Tribute Paid to Carolyn Brown's Contribution to Hanwell

She had been a leading light many successful campaigns in the area

Carolyn Brown served as Chair of the Hanwell Community Forum

October 21, 2025

Carolyn Brown, one of Hanwell’s legendary community campaigners for many years, passed away on 5 October 2025, following a long fight with cancer.

Invariably described by fellow campaigners and those in authority who she challenged, as a ‘tour de force’, ‘amazing’, ‘forceful’, ‘determined’ and ‘dedicated’, Carolyn was often at the centre of major community campaigns. These included the fight to keep open four libraries, including Hanwell; the campaign to save Warren Farm; and securing the future of Hanwell Community Centre. She also served as Chair of the Hanwell Community Forum.

A highly intelligent woman, whose professional career was spent as a Senior Communications specialist in the Pharmaceutical industry, Carolyn’s community involvement was inspired by a love of nature and culture and preserving the best of our past. Her love of books partly drove her passion about access to libraries; she strongly believed that children should grow up with books and build an early passion for reading.

Carolyn was considered central to the campaign to save Warren Farm – including co-hosting community hustings and supporting the legal challenges that took the campaign to a third judicial review. Redevelopment was prevented, allowing the land to naturally rewild. The current meadow, being managed as a rewilded Grassland and Wildflower Meadow Habitat, is home to a quarter of London’s Skylark population, a fact that would have thrilled Carolyn. The Brent River Charity is now working with Ealing Council to get the meadow designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

As a Director of the Hanwell Community Centre Consortium, Carolyn again played a central role in successfully paving the way for Hanwell’s historic community centre to be preserved as an ‘Asset of Community Value’, a status recently renewed. It remains a thriving community resource.

Everyone who encountered Carolyn in her campaigning activities were impressed with her knowledge and research. She had no problem in asking for help and would push for any support she needed for the wider good. Carolyn also had an impenetrable stubbornness. This underpinned her campaigning zeal, though also a character trait she displayed in other aspects of her life, sometimes to the exasperation and amusement of her friends. It all went with immense charm, a huge smile and sense of fun.

In her private life Carolyn enjoyed socialising with her friends, with several giving her significant and protective support during her illness. She loved reading, theatre, tv and especially the cinema. She had wide cultural tastes – from Shakespeare to Star Trek. Antiques were another passion; and so too were animals – she would have been pleased to know that her three cats have already been rehomed since her passing. She was wonderful company, with even a small casual social event made more extravagant and fun with her presence.

Her illness and associated pressures led her to make the painful decision to sell her beloved home in Hanwell after 30 years in 2024 and downsize. She took the opportunity of a fresh start by moving to the architectural splendours of Bath, and an apartment in a converted Georgian house. She had already researched a lot of the history of the house shortly after moving in. We can imagine the powerful advocate and champion Bath would have gained.

Funeral is private but it is hoped to have a local community event to recognise her contribution to the Hanwell & Ealing Area. In addition, it is hoped to remember Carolyn with a tree and a memorial bench and funds for this are being raised via JustGiving.