LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

From Halloween to Christmas and New Year this is a very busy time for all of us. Remembrance Sunday was well attended and a wreath was laid by Geoff Howland on behalf of the Society at the War Memorial. He cleaned up our Poppy Memorial in Elmfield Gardens which provides a focal point of remembrance in the High Street and is particularly apt as this year is the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele. Did you notice all the huge red poppies on lamp posts throughout the town put up by Shane Thompson of Holmes & Daughters and the Royal British Legion? Next year Shane means to turn the whole town red!

Some of us have changed our roles in the Society. Judy Asher is now maintaining the website and has handed Minuting over to Nick Picton. Photo journalist Peter Denton has joined us as Vice Chairman. Most importantly as you will read overleaf we are saying goodbye and thanks for all the good tidings to Donald Bell who has raised the standard of our quarterly magazine hugely and will be extremely hard to replace. If you would like to step into his shoes please get in touch with me.

Teddington800 comes to a close but leaves behind wonderful memories, lots of new friends made and new members for the Society. Huge congratulations to Anne McTear and the Organising Committee. We'll give a round up of their events and successes next time.

Meanwhile our History Banners will go on show next year. A tour de force by Paddy Ching with input from Ken Howe, John Sheaf, Pieter Morpurgo and me they've been much admired at the NPL, the Landmark and the Library.

We always need new members so why not try and enrol your friends and neighbours? You can find details online or get membership forms from us. Or give membership as a Christmas present. Remembering the famous Two Ronnies “4 Candles” sketch, I note that the RHS has cards depicting: Fork Handles, Tree Kings & Hoe Hoe Hoe for all you Teddington gardeners out there.

So from all of us to all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and see you at the NEW YEAR PARTY. SHEENA

CORPORATE MEMBERS Membership Renewals for 2018

1 of 1 Subscriptions will be due on January 1st 2018. 100 High Street Please note that to keep costs down we will not be AlphaVet Surgery sending membership cards to everyone. Architecture:wk • If you already pay by standing order – thank you! Art Historical London Please check this is still set up correctly as in 2017 we Beechgrove Press had several people who thought they had paid by British Maritime Technology standing order but on checking had not! Broom Water Association If you have given us an email address we hope to Byrne Group PLC confirm receipt in January. Otherwise we will send a Churcham House LLP membership card with the next Tidings. Curves • You can renew your membership online at Dexters Estate Agents www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk Elements Hair Salon and you will receive a confirmation email Elleray Hall Social Club • To renew by cheque - post to the secretary and Elmfield House Dental Practice send an SAE if you would like a membership card. Fairwater House Residents Association • Please add £3.50 for postage if you live outside the Harmer Slater (Roger Sutton &Co.) TW11 area or if we need to post your newsletter (eg Home Instead Senior Care you live in a block of flats where our deliverers can Kagan Moss & Co, Solicitors not easily gain access). Kindle Stoves • Set up a standing order. You can download a form La Casa Del Habano from www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk and send this Landmark Arts Centre to the membership secretary Langdon Down Centre Membership rates will remain unchanged for 2018 Lensbury Club Individual: £7, Couple/family: £11 Lifestyle Residences Ltd Senior: Individual £4, couple: £5, Corporate: £25 Mela Mela Payments and queries to Jenny Michell, 5 Broom Park, Milestone Residential Teddington TW11 9RN. tel: 020 8977 0772 National Physical Laboratory email: [email protected] Park Lane Stables Park Road Surgery We welcome the following new members: Parsonage &Co., Solicitors Patricia Barrott Jacqueline and Richard Gibbon Patrick O’Donovan (Maritime & Commercial Arbitrator) Claire Barrott Terence Mattick Quantum Group Jennifer and Geoff Opie Vivienne Tate Shambles Bar and Restaurant Sims (Opticians) Ltd And a new corporate member Snellers Estate Agents John O’Neill – Churcham House LLP Squires Garden Centre St Mary's University TEDDINGTON MUGS Stepping on Out Stevens Tyres Stone Rowe Brewer, Solicitors This is how our Teddington Society coffee mugs have Stoneydeep Residents Association evolved over the years, with the latest on the right. Tamesis Club Teddington Cricket Club Teddington Artists Teddington Bowling Club Teddington Carpet Centre Teddington Choral Society Teddington Funeral Care Teddington Rugby Club Teddington Theatre Club The Fallow Deer These latest very attractive bone china coffee mugs, The Financial Planning Group shown on their own, would make a useful Christmas The French Tarte stocking filler and can be bought from the Teddington The Friends of Udney Park Playing Fields Society stall in the Cedar Road car park on "Christmas The Lensbury Club Lights Up" evening for just £5. The Teddington Society The Park Hotel tea towel will also be on sale, again for just £5. The Strawberry Hill Trust (The coffee mugs can, of course, be purchased at any The Tree Agency time of the year from Stevens Tyres at 25 Church Road, Turing House School Teddington.) TW11 Magazine Zeldaland The Teddington Society LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 1 Avenue Road, Teddington TW11 0BT Reg. Charity No. 802026 The theme of the Teddington Society, printed on the www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk front page of every edition of Tidings magazine is “making Teddington an even better place to live and President - Jenny Hilton work”. In the Bell household we have a constant stream Vice Presidents: of visitors from far away (mainly America and Scotland, Roger Avins, John Demont, Paddy Ching seeking free accommodation). Most come with the intention of “exploring London”, but quickly succumb to Chairman the charms of the High Street, the Thames and Bushy Sheena Harold 020 8977 2700 Park, envious of our good fortune. [email protected] In this issue of Tidings, you will find descriptions of the Vice Chairman and Twitter many activities that will be taking place over the Peter Denton Christmas and New Year period. I hope you will enjoy [email protected] them and possibly make some unexpected new friends. Or look out for someone who needs your friendship. Secretary and Minutes- Nick Picton [email protected] Over the last few years, I have had a wonderful time working with the Teddington Society and editing this Treasurer Magazine. I have had lots of stories written by people Sally Howland 020 8977 9404 whose names appear here, not to mention the hundreds [email protected] of memorable photos that have crossed my desk.

