BE R RY W A H I R L
T L
S
POLE’S
E WAL
RAC
HO VILLA
RESID E NTS’ ASSOCIA TION
A newsletter for all residents of Strawberry Hill
No.173 Spring 2021
be available from our website: ‘So long, by Julia Fiehn and thankS for all the fiSh!’ www.shra.org.uk and on *from ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams Facebook. We also have Twitter and Instagram accounts and we will after six years in the job, i will be giving up the editorship of continue to post a hard copy version the Bulletin after this edition. it has been really good fun, on the SHRA noticeboard at but it is time for someone else to take over. Strawberry Hill Station. I believe that Strawberry Hill is a wonderful place to live: we have historical monuments (Strawberry Hill House and Pope’s Grotto), a rich history, many We strongly support local business schools, two churches, our own station, a university, good shops and and are grateful for the financial services, green spaces and a riverside! During the pandemic and the support over many years from the subsequent lockdowns, the area has become more familiar to many of us. companies that have advertised in We have learned to appreciate our Let us know by inserting a note with the Bulletin, especially during the area even more, and I have been your subscription cheque and last five years: architecture:wk, particularly sad that we have not additional fee. Standing order forms Arthurs, The Golf Club, The Helen been able to distribute the Bulletin in and bank details continue to be Astrid Singing Academy, Kyzan, these constrained times. We felt that available from the Treasurer: MKG 3000, Mercury Motors and the we did not wish to put our distributors [email protected] St Mary’s Sports Clinic. Without the
or residents at risk while delivering income from advertising, the Bulletin For those with email, we will send the newsletter to 2,400 households. would not have continued. the Bulletin direct to your inbox. (I would like to thank the TW Magazine, All households and businesses will The annual subscription covers the not only for keeping going, but also for continue to be entitled to a copy of cost of providing information and allowing SHRA space to keep in touch.) the newsletter. running events. It also enables us to
Also, a very big thank you is due to all hold a ‘fighting fund’ in the event of We have some emails, but not those dedicated distributors who have emergency action. The subscription for everyone in the Strawberry braved rain, cold, heat and probably continues to be £5 per household per hill area. Please send your fierce dogs, to deliver the hard copy year. Please use the form below to email address together with for many years to residents across accompany your payment, and leave your house address to: the area. We are extremely grateful. it at the Post Office, 50 Tower Road, [email protected] TW1 4PE or with our Treasurer. This edition of the Bulletin is larger If you would rather not give us your We are always happy to receive than usual, to try to make up for the email address, the Bulletin will still larger amounts and donations. gap. However, for some time we on the committee have been concerned reneWal of SUBSCriPtion £5 per household per year about the cost of printing the Standing order forms and bank details continue to be available from: June Collins, the treasurer, Email: [email protected] newsletter and the drain on our This Subscription Renewal may be made by cash or cheque, budget. At a time when many of us made payable to: Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association. have been using the internet to keep Please write your name and address on the form below and put in an envelope with your subscription. in touch with friends and family, we Please hand it to either: think that an online version of the a. June Collins, SHRA Treasurer, 23b Tower Road, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4PD Bulletin is the way forward and this or B. Post Office, 50 Tower Rd, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4PE
will be the format for the next issue. Name(s): We are aware that not everyone in Address: Strawberry Hill has access to the
internet, and so we suggest that a
printed copy could be delivered to Postcode:
residents in this position. There are Telephone: costs associated with printing off and Email: postage, and so we are proposing a Amount: Subscription £5.00 Donation £ Date: fee of £3 a year for this service. This will be in addition to the subscription. Shra needs you! We have recruited two environment coordinators. We are delighted to welcome Sharon Willoughby and louisa Carradine. in addition to a Bulletin editor, we still need an events coordinator and some communications support. We know there are residents in our area who have these precious skills. Please do consider, if you live in Strawberry hill, joining the committee and playing a role in the locality, for the benefit of everyone living here. You can find out more about SHRA and what we do on our website. For more information on the roles mentioned above, you can email: [email protected] or phone the vice-chair, Andrew Miller, on 07866 801299 Councillor’s update twickenham green a survey last year. A recent Last summer, with increasing Transport and Air Quality committee numbers of residents enjoying reviewed the feedback from the the outdoor space on Twickenham Strawberry Hill area. Most roads Green, the