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Representing the views of all who live in the historic Thames-side village of Strawberry Hill No. 150 Winter 2012 A new choir heralds Christmas tree In this issue… ust in case you’re at a loose end this unveiling JChristmas, our own Carol Service is back, there’s a Village Fayre on the new choir, the Strawberry The tree lights will be switched on Green and has a ASingers, will celebrate the by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Lisa comprehensive range of events for unveiling of the village Christmas Blakemore. children and adults, including the tree on Friday 14th December. While mince pies and mulled premiere of a play by Strawberry Hill’s Based in Strawberry Hill House, wine are dispensed free, (soft drinks own playwright (page 3). We’ve also got articles on that splendid where the choir rehearses, they for the children), a collection will be charity, Age UK, Moore’s Cycles and an will sing traditional carols, as well made in support of the Roy Kinnear Home in Waldegrave almost-forgotten piece of our history - The as more popular numbers. Weather Road. Strawberry Hill Riots of 2000. permitting, they might also bring Wellesley Road, and the The Alive Film a piano. (See ‘Choir spans Verdi parking bays in front of the Festival is coming soon. While we can’t to show tunes’ on page 3) shops in Wellesley Parade, compete with Cannes, and the chilly Local children are invited will be closed for the occasion Embankment is hardly La Croisette, to help decorate the tree at 6 on the previous evening. Twickenham has a long history of film p.m. The unveiling and Richmond Council will making, so it does seem appropriate. carol singing starts at 6:30 donate up to £500 towards There’s an interview with the p.m. at Wellesley Parade. the cost of the event. organisers on the back page. war Carols and snow memorial restored on the Green he annual Radnor Gardens ll are welcome to join the Friends of Remembrance Day Parade and T Twickenham Green at their Village Service took place on Sunday November A 11th in perfect weather. The service was Fayre from 6 p.m. on Sunday December attended by Dr Vince Cable, MP, Cllr. 16th. Lisa Blakemore (Deputy Mayor), Cllr. Clare Head (South Twickenham Ward Councillor and Chair of the Friends of Radnor Gardens) and other dignitaries.

Twickenham Green in the snow - a postcard from the early 20th century, courtesy of Heather and Geoffrey Morgan The evening will start with candlelit carols around the Green led by several of the local churches and the Salvation Army. This will be followed by the lighting of the first Christmas tree on the Green, outside Arthur’s, and all sorts Cllr. Head and the replacement plaque of festive fun including mulled wine, mince pies, hot chocolate, more carols, children’s This was the first Parade since one of the rides and a few surprises. The Friends say that three original plaques on the war memorial snow is guaranteed (well, 99% guaranteed). was stolen in October last year. Funds for the Supporters include Churchill Retirement bronze replacement, a perfect copy, were Living, Friends of Twickenham Green, raised by the RFU, readers of the Richmond Thamesians RFC, Arthur’s, Lovers Lights and Twickenham Times, with many private Gallery and many other local businesses and donations. Security cameras are now trained residents. Please do join The Friends and get in on the memorial to prevent further thefts. the mood for Christmas. Page 1 The Bulletin No. 150 Winter 2012 www.shra.org.uk Planning matters Leon says, existing workshop. The major difference “always wear a Strawberry Hill House from the previous application is a o ease pressure on Strawberry Hill reduction in the height of the proposed flat lid” THouse, the Trustees have applied for over the old shop, which will become planning permission for a new single- offices. (Ref No 12/3446) hile he is a newcomer to Strawberry storey building in the grounds at the back WHill, Leon Moore has long of the existing car park. College opens Chapel connections with Twickenham: he runs This will provide facilities for the garden Moore's Bicycles in London Road. Cycling is view booming, but Leon has a cautionary tale to staff and a small visitor orientation area esidents of Waldegrave Road have tell. containing display boards with information supported a planning application by on the House as well as visitor toilets and R St Mary’s University College to open a new lockers. Given the historic importance of the pedestrian access between the main House and garden, it is designed to be as low entrance and the white gates entrance. as possible to settle into the landscape and it Approval follows consultation by the will be of timber construction clad with cedar College. The purpose of the access is to boarding using roof lights rather than open up the view of the College Chapel windows. from Waldegrave Road. A new visitor approach to the House is Michael Allsop, SHRA representative to also planned from the new building re- the College, says: “We looked at the plans establishing a tree-arched lane which was the and viewed the site. I am in no doubt that this former road to Hampton Court in Horace will add a very attractive view into the Walpole’s time.