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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Sadly we start this year saying goodbye to two lovely ladies, founder members of the Society, who have died. Both Barbara MacMahon and Joan Freeman contributed greatly to the success of the Society. We will miss them.

The New Year party was a huge success as you'll see from the pictures inside. Next up is the AGM whose details you'll find enclosed. Come along and enjoy spectacular views of our .

And we will be celebrating a couple of Royal occasions. The Queen will be 90 years old on 21 April and we, and the whole nation, will be wishing her a Happy Birthday. will also have a visit from Princess Anne on the morning of Wednesday 17 February when she will be re-opening the Park Lane Stables.

Then we have Teddington In Flower, if we can get volunteers to organise it, and the Village Fair - both in June. If you have some time and some skills please offer them to us. We welcome members from everywhere. We don't discriminate as long as they have an interest in Teddington. They can be as active or inactive as they like, no matter what sex, shape or size. So if you can, please join in and lend us a hand.

And if you know who cut off the pointing hand on the "To " sign in Avenue Road, please, we'd like it back! It'll cost over £1,000 to have another one made and neither the council nor the Society can afford that. SHEENA

CONTENTS 1 Welcome 6 Crossrail 2 12 Riverside and Open 2 Teddington Society 7 History Group Spaces 2 Editorial 8 New Year Party 13 Panorama of the Thames 3 Slowly down the Thames 9 Christmas Lights 13 Christmas Parcels 4 Trees and Gardens 10 Joan Freeman 13 Barbara MacMahon 4 Landmark Anniversary 10 Teddington Hospital 13 Teddington Theatre Club 4 Great Railway Journeys 11 Safer Neighbourhood 14 Community Caring 5 Planning Group Board 15 Corporate Members 5 Village Plans 11 Local Studies Library 15 Membership Matters 5 Congratulations, Jenny 12 The Sheriff Leaves Town 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 It seems strange to be producing the Spring edition of Tidings while President - Jenny Hilton the weather forecasts are continuously about Amber Warnings for Vice Presidents : Roger Avins, wind and rain and presumably there will be more floods to come. John Demont But, as you will see from many Chairman of the articles in this edition, Sheena Harold 020 8977 2700 there is an air of optimism in [email protected] Teddington.

Vice Chairman There are green shoots in Alan Benns 07768 078667 [email protected] gardens all over town, and planning has already begun for Secretary Teddington in Flower. Josette Nikiforou 0203 174 2481 [email protected] The squirrels are performing an amazing high-wire act on the fences around the tennis court and the population of parakeets shows no Treasurer sign of slowing down. Sally Howland 020 8977 9404 [email protected] The birds are noisily building nests in our roof spaces and the Publicity & Promotions (inc. Gardens) Sheena Harold foxes are digging up our garden plants and tearing our garden Membership Secretary & Website furniture. Jenny Michell 020 8977 0772 [email protected] The whine of circular saws emanates from many loft Magazine Editor - Donald Bell extension projects and the gas [email protected] men are digging up the roads and insisting on relocating gas Minutes Secretary - Judy Asher meters wherever they go.

Planning Group James Sinclair 07535 629165 The improved commuter trains are slowly being introduced and the [email protected] plans for Crossrail 2 are being firmed up. And the threat of an expanded Controlled Parking Zone seems to have receded, at least for Roads and Transport Group a few more years. Brian Holder 020 8977 1579 [email protected] So what might go wrong? As you will read in these pages, there are concerns over excessive building projects, the threat of flooding if Environment Group climate change brings wetter winters, how any decision over Geoff Howland 020 8977 9404 might affect Teddington and the changing face of the High [email protected] Street and Broad Street as bigger shops are opened. History Group Ken Howe 020 8943 1513 The Teddington Society has several Working Groups looking at all of [email protected] these issues, and more. And there are usually articles from each one in most issues of Tidings. Riverside and Open Spaces Group Andy Weston We will have our Annual General Meeting in April, so if you have a [email protected] particular interest or would like to know more, get in touch with members of the Committee whose names are listed here. Flood Working Group Brian Holder

