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THE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER T I D I N G S Helping to make Teddington even better Number 162 Autumn 2013

Contents: Letter from the Chair From the Editor 2 The Teddington Society will be celebrating its 40 years of existence with a party Volunteers wanted 2 at the Landmark centre on 5th October. It will be an evening of fun and Membership matters 3 entertainment. Since the first small beginnings in 1973, the Society has had the objectives of New Members 3 safeguarding the character of Teddington as a friendly place in which to live and Exec. Committee Report 3 work, and to enhance the natural and built environment of the town. My earliest recollections are of being part of the History group and painstakingly helping to Tidings Schedules 3 make a record of Teddington’s buildings. Since that modest beginning, many Station Anniversary - Part 3 4 splendid people have devoted time and energy to opening their gardens, arranging events, commenting on planning proposals, removing graffiti and litter and Reports from the Groups 5 improving parking facilities as well as the enormously successful publication of our Village Fair 8 magazine “Tidings”. We have also, through our various activities (especially “Teddington in Flower”), been able to raise funds which have contributed to many Teddington In Flower 9 local charities and good causes. The current executive committee is no less Police Liaison Group Report 10 dedicated than its predecessors and our commitments have progressively increased to include the successful Teddington Fair this year for the first time and Midnight Pyjama Walk 10 the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Railway Station. I am enormously grateful Great Fire of Teddington 11 to all the members of the Executive Committee and the other helpers who rally round on so many occasions to ensure our continuing success. Stickmaking 12 Jenny Hilton Teddington River Festival 12 NPL Advanced Metrology Lab 12 Teddington Sub Aqua Club 13 The Teddington Society New Book review 13

Horse Rangers Donation 13

Business Exchange 14 40th Birthday Celebration Quiz Corner 15 Events 16 Saturday October 5th Welcome drink and nibbles

Hot Buffet (from 8.30 pm) Landmark ArtsArtsCentreCentre Entertainment Recognise this? Live Music 7.30 pm to 11.00 pm Raffle Pay Bar Tickets £15 Bring yourself and your friends and join us for an evening of fun and ccelebrationelebration

See page 12 please book your tickets for the birthday celebration by 15 September using the bbookingooking form inside

Teddington Society From the Editor 21 Teddington Park Teddington TW11 8DB Celebrating 40 years

Registered Charity No. 802026 A milestone for the Teddington Society - 40 years ago some local www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk residents decided that “strength in numbers” was good advice and so, in 1973, the Teddington Society was born. The Society has made th Vice-Presidents its presence felt and our 40 anniversary supplement will tell you all Roger Avins about our achievements over that time. If you have any memories, photos, etc from 40 years ago that you would like to share with us, John Demont Joan Freeman please send them to your Editor.

And don’t forget to come and join the fun at the Landmark on Chair th Saturday 5 October. Renew old acquaintances, make new ones, Jenny Hilton reminisce about the “good old days”. In particular, we would like our [email protected] newer members to come along. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

Vice Chairman If you don’t know anybody at the beginning of the evening you can

Sheena Harold guarantee that you will have made a lot of new friends by the end. [email protected] Tell Us Your Stories Secretary We regularly print articles from our Groups but not very often from Josette Nikiforou 020 8977 9037 individual members. But many of you have interesting tales to tell. On secretary@teddingtonsociety p.12 this time is an article from Tyrell Marris. I had no hesitation in .org.uk finding space for it. What I’d like is more from you – our members. Treasurer Don’t worry about not being a writer – we can always help. So what Sally Howland 020 8977 9404 about it? Who’d like to keep the ball rolling – even if it’s just an idea? [email protected] tel: 8977 5642 Publicity & Promotions Copy deadline for the next issue is 20th October (incl. Gardens) Sheena Harold 020 8977 2700

Newsletter Editor WE NEED YOU - AGAIN Mike Woods 020 8977 5642 We know that many of you would like to get more involved in Minutes Secretary Society activities. The responses we’ve had so far calling for Mike Lloyd 07552 760 992 volunteers has been magnificent – the Station group, PLG reporting, library volunteers, Communications team - Membership Secretary provided we don’t ask too much. From our appeals last time, Jenny Michell 020 8977 0772 the library has extra volunteers to deliver to the housebound, [email protected] and Teddington Bowls Club had almost 40 for their Open Days (many from reading Tidings) and they now have at least 7 new members. Events Organiser Angela Carvill 020 8977 0167 This time we have some specific requests: (1) The Planning Group is looking for additional members (see p.7); CONVENORS (2) We’d like to add to our back-up team for delivery of Tidings (see p.3): Corporate Liaison (3) Our Riverside & Open Spaces Group is seeking new members (see p.6) Bhavna Patel 020 8977 3793 (4) Our new Communications Team has met a couple of times now and we Environment would welcome some more members to join this friendly group and share the Geoff Howland 020 8977 9404 coffee/tea/biscuits/cake (and toss around new ideas). We’re particularly keen Historical Research to look at how we keep in touch with members and how we can increase our Ken Howe 020 8943 1513 social events. No experience necessary – just ideas wanted. Planning If you’d like to put your toe in the water for any of these things, or would just Brian Lane 020 8943 0811 like some more information, let me know and I’ll pass it on to the appropriate [email protected] people. (first contact only) STOP. PRESS The Teddington Riverside Artists was formed at the behest Riverside and Open Spaces of the TedSoc some 21 years ago. The artists are still willing but their Ann Sayer 020 8977 9495 coordinator has had to step down. It would be tragic if Teddington loses Roads and Transport it’s only Art Group who encompass all regardless of ability. Is there Brian Holder 020 8977 1579 anyone out there who can help – maybe even on a shared basis? Either Communications Team contact me or Marcia Hughes on 8977 7232 – PLEASE HELP!

