LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

After all that unexpected late winter weather, it's lovely to see the beautiful Spring blossom bursting forth in . Alas, so does the work load!

We have had our AGM, generously hosted by Lesley Bossine (below) and the Landmark Arts Centre, and which is fully reported in the following pages. The Teddington 800 history banners were there too, but by now should be on display at the Museum – which is, of course, our Museum too. If you haven't been, do go down to 25 The Embankment in Twickenham, where the old Ferry used to be. It's open on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can ring 020 8408 0070 for details and times.

We have some great events coming up: on Monday May 21st, just prior to the anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuation, John Tough will talk at about the family Boatyard and Mike Pemberton will sing his Little Ships tribute song – more inside; Teddington in Flower is on Sunday June 10th (details of participating gardens are enclosed, but what we need now are garden sitters); then we have the Village Fair and Pram Race on Sunday 24th June, and again there’s more inside. Do join us because there's something for all the family. As always, there’s lots to see and do with the Teddington Society!

Richmond Council have suggested setting up a Community Hub in Teddington, which would amalgamate three charities, thus rationalising three Council-owned sites: 3 Waldegrave Road (next to the Library), North Lane car park, and Elleray Hall. We have given our full support to TOPWA (Teddington Old People's Welfare Association ) at Elleray Hall and we have joined the Hall’s Working Party. After the local election things will move forward, and we'll report back.

We have given permission for the Richmond Talking Newspaper to have free use of any of our back issue Tidings articles which are not in copyright. A good cause, I think you'll agree.

We welcome Liz Waters to our publications team. We're delighted to have her skills and she'll be working on Tidings from the next issue. Enormous thanks go to Peter Denton for his editorial expertise, and to Donald Bell, who's providing technical help and knowhow. Whatever your skills, please do come along and volunteer: help is always wanted, especially at the Village Fair which is a big undertaking benefiting the whole town. SHEENA The Teddington Society CORPORATE MEMBERS 1 Avenue Road, Teddington TW11 0BT Reg. Charity No. 802026 1 of 1 www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk 100 High Street @TeddingtonSoc AlphaVet Surgery Architecture:wk President: Baroness Hilton of Eggardon Art Historical London Beechgrove Press Vice-Presidents British Maritime Technology Roger Avins, Paddy Ching , John Demont Broom Water Association Churcham House LLP Chairman Curves Sheena Harold t: 020 8977 2700 Dexters Estate Agents [email protected] Elements Hair Salon Elleray Hall Social Club Vice-Chairman & Twitter account Elmfield House Dental Practice Peter Denton Fairwater House Residents Association [email protected] Harmer Slater (Roger Sutton &Co) Home Instead Senior Care Secretary and Minutes Kagan Moss & Co, Solicitors Nick Picton Kindle Stoves [email protected] La Casa Del Habano Landmark Arts Centre Treasurer Langdon Down Centre Sally Howland t: 020 8977 9404 Milestone Residential [email protected] National Physical Laboratory Park Lane Stables Press, Publicity and Promotions Park Road Surgery Sheena Harold Parsonage & Co, Solicitors Patrick O’Donovan (Maritime & Commercial Arbitrator) Membership Secretary Quantum Group Jenny Michell t: 020 8977 0772 Shambles Bar and Restaurant [email protected] Sims (Opticians) Ltd Snellers Estate Agents Planning Group Squires Garden Centre Veronica Laughrin St Mary's University [email protected] Stepping on Out Stevens Tyres Environment Group Stone Rowe Brewer, Solicitors Geoff Howland t: 020 8977 9404 Stoney Deep Residents Association [email protected] Tamesis Club Teddington Artists History Group Teddington Bowling Club Dick Hughes t: 020 8977 0653 Teddington Carpet Centre [email protected] Teddington Choral Society Teddington Cricket Club Riverside and Open Spaces Group Teddington Funeral Care Andy Weston Teddington Rugby Club [email protected] Teddington Theatre Club The Fallow Deer Roads and Transport Group The Financial Planning Group Brian Holder t: 020 8977 1579 The French Tarte [email protected] The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields The Lensbury Club Trees and Gardens Group The Park Hotel Sheena Harold The Strawberry Hill Trust The Tree Agency Flood Working Group Trevor Aston Photography Brian Holder Turing House School TW11 Magazine Members’ Outings Pamela McHutchon