Publicity & Promotions (inc. Gardens) The website, and now the Twitter account, are becoming Sheena Harold more important and they offer additional services that a quarterly magazine cannot provide. So this will be my Membership Secretary fourteenth, and last, edition of Tidings. I would like to Jenny Michell 020 8977 0772 thank the many people who have contributed materials, [email protected] advice and constructive criticism over that period, helping to make Tidings “even better”. Website – Judy Asher

Magazine Editor - Donald Bell [email protected] THE ADELAIDE

Film - Alan Rolph

Planning Group Veronica Laughrin [email protected]

Roads and Transport Group Brian Holder 020 8977 1579 [email protected]

Environment Group Geoff Howland 020 8977 9404 [email protected]

History Group Dick Hughes 020 8977 0653 [email protected] Many congratulations to the Adelaide pub and landlady

Mariana Craciun, who won a gold award in the pub Riverside and Open Spaces category of this year’s Richmond in Bloom competition. Andy Weston [email protected]

Flood Working Group Brian Holder

Outings Pamela McHutchon AU REVOIR ANGELA organising guides, boats, meals and suitable routes for the An Appreciation by Sheena Harold all-important coffee breaks. She did it all so well and we all had such memorable times.

It is always a shock when “Names are apt to escape but pictures of places are very someone dies clear. There was a lovely Tudor experience in Suffolk. The unexpectedly, no matter Elizabethan house complete with milkmaids, brewers, their age, and that's what candlemakers, weavers, spinners and dyers was a joy. happened with Angela. I'd There was a horse drawn canal trip and another in the seen her only a few days rain plus cream teas. We saw the Olympic park under before her fatal fall and it's construction (here our coach was boarded by a charming hard to realise that she's spaniel looking for explosives). gone. She'd been part of the Teddington Society “We had lunch in the Middle scene for as long as I can Temple and other city remember. adventures accompanied by a Blue Badge guide. There was Angela's father was a trip down the Thames from accountant to King George Richmond to the Chelsea VI and had an office in Physic Garden and many Buckingham Palace. Young Angela used to go knocking other delights. Angela was on the door asking, "Can I come in and see my Dad?" The always deeply interested in family lived in Clapham until WW2 when they moved out architecture and townscapes. to Windsor to be near the Castle where her father then She had a good eye for detail had an office in one of the state rooms. At Clapham High and an excellent memory. She School Angela excelled in English, Music and Sport. One kept up with the times and of her passions was travel, starting with a trip to France always had interesting comments to make on what we and going on to places such as Russia, China, India, Syria, were seeing and hearing. I miss her a lot, and I am sure we Jordan, Petra, Canada and many more. all do."

Angela was a journalist If you would like to make a donation to charity in and one day was sent to Angela's memory, the family have chosen interview a man who'd www.shelter.org.uk and www.rnib.co.uk created a new furniture system – Brainco. She not only got the story but also LITTERPICKING INTERNATIONAL the man! They had three David Lawton children before emigrating to Majorca to set up a I thought it might be useful to let you have a photo of business there. The family Judith and me (on the right) taken after we had returned to Wimbledon so completed a 'pick' in another area of Britain. that the children - Paul, Steve and Emily – could go to school.

Sadly the marriage didn't last and Angela found herself bringing up three children on her own, and in her 40s went back to work, this time at the Civic Trust. After some 20 years she moved to Teddington and from 1995 took on organising our trips and outings.

