Twıckenham Christmas Guide 2013

www.twickenhamthetown.co.uk WELCOME The time for really is now. The town is showing a new confidence that is growing by the week. There was a big surge in 2011 with the influx of money from the Outer Fund, and the birth of the Twickenham Town Business Association. Then there were accolades from Britain in Bloom, a council action plan and, hopefully, by the time you read this, Business Improvement District status. We owe grateful thanks to the traders and businesses who’ve helped to make the town so festive this year. We are hoping for a really bright Christmas with a host of great See ttba.org.uk events. For the first time, there will be an ice rink at York for more details House—a challenging venture by Twickenham Alive. on all Christmas Everyone in the TTBA wishes you a Merry Christmas. events, or phone Please join us at the traders’ carol service on December 17 0208 744 0474 at St Mary’s church. Thank you and SHOP LOCAL! Bruce R Lyons, Chairman, Twickenham Town Business Association

WITH THANKS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM PEARCE DRAWINGSOFTHINGS.COM TOM BY ILLUSTRATIONS COVER Editor: Simon Hemelryk Designer: Hugh Kyle Produced by Shona Lyons of Crusader Travel

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 Twickenham’s looking to the past for a great Christmas present TINSEL, TRADITION AND A Twirl with a strong sense of tradition running through many of the initiatives—even though most of them have only just been created.

Not least among them will be the opening of the new (richmondrink.com) in the grounds of the York House council building. Though it will only be a temporary attraction, it has its roots in an important part of Twickenham’s past. Between 1927 and 1992, the old Richmond Ice Rink was a major landmark in the town, situated on the river between In the recent past, Christmas in Marble Hill and Richmond Bridge. It Twickenham town centre was, well, was one of the largest rinks in the a little underwhelming. There may world and attracted many famous have been a few seasonal lights in skaters, including Torvill and Dean, shops, the odd Christmas tree here and Dancing on Ice judge Karen and there, and occasional gaggles Barber. Then, amid much local of carol singers making their way opposition, it was bulldozed to through the streets, but there create luxury flats. wasn’t much collective effort. Berkley Driscoll and Teresa Read In the last few years, however, of social-enterprise body Twickenham that’s changed. Decorations, Alive have taken part in several local fairs, markets and other events history projects. Local residents have now fill the festive season, from told them time and again about their St Margaret’s all the way to the fond memories of the old facility and Green. And this Christmas how sad they were when the promised promises to be better than ever, replacement never materialised.

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 (main pic) the old Richmond Rink. (below) TV skating star Karen Barber with young resident Emma Armstrong at the rink in the Eighties

“The rink is part of the psyche of people who grew up in the area—many people under the age of 30 would have spent time there,” says Berkley. “It was a social centre. We’ve spoken to couples who got married there, a Radio Jackie producer who DJed at the rink on Friday nights, and young adults who went to skating birthday parties as kids.” Berkley and Teresa wanted to do some- thing to harness this nostalgia—so they hit upon the idea of a Christmas rink in Twick- enham. “It felt so important to revitalise a facility that people have been missing for 20 years,” says Berkely. The temporary attraction, which opens from November 30 to January 12, will even be staffed by people who worked on the old site. “Our manager, Gary Stefan, used to play for the professional hockey team,” says Berkley. “The person who’s going to maintain the ice maintained the Richmond

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Rink ice—he now works at Slough Ice Rink. We didn’t have to advertise any jobs— word just got round about what we were doing and the former employees came forward. They’ll be taking time off from their normal jobs to help us or working in the evening.”

In Twickenham town centre, one of the highlights of the festive season will be the switching on of the Christmas lights on November 22. The event, centred around the large Christmas tree outside Barclays Bank, will

Christmas in Church Street

feature bands from the Royal Military School of Music, a children’s lantern procession down to the riverside, a Punch & Judy show and Santa’s Grotto. They’ll also be carol singing, bell ringing and other events at nearby St Mary’s church. The mayor of Richmond, Meena Bond, will be flicking the switch on the big night. She is very aware of how important such events are to the area. “They help residents to focus on their local community,” she says. “Twickenham is, in many ways, a commuter town, with people out all day. We need things that allow people to get together in a way

