THE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER T I D I N G S Helping to make Teddington even better Number 160 Spring 2013

Contents: Letter from the Chair From the Editor 2 This post-Christmas period always seems a bit of an anti-climax with Membership matters 3 continued dark mornings and evenings and the prospect of more rain, Buildings of Townscape Merit 3 snow and ice to come. However, the Teddington Society's January party is always a cheerful occasion which, at the time of writing this, we can look Teddington Station anniversary 4 forward to. Last week I went with Sheena Harold on a conducted tour of Teddington Lights Up 2012 5 the refurbished splendours of Strawberry Hill - all clean and gilded and sparkling. They have also planted hundreds of trees in the gardens (open Reports from the Groups 6 to the public) and a sensory garden. It is apparently now a popular venue Society plays Santa 10 for weddings and, although technically outside Teddington, we hope to establish closer ties in future. Tedd. School Community Awards 10 Below you will see a notice of "Situations Vacant". We are looking for Teddington Police Liaison Group 11 additional members of the Executive Committee to assist particularly with secretarial support but generally because we seem to be involved in Farmers Market 11 additional projects such as the Teddington Village Fair and could do with 100 years of shopping 12 more willing hands! Housebound Library Service 13 Jenny Hilton Totally Locally 13 New Members 13 Annual General Meeting Business Exchange 14 With this edition of Tidings, there is an insert giving details of our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 16th April. This year there will be at least two Quiz Corner 15 motions to consider: One will propose that our Vice-Presidents become Events 16 honorary members of the Society. The second will propose an increase in subscriptions (the first increase for about 10 years).

Teddington Station SITUATIONS VACANT A number of Committee Members are standing down so those of you who 150 years have been thinking about becoming more involved in the Society, this is your chance. The nomination procedure is on the insert. Vacancies are:

Secretary & Membership Secretary & Minutes Secretary

The duties of each are probably self-evident. For Membership Secretary, the principal duties are maintaining and updating the membership database. Pete Shaw and Sally Howland have put in a tremendous amount of effort over the year to rationalise and update the database so that it is now much simpler to administer. And of course Peter and Sally are always there to help. David Lawton is also standing down as the Environment Group convenor. A “willing” volunteer has stepped forward and is ready to accept nomination.

Of course, anyone can be nominated for any post regardless of whether the incumbent is standing down. I will try to email details of the motions and nominations received a few days before the AGM to those on our email database. They will also be available at the AGM. See pages 4 & 5 Editor

Dates for your diary: Annual General Meeting April 16th Teddington In Flower June 2nd

Teddington Society From the Editor 21 Teddington Park Teddington TW11 8DB Happy New Year!

Registered Charity No. 802026 Last year was party year – lots to celebrate, lots to enjoy and secretary@teddingtonsociety Teddington excelled itself with a true community spirit. But it’s not .org.uk over yet. There will be excuses to do it all over again. June sees our www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk Teddington in Flower and Teddington Village Fair. In July we

celebrate the 150th anniversary of Teddington Station and no doubt Vice-Presidents we will be “wetting the baby’s head” for Will and Kate. And in October Roger Avins we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Teddington Society. So, don’t John Demont put away the party hats yet. Joan Freeman AGM Chair In April we have our Annual General Meeting. Your chance to tell us Jenny Hilton how you think we are performing as a Society and what you want us [email protected] to do for the future. (Of course, that doesn’t stop you from talking to Vice Chairman us at any other time. As editor, my door is always open, as are those Sheena Harold of other Committee members, if you want to send me your comments, [email protected] criticisms, suggestions or even congratulations.)

Treasurer This year, several of our Committee members have decided to take a very well-earned break, leaving several vacancies waiting for you to Sally Howland 020 8977 9404 volunteer for – or for you to volunteer others for.

Publicity & Promotions Like most Societies, if we are to survive, to go forward and to truly (incl. Gardens) represent everyone in our community, we need to re-infuse ourselves Sheena Harold with new blood, with new ideas and with new enthusiasms. 020 8977 2700 Not that the old ideas are redundant but we do need to re-examine ourselves from time to time to ensure that we are not just following Newsletter Editor the time-worn paths because that’s the easy way out. Mike Woods The Committee is a friendly group. We do have lively arguments 020 8977 5642 from time to time but that’s good – it shows we care and are alive and

Minutes Secretary kicking. But to do our job properly we need to know what you want. Rosemary Connellan So, two pleas to you, our members: 07900 964188 (1) please send us nominations for the vacancies. If you want to know Membership Subscriptions more about what it entails, feel free to contact me. Belinda Heal (2) let us know what you want us to discuss at the AGM. You can either send us a motion or just drop me an email or letter about the [email protected] issues that are worrying you and I’ll pass it on.

Events Organiser

Angela Carvill The Teddington Society is here to represent you. 020 8977 0167 The Committee is here to carry out your (not our) wishes. So please CONVENORS let us know what you want.

Corporate Liaison [email protected] tel: 8977 5642 Bhavna Patel 020 8977 3793 Environment Copy deadline for the next issue is 20th April David Lawton 020 8977 6778 Historical Research Paddy Ching 020 8977 3091 Acknowledgements Planning Brian Lane 020 8973 0811 When Tidings is put together, as Editor I rely on many other people to help in [email protected] the process. Photos and proof-reading are particular benefits to make Tidings a (first contact only) more attractive and readable publication. My own talents in these areas are somewhat limited so I rely heavily on others. For most of the contributions, Riverside and Open Spaces these people go unheralded so, without singling out particular individuals (they Ann Sayer 020 8977 9495 know who they are), I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the Roads and Transport many contributions they make. Brian Holder 020 8977 1579 Mike Woods