council received elected to continue their existing complaints that a minority of arrangements, but an additional people using the space were zone including the above engaging in anti-social behaviour mentioned roads was and public urination. We held a recommended. Details and next community conversation to steps are available on the council understand the concerns and, as website. a result, supported the police with additional park guards, completed Speeding a deep clean of targeted roads and The preliminary results of the 20mph enhanced funds available for speed limit across the borough HAIRDRESSING establishments willing to open show that it has significantly their toilets to the public. I know reduced average speeds. We have Get your Spring look with 30% OFF ALL COLOUR SERVICES many of the businesses around had feedback that people would EVERY MONDAY the Green have been really like more enforcement. As was DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS supportive and hope they discussed at the time, only the AND STUDENTS ALL WEEK continue to be so. However, as police can enforce the limit, 39 Tower Road the COVID-19 restrictions are however the council can introduce Strawberry Hill likely to remain for while, we have measures to support the reduction Twickenham put budget aside to improve of speed in areas that continue to TW1 4PS facilities for this period. We plan need assistance . . . measures 020 8891 2255 to have enhancements in place such as smiley faces (I know there before the summer and will share is a more technical term, but also the details as they are finalised. know you are likely to know what Get into golf I mean here!). Recently we have Strawberry hill CPZ received reports of excessive In recent years, we have received speeds on Waldegrave Road and petitions from residents of will push hard on your behalf to Strawberry Hill Close, Clive Road make sure that this is included in Strawberry Hill is offering and Hawkesley Close, asking to any traffic calming measures. four lessons for beginners be included in the CPZ as they and novices for just £40.00 led by our PGA have trouble parking near their Katie Mansfield professional, Peter Buchan houses. Along with e-mail Councillor, correspondence from other roads, South Twickenham Ward this demonstrated a need to London Borough of Just call the secretary on: 020 8894 0165 Email: [email protected]. review parking across the Richmond upon Thames Strawberry Hill Golf Club, Wellesley Road, Strawberry Hill area and we ran 07946 330 341 Twickenham TW2 5SD
2 Congratulations to fieldend “fieldend” We were delighted to read in the richmond Magazine that ‘Fieldend embodies the Historic England has added Fieldend to its Register of Parks Span vision of “homes and Gardens. This makes it Grade II listed and adds it to the within a garden” and we’re 10 landscapes in London and 20 nationally that have been thrilled that the recognised as amongst the best post-1945 landscapes in contribution landscape the country. These landscapes are protected under the makes to the overall National Heritage List for England. architectural character of the estate has been The 51 houses at Fieldend were elegant and practical design. He recognised by built in 1959-60 by Eric Lyons and was very keen to create a sense of Historic England.’ Partners from the company, Span, community, fostered by creating Sarah Dietz, in collaboration with landscape groups of houses around attractive Chair of Fieldend Residents’ Association architect Michael Brown. outdoor spaces. Lyons worked closely with Ivor Cunningham and ‘A resident of Fieldend for Lyons was well respected in his Michael Brown, who created the over 25 years and bringing field and collected 18 awards for communal gardens at Fieldend. up two energetic boys residential design. Early in his The houses are flatroofed with during that time, I’ve long career, he worked with Walter large windows at both front and understood the beauty and Gropius; later he was honoured back, providing a light and airy uniqueness of having with the Presidency of the Royal open-plan living space, a design parkland on my front Institute of British Architects that offers great flexibility. The doorstep. Over Lockdown, (RIBA) and was awarded an OBE landscaped communal gardens are Fieldend was a particularly in recognition of his outstanding as important as the houses, wonderful place to be, with contribution to architecture. providing an informal, natural easy access to greenery Fieldend is one of 61 Span setting. Residents can choose the and communal, social developments, mostly sited in privacy of their own back gardens space. I’m thrilled to hear southeast England. Eric Lyons or enjoy sharing the green of the award granted by aspired to create post-war housing environment of the open areas Historic England. It is so for people who recognised good, where children can play in safety. very well-deserved.’ Joy Jermy
For more information about the Register and the history of Fieldend, go to historicengland.org.uk and look up Fieldend TW1 4TF
Fieldend (picture supplied by Fieldend Residents’ Association, with thanks)
3 aroUnd the Village the recycling Bins at the junction of Wellesley Parade/Pope’s avenue the bins were photographed in this state in early october 2020. While we understand that the Covid -19 situation has caused problems for rubbish disposal, sadly the bins are often in this state.
