LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Autumn is here, so say the pundits, but the weather's so changeable at the moment it could be summer tomorrow and winter at the weekend! We had a lovely June as you'll see from photos of the Village Fair and Pram Race. We must thank the Police and St. John Ambulance for their support and especial thanks to Sue Ribbans for designing our poster. Next year's event will be on Sunday 25th June so put it in your diary now!
We have given £400 to Strawberry Hill House to renew their car park and £300 to St. John Ambulance to buy a new cooker for their Hall in Park Road. Further donations will be announced in due course. If you know of a local charity or good cause do let us know.
The Council's Arboriculture Officer, Craig Ruddick, chose a beautiful tree for us to remember Joan Freeman by, shortly we'll be planting up the triangle opposite the Hospital in memory of gardener Carolan Shaw and soon we hope to put up a commemorative board showing the site of the only Bronze Age Barrow in London. All these projects are being done with the help of the Council whom we thank.
We have coffee mornings and lunches for you on the Events page and if there's a visit you'd like Pamela to organise just let her know. The Teddington Christmas Lights will be switched on on Thursday 24th November but we don't have any details at the moment. We think it would be nice to separate Lights Night from the Lantern Procession and have two events, perhaps one in November and the other in December. That gives the town two special evenings and the businesses two opportunities to increase their pre-Christmas sales. What do you think?
Now it's time to get the Tidings team into gear collating and distributing this issue and the newest member of our team is Topsy or is it Turvy? I can't tell them apart but if you'd like to help in any way just let us know. We can always put idle hands to good work. SHEENA CONTENTS 1 Welcome 7 Reclaim our Riverbank 11 Mo Farah Pillarbox 2 Teddington Society 7 Udney Park Playing Fields 12 Remembering Michael Foss 2 Editorial 8 Langdon Down Centre 12 Planning Group 2 Church Changes 8 Strawberry Woods 13 Throwbags and the RNLI 3 Slowly Down the Thames 8 Answers to Puzzles 13 In Memory of Joan Freeman 4 Trees and Gardens 9 Village Fair Photos 14 Teddington Artists 5 Pram Race 10 Corporate Members 15 Puzzles 6 Portraits of Teddington Lock 10 Membership Matters 15 Congratulations to Squires 6 Safer Neighbourhood Board 10 PI = 22/7 16 Environment Group 7 Well Bread 11 Roads and Transport 16 Events
The Teddington Society LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 1 Avenue Road, Teddington TW11 0BT Donald Bell Reg. Charity No. 802026 www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk We have reported from time to time on the installation of a Hydro scheme at
Teddington Lock proposed by Teddington and Ham Hydro. The project President - Jenny Hilton received Planning Approval at meetings of Richmond Council on 15 April Vice Presidents : Roger Avins, and 17 September last year. But on 4 August this year, the Court of Appeal John Demont, Paddy Ching overturned this decision. The Teddington Society has decided not to make
any comments, but we will bring you a fuller account in due course. Chairman
Sheena Harold 020 8977 2700 By the way, have you had [email protected] a ride on the shiny new
super-efficient number 65 Vice Chairman and Web Site bus? Temporarily Alan Benns 07768 078667 re-routed on the [email protected] Teddington side of the
river between Kingston Secretary and Richmond while Nick Picton Petersham Road is closed. [email protected] But only between July and
September. No wonder Treasurer the Teddington residents Sally Howland 020 8977 9404 are saying, "Can we keep [email protected] it, please?"
Publicity & Promotions (inc. Gardens) And this edition of Tidings will be the last one printed by Woodgate Loydor Sheena Harold in Teddington. The company's premises have been sold for a housing
development although the printing business will continue from a new Membership Secretary location. I would like to thank David Nash and all his staff for their patience Jenny Michell 020 8977 0772 and professionalism in the production of Tidings over many years and their [email protected] contribution to our charitable efforts by occasionally printing posters and
Teddington In Flower lists for free. Magazine Editor - Donald Bell [email protected] CHURCH CHANGES Minutes Secretary - Judy Asher There are leadership changes in several of our local churches. Planning Group James Sinclair 07535 629165 The Methodist Church has recently welcomed its new minister, Rev Nigel [email protected] Rogers.