Page 2

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS After 15 years of sterling service as our record completely wrong. Please correct Membership Secretary, Belinda Heal has all the errors and provide any missing decided to hand over the reins. Fortunately for data (title / names / phone no / email are us, she will still continue to organise the the prime candidates). By combining this distribution of Tidings. request with the invitation to renew for For the last 9 months, we have been working those who do not pay by Standing Order, to put all of our membership records onto a new we have simplified the renewal form so database. We have about 1,000 records already you just have to complete your payment and the number is growing. And with more details. members changing to pay their subscriptions by Accompanying the personalised letter is Standing Order, the new database will allow us an updated gift aid form primarily to to match up payments more easily and to do conform with a recent HMRC requirement other things such as automating the production of that we communicate to donors. Providing this membership cards, personalising letters, reclaiming tax personalisation is a success, we expect to provide an on gift-aided payments, etc. annual prompt to those who do gift aid to check that it is Transferring the data has been a major task with the still valid. If you don’t already gift aid your donation to us obvious penalty that mistakes can occur. and are eligible, you may wish to consider doing so. We now need your help to ensure the accuracy of the Finally, you will see we are introducing membership new database. Along with this edition of Tidings, you will numbers to aid better control. If you haven’t received a receive a personalised letter covering your 2013 letter with this Tidings, please email us at membership status. It also gives you your membership [email protected] or telephone 020 details, so please accept our apologies if we have got 8977 2271 so we can resolve the problem. you as married to another person, or worse, got your Pete Shaw and Sally Howland

Email Calendar Update Buildings of Townscape One of the restrictions of Tidings is that it is only Merit (BTMs) published every 3 months, making it difficult to publicise events that members might be interested in. Often, we Is your house a Building of Townscape Merit, so hear about these with only a few weeks notice. Our classified by the Borough of Richmond? These are members’ questionnaire also highlighted the need to use buildings of special interest which, while not of Grade II email as an additional channel for communications – but Listing quality, nevertheless have a certain local on a sparing basis. So, I have introduced an email significance. LBRuT has a full Register of all Borough calendar update that is sent out monthly. Those who are BTM addresses online on their website as well as an on our email database will have already seen it and it has explanation of the criteria they use. been well-received. An example is shown below. If you are During the last few months the Teddington Society’s not on that database but would like to receive the monthly Planning Group has compiled a Register of those update, just send me your email address to BTMs which are in Teddington; taken 360+ photos of [email protected] them and added descriptions - long & short - submitted by the owners of many of these properties. There are some 62 roads in Teddington which have BTMs. Four History Group members are now also helping us. The Teddington Society’s Planning Group invites all owners of BTMs to contribute descriptions, photos or drawings (especially if old), history, gossip, or stories about their home and/or the street that it is in. Now that title deeds are no longer easily available, sources such as the 1911 & earlier Censuses at , which show occupants, ages, professions, can be helpful. Any privacy or identity concerns will be fully respected and, where relevant and known, copyrights acknowledged. Do take a look at what is already online & see if your property is a BTM! Just visit: http://www.teddingtonsociety.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title =Directory_of_Buildings_of_Townscape_Merit Further contributions may be sent to Keith Atkinson at [email protected] Keith Atkinson

Page 3

th Teddington Station – 150 Anniversary Part 1: Teddington before the Railway The second half of the 19th century saw a very different The drainage ditch in the High Street, pioneered by Teddington to the first half. During this time, a small Stephen Hales one hundred years previously, had clogged agricultural village grew into a town. A very basic census up “and been allowed to become a stagnant and putrid survives from 1801 but just tells us that there were 699 open ditch” and was the cause of a running battle between people living in Teddington in 123 houses. the Vestry and the Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers. It was not until 1841 that more information became One of our early local historians, Percy Towell recorded available. Now there were 1,199 people living in 215 on 1st November 1855 that: ”The vicar, Mr Wilkinson, houses. Discounting wives, children and about 150 presided over a meeting of land owners and others to domestic servants, there were about 570 others. Of consider the proposed railway. He said that Mr Strachan (of these 35 were in the building trades, 50 were gardeners, The Grove) and himself had at first thought that it would 12 were on the river, and 40 were shopkeepers. There interfere with the rural aspect of the village, but there was were 10 farmers and 78 agricultural labourers. The only much to be said for the proposal. Messrs Williams, Guy, trade noted was candle making which employed 15 Reed, Wade and Parks spoke and the meeting hailed the people. There was no industry at all. Things had not proposal with pleasure and pledged themselves to give changed very much by 1851; in fact the number of every assistance.” people had dropped to 1,146 in 212 houses. The intention was for the railway to be continued from In the meantime, the Richmond Railway Bill received Richmond through Teddington, finishing at Kingston. The the royal ascent on 21st July 1845 and the London & amount of planning that had already taken place before South Western Railway line opened at Richmond Station that meeting can only be imagined but clearly a massive a year later. It was estimated that this would carry engineering initiative was required. Blackmore, having 767,104 passengers per annum. Kingston had rejected a acquired his market garden, negotiated his own deal with railway link as there were very strong coaching interests the railway. The railway was actually able to purchase a there that blocked this competing form of transport. narrow strip of land in central Teddington from the Barton The lord of Teddington Manor, Thomas Woodruffe Trustees. This involved giving notice to the Cricket Club Smith, had died in 1812 and the manor had been who had their wicket roughly where the railway line runs administered in trust on behalf of his two daughters, Ann and Maria. Both married, Ann to John Barton but extract of the Enclosure Map of 1800 she died without producing an heir and, after her death, Maria to George Head Head. John Barton was Waldegrave Road a trustee to the manor estate but George Head Head was not. Maria also died without offspring but John High Street remarried and had six children. After various negotiations the Barton family came to own all of the lands of the manor estate. John Barton died in 1852 and, on his advice, his family broke down the estate and put it for sale in small plots but this did not take Park Road place until 1862. One of those who took advantage of the break up of Pond the manor estate was a young classics master who Future had moved into in 1854, having Station accepted a teaching position at Wellesley House School, . This was R D Blackmore and, Park Lane in 1857, he inherited a goodly legacy which enabled him to purchase some land and to fulfil an ambition to become “a gardener and horticulturalist” specialising in the growing of pears. today but fortunately royalty stepped in and granted them facilities in Bushy Park. It is difficult to actually put a date on the first time the railway was mentioned as being of interest to Work must have started no later than June 1861 as the Teddington. In many ways, the village was blundering plan required a road bridge across the railway track at the along in its own sweet way, oblivious to the outside High Street. The old pond was filled in and this world. In October 1851, Joseph Reed, grocer and conveniently ended squabbles over the village drain. The overseer of the poor, was giving a talk to the Mutual main core of the work took two years to complete and, in Instruction Society in which he said of Teddington: “The that time, the village was completely cut in half with salubrious air, the purity of its waters, and the general entry/exit from one side to the other being conducted from moral tone and habits of the people, are advantages that Shacklegate Lane to the north and the level crossing by are not to be found in many if any other villages in the the gasworks at the south. The division still lasts to this kingdom.” It is highly probable that at that time, the air day. Did the village have any idea what they were taking was anything but salubrious. on? Ken Howe