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS a letter instead of this edition of Tidings. Membership cards have been sent only to those With this issue of Tidings you’ll find a formal who enclosed an SAE with their renewal. If you letter outlining how we are complying with the have a query about your payment, standing new General Data Protection Regulation, which order or Gift Aid, please email comes into force on 25 May. All organisations [email protected] or ring holding information about you, including the 020 8977 0772. Teddington Society, have to comply. The Regulation gives you the right to know what To renew or join you can information we hold about you, whether it is 1. Pay online or download a standing correct, and how it is used. order form at www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk We hold only basic information about our members but even so, we take our 2. Send a cheque payable to The responsibilities seriously, particularly Teddington Society to 5 Broom Park, regarding: Teddington TW11 9RN. Please also  letting you know what personal include an SAE if you wish to have a information we hold; membership card.  communicating our policies to you;  informing you of your right to access Membership rates are unchanged: and (where necessary) correct data we Family/couple £11; Individual £7; Senior (over hold about you and how quickly we will 60) Individual £4; Couple £5; Corporate £25 act; PLEASE ADD £3.50 for those who do not live in  our Privacy Notice detailing the lawful the TW11 postcode or who live in a block of basis on which we process personal flats with no separate post-box, so that we can data; and post your magazine.  our policy on obtaining consent to process your personal data. We extend a warm welcome to the following Please read the enclosed letter, which covers new members: these main issues. If you have any queries, please contact Jenny Michell, the Membership Martin Cook Secretary. Damian and Alison Eley Maria Evans email and addresses Mrs C Halford Please let us know if you are not receiving Chris Histed and F Chadwick occasional emails from the Teddington Society, Chris Horne as we do not have email addresses for all Gillian Hosler and John Bradshaw members. Also please inform us if you change Amanda Lathia your email address or move house. Bikita and Sean Mahdi James Millard Gift Aid and donations Helen and Michael Whyte A big thank you to all our members who have Penny and Peter Owens added a donation to their subscription and/or Lisa Stafford and Ian Patten have given us a signed Gift Aid form. In 2017 Claire and Jon Wilmot the amount we gained from Gift Aid was £708 – a substantial amount which very much helps our finances.

Subscriptions According to our records, a few members haven’t yet renewed their membership subscription for 2018, so they have been given FROM TWELFTH NIGHT TO THE The Club has never looked back. Today, it’s one of the MATCHGIRLS, THERE ARE PLAYS FOR ALL country’s leading non-professional theatre companies, presenting six main house productions and four studio TASTES AT TEDDINGTON’S THEATRE CLUB shows every year. Hayley Mills, Prunella Scales and Timothy West are its Patrons, and Princess Alexandra – Peter Denton goes behind the scenes who laid the theatre’s foundation stone in 1995 – has visited on a number of occasions. It was way back in 1927 that a group of local teachers got together to encourage their pupils to take an interest TTC is a registered charity with club status and is run by in the works of Shakespeare. This being not necessarily volunteers. Membership comes in two guises – full (for an easy task, they decided to perform a few scenes from anyone interested in being involved with any aspect of Twelfth Night in order to stimulate the minds of their theatre) and audience, which entitles people to buy young charges – and from that small beginning, the discounted tickets. Teddington Theatre Club (TTC) was born. Now, 91 years later, it’s as healthy as ever and continues to delight An important part of TTC is Youth Action Theatre (YAT), audiences from across the borough and further afield. a dynamic ensemble of 16 to 25 year olds whose productions have ranged from Animal Farm to Titanic: Over the years, the Club has had a number of homes, but the Musical. Affiliated to TTC, it not only presents since 1998 it has been permanently based at the entertainment at the theatre but it also takes a Theatre, which it owns and manages. production to the Edinburgh Festival every two years. Not least among YAT’s alumni is the actor Martin Freeman, who continues to take an interest in its work.

In addition to its own performances, TTC provides filming facilities and lets out the building to other organisations for both public and private events. Its main auditorium seats 197, and there’s also the Coward Suite “Richmond Council provided the land at a peppercorn – two smaller rooms for conferences, parties and studio rent” recalled Enid Segall, the Club’s press officer, ”but performances. we had to fundraise for the cost of building the shell. Then, thanks to a generous National Lottery grant, as The Teddington Theatre Club (which is a Corporate well as donations from many local businesses, Member of the Teddington Society) is now a well- individuals and Sir Noël Coward’s estate, we were able to established and important part of the borough’s cultural kit the place out and finish the task.” life. With an eclectic range of productions already staged this year, rehearsals are now under way for The Collector, a thriller, and The Matchgirls, a musical about Annie Besant and a band of doughty match factory workers in 1888.

And, further ahead, there’s the ever-popular Christmas panto to look forward to – so whatever the TTC production, quality and variety are assured. As the old show business slogan has it, “book now to avoid disappointment”!

www.teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk

OUR AGM – 19 April 2018 every month. The whole project will incorporate the At the Landmark Arts Centre mature trees on the site, although one of the ten trees subject to TPOs will have to be removed on the advice of Sheena Harold (Chairman) welcomed everyone to the tree surgeons. Annual General Meeting and introduced Lesley Bossine, The funding for this was provided by Richmond Council’s manager of the Landmark Arts Centre, who gave us some Village Planning Fund, which itself is funded by the insights into its history and future. Community Infrastructure Levy. The second round of The Centre relies on a small team of volunteers to this is now under way and The Landmark have applied operate and, despite lacking any core funding, benefits for £145,000 to replace the flashings on the roof and from Richmond Council’s decision to waive its business install new drainage – this should substantially reduce rates and by continuing donations from the Gosling problems of damp in the building. Foundation, particularly in the funding of community Lesley closed her remarks by thanking the Teddington arts events. Society for its support and donations over the years. The building was in use as St Alban’s church until 1977. It was commissioned by the Rev Francis Leith Boyd, who was appointed vicar of Teddington in 1884 at the age of 28. He seems to have been a charismatic character, persuading many Teddington ladies to subscribe to the building fund. Designed by local architect William Niven, it was to be a more imposing building even than it is as seen today, with a longer nave, stone vaulted ceilings throughout and a 200-ft bell tower. However, funds ran out before completion