Roads and Transport Group Rev Richard Littledale moved from Teddington Baptist Church to Newbury Brian Holder 020 8977 1579 Baptist Church in July. A new minister has not yet been appointed. [email protected]
Environment Group Geoff Howland 020 8977 9404 [email protected]
History Group Ken Howe 020 8943 1513 [email protected]
Riverside and Open Spaces Group Andy Weston [email protected]
Flood Working Group Brian Holder
And, at the beginning of August, there was a service of licensing of the new Associate Priest at St Peter and St Paul, Rev Azariah France-Williams. Here he is (on the left) with the Bishop of Kensington, Rt Rev Dr Graham Tomlin, and Rev Joe Moffatt, the Area Dean. Page 2 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 SLOWLY DOWN THE THAMES - 4 the River Thames”. More accurately it overlooks the Alan and Hilary Benns Wharf Stream. However, it was a bed for the night and our meals certainly provided value for money if quantity
rather than quality was the measure. Newbridge to Abingdon
An early start allowed for a leisurely stroll to Oxford We started at the Rose Revived in Newbridge. After a round the hill covered by the SSSI at Wytham. The land swift half we strode purposefully through the pub was donated to the University of Oxford in 1942 and is garden and onto the open towpath. The morning’s walk now largely used for environmental research. We passed was full of birds – first signposted by fields full of the confluence of the River Evenlode and the Thames discarded feathers and goose poo. Fortunately this where a music festival was taking place, the bass notes rapidly gave way to sightings of flotillas of goslings and from which could be heard from several miles away in families of swans on the water. The sun shone and soon the otherwise quiet morning. Rounding the next corner we were approaching our lunch stop at The Ferryman at we saw signs advertising a farm where their apparently Bablock Hythe through fields of ewes and fat, contented, happy chickens listen to music CDs all day (perhaps to lambs. drown out the noise of the festival opposite).
King’s Lock provided us with an access road, which, although strictly not the Thames Path, was close enough for us. We walked under the busy A34 and were soon in the garden of The Trout at Wolvercote, made famous by Colin Dexter as a haunt of Morse. It is now the home of a very showy-offy peacock who delighted the lunchtime crowd with a strutting display and selfie opportunities.
Our lunch was observed by the resident waterfowl (three greylag geese) at the pub. In the hour we sat there around 20 people walked past us and without exception they all stopped and said “Hello Geese” which struck us as rather bizarre. We wondered whether this was peculiar to these geese in particular or whether it is common in the pub-visiting folk of Oxfordshire to thus greet any birds which they encounter.
The afternoon started with a diversion away from the river necessitated by the rather mean-spirited owners of a caravan park who do not permit the path to cross their land. Within the next couple of hours we encountered a group of extra-strong-mint-eating horses, some rather appealing black-faced sheep and some rather less appealing sheep of the self-shedding variety. These look The sun was now shining brightly and after another mile rather moth-eaten when in moult but apparently save and a half – another pub. This time The Perch at Binsey farmers hundreds of pounds in shearing fees as well as where Sunday lunch was in full swing. Another couple of being more resistant to common parasites. miles via the open stretch of riverbank opposite Port Meadow and the outskirts of Oxford we arrived at The Punter near Osney Lock, just as Sunday lunch was over. The Punter looked rather underwhelming from outside but a warm welcome and an excellent couple of pints of ale for Mr B soon changed our view.
Onward then past the ice rink, the Grandpont nature reserve and some new student accommodation to Folly Bridge and the Head of the River. Another busy pub and our destination for the night.
Joining the river again we walked through fields of The next morning dawned grey and drizzly but we buttercups and mayflowers and crossed it at Pinkhill decided to press on to Abingdon. The river banks here Lock to get our first views of Beacon Hill and Wytham are dominated by boathouses – both those of the Oxford Great Wood. A few meanders more and we saw colleges and of local private schools and there is little to Swinford toll bridge and left the river for our night stop recommend this stretch of the river. Best then to hasten in Eynsham. via a monotonous path and finally a woodland plantation to the market town of Abingdon, where they throw buns The Talbot at Eynsham describes itself rather from the rooftops. disingenuously as having a “Decking Area overlooking Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 3 TREES AND GARDENS Sheena Harold ELMFIELD & JUBILEE GARDENS Both gardens have suffered with the weather and Jubilee
particularly looks like a desert. The box in Elmfield is A BLACK WALNUT FOR JOAN full of blight and I've asked the council to look at After several false starts, the council planted a tree in replacing it. Neither garden has looked very good this Park Road, in memory of our late Vice President, on 14 year so perhaps a new horticultural eye is needed to July. Tree specialists Gristwood & Toms sent an replant with some exciting colour. experienced team to Teddington with the tree which was planted into what I thought a very small hole. Seems it's lined with a sort of plastic, ribbed corset which directs the tree roots downwards.
BEE FRIENDLY The Black Walnut is the most valuable tree in Iowa with While judging Richmond Station for Richmond In Bloom bark which is dark grey or black. The rich brown I came upon 5 raised box beds planted by the Bee attractive grain of the wood makes it sought after for its Friendly Trust. They have put in boxes at other stations woodworking qualities. Squirrels are fond of the nuts you might have noticed like Barnes and E. Putney. I which turn from green to black and have a distinctive asked the Trust to come to Teddington to see if our taste. Grateful thanks to members Hilary, Gilly, Dick and station might benefit from this initiative which is Michael who've been watering it through the driest sponsored jointly by the Trust and the train companies. times. They think we might support 2 or 4 boxes and are now talking to SWT.
