61581_ISFC_SPRING inside Cover 2005 21/09/2010 14:02 Page 1
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Photo by Julian Stewart Lindsay © Bonnfoto 2010 61581_N_Thames Ditton SPRING 2005 27/09/2010 11:04 Page 3
The Magazine of the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents’ Association Autumn 2010 Published quarterly since Spring 1970
Editor In this Issue: Keith Evetts 6 Church Walk News from the Residents' Association…………………… 7 Thames Ditton KT7 0NW 020 8398 7320 Weston Manor Farm……………………………………… 15 [email protected] Magazine Design A Shirker's Tale – the Nokia Swim ……………………… 17 Guy Holman 24 Angel Road, The Fight for Hampton Court …………………………… 21 Thames Ditton 020 8398 1770 Curtain Up at the Vera Fletcher Hall …………………… 24 Distribution Manager Hewett Cottrell Watson – homo dittoniensis …………… 27 David Youd 6 Riversdale Road, Brush Up Your Bridge …………………………………… 33 Thames Ditton KT7 0QL 020 8398 3216 The Harry Hawkes 8 …………………………………… 37 Advertisement Manager The Theatre in the Village (programme) ………………… 39 Verity Park 20 Portsmouth Avenue Autumn Crossword ……………………………………… 41 Thames Ditton KT7 0RT 020 8398 5926 Solution to Summer Crossword ………………………… 43 Contributors You are welcome to submit Services, Groups, Clubs and Societies…………………… 44 articles or images. Please contact the Editor well in advance. By Hook or Crook ……………………………………… 46 Next deadline 1 November. Advertisers Cover photo: We remember the fallen. Rev. Martin Hussey Thames Ditton Today is officiates at the ceremony on Giggs Hill Green. delivered to an influential This year's remembrance will be on Sunday 14 4000 households throughout Thames Ditton and Weston Green. November – Keith Evetts Call for rates for full page, half and quarter page advertising. www.residents-association.com
Officers and staff of the Association are volunteers, but we must fund costs of this magazine, administrative and election expenses, and other expenses such as spring bulb-planting and the village Christmas tree. The subscription is only £3 per household. If you can contribute more, please do so. Subscriptions (in an envelope please) may be left at Boots Chemist, 14 High Street, or Thorkill Road Pharmacy, 94 Thorkill Road, Thames Ditton. Or mail to Membership Secretary Peter Haynes at 6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton KT7 0JJ. Thank you.
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Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents’ Association
About the Association Thames Ditton Councillors Founded in 1934 our Association is a Sandra Dennis, Little Bradley, Thames Ditton 020 8873 2936 strong, locally based non-party-political Ruth Lyon, organisation concerned with protecting 11 Riversdale Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3396 the amenities and furthering the interests Karen Randolph, of the inhabitants of Thames Ditton and Deepfield, Giggs Hill Road, Weston Green. We work to preserve and Thames Ditton 020 8398 5005 enhance the best in our attractive Weston Green Councillors environment and the quality of life of Lorraine Sharp, everyone in our community. 168 Ember Lane, Esher 07970 874 925 Through regular meetings, social Tannia Shipley, ‘Clinton House’ activities, our magazine and website we 27 Lower Green Road, Esher 020 8398 2484 keep in touch with residents’ views and Officers: we raise and spend funds for the benefit Chairman: Libby MacIntyre, of the community, from tree and bulb 24, High Street, Thames Ditton 020 8398 5534 planting to contesting unacceptable Vice-Chairman: Martin Wilberforce, development projects. 7 River Avenue, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4732 With five Residents’ Councillors we Vice-Chairman: David Lowe, have a strong voice on Elmbridge Council 8 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4957 working with other residents’ councillors Hon. Treasurer: Bob Huxster, 5 Station Rd, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3489 to ensure that decisions are based on the Hon. Secretary: Tricia Bland, needs of local communities and on good 29 Station Rd., Thames Ditton 020 8339 0485 management rather than on party politics. Membership Secretary: Peter Haynes Our Residents’ County Councillor 6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton 02 8398 6019 Peter Hickman represents our views at Conveners of Sub-Committees: Surrey County Council. Health and Community: Karen Randolph (see above for details) President: Maureen Sheldrick, Planning: Graham Cooke 34 The Woodlands, Esher 23 Ashley Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 8509 Surrey County Councillor: Highways, Drainage: Peter Hickman, Little Lodge, Andrew Roberts, 1 Boyle Farm Road, Watts Road, Thames Ditton 020 8339 0931 Thames Ditton 020 8786 6882 the next residents’ association open meeting is TUESDAY 9 NOVEMBER AT 8.00PM AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL, 4 EMBERCOURT ROAD, THAMES DITTON ALL WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THAMES DITTON AND WESTON GREEN ARE WELCOME
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News From the Residents’ Association
21 May – 12 September
Mostly a quiet summer, with a Other forces round the country are facing reduction in some areas of crime and less drastic cuts reported in the national press antisocial behaviour in Thames Ditton but years of financial stringency for and Weston Green (but some in nearby Surrey Police have given them Molesey and Hinchley Wood affecting the resilience. While there may be some cuts area statistics). There have been in Surrey’s back-office staff, cuts in the continuing cold-calling and other scams number of officers and PCSOs and in the area, on the doorstep and by especially in the neighbourhood policing telephone and mail, aimed at gullible units, which are notably effective, are not residents – particularly the elderly. We say thought likely. Issue of hand-held devices farewell to PC – now Sergeant – Andy and rationalisation of procedure should Grapsas, Neighbourhood Specialist mean that officers spend more time in the Officer for the Dittons and Hinchley community, and less time doing Wood, who with the right mix of patience, paperwork in the office. persistence, tact and firmness has done a We’ve learned meanwhile that during very good job of establishing the the summer one of our PCSOs, on his Neighbourhood Team, responding to own initiative, lined up free golf residents’ concerns and countering crime instruction for certain local youths in the and antisocial behaviour with several hope of engaging them in constructive notable results. Andy moves on activities. Alas, despite professions of promotion to lead the Neighbourhood interest not one took up this admirable Team at Woking, and is being replaced by invitation. PC Katie Kennedy. Subject to the results of a consultation Thames Ditton Centre exercise, East Molesey Police station, for the Community visited by just one member of the public The former Ember Centre took up its each hour it is open, will be sold and by new home and title at Thames Ditton Hall the end of this year our Neighbourhood in early June There is provision also for Team will likely be based in Esher at the youngsters at the Hall. Facilities are good. Civic Centre where they will have office This is a satisfactory outcome for the space, a reception desk, be accessible for centre, the community and the Hall in more hours in a more frequently-visited which everyone can take pleasure. location, and have their Council Nonagenarian June Spencer OBE, the Community Safety partners close at hand. oldest surviving member (Peggy Archer) The police are still considering forward of the original cast of ‘The Archers,’ did bases elsewhere among the community. the honours. It was good to see the
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£100 million and funding for many practices in East Elmbridge will be severely affected. The excellent and effective practice at Giggs Hill Surgery, which the regional NHS has encouraged to invest in expanded facilities over the past few years and which caters for around 7,500 patients, will now receive funds for just 5,700 patients. Predictably, services will suffer, and the practice warns that there is even a possibility it may be rendered inviable. County: Parking, drains, cycle path Surrey postponed the final phase of statutory consultation on the proposed parking scheme for Thames Ditton. Funds have now been found for it to go ahead. This is foreseen for November- December. News that the council has June Spencer OBE – Peggy Woolley née raised charges for on-street parking in Archer in ʻThe Archersʼ opened the Centre Walton by 35% to £5 for 4 hours in order Elmbridge leadership acknowledging the to ‘drive shoppers back into the car parks’ contributions of several key figures to the further illustrates the intention of both development of the Centre, not least our council leaderships to raise revenue from Cllr. Ruth Lyon; while resident Gerry parking fees despite the pleas of Mitchell MBE (who with her late husband Communities Minister Eric Pickles for began the Weston Green Over-60s Club a councils not to regard motorists as ‘cash very long time ago) also paid tribute to cows.’ Surrey’s proposed imposition of the role of the Residents’ Association over pay and display for the shopper bays the years in protecting the interests of the envisaged in our High Street is elderly and in securing the future of the unnecessary and likely to inhibit casual Hall. shoppers even if the initial charge is free. The free shopper bay at Winter’s Bridge NHS and General Practices works very well without machines and is Residents will be concerned that the model to follow. despite the current government’s The blocked drain outside Thames commitment to preserve front-line Ditton Infants’ School has not been services in the NHS and to ring-fence, forgotten during a generally dry summer: even increase, spending, the Primary Care our county Cllr. Peter Hickman has kept Trust in Surrey is to slash the budget by pressure on Surrey Highways to inspect
