Meeting the People and Groups Shaping the Future of the Thames

Chiswick Riverside ward councillor Gabriella Giles reports back

Cllr Gabriella Giles

September 27, 2026

The last two weeks have gone by in a bit of a whirlwind, since the Borough Council on the 15th, which coincided with Central American Independence day and the start of Latin American Heritage month, my diary has been quite full!

On the night where we were due to discuss the constitution of the council, I was proud to represent my Salvadorean heritage by wearing an embroidered top that is typical of the country. It felt extremely apt as the 15th also marks the start of Latin American Heritage month which has been recognised in the UK since 2020.

While the meeting itself became a bit of a farce after the administration attempted to strong-arm their way into changing the constitution of the council, there were some important points made, not just about the state of democracy in Hounslow, but the Youth Justice Plan and Social Housing reform.

The next day, I was honoured to host HRH the Duke of Gloucester as he spent the afternoon visiting many of the groups and projects in which the Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS) have been involved. We met at Hammerton Ferry before boarding the Royal Shallot Jubilee. A sister boat to the Royal Barge Gloriana. The Jubilee was crafted in Richmond and is rowed by volunteers.

While a very traditional form of transport, it was a uniquely special way to travel up the river to Trumpeters House, where a reception would be held.

Here, there were many interested parties, including former chaiman of the TLS, Alderman Paul Lynch and Wendy Tobbitt, Chairman of the Thames Path, who celebrate 30 years this year. Over the summer, there was a walking relay along the length of the river, unfortunately, the legs that were due to hit Chiswick were cancelled due to the heat, but I’ve been promised that these legs will take place later in the year, so watch this space!

Cllr Gabriella Giles with Alderman Paul Lynch

Cllr Gabriella Giles, Chairman TLS with Wendy Tobitt, Chairman of the Thames Path and Cllr Clare Vollum, Chairman of the Thames Strategy: Kew to Chelsea

The event was partially ceremonious, speeches were given, the Duke handed over a cheque from the Father Thames Trust to the Mayor of Richmond to support Richmond council’s work to create a new floodplain within Old Deer Park, and shire horseshoes were presented to individuals who have contributed to the success of the Thames Landscape Strategy.

It was a fantastic event, and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with so many people who care about the future of our environment.

The next day was a little quieter, and Cllr Linden Grigg and I attended the opening of the new Clore Learning space at Chiswick House and Gardens. It was a great event, and as a trustee of Chiswick Pier Trust, fascinating to learn about their fundraising approach.

While the weekend was spent with family celebrating birthdays, I spent a couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon at Chiswick Pier with the team from the Thames Strategy: Kew to Chelsea who were starting with the first community engagement session of our Joint Thames Strategy Refresh project. This is only the first of many to come where we want to learn more about what concerns residents about our proximity to the river as the environment around us changes.

As like any blog, it’s impossible to fit everything in (especially all the consultations), but as far as my work with the river goes, it’s been a time of change and potential improvement. While it was odd to see the gap left by the RNLI’s departure at Chiswick Pier, I know that there’s more that we can look forward to sharing in the future.

The end of September can be a sobering time for many as we join our friends and neighbours for Macmillan Coffee mornings. Cancer is a terrible disease that touches many of us directly, and I had the opportunity to join two events this week, one most notably in remembrance of the mother of a friend who passed away 12 years ago. We are fortunate to live in an area where community matters, and it’s often small events like these which can be overlooked, but do so much to bring us together, so for all of you who have hosted or joined an event over this weekend, I thank you.

Cllr Gabriella Giles

gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk

07966 270823

DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Hounslow House is fully accessible. Hounslow Central tube station is not step-free. The 237 bus stops nearby. Parking in local roads is limited.

Principal meetings are broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS CONTACT INFO

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward

Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446

Cllr Vickram Grewal vickram.grewal@hounslow.gov.uk 07904 184099

Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887

Chiswick Homefields ward

Cllr Michael Denniss Michael.Denniss@hounslow.gov.uk

Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017

Cllr Linden Grigg Linden.Grigg@hounslow.gov.uk 07779 436258

Chiswick Riverside ward

Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823