At the Celebration of her life at Strawberry Hill House on August 11th, Jas Bailey was due to speak but couldn't because of ill-health, so here's her tribute – one which will be echoed by many of you, I think:

"It was always a pleasure to round the corner en-route to This shot was taken on Ynyslas Beach in Wales, part of the library bus stop to see Angela, elegant and poised, clip the Welsh National Nature Reserve. The superb dunes of board in hand, waiting to count us all aboard the waiting Ynyslas are at the southern side of the Dyfi estuary coach. Cool and calm, she made it all look so effortless, but which includes vast areas of internationally important it wasn't. She put in hours of work to make it happen. First mudflats, sandbanks and salt marsh that provide the ideas, then worrying over numbers, collecting money, important feeding and roosting areas for wetland birds. paying in cheques, ordering the right sized coach and Not far away is The RSPB Ynys-hir reserve.

TREES & GARDENS effort by allowing us to park when possible in their car Sheena Harold park and use water from their outside tap. Both beds were looking lovely in time for the Remembrance

Sunday Service. ALAN DRAKE

Over the years many of THE GAS MAN GONE you will have visited Honouring their contract with the Council, the gas Alan's garden in company removed all their stuff from the grass corner at Teddington Park during the end of the High Street and Twickenham Road at the Teddington In Flower. end of September and left it neat and tidy. I'm now

asking if we can make it look better with some new Having been ill for some shrub and bulb planting and new or repaired benches. time, sadly Alan has died. He was a lovely AUTUMN HELP IN YOUR GARDEN man, a keen actor and a With leaves cascading down from the trees there's a talented gardener. He temptation to sweep them up but it's helpful to wildlife used to insist that he cut to leave some logs, branches, leaves and fallen fruit on his lawns with nail the ground for animals and insects. The flowering heads scissors! of ivy are a great food source for nectar-hungry insects.

Hedgehogs are getting rarer but will love some wet We can only hope that the new owners of his property meaty cat or dog food put out in a bit of old drainpipe – will maintain the garden for us to visit again. His funeral and do make sure there are gaps under your fence for at Mortlake Crematorium was very well attended. them to roam: they can cover 2-3 km in a night. Fun for

all the family and it's helping our wildlife survive. AWARDS

The grounds of Mortlake Crematorium are beautifully maintained, very attractive and soothing for visitors so I was delighted to see their Richmond In Bloom award proudly displayed in the waiting area. They entered as a JANTHEA MOTOR YACHT Community Building and won Gold. Peter Denton

Among successful A grand old lady comes to call Teddington entries A welcome visitor to Teddington Lock in recent weeks were: Mariana Craciun has been the motor yacht Janthea – one of the original of the Adelaide who Little Ships that sailed from here to Dunkirk in 1940. won Gold in the Hotel or Pub Exterior category.

The Methodist Church and Elleray Hall in the Community Buildings category where both won Silver Gilt; in the Front Gardens category both Sally Howland and Brenda Virdee won Silver Gilt, while in the Frontages category Diana Macdonald won Silver; in the Park 'n' Bloom category Dennis & Anne Strudwick won Gold and best in category; while in Estates Harrodene Gardens Nos. 1-132 won Gold. It would be lovely to see many more Teddington entries next year. Built in 1938 at a cost of £1,885, the Janthea (then sailing NEW GARDENER IN CHARGE under her original name, Reda) was brought to The new Gardener in Charge at Strawberry Hill House is Teddington and requisitioned for Dunkirk. Ashley Edwards and I'm happy to say he's picking up where his predecessors (Jen Sargintson & Kate After the evacuation she continued as an auxiliary patrol Robinson) left off with our community project at the vessel until 1947, when she was re-registered. According triangle at the junction of Hampton & Stanley Roads. to the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, the Janthea “is still a very active member ship and is well known on the Ashley and his volunteers will continue to look after the River Thames". flower bed on Stanley Road side while we tend the one opposite the War Memorial. Equally good news is that the Methodist Church are joining in with our community HISTORY GROUP occupants of houses in the Cambridge Road area all Dick Hughes erected flag poles at the time of the Coronation in 1953. We would be pleased to hear from anybody with any

knowledge on this subject. The last few months have proved to be a busy period for the History Group. A further enquiry has been received concerning a letter

apparently written by the Duke of Clarence (later Survey of Teddington Street Furniture William IV) from Bushy House to an unidentified lady, Following the theft of the 1890s street “finger post” sign referring in passing to Dora Jordan (and therefore not to Bushy Park last year, a Council member suggested to her). the Society that a record of street signs and other pieces of old street furniture in our town be created. Any help in identifying this unnamed lady will also be

appreciated

COUNTRYFILE CALENDAR Peter Denton

Congratulations to two local photographers whose outstanding images feature in the 2018 BBC Countryfile

calendar. Both photographs, by Sue Lindenberg and The object is to determine exactly what we have that is Jarek Kurek, were taken in Bushy Park, and were worth preserving and, hopefully, assist in its selected from more than 30,000 entries to the annual preservation. There are some 200 streets of one form Countryfile competition. or another in Teddington and we are still looking for volunteers to assist in the necessary street surveys.

Survey of High Street and Broad Street shops. We are undertaking a fresh survey of our shops to note the change in traders since the last full survey seven years ago. There has been quite a lot of movement and the trend in changes of user seems to be towards more cafes and restaurants.