(Ref. No. 12/2948) College grounds, although it will mean the MKG 3000 demise of one or two trees.” he management of MKG 3000 has The changes will also improve access to, Tsubmitted a revised planning and visibility of, ’s Chapel in application for the re-development of the the Woods (see below), which lies corner of their property (formerly Harji’s immediately to the right of the proposed new shoemenders) and for a new facia for their entrance. (Ref. No. 12/2936)

Leon with a fashionable, old-fashioned Pashley The Chapel in racing bike “As is often the case on a balmy summer's • Laser for Hair Removal & Skin Pigmentation the Woods evening (though maybe not quite so often this year), all the members of staff go for a ride after • Laser Skin Rejuvenation and a (tenous) connection with Nelson • Semi-Permanent Make-up & work, usually ending up in a pub. Colour Correction n a letter to the Rev. William Cole in “One evening we were riding through • Non-laser tattoo removal I1771, Horace Walpole wrote: “I am Strawberry Hill and were stopped in our tracks • Dermaroller building a small chapel too in my garden by the railway crossing barriers. Having waited • Medical Microdermabrasion to receive two valuable pieces of a while, one of our party (Harold) decided he would try and run over the footbridge carrying • Green Peel (face or body) antiquity.” Shortly after, he his bike cyclocross style on his back. • Clinical Skin Peels commissioned Thomas Gayfrere, Master “I should add at this point that he had • Advanced Cosmetic Procedures Mason to , to create (thread veins, skin tags, milia, warts, verruca, what is now known as the Chapel in the managed to do one night’s training with and mole reduction…) Woods, completed in 1773. Twickenham Cycling Club, so fancied himself as a cyclocross veteran. Call us on 020 8255 9666 / 07817 266431 In 1774, Cole visited Walpole and “He bolted up the stairs just as the barriers Maple Leaf Clinic, 20 The Green, Twickenham, TW2 5AB recorded that it contained the tomb of were lifting; we could hear the doff-doff of his [email protected] Capocci, a 13th c. martyr, which was www.twickenhamlaserclinic.co.uk road cleats on the walkway as we rode across originally in Sta Maria Maggiore in Rome. the tracks. It was sent to him by Sir William Hamilton, “As we were level with the exit, we saw CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS Ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples, Harry slip and his legs flew out from under him, enthusiastic collector of antiquities and, he crashed down hard at the bottom of the stairs VOLVO later, husband of Emma Hamilton, lover of with 19.8 pounds of finely-engineered metal & Admiral Nelson. The other antiquity was a following him gracefully through the air and SUBARU piece of medieval stained glass which the inevitable happened: the bike hit him firmly & Walpole had removed from St Peter’s on the back of his helmet as he stared at us in Most other makes Church, Bexhill, now happily returned. shock and disbelief. * plus * The Chapel fell into disrepair after “Naturally, this was met with a full round of raucous laughter and a light smattering of Tyres, batteries, exhausts Walpole’s death in 1797, but it was restored by Countess Waldegrave during her tenure horrible derisory comments with no regard paid • Very Skilled Technicians to his wellbeing whatsoever. of the House in the mid-19th century. • Great Value “When this had calmed down, we checked • High Quality Originally intended to be part of a if he was OK. He was, but the £129.99 helmet serpentine walk from the House, it became had a clean 3cm split at the back. After much 020 8892 4440 separated by the College buildings when deliberation, we decided maybe this was the they were constructed in the 1950s. perfect opportunity to make a beeline for the MKG 3000 It is to be hoped that visitors to the pub.!” House will be encouraged to walk along the Moral: Always wear your helmet, even Tower Road, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4PP road to view the Chapel in its new setting. when you're going down a flight of stairs! Page 2 The Bulletin No. 150 Winter 2012 www.shra.org.uk News from Strawberry Hill House There’s a lot going on at the House in the run-up to Christmas, even though the visitor season closed on October 31st. Meanwhile the House gets down to maintenance and cleaning in preparation for Spring 2013 . Countdown to Stormy life of a great lady Local playwright Dianne Cutlack