Over a third of the food we eat comes from plants pollinated by insects like bees. Honey bees can carry half their weight in pollen and need to fly the equivalent of twice round the world to collect enough nectar to make one jar of honey! Anything we can do to help bees is well worth doing I hope you agree?
TEDDINGTON TRIANGLE NEW PLANTING After several years we finally have a date for the planting up of two flower beds on the triangle of land at the junction of Hampton and Stanley Roads. Thursday 29th September is the date when at 2pm the Council, Squires Garden Centre, Strawberry Hill House and members of the Society will gather with their trowels to brighten up RICHMOND IN BLOOM the west end of town and encourage both insects and We had a good number of entries from across the people to stop and enjoy this little oasis. This is an borough in various categories. Elleray Hall, the extension of our work in Hampton Road where over a Methodist Church, the Adelaide pub and some of our thousand bulbs have been planted in the grass islands residents did quite well but we could do with more again with the help of Squires and the council. The Teddington entries next year. Blooming up your broken brickwork at the apex of the triangle will be frontage makes the whole town look brighter, better and repaired and our History Group are considering erecting certainly attracts more business to our shops. an Information Board like the ones in Elmfield Gardens and Grove Gardens. Page 4 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 TEDDINGTON PRAM RACE 2016 Alan Benns (TEDDO THE CLOWN)
2016 was the third year of the new Pram Race organised by Teddington Society and Friends. It attracted 12 brave teams who created prams and outfits to show off their talents to potential sponsors. It was all worthwhile as The Pram Race Beer Tent was on hand to quench thirsts they collected over £ 3350 in team sponsorship. of both runners and visitors to the Village Fair; this raised £650 to add to the charitable funds which could not have been achieved without sponsorship from Sambrooks Brewery in Clapham, a firm favourite of drinkers at the Masons Arms, the HQ of the Pram Race.
We are grateful to KC Pharmacy in Broad Street, Carol and Mark from Down to Earth Websites and Sainsbury’s for sponsoring the team prizes.
The Masonettes team of superheros won the prize for most sponsorship raised.
Teddo the Pram Race clown was on hand to announce the prizes at the Village Fair and the Deputy Mayor Cllr. Kate Howard was on hand to award the prizes. She must have been impressed as she said of the fair afterwards:
“I have been to many ‘fairs’ since I became Deputy Mayor just six weeks ago, I thought the Teddington Fair to be the only fair that allowed adults happily make an utter spectacle of themselves for the pram race, men in bonnets and nappies, men and women dressed up in orange baby The Orange Squad from Teddington and Hampton Wick jump suits, rather large baby clowns all racing round Voluntary Care Group were the fastest. Teddington in large prams, perhaps not so much racing
more pub crawling in large prams!
The stalls were great including a science stall from NPL, which was less about science more an IQ test, great fun! I look forward to next year. Kate”
We will present £2000 to Riding for the Disabled at Park Lane Stables. They will be using the cash to make a purpose built ramp to allow wheelchair bound riders and their helpers to more easily get to horse height.
Elleray Hall will also be benefiting by £2000 which they will be putting towards IT equipment which can be used by their clients to promote on-line communication with friends and family.
Park Lane Stables won the Best Pram prize for their Next year's Fair and Pram Race will be on 25th June and creative pram in the shape of a horse. we hope to see even more pram teams having fun and raising money for local good causes. See you then. Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 5 PORTRAITS OF TEDDINGTON LOCK question: Did Gunning come down to Teddington and sit Ken Howe by the Lock to paint his work or did he find a copy of Tombleson’s picture and proceed to copy it? Did he further falsify the date to draw any adverse comment Visitors to The Adelaide public house in Park Road, away from himself? We will probably never know but Teddington will no doubt be pleased with the Gunning’s painting has definitely brightened up a wall in sympathetic refurbishment that the brewery has given it. The Adelaide. Too often the over-zealous brewers pitch into redecorations and ruin the ambience of many decades.
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD BOARD Martin Sands
The Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Board met on 26 July and was attended by the new Borough Commander, Chief Supt Parm Sandhu.