Teddington 800 The Teddington 800 History Boards have now been removed from Teddington Library where they were much admired. If you know anywhere they could be displayed in future, please let us know.

Sue’s image of two seagulls, entitled “Twin Beaks”, features in the April page. Jarek’s capture of the Bushy Park landscape not only appears in the July page, but also on the front cover.

“I took my photo very early on a really grey morning” Sue told Tidings. “There was a thin layer of water on the ice, hence the mirror effect. I took about 20 photos, and was lucky enough to get this one with them in sync.”

The calendar, on sale for £9.50, benefits the Children in Need appeal. It can be bought online at www.hcscalendar.co.uk, or by calling 0330 333 4564. Librarians Alison Painter (left) and Clare Thompson – not to mention Sir Noël Coward – with our local history Alternatively, send your name, address and a cheque for boards at Teddington Library. £9.50 made payable to ‘BBC Countryfile Calendar’ to BBC Countryfile Calendar, Enquiries PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray LE13 1ZG An enquiry has been received suggesting that the

MARKET DAY COMES TO TEDDINGTON Peter Denton

Teddington has given a rousing welcome to its first Traders come from near and far with their produce, Farmers Market in five years. On its launch day in which includes fresh fish, artisan bread, cheese varieties September, an estimated 3,500 people visited to browse by the dozen, as well as flowers, herbs, raw milk, organic and buy its wide range of food produce, most of it honey, fruit and vegetables of every description, fresh organic. coffee, sizzling sausages, snacks and refreshments.

“We were delighted with the numbers” said market The market is open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at manager Colin Cooper. “We first tried the market in Turing House School, next to Teddington Memorial Teddington back in 2012, and I don’t quite know why it Hospital. took us so long to return!”

TEDDINGTON STUDIOS' MAKEOVER Sheena Harold

Redevelopment of the site most Teddingtonians know as “the Studios” next to the Lensbury in Broom Road, is now well under way. As flats and houses rise on the historic site, we can look back at its proud history.

Even from the first floor the views over the river to the Lock and the Weir are fantastic, as we saw when Lucy Hall and her team showed us a model of their development plans. Below is a map of the site, which has public access to the river for the first time in several decades. It’s hoped that a waterfront walk will be the Left to right: Jenny Michell, Brian Holder, Sally & Geoff new home of the Comedians Plaques that used to grace Howland, Lucy Hall (Dartmouth Capital), Sheena Harold. the front of the Studios’ brick building.

In the 18th century, the site was originally Mr Goodchild's bleach field for Scottish and Irish linen – but from the end of the 19th century the area has been associated with film and TV production. That’s thanks to Henry Chinnery, owner of Weir House, the mansion which stood there, who offered a film crew the use of his greenhouse during inclement weather.

In 1912 Ec-Ko Films filmed in the gardens, and in 1916 Master Films took over. In 1931 Henry Edwards (whose wife Chrissy White was an actress) and E.G. Norman named the site Teddington Film Studios. That same year, Hollywood giant Warner Brothers took out a lease before buying it outright and re-naming it Warner Brothers First National Productions Ltd.

Many now famous actors began their careers here, including a young Errol Flynn! Whilst other studios shut down during the war or were requisitioned by the Government for storage, Warners kept going until sustaining a hit from a V1 flying bomb in July 1944. Three people were killed, including “Doc” Salomon the Production Manager.

Rebuilding began in 1946 and the studios were re- Our History Group were invited to submit ideas for the opened by Danny Kaye in January 1948. By November access road on site which Dartmouth are calling 1951 film-making had ceased and seven years later ABC Pinewood Gardens; then we discovered that there is a TV bought the site, followed in 1968 by Thames gentleman at LBRuT with the title of “Address Television before Haymarket Media Group bought it in Management Manager”! Who knew? Anyway, we offered 2006. many alternative names, as Pinewood is not a name associated with Teddington – but apparently we can't Haymarket have now moved their headquarters to have Teddington, Tideway, Warners, Lock or Thames as Twickenham and today the site has a new name – these addresses are already in use in the area. This is “Teddington Riverside”, which is owned by Pinenorth such a fascinating subject that we are asking the said Properties. Dartmouth Capital act as advisers for Address Management Manager to tell us more about his Pinenorth and kindly invited the Teddington Society to a interesting job. private view of the development on 12th October, and all members to an open day on 13th. Meanwhile, we thank Dartmouth for their assistance and co-operation and we will report on the progress of the building work in future issues of Tidings.

ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY Now, as the university matures and develops, it will of course grow, offering more degree programmes at both undergraduate and post graduate level, and We are delighted to welcome St Mary’s University as one consequently attracting more students. But as with many of our much-valued Corporate Members. Here, Professor other universities, the way in which they are taught is John Brewer, Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Engagement at St likely to change – “distance learning” is becoming Mary’s, writes for Tidings. increasingly popular, and many of our future students may never set foot on our campus, studying instead from remote locations, logging in to lectures and seminars from laptops and hand-held devices. So classroom teaching may become the exception rather than the norm.