Lesley asked if anyone had a photo of the Rev Francis Leith Boyd, so we are Lesley Bossine (left) and Siân Morgan happy to oblige. This is a 1914 bromide print Minutes of the 45th Teddington Society AGM held on portrait of the man by 19 April 2018 at The Landmark Arts Centre Ethel Glazebrook, courtesy 1. Chairman’s Report of the National Portrait Sheena Harold passed on Sir Vince Cable’s apologies for Gallery, London being unable to attend – an invitation he had originally accepted in his capacity as Visiting Professor at St Mary’s University – and stressed that the Teddington Society remains strictly non-political and non-sectarian and will After 1977 St Alban’s lay derelict for some years until a continue to engage with everyone with an interest in the local campaign led by Jean Brown was successful in future of the town. She pointed out that the Officers and securing its use as a local community and arts centre. Group Leaders were all hard-working volunteers. Jean was President of the Landmark Arts Centre until her Highlights of the year have been death in 2011 and very kindly left a generous legacy for  The creation of a plaque commemorating the its future upkeep. discovery of the only bronze age barrow ever The building presents many challenges today both in found in London; terms of structural maintenance and in its acoustic  The Teddington 800 celebrations and the properties. The aim is to make the building suitable for history banners on display at the meeting; as wide a range of activities as possible and  The talk on the history of by improvements have included the installation of Ken Howe at the Lensbury; carpeting in the nave and a new heating system. Despite the proximity of world-class venues in London,  Teddington in Flower, which raised £1,900 for the Landmark has been able to attract headline acts such The Landmark and ; as Stacey Kent and Paul Jones, who enjoy the unique  The Village Fair and Pram Race, which continue qualities of this 320-seat venue and the warm reception to raise large sums for local causes; they receive from Teddington audiences.  Saving two mature monkey puzzle trees in As the Landmark’s 20th anniversary approaches, the Stanley Road by rapidly securing a TPO; goal is to improve and evolve the facilities on offer.  The defeat of the proposed cycle Quietway One stage in this will be the improvements being made scheme for the High Street. to the grounds. Siân Morgan gave an overview of the project. The Landmark has been granted nearly £13,000 2. Apologies for absence to provide a new pedestrian entrance, add more cycle Apologies had been received from the Rev Joe Moffatt, bays and create a managed woodland area with space for Angela Kilenyi and Suzy Webb. outdoor arts activities. Brambles and undergrowth are being removed and replaced with native woodland plants by a group of gardening volunteers who meet 3. Adoption of the minutes of the AGM held on 20 April 2017 9. Motions Adoption of the minutes was proposed by Elizabeth There were none. Foster, seconded by Brian Holder and accepted. 10. Election of Officers 4. Matters arising John Demont, a Vice-President, took the chair. It was Geoff Howland reported that 96% of Richmond agreed by a show of hands to re-elect the current officers Borough’s former landfill waste now goes for of the Society. incineration at the Severnside Energy Recovery Centre Peter Denton had been co-opted onto the committee near Bristol. This produces 34 megawatts of electricity during the year and was proposed for the position of (enough to power the equivalent of 50,000 homes) as a Vice-Chairman by Sheena Harold, seconded by Paddy by-product, as well as virtually eliminating the use of Ching. This was agreed by a show of hands. landfill. As a follow-up point, Sheena noted that the Judy Asher and Donald Bell resigned during the year Teddington Society fully supports LBRuT’s commitment and warmest thanks were extended to both for all to reducing the use of plastics, with plastic straws and their work. micro beads being banned at the Village Fair. 11. Appointment of Independent Examiner 5. Treasurer’s Report The appointment of Peter Shaw as Independent Sally Howland thanked the independent examiner Peter Examiner was proposed by Josette Nikiforou, seconded Shaw and presented the accounts which show a by Andy Weston and accepted. substantial surplus for the year, to be distributed in 2018; we are always open to requests from local 12. Any other business organisations for donations. The healthy cash position of a. Nick Picton, Secretary, gave a short introduction £15,993 at the end of the year includes £2,454 to the new General Data Protection Regulation designated as floats for the Village Fair. The increase in which becomes law in May – further details will income is explained by the return of Teddington in be included in the Summer issue of Tidings. Flower after a one-year absence; funds raised by the talk b. Diana Gillespie gave details of a new departure at the Lensbury; and by the flourishing successes of the for the Society: two opera nights being held at Village Fair and Pram Race. Sally reiterated that all . An evening of Bizet’s surpluses are distributed, so charitable donations are Carmen will be held on 15 September 2018 in also higher. aid of Dress For Success, and on 1 November Sheena thanked Sally for her report and hard work 2018 an evening of popular arias will raise during the year. funds for the Princess Alice Hospice and the Down’s Syndrome Association. 6. Group Leaders Reports c. Sheena noted that future issues affecting a. Planning – Keith Atkinson requested volunteers Teddington include the expansion of St Mary’s to join the planning group to review the University, the planned extension to St Mary increasing workload of planning applications, with St Alban church and the plans for a particularly for major projects. Community Hub to include Elleray Hall. Joan b. Roads and Transport – Brian Holder observed Barnett, a Trustee of Elleray Hall, outlined the that a welcome reduction in the planning ongoing negotiations with Richmond Council group’s workload would be achieved if the and the desire of Teddington Old People’s Council reduced its output of unnecessary plans Welfare Association to have a dedicated for changes. community centre at Elleray Hall. Sheena c. Environment – Geoff Howland requested affirmed the Teddington Society’s willingness to sightings of the Society’s gazebo, which still arrange a public meeting when appropriate. remains at large, to be reported to him. d. Sheena thanked all the sponsors of the Village d. Riverside – Andy Weston noted that other than Fair: the issues raised in his written report, the river  The Lensbury flows peacefully in the main.  Teddington Riverside – a new sponsor e. History – As written report. this year f. Trees and Gardens – Siân Morgan asked for  NPL volunteers to “gate sit” and collect money for  TW11 Magazine Teddington in Flower on Sunday 10 June. Sheena again emphasised that the Society was run by 7. Adoption of Accounts hard-working volunteers at the expense of their own Adoption of the accounts was proposed by Keith time and money. She then closed the meeting by Atkinson, seconded by Jenny Michell and accepted. thanking everyone who had attended, with special thanks to Lesley Bossine and Siân Morgan for making us 8. Vote of thanks to the Treasurer and Independent so welcome at the Landmark. Examiner

