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Representing the views of all who live in the historic Thames-side village of Strawberry Hill No. 153 Winter 2013 In this issue... Carmel Kinnear to open s usual, we’ll be holding our AChristmas carol event at Wellesley Parade (see details left). There’s an Christmas carols added attraction this year: everyone armel Kinnear, the moving force Carmel Kinnear and the Deputy Mayor, attending will be eligible for a discount on tickets to ’s first pop-up Cbehind Roy Kinnear House in Councillor Stephen Speak, will open the ice rink at York House. And if that’s not Waldegrave Road, will open the carol singing which will start at 6:30 enough to get you out on a cold Friday in SHRA carols and tree unveiling event p.m. Mulled wine and mince pies will December, we’re offering one free family on Friday December 13. SHRA has be served and soft drinks will be ticket to the rink. You can read about the supported the charity – a home for available for the children. rink and these offers in our article on eight severely- disabled young The community choir from page 2. adults – for several years. , with their There have been some big changes on Proceeds from a collection at the choir master Michael McLaughlin, School’s land in Grotto Road. In addition to a new sports pitch, carol singing, and a donation will lead the singing. They will they’ve landscaped what was Alexander from SHRA funds, will go to also entertain us with some of Pope’s Garden and partially restored the home. The home is named their specially rehearsed pieces. Stanhope’s Cave - see page 3. after Carmel’s late husband, The tree will be put up and Lastly, we’ve a profile of Holy Trinity the actor Roy Kinnear. The the lights switched on a Church, the only Anglican church in our Kinnear’s daughter is one week before the event. We area, on the back page. of the residents. are grateful to Richmond- The Christmas event will upon-Thames Council for start at 6 p.m. when local contribution to the children are invited to funding to support the help decorate the tree. event. Improve your singing Individual lessons with professional opera singer in Strawberry Hill SHRA partners with Feel energized and gain confidence! No experience necessary My Village plans “Learning with Helen is an immensely healing and pleasurable experience” public meeting for all residents has Invited groups include the Police, Council Pauline, private student Abeen organised by Richmond Council Services, Children’s Centre, RCVS, in partnership with the Strawberry Hill Volunteering Richmond, Strawberry Hill Ring Helen on 07710 245 904 Residents Association and the Fortescue House, Friends of and more. email [email protected] Park Residents Association. It will take www.harmonyworks.co.uk place at Strawberry Hill Golf Course (off 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: Ideas into Action Wellesley Road) between 3 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on December 5. An informal evening of discussions to The purpose of the meeting is to bring share your ideas for your local area such as: together local organisations and show • Bringing vitality to the commercial residents how they can obtain funding for projects and get involved in volunteering. The heart of Strawberry Hill event will be in two parts: • Ideas for improving access to support and social activities for older people in 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Information and the area volunteering fair • Ideas for a WW1 centenary commemoration event Local groups and organisations are If you have an idea for a community coming together in one place for you to find activity or project that could be discussed, out: send it to: • What local groups do [email protected] • How they might help you before November 25. • How you might help them through Drinks and snacks will be available from volunteering or other support the bar. Page 1 The Bulletin No. 153 Winter 2013 www.shra.org.uk Tickets to an echo of the old ice rink … and an opportunity to win a free family ticket! ichmond ice rink returns as a pop-up been missed for so many years.” Jayne added Rice rink in the grounds of York House. “what a great Christmas present for the local The temporary rink, which recalls for community.” many the famous ice rink in East Twickenham Alive has been working on Twickenham, closed nearly 20 years ago the ice rink project for two years and local and remains a controversial issue for many businesses are sponsoring the temporary skaters, who had hoped to see a new rink attraction (see Partners page on their built in the Borough. website). It will be open for six weeks between In addition to the core skating sessions November 30 and January 12. Located on the available at the rink, visitors will be treated to tennis courts, the rink can take up to 100 a number of extra-special events and skaters in 45-minute sessions. There will be activities. These include Shetland pony rides, 10 sessions a day between 10 a.m. and 7.45 Santa’s grotto, festive snacks, skating p.m. (closed Christmas day). performances and much more. Everyone attending our Carol Concert and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean: “a great event for the Prior booking is recommended and local community” Tree unveiling on