Page 4

Teddington Station Listed - Grade II In November, I received the news - Teddington Station The front elevation of seven bays has the central three had been listed Grade II. I had been trying to achieve this bays breaking forward slightly. This projection has stucco for some years and the breakthrough came with my direct rustication to the ground floor and a round-arched entrance approach to the Victorian Society. They involved TfLs and flanking windows below a wooden canopy with a timber Heritage Adviser. Enthusiastic, he also had the expertise valance. All other windows have square-headed moulded to make the case. surrounds: those on the ground The nearby Park Hotel also dates floor have eared surrounds, from 1863, the date of the coming of whilst those to the upper floor the railway. It was itself listed Grade II have bracketed sills. in 1983 (as the Clarence Hotel). The wings have three narrow, Architectural description from the recessed arched windows to designation the front and rear elevations. Teddington Station is the earliest The booking hall retains its surviving and particularly intact original arched ticket windows example of similar small Italianate and a deep moulded cornice villa-style stations in the LSWR’s but has otherwise been house style of the 1860s (q.v. modernised. Norbiton). The design is well The station was altered in the proportioned with high quality brickwork and good detailing 1930s with the replacement of the original footbridge, in the window surrounds and eaves brackets. In more platform canopies and the buildings on Station Road detail, the materials are yellow stock brick laid in Flemish What now? bond with stucco dressings; slate roof; timber sash The listing is not retrospective but will help protect the windows. building from further unsuitable additions, corporate The station building is two storeys high with single storey signage and clutter. A listed building application has already wings, stuccoed quoins, window surrounds and a wide been submitted to restore the public toilet to use – for the string course to the front (south-west) elevation. The disabled only. shallow hipped roof has a deep bracketed eaves cornice Martin Ellengorn and six prominent chimney stacks.

Teddington Lights Up – November 29th 2012

A truly magnificent evening. With the High Street closed to traffic for the first time, there was a veritable sea of people enjoying the festivities. Our photos show (clockwise from top left) Tim Vine and the Deputy Mayor counting down to the switch on; the massed ranks of revellers; Moiduls dance troupe; some of the magnificent team who controlled the street closures; Tim presenting Sheena with a floral tribute.

Page 5

Reports from the Groups

Riverside & Open Spaces

Ann Sayer 8977 9495 [email protected] Pheasantry Welcome Centre in Bushy Park Since opening in August 2009, the Pheasantry Café has proved an extremely popular meeting and eating place. Few could have forecast such a success. Now the café is to undergo refurbishment to increase its capacity and range of services. In the heart of the building is a little used (or known) community / education room which borne by the council who provided a £1000 Civic Pride will now be incorporated into the re-organised and grant and the Parks Department 'planted' it for us for free. enlarged café. There will be more service points, a family One passer-by said: “This is a fine addition to area and an increased range of food. The information point Teddington’s cultural heritage. The information is moves to the car park end of the building with its own thoroughly absorbing, well-written, and full of ‘I didn’t window and roof. All this will be achieved with a scarcely know that!’ facts –the accompanying photographs are enlarged building footprint. fascinating. Warmest thanks to the Teddington Society Work, due to start in early January, has been postponed. and all concerned for bringing this project to fruition”. At the date of going to press, the start date is set for rd The Mayor commented: “It was a pleasure to unveil the February 3 with no completion date given. An outside board. I think every part of LBRuT should have an kiosk will provide a limited menu during refurbishment. information board of the standard you have obtained. The Footbridge quality really was impressive and Teddington residents People crossing the river at Teddington Lock footbridge should be proud of your getting it designed and installed - will have noticed that the resurfacing work carried out only I have told several people about it since Friday”. three years ago has not worn well. At one time a real hole Having already erected a display board in Grove appeared in the Ham ramp allowing the ground several Gardens, we are now considering one at the Hospital end feet below to be seen. Since then numerous worn patches of the town. Our photo below shows the Elmfield board have been covered with metal plates on an ad hoc basis with some of the historians: l-r: Norman Simmons, Ann and there are many worn and soft patches still exposed. Miller, Paddy Ching, the Mayor, Gilly Hughes, Sheena The Council has obtained permission from the Harold & Ken Howe. Environment Agency and (the bridge is a listed structure) to carry out resurfacing on both ramps. Work started on Wednesday, January 23rd and is due to take four weeks. We are promised some form of access across the bridge at all times. On the Teddington side an alternative ramp has been built but on the Ham bank access will unfortunately be restricted to the steps (like the bad old days before the Ham ramp was built). In February/March, new energy-efficient hand-rail lighting is to be installed along the entire length of both bridges. This work is due to take 2-3 weeks. There will be some bridge closures but hopefully these will be kept to a minimum and work on both bridges will be co-ordinated. We are currently working on two social history projects and helping with personal enquiries about Teddington.

History Environment Paddy Ching 8977 3091 [email protected] David Lawton 8977 6778 Apologies first for an error in the article on Udney Farm [email protected] in the last Tidings. It should have read: The farm buildings to the east of the house were demolished in 1935 and…. Winter is always a quiet time for the Group as we are Elmfield Gardens: At long last our project to install a not out and about quite so much. However, Christmas history information board (above right) in the centre of the always brings its problems with excess waste, increased town has been completed. The Mayor, Cllr Rita Palmer, dumping at the recycling sites, and, of course, the unveiled it on a sunny November 23rd last year to an plethora of Christmas trees that then litter our pathways. audience of over 30 including members of the History On the credit side, our bin collectors worked extraordinary Group, Officers from the Society, local dignitaries and hours to clear the build up, and most residents managed Councillors. Lots of people are stopping to look at it and to catch up with the amended collection times. read about the town's history. The cost of the board was Page 6