REPORT OF THE TREASURER 2017

SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 (a detailed breakdown is available on the website and from the Secretary)

2017 2016 £ £ £ £ £ £

Bank balance brought forward 12,471 12,323 Income Membership subscriptions, donations and Gift Aid 6,833 6,288 Sales of stock items 339 409 Teddington in Flower 1,929 0 Teddington Fair and Pram Race 7,874 5,594 Donations received 900 800 Other income 2,767 959 20,642 14,050 Expenditure Members’ magazine 2,822 3,447 Charitable disbursements 10,550 8,092 Other expenditure 3,748 2,363 17,120 13,902 Surplus for year 3,522 148

Balance carried forward 15,993 12,471

S A Howland - Hon. Treasurer P J Shaw - Independent Examiner

DR WHO’S MASTER GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE Now, to mark the centenary of the actor’s birth, a new biography has been published. Entitled Roger As Tidings readers will Delgado: I am usually referred to as The Master, it’s know, the late actor written by Marcus Harmes, who says, “There’s far Roger Delgado lived in more to Delgado than Dr Who. He not only worked Park Lane, on other TV dramas such as The Saint, The Avengers Teddington. and Quatermass II, but he also appeared in numerous films alongside actors of the stature of His familiar face is still John Gielgud, Edith Evans, Paul Scofield and recognisable for John Mills.” playing The Master in Doctor Who, but this The biography, priced £19.99, is under the Fantom most famous of his Publishing imprint, which produces a range of roles was also one of audio titles, abridged classics and full cast dramas. his last: he died in a The book also features previously unseen car crash in 1973 aged photographs from the collection of the actor’s only 55. widow, Kismet Delgado.

A SUMMER OF FUN FOR TEDDINGTON! POLICING MATTERS Sheena Harold Following last year’s closure of the front desk at Three of Teddington’s most popular events are all set for Teddington police station, some members of the the coming month of June. First up is Teddington in Society have asked about the best way of contacting Flower on Sunday June 10th, followed by the annual a police officer when necessary. Pram Race and the Village Fair, both on Sunday 24th June. All are in aid of local charities. Teddington In Flower needs gate sitters at most of the 10 participating gardens so please contact Siân Morgan on 07930 331107 or email [email protected] if you can spare an hour or so before visiting the other gardens. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

We asked Sergeant Rich Nelson (above), Ward Sergeant responsible for Teddington, and Ham & Petersham, who offered this advice:

