HISTORY
JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM TURNER
J.M.W Turner lived here with his uncle, William Marshal, a local butcher, 1785 to 1787. It was during this time that he first expressed an interest in painting, taking inspiration from the local countryside and waterways.
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It was here, as an inspiring artist, he produced his first watercolours, which his father exhibited in his barber shop in Covent Garden. William Turner is regarded as on of the founders of English watercolour landscape painting.
UK £20 NOTE
JMW Turner was so pioneering in the history of British art that he's recognised on the back of our £20 note. So next time you're standing at the bar with a twenty, take a moment to appreciate who stood there before you.
FIGHTING TEMERAIRE
A buyer once offered Turner £5,000 for the painting but he rejected his offer. The buyer then came back to him with a blank cheque. Turner again rejected his offer and kept it in his studio until his death when he specified the painting should be displayed in public, to the people, for free. You can enjoy it by visiting the National Gallery or watching Skyfall.
HISTORY OF THE BUILDING
The Weir Bar & Dining Room in Brentford, London is thought to be the oldest licensed premises in the area, dating back to 1604. It was previously called The White Horse, and a Burial Parish Register entry from 1603 refers to "George Wood dwelinge at the signe of the White Horse, in the Market Place". The pub was a popular spot for the local police and judiciary because of its proximity to the police station and the market place court.