2012 wound down with two very well attended Our current project concentrates on the ever increasing litterpicks. A record 20 volunteers rallied round for the problem of “Smoking Related Litter” (see Tidings 159). increasingly popular annual “Memorial Pick” on Our group has spent hours trawling streets and noting November 10th. They cleared the rubbish and cigarette ‘black spots’. Whilst most of the litter is in fact ‘dog-ends’, ends that blight this important area, leaving the scene which are terribly hard to pick-up, packets and wrappers perfect for the Remembrance Parade the next day. also strew the pavements. We shall be examining our We also spent time cleaning the hospital frontage and evidence and hope to come up with a few suggestions the adjoining Queen's Road, Stanley Road and Broad and recommendations later this year. Street, collecting 4.2 kg of recyclable cans and bottles. At the time of writing, our 2013 diary has not yet been Our bonus was finding two small cash boxes, complete finalised, so watch this space for news of litterpicks and, with an assortment of small coins. They are now safely in perhaps, other exciting events. police custody, and, we are pleased to say, if unclaimed, our bounty will be added to the Police Charity coffers. Surprise bonus for the Give and Take In December, together with neighbouring “Waste- Huge thanks to the Teddington Society Environment Watchers” of , the ‘Pickers and Helpers of Group for organising such a successful ‘Street Give and 2012’ celebrated with a huge clean-up along the whole Take’ in Blandford Road last September. It was a great length of Hampton Road. A swarm of yellow tabards opportunity to trade stories, trinkets, kids’ toys and much swamped the road, and we gathered a record 17 bags of more. Indeed we came home with a little more than we litter, (just a portion is shown in our photo below) including 30.5 kg of recyclables (18 kg of that being expected in that one of our G&T chats led to us agreeing to dumped bundles of the R&T Times of August 26th 2011). purchase our neighbour’s house just two doors down from the home we had been renting. We had been waiting for the opportunity to buy on Blandford Road for over two years, and had begun to give up hope. Had it not been for the event, we may have seen one of our dream houses go on the market just as we completed our move elsewhere. We look forward to many more G&Ts. We love the neighbourly feel of our street, and are delighted to see events such as the G&T bringing us closer together. Thanks again to David Lawton and his Committee. Ellie and John Connolly

Planning

Michael Foss Contact point: Brian Lane 8943 0811 or email to [email protected] Well done all with a big ‘thank you’ to the Hampton Hill Waste-Watchers who themselves must have picked up a Normansfield lot of this and, indeed, carried it back. Finally, at the Pies The Normansfield Hospital building and the adjoining and Punch celebration (thrown by Judith) afterwards we estate, now Langdon Park, have been the concern of the were able to welcome Geoff Howland as our new leader. Planning Group over some fifteen years. When the land Our picture below shows David plying Geoff with a well- and buildings came up for development around 1998 we earned helping of the excellent punch. The Society can fought hard against the proposals for rows of town look forward to an exciting few years ahead with a TEG houses, and in favour of buildings in a style which would ‘New broom’. May we all wish him well. marry with the hospital building itself. The present estate, with generous open spaces and mature trees is an outcome to which we in no small measure contributed. The hospital itself was scheduled to be either an hotel or flats. Projects for the former use proved unviable, and over the years the building fell into progressively worse repair, with a considerable amount of vandalism in the interior. We repeatedly urged both the council and our local councillors to take protective action. Meanwhile the hospital was placed on English Heritage’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register, and was given Grade II Listed Status. Fortunately, during the last two years major restoration work has been undertaken by the development company, Eramo Developments, and recently the building, pictured overleaf, has been revealed to the public thanks to the

Page 7

removal of an ugly front wall. When all the work is Permitted Development Rights completed the building will include 89 residential units. The Department for Communities & Local Government has been conducting a consultation on the government’s plans to extend Permitted Development Rights. These would include doubling the right to build single-storey rear extensions from 4m to 8m for detached dwellings, and from 3m to 6m for others. Another proposal is to remove the need for prior approval before installing or modifying fixed electronic communications equipment (i.e. radio masts). We believe both these sets of changes are dangerous, and have registered our opposition with the Department and with Dr Vincent Cable, our local MP. 101, 103-5 Waldegrave Road A scheme to build 38 dwellings on this site (pictured below), at present Hearn’s Joinery and a block of ‘for

The hospital, begun around 1868 and extended until 1873, was largely the work of Raymond Plumbe, later President of the Architectural Association; the Entertainment Hall (Grade II* Listed) was added in 1879. Thanks to the high quality restoration work, including laying out attractive gardens at the front, it is now a stunning building of which Teddington can be proud. In recognition of this contribution to the built environment of our town an Award will be made by the Teddington Society to Eramo Developments.

sale’ offices, has been put forward by London Square. An Sainsbury’s Store exhibition was held for local residents. Sainsbury’s have submitted two planning applications The group’s view was that the scheme was acceptable, (12/3584/FUL & 12/3587/FUL) to open a ‘convenience although reservations were expressed at the intention to store’ at 196 High Street, the site of the present Calligaris make it a gated estate. No application has yet been shop. The proposal has generated strong feelings, submitted. predominantly, but not entirely, of opposition. The Planning Group has considered the issues carefully, and Roads and Transport concluded that on balance we should oppose the applications. A formal letter of objection has been sent to the Richmond Planning Department. The grounds for our Brian Holder 8977 1579 opposition are threefold. Firstly, problems with traffic and [email protected] parking. Despite Sainsbury’s assertions that most Why is the very safe two lane High Street approach customers will come on foot, we believe the store will to the Waldegrave roundabout being converted to a generate a considerable amount of extra traffic and much less safe and more confusing single lane? seriously exacerbate the already acute parking problems in the area. Secondly, there is the impact of the store on Despite an almost total lack of publicity, a major road the two immediate Conservation Areas. The site sits at layout change to a very busy route through Teddington is the boundary of the Teddington Lock Area and the High about to take place. Thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, Street one. The former, especially around the church, is drivers and local residents, are completely unaware that a characterised by its atmosphere of calm; this is quite major change is being rushed through after a completely incompatible with a busy store. The latter is a key Area in inadequate consultation (just 60 properties around the our town. Teddington has been unusually successful in bridge, mostly businesses or empty properties). To make retaining many individual shops, housed in very attractive matters worse, the consultation contains misleading Victorian parades. The viability and vitality of these stores statements and claims improved safety for cyclists by – many of which offer goods similar to those Sainsbury’s narrowing the road and herding all the cyclists into a will sell – will in our view be unnecessarily jeopardised by single lane. the introduction of a chain store. We are convinced that, Before 2002, the main problem was that cyclists had to in the present commercial climate, Conservation Areas share the inside section of a single lane, whether such as the High Street require special protection. Our turning left into Waldegrave Road or going straight third objection is a technical one – the existing planning ahead into the High Street confusing cyclists and drivers consent is for non-food use, and we see no need to alike. A small number of these accidents resulted in change it. slight injuries (bruise, graze, etc.), and were recorded by