December 13 will get a tickets, starting at £8, can be purchased from promotional code entitling them to a 15% discount on tickets booked the rink website: online. And one free family ticket, worth £34 will be chosen by ballot at www.RichmondRink.com the event. Email: [email protected]. About Twickenham Alive Famous figures wickenham Alive is a social enterprise operating primarily in The old rink attracted many famous figure skating stars including TTwickenham, but also within Richmond Borough as a whole. Olympic Gold Medal winning duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. Twickenham Alive creates and organises community, entertainment Both have been long time supporters of the ice rink and were responsible and sporting events. for hand delivering a petition to Downing Street, to try to prevent its Although it is independent, Twickenham Alive works closely with closure. the RFU, the Twickenham Town Business Association and Richmond On hearing about the temporary ice rink in Twickenham, Chris said Council. It was founded in 2011. he was “heartened to hear that skating is returning to the area after having www.twickenhamalive.com These feet were made for massage…elbows, too inda and her husband Mark are Mark is quick to add: “We can also be very Lmanaging Baan Thai Massage in gentle. In fact, people frequently fall asleep Wellesley Parade for their daughter June. when receiving head massage. It’s a technique Since the Thai Massage Centre opened three we use to treat sleep problems.” months ago, residents have been quick to Massaging of customers’ feet is popular, discover soothing and healing massage too. “Some of my elderly ladies like to sit in a treatments from the staff of qualified chair with a cup of tea watching the world go by masseuses. as I massage their feet,” Linda, herself a says Linda. Strawberry Hill masseuse, says: “Many people seem to be very local people have been to sporty, she observes. “We Thailand and are already get a lot of people with familiar with Thai massage, sports injuries, especially so they know what to cyclists.” expect.” Training in the June Promngen, CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS techniques of Thai massage currently in Thailand, - sometimes referred to as conjures up a relaxing VOLVO Thai yoga - is rigorous, ambience with the scents of & explains Linda. “I was flowers and herbs. In SUBARU trained in Bangkok. Just the introduction to the corners of the stairs and & treatment rooms you will Most other makes techniques takes 185 hours. It is hard and the standard is spy sweets and fruits as * plus * high.” gifts to the spirits of the Tyres, batteries, exhausts Thai massage differs house (the Promngens are • Very Skilled Technicians from other styles in that it Buddhists). • Great Value aims for deep muscle Linda prepares towels for a The treatments offered • High Quality penetration, using the customer’s massage by Baan* Thai Massage thumbs and thumb muscle to stimulate blood range from Swedish oil 020 8892 4440 flow and to clear toxins. Sometimes the treatments to traditional Thai massage and even masseuses will use the heels and balls of their a four-hands massage in which two masseuses MKG 3000 feet, when they will literally walk over the work on different parts of the body. recipient's back. They can also apply pressure www.baan-thaimassage.co.uk Tower Road, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4PP along energy lines using elbows and knees. * Baan means house or home Page 2 The Bulletin No. 153 Winter 2013 www.shra.org.uk New look sports space for Stanhope’s Cave Radnor School ir William Stanhope bought Pope’s Alexander Pope’s garden gets a make-over and a new use SVilla in 1745, the year after the poet’s death, though he did not actually occupy he new Radnor House School sports Cross Deep and a ban on dropping off pupils at the property until 1748. In 1761 he Tfacilities, car park and garden at the top the bottom of Grotto Road. He has also of Grotto Road are almost complete. introduced a new bike scheme and a 60-bike bought the property which lay diagonally Headmaster David Paton, speaking to The storage facility as part of an active programme across Radnor Road (then ‘Back Lane’ Bulletin, was quick to reassure residents that to encourage wider use of sustainable transport, or ‘Worple Way’) at the top of Pope’s avoiding traffic nuisance and sensitive rather than relying on the family car. garden. It is now known as Radnor handling of the heritage site had been key The entire project has cost around Lodge. There had been a house on this elements in the project. £250,000 and Mr Paton hopes residents will land, occupied in the winter of 1747/8 by already be noticing the benefits of reduced the writer Henry Fielding, who wrote congestion in Grotto Road, and will enjoy the ‘Tom Jones’. look of the newly-landscaped grounds. Stanhope then constructed a “cave” in the corner of the garden leading to a tunnel Stanhope’s Cave beneath the lane, giving him private access he restoration and landscaping around from his garden. The cave was a minor the entrance to the 18th century T pantheon in Stanhope’s honour containing, Stanhope’s Cave, which lies adjacent to the according to a visitor in 1789, “three wall at the corner of Radnor Road and Grotto Road, has been carried