 If you, or anyone, is being attacked, always On June 24th, prams of all descriptions will race through call 999. Officers, usually the nearest the streets from the Masons Arms at 1pm to Udney Hall response unit, will be sent to the most Gardens, collecting money as they go. If you'd like to urgent response. enter a colourfully dressed team, like the one above from  If someone's property is found in the street, last year, email Alan Benns at [email protected] the Police will accept it only in certain for more details of participation or sponsorship. There circumstances: if it is traceable (i.e. with a are prizes for best dressed, fastest and ‘most money name or address), if it has cash, or if it’s raised’ teams, which will be presented at the Fair by the likely to be of significant sentimental value. Mayor of Richmond at about 3pm. Otherwise, it is for the finder to dispose of or retain (make their own enquiries).  Every police ward has a weekly public At the Fair in Udney meeting for people to attend. These are Hall Gardens you'll advertised on the Metropolitan find live music, Police website, and should be elsewhere refreshments, stalls, too (local publications, notice boards, activities for children, Facebook, Twitter etc). burgers, ice cream, a  New technology now means the officers beer tent and even should be on patrol more than before in the Teddo the Clown; local area. they’ll all be there to make sure things go The local police can be contacted via the following with a swing. Most websites, where the latest information will also be important, there will found: be FREE entertainment with a Teddington: https://tinyurl.com/teddpolice headline show, Juggling Jake's Circus Skills, Teddington Hampton Wick: https://tinyurl.com/hwpolice Theatre Club, Teddington Dance Studio and walkabout performers, all made possible by our fabulous sponsors – The Lensbury, the NPL and, brand new this year, Teddington Riverside. Thank you all for your generosity. ’S WATERWAYS Bushy Park’s remaining ponds have all appeared within the last 100 years. First, the boating pond In the last edition of Tidings, Dick and Gilly Hughes was constructed after World War 1 to give described how Bushy Park’s water features were employment in the immediate post-war period. created. They now take up the story in 1709, when After World War 2 Joseph Fisher, the then Park the first Lord Halifax bought the Keepership of Superintendent, constructed Triss' pond (named Bushy Park and immediately made plans to rebuild after his daughter) and Fisher's pond. Upper Lodge as his home. This leaves our last two ponds. First, the Hampton Lord Halifax diverted part of the Longford canal to Hill pond (below) which is fed by a spring, but service the water gardens he planned to have in front of prone to dry out in hot, dry spells. Its origin is his new house (below). uncertain; some claim gravel extraction to be the cause and others a bomb crater in 1944.

These comprised an upper pool (which acted as a reservoir for the whole system) overflowing into a lower pool which led, in turn, to a third pool directly in front of the house itself. This overflow fed a fourth pool, Finally, we come to River Lodge pond, a small pond no longer existing, and thence into the Long Water close to River Lodge itself. This was said to have which includes a fifth pool. been created since World War 2. It stands alone and is picturesque. The water flow then drained out of the Park through the Teddington Common pasture into the Thames. We therefore have some 15 ponds in Bushy Park of Some of this flow was subsequently diverted by the Rev differing sizes and attraction, and many with a tale Stephen Hales (1677-1761) to improve water levels in to tell. Most are served to some degree by the Teddington village pond and so facilitate the periodic Longford canal which then passes under Hampton flushing of the ditch on the north side of the High Street Court Road (the A308) to serve the water features into the Thames. As part of his re-build, Halifax at the rear of itself. Was it all included the construction of the Brew House with a worth the effort? Well, we certainly think so – we small pond to service it. can’t imagine Bushy Park without its waterworks!

During this period, Sir Christopher Wren was planning BUSHY PARK ON THE GNAT MAP! the re-building of Hampton Court and wished to design an impressive approach to his new palace. To this end A recently discovered species of he laid out a broad avenue through Bushy Park running gnat has been found in, and north to Teddington – but at some point the Longford named after, Bushy Park. canal had to cross his avenue, so he planned a pond 400 ft (121m) in diameter to mark the intersection. This Specimens of Grzegorzekia became Diana's fountain pond, to this day one of Bushy bushyae, or the Bushy Gnat, were Park’s most striking features. discovered in the Waterhouse

Woodland Gardens. They have Barton's Cottage was originally part of a farm complex been identified as a new species in which flourished for many years. It had its own duck the UK, which is believed to be pond which drained, according to the Roque map of the scarce across Europe. area, into the Longford below the Waterhouse pond.

About 100 years ago the farm buildings were Entomologist Peter Chandler said that this gnat was demolished and the farm house gentrified into a Grace found only in woodland areas, and that studies were and Favour residence. The pond remains outside the continuing into whether a specific fungus was front gate, but the water outlet drains northwards. helping to support it.

SAVED FOR NOW – BUT WE’RE WATCHING SINGING THE PRAISES OF THE LIKE HAWKS LITTLE SHIPS

Saved! Thanks to swift action by the Teddington Join us in the Beaumont Room of The Lensbury in Society and Richmond Council, a fine pair of monkey Broom Road at 7.30pm on Monday 21st May, when puzzle trees in Stanley Road have been given Tree John Tough, seventh generation of the Teddington Preservation Orders and saved from the imminent family of boatbuilders, will give a talk entitled threat of felling. Tough's Boatyard and the Little Ships.

Back in February, we were alerted by a local resident to the immediate threat of these trees being felled, apparently for car parking spaces in Fulwell Court, a private block of flats. After a flurry of emails and phone calls between the Society and the Council, within six hours a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was slapped on these lovely and unusual trees.

In addition, Mike Pemberton – Society member, local singer and songwriter – will perform a ballad he's written about the heroic Little Ships, accompanied by an archive film showing the epic WW2 evacuation in which Teddington played a vital part in rescuing allied troops trapped by the advancing German Army.

