Chiswick at 93: A Place of Stability, Opportunity, and Pastoral Care for Youth
Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back
Cllr Ron Mushiso with his father Don Hassell aged 93
February 8, 2025
In 1932, Chiswick became part of the Municipal Borough of Brentford and Chiswick—a milestone in its history. That same year, in Wales, a boy was born who would go on to dedicate his life to providing a safe haven for troubled teenagers. That boy was Don Hassell, my foster dad. After raising two children of his own, he went on to foster sixteen more, offering them a home, guidance, and unwavering support. His life’s work mirrors Chiswick’s own role as a place of refuge and opportunity for young people in need.
For me, the connection is deeply personal. While Don’s home was in Richmond, my ties to Chiswick run through my previous foster mother, Charita Jones, and my own journey. Chiswick has long been a place that welcomes, nurtures, and protects those who need it most. We saw its generosity first-hand during the pandemic when residents donated laptops to struggling families so children wouldn’t fall behind in their education.
My foster dad was a solutions man. He didn’t make excuses—he just got on with it. He believed in us when others wouldn’t, offering discipline, guidance, and steadfast encouragement. That same spirit is alive in Chiswick, where our community provides young people with support and opportunities, whether through youth centres, sports facilities, or volunteering initiatives.
Youth initiatives in Chiswick
Local organisations such as Rocks Lane on Chiswick Back Common, the Hogarth Youth Centre at the top of Duke’s Road, and W4 Youth in Southfields all provide vital opportunities for young people to grow, develop, and thrive.
Every young person in Chiswick knows about Rocks Lane. This multi-sports centre offers football, netball, padel, and tennis, creating a space where young people can build friendships through sport. The Friday Night 5s junior football and netball leagues are a highlight for many families, offering children and teenagers a safe and structured environment to enjoy competitive play.
Rocks Lane representative Barry speaking at the Police meeting we held in 2018 following the spike in antisocial behaviour around their site
For countless young people, the Hogarth Youth Centre is a sanctuary. It offers informal education, life skills training, and a strong sense of belonging. The dedicated staff, trustees, and youth team work tirelessly to ensure the centre remains a resource for those in need, providing a structured space where young people can find their purpose and transition into adulthood with confidence.
Cllr Ron Mushiso with Cllrs Biddolph and Gill at Hogarth Youth club in 2018
W4 Youth was founded in response to tragedy but has since become a beacon of hope. The organisation provides free football training, street dance, musical theatre, and sports coaching, giving young people an outlet for creativity, physical activity, and self-expression.
Riana Development Network (RDN) extends Chiswick’s ethos beyond our borough, working with vulnerable communities in the UK and Kenya. Their focus on education, health, and youth empowerment mirrors the very principles that make Chiswick a nurturing environment for young people.
Protect our youth
I remember 2018 vividly. It was a time when knife crime in London was on the rise, and Chiswick wasn’t spared. There were troubling reports of young people being threatened and intimidated—one even held at knifepoint. Worse still, the intimidation and antisocial behaviour were targeted towards those taking part in the Friday Night 5s at Rocks Lane.
But just like my foster dad Don, who never backed down from a challenge, Chiswick came together. We acted. We held meetings with local police officers and stakeholders to address the issue head-on. And we found a solution: installing better lighting and strengthening local security to make the area safer. That decisive action worked.
Yet now, almost seven years later, Hounslow Council has decided that saving money is more important than keeping young people safe. They are dimming the very same lights that helped protect our community. As I write this, 600 residents have signed our petition to stop this dangerous decision, yet the council seems unwilling to listen. The police are clear: poor lighting leads to more crime. And the cost savings? Negligible compared to the risks this move poses to our young people.
My foster dad raised sixteen children, and one thing he never compromised on was our safety. Chiswick shouldn’t compromise either.
Chiswick is worth celebrating
Chiswick has always been a place that provides stability, opportunity, and pastoral care for its young people. It should not stand by while the safety of its residents is being undermined.
I urge you to sign our petition to keep the lights on and protect our young people.
Happy 93rd birthday, Dad. Happy 93rd, Chiswick.
Cllr Ron Mushiso
07976 702887
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025
Council Meetings - Borough Council
- Tuesday, 11 February - Cabinet
- Tuesday 25 February - Budget Setting Meeting
- Tuesday25 March - Final Meeting of Council Year
There is public access for these meetings via a direct lift from the ground floor to the Council Meeting Room
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings – Overview and Scrutiny Committee
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings – Planning
Thursday, 13 February: Planning committee
Important Current Local Issues During weekends, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:
To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS
Chiswick Gunnersbury ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
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