Mike Woods 020 8977 5642 Mike Woods

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS TEDDINGTON SOCIETY We welcome the following Thank you to all those members who have renewed their membership, new members: sent standing order forms for subsequent years and have sent in Gift Aid forms. Thanks also to those people who have updated their details and Mr & Mrs Heaver supplied us with their email address. If you have an email address and are Rob Williams NOT receiving the newly introduced Teddington Society Calendar every & AnneMarie Berggreen month please email [email protected] so we can add Miss Jenny Clayton you to the mailing list. Mr & Mrs Borchard Only 26 residential members have not responded to correspondence Mr Small along with a few of our corporate members. Mr David Smith Miss Giang Nguyen The subscription rates went up this year after many years at a lower Mr & Mrs King level, consequently we would like those who pay by standing order to Jamie Hutchinson change these to reflect the new subscriptions ready for January 2014. All & Elspeth Rendall members who have supplied us with an email address and who need to make a change will be emailed a reminder during September. Tabitha White Mr & Mrs Bullock Subscription rates for 2013 and 2014: Mr & Mrs Aggarwal Individual £7 Joint/family £11 Mrs Niamh Mugford Senior £4 Joint senior £5 Vicky Phillips & Richard Lupo Postage for Tidings £2.50 Mr & Mrs Musson Mr Kearney & Mrs Woolf Corporate Membership £25 (unchanged)

Jenny Michell

Distribution of Tidings EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT Occasionally, some of you get One of the requests from the membership survey we undertook your copy of Tidings some days was that members would like to have a brief report on what the after your friends and you ask if you Executive Committee has been discussing. Obviously some of have missed out. You haven’t of those things will appear in the Group reports and in other course but the distribution of Tidings contributions that appear in Tidings. What we have below are depends on volunteers and there those issues that are not covered elsewhere. can always be hiccups (holidays, illness, etc.). Normally we’d expect to get Tidings to the This is our first offering. If you would like more information on any delivery teams by the 10th of the month (Feb, of the issues, let me know and I will pass it on to the right quarters. May, Aug, Nov) but please be patient if you More importantly, if you would like to add your thoughts or don’t get it immediately – we are all human. suggestions to our discussions, PLEASE LET US KNOW - we Of course, if we have a back-up group of need your input. volunteers we can call on occasionally to help us If you want to contribute but would prefer not to be identified to out, that would really help. So if you could offer the Committee, just let me know and I will convey your comments to help, please let our Membership Secretary, to the Committee – with no names, no pack drill. Jenny Michell, know and she will coordinate with Editor our Distribution Secretary, Belinda Heal.

(1) Feedback from our AGM (as on some previous also need to keep our reserves at a reasonable level. occasions) was that the sound quality for the guest (4) Similarly, there is now a documented procedure and speaker was variable because of the use of a hand-mike guidance on the maximum level of expenditure that can and the display screen was so low that most people could be committed without discussion and approval by the not see all or even most of the display. These issues need whole Committee. to be addressed for future AGMs. (5) As well as restructuring the Committee meetings so (2) Numbers attending the AGM and the New Year Party that they concentrate on issues and avoid being a seem to be falling. On the other hand, over 100 members talking shop, the Committee intends to devote one come to the Xmas Lunches and some of the visits have to meeting a year to set out a forward plan for that year. be repeated because they are oversubscribed. Is it the (6) The need for a map of Teddington or an additional nature of the talks, reluctance to turn out on a cold winter’s community notice board to be put up in town is being evening, not knowing people or other factors? discussed. Options, costs, etc will be explored. (3) A documented procedure on charitable donations has (7) A new membership leaflet is being designed. been discussed and adopted by the Committee so that the th whole process becomes more transparent. All proposals (8) A 40 Anniversary Supplement is planned and for donations must be supported by a written case which committee members are producing copy for this. Input has to be discussed and agreed by the whole Committee. from members will also be appreciated. This must be done before fund raising begins. We Page 3

TEDDINGTON STATION – 150th ANNIVERSARY Part 3: The Railway Arrives The first electric service using 3-coach trains between Waterloo - East - Wimbledon ran in October 1915 …And so the good people of Teddington had their own train and by the start of 1916, electric trains were running to service - no more trekking to or ! The Teddington, Shepperton, Richmond & Kingston. first of the roughly hourly services left Teddington at 06.50 reaching Waterloo at 07.36. City workers had a direct Elegant new-age green trains with gold lined panelling, service as some trains ran to Ludgate Hill (City Thameslink). in marked contrast to the dark chocolate and salmon pink of their (steam-hauled) predecessors, conveyed 1st and 3rd With the opening of the class passengers. Best was the new line from Kingston to New Queen Victoria was an early visitor to timetable. Six trains an hour via Malden in January 1869, Teddington station, travelling from Windsor in Kingston, four round the loop and two to steam operated trains now the splendid state saloon, accompanied by the Shepperton, and four via Richmond. ran a service round the loop Prince and Princess of Wales en route to The journey from Waterloo was - Waterloo to Waterloo, and Claremont at Esher to visit Marie, the former advertised to take 30 minutes, did so for another 45 years. Queen of France. The Morning Post on comparing favourably with the 37 1864 saw Fulwell added November 15th 1864 records that the minutes taken by some of the trains to the railway map as the departure from Teddington station of the today and slicing fully 15 minutes off the Thames Valley Line opened Queen, still dressed in deep mourning, was timing of the steam-hauled service. witnessed by a large number of spectators. to Shepperton. Although it The LSWR's independence ended was not until 1901 that Shepperton trains were routed to with the Railways Act of 1921, which combined it with the via Teddington – to this day a number of Shepperton other two major railways in southern Britain forming the trains each way to/from London are routed via Richmond. At Southern Railway. Under the Southern, Teddington about the same time, smarter trains fitted with electric light acquired a much improved waiting room on the Station appeared; the journey to town still taking around 45 minutes Road side and a roof to the footbridge. The service – still with a small steam tank engine at the front. continued much as it had in 1916 – even the 1940 For forty years, the LSWR (London & South Western 'emergency' timetable shows 4 trains per hour each way to Railway) had no serious competition for its services. Its London monopolistic attitude might also be described as complacent. Post war, the nationalisation of the railways brought little In 1901, started a service from noticeable change; even the new trains which appeared in via to and by April 1903 the 50's had the same compartment layout as their the trams were running to Teddington. In a copy of the fight predecessors. The 70's saw the closure of the goods yard, that the railway had incurred in the 1830s, after a long legal where Hall & Co and Comforts had their coal merchant battle with Kingston Council, businesses (the latter’s office now occupied by Teddington the first tram rolled over the Cheese). As all local signalling came under one control river into that town in March centre at , colour light signals replaced 1906. The electric tramcars semaphores and lots of local signal boxes were closed were quiet and clean; they and demolished as well as level crossings at Somerset also ran along High Streets Road and Road (where the footbridges are where they could deposit or today and the old posts for the gates are still visible!). collect their passengers much nearer to their homes The next change saw new trains from the mid-1980s or places of work than the with air suspension and power doors: If you look at the old railway did: Worse still, tram posters on the stairs to the Teddington-bound platform at fares undercut those of the Richmond, you will see a poster dated 1986 telling people railway! These plush new how to open and close the doors. You may laugh, but it trams enticed so many hadn’t changed in the previous 125 years or so! people from the trains that And to the future: 10-car trains will be with us in a few LSWR receipts dropped 60% months easing the morning and evening crush; our on the Hounslow route. The beloved 1980s trains will be refurbished internally and ever monopolistic LSWR have their electrical equipment modernised; Waterloo will management took several years to respond. gain a platform 20 during 2014 and the low numbered The LSWR was already heavily committed to major platforms will be lengthened in the foreseeable future. 12- projects such as extra tracks between Junction and car trains? One day possibly. New trains? Wait 15-20 Waterloo and the huge rebuilding of Waterloo Station itself. years… The way to recapture the local passenger market was to 150 years of improvement? Maybe. Nowadays the electrify (literally and figuratively) the suburban services. waiting room offers rather nice coffee and snacks, we have In January 1912, a new General Manager, Herbert Walker, a taxi firm on the premises and the South West Trains staff realised the predicament, rapidly investigated and sought are exceptionally helpful and courteous. However, the approval to electrify the South Western's entire suburban toilets in which to dispose of surplus coffee are long shut, network. 600 volts DC power was supplied to trains using a and the train service is slower and less frequent than that third-rail system fed from a company-owned power station at of 97 years ago. That's progress! Wimbledon (on the site of the current train care depot). Terry Bray and Nick Lewin