ALAN TITCHMARSH AT STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE Peter Denton

A special fundraising event at Strawberry Hill House, to mark the tercentenary of the birth of its owner Horace Walpole, was blessed with a warm, sunny afternoon in St Mary’s University in Waldegrave Road gained late September – plus the presence of Alan Titchmarsh, university status just over three years ago. As a result, ace gardener, author, broadcaster and holder of the it’s now at the forefront of Higher Education in the UK, Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour. and with a status that recognises not only past achievements, but also a continuing need for growth and, He was there to open Strawberry Hill House’s newly where appropriate, change. redeveloped Woodland Walk and garden, recently restored to its 18th century heyday. Underpinned by a Catholic heritage, St Mary’s has a vibrant, diverse community of students and staff, from Live music was provided by the Manontroppo Clarinet all backgrounds and from all parts of the world. As one of Quartet and, with the celebrity gardener, guests later the smallest universities in the UK, the community of enjoyed an 18th century-style tea party sponsored by students and staff is very different from that of many Fortnum & Mason. much larger academic institutions – staff know each other, and they know their students by name. Not only that, but respect for others is a value that runs through the life of the university.

We are also at the heart of our local community – many of our staff live locally, and many of our students either come from the local area, or live locally whilst studying. As one of the area’s largest employers, we also play our part in generating income and prosperity for the local economy.

We are keen to ensure that the education we provide enables our students to become global citizens, aware of their role within society and with an ability to engage in debate and critical thinking. Each year they raise many thousands of pounds for national and local charities, and Nick Dolan, on the right in this picture, director of we are proud of them. But of course in any community, Strawberry Hill House, paid tribute to members of the there will be those who occasionally stray from the high local community who restored the garden and the standards of behaviour that we expect; when we are woodland walk. More than 200 new trees, flowers, made aware of such issues, we always do our best to shrubs and bulbs were planted during the work, and he ensure that they are dealt with appropriately. also thanked the Teddington Society “who have helped us enormously. We’re very grateful”. For many years, sport has been fundamental to the success and reputation of St Mary’s. Our degrees in Alan was full of praise for the garden: “In our busy lives, sport-related subjects attract students here, and whilst gardens like this are both an oasis and a lung. The more our greatest success has tended to come from track we understand our gardens, the more we can enjoy and athletes such as our former student Sir Mo Farah, we appreciate them.” have seen tremendous achievements from past and present students across a range of sports. POLICING CHANGES UNDER WAY A BIG SONG CELEBRATES But it’s ‘business as usual’ TEDDINGTON’S LITTLE SHIPS Peter Denton Peter Denton

Despite the closure of the front desk at Teddington One of Teddington’s police station on or before December 14th, the public proudest moments in can rest assured that there will still be a strong local its long history – its police presence. role in providing 120 Little Ships for the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 – has now been commemorated in music, thanks to a local singer-songwriter, Mike Pemberton, who’s also a long-term member of the Society. “A ballad is simply a story with a musical accompaniment” he says. “The story of the Little Ships at Teddington has long interested me, not least because I live by the river and I’ve seen these boats pass for years, so I decided to work them into a song.” That’s the message from Sergeant Rich Nelson, based at Teddington, who has just completed his first six months The result is a powerful musical tale full of drama and as Ward Sergeant, responsible for Teddington, Hampton action – the requisitioning of the boats up and down the Wick and Ham & Petersham. He has teams of officers Thames, their preparation at Douglas Tough’s boatyard and support officers working in all three areas who are at Teddington Lock for the vital humanitarian task close to the communities they serve and know their ahead, the relentless attacks by German Stukas along the areas well. Dunkirk beaches, the rescue of 332,000 British and Allied soldiers against all the odds, and their eventual The Mayor of London has to find savings in his return to the haven of home waters. Metropolitan Police budget of some £60 million by 2020. So changes have been seen as inevitable. It’s known, for “It’s a heroic tale” said Mike. “In preparing the ballad, I example, that in the longer term, the future of the station had great help from John Tough, Doug’s grandson, and itself is being considered. from Ken Howe, a walking encyclopaedia on Teddington’s history.” If that happens, Sgt Nelson told Tidings, the nearest station would be Twickenham, where the 24-hour desk Now, Mike is taking his ballad one stage further. He’s will remain open. “However” he said, “before then we asking Teddington Society members if they have any will establish contact centres in each area – probably in photographs or, even better, film footage of activities at public buildings, churches or the like, so the public will the Lock between the late 1930s and mid-‘40s. always know where to find us. Meanwhile, we’re always on patrol and my aim is to increase the visibility of our He’s also searching the Imperial War Museum archive police presence to provide the reassurance the public and other potential sources. Then, working with a want.” talented young postgraduate in film production, he plans to create a montage of stills and moving pictures to Local police have also established a high-profile accompany the song and place it in the public domain. presence on social media such as Twitter and Facebook, with news and crime prevention advice. Their Twitter Traditional folk music has always interested Mike, a feed is monitored all the time, so if anyone contacts them former human resources executive. When he retired 11 the police service can respond quickly and as necessary. years ago, he indulged in singing lessons and ventured And, of course, the 999 and 101 telephone services are into song writing, “purely as part of my personal available 24 hours a day. development”.