She is currently looking into the staff resources available
for each of the borough wards In this case, they also tracked down an unknown (to me with a view to allocating two anyway) portrait of Teddington Lock and placed this on dedicated police officers for the wall for all customers to see. The painting is entitled each ward by September in Teddington Locks 1831 and is by William Gunning King, line with the Mayor of an artist with whom I was not familiar. It is hardly a London’s recent pledge. masterpiece but I was irritated that I had not come across it before. It might well have been in private hands Richmond remains one of the safest boroughs in London and only recently come onto the open market. although there was a slight increase in overall crime over the previous 12 months ending in July 2016. However I tried to check out William Gunning King and the years there have been notable reductions in burglary from attributed to him are 1859 to 1940. It makes no sense for dwellings and other buildings and in robbery with a 30% this picture to have been created 29 years before the fall in the robbery of mobile phones. birth of the artist. Teddington Locks is not included in Art UK’s 185 painting catalogue of Gunning’s works. The While theft from motor vehicles is slightly down there whole structure of the painting was bugging me: Where has been a significant increase of 31% in the theft of had I seen this before. And then the penny dropped! motor vehicles themselves which in recent months has targeted motor bikes and mopeds which are attractive both to sell on and for carrying out other crimes. According to the police, this seems to be a country-wide problem.
The Board confirmed that policing priorities for Richmond should remain burglary, motor vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour which are in line with the priorities identified for Teddington and Hampton Wick at the last local Police Liaison Group meeting in May.
Some 60% of the victims of motor vehicle crime are residents of the borough and the police stress that
people themselves can do much to prevent crime and There is a very famous painting of Teddington Locks by minimise opportunities for criminals. Owners should William Tombleson (1795 – 1846) which has been ensure that vehicles are securely locked and that alarms reproduced many times. It is thought to have been are functioning. If possible, vehicles should be kept out painted in 1833 and first appeared as one of eighty of sight and locked in a garage if one is available. illustrations in Tombleson’s Views of the Thames and Valuables should also be out of sight and removed from Medway published in 1840. the vehicle. If anyone is seen acting suspiciously or loitering around vehicles the police should be alerted. A comparison of the two paintings shows almost identical figures, boats and buildings. Even the landscape The next Safer Neighbourhood Board will be in York looks the same in each picture. Tombleson’s picture has House on Tuesday 25 October at 7pm . Members of the been printed and sold in thousands of copies. Gunning’s public are welcome to attend the meeting and they will – well I think this is the only copy. So this now begs the be invited to put questions to the Board when it adjourns for that purpose. Page 6 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 WELL-BREAD RECLAIM OUR RIVERBANK Alex Sumner Mike Pemberton
Bread: it's the "staff of life" and an essential part of most Less than two years ago there were some 60 boats people's daily diet. The better the ingredients, the better moored, long term, between Teddington Lock and Half the loaf. So my breads are made from stone-milled Mile Tree, at the Lower Ham Road, forming the worst organic flours, used by artisan bakers across the country. kind of shanty town with all manner of accompanying anti-social behavior .
After some eight years the riverbank is at last clear of unauthorized mooring and free for our community to Every week a range of breads are baked here in my enjoy! This success has been achieved by determined kitchen in Teddington and delivered to locals on Friday community action since 2010 and positive support from evenings. Tasty Sourdough, Multi-Seeded Wholemeal, Richmond and Kingston councils in coordination with Rye, Sodabread and not forgetting my own "Not Quite the police and Environment Agency. White".
I’ve lived in Teddington since the '90s, working full-time and bringing up my kids. I’ve also lived in France, running a B&B business and cooking for families on holiday. And it was there, shopping in small town markets, that I learned the value of good ingredients and locally produced food.
The same view today
UDNEY PARK PLAYING FIELDS
We welcome the Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields (FUPPF) as corporate members of the Society. Our contacts are Mark Jopling and Harry Mann
(pictured). Please join me in my not very big kitchen and learn that however small your cooking space you can still bake FUPPF is a Community group great bread. dedicated to protecting the
precious Udney Park War We will work together to make several loaves; a Not Memorial Playing Fields in Quite White loaf and buns, a Rye with Caraway Seeds Teddington. and Sodabread too. Over lunch we’ll chat about our passion for really good bread and you’ll take home all The goal of FUPPF is to return the entire ownership of that you've baked, notes to work from plus the Udney Park to a local organisation committed to confidence to repeat the experience in your own kitchen. retention of the playing fields for community use. www.well-bread.com [email protected] tel: 07587 184874
Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 7 THE LANGDON DOWN CENTRE STRAWBERRY WOODS Lesley Alabaf The Strawberry Woods Play Area – an outstanding The Langdon Down Centre is a hidden gem in addition to the borough’s recreation facilities for Teddington. It’s the theatre wing of Normansfield, which children – was opened for play by the Mayor of was established by Dr John Langdon Down in 1868 as a Richmond, Councillor David Linnette, in July. residential home where people with learning disabilities could be cared for and educated at a time when most would have been condemned to life within an asylum.