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REPORTS FROM THE GROUPS

History

Ken Howe 8943 1513 [email protected]

The Tinmen explain the finer details

The picture below shows our colleagues from SWT joining the celebrations and without whom the day would not have

been possible. Since the last newsletter, we have been heavily involved with the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the L&SW railway extension of the line from Twickenham to Kingston and the opening of Teddington Station. The picture above show our local MP, Vince Cable, unveiling the commemorative plaque in the booking hall.

Although the day did not run to the original plan - we could not get a ride-on railway in Station Road despite obtaining Council permission and SW Trains would not allow the model steam railway to be set up on the car park in Adelaide and Victoria Roads – however, the alternative venue of St John Ambulance Hall proved to be the ideal setting for the Tinmen Street railway and they did us proud. This was more than just a Group achievement as many The library approached us to arrange a talk on the members of other coming of the railway to Teddington and at the same time, groups were pulled in I tried to extend this to library. At to give their help and Teddington we organised a small exhibition to accompany contribute to what the talk which was fixed for 25th June. It was sold out turned out to be a about a week beforehand and I agreed to give a repeat very successful day. talk on 2nd July. This was also a sell out and I understand Who can forget Alan about 20 people in Teddington and Hampton Wick have Hopgood (right) in their names down if a third talk should happen. The period dress at the exhibition was taken to the St John's Ambulance Hall on Station. Corporate members The Park Lane Riding Sunday 30th June and video footage shows several Stables and The Park Hotel pitched in and the Salvation people reading the panels. could not mount a Army band played all afternoon. Especial thanks go to talk but have prepared a very good exhibition which will Sheena Harold, Brian Holder and Pamela McCutcheon. run until the end of August. They have also produced an excellent commemorative booklet, priced £3.00 and available from the library. We are in the process of doing the same and will probably arrange a further talk at the end of August, when our brochure should be available.

Alan Benns has also produced two excellent videos. One is of the unveiling and the second shows the Tinmen Street railway in operation. Well worth a visit at: http://youtu.be/3m0Zl9xmkUc (Unveiling)

http://youtu.be/gwBCUm0a7aA (Tinmen) The massed ranks awaiting the unveiling Page 5

Our usual enquiries seem very mundane by It seems likely that the appearance of the riverside comparison and include a history of the Riding Stables may change over the next few years. Haymarket Media Group which owns is losing its

Pinewood tenant and is planning to consolidate all its operations into a new building on the Richmond College re-development site. The emerging concept layout is shown below.

(above) in Park Lane, an enquiry about the Wells family of Arlington Road from a relative in Tasmania, the spelling of Bushy or Bushey Park and how it came about and the Teddington connection to a book "Our Indian