“Forty years ago”, one of our executive committee members remarked, “I walked my kids past these trees every morning on our way to school. Of course they must be saved.”

The TPO declares that no person shall “cut down, top, John’s grandfather, Douglas, was responsible for lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy; or gathering together more than 100 small craft to cause or permit the cutting down, topping, lopping, take part in the evacuation of British, French and uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of any Belgian troops trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk tree specified” in the Order. in 1940. Later called 'The Miracle of Dunkirk', over 300,000 troops were ferried out by little ships to So the trees are safe… for now. But, warns Craig the larger Navy vessels and brought home to Ruddick, Arboriculture Manager at Richmond Council, safety. John will describe the history of his unique the Order is in place only until 6th August, or until the family and their extraordinary contribution to life Order is confirmed by the Council, whichever is the in Teddington. sooner. The Teddington Society has written to the Council in support of making the TPO permanent. The evening is open to all. Tickets cost £5 and include a complimentary glass of wine. Apply to Society chairman Sheena Harold said, “We’re watching the Treasurer – e: [email protected] like hawks – and we have warned all local tree or telephone 020 8977 9404. surgeons not to touch these well-established specimens of Araucaria araucana”. The evening wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our Corporate Member The Local democracy in action – with skates on! Lensbury, to whom we are very grateful.

THEATRE LIGHTING APPEAL Earlier, on 15th September, also at the Normansfield, there will be a performance of The Normansfield Theatre, based at the Langdon Bizet’s Carmen with the Glass Ceiling Opera and Down Centre in Kingston Road, has launched a Orchestra on 15th September. The Musical fundraising appeal to raise £19,000 towards the Director will be again be Sonia Ben-Santamaria. All cost of upgrading its stage and front of stage proceeds from the show will go to Dress for lighting. The Teddington Society is pleased to have Success, a charity which provides a network of contributed £500 to the appeal. support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive at work and in life. The The Grade II* listed theatre is one of the finest role of Carmen will be sung by the mezzo-soprano Victorian theatres in the country and is still fully Josephine Thorpe. operational. Full details will appear in the next edition of Tidings and on our website – teddingtonsociety.org.uk

HAPPY ANNIVRSARY, SHAMBLES!

“We’ve raised just over £4,000 so far, so the first phase of the lighting – purchasing the three front of stage fittings – is under way” said Lesley Alabaf, manager of the Langdon Down Centre. “We’re now hoping to raise an extra £1,350 so that we can install and programme them this summer.”

The second phase of the lighting appeal will then begin – for the all-important footlights. “We’ve put in a bid to the Richmond Village Planning Fund for £15,000 and we’ll know the outcome very shortly” Lesley added. Say “hello and congratulations” to Margherita The whole project will make a big difference to the Langella and her brother Massimo, the driving theatre: not only will the quality and efficiency of forces behind Shambles restaurant and wine bar – the lighting be better, but it will also be more because this year they (and their customers) are environmentally friendly and cost effective. celebrating the restaurant’s 35th anniversary. Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal should call 0333 1212 300 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) It was back in 1983 that their parents, Franco and for details. Jackie, established Shambles in the unique 17th century Grade 2 former slaughterhouse that graces the High Street. Since then, the restaurant has OPERA FOR ALL! specialised in a seasonally focused Italian-inspired In a “first” for the Teddington Society, on 1st menu, with some ingredients coming from the November we are presenting “An Evening of Opera back garden. Classics” at the Normansfield Theatre in support of the Princess Alice Hospice and Down’s Syndrome Today, Massimo is the head chef and Margherita Association. the manager. They’ve been running the restaurant for the last decade, making sure that Shambles The French opera conductor Sonia Ben-Santamaria remains a true family affair. Not only that, but will be Musical Director and the performers will they’re also Corporate Members of the Society – include the tenor Alexander Jeffries and other so we, too, offer our congratulations! young opera singers, one of whom comes from Teddington. EXTENDING TO GROW – TEDDINGTON kitchen, meeting room) with as little impact on the churchyard as possible. PARISH CHURCH Our special site, of course, offers challenges and The Rev Joe Moffatt requires the most sensitive of approaches. The chosen construction method therefore is We are building an extension on what could be deliberately lightweight, avoiding the need to dig a called the ‘hidden side’ of the church. This is in traditional foundation trench, and minimising order to make it fit for purpose as a sacred space disruption to graves and trees. accessible to all, regardless of disability or need, and as a community resource offering a hospitable To complete the work, we must raise £650,000 welcome to all who enter. through donations, grants and events. We’re very fortunate to have £251,000 in the extension fund Imagine for a moment inviting someone into your already, but we need everyone’s support to build home but not being able to offer them a drink, or for the future – we will not be able to achieve our let them use the toilet; imagine who wouldn't want aims without the contribution of our congregation, to come, or who couldn't come – that’s the problem our parish and our community. I’d be grateful if this project is solving. But it’s about far more than you would consider helping us to 'Extend to Grow'. just toilets; it’s about opening up the heritage and You would be making an immediate and significant the possibilities of the church for all of Teddington, contribution to the outreach of the church, plus and about making our contribution to its 800-year leaving a lasting mark on its future. history. The building has been added to every century, and every generation has done its bit to For more information: Go online to make it fit for purpose for their own time. Now it’s www.teddingtonparish.org or email our responsibility to do so. [email protected]

LANDMARK GARDEN MAKEOVER

The woodland entrance to the Landmark Arts Centre is now being transformed, thanks to a grant of £12,870 from Richmond Council.