Dr Langdon Down was a remarkable English physician - Down’s syndrome is named after him. His revolutionary approach included offering education and physical activity to all residents. As part of this work he built the exquisite Normansfield Theatre within the residential home. The entire theatre wing was restored and renamed The Langdon Down Centre in 2004. The theatre is " Grade II* listed", where the "star" means that it is a particularly important building of more than special interest.
Surrounded by happy children, he thought the new play area, near Stanley Primary School, was “fantastic”, and he congratulated nine-year-old Samuel Bell, (in the grey jumper), for coming up with the name.
The play area is accessed via Stanley Road, just past Stanley School, opposite the Fulwell Bus Depot. It was once a gravel extraction pit, and has been transformed by Richmond Council’s Parks Department led by project manager Jane Crowther.
As well as being available to all children, the play area will be used by local schools and children’s groups as an outdoor classroom… when weather permits, of course! Lesley Alabaf (left) and her marketing assistant Julia Hayes on the stage of the magnificent Normansfield Theatre ANSWERS TO PUZZLES
Normansfield is a working theatre, complete with original fixtures and fittings, and it houses the largest collection of Victorian hand-painted scenery in the country. A digital catalogue of the scenery is on display thanks to a Heritage Lottery Grant received in 2015. Day and evening classes, as well as private tours, school and educational visits, take place regularly.
For further details on events, hiring any rooms etc, contact [email protected] or visit www.langdondowncentre.org.uk.
Page 8 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 VILLAGE FAIR AND PRAM RACE 2016
June 26th seems a long time ago now but once again the Fair ran smoothly and everyone there seemed delighted with the Pram Race and all the free entertainment organised by Lesley Bossine, Manager of the Landmark Arts Centre. Thanks are due to our main sponsor Lensbury who will be sponsoring us again on Sunday June 25th 2017. NPL sponsored us and had an intriguing tent with Harry Potter-like smoke billowing out!!. TW11 Magazine ran free ads for us and new sponsor Sainsbury's pitched in too. Anytainment Inflatables were manned by volunteers from St. Mary's Church. Dexters ran their popular Pimms Bar and donated all their profits to us as did the Toylander car which was driven by loads of eager small lads and a policeman! Cash contributions came from Vince's Ice Creams, Shambles Bar & Restaurant, Mr Pig Stuff burgers, Tipplesworth Cocktails and the Church Hall teas, altogether enabling us to donate £1,500 to local charities. And thanks to Brian Stanton our main marshall and Tim Cannings, the Landmark's Technical & Operations Manager, who bore the brunt of meeting LBRuT's much more stringent rules and regulations this year.
CORPORATE MEMBERS MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Jenny Michell 1 of 1 Design email: [email protected] Architecture:wk British Maritime Technology GET A FRIEND TO JOIN THE TEDDINGTON SOCIETY Broom Water Association We always welcome new members and we would be Byrne Group PLC delighted if you passed on your copy of Tidings to a Curves of Hampton neighbour and encouraged them to join too! Dexters Estate Agents Elements Hair Salon SUBSCRIPTIONS : Elleray Hall Social Club Individual £7, Joint/Family £11 . Elmfield House Dental Practice Senior £4 Joint senior £5 Fairwater House Residents Association Corporate Membership :£25 Faststream Distribution Ltd Postage for Tidings £3.50 for those who live outside Fiona Evans Dental Surgery the TW11 postcode or in flats without an individual Kagan Moss & Co Solicitors accessible letterbox. Kindle Stoves La Casa Del Habana Payment online Landmark Arts Centre http://www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk Mela Mela or by cheque or cash to Milestone Residential Mrs J Michell, (Membership Secretary) 5 Broom National Physical Laboratory Park, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9RN. Patrick O'Donovan (Maritime and Commercial Arbitrator) New members need to give name, address, telephone Park Lane Stables number and an email address if they have one so that we Parsonage &Co Solicitors can send occasional updates about events etc. Also an A4 Quantum Group SAE if they would like a copy of this Tidings. Roger Sutton & Co S & N Electrical Contractors New Members Seed and Bean Organic Chocolate Company Adam and Patricia Little Shambles Bar and Restaurant David and Angela Sagar Sims (Opticians) Ltd Oxana Panifilova Snellers Estate Agents Alan Cartwright Squires Garden Centre Keith Nicholls and Lorraine Parker Stepping on Out Teresa Seall Stevens Tyres Reginald Kemp Stone Rowe Brewer Solicitors Mathew Flood Stoneydeep Residents Association Studio 148 New Corporate Members Take2Therapy The Langdon Down Centre Tamesis Club The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields Teddington Artists Teddington Bowling Club Teddington Carpet Centre PI = 22/7 , doesn't it? Teddington Cricket Club Teddington Theatre Club The Fallow Deer At school we learned that PI The Financial Planning Group (or more properly, the Greek letter π) is The French Tarte 3.14159265358979 The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields or, if you like, 3 + 1/7 or 22/7 The Langdon Down Centre The Lensbury But it's really 3 + 1/7.062513305931 The Park Hotel and 7.062513305931 is (about) 7 + 1/16 The Strawberry Hill Trust So π is really more like 335/113 The Tree Agency or, maybe, even 104348/33215 Turing House School (aren't you sorry you read this far! The TW11 Magazine Waterstones University of the Third Age has a most Woodgate-Loydor Ltd wonderful Maths Group!) Zeldaland