out with beautiful busts of Sir W Stanhope, his expert advice from Donald Insall daughter and Lord Chesterfield, cut in Associates, historic building consultants and Italian marble; opposite each a Roman urn architects. of exquisite workmanship placed in a niche Although the cave itself no longer exists, formed in the wall; around are scattered there is an old inscription at the site and a new huge masses of stone in imitation of rocks”. The new sports pitch and the landscaped garden. display board will be put up describing some of Somewhere, too, space had been found for Stanhope’s Cave can be seen against the back wall the history. See our article on the right for some a marble bust of Pope himself. The Cave Derelict for many years, the site, which was historical information. was moved to its present position when once part of Alexander Pope’s historic garden Radnor Road was widened in the 1930s. and contains Stanhope’s Cave, now includes a Today, the remains of the Cave can be tarmac netball and tennis court and grassed area seen at the top of Pope’s Garden, now land for football and rounders, plus a gravelled belonging to Radnor House School. A stone parking space with room for 16 cars. The above the entrance carries the barely-legible bricked-up entrance from Radnor Road is being inscription: re-opened and a metal ‘heritage’ gate will allow “The Humble Roof, the Garden’s Scanty pupils and staff to access the playing fields Line without having to walk up Grotto Road, as well Ill spoke the Genius of the Bard Divine: as providing residents with a view into the old But Fancy now Displays a Fairer Scope gardens. And STANHOPE’S Plans Unfold the Soul Mr Paton says the playing facilities will be of Pope” used mainly during school hours and there is no intention to put up floodlights. An attendant will marshal the car park in Post Office the mornings, dealing with any congestion issues and ensuring that cars only turn left out prepares for the of the car park towards Radnor Road. This is part of an unofficial ‘one way’ system which the headmaster has asked parents to observe. It The headmaster with Robert and Lucy Paton Christmas rush includes only travelling up Grotto Road from inspecting what remains of the Cave ay and Aparna at the Post Office are Jgearing up for Christmas and the posting rush, not to mention holiday currency and cash withdrawals in the shop. As Christmas card-writing draws near, the Post Office has taken delivery of some delightful cards showing drawings of Painting & Decorating Strawberry Hill House in the snow. “Post early Fabulous homemade food using quality for Christmas” says Jay. Bathrooms seasonal produce. Open all day for Property refurbishment superb Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Handyman service Tea and Dinner. Special Offer - 10% discount on your Suite C, Unit A, 1 Strawberry Vale, food bill on production of this Twickenham advertisement. Arthur's on the Green 020 8241 3081 The Green, Twickenham, TW2 5AB [email protected] Tel: 020 8893 3995 www.arthursonthegreen.co.uk www.colourandcraft.co.uk

Page 3 The Bulletin No. 153 Winter 2013 www.shra.org.uk Planning Ahoy! Christine takes on a Matters boating challenge …and cleans up after St Jude

Consultation hristine Robinson of Robinson “The challenge is the limited space, CDesign Studio in Tower Road has very narrow width, around 14 ft, and all the proposals for taken on a rather unusual challenge for fittings need to double an interior designer - up as something else. refurbishing a Swan Island The traditional narrowboat. ocal interest in Richmond-upon- narrowboats are the Thames Council's development It’s nothing new for L ultimate example of intentions for Swan Island have been Christine, though. She revived by the publication of the Site says: “Well yes , I have space planning and we Allocations Plan*. The Plan proposes done a boat before. As could learn a lot from that Swan Island industrial estate retains a child, I grew up them.” its designation as a key employment site. around narrowboats on Christine does not This restricts change of use from office to the canals. I was taught normally Hoover the residential space. to steer the 70 ft boats pavement, but after a * The Site Allocations Plan sets out to blustery weekend the identify future needs for housing, by the last of the old employment, retail, transport, education, boatmen. My father leaves were piling up health, community facilities, sport and was a real enthusiast. and it seemed the most leisure over the next 15 years. It partially So when we were asked effective way of getting replaces the old Unitary Development Plan. to look at this job it was rid of them. The a real pleasure to be Christine caught vacuuming the Bulletin’s intrepid back in a boatyard pavement outside her studio after the St reporter was there to Village Plans again.” Jude storm catch her in the act. now part of Remembrance Day St Jude fells formal planning Service in Radnor process large ash tree he Council's village plans, under Gardens he so-called St Jude Storm in October Twhich parts of Strawberry Hill were n fine weather on Sunday November 10, Tbrought an ancient ash tree crashing on designated as being in Central Ithe annual Remembrance Service was to the garage of Steve Elphick. It has also Twickenham, are now part of the formal held in Radnor Gardens. That it was one of turned the small road ouside Stangate planning process.