Page 8

the Police as Personal Injury Accidents (PIAs), but the Gardens majority were not recorded. The existing and very efficient and safe traffic scheme Sheena Harold 8977 2700 was put in place in March 2002, specifically to create safe [email protected] crossing points for pedestrians, and to improve safety for Richmond Gardens Festival This new council initiative cyclists who were often pinned against the kerbs by celebrates Richmond's unique place in the history of overtaking vehicles intent on turning left without giving English landscape garden design of the 18th century and adequate clearance for cyclists. It had become very its reputation as a flowered Borough. LBRuT launch the obvious for safety reasons that the two groups of cyclists Festival on May 4th and it will run to Oct 31st. There will should be separated and that vehicle speeds had to be be an exhibition (Arcadian Vistas: Richmond's Landscape substantially reduced. The solution, radical for the time, Gardens) at Orleans House from May 4th to Jul 21st. was to instal a staggered Zebra Crossing, which not only Richmond In Bloom are being encouraged to build on their transformed pedestrian safety, but did the same for 2012 Gold Award success with new competitions related cyclists - and reduced overall vehicle speeds to an to the Festival and increase gardening & related average of about 12mph as a major safety bonus. Cyclists horticultural activities such as Teddington In Flower. no longer got pinned to the kerb as they had their own dedicated lanes with, as far as is known, not a single Teddington In Flower This year we’ve chosen Sunday accident involving left turning cyclists in the last 10 years, 2nd June to ask the good gardeners of Teddington to with a similarly impressive 10 year zero accident rate for open their unseen back gardens to the public for charity. If cyclists turning right or left out of Waldegrave Road. This you have an interesting garden you'd like to show off, period includes the 2011 Olympic Cycle bulge with please get in touch with me. Of course, we then need thousands of cyclists passing through the junctions for the volunteers to sit at the gate and collect the money for us. first time without incident or accident - a tribute to the Do you have an hour or so to spare us? I'm delighted that I fundamental soundness of the overall design. have two green fingered volunteers, Sian Morgan and These very busy roundabouts have handled 35 million Caroline Sayer, to help pick up the work that Pat motor vehicles and 2.6 million cyclists in the 5 year period Shuttleworth did for the past 10 years. Both are interested 2007-2011, and another 1.2 million cyclists passed along in horticulture and I hope we'll be working together for many years to come. We have 7 venues for you to visit so far and at some you will find local home made fudge and local honey. Full details next time. We just need you!

Heart of Teddington Both Jubilee and Elmfield Gardens are due for a floral facelift this year. We were unable to plant bulbs in Jubilee Gardens last year in case they were damaged by work which starts shortly outside the Travelodge Hotel and Park House flats. This will be funded by development money. The Council's Parks Department has applied for a grant towards improvements in Elmfield Gardens and both gardens should look lovely for the Gardens Festival. The Mayor commented, when unveiling this part of the Olympic Cycle Course in 2012. the History Board, that Teddington was so lucky to have In 2009, a problem was identified with two or three such a lovely garden as the centre of the town. It's up to us drivers per year (11 over a five year period) exiting to keep it that way. Waldegrave Road at very low speeds but without due care and attention and, quite inexcusably, failing to give way to Richmond Borough In Bloom The Council has a cyclist entering the roundabout over the bridge towards appointed Continental Landscapes of Cumbria to cover a the High Street who then suffered slight injury. wide spectrum of Parks & environmental work. From April The solution suggested by traffic engineers was to they take over total responsibility for hanging baskets on convert back into the unsafe single lanes abandoned in the streets. The lateness of this appointment means that I 2002. Now, motorists and cyclists alike, waiting to exit can't tell you much about this year's Bloom competition Waldegrave Road, will no longer be sure whether a cyclist although I'd expect judging to be late June. However, to or driver is turning left or going straight ahead. find out how to enter, you can look at the website: This retrograde step was rejected by the Cabinet www.RichmondBoroughinBloom.co.uk We'll have Member for Transport, as was Teddington Society’s application forms at Teddington In Flower. The Borough suggestion that a ”Mini-Roundabout – Give Way” sign will be entered in Britain In Bloom since we topped our should be put in place plus a warning sign that a cycle section last year & won Golds. Can I encourage everyone route was ahead, plus better lighting. As a result of this to bloom up their residential and commercial frontages, continued failure to put these simple and cheap options in window ledges and communal gardens with the Gardens place, these unnecessary couple of minor accidents per Festival in mind. With the 60th anniversary of the Queen's year continue to occur. These should be put in place Coronation on June 3rd you might look to royal colour immediately and this flawed scheme should be scrapped – schemes: purple, gold, red, white and blue. A colourful the Society will continue to press for this to happen. display cheers everyone up.