Page 2 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

SLOWLY DOWN THE THAMES making the only significant error of the day. We decided Cricklade to Lechlade - Alan Benns that this must be the point to stray from the marked path so struck out left along a field boundary until we met the river. We followed it for a while although this meant An early rise in Cricklade, but not too early as we must scrambling down and up a couple of ditches and we were not get to Castle Eaton (and our second Red Lion of the certain we were on the right path as we met another day) before opening time. Sustained by a hearty couple who were also taking the “new route”. Except breakfast at our first Red Lion (including Kelmscott they weren’t. They were lost and “Mr” was pointing out sausage and bacon – of which more in a later episode) to a long-suffering “Mrs” that they shouldn’t have come we set up off the High Street. this way, a fact of which she seemed painfully aware! We continued along the riverside together until we reached For this leg of the journey we have activated a new an impassable boundary. Then we walked the third and phone app; Map my Walk. Every half hour or so a fourth side of the large field to get back to the point we disembodied voice is heard informing us how far we had left the marked path. So much for the “new route”. have walked and our average speed. It also shows the stops we’ve made and where we’ve retraced our steps Now we were a party of 6, for we had met two other after taking advice on “better” routes from locals. walkers, who we’d spotted in the Red Lion earlier. Sensibly they had not strayed from the marked path and After deciphering some vague instructions about were looking very smug about it! We continued through “squeezing through hedges” at the point “where the ways Upper Inglesham and onto the A361. Although this is a divide” we were again by the Thames. At this point the fast road, and there was evidence of a number of recent river is allegedly navigable but practically is overgrown car accidents we were at least confident that we were with reeds. The path here was narrow and slippery heading in the correct direction and making up lost time which made for slow going but once we got into open on a wide and flat grass verge. Then to Inglesham Church fields we increased our pace until we encountered (not visited), Roundhouse Farm which is all that remains seemingly endless fields of maize which necessitated of the former Thames-Severn canal (not visited) and a strict single file and no river views. This area seems riverside park for the tail-end of a fishing gala. incredibly remote, even though it is only 10 miles from the centre of Swindon. We didn’t see one other person We could now see the small town of Lechlade and we until we approached Castle Eaton. wearily crossed the Ha’penny Bridge, which marks the beginning of the truly navigable Thames, to the Riverside Inn which was our destination for the night. Map my walk reported we had travelled 12.27 miles rather than the 11 featured in our guidebook but my feet suggested that it had been considerably further than that. We were looking forward to a sit-down, a few beers and a good night’s sleep. The next morning was misty and damp when we set off back across Ha’penny Bridge towards the first lock on the river, St John’s Lock, which was built in 1790 and is home to Old Father Thames.

We arrived at our second Red Lion bang on opening time. We were followed smartly by a couple of locals and a party who were launching an enormous canoe from the river bank – this was the first stage of their sponsored paddle down river to the Thames Barrier.

During our second pint we were given advice on our afternoon route by the friendly landlady, who assured us that there was a new part to the which followed the river more closely and avoided the perilous “A361 between Upper Inglesham and Inglesham (which) is best negotiated by taxi”. We therefore set out refreshed and confident that we would reach our accommodation in Lechlade well before tea-time. He was originally commissioned in 1854 for the grounds of the Crystal Palace but has since resided at Thames After a fast stretch on roads we encountered the river Head before being relocated to his present position. again briefly, then walked along a wide bridleway until Next time Lechlade to Newbridge. Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 3

TREES & GARDENS LANDMARK ANNIVERSARY PANEL Sheena Harold Peter Denton

TEDDINGTON IN FLOWER Sunday 12th June we would like people to offer to open their back gardens to the public for charity and we'd like volunteers to man the gates and collect the entry fees.

We must say a great big thank you to Sian Morgan who is stepping down after a couple of years' really hard work organising the event. We are now looking for a couple of people who can find interesting gardens to open, then contact and fix a rota of gate sitters. If you think this is something you could do then get in touch with me please. If we can't find anyone, we will have to cancel the event for this year!

As my camellia blooms amid the early morning frost I look forward to the bulbs in Elmfield Garden, Hampton Wendy Miles (left), Administrator of the Landmark Arts Road and particularly the new planting by the NPL main Centre and Tim Cannings, Operations Manager, with the gate coming into flower to cheer us all up. centre’s new 20th anniversary panel which charts the building’s history from the 1800s through to the present TREES day – and beyond! We enjoy a good relationship with the Council's Parks department which is staffed with some helpful and The Teddington Society helped towards the costs of knowledgeable people at the moment. Sadly we lost a producing the high-quality informative panel, which damaged ash tree in Elmfield Gardens, the one by our charts the foundation and expansion of the former Poppy memorial, but it will be replaced later this year. church, which was designed “on the scale and size of a French cathedral”, through to its last service in 1976. I have discussed ways of improving the entry to the town from the Station. At the junction of Adelaide Road with In 1991 work began on converting the by then derelict Park Road I've asked if we could have a new tree where building into an arts centre, and in 2004 it embarked on there used to be a Horse Chestnut which got disease and a new lease of life as the Landmark – “a local charity replaced by a Black Walnut, which also failed. At the relying on the support of the local community”. moment it is just uneven, patched asphalt. GREAT BRITISH RAILWAY JOURNEYS

I've asked if we could provide a tree in memory of Joan Freeman and wait to hear. At the very least a brick box with shrubs would create a better impression especially if a matching one could replace the broken brick box with the truncated Faux Robinia on the corner of Park Lane.

Tony Mansell asked about the untidy mess at the corner of the High Street and Road. It is a Welfare Unit for Southern Gas Networks staff and may be there for another few months. They have been asked to keep it neat and tidy but I doubt we'll see any spring bulbs there this year.