has written a second play for Strawberry the festive Hill House and learned some lessons, as she explains season he Last Great Lady is my “T second play for Jenny Eynon, Property Operations Manager Strawberry Hill in a promenade reports. format, taking the audience on a hroughout November, Strawberry journey through the house as the THill House shop will open Mondays, action progresses. We've built on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between the experience we gained from 11.30 and 4.30, for Tour Groups and the first play last March, The Christmas Shopping. Sign of the Strawberry, to give the The shop and house will also be open as audience a memorable time in a usual for the first three Sundays in beautiful house, some of whom December. will not have visited before. “Changes from last time: there Strawberry miniatures will be less standing, more sitting. A display of miniatures formerly at There will be two Saturday Frances, Lady Waldegrave is portayed by Polly Smith in Dianne Strawberry Hill can be seen at an exhibition matinées, as well as evening Cutlack's latest promenade play at the Sir John Soane's Museum at 13 performances. The café will be open for full “I have a wonderful cast on this Lincoln's Inn Fields. The exhibition is called meals and snacks before each performance, production, including Polly Smith as Frances 'Giving our past a future - the work of the and, as before, a bar will be in operation. Waldegrave and Leigh Stevenson, who played World Monuments Fund in Britain'. “A feature which delighted everyone last Horace Walpole in the last play. I hope the Entrance is free and the exhibition is open time - the dance - will again be part of the play, audience will be as intrigued by Frances until January 26th. The exhibition covers this time a Victorian ball. Waldegrave's remarkable life as I am.” work at Stowe, St George's Bloomsbury and The Last Great Lady, a play for Strawberry the current project on medieval glass from Intrigue and scandal Hill, 7th to 19th December. Evening Coventry, as well as Strawberry Hill. “For this play we've fast-forwarded from performances at 7:30 p.m.. Saturday matinees, Regency to Victorian England, and focussed on December 8 and 15, at 1 p.m.. Christmas at the woman whose name still resonates in this Tickets (at £25) are available through area, Lady Frances Waldegrave. Strawberry Hill House Strawberry Hill: “Frances was responsible for rescuing www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk in December Strawberry Hill from dereliction and making it House open on Sundays December a fashionable weekend retreat for the elite of 2nd, 9th and 16th: Timed tickets for self- London society. She intrigued and scandalised Choir spans Verdi to guided tours are available on our website. all of London with her four marriages. ‘The Last Great Lady’: A Promenade “The challenge here has been to create an show tunes Play for Strawberry Hill running from absorbing story based on her public and private he newly-formed Strawberry Hill December 7th to 19th (see right). lifes, which involved considerable cost to her Tsingers were very nearly called the Walpole Warblers, says choir secretary Flower and Wreath Making Master early marriages. which could only be described Class: December 1st: See demonstrations as stormy. Claire Leighton. “That's because a large in the morning before attempting your own “Her final, extremely happy marriage was number of them work at Strawberry Hill unique floral displays for the festive season. sadly curtailed. All this is examined in The Last House or are connected with it.” With local florist Divine Flower Company. Great Lady. The choir was founded by Michael McLoughlin, choir master, nearly a year ago. Gothic Goblets (for children): There are 47 members of the choir, coming December 2nd: Taking inspiration from the from most corners of the Borough and their House, paint a Gothic Goblet fit for a banquet! repertoire is wide, from Verdi to modern show tunes. Gift Wrapping Master Class: “We won’t only sing carols at the December 8th: Join international expert Christmas tree unveiling,” says Claire. Arona Khan for a hands-on, fun-filled day of “There will be some popular Christmas gift wrapping in preparation for Christmas. songs, too.” Impress friends and family all year round with the techniques you will learn. Most weeks the choir rehearses in the House, where they have also given concerts. Victorian Paper Crafts (for children): While the choir numbers are encouraging December 9th: Join us to make Christmas there are still one or two places available, lanterns, marble wrapping paper and paper says Claire. “We could do with a few more chains to take home and decorate your tree! men, especially basses and tenors.” For detailed information on all these Administration is important, too. “We events, to book tickets, and to check shop