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and resolve the problem. It seems that major work may be required both to unblock the existing drain (which some doubt is actually connected to anything!) and probably to make a new gully at the Church Walk end of the puddle to connect with the main drain in the centre of the road “when funds permit.” The controversial cycle path along Hampton Court Way will be modified and re-routed where it crosses immediately in front of house driveways, following the famed board outside The Harrow representations by residents to the Local independent lawyer. He argued that there Area Committee and support from Peter were no signs, no lines, his car was off the Hickman and Weston Green councillors main highway and not blocking any Tannia Shipley and Lorraine Sharp who traffic; there was nothing in the Highway produced facts to support residents Code on this ‘offence,’ and residents had objecting to the path’s unacceptable been parking there for over thirty years features. Peter Hickman arranged a site without penalty. David showed that the visit with Margaret Hicks – chairman of council had ignored official guidance. If SCC’s Elmbridge Area local committee, there is a problem with parking in such which met again on 21 June. Nick places, they are required first to publicise Handel, representing residents who were the matter e.g. by means of leaflets to all objecting to the route, spoke well to the households in the area; and their “powers Committee. After a brief debate a senior should be exercised responsibly and with Highways official conceded that that circumspection, and only if the vehicle is particular stretch of the cycle route would likely to cause a hazard.” The be removed. enforcement officer was ignorant of this Meanwhile, villagers targeted by guidance. If you would like to know more draconian council parking enforcement of the detail to support your own case, officers last Spring can take heart from David would be happy to share it with Speer Road resident David Matten. He you – call 8398 2025. successfully challenged a ticket for parking for five minutes at the unmarked Planning octagon in Thames Ditton while he The Harrow: while the result of the bought flowers for Valentine’s Day. developers’ appeal against rejection of the ‘Done’ under an obscure “Code 26” last proposals was still awaited, a new (parking more than 50 cm from part of the application (ref: 2010/1690) was lodged kerb, a measure intended to counter for 2 detached and 4 semi-detached double-parking), he elected to mount his houses on three floors. The houses own case in a telephone tribunal against planned are bigger. The 2 storey houses at the council under the arbitration of an the rear have a larger ground floor
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DISCOVERING ANTIQUES MOLESEY AND DISTRICT ANTIQUES SOCIETY
Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30 for 8.00pm at the Vera Fletcher Hall, 4, Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton Visitors welcome at door.For further information telephone 020 8398 1476 November 2nd The splendour of London’s City Churches. From the Temple church in 1118 to Wren and Hawksmoor in the 17th century, these churches are part of the glory of London. Our speaker Tony Tucker is a broadcaster, NADFAS lecturer and City guide and is uniquely qualified to talk on exploring the structure and interiors of the finest examples in the City. December 7th Christmas Social and Members’ presentation. Our annual celebration and party! – mulled wine, raffle, refreshments and an opportunity to hear about precious, unusual or interesting pieces brought by members. Later speakers in the programme include Eric Knowles from the Antiques Roadshow and subjects include embroidery, Renaissance art, model trains, Chinese wall hanging – something for everyone!
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footprint. The 3 storey houses along the than what could have been railroaded Road are taller than neighbouring properties through without constructive objection. We (which the ‘artist’s impression’ does not all benefit from these efforts and are somehow convey), and densely packed. The grateful to those involved. design has evolved positively and looks less Another satisfactory result from a long like a barracks than the first application – campaign by residents and our Weston another example where the Association’s Green councillors, particularly Lorraine persistence in pressing for the proper Sharp, is that Vodafone have reportedly application of planning guidelines has changed their plan to erect a phone mast brought about a noticeable improvement in in an unpopular position near Lower what should eventually result. But we are Green Road and opted for the more not there yet – the new proposals still do not sensible location on the roof of Sandown solve the problem of scale and mass which Park, where there is already a phone mast led to residents, and Elmbridge, rejecting of another provider. the earlier applications. Railways Another case is The Newlands, where There is also good news to report from earlier unsatisfactory plans were opposed. Thames Ditton Station, where we The present owners have now refurbished campaigned against further cuts in manned the former 1970s institutional wing, which hours, especially on Saturdays, engaging looks much better cared for; they have the support of our MP. Network Rail have taken steps to keep the old Grade II Listed agreed to maintain present hours. A coffee house from further deterioration and the bar has also opened on the up platform. new planning application looks positive in many respects as it seeks to change the Churchyard renovation present offices into three flats and a With permission from both Elmbridge substantial house, restoring to heritage and the Church authorities, St. Nicholas standards the features contributing to the will remove a number of the yew trees building’s listed status. that now overcrowd the churchyard. Again, the four new houses nearing Significant trees including the large completion in Ashley Road are looking cedars will remain – also the remarkable good. In keeping with their surroundings in and cherished ‘blasted yew’ near the the conservation area, they represent the church door. Many of the yews to be constructive fruit of earlier objections to culled have a controversial past. They less satisfactory proposals. It takes a great were planted about 140 years ago on the deal of time, effort and patience on the part initiative of Thomas Earl, a corn and coal of our planning convenor, Graham Cooke, merchant with premises behind 25 High our Residents’ councillors and residents St. who was Churchwarden from closely engaged with these planning 1865-72. He met the cost of prettying up applications, to get these results from the churchyard from his own purse, but on developers whose primary motive is profit. retiring billed the vestry for £144 Even where the final schemes approved do including interest! In those days the sum not fully meet ideals, they are much better would have covered the salary of the
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parish clerk, or the school teacher, for two bullrushes – a mistaken introduction to the years. The Surrey Comet of 27 April 1872 pond which are now choking the life and records that this surprise “engendered a water out of it – should be killed. A proper bellicose and antagonistic spirit in the solution will almost certainly require re- vestry, and a noisy altercation occurred, contouring to a deep dish shape, and a during which strong and uncompli- liner, but for the moment there is no money mentary epithets were freely exchanged.” available to cover this. During the dry season, tenacious Cllr. Tannia Shipley has continued to pursue the issue of flooding near Esher station – a problem with official records nearly a century old – and with the aid of longstanding resident Mary Robinson’s local knowledge an old drain has been identified in the system near the Arch bridge over Hampton Court Way, the existence of which had remained unknown to current Council engineers. We wouldn’t want to raise any false hopes, however – Milbourne pond at risk Tannia emphasises that the whole system of around two miles of drains and culverts Milbourn pond over flat terrain requires continual clearing The pond has again dried up this and maintenance by landowners, councils summer. However, many ponds in the and Network Rail rather than the approach, Borough were emptied by the dry spell, seemingly customary, of waiting until the and Marneys pond was also short of water. problem is too severe to ignore. Our Weston Green councillors have continued to press for reappraisal and Albany Reach action to preserve the pond. They report Elmbridge Council again removed bins that the Countryside committee’s local in August, in the hope that litterbugs will experts agree that the pond is too small, too take their litter home. Residents have shallow and the wrong contour to retain a pointed to increased litter, and the worthwhile amount of water that would problems of ordure including human prevent complete drying in spells of dry excrement from seasonal anglers weather. Late last year the clay lining of bivouacking there overnight at weekends the pond was tamped down, and in early have continued. While most users are 2010 culverts and drains were cleared and responsible, the few uncouth anglers and cut to maximise use of runoff from the groups of youths who leave drink cans and pond’s immediate surroundings. In crisp packets seem unlikely to take their September there will be removal of some litter to their next venue – and now they of the adjacent shrubs (which should have nowhere to leave it. Elmbridge’s reduce transpiration losses a little) and the Environmental officer Jenny James, who