The SHRA committee have been and a lock put on it, for which we kerbside collection. We need to pursuing this issue with the local are very grateful. The SHRA know what local people think Council, and we would like feedback committee is charged with an about this solution. from residents about the best oversight of the bins. Please send any comments to: solution to the problems associated [email protected] The committee has proposed the with fly-tipping in this location. complete removal of the bins One thing is for certain: the current The council did finally get the since these recycling sites were situation cannot continue. unlocked recycling bin emptied introduced before the era of It IS A HEALtH HAzARd! news of the Station a new shelter and fewer trees We are pleased to see new benches and a shelter on the platforms of Strawberry hill Station ready for when we all start to use the station again. In the Autumn, Network Rail cut species were endangered, and back trees and vegetation from the whilst removal of trees close to the trackside. This was for mandatory track and along the back of the safety and efficiency reasons. They station platforms opened up the advised that an ecological appraisal area, some trees and shrubs were had been carried out to ensure no retained to ensure a level of valuable habitats or protected continuity of habitat.
One of the new benches The new shelter
4 prospect of providing a vibrant aroUnd the Village continued local community café in Radnor Gardens. He anticipates that the radnor gardens an up-date by Andrew Miller café will reopen in May. as you are all aware the radnor gardens Café has been closed since august. after a couple of years of ups and In order to fulfil the promise downs with the previous tenants, the Council served notice of becoming a ‘Community Café’ SHRA would like to see the to quit and took charge of the café in September. as the following policies put into local residents’ association, Shra, made regular posts practice: about the café through its facebook page. it was clear that residents regard the café as a ‘valued local asset’ but were 1 To publish daily opening times frustrated by erratic opening times and other problems. or, failing that, a website or social media presence which We are pleased to report that, The new tenant is Str 54 limited indicates, on a daily basis, after a lengthy process managed which is a company set up by whether the café is open or not, by the Council’s property Jason Wells of Brew Café, specifically i.e. better communications with consultants, avison-Young, to run the Radnor Gardens Café. customers to avoid wasted there were 25 viewings of the Mr Wells has proven track record journeys. premises, 20 expressions of in setting up and running café interest and four interviews enterprises in south-west and west 2 To ensure that the café is open with one winner. London and is excited at the at times when the usage of the playground is at its peak, i.e. weekends and at the end of the school day.
3 To make sure that the toilet is accessible to the community, as it has been for the past few months thanks to the work of the Parks department.
4 To make more use of the all-weather ‘extension’ installed at a public cost of £20k but hardly ever used.
5 To reach out to SHRA in trying to build up the café as a genuine ‘community hub’.
Summer house
We are pleased to see that following pressure from Shra, the Summerhouse in radnor gardens Cafe has been repainted.
5 domestic service StreetWise In the 1891 Census, there were 160 people living in the street, of Strawberry hill road whom 57 (36%) were servants. There was only one male servant, Upstairs and Downstairs William Clark, a 25-year-old groom Streetwise is the history of the streets of Strawberry Hill. from Devon, living at The Elms, all This article consists of extracts from a full report that can 56 others were female. Most (70%) were unmarried, young women in be found on the History page of the SHRA website – their twenties. They came from all www.shra.org.uk over the country, only eight were ‘local’ by Andrew Miller Vice-chair of SHRA and some came from much origins occupations further afield – two from Prussia Strawberry hill road has one of As expected of such handsome and three from Ireland. the finest collections of large properties, they were owned and • 1891 – there were 57 servants in detached Victorian villas in occupied by gentlemen of the 28 houses. the area. middle classes and their families Only one house did not have a plus wealthy widows. Until 1907, Strawberry Hill Road servant: no.38 where William included the current footprint, but These were people who could afford Pickett, a police constable lived also the whole of Popes Avenue, at least one ‘general servant’. with his wife and child. as far as The table • 1901 – there were 51 servants in Twickenham below 31 houses. Two houses had no Green. compares servant.