It’s true to say that changes in our local police service are If you have (or know of) any material that might be of undoubtedly under way. But, Sgt Nelson believes, the interest to Mike, please call him on 07720 072155 or public need have no worries; it’s very much business as email him at [email protected] usual. Mike now has a dedicated channel on YouTube, where his Little Ships ballad and other songs are readily To follow the Teddington police service on Twitter, go available. Go online to www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk online to www.twitter.com and search for and follow the link to “Mike Pemberton’s Little Ships”. @MPSTeddington CYCLE QUIETWAY PROPOSAL London Cycle Network route 4 as it has been for the last Brian Holder 18 years.

It is now well over a year since residents and businesses There is a proposal to introduce a cycling "Quietway" first heard about the proposed Cycle Quietway and there through Teddington and Bushy Park to Hampton, is considerable anger among all High Street shop owners, thereby cutting out the loop along the Thames towpaths as they say that they still have not, even after all this either side of Kingston. The official description of a Cycle time, received any officially delivered document about Quietway is: the Quietway proposals, just some documents produced by the Teddington Society forwarded by Teddington "Quietways are intended to provide quieter, Together. alternative routes for cyclists who prefer to use low traffic environments, rather than busier main roads. Nothing has appeared in the Richmond and Twickenham When complete, Quietways will form a network of Times, nothing at any Village Plan meeting, nothing in radial and orbital roads throughout London, linking any political party newsletters. I have attended several key destinations through a combination of different Cycle Liaison Group (CLG) meetings, but the majority of route types, including residential roads, high streets, Teddingtonians still do not know anything about the parks, and towpaths". proposed Quietway scheme. The Borough Cycling Officer has confirmed that there has not been a single request for any High Street parking or cycling change from any Teddington resident or business.

This means that Teddington residents, businesses, cyclists and pedestrians have had no say in the designs that have been produced. We believe that the initiative has come from a disparate group of individuals who do not live or work in central Teddington, have no knowledge of central Teddington, or its businesses, or the local Community, and are clearly not in the slightest bit interested in how much damage such a poorly researched and quite unnecessary scheme would have on our much loved, and very busy, High Street Shopping Centre.

The position was made worse by the Cycling Officer’s refusal at the first and second presentation displays to write to residents, or even to put Notices on lampposts along the proposed route - quoting "lack of resources”.

However, there appears to be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, with Councillor Peter Buckwell, Cabinet Member for Transport writing to the Chair of a Disability Organization to say that almost all High Street parking spaces will be retained, but giving no further detail. The email ended with the encouraging comment: "As you say, cyclists have the right to safe travel, but this must not be to the detriment of businesses, parents with But Teddington High Street, part of the A313, is a main children, disabled people and older persons. This is road and has too much traffic - and too many bus routes, being taken into account". We are taking this to mean to be suitable as an official Quietway. Traffic speeds that our very safe and convenient staggered Zebra throughout the day are relatively low due to the very Crossing on the railway bridge is being preserved, a successful road and pavement layouts adopted under the thoroughly sensible decision which will be universally 2001/2 Town Centre Study to calm all traffic, and welcomed by the estimated one million residents, encourage safe walking and cycling. The proposed workers and visitors of all ages and physical abilities scheme would impact the parking spaces and pedestrian who use it in complete safety every year. crossings in the High Street. There is concern that much of the planning has taken place with no publicity or I confirm that the Society’s policy with regard to this consultation with local interested groups. unwanted Quietway is as laid out in Tidings issue 176, a year ago, which is that the Quietway should terminate on Teddington also has, since about 2002, four safe "Family the Ham side of Teddington Lock, allowing cyclists a very cycling routes" to Bushy Park in place, which fully meet wide range of cycle route choices, including the option of the Quietway definition, and all could easily and cheaply coming over the suspension bridge to Teddington to use be upgraded with proper signing as part of the Quietway its four, very safe, Family Cycle routes to various parts of programme. The High Street would remain as the official Teddington and Bushy Park. NEW METHODIST MINISTER REMEMBRANCE DAY LITTER-PICKING Peter Denton

Teddington minister arrives in exciting times Meet the Rev David Innes, newly-installed Minister of Teddington Methodist Church, and his wife Dorothy.