couldn't function without Fay Hunter, our opening hours, visit: music monitor, who works so hard providing www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk An evening view of the East Front (Kilian O’Sullivan) us with sheet music,” says Claire. Page 3 The Bulletin No. 150 Winter 2012 www.shra.org.uk A quiet, but busy, force for good SHRA n the last year 235 elderly people living in (all of them are CRB checked) to help IStrawberry Hill have been helped by Age newcomers or isolated people to discover new declines role UK. places and social contacts. Mike Phelps, former Age UK even runs chairman who lives in computer courses. From that it for the Green Strawberry Hill, says: “You is a small step to joining one of lose neighbour Twickenham Green might not think that an the e-mail discussion groups. Chas turned down an invitation by affluent village like ours As well as appreciating Richmond Council to take over would require help from Age donations, Age UK is always responsibility for the recreational space. UK, but there are indeed some looking for people with special The invitation came by way of a elderly people in need. They skills. They can be as diverse Council plan to ask Friends, groups and are often too proud to ask for as Silver Screen Volunteers, others to manage parks and open spaces. who can share their love of old help, yet when it arrives it Strawberry Hill Residents Association was films and musicals, to people makes an enormous difference among those approached by the Friends of with financial, marketing and to their lives.” Twickenham Green with a view to sharing computer know-how. Run by Sandra Morrison the responsibility. The committee of SHRA and a board of volunteer And did you know that Age UK runs social centres in declined involvement. trustees from her head office At an extraordinary general meeting, in Sheen Lane, the charity is Twickenham, Barnes and Whitton where the elderly can The Friends voted not to take over the surprisingly large, with a staff attend courses? management of The Green themselves. of 25 plus 134 volunteers. Sandra Morrison Sandra adds: “Money is Charles Owens, a member of the Sandra has been CEO of Age UK for eight always important, but the personal contribution committees of both SHRA and FoTG, says: years. Turnover this year will top £1 million, and contact which so many elderly people need “Members of the Friends lean to with most of it coming from contracts with is of even greater importance.” maintaining the status quo and continuing Richmond Council. to act as friendly advisors to whoever Sandra explains that the role of Age UK How Age UK works should manage The Green in the future. We spans a lot of different jobs - all of them very will supply positive support, such as practical. “The charity's helpline is often the locally first contact for advice or to kick-start real help.” Sandra cites the example of Mrs W contributing to buying articles like The span of practical support is impressive. (identity not revealed) who called Age UK's memorial benches and notice boards, The Handyperson service does just what it First Contact Helpline for advice. backing the new Christmas event and says: provides assistance for elderly and “She lived alone and suffered back pain running the Village of Twickenham Green disabled people with all those small, but and breathing difficulties and had trouble Fête.” important tasks, that might only take a sleeping. Her mattress was very old, but she Mr Owens adds that the council has not handyman minutes, such as changing light could not afford a new one. We arranged for a provided detailed information as to how bulbs, fitting grab rails, moving furniture, loft benefits advisor to visit her.” management of the Green would be clearance or fitting a key safe so that health The result of the visit was rapid: Mrs W financed or how much it currently costs to visitors or cleaners can let themselves in. was awarded an attendance allowance of run. Thus it was impossible to be sure as to £71.40 a week and her pension credit was future developments. Charges increased by £53.65 a week. Not all services are free. “We usually “We applied to two local charities on her charge £35 for up to two hour’s work,” says behalf for financial help," adds Sandra. “She Discover Strawberry Hill’s Sandra, “but we use discretion where the time received a grant of £300 to buy a new mattress Best Kept Secret is much shorter.” and £360 towards fuel costs.” Many elderly people are lonely. The As a result of that call to the Age UK opportunity to talk to another human being is Helpline, Mrs W's income increased by £125 a provided by Telephone Befriending. If you week and her quality of life improved greatly. know someone who could benefit, call 0845 Mrs W said: “One phone call to Age UK 601 1149, or they might appreciate Introducers changed really my life.”