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introduced the trial scheme last year, will report on it as the first agenda item at our Open Meeting of 9 November. All who care for the Reach are urged to attend. You may wish to read the thread on Albany Reach in our website forum, which contains a summary of measures tried. Doings and dates Queens Road resident Pam Bannister again organised a hanging basket and window box competition for the road’s last yearʼs Christmas Fair inhabitants, to coincide with Hampton This year’s Residents’ Association Court Flower Show. The occasion is great Christmas Party is on Saturday 11th fun for all and brightens the road, along December at the Vera Fletcher Hall: three with dark hints of dastardly ruses to win course dinner, friends and your favourite this extremely competitive event for the music. £30 a ticket for a wonderful classy prizes offered by sponsors The community occasion – phone Fiona Albany and Class Comedy! Elliott on 020 8398 1788. Colets squash club won the men’s The seventh village Christmas Fair England club championship for the fourth will be held from 6 pm on Wednesday 9 year running, beating Pontefract 5-0, the December with all the trappings. As 11th time overall since they first won it in usual, the High Street will be temporarily 1994. closed to traffic. Thames Ditton Junior School retained Subscription reminder the winning trophy for the District Sports If you have forgotten to send in this field event for the 7th year running. year’s subscription to support the Jayne Thomas of Speer Road won independent representation of these villages, silver medal for her Midsummer Night’s this community magazine and items like Dream garden at the RHS Flower Show at the Christmas tree and flowers around and Hampton Court. about, please visit page 3 (or print off a Tom Beaumont (Thames Ditton form from our website) and feel good as Juniors and Kingston Grammar School) you do the necessary! Thank you. and school friends Tudor Morris and And thanks also to our loyal Robbie Montgomery cycled from John advertisers in Thames Ditton Today, who O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for tell us that the magazine produces good Momentum, a charity based at Kingston quality business. We are fortunate in that Hospital which helps children with cancer. there is still a waiting list, and trust that They have nearly reached their £10,000 readers will support our local businesses target. Further donations welcome at: who do so much for the community. www.justgiving.com/le2jog-momentum. www.residents-association.com
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Weston Manor Farm Remembered
Weston Manor Farm was my childhood my very own secret garden Weston Manor playground. When I first discovered its Farm (sometimes called just Manor Farm) charms, it was a working farm used by was on land which is now occupied by local artists and for photo shoots. The last Esher College. The farmhouse or manor tenants left in 1956 and it gradually fell house was built around the 15th century into disrepair. Local children vandalised and was originally part of Henry VIII’s it, despite the efforts of police to keep estate. It had wood pegged beams and them out. I loved its mystery and my wattle and daub walls. It also had one favourite spot was sitting in an upstairs mullioned window left and various window with my legs dangling out. To get fireplaces and chimney stacks. It was up there I had to climb the inside of the while climbing up the fireplace one day large fireplace, as the stairs had been that I noticed a loose brick. After prising destroyed, then cross the floor joists to the brick out, I discovered an old shoe and reach the window. From there I could after removing several other bricks look out across the walled garden with its I found more shoes. I was probably lucky fig and walnut trees, and imagine it was that the fireplace didn’t collapse on me!
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I took the shoes home and hid them, The shoes were exhibited some years as my parents had banned me from ago at Elmbridge Museum. playing at the farm. My find consisted of The farm also had several outbuildings, 5 complete leather shoes and 8 parts one of which was a magnificent seven- of shoes. year harvest barn so called because it Shoes and other items were often could accommodate seven years of hidden behind a fireplace as a primitive harvest. It was 85 feet long and 22 feet form of protection against evil spirits wide and was probably built around the Shoes were not cheap, and for the family 16th or 17th century. I remember hiding living at the farm then, they would have in the hay loft and watching all the been one of their most expensive comings and goings of farm life. We were purchases. The shoes I found are all discovered one day when my friend fell singles and well worn. They are a down the loft ladder and hurt her ankle. mixture of child, youth/maid and adult We got into trouble with the farmer and and one has two large cuts on the upper, then with our parents but it didn’t stop me which suggests that the wearer may have going there. I found the key to this barn had a bunion. 26% of shoes hidden in prior to demolition. buildings are found in chimneys, In 1960 an article appeared in the sometimes in large groups (as mine Esher News and Advertiser highlighting a were) and sometimes with other combination of the weather, shameful artefacts. Some are in pairs but most are neglect and destructive activities of local odd. The buckles and other fastenings children for the state of the farm. The were likely to have been removed to use article went on to say that the ancient on other shoes. manor house had withstood the ravages of 400 years but was now being destroyed. In 1998 the shoes were sent to the In 1961 a Mr Carver wrote to the Historic Northampton Shoe Museum and Brian Buildings Council for England regarding Hensman sent me an extremely detailed restoration of the barn. There was also a report of each shoe and dated them at scheme to turn the barn into a cultural around 1670 – 1700. The quality of centre. Nothing happened. Sadly, the farm workmanship is very average and the and barns were demolished in 1961. The shoes would have been made for owner Captain J S S Litchfield had finally moderately prosperous working class won planning permission for an people such as a farmer or tradesman. educational establishment, which resulted They almost certainly had several in the loss of some of the oldest buildings owners, each passing through the in Thames Ditton. original owners family, then down to his workers or given to the very poor. Veronica Whittall Nothing was wasted in those days. I Weston Manor Farm, Thames Ditton. have tried to match up the shoes with the K.W.E. Gravett & T.S. Mercer. occupants of the farmhouse but records Surrey Archaeol. Collect., 59, only go back as far as the 18th century. 1962, 27-34. ISSN 0309-7803
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A Shirker’s Tale – the Nokia Swim
Anyone who dropped into the Skiffers for a quiet skiff or punt on the morning of the Nokia Thames Swim would have had quite a shock. 120 race officials and scores of ‘volunteers’ were milling about to support, protect and judge the 1200 plus charity swimmers planning to race from just below Hampton Court Bridge to below Ravens Ait. The idea of the event was so crazy that even stalwart shirkers, such as I, had been persuaded to rise at an unearthly hour to be at the club at dawn to lay courses, receive safety briefings, position safety skiffs, staff the kitchen, etc. It was great fun! I had hurt my back lifting a skiff onto the racks the week before. Regrettably, I photo by Bob Saxton had to accept that when the time came to hurl soggy ropes and anchor weights from sign should point to the racing channel the start warning board dinghy into the itself or to the channel which boats should muddy Thames, all I could do was sit in use to avoid the race. The debate was the towing boat Elexis and give helpful never satisfactorily resolved as an advice. exasperated crew member pointed out that The first thing I noticed was that the any approaching boats could probably not rope which was meant to smoothly play see the arrows anyway! Next, we had to out from the boat was badly knotted. rush to the finish and anchor the other Pointing this out to one’s colleagues – warning dinghy, which interestingly had who were now fairly soggy themselves – the arrows on the sign pointing the other in a tactful way at 6.30 am is rather tricky. way. As we were to pass the club en I was invited to ‘get unknotted’ myself –at route, I suggested a comfort break. Then a least I think that is what they said. master stroke; I spotted Jan and her team Anyway I jumped to the rescue and sorted cooking up bacon butties and promptly out the rope before starting a gave her the first of hundreds of orders philosophical discussion about whether taken that day. Fighting my way through the arrow on the Regatta Slow Down the safety boats which were crashing their