Page 10 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016
being completely excluded from initial discussions, and ROADS & TRANSPORT the much trumpeted Village Plan procedures have been Brian Holder completely sidelined. The Borough’s Cycle Liaison Group (CLG), which includes the Teddington Society, should There are two main topics this time: have been presented with an outline of the proposals for A bid for new Kingston to Richmond 65 style bus review and debate on at least three occasions this year, service via Teddington, Strawberry Hill and but weren’t. The Village Plan review procedure did not Twickenham take place. The Proposed Teddington High Street Cycle “Quietway” Scheme None of the team involved in designing the route had any contact with central Teddington’s residents and The Route 65 bus normally runs from Kingston to businesses, and certainly did not make any effort to Richmond on the Ham side of the River. But with the contact and involve the Teddington Society which has temporary closure of the Petersham Road for gas main always sought better facilities for cyclists. repairs, the bus has been running through Hampton Wick, Teddington and Twickenham.
The proposed design involves removing the well proven and safe staggered Zebra Pedestrian Crossing and the It is a very frequent service and it uses the most modern segregated right turn lane from the High Street into energy efficient buses. The local residents like it very Waldegrave Road roundabout– both of which have been much and would like to keep it. At present a journey in place since early 2002. The staggered Zebra Crossing from Hampton Wick to Twickenham requires two buses, allows pedestrians of all ages to cross in complete safety and two bus fares. With the Number 65, it is just one without delay, and does not create congestion on any unbroken journey. approaching road.
However, it looks as though the bus service will not MO FARAH PILLARBOX continue once the Petersham Road re-opens. But there is one bit of good news. With the introduction of the new “bus hopper” ticket facility on pay-as-you-go there will At the Rio Olympics, the inspirational Mo Farah retained no longer be a financial penalty for passengers changing both his 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres world titles – buses. thus becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.
Unfortunately there is no good news on the proposed
Teddington High Street Cycle “Quietway” Scheme which would be an extension of national cycle route 4 from Aged 33, Mo did much of his training in Teddington – Teddington Lock up the High Street to Bushy Park. where, four years ago, Royal Mail painted its Broad Street post box gold in his honour after he won the 5,000 There has been a major breakdown in the consultation metres at the London Olympics. This month, someone process with Teddington’s residents and businesses quite rightly added appropriate updates! Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 11 MICHAEL FOSS 14.12.26 - 14.5.16 PLANNING GROUP Sheena Harold James Sinclair
Michael was a lovely man and will be much missed by One of the most common questions we face in the many, especially me. He had an elfin charm that belied Planning Group is “should we submit an objection to this his age. When he was asked to take over the Chair after planning application?” How do ten people (or Jenny stood down he declined saying we should have thereabouts) of different backgrounds and professions, asked him ten years earlier! He would have made an all come together to agree whether an application is excellent chairman. acceptable? The short answer is: they don’t. Decisions are rarely unanimous, but we do aim to be as objective as He led the Planning Group on and off for many years and possible. After all, we all have one thing in common….we whether joking or serious always had something to add all care about how Teddington looks. to meetings. Indeed he often brought meetings to a halt when asking if the hostess had a tisane, that's a fancy tea Yes, we have the Council’s planning policies and design bag to you and me! We often walked the streets guides, but we are not planning professionals, so we planning where we could persuade the council to plant a leave the issues of policy compliance to the Council’s tree, or erect a statue. Michael cared deeply about officers. On the other hand, we do need to make sure that Teddington and the fact that we have a wonderful facade any reasons for objection are valid planning reasons. We of unspoiled shop fronts in the High Street is largely can’t simply say that a proposal is ugly, for example, down to him. without saying why it’s not appropriate for that property. So often it’s a question of balance…literally!