Page 9

Society Plays Santa Gone are the days when the streets of Teddington resounded to the jolly 'Ho Ho Ho' of Santa and merry music as the Lions' Sleigh trotted round the roads with Santa & his Elves collecting money at Christmas. Alas, the Lions Club of Teddington has disbanded but the Teddington Society was determined that not all their good work shall be forgotten especially at this time of the year. Indeed several of the Lions are members of the Teddington Society. So just before Christmas we donated 40 food parcels which were distributed by the Welfare Department during their regular visits to people who live alone, have no family or perhaps can't be with their families this Christmas. We hoped it would be a lovely Christmas surprise for them. Tesco in Broad Street donated some festive carrier bags and St Mary's Parish Church gave us some of parcels. We are starting to deliver them this week. We their Christmas cards. The Society filled the bags with really do appreciate your support." edible goodies using money raised through our charitable David Kiltie, former Lions' Chairman said: "It feels fund raising activities this year. Jenny, our chair, went strange at this time of the year not to be going through round to see the delivery of the parcels which had been the hectic treadmill of collections and deliveries but I am put together by our Treasurer, Sally Howland, and so glad that Teddington Lions' work has been continued husband Geoff. The whole Welfare Team turned out to by the Teddington Society." greet them. Our picture shows Jenny and Sally with the Social Care Team. We hope to make this an annual appeal. What do you Jeanne Davey, Manager of the Teddington Health & think of the idea? Social Care Team, said: "Thank you so much for the Sheena Harold

Teddington School Community Awards to Students

For a number of years, the Teddington Society has contributed to awards to support the achievement and rewards programme for students at Teddington School.

In November last year, the School held its latest Ex-Year 11 Awards Evening and sixty-six students each received certificates and gift tokens in recognition of their scholastic progress, academic success and contribution to the local community. For the latter, some 35 students received awards: four award winners are pictured here. From l to r: Ruth Bassett, Matthew Carson, Maximillian Cooper and Harry Clark. The school’s community engagement programme features a number of projects that involve students working within the school and the local community to help educate and raise funds for good causes and charities. Community projects this year have included Key Stage 4 students working with primary pupils to teach sport skills, art techniques and helping to create community art installations and mosaics. Students have also helped Year 6 pupils develop their reading skills by participating in a ‘reading buddy’ programme. In addition, Teddington students have raised funds for both national and local charities through organising cake sales and numerous sponsored activities. Keith Yarker, Deputy Head

Page 10

TEDDINGTON POLICE LIAISON GROUP (PLG) This, our first article from the Teddington PLG, reports on Some encouraging annual statistics, as shown below, the meeting held on 28 November 2012. The meeting was were presented (last year’s figure in parentheses). extremely well attended by local councillors, members of the Teddington Society and the local community. It was chaired by Martyn Kingsford and the current status was reported by • Crime overall: down by 34% Sgt Tony Lovegrove of Teddington Police Station. Tony was • All burglary: 60 (87) supported by CI Simpson, PC Wollaston, PCSO Spratley • Personal robbery: 3 (2) and PCSO Dixon. • Theft from motor vehicles: 28 (32) • Violence against person: 40 (44)

New Arrangements Uninsured motor vehicles Several ANPR (automatic number plate reader) To assist the public in the current climate, the following operations (Operation Cubo) have been conducted, in arrangements have been adopted by Teddington police: conjunction with the Traffic Dept. Over 90 vehicles were • High visibility patrols continue to work in all areas stopped with 3 seizures for no insurance. • Street Briefings and Ward Surgeries have been Thanks conducted on a regular basis Chief Inspector Graham Simpson, head of all • Twickenham operations, praised the hard work and Public are being warned not to leave items on view in their dedication shown by all police officers in the borough homes or cars – keep all gifts out of sight from prying eyes during the Jubilee, Olympic and Paralympic events. • Public are being made aware that suspicious door-to-door Several letters of appreciation have been received from salesmen are currently active in the area. Should anyone local residents. become aware of these individuals they should call 101 (the Pat on the Back for Teddington Volunteers Metropolitan Police non-emergency number) without Congratulations were expressed to the team of hesitation. Sgt Lovegrove also urged us all to make it very Teddington volunteers who received the Met’s Volunteer difficult for outsiders to come into our area and take what they Award at a ceremony held at Hendon Police College. wish The volunteers were voted the most efficient team in the • A new licensing sergeant is in post and has made himself Metropolitan police area. known to all local landlords CI Simpson expressed his pride at the work carried out • Due to an increase in bicycle theft, the police have by the local teams during the recent incident at the Royal successfully run several tracker bike operations at Teddington Oak public house. All residents will receive a railway station (a bike fitted with a tracker waiting to be stolen “Community Update” regarding the incident to report with a tracker on board). police progress and to help allay any fears that may be held by the residents. Issues The next meeting will be held on 28 February 2013 at Sgt Lovegrove continues to oversee the policing of the Elleray Hall (in back meeting room) at 19.30. Teddington stretch of the Thames, working closely with the Dear readers: please note that you are all invited to Environmental Agency and Club. attend these meetings and we look forward to welcoming We await introduction of a new Byelaw which will allow the you. police to engage with boats and their owners who may be Mo Mott & Judith Schomberg breaking the law.

Farmers Market In Teddington Butcher, baker…no candlestick maker...but greengrocer, Teddington Hospital and residents flocked there in fishmonger, confectioner…. They were all there at the first their hundreds. Following the success of this trial, Farmers Market in Teddington at the end of last year. This we are expecting the market to return on a regular independent group of traders assembled at the rear of basis in the Spring. Watch this space!

Page 11

100 Years of Shopping in Teddington 1912 – 2012: Part 1

Where could you expect to find the following traders: Adverts from Richmond and Twickenham astronomical instrument Times 1912-1920 chosen by your Editor maker, briar pipe maker, Lloyd’s Bank: 72 High Street cash register repairer, Dale Bros: 16 & 18 Causeway sparking plug maker and an Deayton’s Stores: 182 & 184 Stanley Rd umbrella maker The answer Charles E Lemon: 106 & 108 High Street is in Teddington’s High Gouldsmith & Son: 51 Broad Street Street or Broad Street between the wars. In all, In addition to the High Street and Broad over 100 trades or Street shops, other pockets of retail use professions have been sprang up largely to service the high density represented in these two residential development between streets in the past century Waldegrave Road and Stanley Road to the reaching a peak of diversity west. The most successful is probably the during the period between complex in Stanley Road while the shopping the two world wars. use around the The growth of High Street Waldegrave Arms and Broad Street as has not developed in shopping venues followed the same way and the shops in Elmtree Road have ceased to exist. Station Road still retains some of the retail units that had appeared off High Street, while the the arrival of the railway Causeway and Park Road in the 1860s and the also provided a number of additional outlets off rapid increase in the Broad Street, largely concerned with the provision of population in the second services. half of the 19th century. The sudden interest in motor cars after World In the 1890’s there were War I had a marked effect on the services offered in only about 30 shops in this field. Before World War 1, there was a carriage the High Street, mostly works (and cycle repairs), a fly proprietor and a cab on the North side, proprietor, all trading in High Street. In addition, for grouped around the pubs and a beer house. The four the traveller in a hurry, there was also a cab rank at large houses on the South side took up most of the street frontage while the properties in between were of mixed use. In the case of Broad Street, during this period the shops tended to be grouped around the junction with Stanley Road and Queens Road at the Teddington railway station but, as the photograph West end and the (dated 1939) shows, it might have been quicker to Causeway at the East end. There were no retail walk. By 1925 these types of businesses had been premises between Elfin Grove and what became Church replaced by no less than 9 outlets dealing with the Road while the frontage between North Lane and Elleray sale, repair and hire of motor cars, together with Road was also undeveloped. accessories, including the making of sparking plugs. There then followed an explosion of retail In our next article we take a look at how some development. The large houses in the High Street more recent developments have again dramatically disappeared and by 1910 there were 151 outlets offering changed the nature of our shopping streets. 60 different trades in the two streets. Between 1910 and 1953 no less than 81 different trades were recorded. Dick and Gilly Hughes, Diana MacDonald, Peter Roche