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way, somewhat unsafely, into the water moments when Bob rammed Elexis at the over the hard, I delivered the sustenance bank, running aground at precisely the to the crew of Elexis. moment Jerry hurled himself forward. Morale was lifted immediately. Skipper Anyway he got ashore somehow. W h a t Bob Saxton commended me for ‘doing did Jerry discover? First, that all something useful at last’ whilst Ross contestants were tagged so the organisers Donnellan, Jerry Stockbridge (a friend knew where they were and if they had lost who had been pressganged into the crew anyone. (I asked if they had depth gauges to compensate for the state of my back) on them too.) Second, changing tents and and I relaxed as we sped past our 30 plus transportation were all laid on at the start skiffers and 40 plus kayakers in bright – there were lines of swimmers desperate orange t-shirts and caps taking up their to use the portable loos there before positions on the course. After further donning their rubber wear!. Third, the antics at the finish we returned to provide Ambulances kept their engines running a marshalling service at the start of the (think about that). race. We bravely positioned Elexis up Take my advice and volunteer next stream of the swimmers who slid into the year to help out in the clubhouse or on the water from Cigarette Island and had to water. But take care in the preceding swim across the Thames to the start at weeks not to hurt your back! Hampton Court. Peter Wallum What a spectacle! The swimmers were Dittons Skiff & Punting Club, started in waves of 100 every ten minutes Albany Reach and we were in a perfect position to observe them. Each wave of rubber suited swimmers had different coloured bathing hats and was urged on by the race starter to psych them up before the race. ‘5 minutes to go’ would incite an Oggy Oggy Oggy from the athletes, ‘3 minutes’ got them all clapping and shouting things like ‘hello Mum’, but ‘1 minute’ brought on an eerie silence before the deafening sound of 200 arms thrashing their way through water. After several waves of swimmers and one or two stand offs with pleasure steamers, Jerry got bored. He asked to be let ashore so he could find out how it all worked and take some photos. As you know, the water is very shallow at present and we had one of those difficult boating well-insulated: photo by Bob Saxton
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The Fight for Hampton Court
The Palaceʼs setting remains remarkably pastoral – photo by Lesley Tricia Bland interviews conservation Why do you feel that these plans are architect Keith Garner on why his battle inappropriate i.e. ‘out of scale’ and to save the Palace’s setting is so important: ‘unsympathetic’ to the area, and against Describe in a nutshell developer the national interest? Gladedale’s plan for the Jolly Boatman The scheme will cause irretrievable site opposite Hampton Court Palace. harm to the setting of the glorious historic Gladedale want to build a four-floor Palace buildings; the most important hotel facing the Palace, plus flats and a 65 group of Tudor buildings in England, an room residential home on the station car important work by Wren, and the most park with an underground car park significant Baroque landscape in the beneath. Plus an office building on the British Isles. The site by the river is part part of the station site adjacent to of the parkland setting of Hampton Court Hampton Court Way currently occupied Palace. Currently, you see the Palace by a used car dealership. through the trees across Ditton Field as
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the train approaches the station then, as The site should be acquired via the the train slows and stops, you see it in all Heritage Lottery Fund and public its glory across the river. The Palace’s subscription, and landscaped. Gladedale pastoral setting dates from the C16th would have to be given a fair commercial when it was built by Wolsey. If this price for it. Network Rail, on the other scheme goes ahead suburbanisation will hand, is dependent on billions of pounds encroach on the Palace, so something now of public subsidy and should not be historic, unique and special will become pursuing a project that is contrary to the humdrum. national and local interest. If returned to Why do you feel that the plans ignore parkland there would be a spectacular Government guidelines? view of Hampton Court Palace from the This principally concerns flood station platforms across the river as protection, which I know is of great visitors and residents arrive. There could importance to local residents. still be a car park on the Hampton Court Government guidance requires that new Way side of the tracks, where the car development is steered away from flood dealership is currently, which would be plains unless there are crucial, overriding available for blue badge holders catching reasons. A test called the “sequential test” the train and as a short stay car park requires developers to show they have serving the town centre of East Molesey. tried to find other sites less prone to There needs to be improved cycle parking flooding and have not been able to do so. facilities at the station to encourage more Here, the sequential test has not been people to cycle and I would also support carried out and, therefore, the planning the construction of a footbridge across the application is unlawful. This is part of the mouth of the Ember, to make it easier for reason I have initiated the legal challenge. people in the Dittons to walk to Hampton Do you agree with historian David Court. Starkey who has reportedly called the plans not only ‘a national scandal but an How can local people help support the international scandal?’ campaign? Yes. I couldn’t see this kind of thing The full hearing is likely in October. being allowed at Versailles! David There is a fund to pay the legal team Starkey is certainly opposed to the and we would be very grateful if you proposed development. He supports the could send donations to the Hampton legal challenge and signed the petition I Court Rescue Campaign Community put on the Downing Street web site, Account, HSBC Bank, 34 High Street, calling on the Government to intervene, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1DD along with 1475 other signatories. The (Sort code: 40-45-22 Account: 31507893). legal challenge is also supported by Historic Royal Palaces. Keith Garner As a conservation architect, what would you recommend for the derelict – interviewed by Tricia Bland, Jolly Boatman site? RA HonSec.
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Curtain Up! – at the Vera Fletcher Hall
Now in its 19th year our Autumn programme promises to refresh the parts that other venues cannot reach – high quality entertainment, drama and music on your doorstep and at affordable prices. The Hall has invested in a new upgraded piano which will make its debut this season. Our music programme brings old faces and new sounds. A highlight of the season is the return of international opera star Donald Maxwell and Tiramisu Opera in a Gala Concert, kindly sponsored by Octagon, on Friday 8 October in aid of the Mayor of Elmbridge’s charity Parkinson’s UK. Donald starred in La Fille du Regiment at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in June and appears at the Chatelet Opera House in Paris in November so it is a real coup to get him to our own pocket opera house in Thames Katalin Csillagh Ditton. He and Tiramisu Opera will entertain with songs and arias from Day. Anyone who remembers Michael’s Mozart, Puccini, Gounod and Borodin to depiction of Chopin in “Winter in Cole Porter and Flanders & Swann. Majorca” or “The Last Ballade” will know Donald compères spiced with anecdotes what a treat is in store from this multi- from opera houses around the world. The talented artist. £17 ticket price includes canapes and the The Hall has a reputation for high audience will be seated cabaret style quality chamber music and on 26 around tables. November the celebrated cellist Sagi To celebrate England and the English, Hartov, who came with the London actor, pianist and singer Michael Lunts Mozart Trio in June, returns with Katalin presents By George!” on Thursday 21 Csillagh (piano) from Hungary and Nicola October, with words and music from Noel Smedley (flute) to play trios and solos by Coward, John Betjeman, Gilbert & Haydn, Weber, Chopin, Liszt and Poulenc. Sullivan, Flanders & Swann… plus To get a flavour of what we can expect go nautical shanties to celebrate Trafalgar to www.katalincsillagh.com.