Summer in the Far West" by Samuel Nugent Townsend, published in 1880; this one from the USA. Some of our Group have been working with the Haymarket has owned the Teddington Studios site Planning Group to form a Directory of Buildings of since 2004 and currently has 650 staff based there. The Townscape Merit. This is based on the Borough list of new scheme is for 3 blocks of flats and a small number such buildings and using our own 1973/7 Road Survey. A of houses to be built. A riverside walk would be included, lot of legwork is involved. We are not even half way possibly featuring plaques similar to those at present on through the roads and will probably be working on this the Broom Road frontage. There have already been two until the end of the year. open sessions at the Landmark where residents have Looking ahead, we are examining the files of the late been invited to make comments on the scheme. Please Valerie Sullivan who was recording and researching the make your views known as future occasions arise. Visit names of all the fallen of the armed forces from Teddington-riverside.co.uk Teddington on all of the war memorials. We hope to be Planning able to produce something to fall in with the Heritage Lottery Fund initiative of publishing something to Michael Foss commemorate the begining of the First World War. We Contact point: Brian Lane 8943 0811 or email to are also planning a third history board for the western [email protected] end of town but this is in its very early stages. Teddington Riverside Riverside & Open Spaces Members may have seen in the press the proposed Ann Sayer 8977 9495 developments on the Teddington Studios site. More details [email protected] are given in Ann Sayer’s Riverside and Open Spaces report above. This proposal raises many questions and we We are in search of new members. If you are interested will be contacting Haymarket’s planners. We would also in the riverside and Teddington’s open spaces we would welcome input from other members of the society. like to hear from you with your ideas, interest and perhaps practical effort. Sainsbury’s Store In the last two issues of Tidings we commented at length For 51 weeks of the year the Riverside Group cleans on this application. It finally came before the Council’s the Drawdock beside footbridge and the Planning Committee on 25th July. The Council’s planning surrounding area. On the 52nd weekend (in June) the officers had recommended a refusal, on the change of use Environment Group comes in en masse and spreads far to a foodstore, on traffic and parking grounds. Because of and wide over to the Ham bank to carry out a bigger litter the far-reaching implications of the scheme we decided to pick. It makes for a very enjoyable occasion in a lovely speak at the Planning Committee meeting, and did so spot. alongside a barrister engaged by the ‘Say NO to This year the Drawdock has a larger than ever area of Sainsbury’s’ campaign, which mounted a massive wild plants. The enormous spherical heads of the campaign to mobilise opposition, and Alison Davey of the Angelica and now the striking Purple Loosestrife flower Teddington Business Community. spikes have been a joy to wild flower lovers. Do you like such a wild area there? We would like to hear your The barrister, Juan Lopez, focused on the traffic and opinions. parking implications. The Society’s arguments were essentially those already set out in the Spring & Summer

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issues of Tidings: the danger to the historic core of gate sitters who risked sunstroke collecting money. Maria Teddington with its Listed buildings, and the threat to the Pemberton designed a lovely poster and Alan Benns went vitality and the very existence of our remarkable range of round photographing all the gardens. His pictures will be independent High Street shops with their fine Victorian on the website. Cllr Clare Head represented the Mayor of frontages. We have conclusive evidence that the store Richmond and visited all the gardens culminating at St could attract as many as 7-10,000 customers a week, so Mary's Church for Evensong when the Bishop of its impact would be huge. The society does not oppose Kensington blessed the new oak doors at the Vestry the implantation of a Sainsbury’s store per se, and has entrance, South Porch and West End. The church gardens suggested alternative sites – where it is situated is the looked particularly lovely for the Rt. Rev. Paul Williams' issue. visit. June Demont raised £400 from church teas. which is going as usual to Home-Start Richmond. Our gardens The application was REFUSED UNANIMOUSLY by the raised nearly £1000 which will go to 3 good causes: Planning Committee. Community Gardening courses for Teddingtonians at , establishing a Plant Nursery for the Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park and buying a solar In conformity with the Council’s policy of creating sixth panel for Teddington School. We hope you approve our forms in its secondary schools an application (reference: choice. 13/1365/HOT) has been submitted for Teddington School (below) to build a sixth form block, facing onto Trowlock Elmfield & Jubilee Gardens Way. Whilst we consider that the new building will marry Some work has been done in Jubilee Gardens in front of quite well with the main school buildings, we are the Travelodge Hotel. When planting is completed and we concerned at what seems a very inadequate Transport can see what the new, more open scheme looks like, there Plan, given that the number of pupils is expected to rise will be more discussions with the Council. This is all being funded with development money. Work should begin shortly improving Elmfield Gardens by removing some unnecessary fencing, opening up the seating area and grassing the brick extension in front of Harlequin House towards Elmfield Avenue together with a lot of new planting. The Parks Department has given us a flower tower again. The Planning Group think little Art Exhibitions could be held there and we agree. Perhaps you can think of other uses. Richmond In Bloom from 1220 to 1440; staff numbers are scheduled to rise Again affected by the weather, entries were a little down this year and a great deal of colour was missing when we by only 10, an implausibly low number. We believe on- judged in June. However there were entries from site parking provision needs to be thoroughly reviewed in Teddington whom we wish well for the Awards Night in order to minimise the already serious problems of parking October. London In Bloom judging took place in July when I in neighbouring streets. showed the judges just how pretty Waldegrave Road and High Street the High Street looked. How well we do in LiB will affect our We have for some time been unhappy with the state of entry for Britain in Bloom which is the highlight of the both the pavements and the carriageway in the High competitions. This year, hanging baskets are being Street. We planned to take this up with the council, and provided by Continental Landscapes as part of their LBRuT Lo! TfL is funding a complete relaying of both elements of horticultural contract. the streetscape, from Langham Road to Elmfield Avenue. Flower Show Planning Group Our Corporate members were well represented at Although the group has very healthy numbers, we Hampton Court by Squires Garden Centres as well as Mela would welcome new members. Anyone interested should Mela and Elements (see page 14). Colin & Sarah Squire contact Brian Lane ([email protected]). won Silver Gilt for their Miniature Old English Garden in the Gardens Floral Marquee. Colin has exhibited and won medals every year since it started. Next year Gold?

Sheena Harold 8977 2700 Permanent Fir Tree [email protected] An application was made to the Council for an 18ft Teddington In Flower evergreen Norway spruce tree to be planted in the triangular deciduous wood next to the Methodist Church. What with the awful weather at the beginning of the This is council land not church land as many may think. year and June 2nd being on top of half term it was not The application was turned down as being totally the best Sunday to choose and next year we'll go on a unsuitable. We support the Teddington Christmas Lights week to June 8th. However it was a bright sunny day Committee in wanting to light two living trees at the apex to when 9 gardens opened for us: Kitty Wass, Dick & Gilly match those in Elmfield Gardens & Jubilee Gardens in Hughes, Caroline & Peter Sayer, Janet & David Pollock, order to unite the whole town in Christmas spirit. Alan Drake, Helga & Michael Foss, Nick & Ruth Fenton & our Chair, Jenny Hilton. They put on a fabulous floral (Group reports continue on page 10) display for us all. Sian Morgan and Caroline Sayer found