This article the • 1911 – there were 54 servants in focuses on occupations 32 houses. Four houses had no the pre-World of the servants. War 1 era. heads of
household • 1939 – there were 13 servants in In the 1846 in the three 30 houses. A minority of houses Warren map of Census years (9) had servants. Twickenham, of 1891, 1901 the Strawberry The decline in domestic service after and 1911. Hill Road area the Great War is reflected in the Strawberry Hill Road today. was a series of greatly reduced number of servants small fields divided by a footpath occupation of 1891 1901 1911 by the time of the 1939 Register. that would become the road. These head of household fields were incorporated into the the great War Earl of Waldegrave’s Waldegrave Private means 6 6 3 In the 1911 Census there were Park Estate. In 1881, the first Merchant 4 2 2 167 people living on the street but house, The Elms, appeared on the Financier 4 1 2 there were surprisingly few young corner with Tower Road. By 1882, Stockbroker 4 2 1 men (seven) in the street who some of the large Victorian houses Cleric 3 0 1 were eligible to fight in the First were being built to individual Solicitor/barrister 1 2 4 World War. This was probably designs. Civil servant 1 2 2 because young men tended to
Hotel proprietor 1 1 0 move away from their parents, There were a further 15 detached Drapery shop proprietor 1 0 0 whereas daughters in middle-class houses (odd numbers) on the east School teacher/principal 1 1 1 homes tended to remain at home side of the street. Manufacturer 1 5 0 until they were married. In 1915, On the west side, there were Journalist/editor 0 2 2 there was a massive explosion at initially only two houses: 40 and the powder works at Crane Park 42 and 13 vacant lots. These lots Surgeon/doctor/medical 0 2 2 belonging to Messrs. Curtis and were auctioned in the mid-1880s. Military personnel 0 1 1 Harvey. According to the In 1889, nos. 26, 28 and 32 were Engineer 0 0 1 Birmingham Mail (10th July 1915) built. In 1899, an eight-bedroom Master mariner 0 0 1 even houses in Strawberry Hill house in the road was for sale Railway official 0 0 1 Road, some distance from the in the St James’s Gazette at a Shipping manager 0 0 1 centre of the explosion, did not price of £995. Advertising executive 0 0 1 escape damage from falling debris.
6 notable residents In 1939, harry thomas alfred still be purchased on Amazon. He In 1911 until 1939, number 32 Becker (1892-1980), former MP for lived at no.17 until his death in 1919.
Strawberry Hill Road was occupied Richmond, lived at no. 12 Strawberry In 1928, Joan Celia, ‘Comedienne, by Sir Conrad James naef Hill Road (Middlesex Chronicle, Soubrette and Dancer’, lived at (1872-1954) who was for many 25th February 1939, p.4). no.13 Strawberry Hill Road. In years the Deputy and, then, from In the 1922 General Election he 1928, she was Principal Girl at the 1923, the Accountant General of was elected as an independent New Theatre, Retford. the Navy (until the department was Conservative, backed by the abolished in 1932) Anti-Waste League (a party formed In 1972, Ms. anne Woodward, In 1929, albert Victor alexander, by Lord Rothermere that wanted to an actress aged 52, living at no. 2 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough, shrink the state). In the 1923 Downside, Strawberry Hill Road, KG CH PC (1885-1965), Co-operative General Election he was re-elected collapsed and died on stage while and Labour MP for Sheffield, as the official Conservative Party performing in the Coventry Hillsborough, lived at no. 42 candidate, standing down the production of Abelard and Heloise. Strawberry Hill Road (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 8th May 1929, p.6).
