As posted on the Chiswick Forum a day or two ago.. ""DAN:   Don't give up trying to get "vox pop" memories from the silver surfers in W4and TW8!  There are many residents in the area still who have  lived here for over 60,70,80 and 90 years...and many will remember in 50's and the Elections. Perhaps you should tour around the local Old People's Homes or attend a meeting of the Brentford and Chiswick History Society and meet them there!! If you type Paddy Lucas or Noel Baker in the ChiswickW4Forum Search box ..you'll soon see previous postings on these past politicians. I remember 1955 well, sitting in the classroom at Chiswick Grammar one day watching the master write 5.5.55 on the blackboard! Remember it very well...Hugh will too!! ;0) At election time, I recall house windows up and down the streets of Brentford and Chiswick   plastered with "VOTE LUCAS" OR "VOTE FILSON" posters..the locals in those days not inclined to damage such displays. My father..and the Hooper family across the road in Wolseley Gardens,Chiswick.... held busy promotional sessions..addressing leaflets and cards..and touring the district distributing them. Sounds like you were with your father in either Edensor Gardens or Alexander Gardens..from what you said on the Brentford Forum. In the early 50's Philip Noel Baker was the successful Labour MP..he seemed a bit of a blue eye boy but in recent times hide himself away in Greece..being a bit unfriendly to someone I know. At the next Election (1951) Paddy Lucas won for the Cs by 18,408 to Noel Baker's 17,551. At the following Election, Paddy Lucas (19,612) won again against Labour's L Lewis (18,102). Then at the 1955 Election your father A.W.Filson (Labour)lost to Paddy Lucas as others have posted. P. Fullerton-Bustard is a local political name from those days. As lads, we were more interested in following the joyous athletics meetings and news with Chris Chataway, Roger Bannister and many others..and following the traditional jazz celebreties like Chris Barber and others. The girls at that time went to Galloways for toys! Brentford and Chiswick was a  busy industrial area in those days employing many of your father's supporters. Chiswick Bus Works at Gunnerbury Station employed some 3000 people and that was very unionised...The Brentford Market, the barge repair yards at Strand on the Green, Cherry Blossom Boot Polish factory ..where Hogarth roundabout is now were all labourhotspots. Then here was the Great West Road and Brentford Docks! Workers galore. No TV..just the radio and the News Chronicle! The Trades Union and the Labour party were in unision and published much literature..in London's "closed shop" printing factories.  "Who you with brothers?!

Entire Thread

Topic	Date Posted	Posted By
1955 General Election Brentford & Chiwick Constituency	28/04/09 08:36:00	Dan Filson
Re:1955 General Election Brentford & Chiwick Constituency	28/04/09 15:26:00	Phil Andrews
Re:Re:1955 General Election Brentford & Chiwick Constituency	29/04/09 08:06:00	Dan Filson
Re:Re:Re:1955 General Election Brentford & Chiwick Constituency	01/05/09 21:16:00	Jim Lawes
Re:Re:Re:Re:1955 General Election Brentford & Chiswick Constituency	01/05/09 21:27:00	Jim Lawes

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