The funding is helping to create a new pedestrian access to the centre, the clearance of self- seeded saplings and undergrowth, and the introduction of new plant species. Not only that, but a We’ve worked with Heritage England, Richmond new footpath is Council’s Conservation Department and our being constructed experienced architect, to develop a design which is through the simple and modern and which seeks to woodland area complement the beauty of the church rather than with space for to replicate it. We've consulted councillors and outdoor arts community groups, and we’ve commissioned activities, seating and extra parking for cycles plus reports from experts on fabric, bats, badgers, trees, a new outdoor information panel about the archaeology, flooding and graves. building and its history.

The result is a modest but distinctive structure, Lesley Bossine, the Landmark manager, hopes the with a flexible 18m x 6m footprint, which will work will be completed by the end of the year. enable us to have essential facilities (toilets, TODAY’S MODERN WOMAN – IT’S NOT HISTORY GROUP JUST ABOUT THE JAM! Dick Hughes

Caroline Turner Street furniture Our survey of street furniture in Teddington is now Did you know there’s a WI in Teddington? complete and the format in which it will be used is The Teddington branch of the Women’s Institute under discussion. meet on the second Wednesday of each month at the Constitutional Club in Stanley Road at 8pm. History of the introduction of services to Since starting in 2011 we have 80 members – but Teddington we are always on the lookout for more – and it’s We are planning to put together a team to not all about jam! We recently welcomed the investigate and write up histories of the essential Teddington Society to our meeting when Sheena services which we all enjoy in Teddington today – Harold gave us a great insight into the important water, gas, electricity, transport and telephone. A work of the Society and Paddy Ching a whistle-stop report has already been completed on our sewer history of Teddington, which was fascinating. service. Some of these subjects have already been “booked”, but if anyone is interested in contributing to this project, then do please contact the writer.

This kind of work is always dependent upon the generous contributions of time and effort by members of the group, and by the Society generally – for which many thanks.

Visits We are arranging a series of walks during the summer in Bushy Park to see areas of historic interest but with limited public access. Our first venue was to the Waterhouse Woodland Gardens and the fairy-like building which houses the sluices which control the flow of water through the

western part of the Park and has done so for many Every month we invite a guest speaker to come years. It was an invigorating and enjoyable walk, as along and members get the chance to hear about our photo below shows. local businesses, initiatives, charities and (in true WI style) fantastic cooking, gardening Talks demonstrations and workshops. We also hold our We have introduced a programme of short talks at legendary cocktail nights – where members learn our meetings about Teddington, Bushy Park and how to make, and of course sample, a number of the notable people who have lived there. new creations! We also look to support local charities through fundraising – raffles at our monthly meetings, the occasional cake sale and beauty nights. This year our charity is RUILS, the local organisation supporting disabled people. Coming up over the next few months we have talks from the Fire Brigade, Cyber Crime, and how to create Christmas table decorations. Membership is £41 a year, which also gives you access to courses at Denman, the WI centre for learning in Abingdon. It’s a great way to meet new people who live in Teddington too. Guests are always welcome so pop along to our next meeting on Wednesday 9th May at 8pm. For further information email [email protected] and follow us on twitter – @Teddington_WI ROADS AND TRANSPORT GROUP 3. Provision of free One and Two Hour no return with two hour parking spaces In April last year, Councillor Buckwell and I Brian Holder reviewed the recently extended Zone T CPZ outside and opposite the Library, which has caused Post-election Wish List the loss of 25 or more essential shoppers’ and The election of new and not so new Councillors library users’ parking spaces for most of the day. will be an opportunity to install some of the long- He agreed to consider the installation of free One standing improvements that almost everyone has Hour turnover parking spaces all along the east accepted as necessary but not implemented, due to (library side) to create valuable parking spaces for the inordinate amount of time wasted trying to library users and shoppers. We also reviewed an impose a very costly, totally unwanted, and empty section of Waldegrave Park by Cambridge certainly not needed cycle route along the length of Road which would benefit the whole area by the High Street. creating at least 12 free Two Hour Turnover spaces, to allow temporary parking for nearby 1. No further unnecessary changes for the High residents, their visitors and Teddington Bowls Street please Club members. We know that Free Turnover There is still the threat of some undisclosed parking makes by far the most efficient use of parking space changes in the High Street – but we available parking spaces. The Society would very believe these to be poorly thought out and much welcome such an improvement. unnecessary. An announcement should be made that no further changes are planned.

