Since the autumn of 2017, the Friends of Hanworth Park House have gained a lot of support from across the United Kingdom. We have a growing list of public figures who are, or have been in the national spotlight. The list below are public figures who have kindly shown support for the project to refurbish the house.
Seema Malhotra MP
Seema Malhotra MP, British Labour Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston.
“I feel this house is a rare, unique and historical asset that I would like to see restored and brought back into community use. It has the power and opportunity through the renovation to develop the local area and in bringing back our history. The council must work with all the Stakeholders involved and the Mayor’s Office and also with the local residents and Friends of Hanworth Park House.”
Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable MP
Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable MP, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Member of Parliament for Twickenham. Sir Vince was invited by the Friends of Hanworth Park House and visited the site in June 2019.
“While only living a couple of miles away I was very interested to come and see this House and learn about all the work that has been done for the campaign to save HPH. I enjoyed my visit and I support the vision by the community with using enabling scheme which will create a fantastic community hub for west London and the need for affordable homes. I wish everyone the best of luck with this campaign and I will be contacting Seema Malhotra regarding my visit.”
Professor
Nick Barratt
Professor Nick Barratt, author of ‘Greater London: The Story of the Suburbs’ and advisor to the BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’
“We need to protect and preserve our built heritage once it's gone, it's gone for good. The importance of Hanworth Park House is clearly shown, not just because of the role it has played in the past, but due to its continued significance and importance, evidenced by the local support in favour of a restoration scheme.”
Dr Duncan Philips
Dr Duncan Philips, leading Historic Buildings Advisor.
“Architecturally, The house is at a pivotal point of social change and this is reflected in the
montage of styles. However, collectively it combines to form an attractive structure that is very much worthy of saving not just for its architecture but for the significance of the building in the local history of the area. This is really important.”
Alan Rides
Alan Rides, Director of International Trade, Hounslow Chamber of Commerce.
“I visited Hanworth Park House on the day Sir Vince Cable came and really enjoyed my tour. The plans for this site will bring in much business and opportunities for the local youth. I fully support the campaign and look forward to working closely with all the stakeholders involved.”
Melanie Backe-Hansen
Melanie Backe-Hansen, house historian, specialising in researching the social history of houses across the United Kingdom and author of ‘House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door’.
“The history of our houses is an invaluable part of the heritage of our nation and Hanworth Park House is an extraordinary example, with links to Royal history and the local history of West London, while also playing a vital role in the history of the First World War. However, as well as having fascinating stories of the past, it also holds an important place in the local community today and can be an invaluable asset for the future.”
Fr Paul Williamson
Fr Paul Williamson, served at St George’s church in Hanworth as Priest-in-Charge 1992-2020. Mr Williamson was Chaplin for Hanworth Park House when it was a care home and is very much involved with the campaign to save it.
“It’s a crime that this mansion has fallen in to a state of disrepair and on historic England’s at-risk register. I have been involved with all the Owner’s of HPH and have advised and campaigned. I met the current owner a few years ago and I fully support the plans and support the friends of HPH who some I have known for 30 years. I wish them all the best of luck and I will continue to support.”
Tom Keane
Tom Keane, TV personality acting as the auctioneer for such well-established programmes as ‘Bargain Hunt’, ‘Flog It’ and ‘Cash in the
Attic’.
“I visited Hanworth Park House as part of London Open House. I was invited personally by the Friends of Hanworth Park House who showed me the huge opportunities for Antique shows at this historic Mansion. This fantastic heritage site must be saved for the community, wider communities but importantly a national icon.”
Steve
Waddingham
Steve Waddingham, Company Historian for Aston Martin Lagonda.
“The company was a former occupant of Hanworth Air Park from the late 40s until moving out entirely in 1963. For me Hanworth Park House is an important reminder in a very important chapter of Aston Martin history. Our company built cars in Victoria Road, Feltham from 1927 before switching over to aircraft parts during WW2. Following the war a bigger factory was needed to house both Aston and Lagonda, another local car maker bought by Industrialist David Brown and Hanworth Park was the perfect new home for us. When I first visited the house and grounds I was struck by the imposing grandeur of the house and recognised it from period press photos of our cars parked in front of it. What really hit me was the close proximity of ‘our’ workshops and building to the house itself. The HPH team and I found some of the remains of these buildings and it really brought home to me the important role that this site played in our history. I really hope that we get to see the house restored and that we may be able to tell our part of the story within the planned museum area.”