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Music lovers have a treat on Friday the Old Vic and was adapted for the November 12 when Charles Court Opera cinema starring Ingrid Bergman and presents HMS Pinafore – Gilbert and Charles Boyer. Arch villain Mr. Sullivan’s ever popular and hilarious satire Manningham is obsessed with finding the on class and naval incompetence. Toe- rubies belonging to an old woman he once tapping sailors dance and sing across all murdered. The gaslights rise and fall, ranks with “Dear Little Buttercup”, “The mysterious footsteps are heard in the attic, Ruler of the Queen’s Navee” and “He is an his wife is driven to the edge of insanity Englishman”. On Friday 19 November we and the sense of malignancy grows until welcome back Commedia Productions salvation arrives in the form of retired with Verdi’s La “Traviata”. Sung in detective Rough. Many of you will English, this is an exciting new full-scale remember Michael Friend’s previous production of one of opera’s greatest love productions such as Shaw’s “Mrs. stories –the courtesan Violetta and her lover Warren’s Profession” and Ayckbourn’s Alfredo, with the famous drinking song “Damsels in Distress”, so we know we Libiamo ne’lieti calici and with singers have a treat in store. from major opera companies and As always our children’s programme accompanied by Commedia’s pioneering sells out early so if you have children or “virtual orchestra”. Anyone who came to grandchildren don’t delay booking! On their “Magic Flute” last year will want to Saturday 16 October Cornelius & Jones come to this. return with Pinocchio, the classic story of Our theatre productions have a growing the puppet who wants to be a real boy but following and Love & Madness Productions, who cannot stay out of trouble. Stunning who gave us their memorable “Playboy of puppets, original music and songs. On 27 the Western World”, and “La Ronde”, return November Image Musical Theatre presents on October 1 with Dario Fo’s “Accidental Tom’s Midnight Garden – a family Death of a Salesman”, a sharp and hilarious participation musical of the modern classic satire on corruption. Fo, an Italian story of a 1950s boy’s encounter with the playwright, screen writer and politician, won past in 1895. the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1997. This Finally, Christmas is celebrated with story of a railway worker who “fell” to his Charles Court Opera’s inimitable death from police headquarters is his best pantomime for all the family – Robin known work, with a long run in the West Hood – on Friday January 14, a thigh- End, on Channel 4 television and nominated slappingly sensational and terrifically for the Laurence Olivier Award. funny production, toe-tapping routines and We have all enjoyed Michael Friend musical treats from pop to opera. Productions’ performances. He returns on Definitely not to be missed ! 29 October with something different – the See page 39 for times and tickets for classic 1938 mystery thriller “Gaslight” these shows. You can keep in touch with by Patrick events at the Vera Fletcher Hall on the Hamilton, which was a massive hit on website: the London stage at the Apollo Theatre and www.verafletcherhall.co.uk
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Hewett Cottrell Watson – homo dittoniensis
One fine August day in 1855 Charles Darwin left his house in Kent for Thames Ditton. He came to talk to a shy but cantankerous botanist, the leading British expert on plant geography. Hewett Watson was a founder of what is now the Botanical Society of the British Isles whose journal, in his honour, is entitled ‘Watsonia.’ His portrait hangs in the Herbarium at Kew. “What makes Watson a renegade?” Darwin had asked his friend Joseph Hooker, a great botanist and son of Watson’s patron William Hooker, Director at Kew, who wrote back: “His belief in transmutation.” To which Darwin replied, “You will be ten times hereafter more horrified at me, than at H. Watson.” Hewett Watson in 1839 For Darwin the day passed “very prosperously.” He thought Watson a very The seedling years clever man but rather too sarcastic. There Born on 9 May 1804 in Yorkshire, ensued a lively academic correspondence Watson did not get on with his right-wing between the two. When Darwin published father, of whom he wrote: “A Tory On The Origin of Species four years later, magistrate, full of the prejudices of his Watson’s contribution was acknowledged party; most violent temper; opposed to all in eight different places including the first philanthropic measures; and almost dead page. to individual benevolence.” When he was Watson argued that the rigid 15 his mother died, and his knee was classification of plant species was often smashed by a cricket bat during a school arbitrary and unsound. One of the first to game. A sensitive lad, he was happy with carry out original research to demonstrate the family gardener and found patrons in that evolution occurred, he concluded that a school headmaster and the Vicar, who no eternally permanent species exist. lent him science books. He liked botany These ideas were radical at the time, and and also became interested in phrenology Watson was a radical man. – the belief that a person’s intellectual and
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emotional makeup is reflected in the evolution. But he didn’t have the shape of their head. In 1828, he went to inspiration to work out how evolution study medicine at Edinburgh. Doctors occurred. When Darwin articulated the were expected to know about herbal principle of natural selection, however, remedies, and botany formed part of their Watson immediately recognised this university studies. Watson was a good marvellous unifying theory of the life student but, like Darwin shortly before sciences. He wrote handsomely to him, he left Edinburgh without a degree. Darwin: “It has the characteristics of all great natural truths, clarifying what was Transplanted to Thames Ditton obscure, simplifying what was intricate, After he came into enough to live on, adding greatly to previous knowledge. You Watson tried the country life with his are the greatest Revolutionist in natural sister in Barnstaple but found it boring. history of this century, if not of all “You may imagine a society made up of centuries.” retired officers, and families of moderate independencies, who hold trade in Later Watson, ever picky, questioned contempt, yet envy its wealth; who have small details of Darwin’s work. The no occupation save hunting, shooting, relationship became bumpier. Darwin’s fishing, card-playing, quadrilling, acknowledgments to Watson began to walking & backbiting each other.” At 29, fade as he revised the Origin. In he bought a cottage in Thames Ditton – a correspondence and scientific journalism hothouse of intellect and taste, as we Watson was uncompromising. He had know – where he stayed for the rest of his many spats with other scientists. His life. The cottage was in Ditton Marsh, biographer Egerton observes: “He had a roughly where Claygate Lane intersects genius for finding real scientific problems with Manor Road North these days, but which had inadvertently arisen, and then along with the farmland has now been imputing unworthy motives to whomever superseded by the suburban housing of got caught up in the dilemma.” Hinchley Wood. He did it up, cultivated Private life, pollination, the garden, and installed a housekeeper. He also bought a couple of small cottages politics and parish in Claygate Lane to let for income. Yet in his personal life, Watson was Watson focused his research on British diffident and shy. He shunned society, but plants, save for a two-year visit to the he was not a recluse. He had friends, was Azores as naturalist with HMS Styx. He generous with his money, and reckoned found life on a Navy ship at sea he spent up to a fifth of his income uncomfortable, and it was the last time he helping others. He never married, travelled. It was his work on the Azores, although he felt his oats as any man. In however, which first attracted Darwin’s Thames Ditton his housekeeper, Grace attention. Watson’s definitive work on Eastmond, remained with him for the rest plant species and geography founded a of his life and shared the domestic side of science, and confounded the critics of it, if not – perhaps – his bed. She may
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have borne him a daughter. The evidence Watson is too seriously ill to receive is inconclusive. visitors. He now keeps his bed, refuses food, & seems utterly unconscious of all Watson was of liberal convictions, around him.” She was with Watson when underpinned with firmness. He described he died a fortnight later on 27 July. He left himself as a renegade from Toryism, was her some money and all the house keen on political consultation especially contents. with the middle classes, and in May 1848 wrote a pamphlet entitled ‘Public His protegé John Baker, a botanist who Opinion, or Safe Revolution Through ran Kew’s Herbarium, was Watson’s Self-Representation.’ A year later – in executor. A domestic fire in 1864 had words that would please many a resident destroyed Baker’s own botanical library today – he wrote to his friend George and plant collection. Watson had Combe: “Local legislation for local organised and generously contributed to a objects appears a desideratum to a great rescue fund collected for Baker after this extent now.” catastrophe. A dissenter who wrote that deism was a Hewett Cottrell Watson lies buried in hindrance to progress, Watson nonetheless our churchyard, where in Spring his joined the congregation at St. Nicholas gravestone is surrounded by snowdrops. and played his part in parish life. An Baker and at least nine other botanists of article in the Surrey Comet of 5 May 1866 national repute attended the funeral, records that Watson organised a collection including Sir Joseph Hooker, the Director for John Walker, the Vestry Clerk, as a of Kew Gardens after his father and by token of the esteem in which he was held then a past President of the Royal Society. in the parish. The article cites Watson Charles Darwin, whose own health had who admiringly noted that “Mr Walker declined and who was to die nine months had lived a lifetime in the parish without later, was not there. making a single enemy.” There is a Keith Evetts redeeming irony in this generous action Sources: from a man who had made numerous – Hewett Cottrell Watson, Victorian plant enemies of his own! ecologist and evolutionist: Age and extinction Frank N Egerton 2003 ISBN 0 7546 0862 X (I have asked In 1873 an ageing Watson wrote that Dittons Library to acquire it) he no longer felt able to spend a night – Darwin Correspondence Project: away from home. His joints were www.darwinproject.ac.uk increasingly stiff and painful, and in December 1880 he fell, damaging his left – Oxford Dictionary of National foot. This ended his botanising. In the Biography months that remained to him, he took – Botanical Society of the British Isles News opiates for his pain. Grace, his ‘valued #47 Dec. 1987 and #49 Sep. 1988: housekeeper,’ answered Hooker’s last – Mercer collection, & sundry internet letter to him on 14 July 1881: “Mr. sources
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Brush Up Your Bridge – and keep your brain honed
etiquette then the bridge classes at the Centre could not be further from this. They are for those wanting to improve their bridge rather than for starters and they proceed at a gentle pace with plenty of opportunities to put up your hand and say “Help – what do I bid on this hand?”