Page 12

Housebound Library Service Totally Locally Teddington This is a special home delivery service for residents of the borough who because of age or infirmity are: • totally housebound, or • can't get to their local library • and don’t have any neighbours or friends who can visit the library for them. You will be visited about once a month at a regular time by volunteers who will deliver your books. Most readers have 6 – 8 books a month. You will be able to give the volunteers any Sometimes. out of habit, we forget to use our local messages for the library staff who choose your books. shops and eateries as our first port of call and often There is no charge for any part of the service. end up shopping online or 'popping into’ large chains You can elect to receive any of the following: in Kingston. Many high streets now have a 'toothless grin' with empty retail spaces or filled with charity • Novels– normal or large print, hardbacks and paperbacks • shops. This is not the case, luckily, in Teddington. If Non-fiction books we remind ourselves to support our local • Books on hobbies and interests independents, it won't ever be. • Books on health and your rights Almost any product we receive through the post • Books on history and travel can be bought from an independent retailer on our • Music compact discs high streets. The difference is, buying locally, we get • Unabridged story tapes and compact discs (restricted to to meet a person in a shop who is truly glad to help, readers who cannot manage printed books) personalised service, no 'undeliverable' courier slips, • Videos and our money goes back into our community. • DVDs Totally Locally Teddington is a non-profit, voluntary awareness campaign for the Teddington community. All you have to be do to receive this service is: Our aim is to remind people to use their independent • Ask for more details at your local library. shops and businesses as their first port of call. It is • Get a neighbour, friend or relative to ask the library for you. about getting shops to look at their suppliers, getting • Ring up your local library: 8734 3304 for Teddington. people to reassess what’s on their doorstep and • Write to your local library giving your name, address and helping businesses to start working together more. telephone number. You can find out more about our campaign on our site www.totallylocallyteddington.co.uk, our Delivery Volunteers Facebook page or on twitter @TLTeddington. The Library would also welcome any offers to help deliver books. Not a very onerous task but a vital one for the housebound. Tracey Wardhaugh

TEDDINGTON ON FILM Entries have been invited from all over TEDDINGTON SOCIETY the Borough for the Twickenham Alive Film Festival. Teddington will be represented by We welcome the following ace cameraman Alan Benns who, with his new members: TV Director friend Brian West, is putting together a 10 minute montage of 'his best Ian Cole Dennis & Anne Strudwick bits'. Local celebrity musician Dave Cousins (founder member of the successful 1970s folk/rock band The Strawbs) will do the linking narration. Ron & Janet Camp Cris & Karine Butler Awards and screenings will take place in April. Bruce & Diana Gordon-Smith We aim to screen Alan's film at our 40th Birthday Celebration on Saturday 5th Ms Evelyn Jones October at the Landmark. See www.twickenhamalive.com for more details James & Susan Winterton about the festival. Mrs Clementina Arnell Sheena Harold Mrs Diane Chalkley

Barry & Ann Rideout It is with regret that we report the recent death of Penny Thompson. Andrew Rose Penny was one of that unsung but resolute band of members who have James Todd supported Belinda so well in delivering Tidings for so many years. Also a Annie Walder stalwart supporter of Teddington In Flower, she could be found gate sitting or making tea in her beloved St. Mary’s

Page 13

BUSINESS EXCHANGE

We warmly welcome our new WATERSTONES Corporate Members Mary Kennedy, manageress WATERSTONES of our local bookstore, writes STRAWBERRY HILL TRUST “Waterstones in Teddington BYRNE GROUP plc is part of the larger and are grateful to all our Waterstones Group. This Corporate Members for their gives us the back-up and support to be able to play our continued support part in the local community by Architecture:wk providing the right books for British Maritime Technology our customers, anticipating Broom Water Association their needs, and responding to Dexters their requests, and always with a friendly smile. Diners Delight Dragon Toys If we do not have the book you want in stock, we can normally order it in and Eaton Publications get it into our shop within 48 hours. Elements Throughout the year, we invite authors to meet the customers and we hold Elleray Hall regular children’s events to cater for this most important part of our Fairwater House Residents Assn community.” Financial Planning Group The shop is situated at 65-67 High Street, TW11 8HA Fun Factory Phone: 020 8977 6883 and email: [email protected] Gillian Million Girasole (If you want to know more about the history of Teddington, you’ll find a wide Haymarket Publishing range of local history publications on the bookshelves just inside the right hand Kagan Moss & Co door. Most of these have been produced by our own History Group or by Kindle Stoves individual members. This is the only store which has such a collection. Kitchen Sync Editor) Landmark Arts Centre La Casa Del Habano Richmond Business Retail Alliance Lensbury Club Malo Clinic Teddington The Alliance is an informal network of Business and Traders associations’ Mela Mela representatives, town centre managers and other business and community Milestone Residential representatives from all the towns and villages within our borough. National Physical Laboratory Chaired by Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Community, Nova Fortuny Business and Culture (currently Cllr Pamela Fleming), the group meets Park Hotel about four times a year. In addition to the representation from local Park Lane Stables businesses, the meeting is attended by the Council’s Economic Development Unit’s officers, including Business and Retail Champion and Parsonage & Co Tourism and Events Manager; Head of Planning Policy and Design and Richard Steer & Co other organisations and council departments, depending on the agenda for Roger Sutton & Co the meeting. Royal British Legion The meetings aim to: San Marino Mail UK Ltd • Shambles Bar & Restaurant provide a forum for businesses, retailers and their representative organisations to share issues and experience; Sims Opticians • Snellers raise awareness of Council initiatives to assist businesses; Squires Garden Centre • highlight funding opportunities and services; Stevens Tyres • identify issues of concern so the council can explore how to address Stoneydeep Residents Assn them; Studio 148 • encourage local businesses to share and use one another’s experience Tamesis Club and expertise for growth and provide networking opportunities. Teddington Artists These meetings are regularly attended by members of the Society’s Teddington Bowling Club Business Liaison group. We hope to circulate more information in the future Teddington Cricket Club about what is discussed at these meetings and the decisions taken there. In Teddington Riverside Artists the meantime, if you want more information about what has been discussed Teddnet or you have concerns that you want raised there, please contact the Group’s The Tree Agency convenor, Bhavna Patel at [email protected] or on 8977 3793 TW11 Magazine Woodgate-Loydor Page 14