* Richmond-upon- the best-attended services of recent years Mansions (off Tower Road) into an Thames Council is to spend over £1 attraction for the curious. “Hundreds of million to develop the village plans was the view of hundreds of residents, people of turned up to take photographs,” includng local planning guidance. members of the British Legion in Pope’s Richmond Council says the purpose of Grove and other local organisations. says Steve, who has lived in Strawberry Hill the initiative is to protect neighbourhoods’ Among dignitaries attending the service for over 20 years. The Audi A2 inside the heritage. were Councillor Meena Bond, Mayor of garage can’t be reached until the tree has * Parts of Strawberry Hill which were Richmond-upon-Thames Council, and The been cut up, so Steve does not know if the car initially excluded were reinstated after Right Honourable Vince Cable, MP. is damaged. In the meantime, the fire representations from SHRA and residents. brigade roped off the area. About a quarter of the fallen tree remains. Stop press: another A tree surgeon thinks there is some 15 tonnes beauty salon? of tree to be removed and therefore a crane will he word on the street (at least, in probably be needed. TTower Road) is that the empty premises formerly known as McDowells grocery store is to become a beauty salon, althogh some say it might be a hairdresser. The new owners are being tight-lipped about their precise plans, but it may be that this is confirmed by the time you read this. We wish the owners well, but readers with not-so-long memories will remember that there have been two attempts in the last four years to establish similar businesses in the immediate area, both of which have closed. We hope that their The fallen ash tree at Stangate Mansions. There’s a enterprise will be more long-lasting. car in there somewhere!

Page 4 The Bulletin No. 153 Winter 2013 www.shra.org.uk

ucy Worsley, Chief Curator Burglary peak bike Lat Historic Royal Palaces, author and presenter of thefts numerous historical television he coming weeks are a peak period for programmes, visited Pope’s Tresidential burglary. Make sure that Grotto in Radnor House School your house is not in total darkness, especially in August, together with a film in the afternoon and evening. Ensure that crew. She was filming scenes for valuables are not visable through doors and her new series, The Georgian windows. This includes house and car keys Revolution, which will be shown and naturally, presents at the foot of a tree. on BBC4 next Spring. Bicycles continue to be stolen from sheds. The series will mark the 300th If you have to store your bike in a shed, please anniversary of the Hanoverian lock it with a lock commensurate with its value Succession, and is a partnership (a cheap lock on a £2,000 bike won’t impress with the Royal Collection, who an insurance company much). Also make sure will be staging their own Georgian that the shed is secure and consider fitting an Revolution exhibition to coincide alarm - they are quite small but can be a with the series. deterrent. The publicity will be welcomed by the Pope’s Grotto St Mary’s College Preservation Trust, which hopes to be able to begin raising funds for police contact point the restoration of this threatened internationally-important he weekly police contact point at St. monument next year. Doctor Worsley brightens up the Grotto whilst filming TMary’s University is in danger of being withdrawn if it is not used more often, writes Charles Owens, Chair South Twickenham A new floral take on urban Police Liaison Group. The contact point is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on guerillas Saturdays between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Residents can report crimes, ask for advice or speak to Crusader Travel’s Guerilla Gardeners strike Strawberry Hill other police. uerilla Gardeners, in the shape of GBruce and Shona Lyons, leapt to the aid of SHRA to replant the three boxes in Beware Wellesley and Tower Roads. The attractive display of yellow and purple pansies was scammers paid for by SHRA, but the Guerilla Gardeners gave their time free of charge. Guerilla Gardeners was set up by Bruce bearing gifts Lyons - he runs Crusader Travel in Church new scam is hitting the Richmond area, Street, Twickenham - 18 months ago. Now he Awrites Charles Owens, SHRA and his band of floral urban guerillas strike all committee member charged with police over the Borough wherever borders cry out to liaison. It goes like this: be liberated from weeds or neglected patches • Householder a gets telephone call from revived. Bruce explains: “Working with The planter on Pope’s Avenue looking colourful, an express parcels service saying they Richmond in Bloom, I saw lots of neglected thanks to the Guerilla Gardeners will make a delivery shortly spaces and decided to transform them. We buy Shona says they will soon start planting • Deliveryman turns up with a parcel the flowers ourselves with the financial help of 5,000 bulbs throughout the Borough, with containing wine and flowers, which the local organisations, but we sometimes donate Strawberry Hill being one of the first householder