Thursday, 12th January, Thursday 9th February &
Thursday 8th March
4.00 – 5.00pm
Osterley Teen Group
When: 3rd Thursday of each month: Thursday, 19th January, Thursday 16th February
and Thursday 15th March
4. 30 – 6.00pm

Admission: FREE

Reading Groups for Adults

Reading groups are held at the following libraries: These reading groups are currently full. you may wish to go on the waiting list. If you are interested in joining a reading a group or wish to have support to start up your own group please
contact: readinggroups-hounslow@laing.com

Bedfont 2nd Thursday of the month 10.00am - 12.00 noon
Brentford 1st Monday of the month 2.30pm - 4.30pm
                   3rd Thursday of the month 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Feltham Last Thursday of the month 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Isleworth 2nd Thursday of the month 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Osterley 2nd Thursday of the month 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Admission FREE

Asian Language Reading Groups

Hounslow Library: Asian Women’s Reading Group

1st Wednesday of the month, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Cranford Library: Ghup shup - (Asian Booklovers Group)

4th Thursday of the month, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Heston Library: Ghup shup - (Asian Booklovers Group)

3rd Tuesday of the month, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Admission FREE

Games Club for ages 6 - 11 (Term Time Only)

Feltham Library on Wednesdays from 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Heston Library on Saturdays from 10.00am - 12.00 noon

A chance to play games with your friends and make new ones.

Puzzle Time for toddlers (Term Time Only)

Feltham Library on Thursdays from 11.00am - 12.00noon

Brentford Library on Tuesdays from 10.30am - 11.30am

Heston Library on Saturdays from 10.00am - 12.00 noon

Cranford Library on Saturdays from 11.00am - 12.00 noon (New Group)

A variety of puzzles and easy games for toddlers to enjoy in the library.

Cost: FREE

Creative Writing

Where: Feltham Library
When: Third Thursday of every month
6.30pm – 7.30pm

Are you a budding and enthusiastic writer? Come and join Feltham Library’s Creative Writing Group, ‘ReWrite’ to meet other writers and showcase your work. It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, biography and autobiography.

What with Harry Potter now inished, we could use a new J.K Rowling.

Admission FREE

Hobbycraft

Where: Osterley Library
When: Every Monday term time only - 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Keep warm this winter, without sky-rocketing the heating bills. You can knit yourself a warm woolly hat and gloves or even a jolly jumper when you learn how to crochet amongst the experts. An informal club for beginners and experts in crochet. Join in and work together, share tips and learn from each other.

Where: Bedfont Library
When: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday - 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Join our group of ladies who enjoy a variety of crafts, sewing, knitting,card craft etc. Join in and work together; share tips from each other.

Cost: FREE

English Conversation (Term Time Only)

Where: Cranford Library
When: Tuesdays
9.30am – 10.30am

Where: Feltham Library
When: Wednesdays
9.30am – 10.30am

“Can you repeat the question please?” No need to make this your most frequently used
phrase as you can easily improve your English speaking at these regular sessions. So when
you’re in the street, on the phone or at work you can speak with confidence. Intended for anyone whose first language is not English. Practice your speaking skills in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Adults only. There are no crèche facilities available.

Admission FREE

ESOL Reading Groups

Where: Heston Library
When: Every 2nd Monday of the month

10.00am – 11.00am

This is a reading group using our English as a second language ESOL stock.

Admission FREE

Open Gallery

Where: Redlees Artists Studio
When: First Sunday of every month

11.00am - 5.00pm

Is it the Mona Lisa of Heston? Or the sistine chapel of Osterley? All will be revealed at Open Gallery.  Open Gallery offers you the opportunity to come and see artists’ work, as well as buy or commission work too.

• Dates for 2012:
  

5th February

4th March

1st April

6th May

3rd June

1st July

5th August

2nd September

7th October

4th November

2nd December

Cost: FREE

The Colours of Another Age: The Rothschild Autochromes

Gunnersbury Park Museum

Aug 6th 2011– January 29th 2012

During the early years of the twentieth century, the long dream of photographers to be able to capture the image of the world in colour finally became reality with the invention, in 1907, of the Autochrome.

Among the earliest photographers to experiment with this new process was the young Lionel de Rothschild, who lived at Gunnersbury Park.

When Lionel died in 1942, he left behind the largest collection of Autochromes to survive from any single British photographer. For years they remained wrapped in newspaper and forgotten, but they have now been rediscovered and a selection of the finest have been enlarged and mounted in light-boxes, so their delicately beautiful colours can be viewed to best advantage.

Entrance is free