QUIZ CORNER From past quizzes it seems that you all enjoy Codeword crosswords. So here’s another one and hopefully no computer glitches this time. Our latest Corporate member, Waterstones, have generously donated a selection of books that were published in 2012. A unique chance to sample some new authors and their books, all of which have been rated as some of the year’s best. Three books to the winner and one each to the runners-up.

Codeword Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a number and all letters of the alphabet have been included. Three letters are provided in the grid below the puzzle to start you off. Can you decipher the rest? When you have matched all the letters and numbers, use this to decode the 9-letter word in the answer grid beside the puzzle and send that word to the Editor.

22 4 22 9 7 22 Open to all members. 7 9 22164 2221214 9 3 115 2

4 2 16 24 24 11 5 Entries must be with the Editor by Friday 12th April. 1 24 11 4 23 4 14 12 25 4 21 3 4 16 Answers to: 11 13 12 5 8 18 20 The Editor, 7 3 24 11 21 3 17 26 24 8 7 18 152 Broom Road, Teddington, 11 7 6 4 4 Middlesex TW11 9PQ

141 1 4 244 16 2216226 225 3 or by email to 7 22 12 14 19 [email protected]

10 4 11 24 22 9 9 17 11 19 8 4 Make sure you give your name, address and phone number. 22 26 17 21 22 7 11

227 3 4 24117 18 244 3 14243 Answer grid: decode the grid below for your 9-letter answer 9 17 4 17 18 8 11

16 11 15 4 24 7 11 14 5 21 24 4 4 18

21 3 3 2 4 7 16 11 24 4 21 3 14 24 26

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 HKC

Solution and Winners – Issue no. 159 A slight hiccup last time. The Wordsearch grid Only one person, Liz Dauncey, spotted the accidental was generated using a software programme using mistake and replied that she had found all of the 24 countries. 23 of the list of 24 countries. Unfortunately the 24th So, a consolation prize, a travel teddy bear, was also awarded. country, which was not included in the selection, First out of the hat and winner for the Riley Teddy Bear: was randomly generated by the software and so Diana MacDonald appeared by accident in the grid. So we decided Consolation prizes of Teddington Society mugs to: that all entries would go into the hat to decide the Shirley Richardson and Carol Swaffer winners. Page 15

SOCIETY EVENTS th th Directions to for AGM  Thursday March 7 and Tuesday March 19 The theatre is at the corner of Kingston Road Guided Tour of Legal London and Lunch at Middle Temple. This walk is a repeat of last year’s which was and Normansfield Avenue. The 281 and 285 buses heavily overbooked and many people were disappointed. stop right outside on Kingston Road at the Fairfax With our guide, we walk from Gray’s Inn down Chancery Road bus stop. You enter from Kingston Road and Lane to Lincoln’s Inn and across the Strand to Inner and turn immediately right (for the theatre) and then Middle Temples. We go through the alleyways and courtyards to reach the magnificent Middle Temple Hall, left for the car park. There is additional street one of the finest Elizabethan halls in the country, where we parking. have a (very good) buffet lunch. Meet at Teddington Station, platform 2 for the 9.40 to Waterloo. Cost: Guide £8. Middle Temple lunch £20. (pay Merits Lunches on the day). Another year, another record. 118 members attended th Tuesday April 16 Annual General Meeting in the two lunches at the end of last year. Space prevents us Normansfield Theatre at 7.30 pm. See insert for details from showing more pictures. The first two here show some and see opposite for directions. of the hungry eaters assembled at Merits. st  Wednesday May 1 Tour of the new Broadcasting House in London. We take a tour of this state of the art multimedia centre where we are promised an entertaining and informative guide who will talk about the history of the building and the BBC. We will be shown the latest studios and newsrooms. They also offer the opportunity to make our own radio play complete with music and sound effects, and to read the news and weather reports. The tour takes approximately an hour and a half. There is a Media Café at the new BBC which serves drinks and light snacks, and also the Café on the Piazza. Our tour starts at 1 o’clock so we can have an early lunch. The BBC is at Portland Place, a few minutes walk from Oxford Circus. Cost of tour is £10.75p which must be st paid by April 1 . (Wheelchairs can be provided for the tour if we book them in advance).

Booking for visits is essential And on a final note, our Corporate members, Shambles, Call Angela Carvill on 8977 0167 were represented at the lunch by Jackie Langella, daughter

Marghi and son Massimo. Two of the student chefs - Ben Harris (centre) and Scott Tuckwell (r) - also ply their trade at Coffee Mornings Shambles. A real family affair! at

Peg Woffington’s Cottage 167 High Street, Teddington at 11.00 am th Wednesday February 27 Tuesday March 26th Friday April 19th Wednesday May 15th Come and enjoy Tony and Betty’s coffee and cakes and meet other members of the Society

All welcome

Printed by Woodgate-Loydor Ltd Page 16 2 Elmfield Avenue, Teddington TW11 8BS