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VILLAGE FAIR? NO, FABULOUS!! Our task was to inject something a little different into the The Village Fair was a triumph for the triumvirate who event - an outdoor show. Worldwide performers, organised it - the Society, the Parish Church and Scarabeus Aerial Theatre, had a new family show based on Landmark Arts Centre. We worked with so many helpful a French children’s book – La Tempesta. The glade of trees and willing volunteers that our first joint venture was a in the gardens made the perfect natural theatre space. SUCCESS! Very often it's not a case of what you know, Street theatre is free to watch & expensive to mount, so but who you know and between us we knew practically we are indebted to Gosling Foundation, Haymarket Media, everyone in Teddington and how they rallied round. We drew on the experience of our 5 Lions, who’d worked on Lensbury, National Physical Laboratory and Byrne Group the Fair for several years. A big thank you to Brian, Pip, for donating funds to ensure the show could go on. We are John, David and Graham. The Church & the Landmark already looking at potential shows for next year! Thank you generously gave their share of profits to us giving us a fair to all the volunteers who helped steward the show and amount to donate to the St. John Ambulance in Park clear up afterwards. Road. Lesley Bossine, Manager at the Landmark Sheena Harold

The theme this year was quintessentially English with bunting and traditional games. There was a huge amount of support from local organisations, including the Teddington Lifeboat crew and Park Lane Stables. The abundance of stalls and activities, coupled with excellent pre-event organisation ensured an impressive turn out. In fact lots of smiling parents and some tired crying children were still enjoying the Fair well after the 5pm 'final curtain'. Hats off to the organisers and see you there next year Rev Joe Moffatt

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TEDDINGTON IN FLOWER 2013

Kitty Wass,52 Somerset Road

34 Kingston Lane

St Marys Church

Alma Cottage

59 St Winifreds Road

78 Cambridge Road

21 Teddington Park

20 Teddington Park

18 Teddington Park Page 9

TEDDINGTON POLICE LIAISON GROUP (PLG) Dedication to duty: All present had torn themselves away school holidays and the neighbourhood team adjusts its from a very exciting Wimbledon men’s semi-final match in shift patterns accordingly. The team are aware of groups order to attend the meeting at Elleray Hall on 3 July 2013! gathering around Udney Hall Gardens and Cloisters Close as well as near the Youth Club in Church BANK SCAM WARNING Road. They are monitoring these and ask the Every week, fraudsters are still trying to get bank account details from public to report any concerns immediately. local people, especially the elderly and vulnerable. The police advice is: • Crime prevention (specifically advice on leaving tempting items on display in cars, • NEVER give your bank details over the phone when someone has shops & homes). PCSO’s are visiting shops to phoned you. emphasise that prevention is better than theft, • The police would NEVER ask for your bank details over the phone. encouraging use of the Town Link radio system and contacting car owners, asking • If you suspect a 'scam' please report it to ActionFraud on 03001 232 them to remove items before someone else 040 or enter the details at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ does.

Three priorities have been set for the next 4 months Good News items • Burglary - with particular emphasis on non-residential • A suspect for four linked non-residential burglary burglaries - sheds and garages (mainly tools and cycles). offences has been identified by using DNA traces High visibility patrols continue with emphasis on expanding found at the scene. Neighbourhood Watch Schemes: Alice and Sandeep are • At a local bank, an attempted fraud was foiled when making vast improvements on numbers of members. If you’d the bank were suspicious and immediately called like to join a scheme, please contact your local SNT. police. Although the offenders escaped when they saw police arriving, the crime was foiled. • Anti-social behaviour, especially by cyclists. Since the last meeting 5 tickets have been issued for anti-social Mo Mott & Judith Schomberg behaviour by cyclists in the town. ASB is often linked to

For this second year, back by popular demand, the walk is keeping the PJ theme. So, the organizers are looking for both walkers and sponsors. For the walkers, don’t forget your onesies, PJs and favourite teddy! Although it’s not compulsory. There are two routes, either 8 or 12 miles, You may recall last year our stalwart going through the streets of Kingston, Teddington and Committee member, Ann Sayer (r), put Richmond and crossing the 3 bridges in those areas. Both most us to shame and completed the routes start and finish at St Mary’s University College. Midnight Pyjama Walk in support of the If you want to take part or offer sponsorship for the walks Princess Alice Hospice. which start at 10.00 pm on Saturday 7th September, just Having raised over £500 in donations last year, Ann has visit www.pah.org.uk/support-us/events/walks/midnight- unselfishly decided to let others have the honour this year. pyjama-walk or call Chris or Julie on 01372 461855 or email [email protected].

(Group reports continued) owners and I am pleased to report Environment that John designed and built a Mark II watering system for use at Geoff Howland 8977 9404 future events and that an even [email protected] improved Mark III version is in the The Spring and early Summer has seen the TEG Group planning stage. out and about Teddington in their yellow tabards The yellow tabards have also litterpicking in and around the Railway Station on 27 April been out clearing up the re-cycling (as part of the GLA Capital Clean Up project), which sites at Cedar Road, Elmfield earned a piece in the Richmond and Twickenham Times, Avenue and 's car park. in the vicinity of Cambridge Road, Teddington Park Road However this task is a little like painting the Forth Railway and Stanley Road on 8 June, and the ever popular Bridge - the site will be cleared up and looking tidy but Riverside pick on 21 June. within a day or so will resemble a bomb site. The group was busy all day at the Teddington Village . Fair on 16 June litterpicking throughout the day and Roads and Transport clearing up the site at the conclusion of the event (right). John Roxby, a stalwart TEG member, provided drinking Brian Holder 8977 1579 water at the fair for our carniverous canine quadruped [email protected] friends which was much appreciated by them and their No report received this time