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 “Christmas events help residents get together and focus on their local community.” MAYOR MEENA BOND they might not otherwise be able to do. “Retailers get a boost, too, as people become more aware of what the town centre has to offer.” Meena will be judging the best festive retail window competi- tion—won last year by Laver- Victorian Fayre in stoke Park Farm butchers on Radnor King Street. Event organiser Gardens and Twickenham Town Business Association (TTBA) chairman Bruce are largely Victorian Lyons believes the contest inventions,” says encourages shops and pubs to Councillor Clare Head, really make an effort with their explaining the theme. “I Christmas decorations—giving think we all like to look back the town even more of a morale and to the past, to our childhoods. I financial boost. “They get the attention can certainly remember visiting of passers-by like little else,” he says. Santa in his grotto, seeing all the presents Bruce has also been instrumental in and feeling that he and his elves had been having Christmas trees placed over the working all through the winter just for me. entrances to as many shops and other The continuity of Christmas, of doing similar businesses as possible. “Last year, there were things year after year, makes people feel around 150 trees, with some 30 paid for by very grounded.” the TTBA. This year, they’ll be nearer 200— From midnight masses to luxury shopping all paid for by the businesses themselves.” evenings, there are many other events happening in and around Twickenham in Meanwhile, on December 15, November and December (see “What’s On” is hosting a Victorian-style Christmas Fayre, pages), all of which should help make featuring fairground rides, stalls, mulled Christmas feel special, no matter your age. wine, carols from the children of Radnor “I love Christmas and its traditions,” House school—and another appearance from says Meena Bond. “The time you spend Santa in another grotto! with your family. The spirt of the thing. “Christmas traditions as we know them It’s so important.”

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 How much do you know TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE about our local churches? STEEPLED IN History

St Mary’s

The twinkling lights in Church Street and the the special services—so much so that this winding queues outside Sandys fishmonger year we are having to arrange extra ones to are sure signs of Christmas in Twickenham. accommodate everyone.” But it is, of course, our churches that have But as you sing your heart at one of our long been at the heart of the things. local place of worship this festive season, it’s “I absolutely love Christmas,” says Rev. nice to know a little about their compelling Jeff Hopkin Williams of St Mary’s Church. histories. These are buildings that have seen “The infectious enthusiasm and excitement thousands of Christmases between them… of our children in their plays and carol services; the imaginative decorations around St Mary’s, Church Street the area; the way our church is packed for The earliest record for a vicar at St Mary’s

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 comes from the 13th century, but it is believed the original church pre-dates even that. The medieval tower is all that remains of those earliest days, as the rest of the building collapsed in 1713 due to neglect and the digging of vaults. Locals paid for Whitton’s Sir Godfrey Kneller, churchwarden and painter, to build the red brick nave and interior that you can see today. Stained glass once filled the win- dows but was destroyed by bombs in 1944.

All Hallows, Chertsey Road It may now nestle next to the thoroughly All Hallows modern A316, but this church dates back to Saxon times. The original All Hallows, in The City of London, was rebuilt twice before succumbing to the Great Fire. A new church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1686 and 1694. As the City grew into a business centre, fewer people attended All Hallows, and once structural problems were found, it was demolished. The bell tower, however, was transferred stone by stone to Twickenham. In 1939, the Bishop of London laid a founda- tion stone, and a new church on the new site was opened in 1940. On December 22, there will be a service Holy Trinity of “nine lessons and carols” at the church to tell the Christmas story, followed by mulled St Stephen’s Church, Richmond Road wine and mince pies. In 1720, retired army captain John Gray bought some land near Marble Hill to build Holy Trinity, Twickenham Green homes for the “respectable citizens of In 1841, the growing population of Straw- Twickenham”. He was granted permission berry Hill inspired the inception and from the Bishop of London to build building of a new place of worship. The Montpelier Chapel. The population grew church’s organ was crafted in 1883 by Henry with the introduction of St Margaret’s rail Willis, one of England’s most celebrated station and soon the chapel, built for 250 peo- organ builders. ple, was too small. The Little family, respon- As with St Mary’s, World War II made its sible for developing other land near by, mark, this time thanks to a bomb that donated the triangle of land bound by St dropped nearby on the Green, destroying Stephen’s Passage—an ancient right of one side of Holy Trinity. The church has way—which is why St Stephen’s faces north subsequently been refurbished several times. facing, not east, like most churches. Locals

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in 1887 and Father Edmund English became its first rector. He was appointed Canon of Westminster Cathedral in 1909. The church has strong links to Portugal, related to the early links between Twickenham and the House of Bourbon-Orleans. In 2009, it unveiled a memorial to King Manuel and Queen Augusta of Portugal. The following year, the church celebrated its 125th anniver- sary with a visit by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the same year that Pope Benedict XVI visited St Mary’s University College. St James is holding a Christmas market on November 24.