You may sometimes feel like the bridge player who joked “ The How was I to know yours was the brain is a wonderful organ. It starts winning card when I trumped it?! working the moment you get up and does not stop until you sit at Bridge is really a very friendly game, the bridge table” but the classes at the and does great things for one’s marriage – Centre are the very best way you could particularly if only one of you plays… possibly have to remedy this. You may not bid and make a grand slam every We are very lucky in Thames Ditton time you play but the pleasure of making and Weston Green in that we have on our the contract you actually did bid or of doorstep one of the friendliest groups for seeing your opponents go down is one of improving your bridge, held each Monday life’s minor joys. afternoon at Thames Ditton Centre for the Retired, (previously the Ember Centre) opposite the Library at Giggs Hill Green. ♦ The Centre’s definition of “retired” is age “We had a partnership 50 or over – not quite in line with the misunderstanding. Government’s plans for later retirement! I assumed my partner ♣ knew what he was doing.” “The difference between genius and We are all very understanding when we stupidity at the bridge table is that make a mistake – after all, it could be our genius has its limits.” turn next – and are enormously fortunate to have as our guide/teacher Rowena If your idea of a bridge class is of Austin who is a skilled and regular player formal lessons, homework or strict but who gives up her time to encourage
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THAMES DITTON DRAMA ACADEMY
Classes in Speech & Drama for children aged 4 – 16
New modern dance class starting this September. A production on stage every term.
Please ring Sheila Maher, M.A. on 020 8398 6777 for details
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those of us who want to improve our can use at many local shops including the bridge but do not necessarily want to play invaluable Crossy’s in Hinchley Wood – in the more formal atmosphere of a bridge altogether the bargain of the year. club. In other words it is for those who want to improve their social bridge, and ♠ all this for £1 a week to cover tea and “Where is the hand biscuits! you held during the bidding?” ♥ “If I did everything right, “I’m sorry, but I can’t think I wouldn’t be and play bridge playing with you.” at the same time.”
You do have to join the Thames Ditton Centre to attend the class after your free There is no need to book – just turn up taster session but this is only £8 a year on a Monday around 1.45pm and say to and gives you access to all the other the Manager Helen Hewitt that you would activities at the Hall, including lunches, like a “taster” session. outings, exercise classes, talks and many social activities with a discount card you John Lyon
A century of fun Bill Doe celebrated his 100th birthday at Thames Ditton Centre on 16 September (his birthday proper is 19 September). Born in Ealing, Bill lived for 24 years in Thames Ditton and is now based at Grace Lodge, Hinchley Wood. A food chemist by profession, for J. Lyons in London, Bill – whose real name, Cedric, he prefers not to use (his wife, now deceased, refused to marry him if he was called Cedric) – attributes his century to good eating, moderate drinking, some exercise and – lots of fun!
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The Harry Hawkes 8
The Cricket Club hosted Surrey’s favourite run on Sunday 12 September. The race was instituted to honour the passing in 1984 of former TDCC President Harry Hawkes, who was a club stalwart from the 1920s. A captain of the Second XI and described as ‘a more than useful bowler,’ Harry set great store by training and encouraging youngsters. Funds raised by the race go to training young cricketers and to other youth organisations and charities. The Hawkes family lived in Thames Ditton for several generations, from William Hawkes, a labourer in the early 1800s, through Thomas Hawkes who opened a soft drinks manufacturers in the High Street in premises owned by William Speer. Lemonade and ginger beer were becoming fashionable in the late 1800s. The bottling business was theyʼre off! – cue the Chariots of Fire theme eventually sold in the 1960s. Its site is river, and back along the towpath. It has now named Hawkes Yard – behind the an excellent reputation among runners for new development at 29-31 High Street. all aspects, and the cheerful volunteers Harry spent his final years at Garden who run it and supply the barbecue can be Cottage, behind the Old Manor House on proud. First man home of over 300 Station Road. If anybody has a runners was James Trapmore in 43 min 26 photograph of him please let the Editor sec, and the winning woman was Marie know. Synnott-Wells in 52 min 16 sec. The Sponsored by Nuffield Health, Lanson youngsters’ race twice around Giggs Hill Running and Vitamin Water, the eight- Green, a little over a mile, was won by the mile race – an unusual distance suited to very capable young runner Michael Stone the endearingly quirky traditions of this in 5 min 51 sec just eight seconds ahead village – is properly timed over a of Laura Cook. Both look to be HH8 measured course to Kingston, across the athletes of the future.
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THE THEATRE IN THAMES DITTON AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL
Friday 8 October 7.30 for 8.00pm Friday 19 November 8.00 pm Tiramisu Opera presents Conmedia Productions present A GALA CONCERT sponsored by Octagon LA TRAVIATA International opera star Donald Maxwell and Verdi’s tender and moving tragedy of courtesan Company entertain with favourites from Mozart, Violetta and her lover Alfredo. Sung in English. Puccini, and Borodin to Cole Porter. An exciting new full-scale production with singers from major opera companies and accompanied by TICKETS £17 including canapés in aid of the Commedia’s pioneering “virtual orchestra”. Mayor of Elmbridge’s charity “Parkinson’s UK” TICKETS £15 from Lisa Scroby 01372 474383 Friday 26 November 8.00pm Thursday 21 October 8.00pm CONCERT Michael Lunts in BY GEORGE! Katalin Csillagh (piano) from Hungary joins Actor, singer and pianist Michael Lunts Sagi Hartov (cello) and Nicola Smedley (flute) celebrates England and the English with words to play trios and solos by Haydn, Weber, Liszt, and music from Noel Coward, John Betjeman, Chopin, Poulenc… Gilbert & Sullivan, Flanders and Swann… TICKETS £11 (under 16 years free) plus nautical shanties to celebrate Trafalgar Day. TICKETS £10 Friday 14 January 2011 7.30pm Charles Court Opera presents ROBIN HOOD Friday 29 October 8.00pm A traditional family panto. A thigh-slappingly Michael Friend Productions present sensational and terrifically funny production, GASLIGHT by Patrick Hamilton toe tapping routines and musical treats 1880. London in the fog. Gaslights mysteriously from pop to opera. flicker in the home of the newly married TICKETS £12.50 Manninghams. Who prowls the attics at night? Is Mrs. Manningham losing her sanity or is her YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE life in deadly danger? Find out in one of theatre’s Saturday 16 October 2.30 pm greatest thrillers. Cornelius & Jones present PINOCCHIO TICKETS £12.50 Collodi’s classic Italian story of the puppet who wants to be a real boy, but cannot stay out of Friday 12 November 8.00 pm trouble. Stunning puppets, original music and songs, For 4-10 years Charles Court Opera presents TICKETS £6 H.M.S PINAFORE Gilbert & Sullivan’s hilarious satire on class and naval Saturday 27 November 2.30 pm incompetence. Toe-tapping sailors dance and sing across Image Theatre Company present all ranks with “Dear Little Buttercup”, “The Ruler TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN of the Queen’s Navee!” and “He is an Englishman”. family participation musical of the modern classic TICKETS £15 story of a boy’s encounter with the past. With jumps in time from the 1950s to 1895, the story recounts Tickets for all shows from Joan Leifer Tom and Harry’s mutual need for companionship Tel: 0844 884 8832, and The Pro Shop, and somewhere to play. For 5-11 years. 52 High Street, Thames Ditton. TICKETS £6. To hire the Vera Fletcher Hall contact manager Helen Mason Tel: 08456 528 529 www.verafletcherhall.co.uk