2. Essential cycle improvements for the High Street rail bridge The Society has been asking for these low-cost easy to install improvements for more than five years: now that the Cycle Quietway has been scrapped, they should be installed as quickly as possible to demonstrate a commitment to improved cycle facilities.

2. (i) Extension of the off-road cycle tracks down to Station Road and Church Road 2. (ii) Re-installation of the Tiger/Mini-Holland Pedestrian and Cycle Crossing at the top of Park Road which was in place for most of the Olympic two years. This will encourage Broad Street-bound cyclists to by-pass both roundabouts in total safety.

4. Teddington Station southern footbridge This very busy bridge joins two halves of the Teddington community together, and is a key nodal point for numerous busy cycle routes across Teddington. The bridge, which is over 100 years old, is deteriorating almost daily and needs urgent replacement. The promised lifts at the station will be welcome, but an upgraded fully ramped southern footbridge would not only be used by more people, but would also require much less maintenance – so we will continue to seek the installation of a modern fully accessible footbridge.

EVENTS Wednesday 20th June Saturday 19th May; Wednesday 23rd May Nine Elms/Battersea Walk Teddington Bowls Club are holding an Open Day Anyone travelling by train to Waterloo will have between 10am and 12 noon and an Open Evening noticed that Nine Elms is changing fast; it’s on Wednesday 23rd May between 6pm and currently one of the largest regeneration areas in 8pm. Beginners and juniors are very Europe. We will follow the river from Vauxhall to welcome. Please wear flat-soled shoes – no heels! Chelsea Bridge, taking in the changing landscape For more information, contact Christine Caswell on and focusing on the new American Embassy and 020 8943 1329 or e-mail [email protected] Battersea Power Station. Some of the most recognised architects in the world are involved in Monday 21st May the 15-year project to redevelop the power station Little Ships talk and entertainment and the 42-acre site – Phase 1, opening up public 7.30pm at The Lensbury access to the Thames, is already complete. Join us in the Beaumont Room at The Lensbury in Broom Road, where John Tough, seventh Join us on a 3.5 km/2 mile walk led by Blue Badge generation of the Teddington family of Tour Guide Rosie Pollard. boatbuilders, will give a talk entitled Tough's Boatyard and the Little Ships. Time: meet at Teddington Station, platform 1, to catch the 09.35 to Vauxhall, OR meet 10.15am In addition, Mike Pemberton – Society member, onwards at Pret A Manger on Vauxhall Bridge (21 local singer and songwriter – will perform a ballad St George Wharf) just across from the station he's written about the heroic Little Ships, where we will have a short coffee and toilet stop. accompanied by an archive film showing the epic The walk will start from Pret at 10.50am. WW2 evacuation in which Teddington played a vital part in rescuing allied troops trapped by the Length: around 3.5km/2 miles. Finish: the walk advancing German Army. will take two hours and finish at Circus West Village by Chelsea Bridge, which offers many cafes The evening is open to all. Tickets cost £5 and and restaurants. Buses to Sloane Square, or maybe include a complimentary glass of wine. Apply to continue with a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden. the Treasurer – [email protected] or telephone 020 8977 9404. Cost: £12. Book: places are limited, so book by 6th June. Payment: to Pamela McHutchon, Flat 3, 86 The evening wouldn’t be possible without the High Street, Teddington TW11 8JD. m: 07802 generosity of our Corporate Member The 822812; e: [email protected] Please Lensbury, to whom we are very grateful. include your contact details.

Sunday 10th June Sunday 24th June Teddington in Flower Village Fair and Pram Race The annual Pram Race starts from the Masons Arms at 1pm and finishes at the Teddington Village Fair, which is open from midday to 5pm at Udney Hall Gardens. Free entry and entertainment, all in aid of local charities. Lots of stalls, food, drink and fun for all the family. Pram Race prizes will be presented by the Mayor at 3pm.

Sunday July 8th River Blessing Following the success of last year’s river blessing ceremony held as part of the Teddington 800 celebrations, the Parish Church of St Mary with St Gardens galore! This ever-popular annual event, Alban is now making this an annual event. A again organised by Siân Morgan, is a great service of thanks to celebrate the importance of opportunity to visit some of Teddington’s finest the river to the existence, work and leisure of and most interesting back gardens in aid of local Teddington led by the Rev Joe Moffatt, will start at charities. Plus refreshments and bell ringing at St 10am at and will continue at Mary with St Alban church. For details, see the Manor Road Recreation Ground. All are welcome back page and the enclosed flyer. to come along and enjoy this event.

Teddington in Flower

Sunday 10th June 2018 2pm to 6pm

Entrance: £1 per garden for Teddington Society members (Non-members £2 per garden) Children free with accompanying adult

Come and Visit 10 beautiful back gardens not normally open to the public PLUS: Refreshments and Bell Ringing at St Mary’s Parish Church

Details of All Proceeds to Participating Local Charities Gardens

available from local Libraries Organised by and the

Teddington Society website The Teddington teddingtonsociety.org.uk

Society