Ten years ago February 1999 Ann Keen has been declared MP of the year by readers of a newspaper for homosexuals. The Brentford and Isleworth MP became a hero after pushing to lower the age of consent for gay men. She won admirers during her emotional reunion with the gay son she gave up for adoption as a young woman.

Newsreader Jill Dando chose a chic restaurant in Chiswick to announce her engagement. The 37 year old TV presenter gave a well attended drinks party with husband to be Alan Farthing, a consultant obstetrician gynaecologist at St Mary’s Hospital. BBC colleagues Anna Ford who has a house in the Butts, Brentford, Michael Buerk and Martyn Lewis also went along to The Pier Waterfront Bar and Brasserie. Potential candidate for the new Mayor of London Ken Livingstone met Richmond upon Thames chief executive Richard Harbord who has just announced that he is to become the managing director of Hammersmith & Fulham Council. The pair met at the annual dinner of Richmond Chamber of Commerce where Mr Livingstone, MP for Brent was the guest speaker.

A spectacular £35,000 conservatory perched on the roof of a St Margarets mansion was lifted down by a 45 metre crane after residents complained to the council. The Victorian style structure, familiar to drivers on the Chertsey Road, was intended as a viewing room over the Thames.

25 years ago The Department of the Environment has told Richmond Council to speed up council house sales. At the moment it generally takes about four or five months between the issue of a valuation by the council and the date of completion of the sale. Between 40 and 50 per cent of applicants require a mortgage advance from the borough.

Chief priority of Coun Dr Jenny Tonge after taking over the chairmanship of the social services committee was to do something quickly about the “parlous state of the home help situation”. To that end the social services committee is channelling an extra £125,00 into the services.

50 years ago The Department of the Environment has told Richmond Council to speed up council house sales. At the moment it generally takes about four or five months between the issue of a valuation by the council and the date of completion of the sale. Between 40 and 50 per cent of applicants require a mortgage advance from the borough.

Chief priority of Coun Dr Jenny Tonge after taking over the chairmanship of the social services committee was to do something quickly about the “parlous state of the home help situation”. To that end the social services committee is channelling an extra £125,00 into the services.

Old Chiswick Protection Society is worried about the fate of five picturesque houses in The Mall. They fear that the houses, all built in the early 19th century may be pulled down to make way for a modern block of flats. Magnolia House, Thamescote, Oak Cottage and numbers 1 and 2 Riverside are all owned by Sir John Thorneycraft. Three are boarded up with ‘not for sale notices’ outside. Mr B G Versey acting as agent said the future of the houses was undecided.

Chiswick comedian Davy Kaye, due to appear this week at the Chiswick Empire has withdrawn because he was not given star billing. “I don’t want to appear big headed, but I think I am the only comedian who has had his name in neon lights in Piccadilly for the past two years.”, Mr Kaye, who lives at 42 Priory Avenue, said, “I understood I would be booked as the star.” But the manager of the Chiswick Empire, Mr John Christie does not see the reason for the fuss. “Davy Kaye was added as an extra act. I don’t see why he should get upset about it.”

100 years ago At the licensing meeting of Petty Sessional Division, justices had come to the conclusion that three public houses were better removed including The Royal Oak, Ham. By degrees they were getting rid of the lowest class of hostelrie at very little loss to the ratepayers and little to the individual.

Skating was indulged in in Bushey (sic) Park last week on some of the smaller ponds, but it was not allowed on the water surrounding the Diana Fountain.”

The annual Licensing Sessions of the Brentford Division, held at the Town Hll, heard that there had been three convictions amongst licensed victuallers for drunkenness which was an advance on former years. The number of licences at the present time was full 173, beer (on) 90, wine and beer (on) 15, a total of 288 and grocers and off licences 72 and if they added clubs 33 they got a grand total of 383. They were glad to think that houses were being put into order.

“We shall never have a perfect humanity until the rights of life are respected in whatever form that life manifests itself”. With this form of moral reasoning put forward by Rev H C Mander at the annual meeting of the Chiswick and District Auxiliary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there is not much ground for disagreement. Leader comment.