Our first house in Teddington was a Victorian semi with a hipped roof, identical to its neighbour, so that the two were totally symmetrical. Teddington is full of similar houses. At this time, people were doing loft conversions, although they weren’t as common as they are now. It
was very tempting to do the same, turning the hip into a Educated at Dartington Hall in Devonshire, followed by gable and creating that extra space that would have been military service in the RAF, then reading economics at so useful. We resisted the temptation, as this would have Cambridge, before working in marketing at Rowntree's thrown the symmetry of the two houses and made them he then went to Paris where he studied French at the completely unbalanced. Needless to say, the next owners Sorbonne. Michael married twice, having 3 children of that house did do the loft conversion, as did the from his first marriage. In 1970 he married Helga who neighbour, so balance is once again restored and the had 2 children of her own, and they all moved to harmony of the street scene is maintained. Teddington.
If we’re talking about a conservation area, the question is He then taught languages, economics and politics at easier to answer; it tends to come down to whether the Kingston University. After retiring he taught at Feltham proposal enhances the area or not. If there is no such Young Offender's Centre. Fitter than men half his age protection, then we have to be more conscious about Michael was a great tennis player and cyclist and an responding objectively. As a group, we feel that this issue excellent salesman when helping on our Stall. of balance is important, whether it’s to do with loft
conversions, replacement windows or extensions. We The Society, and therefore the town, has benefited can walk down a road and take its buildings for granted, greatly from Michael's sage advice over the years. Our until we see the one that stands out because of poor appreciation was shown by the number of Society design. It’s natural that we want to make the most of our members who attended the celebration of his life. houses, but poor design will make that question easy to Donations in his memory can be made to the League of answer: yes, we should object! Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital via www.friends-tmh.org.uk
Page 12 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 THROWBAGS AND THE RNLI IN MEMORY OF JOAN FREEMAN Peter Denton Sheena Harold
The volunteer crew of Teddington Lifeboat Station The Teddington Society planted a Black Walnut (Juglans visited Kingston Riverside recently to train the staff of Nigra) tree in Park Road to honour the memory of Joan nearby bars and restaurants in how to rescue people Freeman, a Vice President of the Society, who died last from the river. December aged 96.
Seven crewmembers arrived on Teddington RNLI’s two D-Class lifeboats and others, including the station’s Operations Manager, Tim Ody, were also present.
Having joined the Society when it began in the 1970s, Joan organised Teddington In Flower for nearly 20 years. She also organised Flower Shows and helped plant the birch trees in the High Street so a tree in her memory is Watched by the Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Geoff Austin, particularly apt. RNLI helmsman Tim James and his fellow volunteers demonstrated the use of throwbags.
A throwbag is a length of line stored in a bag, which is thrown to the person in distress, who grabs it and is then pulled to safety from the shore.
Throwbags are being distributed to riverside cafés, bars and restaurants as part of a major safety initiative. These throwbags cost only £17, and each one might well save a life.
Tim reminded local staff, “Never forget the most important person in a rescue operation is you. Stay safe Her daughter Jill and granddaughter Kate helped with yourself – or there’ll be two people to rescue instead of the planting by adding the last spadeful of soil. one.”
Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 13 TEDDINGTON ARTISTS The exhibition will be open on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October from 10am-6pm at The Normansfield John Walsh Theatre, The Langdon Down Centre, Normansfield, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9PS, private Teddington Artists is a lively group of professional view and press night Friday artists founded in 1990 by the noted botanical artist Ann 7th October 6.30-8.30pm. Swan. The main focus of their year is the annual exhibition, which has been held in many impressive venues: Bushy House in Bushy Park, The Atrium at The National Physical Laboratory and Hampton House.
Martin Henley
This year, they will be displaying their work in the wonderful, historic, Victorian, Normansfield Theatre.
The venue is a rare example of a private Victorian theatre containing original painted scenery and other ornate fixtures and fittings. For one weekend only it will play host to 20 professional artists and makers exhibiting and selling an exciting variety of work: painting, printmaking, photography, jewellery, drawing, textile art and intriguing objets trouvés.
Desi Fontaine
Linda Walsh Peg Morris
Teddington Artists strive to show a wide degree of For further information please contact Anouschka diversity in both their media and styles. To maintain a Hutton on 07801444354 varied show we invite selected guest artists to exhibit [email protected] with us. Here are some examples of members work. or visit teddington artists.co.uk
Page 14 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 PUZZLE PAGE A HIGH STaNDaRD SUDOKU WITH LETTERS If the first is "ST" and the second is "ND" and the
Two puzzles for you. The usual Sudoku rules apply third is "RD" what are the fourth, fifth and sixth? except that there are letters instead of digits.
Each row, each column and each of the marked out 3x3 3-4-5 SYMMETRY boxes must contain nine different letters. Donald Bell
When you have finished, each grey row will spell out a Note: this is a pretty hard word. You are invited to say what is the connection puzzle. When I showed it between the words. to some of my "puzzle club" friends, most of them could not solve it and one of them was convinced it was a hoax!