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RUSSELL-COOKE | SOLICITORS
> Specialist services for companies & individuals including wills & estate planning, conveyancing, family law, criminal litigation, tax advice, employment and personal injury
Bishop’s Palace House Kingston Bridge Kingston-upon-Thames Surrey KT1 1QN www.russell-cooke.co.uk T 020 8546 6111
Weston Green WestonSchool Green Key Stage 2 School is being phased in from September 2010 with children moving into Year 3
Co-educational Please telephone for Preparatory more details. School for children aged 3-11 years
Weston Green Road Co-educational Preparatory School WestonThames Green Ditton Road Surrey KT7 0JN Thamest: 020 8398 Ditton 2778 f: 020 8398 1806 for children aged 3-11 years Surreye: [email protected] KT7 0JN www. westongreenschool.org.uk An exciting and caring start to school t: 020 8398 2778 f: 020 8398 1806 A sound and balanced foundation to learning e: [email protected] An education which is stimulating,challenging and fun www.westongreenschool.org.uk
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Autumn Crossword By Maureen Willcox
Applause for Maureen as our new alternate crossword compiler. A £5 Voucher for spending in any Thames Ditton or Weston Green shop will be awarded to each of the first three correct entries opened after the closing date of 7 November 2010. The completed puzzle (or photocopy) enclosing your name and address, with the envelope clearly marked ‘Crossword Competition,’ should be sent to: Thames Ditton Today Crossword Competition 6 Church Walk Thames Ditton KT7 0NW ACROSS DOWN 1. A film Travolta agrees is a classic (6) 1. “One single — thought raised to Heaven is 4. Old times speak of the shepherd’s life (8) the most perfect prayer” (Lessing) (8) 10. Ten madmen warrant correction (9) 2. These days found in Polly’s kettle (7) 11. Play cassettes to find something of value (5) 3. Not energetic, yet Des ran haphazardly ... (9) 12. Endless problems caused by geometric figure (7) 5. …as the otter ran off ahead (2,3,9) 13. Destined for foreign parts (5) 14. Extremely blue without the sailor (5) 6. A homeless vessel (5) 15. American marsupials (8) 7. Latin beak preferred for pulpit (7) 18. Can stupid Lucy see a correct answer in this? 8. News hot from the press (6) (4,4) 9. Infernally cracking pace (4,3,9) 20. Reach maturity (5) 16. Caught unawares, is spurred to action (9) 23. In landlocked country, gold with stripe (7) 17. Thus commas turn to quotes (8) 25. Try another way (7) 19. These could be worth a fiver! (7) 26. Biblical progeny (5) 27. Wisdom to look forward to? (9) 21. Reckless gambler can unblock drains (7) 28. Abandons hope as chaos is spread (8) 22. Chose not to solve this clue (6) 29. Though poor Dad has a hard heart he’s well 24. Toke a joint, woolly hat, Ethiopia’s where it’s loved (6) at for this popular sect (5)
41 61581_N_Thames Ditton SPRING 2005 27/09/2010 11:05 Page 42
R P Brown
Est. 1968 – Traditional, reliable and conscientious local plumber
Registered with the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers
Approved member of Surrey C.C.Trading Standards ʻBuy with Confidenceʼ Scheme New showroom now open in Hersham No call out charge and no minimum charge, free written estimates, one year parts and labour guarantee, Design full public liability insurance. By Tel: 020 8398 0207 Mobile: 07973 636672 Professional Kitchen Design
56 Speer Road, Thames Ditton, Hersham (opp Waitrose) T: 01932 379076 Surrey KT7 0PW Walton on Thames T: 01932 254224 Leatherhead T: 01372 388389 www.plumb-master.co.uk e-mail [email protected] moorebydesign.co.uk
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Solution to the Summer Crossword by Michael Jackson
Congratulations to the first three contestants whose correct entries were opened after the deadline. Each wins a £5 Voucher for spending in any Thames Ditton or Weston Green shop.
Mrs. J. Salmon 33 Speer Road Thames Ditton KT7 0PJ
Mr. Tom Eddy 46 Grove Way Weston Green KT10 8HL
Mr. K. Yale 3 Elsworthy Thames Ditton KT7 0YP
Snippets At last Weston Greenies have somewhere to meet for a chat. Resident Jane Holt (one of our wonderful magazine distributors) has recently opened a teashop opposite Esher Station – The Chocolate Teapot. Imagine the surprise all round when a London firm visiting to quote for a canopy found that it was their own firm which had originally installed one over the shop in… 1937!
SCIENCE TUITION A Level & GCSE Tuition Biology, Chemistry & Physics Tel: 020 8398 7365 Alan Tucker: 2 Gainsborough Close, Esher KT10 8JR [email protected]
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SERVICES, CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND GROUPS
Services Cheer (Concern and Help for East Elmbridge Retired) Trudy O Keefe 01372 474555 Dittons and Weston Green Neighbourcare Sue Mayes 020 8398 6714 Elmbridge Borough Council Community Support Services Information, Meals Services, Community Transport, Bus Permits 01372 474552/4 Elmbridge Community Alarm Service 01372 474560 Elmbridge Relief Carers Scheme 01372 474547 Ember Centre for the Retired Mon & Thurs 020 8398 9870 At other times 01372 474553 Esher and District Stroke Club Ann Pollock 0208398 6132 Voluntary Action Elmbridge Mrs Carole Roycroft 01372 463587 M.D.H.S. Household Services (& garden tidying) Carolyn Smart (Manager) 01932 248533 Surrey Mobile Library Service 01483 517402 Surrey Youth and Adult Education Service Elmbridge Area 020 8979 8334 Groups Girl Guiding in TD & WG Mrs K Williams 020 8398 1300 1st Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 1628 3rd Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs Heather Horler 020 8398 0364 2nd Thames Ditton Rainbows Nicki Sutherland 020 8398 4202 1st Weston Green (All Saints) Scout Group Alan Nolan-Davies 0844 414 2826 1st Weston Green Guides (All Saints) Mrs. Louise Lewis 020 8398 4843 2nd Thames Ditton Guides Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 1628 1st Weston Green Brownies (All Saints) Mrs K Williams 020 8398 1300 2nd Weston Green Brownies Mrs J Epps 020 8395 0595 1st Weston Green Rainbows Mrs Helen Hill 020 8398 3135 4th Thames Ditton Ajax Sea Scouts Alison Derrick 020 8398 0041 Dittons Scout Group Laura Clarke 0208 398 3447 Coffee and chat (United Reformed Church) Mrs. E. Barker 01372 467491 Emberbrook Trefoil Guild Mrs. Adrienne Nealing 020 8398 5582 Friends of Bushey and Home Parks Mrs. Julie Cohen 020 8943 2017 Friends of Walsingham Care Miss Valerie Chicken 0208 398 2932 Molesey and Dittons Neighbourhood Watch Chairman: Pat Farmiloe 020 8398 2787 Parents and Toddlers(St Nicholas church) Information 020 8398 7211 Ripieno Choir Nick Harris 020 8399 7231 Surrey Bell-ringers Nick Pattenden [email protected] Clubs Albany Motor Yacht Club Secretary 01784466651 Arts and Heritage Club Carol Butcher 01932 867511 Claremont PROBUS Club Mr. P. Collins 020 8398 3125 Claygate Bridge Club Hon. Secretary 020 8398 1710 Colets Health & Fitness Giordano Orsini 020 8398 7108 Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Hon Secretary 07710 139417 Dittons & Hinchley Wood Royal British Legion Hon Secretary 020 8398 6263 Ember Players (Drama) Ember Sports Club Anne Segall 020 8941 4528 Ember Sports Club Mrs. Pauline Wareham 020 8979 8977