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THE GREAT FIRE OF TEDDINGTON . “Never before in the history of speculative investment providing Our intrepid reporter continues “It is Teddington has there been such a offices for the rapidly expanding not usual for firemen to discharge disastrous fire as the one which broke Local Authority and, at the same their duties in evening dress but out at the Town Hall in the early hours time, providing a centre for the necessity and the firemen know no of Tuesday morning” expanded community’s broader law. Their costumes provoked not a social needs. The building was little merriment amongst their These were the opening lines of the completed in 1886 and provided confreres”. Despite their efforts the report in the local press of the fire office space for the Local Board. The building was completely gutted. which took place on the night of 29 greater part of the ground and first December, 1903. The building which floors, however, were given over to The after shock of the fire rumbled went up in flames was a somewhat recreational uses including a on in the UDC minutes for several grandiose construction in the ballroom, a theatre (known in 1900 years. In February 1904 the Chief Causeway erected in 1886 by a Mr. as the “Bijou Theatre of Varieties”) Fire Officer reported that his fire W.G. Collier, who was a local resident and shops on the Causeway engine, acquired in 1884, was quite and property speculator. The main frontage. In addition, the top floor inadequate for its purpose and feature of the building (named the provided a public hall for 1400 proposed purchasing “An improved Town Hall by the owner) was an people. Fortuitously, as it turned out, patent double cylinder vertical imposing entrance at the junction of the the public hall was never licensed for expansion steam engine capable of Causeway and Middle Lane. The public use and so was empty at the discharging 350-400 gallons per structure was described in the press time of the fire. minute throwing a jet of 160 ft.” report as being “of red brick with highly Later that year Mr. Collier drew up ornamental and carved dressings and At the time Mr. Collier built his town plans to rebuild his dream and, was without doubt one of the prettiest hall there were limited options for the concurrently, entered into and most artistic buildings in the town”. provision of a public building in the centre of Teddington. In 1892, negotiations with the Council to sell however, the situation changed as part or all of the site to them. The details of these negotiations and their Elmfield House came on the market. After extended deliberation and much outcome are not clear in the UDC lobbying on behalf of Mr. Collier to minutes, but in December 1906 a minute appears stating that the extend the Board’s offices in the Town Hall building, the Board proposed new Town Hall is “too decided to buy Elmfield House and costly”. Whether the insurance cover of the building was inadequate to the purchase was completed in 1894. The newly formed Urban District cover the full cost of a replacement Council took up occupation in its own building or whether Mr. Collier just took the money and invested it freehold building in the following year. elsewhere is unclear. The outcome

We now return to the night of the fire when our breathless reporter records that “Mr. A.J. Wells junior was holding one of his dances in the This sad conflagration took place at Bijou Theatre section the end of a period of fast expansion for and at about ten Teddington. Since the railway came minutes to ten one of through in the 1860s, the population the party …. gave the had increased tenfold and public alarm. Fortunately there services were hard pressed and were three firemen at expanding. In 1867 a Local Land Board the dance …and without took over the duties of the Vestry troubling to change their regarding these services and, in turn, in dress they at once commenced their 1894, handed them over to the newly attempt to extinguish the blaze”. was that Teddington Urban District formed Teddington Urban District Council remained based at Elmfield Council. This UDC only lasted until Unfortunately, the single elderly House until amalgamation with steam-powered pump and one 1937, however, when it amalgamated Twickenham in 1937 and the site with Twickenham, but traces of its manual pump available to them was remained only partly redeveloped existence can still be seen on some inadequate and it was not until the until recent times. fire pumps available at Twickenham, manhole covers which bear its name Gilly & Dick Hughes (there are two examples in Middle Richmond, Surbiton, Esher, Kingston Lane). and the Dittons arrived that eleven (Photographs courtesy of Richmond pumps - six steamers and five Local Studies Collection) Against this background Mr. Collier manuals - were available for use. saw an opportunity to build himself a

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WHAT’S YOURS? Living in Teddington, we have many own sticks with photographs of their amazing creations. nearby places to enjoy. Country-like, By comparison my sticks are not prize winners but there are Bushy, Richmond and Home that is not what matters. My hobby is my relaxation, my Parks and culturally, there are plays to creativity, my alternative to the passive home based see at The , the things and to the no longer easily reached outside Orange Tree and the Rose. Music too, ones. What’s more, my and yet more entertainment at The sticks help me to get out Landmark Centre, the former hospital and about to those farther theatre at Normansfield and at off places. Kingston Church. Those are a mere selection. But, as we age, infirmity increases and our The photographs show mobility decreases. Then, it’s good to have an un- what can be made from a strenuous home based hobby, something creative, as an windfall or garden-grown alternative to the relaxations offered by newspapers and lengths of wood, using a books, TV and radio, CDs and DVDs, computers and their truly sharp whittling knife, cousins. various small metal files, fine abrasive papers and oil Some people enjoy cooking or wax to finish off. or gardening, so transforming a necessity into a creative It would be really interesting to read about other hobby. Teddington residents Teddington Society Members’ hobbies. What’s yours? who open their gardens for Tyrrell Marris others to admire are sharing

their skills and enjoyment. Photo left: Right hand, the first walking stick I carved. My hobby is Stick Making, Left hand - a staff to push up or pull down sash the craft of stick “dressing” as windows; the top has a carved face, the other end a the British Stickmakers Guild brass hook. Both are Box wood (Buxus sempervirens) calls it. As a Member of the with the bark stripped off, then smoothed and waxed. Guild, my only qualification is Photo top: a carved face on my first walking stick. to pay the modest yearly subscription. For that I receive Photo right: Cotoneaster walking stick with a natural a regular magazine consisting handle and a Holly stave, both cut from our garden. mostly of Members’ letters The bark is left on, slightly smoothed and then oiled to giving advice, describing their give a glossy durable finish.

NPL Advanced Metrology Laboratory

On 24 January, a £25M investment in a new Advanced Metrology Laboratory at The popular Teddington River festival returns this year with a variety NPL was announced. The AML will provide of events for all the family: below are just a few. For more information, a unique scientific environment, enhancing please visit their website at http://www.teddingtonriverfestival.com NPL’s reputation as a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, Lock Island & Towpath Manor Road Rec science and technology available. Live music Stalls and games The new facility will be located adjacent to Face painting Model lifeboats on a site currently occupied Pimms Bar Trampolines by the unused Maudslay Building and will Boats in the Barge Lock incl. NPL Rockets also use the Darwin Building. Thames Venturer & Mary Gabriel Bouncy castle Planning permission is expected to be Craft & Community Stands BBQ & refreshments granted in 2014. Site preparation has Historical displays started involving ground works and removal On the River of the Maudslay Building. A display of proposed plans should be on display in st nd RNLI river rescue demos Lifeboat Station Bushy House on Sat 21 and Sun 22 September. Have a go at kayaking & skiffing Explore station & lifeboats Boat trips to Richmond & Kingston Dress up in lifeboat kit We hope to tell you more about the AML Mini boat rides Tea, coffee, cake in a future edition of Tidings. Editor