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Page 4 The Bulletin No. 150 Winter 2012 www.shra.org.uk Christmas Cheers! How we were, what we thought: t no expense whatsoever and simply Abecause it is fun we have created a Christmas cocktail called a “Strawberry The Strawberry Hill Riots Hill Sleigh Ride”. In the first of a new series of articles, our archivist has been leafing through old copies Do not look for symbolism or deeper meaning: there ain't none. Just enjoy. of newspapers and the Bulletin and writes about the Strawberry Hill riots of 2000 ur village has one of the lowest crime sorting their part of the problem. The Housing Recipe: Orates in the Metropolitan Police Area department staff have been transferred to The but in 2000 there were a number of serious Richmond Housing Partnership. 35ml Yamazaki 12-year-old single malt disturbances which have not, fortunately, “At the time of the greatest difficulties we whisky 25ml Grand Marnier been repeated since then. were grateful for a sympathetic approach 15ml Amontillado sherry On the 9th June 2000, the front page of the from police, housing staff, Ward Councillors 2 dashes of Angostura bitters Richmond and Twickenham Times carried the and our MP. Juice of ¼ lime headline “Crime wave hits Strawberry Hill.” “All parties were planning to meet in Garnish with orange twist The article described how “riot police were September to discuss the issues that emerged called to a residential road in Strawberry Hill from the case and to ensure similar Method: after a man was stabbed near council-owned disturbances are prevented.” flats, fuelling fears of a Pour whisky, growing crime wave …. liqueur and sherry The attack has over ice in a shaker. reinforced fears of an Add Angostura and lime escalating crime juice. Shake. problem surrounding the Strain into a chilled Martini block of one-bedroom glass. Garnish with a twist council homes, though of orange peel. residents are not known The headline in the Richmond and Twickenham Times Try this one at home in to be involved.” It went front of a roaring fire. on to report “swearing, shouting fighting and In November, Bulletin 116 we reported: intimidating passers-by” as well as groceries “SHRA met with the local Councillors, the and alcohol being stolen from the newsagents Housing staff (recently moved from the in Wellesley Parade. Council to the Richmond Housing The Dialogue Two weeks later, the paper reported that Partnership) and Inspector Mark Jones in Consultancy the Council had denied poor housing policy September to make sure that everything which Counselling was to blame. No-one was arrested in could be done to prevent a recurrence of Coaching connection with the disturbances, which trouble is being done. We were satisfied that Psychotherapy centred around Shelley House and No 11 all parties had done all that could be done for Our UKCP Registered Psychotherapists support a Strawberry Hill Road. now. workforce of over 10,000 staff in SW London. Bulletin 115, published in August 2000, “SHRA was ready to lend further support We work with a wide variety of issues and carried the following article: to residents and the shops should trouble problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and “Many of us were appalled by the very recurs. SHRA thanked especially the work issues with professional and administrative sudden spate of late night drinking, joy-riding Councillors and Dr Vince Cable who had staff. If you are looking for a psychotherapist to in a stolen car, looting from the village shops devoted considerable time to the issue during explore change in your life we can probably help. and fisticuffs several nights running at the end the year.” of May. Fortunately, the actions taken by the We are based in Strawberry Hill. “We were grateful to the Police for rapid Council and the Police seem to have worked Contact: Jonathan Whines or Jacqui Hughes. reaction to the problems and to the Council and there were no further reports of similar www.dialogueconsultancy.com Housing department for their actions in incidents. Tel: 020 8892 3644