Continental Landscapes will soon be preparing the beds at the wooded triangle opposite the Hospital for us to plant. Be prepared to come along with your trowel and lend us a hand with planting. Michael Portillo visited Teddington on his railway tour around Britain. Here he is on our suspension bridge.

Page 4 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

PLANNING GROUP VILLAGE PLANS MEETING James Sinclair Teddington and

The job of Planning Officer in a Council cannot be an easy Following a successful local one at the best of times. A heavy workload and the Leader's Question Time event responsibility of shaping the places that we all call home in Hampton and Hampton would test any of us. Imagine, then, doing the job for Hill, the Village Planning Richmond Council, in an area where there must be a process will now make its listed building, conservation area or open space around next stop in Teddington and most corners. Then add in the fact that Richmond Hampton Wick on 10 March. residents are very articulate and not afraid to voice opinions when their corner of the Borough is threatened Starting in May 2016, the Council will hold a series of by development that is seen, at the very least, as being drop-in sessions for local residents. They will be asked “inappropriate.” what they would like to see maintained, what they would like to see improved, and how they would like to get As far as Teddington is concerned, the Planning Group involved in their local community. can form a link between residents and planning officers, submitting its own comments on planning applications, Each Village Planning process begins with a Leaders especially where local people have expressed strong Question Time event. Residents in Teddington and views, generally against a proposed development. We Hampton Wick will be able to share directly with the always welcome approaches for help from concerned Leader and Cabinet Members issues that mean most to residents; we’re looking at planning applications all the them about their local area. time and we understand the issues that planning officers will consider to be significant. The Question Time will be held on Thursday 10 March, 6pm to 8.30pm (Exhibition from 6pm and Question Time For the past few years we have also had a round table starts at 6.30pm) at Teddington Baptist Church, 17 meeting with planning officers, being our opportunity to Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8PF. discuss, face to face, the concerns that have been raised by ourselves and by residents through the year. This There will also be an exhibition of local groups, enabling year’s meeting in December covered such topics as the residents to find out more about how they can get protection of conservation areas, Udney Park playing involved in their local area. The first hour of the event fields, the old house at Laurel Dene and residents’ will consist of pre-submitted questions to ensure a attitudes to some technical reports submitted with spread of issues are discussed. The second hour will be applications. opened to the floor. Please submit your questions before 1 March 2016 to [email protected] . Questions On this point, we have been approached by people submitted after this time can be resubmitted for the whose experience of, say, local parking is at variance open floor session. with the evidence set out in a report, usually suggesting that the parking problem is worse than is being CONGRATULATIONS portrayed. Whilst planning officers expressed some sympathy with this position, they did confirm that they can only respond to hard evidence, implying that residents do need to undertake a level of survey work, to make a more robust case. Whether or not we are happy with what we are told, officers and group members all feel that these sessions are worthwhile.

This year, there will be further opportunities to influence the planning process, with the Village Plan getting underway early summer and a review of Local Plan policies later in the year. The Planning group will be participating in both consultations.

The group is always happy to take up causes on behalf of Jenny Hilton, our President, celebrated her 80th residents and advise on the type of approach that is birthday in January, so we sent her a card. more likely to produce results. If it gives planning She was appointed a life peer in the House of Lords officers more time for good decision making, then we in 1991, having previously served as a Commander should all be happy with that. of the in . Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 5

CROSSRAIL 2 would be retained. It seems that changes at Brian Holder Junction could become the norm, except for the two Loopline services.

NO GENUINE IMPROVEMENTS FOR TEDDINGTON In 2043, the number of passengers that will eventually be affected by the Crossrail 2 changes is estimated to be 40% more than the 2013 figures below.

STATION POSITION PASSENGERS Waterloo 1 98,442,742 Clapham Junction 2 25,287,250 Wimbledon 4 19,302,216 Richmond 7 9,533,696 Earlsfield 13 6,233,208 Having attended two Crossrail 2 exhibitions, it has now Kingston 15 5,986,660 become clear that the hoped for significant Teddington 30 2,496,754 improvements in the number of rail services for Hampton 66 1,202,378 Teddington are no longer included in their plans. Strawberry Hill 75 1,098,576 Hampton Wick 81 926,966 The Shepperton line stations, including Teddington, will Fulwell 112 468,972 have 4 Crossrail Services per hour to London and Teddington will retain the 2 per hour Loopline services I have written to the Crossrail 2/Network Rail to Waterloo via Wimbledon. Consultation Team and to the Department of Transport Rail Franchise Team to say their plans should include:-

1. A direct link between Heathrow and SWT's suburban services starting at or near the proposed CrossRail 2 station at Fulwell via a tunnel under Heath and the Crane Valley,

This would provide a rail link for the whole of South and Southwest London’s stations to Heathrow either directly, or with just one change, via the Loopline Services passing through Richmond and Wimbledon via Clapham Junction.

