Welcome to the Kew Society

We are a charity, established more than 100 years ago, run by volunteers who are committed to protecting and enhancing the character of this special area, with its unique heritage, open green spaces. It’s home to the world renowned Royal Botanic Gardens and the National Archives.

Our aim is to make a positive contribution to the lives of everyone who lives, works in, or visits Kew.

We do this by:

• Encouraging high standards of planning and architecture in Kew and surrounding areas.
• Protecting and improving the natural environment of Kew by undertaking a diversity of projects, such as planting and maintaining flowerbeds, and responding constructively to environmental issues of importance or concern to local residents.
• Organising an interesting mix of events, talks and visits throughout the year to help members learn more about our local area and to meet each other socially.

If you are not already a member, we would love you to join us! Do come to one of our events.

A small committee of volunteers work closely together to run the society making collective decisions and supporting each other to deliver projects and to meet our charitable objectives. Trustees serve for a limited period of time and several will be retiring at the AGM in October 2023. To discuss these opportunities and to find out more please contact chair@kewsociety.org

Our sub-committees for the built environment, the green environment and our events programme  are made up of a trustee, co-opted committee members with specific responsibilities and other volunteers. Members of subcommittees are in regular contact with each other, organising and managing projects and reporting into the main committee meetings. People really enjoy what they do and gain considerable satisfaction from contributing skills and giving their time to achieve outcomes that are genuinely appreciated by our members. We welcome volunteers who have skills, knowledge or interests relevant to the three main areas of our work – especially gardening – and who have a little time to spare to help us make a positive contribution to the place where we are so fortunate to live.

We do not work alone…

Kew Society committee members are actively connected with a diversity of local organisations and groups and support the work of others, including:

Planning Issues and the Built Environment:

• Brentford Voice
• The Isleworth Society
• Mortlake Brewery Community Group (MBCG)
• Mortlake with East Sheen Society
• Osterley and Wyke Green Residents Association (OWGRA)
• The Richmond Society
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Strand on the Green Association (SoGA)
• West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society (WCGS)

Green and Natural Environment:

• The Kew Green Residents Association
• Friends of Kew Pond
• Friends of the North Sheen Recreation Ground
• Friends of St.Anne’s Church
• Habitats and Heritage
• Kew Horticultural Society
• Old Deer Park Group
• Parks and Open Spaces, Richmond Council
• Pensford Field
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
• Thames Landscape Strategy
• The Towpath Group
• West London River Group
• Westerly Ware Association

Noise, Air and Water Pollution:

• Make Air Safe and Clean (MASC)
• Richmond Heathrow Campaign
• Thames Water Consultation

Events/Connecting People:

• Cambrian Centre
• Kew Community Trust (The Avenue Club and Meet in Kew)
• The National Archives
• RHCC
• Richmond Local History Society
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
• St. Anne’s Church

General Community:

The Kew Society has positive relationships and regular contact with local councillors representing Kew and North Richmond wards, and our local MP.

We also have good contact with:

• Kew Community Trust
• Kew Neighbourhood Association
• Kew Sparkle
• Kew Police Liaison Group