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Arch 34, Pope's Grove, Twickenham, TW1 4JW Tel: 020 8894 2212 Established 1989 [email protected]

Page 5 The Bulletin No. 150 Winter 2012 www.shra.org.uk Capture your lives on film

T H E C O M M I T T E E trawberry Hill “mover and shaker” Teresa SRead and her social enterprise partner Berkley OFFICERS Driscoll are the brains behind a unique film festival, planned to run until April 2013. Bruce Duff Teresa and Berkeley have set up the Twickenham (Chair) Alive Festival of short films documenting the lives and 020 8894 5271 activities of local people. Teresa explains: “The idea grew out of our work at John Naish Richmond Tertiary College, where students are (Hon. Treasurer) making films with us about local issues and indeed some have entered the Festival.” The Festival also ties 020 8892 7953 in with an award-winning project Teresa managed in Clare Phelps 2006 about the lives of people oversees. We thought (Joint Hon. Secretary) “Why not make films about how we live in the borough?” 020 8892 5863 Enter now Pam Crisp Twenty-five films have been submitted so far, (Joint Hon. Secretary) from aspiring film-makers in , Barnes, Hampton Cut! Berkley and Teresa try out their 020 8898 1878 and : The Teddington Society also has cinematographic skills entered, but so far there are no films from M E M B E R S Strawberry Hill. Mike Allsop The films should be between five and 10 020 8891 1614 minutes long. The subjects can cover any local activity. “You might want to make a film about Cathy Bird your local club, parents group or just a day in your 020 8892 6990 life,” says Teresa. Fabulous homemade food using quality John Armstrong Judging takes place in April next year. Prizes seasonal produce. Open all day for will be awarded. In the run-up to the judging, superb Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon 020 8894 5218 entries will be screened at various locations Tea and Dinner. Eugene Bacot within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Special Offer - 10% discount on your 020 8892 2837 food bill on production of this Teresa adds: “Films can be of any genre, such Peter Lamb as documentary, drama or animation. They can be advertisement. submitted by anyone, i.e. individuals, students, Arthur's on the Green Charles Owens The Green, Twickenham, community groups, organisations, schools, TW2 5AB Teresa Read traders associations and so on.” Tel: 020 8893 3995 Robert Youngs To enter contact: www.arthursonthegreen.co.uk [email protected] 020 8894 1121 The Bulletin is published by the Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association and is distributed free, 3 times a year, to approximately 2,300 homes in the area. All text, images and design © Copyright 2012 Strawberry Hill Residents' Association, except where noted. For !advertising or editorial questions, email: [email protected], Twitter: @SHResidents RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION of £5.00 (minimum) PER HOME FOR YEAR 2012 This subscription renewal may be made by cash or cheque made payable to Strawberry Hill Residents' Name(s):______Association. Please write your name and address in the box, Address:______put your subscription in an envelope with this form and hand to any of: ______A John Naish, 12 Waldegrave Gardens, TW1 4PG ______Postcode: ______B Everydays, by Strawberry Hill Station C Post Office, Tower Road Telephone:______Payment may also be made by Standing Order. Forms are available from John or from the SHRA Email:______website (www.shra.org.uk) Amount: £______Date: ______Larger donations are always welcome! Page 6