First elected in 1922, he continued to serve as an MP until 1950 (with one break).
He was an opponent of appeasement in the run up to the War.
He was three times First Lord of the Admiralty, including during WW2, and he was Minister of Defence under Clement Atlee in the post-War Labour Government. He became leader of the Labour Lords until 1964. Strawberry Hill Road in the early 1900s. In his later years, he following year. He married four After they married in Richmond in was Vice-President of Chelsea FC, times and his last wife, Mary Beth 2004, actors keeley hawes and a role that was taken on by Crowder, was from Tennessee – Matthew Macfadyen lived for a Richard Attenborough. Harry became an American citizen number of years in Strawberry Hill In 1939, 25 Strawberry Hill Road in 1955. Road. They were both in the original was the home of Sir george lewis cast of Spooks and they went on to drama and french Bolton (1900-1982), an have stellar careers. Strawberry hill road expert in foreign exchange. He The street has had links to drama Keeley Hawes starred in a series of was a leading figure in the rebirth and acting over the years. popular TV programmes including: of the London markets after the Tipping the Velvet, Life on Mars, Second World War. Benjamin Bickley rogers (1828- The Durrells, The Bodyguard and 1919), an English classical scholar, From 1946-1952 he was executive Line of Duty. Matthew Macfadyen lived at no.17. He was educated director of the International also has had success on TV with, at Wadham College, Oxford, and Monetary Fund, and in 1948 he for example, Ripper Street, Little became President of the Oxford was named executive director of Dorrit, Succession, and he has also Union in 1853. Benjamin devoted the Bank of England. In 1957, he been in movies such as Enigma, himself exclusively to translating became chairman of the Bank of Pride & Prejudice, and Frost/Nixon. Greek drama. He published works London and South America. from 1852 until 1910. He was They moved to another address He was twice appointed High Sheriff especially known for translating all in East Twickenham during the of the County of London. the works of Aristophanes which can mid-2010s.
7 architecture : wk ltd remembrance day event in radnor gardens the annual remembrance day service in radnor gardens was a bit l Commercial Design different this year. l Full Refurbishment l Kitchen Extensions l Loft Conversions the mayor, geoff acton l New Build hosted 30 or so invited www.architecturewk.com The Powder Rooms guests, distanced from 69-71 Broad Street 020 8977 6999 each other located behind Teddington, London [email protected] TW11 8QZ some police tapes.
About 100 residents watched from outside the cordon.
THE COMMITTEE The service was orchestrated by Cllr Mike Butlin and ten wreaths were laid at the foot offiCerS of the war memorial. david Cornwell A lone trumpeter from The Chairman 020 8941 6513 Otakar Kraus Music Trust played the Last Post. andrew Miller Vice Chair 07866 801299 [email protected] Strawberry hill residents’ association June Collins annual general Meeting Hon. Treasurer 020 8891 0448 Shra has not held an agM since the start of the pandemic. [email protected] however, we are hopeful that we will be able to hold one at the usual venue (Strawberry hill golf Club) in June 2021. Pamela Crisp Hon. Secretary the date will be 020 8898 1878 advertised on twitter, facebook and instagram as well as on the Shra MeMBerS notice board at the station. Mike allsop Planning As usual, all attendees will 020 8891 1614 be invited to have a complimentary drink and to richard hudspith stay after the meeting for a chat with the committee Peter lamb [email protected] and other residents.
Sam kamleh Everyone living in Strawberry Hill is automatically a member Jeremy thomas of the association and we really look forward to seeing Sharon Willoughby everyone again and hearing Environment your views. s.willoughby@kew.org
The Bulletin is produced online by the Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association. louisa Carradine All text and images are copyright Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association, except where Environment noted. For editorial questions please email: [email protected] 07813 95436 Website: www.shra.org.uk instagram: Strawberry Hill RA [email protected] twitter: @SHResidents facebook: Strawberry Hill Residents Association