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TEDDINGTON, KINGSTON & TWICKENHAM AN ILLUSTRATED WALK One of the groups that supported by the Village Fair was the Teddington GARTH GROOMBRIDGE Sub-Aqua Club (TSAC). TSAC, formed in January 1997, is Garth Groombridge was born into a long- now well established with over 50 established Teddington family. His photos of members. They meet regularly at Teddington, Twickenham and Hampton have Teddington Pools on Wednesday never before been published. nights for training and afterwards (for social relaxation) at our Corporate member, the Teddington Royal British Legion. They actively train and dive The author gives the throughout the year and run at least reader an interesting one entry level diving course. The club ‘walk’, both pictorial also offer “Try Dives”; this is a session and also informative on an aqualung in the safety of the going from with one of the TSAC instructors Road, Teddington, A very successful annual event is via Kingston and when Wendy Dorgan’s swimming Hampton Wick to St group joins them. Wendy (pictured top right with some of her group & Margarets, finally TSAC members) manages a group of people from a variety of finishing up at backgrounds such as Aspergers, Autism, Downs, Muscular Dystrophy. Hampton Road, The club has technical divers who pursue more adventurous diving. Twickenham. Typically this will involve the use of twin cylinders, trimix or re- breathers. They also have at least one major overseas expedition or diving holiday each year. Locations previously visited are: Malta, Priced at £14.99, the book is published by Norway, Caymans, Red Sea, Ireland, Scotland, Lanzarote. They are Amberley Publishing and has an ISBN number also active socially, at restaurants, wine tasting, quiz nights, tenpin 978-1-4456-1610-0. bowling, etc. Further information is available from Alice Membership is made up of males/females of various ages; minimum Crick at email: [email protected] or diving age is sixteen with no upper age limit. New members are always at their website www.amberley-books.com welcome: you can get more information from their website at: www.teddingtonsac.org (currently being updated )

Horse Rangers for a Day

Young carers are children and young people aged 4-18 who have inappropriate caring responsibilities for a family member. Some care for up to 50 hours a week (that's outside of school time!) leaving no time for childhood. Freya Morrell from Richmond Young Carers Service said, “The very adult experiences faced every day by young carers, such as hospital visits, helping with medication, witnessing a loved one in pain, looking after younger siblings or taking on household responsibilities, often lead to children becoming angry, upset, withdrawn, fearful and feeling isolated.” Thanks to the donation from the Teddington Society, the Horse Rangers were able to make a real difference for six vulnerable young people. Sheena Harold and Sally Howland came to see At the end of the day, Sheena and Sally these 6 Young Carers being a “Horse Ranger for a Day”. After presented the Young Carers with certificates, preparing their ponies, they took a trek in Bushy Park, recharged rosettes and genuine horseshoes to recognise their their batteries with a well-earned lunch of pizza and juice before achievements and for them to remember the day grooming and bathing their ponies – there may have been some by. For some, this day will be a solitary bright children who got a good hose down as well! moment of freedom in a long summer holiday, and it This setting works so well for them because they are in a small is thanks to the Teddington Society’s donation. group, so even the most vulnerable, nervous children can feel For more information on Horse Rangers, please secure and relaxed. A child who starts the day in a state of anxiety visit www.horserangers.com is laughing and playing by the end of the afternoon giving them a Anna Horton vital respite and an opportunity to grow in confidence and self- Horse Rangers Development Manager esteem, as well as just being kids for the day. Page 13

BUSINESS EXCHANGE We thank all our Corporate Corporate Members at Hampton Court Members for their support For those mad dogs and Englishmen who were brave enough to suffer the Architecture:wk blistering heat during the British Maritime Technology Hampton Court Palace Broom Water Association Flower Show, some may Byrne Group have even managed to Dexters reach the furthermost Diners Delight reaches of the site and Dragon Toys entered the Vintage Eaton Publications Festival Marquee. One of Edward Giles the central displays there Elements was a joint collaboration Elleray Hall between two of our Fairwater House Residents Assn Corporates, Mela Mela Financial Planning Group and Elements, and the Teddington florist Jo Butler, with their Vintage 1950s Garden Party. Pictured above Fun Factory are Mona and Chloe (dressed by Mela Mela, hair styled by Elements, florally Gillian Million decorated by Jo Butler). Girasole Haymarket Publishing Kagan Moss & Co Kindle Stoves Kitchen Sync Happy 21st Birthday – Ajay & Bhavna Landmark Arts Centre La Casa del Habano at La Casa del Habano Lensbury Club Malo Clinic Teddington Our Corporate Group convenor and human dynamo, Bhavna Patel, celebrates with husband Ajay after 21 years Mela Mela of trading in Teddington. Milestone Residential Moiduls National Physical Laboratory Nova Fortuny Many of you may recall that, Park Hotel in 1992, they took over the Park Lane Stables newsagent and tobacconist Parsonage & Co shop in Broad Street when it Roger Sutton & Co was known as Broadweighs. Royal British Legion Renaming the shop as Hava San Marino Mail UK Ltd Havana in 2002, the shop Shambles Bar & Restaurant increasingly specialised in Sidra Patisserie cigars and its confectionary Sims Opticians ranges, including the luxury Snellers Belgian chocolates. Squires Garden Centre One of the requirements for cigar lovers is the chance to test the flavour and the Stepping On Out public smoking ban necessitated a change of venue. Relocating to their present Stevens Tyres shop on the High Street in 2008 allowed them to provide a private smoking room Stone Rowe Brewer where customers could sample products on the premises. At that time they also Stoneydeep Residents Assn took on the Cuban franchise of La Casa del Habano and are now the only Strawberry Hill House destination shop for these Cuban cigar ranges in the UK. Studio 148 The franchise of course requires Ajay to visit many countries whilst leaving Tamesis Club Bhavna to “mind the shop”. Both of them did, however, visit Cuba in 2001 when Teddington Artists they had the opportunity to meet Fidel Castro. Teddington Bowling Club As well as the shop, Bhavna is also our energetic Corporate Group convenor Teddington Cricket Club who does sterling work both for the Teddington Society and as Chairman of the Teddington Riverside Artists Christmas Lights Committee. She is a key figure in the various charity events Teddnet organised amongst our shops and businesses in the town. (whilst Ajay “minds the The Tree Agency shop”) TW11 Magazine Many happy returns to Ajay and Bhavna on your 21 years and we look forward to Waterstones many more. Woodgate-Loydor Zeldaland Page 14