St Margaret’s Church, St Margaret’s Road St Stephen’s Started out in the front room of a house bought by the Diocese of Westminster. Six raised £7,000 within four months of an years later, in 1936, the Parish of St Margaret appeal starting and the new church opened of Scotland was created and the following in 1876. Montpelier Chapel was used by year a prefabricated hut—dubbed the various businesses before collapsing in 1941. cardboard cathedral—was built. Eventually, after much fundraising, a new The Church of St James, Popes Grove building, including the church, was given the This small catholic church was consecrated go ahead and was finished in 1969. Designed

St James

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 to break down the barriers size to take the Ivybridge between the sacred and Estate under its wing, secular, it has raked seating which is where it in a rounded format to give launched a food bank. a sense of inclusion and This helps individuals and St Margaret’s better visibility, and a families in crisis, through carpeted floor to reduce emergency food supplies, noise. Its innovative layout For full details of Christmas and services at Christmas earned St Margaret’s status services, see church websites: and throughout the year. as an English Heritage All Souls doesn’t have Grade II listed building l St Mary’s Church, many Christmas tradi- in 1999. stmarytwick.org.uk tions, but one of its l All Hallows Church, parishioners creates a All Souls Church, allhallowstwick.org.uk new set of festive cards Northcote Road l Holy Trinity, for the church each year. Very much the youngster holytrinitytwickenham.org Krista Small, All Souls on the Twickenham l St Stephen’s, church manager, says: churches block, All Souls’ st-stephens.org.uk “Whether you’re a regular congregation was planted l Church of St James, churchgoer, Little Souls into an existing church stjamestwickenham.org.uk parent, or simply have building in 2000 by l St Margaret’s Catholic Church, memories of childhood neighbouring St Stephen’s stmargarets-church.co.uk Christmases, your local to boost the dwindling l All Souls, parish church is a great parish. But there has been allsoulschurch.org.uk place to share in this rapid growth during the special time of year. past five years, and In the uncertain rush there are now more towards 2014, I hope than 300 regulars, you’ll want to take a nearly half of whom moment to celebrate are children. In 2012, at the heart of our the parish doubled in local community.”

All Souls

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE What’s on?

05, 12, 19 NOVEMBER & 4, 11, 18 DECEMBER Christmas Ghost Tours 7.30pm. Tickets £22, including festive drinks and canapés. Booking essential. Call 020 8940 1950 or visit nationaltrust. org.uk/ham-house

22 NOVEMBER Twickenham Christmas Lights Military School of 30 NOVEMBER ances. twickenham Switch On Music. ttba.org.uk Twickenham alive.com From early afternoon Poetry Competi- (switch on at St Mary’s Church tion Awards 01 DECEMBER 6.30pm), King/ Advent Celebra- Ceremony Advent Sunday Church Street. With tion From late St Mary’s Church Carol Service 6pm, Richmond mayor afternoon, Church Hall, Church Street. St Mary’s Church, Meena Bond and Street. Mulled wine, To enter and for Church Street. Rev. Jeff Hopkin food, bell ringing, other details: stmarytwick.org.uk Williams of St carol singing and richmondliterature. Mary’s church. Also much more. com St Catherine’s features a craft stmarytwick.org.uk School Christmas market, Punch & 30 NOVEMBER– Fayre 12-3pm, Judy show, Santa’s 29 NOVEMBER 12 JANUARY Cross Deep. Grotto, lantern East Twickenham Richmond Ice Rink procession by the St Christmas Light York House. Skating Trafalgar School Mary’s school choir Switch On 5pm, for all, plus pony Christmas Craft and a band from Richmond Road— rides, Santa’s Grotto Fair 1.30-4.30 pm, Kneller Hall Royal bottom of the bridge. and skating perform- Elmsleigh Road.

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 l For details of all Christmas events, visit ttba.org.uk or phone 020 8744 0474

Craft stalls, mulled wine, tea and cakes, Christmas trees, children’s games and activities, raffle and children’s choir. Entrance £1— concessions and children free.