Heathrow-bound traffic is a major source of traffic congestion and health, threatening air pollution across Richmond, Hampton Wick and Kingston will have 10-12 the whole of South London. Provision of a cheap and services per hour to various London terminals because convenient rail services should reduce those problems. the Crossrail 2 team has decided that as Kingston has the largest footfall in Zone 6, services should be maximized. 2. A major upgrade of all SWT services passing through

Richmond to and from Waterloo by putting twin tunnels This will be done by passing all trains just beyond from Twickenham and Richmond to Barnes for fast Hampton Wick, and then turning half of them round at through services, and handing the surface tracks over to new sidings between Hampton Wick and Teddington, the overloaded suburban services. and then back to Wimbledon, on to Clapham Junction via

Tooting Broadway, or Balham, or presumably by At present, very busy suburban stopping services have to Earlsfield where they may go to various share single tracks each way between St Margarets destinations including Waterloo, Victoria, (Twickenham) and Barnes, with no possibility of Court Road, Euston St Pancras and beyond. overtaking by faster services. To make matters worse,

there are a number of level crossings which increase I have lodged strong objections to the sidings because if delays for traffic and complicate rail timetabling. The turnabouts are required, they should be done at diversion of all fast services through tunnels would Strawberry Hill, as is done now, to provide Teddington by-pass level crossings and significantly reduce delays. with 10-12 services per hour.

I am not optimistic about either of these proposals being I was unable to get confirmation from any of the officials adopted, but if you don’t ask, you won’t get! at the exhibitions that all our direct services to Waterloo Page 6 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

HISTORY GROUP walks in the Borough, aiming to be both healthy and informative. Ken Howe Queen’s Road Valerie Sullivan Archive/WW1 Project David Teague, a fairly new resident, has been looking at Work is continuing on this with David Neller doing most the old census returns for Queen’s Road to establish the of the donkey work at present and Colin Hicks loading old house names with the modern postal numbers. the new information onto the website. David has discovered two hitherto unknown memorials at St Crossen Family Michael’s Fulwell and the Sacred Heart at Teddington. At Trev Valler from New Zealand has been trying to identify the last count he had increased the head count from 337 his relatives’ old house “Somewhere along the Thames”. to over 470. Photos look similar to Broom Road but we can't be sure.

WW1 Village Life Stories Victor and York Roads We intend to throw this open to our membership. If Mark Ashton enquired about the history of these roads anyone has a story to offer of village life during WW1 and whether they were the original names of not. contact either me or Daniella Hadley, the Borough WW1 Outreach Coordinator on Capability Brown [email protected]. The Borough are mounting a Festival of activities including a big exhibition at Hampton Court to mark the A Blog has been created and this may be viewed on 300th anniversary of his birth and these events will run www.ww1richmond.wordpress.com. from February to June. Unfortunately he did not actually undertake any work in Teddington or Twickenham, so we do not have anything to contribute.

Callcotts Photographers Yvonne Loftus of Museum of London Archeology (MOLA) is working on the Tijou Gates at Hampton Court, which were photographed by Callcotts of Teddington in 1902. She would like to find their address in Teddington.

Upper Lodge Keith Atkinson checked what district Upper Lodge fell in. It is in the of Hampton.

Bridgeman Infants School Chris French was checking on the location of this old infants school which was absorbed by Collis School. This French Wine Growers Association was where 26-36 Cromwell Road now stands. Following my talk on Teddington , Alan Rolfe felt that there was another on the corner of Somerset St Michael’s War Memorial road and Church Road. This was in an Off-Licence called Chris French had a query about one of the fallen of the St the French Wine Growers Association. See the photo Michael’s congregation. I was able to point him in the above. direction of our website and he newly discovered memorial. He said “This is a brilliant resource and must Kings Canadian Hospital have involved a great deal of work.” Chris is now joining Some WW1 pictures were given to Friends of Bushy and the Society. Home Parks (FBHP) for their newsletter. 127 High Street Paul Leonard Archive Stuart Wolf, an old resident of the High Street was In conjunction with Borough of Twickenham Local exchanging some memories with us. He has inherited History Society (BOTLHS) we are looking at a collection some old photos and will try and dig them out for us. of letters and postcards acquired at auction, some of which relate to Teddington in the early 19th century. The Udney Park Estate Dr Chris French has written a paper with the Teddington Walk Twickenham Local History Society called “A of Jane Baxter, the Borough Local Studies Librarian, has Contrasts : The Udney Park Estate 1870-1939. asked for some help in compiling a series of self-guided Priced at £5.50, it is available from me or Waterstones.

Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 7

NEW YEAR PARTY Pictures by Brian Holder

Paddy Ching had assembled a superb Quiz on "European Towns and Cities".

We will probably feature it in a future edition of Tidings.