has not ordered, and asks them.” neighbourhoods on the list. The band of for £3.50 delivery charge Guerilla Gardeners is already attracting new • He asks for payment by card as he cannot members, but Bruce says they can always do accept cash with more. Of course, there’s a sting in the tail. In one Volunteers can contact Bruce or Shona at incident, the husband of a resident paid by card Crusader Travel: 020 8744 0474. - entering his pin and security number at the driver’s request - then found the following SHRA volunteers week that £4,000 had been withdrawn from his account. too, please The moral of this tale: be wary of accepting n the meantime, staff at Everydays any surprise gift or package which you neither Iand MKG 3000 have volunteered to expected nor personally ordered, especially if it keep the planters watered in dry involves any kind of payment as a condition of weather. SHRA has supplied them with receiving it. Also, never accept anything if you watering cans. do not personally know the sender or there is no Pam Crisp, SHRA Secretary says: proper identification of him or her. Above all, “residents who would like to help the only time you should give out any personal maintain the planters can contact us via credit/debit card information is when you the SHRA website or call me on 020 8898 personally have initiated the purchase or 1878.” transaction! Page 5 The Bulletin No. 153 Winter 2013 www.shra.org.uk Holy Trinity Church, Twickenham Green Built for the growing population in the Strawberry Hill area oly Trinity was built on Twickenham A number of Christmas Services are taking HGreen in 1841 for the growing place and everyone is warmly invited: T H E C O M M I T T E E population in the Strawberry Hill area. It was designed by a successful Victorian Sunday 15th December: OFFICERS architect, George Basevi, who deisgned the 10:30 a.m: Family Carol Service (with University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Christingle and the Trinity Singers) Bruce Duff Museum. Basevi fell to his death while 6 p.m.: Carol Service by Candlelight (Chair) inpsecting the west tower of Ely Cathedral in (with the Trinity Singers) 1845. It was extended in 1861 by Francis 020 8894 5271 Dollman, one of Basevi’s pupils. Sunday 22nd December: Cathy Bird Today the church continues to play an 9 a.m.: Holy Communion important role at the heart of our community. 10:30 a.m.: Family Communion ‘A (Hon. Treasurer) The church is welcoming and has a very Contemporary Christmas’ 020 8892 6990 friendly atmosphere. There’s a quiet service at 9 a.m. and a family-friendly service at 10.30; Christmas Eve: Pam Crisp this has a staffed creche for under threes and 3:30 p.m.: The Christmas Story (Hon. Secretary) lively groups for older children. After the 11 p.m.: Midnight Communion 10:30 service people often stop to enjoy a 020 8898 1878 Christmas Day: coffee and a chat. There is a wide variety of 10:30 a.m.: Family Service with M E M B E R S regular activities that take place throughout the Communion year: picnics on the green, barbeques and dad’s Mike Allsop evenings are just a few. Tim and Natalie welcome any new faces, 020 8891 1614 Reverend Tim Garrett (Vicar) along with young or old, to join in worship and the wider Eugene Bacot his wife Natalie Garrett (Associate Minister) Holy Trinity activities. have been at Holy Trinity since 2010. A recent www.holytrinitytwickenham.org 020 8892 2837 example of their innovative fundraising and sense of fun was an auction of promises where Julia Fiehn people in the church community volunteered 020 8892 3920 their services in an eBay style auction. Tim himself volunteered his car washing services to Peter Lamb the highest bidder! Lyndon Law Holy Trinity hosts a wide variety of groups for adults and children which meet in the Charles Owens Church function room. Children’s activities Teresa Read range from toddler activities, footie, tots to dance and drama. Adult groups include singing, Jackie Rowley yoga and faith groups. The refurbished Green 07710 199271 Room and the smaller Blue Room are both available for hire and can be used for parties, Robert Youngs clubs, rehearsals and community groups. Holy Trinity Church between 1841 and 1861 020 8894 1121 The Bulletin is published by the Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association and is distributed free, 3 times a year, to approximately 2,400 homes in the area. All text, images and design © Copyright 2013 Strawberry Hill Residents’ !Association, except where noted. For advertising or editorial questions, email: [email protected], Twitter: @SHResidents RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION of £5.00 (minimum) PER HOME FOR YEAR 2013 This subscription renewal may be made by cash or cheque made payable to Strawberry Hill Residents’ Name(s):______Association. Address:______Please write your name and address in the box, put your subscription in an envelope with this form and hand it to: ______

A Cathy Bird, 2 Hollies Close, TW1 4NL ______Postcode: ______or B Post Office, Tower Road Telephone:______Payment may also be made by Standing Order. Forms are available from Cathy or from the SHRA website (www.shra.org.uk) Email:______

Larger donations are always welcome! Amount: £______Date: ______

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