01-31 DECEMBER Dress Up As a Stuart Ham House. Try on courtly attire and explore the below-stairs rooms. 05 DECEMBER door (if available) or tary mulled wine, Free, with normal The Carnabys at eelpieclub.com children’s art admission charges. 8.15pm, Eel Pie Club activities, cafe and 020 8940 1950 or at The Cabbage 06 DECEMBER baroque music. visit nationaltrust. Patch, London Road. richmond.gov.uk/ org.uk/ham-house Winners of the 2013 Gallery Christmas orleans_house_ Hard Rock Rising Shopping Evening gallery 03 DECEMBER Competition, beating 2-7pm, Riverside. Mayor’s Charity 12,000 other bands. Choose from a 07 DECEMBER Christmas Concert The group will also stylish selection of Christmas Flower 7pm, Clarendon Hall, be appearing on festive gifts and little Demonstration & York House. An BBC2’s Later with luxuries, such as Wreath Making evening of festive Jools Holland in early organic skin care, Masterclass, music featuring the 2014. With support handmade choco- 11.30am-4pm, band of the Kneller from Lips. Tickets lates, designer gifts, Strawberry Hill Hall Royal Military £10, £8 members, £5 books, toys, jewel- House, Waldegrave School of Music. under 20s (photo ID lery and seasonal Road. Local florist Tickets £12.50 required). Pay on the foods. Complimen- the Divine Flower (£10.00 conces- Company shows you sions) from The Carnabys how to put together Amanda Farrell festive displays and at the mayor’s create a wreath. office,020 8891 Tickets £50, 7123 or email including materials. mayors.office@ strawberryhillhouse. richmond.gov. org.uk uk. All proceeds to mayor’s Archdeacon charities. Cambridge School

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 CHRISTMAS GUIDE WHAT’S ON?

Christmas Fayre Matinee Gardens, 1pm-4pm, The Green. 3pm, Embank- Satur- ment. Christmas Craft day 14), Featur- Fair at Twicken- Mary ing the ham Library 11am- Wallace Barbara 2.30pm, Garfield Theatre, Speake Road. Features a visit Embank- Performing from Santa Claus. ment. Classic Arts Kids Stalls £15 to hire, Oscar Wilde Group, Santa’s including table. comedy, pre- Grotto and tree 0208 734 3340 sented by the decorating Richmond Shake- workshop using 07-08 DECEMBER speare Society. recycled materials. Tickets from £10 for twickenhamalive. Artists Open members; £12 for com Studios 11am-6pm. non-members. Box See inside studios, office020 8744 0547 Father Christmas in St Mary’s Church talk to the artists and or richmondshake- the 17th-century Christingle Service purchase or commis- speare.org.uk gardens and receive 4pm, Church Street. sion new works. a gift. £3 per child, stmarytwick.org.uk Cash or cheque only. 07-08, 14-15, 21-22 with normal eelpieislandartists. DECEMBER admission charges. Santa’s Visit co.uk Ham House Santa’s Other family 2-4pm with special Grotto Trail activities, and festive appointments with 7-11 DECEMBER 12pm-3.30pm (last food and drink Santa at 2 and Strawberry Hill entry 3pm). Seek out demonstrations will 3pm—booking House Open also be taking essential, Orleans 12pm until place. 020 8940 House Gallery, 4.20pm (last 1950 or visit Riverside. richmond. entry), Walde- nationaltrust.org. gov.uk/orleans_ grave Road. uk/ham-house house_gallery Explore Horace Walpole’s “Little 08 DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER Gothic Castle”. French Market Lecture Supper: Tickets and info: 9am–5pm. Mr Walpole’s strawberryhill- Church Street. Private Rooms at house.org.uk ttba.org.uk Strawberry Hill. 7pm, Waldegrave 07-14 DECEMBER Twickenham Road. Talk by “The Importance Alive Christ- architectural of Being Earnest” mas Event historian Kevin 7.45pm (except 4pm Diamond Rogers, and a chance on Sunday 08. Jubilee to see the rooms

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 l For details of all Christmas events, visit ttba.org.uk or phone 020 8744 0474 under restoration. Gardens, Embank- £40, including a ment. Mulled wine, two-course meal. hot chocolate, carol Tickets: strawberry- singing, reindeer & hillhouse.org.uk more. Lord True’s Office0208 487 Kelvin Christiane 5001, cllr.lordtrue@ AllStar Band richmond.gov.uk 8-10.30pm, Twicken- ham Jazz Club, The 13 DECEMBER Bloomsbury, Staines Tempo Tots Road. Sixteen-piece Xmas Party big band. twicken 10-11am and hamjazzclub.co.uk 2-3pm, older class. 11.30-12- 11 DECEMBER .30pm and Strawberry Hill 3.30-4.30 pm, House Twilight 12 DECEMBER greens. £23, price younger class, The Tour 7.30pm, A Handmade includes refresh- Clarendon Room, Waldegrave Road. Christmas—Craft ments. Pre-book York House An opportunity to Workshops at Ham both workshops for Charlotte, Anisa and tour the gothic build- House. 11am-1pm: £41. 020 8940 1950 or Ellie will be perform- ing at a magical time Learn how to make nationaltrust.org.uk/ ing some of your of day. Arrive from Christmas tree ham-house favourite rhymes as 7.30 for a compli- baubles. £23, price well as lots of Christ- mentary glass of includes light lunch. Lord True’s mas songs and carols Prosecco. £40. 1.45-3.45pm: Create a Christmas Recep- including “Frosty the strawberryhillhouse. kissing bough and tion 7-7.30pm, Snowman”, “Rudolph org.uk other Christmas Diamond Jubilee the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Silent A Handmade Night” and “Jingle Christmas Bells”. Tickets £10 per child. Booking essential. eventbrite. co.uk/ org/2620258308. 15% of all ticket sales go to Tempo Tots’ nominated local charity, Momentum.