Page 8 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 9

JOAN FREEMAN TEDDINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 29.9.1919 - 3.12.2015 History Group – photos courtesy of Ken Howe Sheena Harold Teddington’s Hospital dates back to 1874, when a Many of you will remember Joan who'd been a member public meeting determined that “a Cottage Hospital be from the Society's earliest days, was our Vice-Chairman established for the benefit of the sick poor of 1993-4, for some 17 years organised Teddington In Teddington and Hampton Wick”. The small hospital Flower and for several years helped with the opened in 1875. Over the years, its capacity was Gardener's Fair which sadly we now no longer hold. extended. She was eminently qualified for this as those who remember her rose-filled front garden can attest. She was the leader of the Trees & Gardens group for several years and worked closely with Sue Stevens, her neighbour opposite, who led the Trees Group for several years, in having trees planted across town and particularly in the High Street. After retiring from office Joan was made an Hon. Vice President.

By 1909, the Hospital was in financial difficulty. The Board of Management considered cutting staff and closing beds. The Hospital Flower and Vegetable Show served to raise money to save the hospital, as did the Comet’s “Shilling Fund”.

In November 1914, the Management Committee placed the hospital’s resources at the army’s disposal. Other institutions in the Borough had made similar offers to the army, being used throughout the war as a place of rest or as a training centre for soldiers. Where possible,

the Army Medical Services decreed that where possible Joan (nee Edwards) was born in and they would not interfere with civilian sick. Teddington educated at High School from where Hospital continued at this time to treat military she went to St. Martin's School of Art and there personnel, but not the war wounded. The strains of war met Charles Freeman, whom she married in 1942. led to a decline in fundraising for the hospital. During the War she worked in the Inland Revenue. In

1959 they moved with their daughter Jill to Teddington where Charles became a known local artist and Joan did dressmaking at home. She lived in Avenue Gardens for 50 years - just across the road from the main gates to her beloved Bushy Park where she walked her dachshunds and subsequently border terriers. Sadly it was the Park that was her downfall as one evening some years ago she fell and fortunately it was Diana Gillespie who found her after she'd been lying there for some time. This triggered health problems culminating in Joan coming to Deer Park View Care Home in Sandy Lane where she ended her days. Joan regularly attended the NPL Lunchtime Concerts - great value at £1 a session - and she loved her Scottish dancing at the Clarence Hotel, now renamed the Park. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Joan When war ended in 1919, it was agreed that a new then please send to: The International Glaucoma hospital was to be built. It was to be known as the Association, Charity No. 274 681, Woodgate House, 15 Teddington Memorial Hospital, as a tribute to Highpoint Village, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH. Teddington’s 337 war dead. It opened a decade later as Tel: 01233 648 164. Meanwhile please join me in the Teddington Hampton Wick and District Memorial sending our love and condolences to daughter Jill, Hospital. husband Martin and their family. Page 10 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY AND This month long, Borough wide extravaganza comprises walks, talks, a quiz and the KYP cache ARCHIVE treasure trail. This year we are introducing new and The Local Collection with Global Appeal exciting elements such as a day showcasing Jane Baxter archaeological finds. Brochures will be available in libraries from July onwards and a full programme of Tucked away at the top of The Old Town Hall in events and booking arrangements will be on the Richmond is one of the Borough’s treasures – the Local website: Studies Library and Archive. As the only London http://www.richmond.gov.uk/localstudies Borough to span the Thames, it is appropriate that Richmond’s archives are housed here overlooking the Meanwhile why not come along to the Local Studies river. Library and Archive: Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue TW9 1TP. From a fifteenth century land deed to a 1960s futuristic We are open Tuesday 9.30-18.00, Wednesday 10.00- view of Richmond town centre – the collection houses a 19.00, Thursday and Friday 9.30-18.00 and Saturday wealth of material freely accessible to visitors. This 9.30-16.00 unique and irreplaceable resource of records tells the For further details telephone 020 8734 3309 story of the Borough and its people. As the Council archive we hold records for our various local authorities dating back to 1489, as well as reports for SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD BOARD local businesses, schools, hospitals, charities and Martin Sands societies, and also personal papers of local residents. The first Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Board for 2016 met on 26 January. Much of the substantive discussion was concerned with the progress made in the borough towards meeting the target set by the Mayor’s Office for the Met Police to achieve a 20% reduction in the seven priority crime categories over the period 2012-2016.