Dr Helen Fry
Dr Helen Fry, is a bestselling WWII historian who has written over 25 books. She appears frequently on TV documentaries and in live broadcasts. She is an ambassador for Museum of Military Intelligence; and founding trustee and Deputy Chair of Trent Park Museum Trust. Her latest book “The Walls Have Ears: The Greatest Intelligence Operation of WWII” was recently the Daily Mail’s Book of the Week.
“In an age that is seeing a re-writing of history in parts of Europe, our historic sites like Hanworth Park House are vital to preserve the heritage for education and to immerse visitors in real history. There is really no substitute for a “sense of place” that is evoked when standing in a building or at a site where highly significant events took place. This is why it is so important to save Hanworth Park House for the nation.”
Katharine Barber
Katharine Barber, Associate & Heritage Team Leader, BA(Hons) History and Archaeology MIfA. Katharine is an experienced Heritage Consultant and Archaeologist at Purcell, who leads Heritage Consultancy in London and the Southeast. Katharine’s expertise covers a range of building types including public, residential and cultural buildings and intricate urban regeneration projects.
“I have visited Hanworth Park House a few times now and have already done some work on it. I am interested in exploring the juxtaposition between its old with new, enhancing access to heritage for all and in putting people at the heart of placemaking. I have contributed to assessing significance and managing change at notable sites including Battersea Power Station, Gunnersbury Park, Reading Prison and the Natural History Museum and I would like to add HPH to this list. I fully support the friends of HPH and all stakeholders to create something special.”
Duncan James
Duncan James, is an English singer, actor and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the boy band Blue from 2000 to 2005 and again from 2009 following their reformation. He is also known for playing Ryan Knight in Hollyoaks. Duncan visited Hanworth Park House in 2018.
“What an amazing place this is. Hidden away from sight. I really enjoyed my visit today and for the filming I did at Hanworth Park House. My Mother who came with me who lives only 15 minutes away in Esher also enjoyed the tour and listening to the Friends of HPH on what is planned. We both fully support the proposed plans on offer for restoration and community use for the next generations to come.”
Tracy Leanne Jefford
Tracy Leanne Jefford, English pop music singer/songwriter who rose to fame upon competing on ITV’s reality talent show The X Factor in 2017. Tracy found Hanworth Park House by the Facebook page for HPH. HPH was the location for her first music video which was released in summer 2018 and went to number 1 in the UK Blues chart. HPH was featured though out the video which gave it further public awareness.
“It was very sad to see such a lovely house in such a bad way. I really enjoyed filming at HPH over two days and it will always have a part in my heart which launched my music career. I really support the campaign and hope to return soon.”
Russell Grant
Russell Grant, A British astrologer and media personality. A author of several books on astrology and provides syndicated newspaper horoscopes columns. Russell has been on morning TV for many years and hosted his own TV Series. In more recent years Russell has been on reality TV such as Strictly Come Dancing and Master Chef.
“Thank you very much for inviting me to write a few words of support for the wonderful work you are all doing with Hanworth Park House, a heritage area of our historic and beloved county of Middlesex. I whole heartedly support all what you are achieving to ensure the survival of one of the finest stately homes and impressive buildings of Middlesex. More power to all your elbows, you have my unequivocal support and admiration.”
Russell Grant, President of Middlesex Heritage and Spelthorne Heritage.
Rylan Clark-Neal
Rylan Clark-Neal, is an English television personality, narrator and model. He rose to fame after finishing in fifth place in the ninth series of ‘The X Factor’, and later won ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ and presents on ‘This Morning’ and recently ‘Celebrity Ghost Hunt’ which was filmed Live at Hanworth Park House in 2018 by Channel 5 who were invited by the Friends of Hanworth Park House.
“This house is wow! I loved my visit to this mansion which I had never heard of but now I tell all my friends and the future plans to bring it in to public use. I wish everyone the best of luck to getting this historic site saved and look forward to coming back when completed.”
Talia Smith
Talia Smith, professional singer who made her name on BBC’s ‘The Voice’. Talia lives
near Hanworth Park House, whilst didn’t know much about the site but had heard about the campaign on BBC London. Talia contacted the Friends of Hanworth Park House.
“I just love this house so much and I have returned five times over 2018/2019 to do further filming. I was lucky enough to be invited to sing live at two public events organised by the Friends of Hanworth Park House which attracted up to 3000 people over two community events.
I really enjoyed myself and I fully support the opportunity’s that this project will bring for the arts and music. I am supporting the campaign now as this has massive backing by so many.”