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The Weir celebrates the unveiling of J.M.W. Turner blue plaque
The Weir Bar in Brentford proudly announced the successful unveiling of a Blue Plaque honouring the renowned painter J.M.W. Turner, commemorating his first artistic commission, received while he lived in the building that now houses The Weir.
The unveiling ceremony took place in September, with the plaque now prominently displayed above The Weir’s front door. The event was supported by Mike Reed, Radio DJ and Chairman of the British Plaque Trust; The Mayor of Hounslow, Amy Croft; and two of Turner’s direct descendants. The Weir team, led by owner and Chamber member Joanne Scully, welcomed guests and the local community to celebrate Turner’s historic connection to the building.
J.M.W. Turner, celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest romantic painters, is famed for his masterful use of colour, and dramatic landscapes and marine scenes. At age 10, Turner was sent to Brentford to live with his uncle, a butcher, who lived in a cottage next door to The White Horse Public House, a building now incorporated into The Weir. It was during this time Turner became known for his artistic abilities, and he received his first paid artistic commission: a series of colourings of engraved plates from Henry Boswell’s ‘Picturesque View of the Antiquities of England and Wales’. This book was later gifted to Brentford Library.
The Unveiling Ceremony featured speeches by Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Amy Croft, Turner’s descendant Julie Dene and Mike Reed of The British Plaque Trust. Attendees included Ruth Cadbury MP, Jo Baxendale, Catherine Parry-Wingfield the former chairman of Turner’s House, and members of the Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society, reflecting the deep community appreciation for Turner’s legacy and The Weir’s historic significance.
Joanne Scully, owner of The Weir for over two decades, expressed her pride in promoting this connection to Brentford’s rich cultural heritage, which is very timely as their brand-new extension and ground floor Kitchen opens mid-October. “It is a privilege to celebrate Turner’s formative years here. Our historic building has roots dating back over 400 years and holds a special place in Brentford’s story. We are thrilled to share this piece of history with the community, and by 2028 to invest in local solutions for some of the borough’s most pressing challenges. For local businesses, the campaign is an opportunity not only to give back, but also to connect with their community in a meaningful way. By becoming Champions, companies can demonstrate their commitment to social impact, rally employees behind a shared cause, and help create a stronger, fairer borough for everyone.
To find out more about becoming a Champion, visit www.hfgiving.org.uk/better.
To read the full research report, Building a Strong and Connected Community, visit https://hfgiving.org.uk/needs-inhammersmith-and-fulham-2025/ at such an exciting time for the future of The Weir, it’s a wonderful moment for Brentford.”
The Weir is gearing up for their biggest Christmas Celebration yet, featuring a week of live music from artists Steve Overland and Jim Kirkpatrick, festive Christmas Carols with The Stars and an exclusive performance from Rebecca Purdy on an outdoor stage in their award-winning garden.
For full details of The Weir’s Christmas Events Calendar and Menus visit www.theweirbar.co.uk