QUIZ CORNER Our previous WordSearch puzzle was based on the Olympics. This time we continue with a sporting theme. I don’t suppose many of you missed the Andy Murray match – and what a great new women’s champion in Marion Bartoli (our picture shows Marion and Andy at the Championship dinner). Now that you’ve all come down from that high, a chance to relax with our WordSearch based on seeded players at Wimbledon. We’ve taken 28 of the top seeded players and put them into our WordSearch grid – with one exception. The 28 are listed alongside the grid. All you have to do is to tell us which one of the 28 does not appear in the grid. All correct answers go into the hat and the first drawn out wins the first prize. Teddington Society mugs to the 2nd and 3rd drawn. The first prize this time is a meal for two courtesy of one of our latest Corporate members, Moiduls in the HOW TO ENTER: Simply send your answer to: High Street. No The Editor, 152 Broom Road, Teddington TW11 9PQ guarantees though that or by email to [email protected] the dancers or the Elvis Make sure you give your name, address and phone th impersonator will be number. Entry deadline: Monday 14 October there when you dine. Good luck. Open to all members

cvbrgicirsteaea The Players iranuaewcsotvas Anderson Nadal narnissaIagnost Bartoli Nishikori oltiasaqblnepoe Chardy Paire avoknehcuylvapp Cibulkova Pavlyuchenkova rslcdwailemirhh Cirstea Querrey cciaeicvkataaae Djokovic Raonic opaireyooodhhmn Errani Sharapova orensiekvrrasps Federer Simon diazorroayaintr Gasquet Stephens simonerjcsdkioo Haas Stosur

reswbfedereranv Hampton Tsonga

idcrnrusotsaamu Isner Vinci

ureogiqihpveehv Kerber Williams

akrvincizarreec Makarova Wozniacki

Solution and Winners – Issue no. 161 Congratulations for all the correct entries we Crossword answers were: received. The answer we were looking for was: Across: 7. Dalmatian 8. Panic 10. Stalking 11. Native 12. Stew PARK HOTEL 13. Elephant 15. Goodbye 17. Terrier 20. Sunshade First out of the hat and lucky winner of the 22. Earn 25. Strict 26. Tutoring 27. Sewer 28. Beanstalk meal and wine for two at the Park Hotel was: Down: Sam Gresham 1. Malta 2. Amulet 3. Stairway 4. Dangles 5. Fletcher 6. Prevented 9. Knee 14. Volunteer 16. Despised 2nd and 3rd prizes of Teddington Society mugs to: 18. Erecting 19. Beatles 21. Anti 23. Rarity 24. Uncle Elisabeth Marris and Howard Dix

Page 15

SOCIETY EVENTS  Friday September 6th Litterpick at 16.30 covering There’s a huge choice from the Foreign and the area of Kingston Road (from Ferry Road towards Commonwealth’s magnificent offices in Whitehall to the Hampton Wick), Langham Road and Kingston Lane. Meet new Roca London Gallery (below left) at Imperial Wharf at Parish Hall, Langham Road. which was designed by Zaha Hadid. There will be many th special events including “Maggie’s Culture Crawl”.  Wednesday September 18 and Friday September 20th. Tours of the new Broadcasting House in London. A more local venue that will be open on this weekend is Bushy House on the NPL site. There will be a display Please will everyone who booked for tours on either of there of the proposed plans for the Advanced Metrology these two days pay as soon as possible. We need to Laboratory (see page 12). secure the places otherwise the BBC may cancel. This is now urgent. Please call 8977 0167 if you wish to check. Information on all of the Open Houses is on the website With our increased allocation, they can accommodate all at www.openhouselondon.org.uk. The booklet with full who have already booked but they are not going to hold information should be available at the local library from places unless paid for. Cost of the tour is £10.75. Please mid-August at £7.50. make cheques payable to the Teddington Society and send to Angela Carvill, 3 Chadwick Close, Teddington  Saturday October 5th Teddington Society’s 40th TW11 9BH. Anniversary Party at the Landmark Centre from 7.30 Tours start at 1 pm. The BBC is at Portland Place, a pm. (See insert and front page) few minutes walk north of Oxford Circus. You can have a  Saturday November 9th Litterpick at Teddington snack and drink at the BBC canteen before the tour or call Hospital War Memorial at 10.00. at one of the many cafes nearby. Give yourself plenty of st th time.  Thursday November 21 & Friday November 29  Wednesday September 18th Re-cycling site clean Two dates from which to choose for our Annual up for Cedar Road, Elmfield Avenue and Tesco's. Meet at Christmas Lunch at Merits Cookery School, Richmond 18.30 at Cedar Road car park. College. If one lunch proves too popular you will be  Saturday and Sunday September 21st and 22nd offered the alternative day. We very nearly filled the Open House London. restaurant on both occasions last year, so do come again to encourage the young chefs and sample their delicious food. Please make your choice from the

menu enclosed and send to Angela Carvill (address on enclosure). 3 course lunch will cost £8.50 – coffee and wine extra – (we pay at the

table). The college and car park are off Egerton Road, which is off the A316, Twickenham.

Booking for visits is essential Call Angela Carvill on 8977 0167

Another great opportunity to take a look inside hundreds of buildings – 250 will be taking part by opening their doors this year – and all entrances are free. Coffee Mornings at ’s Cottage JOIN US 167 High Street, Teddington from 11.00 am Living in and loving Teddington? Want to help us preserve our unique town? Friday August 16th Then join us in the Teddington Society Wednesday October 16th Tuesday November 12th Membership details from Jenny Michell email: [email protected] Come and enjoy Tony and Betty’s coffee and cakes tel: 020 8977 0772 and meet other members of the Society New members always welcome

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