A large number of Environment Group litter-picking

volunteers braved the rain and the cold on the previous They may be recently arrived (their well-attended day to make sure the area looked good. ‘welcome’ service was held in September) but they already know Teddington well. “I conducted several services here over the last few years, so when we arrived ALPHAVET to stay, we were already familiar with the church and, to Peter Denton a lesser extent, the town” said David, who was formerly chaplain at Roehampton University. “AlphaVet’”is a good pun, as well as the name of our newest Corporate Member. David and Dorothy arrive at an exciting time in the church’s history. The garden, and part of the building Speaking at the veterinary practice in Stanley Road, Alice itself, have just undergone an extensive £530,000 McCartney, one of the two-vet team at AlphaVet, said refurbishment, and facilities have been updated and “We have a fully equipped theatre here, as well as X ray improved for the many local groups who use the and ultrasound facilities. We’re also a ‘first opinion’ premises. “Being opposite Teddington Memorial practice, which is rather like going to your GP. We can Hospital, we’re in a prime position” explained David. pretty much do most things for the animal community, “Our task now is to build the church community, get and to a high surgical standard.” ourselves out into the wider community, and love the people we meet.” Coincidentally there has been a veterinarian practice on the premises, near the junction with Stanley Gardens Dorothy added, “What we have here is a place of faith Road, for some 30 years. Alice and her professional and a lovely open space which is available to anyone to partner, Gary Campbell, are the latest welcome use. We live in stressed times, so we offer an open incumbents. invitation to everyone to come here, de-stress, and relax. Come and explore what we have to offer – not least our lovely garden!”

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2017

Veterinary Surgeon Alice McCartney (centre) with Registered Veterinary Nurses Kiri Poliszewski (with The wreath from the Teddington Society was laid on the Fergus) and Caroline Gittins War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. 500 RECIPES AND HOUSEHOLD HINTS TURING HOUSE Joy Bell A New School for Richmond upon Thames Janet Hilton Did you know that there’s a way of recycling those stiff, detachable shirt collars? You can cut them to shape to fit Turing House School is the result of the determined in the back of your down-trodden slippers! effort of a group of Twickenham, Teddington and Hampton Hill parents and the strong support of families in those communities. Faced with shrinking catchment areas and increased demand for local secondary schools, we saw our community breaking up as families moved away or chose non-local schools. Our group found a supportive and knowledgeable sponsor, the Russell Education Trust, which has opened four other successful new schools in recent years, and we made a successful application to the Department for Education to open a new school.

The mixed comprehensive secondary school was set up to serve the Middlesex side of the Borough of Richmond and opened its doors on Queen’s Road, Teddington in September 2015. Since then, the school has been hugely popular and is operating waiting lists in all year groups.

From our temporary base in Teddington, we have forged Or so I read in the book I won at the Teddington Society many and significant links with the town including, of New Year Party. It is a reproduction of a collection of course, our name in honour of the inspirational handy hints and recipes, first produced over 70 years mathematician and scientist, Alan Turing. After his key ago to raise funds for a children’s ward at Teddington role in cracking the Enigma Code during the Second Memorial Hospital. World War, he worked at Teddington’s National Physical Laboratory, where he began his ground-breaking development of the earliest modern computers.

We continue to build local connections; visiting our feeder primary schools, outdoor sport in Bushy Park, swimming at Teddington Pool and Christmas Music at St Mary with St Alban church to name but a few. Our pupils regularly visit our local over-60's social hub at Elleray Hall to chat, sing and perform as well as running an iPad support course!

I decided to test a simple recipe for Ashbourne ginger Our building and grounds are used to host community biscuits. I'm not sure where the Derbyshire connection events such as the CoderDojo programming club for local comes, but the biscuits were delicious, though could children, and the very popular Farmers’ Market running have contained more ginger. I made a half quantity and it every Sunday in the playground. yielded 3 dozen 2 inch biscuits. A recipe worth using again, perhaps with a little lemon icing and crystallized With 325 pupils on the Teddington site, we have now ginger on the top. run out of room on Queen’s Road. With the support of Richmond Council, we will receive our September 2018 Now, where's that old shirt collar of Donald’s? and 2019 intakes into Clarendon School in Hampton, after some refurbishment over the summer holiday. Clarendon pupils are moving into new accommodation. POLYFILLA In 2020 we will all move to our final, permanent site on (Sometimes the Editor really has trouble filling the last Hospital Bridge Road in Whitton; from where we will bit of white space in the Magazine) continue to serve Teddington, as well as Whitton itself and families from other areas across the Middlesex side of the borough.

Janet Hilton is Chair of the Local Governing Body of Turing House School. A Teddington resident, she works as a National Leader of Governance, supporting school improvement in Richmond, Kingston and further afield.

VISIONS OF TEDDINGTON SHEENA’S AWARD FOR Peter Denton "OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE" Peter Denton Eight hundred not out! We report with pleasure that our Chairman, Sheena Some 30 local Harold, has been presented with the Richmond Borough organisations, Community Award for her outstanding public service. together with the Teddington Society, combined their resources in September to produce Visions of Teddington – an exhibition at the Landmark Arts Centre covering 800 years of the town’s history.