15 DECEMBER Radnor Garden’s Christmas Fayre

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 CHRISTMAS GUIDE WHAT’S ON?

Tempo Tots Xmas Party

London Road. Featuring The Eel Pie All-Stars with Don Craine and Keith Grant (Down- liners Sect), Robin Bibi, Rick Biddulph (ex Caravan) Chris Hunt, Alan Glen (ex Yardbirds), Dave Lennox (ex Blodwyn Pig) plus a host of great guest musi- cians, including: 12-5pm, Radnor pieces with harpsi- 18 DECEMBER Mick Avory (The Gardens, Cross chord and string Eel Pie Club Kinks), Bootleg Deep. Reindeer, accompaniment in Christmas Party Blondie (aka Debbie Santa’s Grotto, stalls, the spectacular Eel Pie Club at The Harris), Paul Cox, face painting, gallery. Complimen- Cabbage Patch, Alan Darby and barbeque, mulled tary festive refresh- Derek Griffiths wine, bar, pony rides ments. Tickets £14. (Artwoods). Free and more. strawberryhillhouse. mince pies and org.uk mulled wine. Tickets 15 DECEMBER £12 (£10 mem- St Mary’s Church 17 DECEMBER bers). Pay on Christingle Service Carol Service the door (if 4pm, Church Street. for the Twick- still available) stmarytwick.org.uk enham or at eelpie- Business club.com Strawberry Hill Community Christmas Carol 6.30pm, 19 DECEMBER Concert 7pm, St Mary’s Twickenham Waldegrave Road. Church, Jazz Club Local choir CORO Church Street. Christmas perform carols and stmarytwick. Party 8.30-11pm, 17th-century choral org.uk The Bloomsbury,

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 l For details of all Christmas events, visit ttba.org.uk or phone 020 8744 0474

Staines Road. Featuring saxophon- The Eel Pie All-Stars ist Simon Spillet with Roger Beaujo- lais on vibraphone and Alec Dankworth (son of the famous Cleo Laine) on double bass. twickenham jazzclub.co.uk

21 DECEMBER Christmas Carol Singing at the White Swan From 8pm, Riverside. whiteswantwicken- 28 DECEMBER ham.co.uk Big Game 6, Harelquins v Twickenham Exeter Chiefs Christmas Farmers 4pm, Twickenham Market 9am-1pm, Stadium. Holly Road car park. thebiggame.co.uk Look out for seasonal specials, 31 DECEMBER including Christmas- New Year’s Eve tree biscuits, Party at the puddings, mince pies White Swan and festive sausages. Riverside lfm.org.uk/markets/ suitable for young Christmas Carol whiteswantwicken- twickenham children). 4.30pm Singing at the ham.co.uk (for older children). White Swan From 22 DECEMBER Midnight Mass 1pm, Riverside. 1 JANUARY St Mary’s Church, 11.00pm, Church whiteswantwicken- Twickenham Parish Carol Street. stmarytwick. ham.co.uk Town Gardening Service 6pm, org.uk Guerillas’ Reunion Church Street. 27 DECEMBER Party 10am at a stmarytwick.org.uk 25 DECEMBER Live Music at the secret Twickenham St Mary’s Christ- White Swan From location. BYO 24 DECEMBER mas Day Festival 8pm, Riverside With crocuses or tete St Mary’s Church Eucharist 10.00am, Roland Rock. a tetes. Hot toddies Crib Service Church Street. whiteswantwicken- supplied. 3.30pm (especially stmarytwick.org.uk ham.co.uk ttba.org.uk

TWICKENHAM CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2013 Twickenham Christmas Guide 2013