Richmond now ranks second among the London boroughs in terms of achievement against these categories and has already seen a 19.4% reduction against the 20% target with 3 months of the year 2015-16 still to go. Progress would have been even greater if it had not been for the

which saw an inevitable but temporary increase in The collection comprises criminal activity such as pickpocketing. There has been a steady decline in crime in the borough since 2012  Books and pamphlets against all seven priority categories. The police view is  Maps that this is largely due to the targeting of known  Documents and manuscripts offenders, a clear focus on crimes of major concern and  Photographs community involvement in crime prevention through  Prints, engravings and watercolours activities such as Neighbourhood Watch.  Slides  Newspapers The Board confirmed that policing priorities for Richmond should remain burglary, motor vehicle crime Our online catalogue allows you to search the listed and anti-social behaviour. While burglary is at the records. You will find it at: lowest level since 2012 and theft from motor vehicles http://www.calmview.eu/Richmond/calmview/ is also considerably down there is no room for complacency. Residents can do much to prevent crime Whether you are researching your family history, the and minimise opportunities for criminals, for example history of your house or undertaking a piece of in depth by not only locking vehicles but ensuring that no historical research, you will find friendly, expert and attractive items such as bags are on display. professional staff available to help and advise. As one visitor said, “I spent hours on the internet and found The Board agreed to write to the Borough Commander what I wanted here in minutes”. to express their appreciation for the excellent work by the police in Richmond in achieving such a significant Each September we celebrate the history of the reduction in crime over the last 4 years thus making Borough with the Know Your Place heritage festival. Richmond one of the safest boroughs in the capital. Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 11

THE SHERIFF LEAVES TOWN Tony was presented with an engraved crystal bowl Sheena Harold from the House of Commons by Tania, while Martyn Kingsford gave him a framed photo of the Police Liaison Committee and we gave him one of our In our last issue we said goodbye to Sgt Tony Teddington tea towels. Lovegrove who'd led our Safer Neighbourhood Team for several years with great success. Tony said afterwards: Saying ‘Thank you’ just doesn’t seem to cover it. I was delighted therefore when our MP, Tania Mathias, Overwhelmed would be a good word, touched and so suggested that we give him a farewell dinner to thank grateful may go some way to explain my him. appreciation for what you did for me at Shambles.

Representatives from the Teddington Society, Hampton The residents of Teddington will always have a place Wick Association and Churches Together In Teddington in my heart and I am so pleased that I was able to were invited to Shambles Restaurant on Friday January finish my Police career amongst so many Special 8th to enjoy a 3 course menu chosen for us by Chef people. Massimo. Thank you for your lovely kind words and for providing me with a night I will never forget. Also, thank you for sharing a special working relationship and I really am sorry that I couldn’t have gone on for longer.

My Policing time at Teddington will always hold a special place in my heart. Please pass on my fondest regards to everybody from the Society for providing me with such lovely memories and a fabulous night.

We wish Tony every success in his new job as Fraud Investigator for the S.W. London Fraud Partnership.

RIVERSIDE AND OPEN SPACES

Andy Weston Tony with some of his friends at the party left to right : Terry McDowell, Geoff Goodway, Mo Mott, I will be leading a walk to give some publicity to the Tony, Judith Schomberg. Riverside and Open Spaces Group from the Teddington riverside and then round some of our open spaces. You can see how we enjoyed ourselves by looking at The date I have chosen is Saturday March 19th at 11.00 the film made by Alan Benns, our vice chairman. Go to : - meeting at the drawdock end of Ferry Road at the https://youtu.be/z_miyjvVtrQ Teddington end of the suspension bridge just past the Tide End pub.

The walk will go from there along the riverside behind the Boathouse Studios and then to Manor Road Recreation Ground and then cross Manor Road to Grove Gardens and then up to the Cemetery in Shacklegate Lane coming back via Waldegrave Road to the High Street at Elmfield House and Gardens and then round past Udney Park back to the start.

The walk will have some history of the areas which the group monitors and will hopefully create some interest in the Teddington Society Group which aims to campaign to keep the areas in a good state for future generations of residents and users.

Page 12 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

PANORAMA OF THE THAMES BARBARA PATRICIA MacMAHON SOCIAL CHANGE ALONG THE RIVER THAMES 2.4.1919 - 11.11.2015

At the AGM on 12 April, John Inglis and Jill Barbara was born in Teignmouth, South Devon and Sanders will give a brief introduction to the grew up in nearby Torquay where she was educated by "panorama of the Thames" project, the aim of the Dominican Sisters at St Catherine's High School, St which is to create a visual record of the Thames Marychurch. On leaving school she worked first in a local firm which held the Frigidaire dealership for riverside through London. South Devon before joining the Midland Bank in 1940. With jobs needed for men coming back from WW2 she took a transfer in 1946 to Head Office in the and remained with the Bank until retirement in 1974. On the death of her father, and with her mother in poor health, Barbara bought a house in Teddington moving here in 1964. Barbara was a staunch supporter of many things particularly the Conservative Party and the , worshipping at the Sacred Heart, but also the Teddington Afternoon Townswomen's Guild; Teddington Women's Luncheon Club; League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital; Friend of the They will then give a presentation about social Arts Richmond; Teddington Theatre Club; and industrial changes along the Thames over the Library Club; The Cottage Garden Society and of course past two centuries. It is illustrated by the The Teddington Society where, with her banking differences in various locations evident between background, Barbara was our Treasurer for 9 years the Leigh Panorama (1829) and the Thames from 1975. photography (2014). Barbara will be greatly missed by many people as was They will explore the transformation of the evinced by the number who attended the Requiem Mass celebrating her 96 years. Donations in her London Thames from a largely working river of memory can be made to The Passage Charity c/o GS factories, wharves, fishing, osier growing, market Keates, 49 High Street, , TW12 1NH. gardening and transportation – and some fine houses – to the riverbanks and waterway we see today. The film An Introduction to the Panorama of TEDDINGTON THEATRE CLUB the Thames project will also be shown and there will be an opportunity to buy the first book from the project entitled “A Riverside View of Georgian London” CHRISTMAS PARCELS