Sheena has been active in the Society for more than 20 years. With the History Group and the Trees and Garden

Group, she instigated the redesign and replanting of This remarkable retrospective of our community ran for Jubilee and Elmfield Gardens, the erection of history a fortnight and was part of the six-month Teddington display boards in Grove Gardens and Elmfield Gardens, 800 festival celebrating the Parish of Teddington’s and the annual Teddington in Flower event which raises anniversary, which has just concluded. around £1,000 a year for local charities.

In 2013 with the assistance of the Landmark Arts Centre and St Mary with St Alban Church, she reinstated the annual Teddington Village Fair which since then has raised more than £8,000, all of which has been given to local charities.

In addition to her Society work, Sheena sits on the Richmond in Bloom committee judging numerous gardens across the borough, and she’s a member of Teddington 800, which organises the celebrations marking the parish’s 800th anniversary. Introducing Teddington 800, the Rev Joe Moffatt, vicar of Teddington, declared, “A parish is an area, a district. The At a ceremony held at York whole country is split up into parishes, but each parish House, the Leader of Richmond Council, Paul Hodgins, has a unique identity. Teddington 800 is about our told Sheena and the other 46 recipients of this year’s identity, from 1217 right up until 2017 and beyond. We award, “At the centre of our borough life is the are still a community, we are still a parish, so let’s community and the people who get involved. This is the celebrate that!” core of what makes Richmond such a special place – that and the fact that you’re nominated not by us, but by your Teddington took him at his word! peers.”

EVENTS CHURCHAM HOUSE

Thursday November 23rd Lifestyle Residences Ltd, the property development 8pm St John Ambulance Hall, Park Road. David Ivison of company, were recently presented with a Teddington Friends of Bushy & Home Parks talks about Bushy Park Society PAT award for the quality of their work on in WW1. Churcham House in Bridgeman Road, near Teddington Station. Now they have become a Corporate Member. Thursday November 30th John O’Neill, chief executive, introduces the company to The Mayor of Richmond switches on our Christmas Tidings readers: Lights in the High Street. Full details inside. Come and see us on our stall in the Cedar Road Car Park. Lots of fun and entertainment for all the family.

MERITS LUNCHES We have two lunches coming up at Merits Training Restaurant, Richmond upon Thames College, Egerton Road, Twickenham TW2 7SL. Monday 4th December Christmas lunch at 12.00 cost £18 Thursday 18th January A New Year lunch at 12.00 cost £10.95 Menus for the lunches are enclosed. Please make your choices and return the form to Pamela McHutchon. Mobile: 07802 822812 Email: [email protected] No need to send any money as you can pay directly at Diana Gillespie (left) presenting the PAT award to John Merits on the day. and Geraldine O’Neill outside Churcham House.

Saturday January 6th 2018 My wife and I were thrilled to receive this award from Concert by Teddington Summer Music at the Society, not least because we have lived in Normansfield7:30pm – “New Year in Old Vienna”. Music Teddington since 1987. We acquired Churcham House in by Mozart, Schubert, Sullivan, J Strauss II, Lehár, Stolz, 2007 and with my own background in refurbishing and Kreisler, Ivor Novello and Noël Coward. Helen restoring buildings in London, we set out to put this Clutterbuck (soprano), Daniel D'Souza (baritone) Tony former Victorian Presbytery back to its former glory. We Lamb (clarinet), Tom Higgins (piano) were particularly keen to retain the profile and character Tickets: £12 and £10 Call 0333 1212 300 or online at of the building, which is why we added the black iron www.langdondowncentre.org.uk railings similar to those on the more traditional homes.

Saturday January 13th 2018 To have our work acknowledged by the Teddington New Year party - see enclosed invitation. Society’s Planning Group for the positive contribution we made to the environment and the town was an honour that was both a very pleasant surprise and very SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS gratefully received.

Saturday 25th November We established Lifestyle Residences to focus on Normansfield Christmas Craft Fair 11am-4.30pm breathing new life into town centre buildings, particularly in Teddington and the surrounding area. We Saturday 25th November cater for those wishing to downsize to a well-designed Christmas Bazaar St. Mary with St. Alban Church Hall and proportioned home within walking distance of local 10.30am-2.30pm £1 entry for Adults shops and transport. Properties of this style are more and more in demand, and we also have corporate lettings Sunday 26th November and first time homes for young people and couples. Strawberry Hill House Craft Fair 10am-4pm £4 Having lived in Teddington for 30 years, we are Saturday 2nd December particularly pleased to have made this contribution to Christmas Fair at Elleray Hall. 10am-4pm £1 our town centre and to have been welcomed by the Teddington Society as a new Corporate Member. We Monday 25th December look forward to becoming more involved with local Christmas Day Lunch at Elleray Hall To register business and to support the aims and objectives of the attendance or to offer help please contact Colin & Society in your work to keep Teddington town a great Elizabeth Hicks: Tel.8977 8000 or email place in which to both live and work for future [email protected] generations.

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