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Ember Sports Club: Bowls Sylvia Jones 01932 788701 Ember Sports Club: Croquet Dr. David Cooke 01932 862841 Ember Sports Club: Tennis Margaret Robinson 01372 842401 Esher Bowling Club Roger Cooper 01372 468109 Esher Bridge Centre Paul Whicker 01372 460157 Esher Camera Club Billy Buchanan 020 8398 3169 Esher 41 and Ex-Round Tablers' Club Dr. R. Tudor-Williams 020 8398 0108 Folk Dance Club Pam Phillips 01372 373745 Hinchley Wood / Dittons PROBUS Club Geoff Francis 01932 867771 Long Ditton Cricket Club Nigel Hardy 020 8398 8361 Long Ditton Garden Club Mrs. Ann Allen 020 8398 1718 Model Railway Society (Hampton Court) Secretary 01932 241224 Mothers Union (All Saints) Val Lomax 01932 860344 Old Cranleighan Rugby Club Tony Price 07801 837129 Old Cranleighan Hockey Club Eds Copleston (Men) 07775 940703 Helen Hawes (Ladies) 07771 557900 River Club (BMYC) David Walker 0870 460 3586 Rotary Club, Esher Geoff Morris 01932 868454 Rubber Bridge TD Lawn Tennis Club Val 020 8399 9972 Surbiton Croquet Club Alec Thomas 020 8398 2391 Surbiton Golf Club Secretary 0208 398 3101 Surbiton Hockey Club Secretary 020 8398 2401 Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club Chris Lewis 07770 562569 Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club Mark Rodbard 020 8398 1551 Thames Ditton Squash Club (Colets) Dave Peck 020 8398 7108 Thames Ditton Cricket Club Howard Frish (Secretary) 07947 561449 Thames Ditton Marquetry Group Jasmine Berry 020 8398 4358 Yoga for Health Club Mrs. Celia Rowe 020 8398 2700 SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS Ember Choral Society Linda Bridges 020 8399 5402 Esher Recorded Music Society Miss S. M. Garrat 020 8398 8541 Esher and Molesey Garden Society Chris Walker (Sec) 020 8398 6651 Hampton Court Way Allotment Association Lettings: John Morgan 020 8398 3049 Lynwood Allotment Society Louise Flaig 020 8398 7704 Molesey and District Antiques Society Linda Lambert 020 8398 1476 NADFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts) Kingston Mrs. Valerie Windsor 020 8549 9967 National Trust: Richmond Association Membership Secretary 020 8894 2972 Soroptimist International (Kingston District ) Secretary: Pat Harman 020 8390 3507 Thames Ditton Women's Institute (W.I.) Secretary 020 8398 8615 Thames Valley Amateur Radio Transmitters Society Chairman 0148328 4279 OTHER Cancer Research UK Mrs. Vivienne Harris 020 8398 6787 University of the Third Age (U3A) HonSec Anne Brown 01932 881 633 Vera Fletcher Hall Lettings: Helen Mason Membership: Sue Morris 08456 528 529 020 8224 2536 Please contact the Editor to amend these listings
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Rachel Agourakis writes: river for any purpose, (or the Swan dating “I read with interest the articles ‘Are back to 13C) please write in! You Married or…’ and ‘The Tower at Boyle Farm’ having lived in and around Veronica Whittall, who writes about Thames Ditton much of my life, in fact Weston Manor Farm in this issue, adds living on Thames Ditton Island from the another recollection: age of 11 to 16 years old from 1973! One of our neighbours was Jack Barton, who produced “Crossroads” from1974 to “Another property long forgotten and 1985, and the house we rented was demolished in 1954, was Hedger’s originally built for William Hartnell, the Cottage, which stood in the car park of first Doctor from “Doctor Who”! Thames Ditton Tennis Club. It was built It seems the island was favoured by around 1687 and was formerly known as artistic types; my stepfather was a Manor Cottage. In later days cottages musician and played for the likes of Des were more likely to be called after the O’Connor and Jack Jones. people living in them, so it became When we lived on The Island we were Hedger’s Cottage after an occupant told that there was a tunnel from the called Job Hedger. At one time it was the tower on the grounds of The Home of only dwelling on the left of the road from Compassion that extended under the Weston Green to Thames Ditton. I Thames to Hampton Court Place and remember this old cottage and after it was which was used as an escape route, I demolished I picked up an old bead and a don’t know if this is true but I understand bent nail from the site, which I still have.” that there is a similar tunnel that extends from Hampton Court to Waynefleet Tower In Spring 2008 Thames Ditton Today in Esher that is large enough to allow a carried an article on the growing numbers horse and rider to travel through! I and depredations of the urban fox, with wonder if any records exist that may shed which this area is infested – as their some light on this?” foulings testify. That prompted some There have indeed been persistent lively defence of foxes. But since then rumours of ‘escape tunnels’ under the we’ve had the nationally reported attack Thames but frankly, one rather doubts the on baby girls by a fox entering a house in story as it stands. Perhaps there were North London; this summer a teenage girl conduits of some sort – though rather camping overnight in the garden of her fanciful to imagine subterranean supplies home in Long Ditton was bitten when a of cakes from Henry VIII’s confectioner, fox ripped into her tent and attacked her; who lived where Boyle Farm now is; or and now we read reports of a fox entering even ale from the Swan which claims an open window in Fulham and biting (with no clear substantiation) a history through the ear of a lady lawyer as she dating back to before Henry. If anyone slept. The Council won’t control foxes. has primary evidence to support the Please don’t encourage them to be bold by existence of ancient tunnels under the feeding them.
46 51380_ISFC:SPRING inside Cover 2005 25/2/09 14:55 Page 2
Two ways towow! treat your Pet
To keep them healthy, pets should be seen To keep them happy, play with them, at least once every 12-months by a vet. So exercise them, give them loads of why not bring them along to Beech House, praise and cuddles and spoil them Thames Ditton for their regular health with some special treats and toys. So checks. This way, we can detect potential pop into the “Beech House Pet Stop” illnesses early and nip them in the bud. for a wide selection of the very best. Our easy parking, fresh, modern & involving (All the products and food we sell have been carefully premises and professional engaging team will chosen with your pet’s best well-being in mind.) greet you each visit, making your whole experience more enjoyable. Beech House Veterinary Centre - Prevention, we think, is better than Cure. Passionate about Healthy, Happy Pets
www.beechhousevets.com Regular health checks will ensure a longer, healthier ESHER A and happier life. 307 HAMPTON CT HINCHLEY P Ham WOOD o pt r on Cou t rt W s Wes ay ton Gree Ring now to book m n ou W n Rd t to e es s h W t o R n G KINGSTON o Weston Park r 020 8398 4752 a een d THAMES DITTON
Beech House Veterinary Centre, Well-Pet Centres also at: Milbourne Stores, Weston Green, Hersham Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0JX 01932 220768 Cobham Consulting Hours 01932 868688 11am-1pm 4pm-6pm Shepperton HERSHAM Monday - Friday 01932 222257 56363_BC:SPRING Cover 2005 26/11/09 12:18 Page 1
ARIES CONSTRUCTION LLP (formerly Ditton Construction)
GENERAL BUILDING EXTENSIONS & LOFT CONVERSIONS FULL PLANNING & DRAWING SERVICES ROOFING : PLUMBING : ELECTRICAL BATHROOM & KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT CARPENTRY & JOINERY INTERNAL & EXTERNAL REDECORATION REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS INSURANCE CLAIMS : FIRE, FLOOD, STORM DAMAGE SUBSIDENCE AND UNDERPINNING PLASTERING & RENDERING GROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
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Free Estimates – Fast, Efficient, Friendly Service Local References Available Tel: 020 8941 9191 Fax: 020 8941 6664 Mobile: 07836 608086 Email: [email protected]
Published by the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residentsʼ Association Printed by Impress Print Services Ltd., Unit 10, 19 Lyon Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 3PU