Sunday 28th February to Saturday 5th March Sunday 4pm, Weekdays 7.45pm Geoff and Sally Howland (and friends) with bags of http://www.teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk Christmas parcels. The Hampton United Charity's /production/muswell-hill generous £800 donation enabled us to give parcels to 40 local residents Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 13

A SUBURB OF CONTRASTS: COMMUNITY CARING The Udney Park Estate, 1870-1939 Sheena Harold Christopher French In our last issue we showed pictures from the 40th The Borough of Twickenham Local History Society has Anniversary party of the Teddington & Hampton Wick recently published my book on the development of the Voluntary Care Group [THWVCG] but did you know it Udney Park Estate between 1870 and 1939. grew out of the Teddington Society?

Society Newsletter No.1 lists our activities in 1973 to include: The Old & Handicapped People's working party who are still considering their future plans. Newsletter No.2 says the group are looking for gaps in the field which they can fill. No.8 May 1975 announces a public meeting June 18th to discuss forming a Teddington Community Care Group and by No.13 1976 it had 60 members. In December that year the name T&HWCCG appears for the first time with Ann Burrows as contact. In Aug. 1977 No.17 states: They have no funds, no premises but a great deal of enthusiasm and some During this period, many of Britain’s towns and cities dedicated workers...... so no change there! experienced the process of suburbanisation as people decided to relocate from town and city centres to the No.31 Dec/Jan 1980-81 lists Douglas Brown as the . Here they would find space, a cleaner Secretary. He is the man I associate most with the environment, fewer social problems and easy access to Group. Alas no longer with us, I well remember visits the countryside. to his flat in Harrowdene Gardens, to be greeted by Douglas wearing little more than a loose fitting Improvements in transport facilitated the growth of dressing gown and offering me a sticky glass of sherry! suburbia whilst landowners and developers were more than willing to supply the land and houses which the A bachelor, who loved the Arts, especially ballet, he new suburbanites required. Before the First World War cared that no-one cared for the elderly, infirm and this movement was dominated by the middle classes, living alone. He was honoured with an MBE for his but between the wars the policy of building "homes fit good works and today you may have noticed that his for heroes" in the suburbs also enabled more of the modern day successor and the current Chairman, the working classes to move into suburbia.. lovely Mary Tavendale has won the TW11 Magazine Award for Unsung Hero. Having previously written extensively on the classic Victorian/Edwardian suburban town of Surbiton (I spent 35 years teaching economic and social history at Kingston University) I decided to carry out some research into a different location and obviously chose Teddington as I have lived in the town since 1979.

The "contrast" mentioned in the title of the book is between the middle class suburbia of pre-1914 and the first council houses in Teddington built in Down Road, Addison Road and Addison Avenue between the wars which were advertised as belonging to "The Udney Park Estate". The book also considers the history of the large area of playing fields situated between Kingston Lane and Udney Park Road and now the centre of local debate.

The book is extensively illustrated with building plans, This is Mary as Fairy Godmother in their Xmas show! I maps, houses, adverts and contemporary photographs. know she would want me to say that the Group need It is available at volunteer drivers to help driving their minibus. And of http://botlhs.co.uk/portfolio-tags/publications/ course, they would like to see a few more people or at Waterstones in Teddington. Price £5.50. actually using the .

If you can help, contact Geoff Howland or phone the Care Group office 8943 3112 to offer or ask for HELP. Page 14 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016