Every carpenter knows that a triangle whose sides are in the ratio 3:4:5 is a right-angled triangle. Make FIVE of these identical triangles in card and fit them together to make a symmetrical shape. That is, the right side is the mirror image of the left side. They may be rotated or flipped over, but they must not overlap. And there isn't any trick wording. The triangles simply lie flat and meet edge to edge. But it's quite challenging!
Answers to all the puzzles are (upside down) on page 8
CONGRATULATIONS TO SQUIRES Sheena Harold
Our corporate member, Squire's Garden Centres, were awarded a Gold Medal for the first large garden they've designed for Hampton Court Flower Show and now Colin Squire has been awarded an Honorary Degree in Art and Design by Kingston University. He also celebrated his 80th birthday this month.
Colin also offered some advice for University graduates embarking on their careers: “Success, even in uncertain times, can be achieved with commitment, perseverance and hard work,” he said. “Maintain high ethical standards, never forgetting that we should try – in whatever field we work in – to give back to society help where it is needed.”
Kingston University's Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Ron Tuninga, who presented the award, said THE ARGUMENT the honorary doctorate reflected both Colin Squire’s extensive horticultural expertise and his tireless charity The king divided 27 gold coins between his four work. “Colin Squire is an example of how an servants. entrepreneurial spirit can reap benefits for the wider community,” he said. “He has successfully expanded his "I got one more than you" exclaimed William to one of business while remaining true to its family-run his fellow-servants. At this point a shouting match broke traditions and is a tireless advocate of local charities and out. "I got two more than you!" "I got three more than organisations, including Kingston University. We are you!" I got four more than you!" "I got five more than very fortunate to be able to acknowledge Colin’s you!" "I got six more than you!" outstanding contribution to both with this award.”
But nobody, apart from the servants, knew who was shouting at who. How many gold coins did William get?
Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016 Page 15 ENVIRONMENT GROUP EVENTS Geoff Howland PEG WOFFINGTON COFFEE MORNINGS Michael Foss's obituary appears elsewhere but I wish to Tony and Betty open their historic cottage and, if the say here that he was a much valued member of the weather is nice, their garden, just for us. Environment Group committee. He is very much missed. From 11am at 167 High Street on Tuesdays : October 18th, November 15th, December 13th
TRIANGLE PLANTING Thursday 29 September at 2pm – come to the "triangle" at the Hampton Road end of Stanley Road. Bring your trowel and help with the flower planting.
MERITS CHRISTMAS LUNCH Wednesday 7th December
£18 per person (payable on the day) Merits, Twickenham College, Egerton Road
See the insert in this magazine, which has the menu and The litterpickers have had a busy summer with litterpicks at the railway station, the Teddington Village booking form. Please indicate your choices and return it Fair and the annual Riverside clean up. We helped at the to Pamela McHutchon by 18 November, churchyard in preparation for the celebration of the Flat 3, 86 High St, Teddington TW11 8JD Queen's 90th birthday. And to close our summer season we did the Tesco carpark and the passageway leading VISIT TO GEFFRYE MUSEUM from there to Broad Street and in Broad Street itself. Wednesday 30 November 2016 "Christmas Past: 400 Years of Seasonal Traditions in English Homes."
A Christmas talk provides a fascinating background to the museum’s annual Christmas Past exhibition in which period rooms are decorated in authentic historic style, and the meanings behind our seasonal traditions and customs are explored and explained.
The latter pick was notable for the "bumper bundle" of rubbish and fly tipping we collected. And, in appreciation of our efforts, Una, who runs the Happy Potter, invited us in for a free mug of coffee. And very good it was too especially as the pottery painting wasn't obligatory! Time to visit the rooms of the Geffrye, set in the former almshouses of the Ironmongers company before a festive On the riverside litterpick we discovered an illegal cable lunch in the museum's lovely café. stripping operation on the island of, presumably, stolen cable. This find was reported to two members of the Meet: Teddington Station platform 1 to catch the 09.35 Kingston constabulary who happened to be trundling train to Clapham Junction. Change to London along the tow path on push bikes. Overground to Hoxton. The Geffrye is just opposite.
Fly tipping at the recycling sites seems to be on the Cost: £25 includes talk and lunch. Please make cheque increase and is always reported to the Council when payable to Pamela McHutchon spotted and David Lawton, my predecessor as Leader of Flat 3, 86 High Street, Teddington TW11 8JD. the Group, is diligent at reporting any finds of graffiti to Mobile Phone: 07802 822812 the appropriate authorities. .
Printed by Woodgate Loydor , 2 Elmfield Avenue, Teddington TW11 8BS Page 16 Tidings 175 – Autumn 2016