CORPORATE MEMBERS MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Jenny Michell 1 of 1 Design email: [email protected] Architecture:wk British Maritime Technology We welcome the following new members: Broom Water Association Ian & Tracey Lupson, Eleanor Willett & Susan Peacock, Byrne Group PLC Norma Murray, Carole and Michael Ginn, Janet & Peter Curves of Hampton Mayne, John MacEwen, Tamila & Guy Robinson, Colin & Dexters Estate Agents Eleanoe McLellan, Corinne & Stephen Ray, Graham & Elements Hair Salon Vanessa Sims. Elleray Hall Social Club Elmfield House Dental Practice Subscriptions for 2016 are now due. Fairwater House Residents Association Please note this will be your last edition of Tidings Faststream Distribution Ltd unless we receive your subscription! Also please note Fiona Evans Dental Surgery that again this year we will not be issuing membership Haymarket Media Group cards unless you send a SAE to the membership Kagan Moss & Co Solicitors secretary. This is to reduce costs and enable us to keep Kindle Stoves the subscription rate the same. La Casa Del Habana Those who pay by standing order. Landmark Arts Centre Thank you to all members who have paid by standing Mela Mela order. If we have your email address you should have Milestone Residential received email confirmation when we have your Moiduls payment. National Physical Laboratory Patrick O'Donovan (Maritime and Commercial We hope others will wish to renew their Arbitrator) subscription and continue to be part of the Park Lane Stables Teddington Society. Parsonage &Co Solicitors You have 2 options: Roger Sutton &Co Accountants 1. Pay online at www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk . You S & N Electrical Contractors will receive a confirmation email. Seed and Bean Organic Chocolate Company 2. Send a cheque and also a SAE if you would like a Shambles Bar and Restaurant membership card. Sims (Opticians) Ltd Membership rates remain unchanged for 2016. Snellers Estate Agents  Individual: £7; Couple/family £11 Squires Garden Centre  Senior (over 60) Individual: £4 ; Couple £5 StageCoach Performing Arts for children  Corporate : £25 Stepping on Out  Add £3.50 postage if you live outside the TW11 Stevens Tyres area or if you want your newsletter posted (eg Stone Rowe Brewer Solicitors you live in a block of flats where our deliverers Stoneydeep Residents Association cannot easily gain access) Studio 148 Payments and queries to Take2Therapy The Membership Secretary, 5 Broom Park, Tamesis Club Teddington.TW11 9RN. Teddington Artists If you would like to set up standing order or could let Teddington Bowling Club us have a gift aid form you can do this by Teddington Cricket Club Downloading from www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk, Teddington Theatre Club or emailing me The Fallow Deer or ringing to request forms to be sent in the post. 0208 The Financial Planning Group 977 0772 The French Tarte EMAIL ADDRESSES Many members have given us an email address so that The Park Hotel we can send you information about various events as The Strawberry Hill Trust well as reminders about subscriptions etc. The Tree Agency If you have previously given us your email address but HAVE NOT received an email in January from TW11 Magazine the Teddington Society please send me an email Waterstones from your latest email address so that we can Woodgate-Loydor Ltd update our records. Zeldaland Tidings 173 – Spring 2016 Page 15

EVENTS The Vintners' Company's ownership of swans, shared with the Crown and the Dyer's Company, is well known and the historic ceremony of 'Swan Upping', the annual 'S COFFEE MORNINGS census of the swan population, takes place in July on 11:00 am, 157 High Street. certain stretches of the river Thames. The dates are all Tuesdays : 16th February, 15th March, 12th April and 17th May

VILLAGE PLANS MEETING Thursday 10 March, 6pm to 8.30pm (Exhibition from 6pm and Question Time starts at 6.30pm) at Teddington Baptist Church, 17 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8PF

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday April 12th at St. Mary's Parish Hall. Meet: 09.30 Teddington Station platform 2 to travel See the leaflet in this edition of Tidings. together via Waterloo to Bank, or meet at 10.45 directly at Vintners’ Hall, Upper Thames Street, EC4V The AGM will be preceded by a presentation of 3BG. Tea / coffee provided on arrival, guided Hall Tour "Panorama of the Thames". Doors open at 6.45pm and from 11.00 – 12.30. Cost: £20 the presentation will start at 7.15pm followed by a short break for refreshments before the AGM. Booking and payment to Pamela McHutchon, [email protected] VISIT TO VINTNERS’ HALL - Thursday 12 May 2016 Tel: 07802 822812

Vintners' Company is one of the Twelve Great Livery THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM (contact Pamela) Companies of the City of London and in 2013 the There are still spaces for visit on Thursday 10 March. Company celebrated its 650th anniversary! With its origins steeped in the history of the City of London and FROGMORE HOUSE (contact Pamela) the import, regulation and sale of wine, the Company Advance warning - Tuesday 23 August has strong links with the UK Wine Trade. Vintners' Hall is known as the Trade's "spiritual home". LUNCH AT MERITS

Celebrate our Queen’s 90th birthday Friday 22 April or Friday 29 April at 12.00

Charity and education have been principal elements in the role of Livery Companies from their earliest days Come and join us for a 90th birthday lunch. The food and the Vintners' Company maintains this key objective will be cooked and served by the students of the through the work of the Vintners' Foundation. Twickenham Catering College, Egerton Rd, Twickenham TW2 7SJ.

It’s great value with three courses for only £10.95. Please see the insert in this edition of Tidings and return it by Wednesday 30 March 2016 to: Pamela McHutchon, Flat 3, 86 High Street, Teddington, TW11 8JD.

Printed by Woodgate Loydor , 2 Elmfield Avenue, Teddington TW11 8BS Page 16 Tidings 173 – Spring 2016