Posted by: mrbeamish | December 10, 2009

Helping to make Teddington even better

Love Teddington? Then you may be interested in joining The Teddington Society (or renewing your membership in the new year!) The society was formed in 1973 by local residents who wanted to create a group to preserve the character of the town and support local community projects. It’s functions are divided into these distinct areas:

Historical Research – research projects and booklet publishing (on sale at local events and in local bookshops)

Planning – monitoring planning applications and make representations where necessary or arrange public meetings concerning important proposals

Riverside and Open Spaces – taking an active interest in all matters relating to the local riverside, surrounding areas and parks (collaborating with Environmental Agency, Richmond Council and the Thames Landscape Strategy)

Roads and Transport – issues concerning roads and transport in Teddington and protection of the interests of rail and bus passengers as well as cyclists and pedestrians

Environment – issues such as litter, waste bins, graffiti, composting, fly-tipping, fly-posting and re-cycling

If you are particularly interested in any of the groups then you can register your interest on the application form and then be sent more information and updates on what the Society is doing to help in those areas.

You can help as little or as much as you like – volunteers at events, litterpicks etc are always welcome but even by simply joining the society you are helping to keep Teddington the way it is.

Also included in the membership is the popular quarterly newsletter Tidings which contains reports from the above groups, details of local news & events and articles about the local history, residents, businesses and more.

As well as leading the charge against some high-profile objections to planning proposals the Society also have a lively and regular social and outing calendar.

Annual membership fees are £5 for individuals, family £7, senior £3, joint senior £4.
For any enquiries contact secretary@teddingtonsociety.org.uk

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Posted by: mrbeamish | December 2, 2009

A sweet win for Simply Thai

Another week, another Teddington restaurant on the F Word! This episode was the showdown for Thai eateries. The hidden gem that is Simply Thai is situated on Kingston Road and has an army of happy regulars who helped vote it on to the show.

Gordon describes owner Patria as a “culinary fire-cracker” and the restaurant: “with just 10 tables – it’s a tiny restaurant run by a tiny chef..but Patria has a hugely passionate temperament…and has dedicated her life to creating perfect Thai cuisine.”

Also in her own words when asked about her passion and what is the secret of her success: “All my time is here in the restaurant. The restaurant to me is my home, is my family. I cook very good food, traditional Thai food cooked with my love, my care, my passion, everything my heart I put into every single dish”

During his visit to the restaurant Gordon sampled the menu with crispy sea bass with jungle curry and king prawn special (both available on their current menu) and commented “Simply Thai? No, that’s accomplished Thai cooking.”

Throughout the show it was a close race but Simply Thai’s spicy fish cakes, authentic slow-roasted sweet pork curry and jasmine rice pudding with mango & coconut won the diners over. They beat North London’s Yum Yum and finished with 82/100 dinners paid for which puts them currently top of the leaderboard which as well as high praise indeed means that they are definitely through to the semi finals.

You can read The F Words interview with Patria here or view the program on 4od.

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Posted by: mrbeamish | December 1, 2009

Boat left stranded on Teddington Weir

NewsThe lifeboat service based at Teddington Lock sprung into action today to rescue pasesngers from a boat which had become stranded on the weir.

The 20ft boat lost power and was unable to avoid hitting their weir on Monday. In total two lifeboats, four fire engines, an ambulance and the police were all called to the incident as a precaution.

The boat was later towed away by the Environment Agency who have constant river conditions available on their website – currently it is regarded as unsafe for navigation due to increased river depth and speed at this time of year.

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Posted by: mrbeamish | November 30, 2009

Christmas Lights Up: Success

YouTube
This year saw another successful and thankfully rain-free Christmas Lights Up event. Sarah Lancashire joined Mayor Celia Hodges to switch on the lights and encourage residents to shop locally to support local businesses in these hard economic times.

The Mayor then went on to the Powder Rooms Art Gallery to wish them a happy first birthday, then on to sample mezes at Diner’s Delight before walking through the Causeway meeting Santa and the reindeers and finally ending her tour with a glass of pink champagne at Mela Mela.

Despite having to send two of their three ponies home due to noise and balloon issues, Park Lane Stables still managed to raise £170 for Help for Heroes with their popular reindeer rides. Starbucks kept shoppers warm by handing out their toffee and gingerbread-man flavoured coffees!

La Casa Del Habano held a popular kids treasure hunt where items were donated from participating shops to create 30 goodie bag prizes. Quite a few of these have yet to be claimed so check your email for winner notifications!

Alan Benns has put together this excellent montage of the evenings events. Click on the YouTube link to view the larger/HD version.

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Posted by: mrbeamish | November 29, 2009

My Family tickets available

Fan’s of popular sitcom My Family will be delighted to hear that the 10th series will be filmed in the new year. This will take place at Teddington Studios on Thursdays 14th, 21st and 28th of January 2010.

More details and instructions on how to apply can be found here.

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Posted by: mrbeamish | November 27, 2009

Restaurant Update

Warm and welcoming Shambles now joins popular Scarpetta (try their ‘Bushy Park’ pizza!) in making their menu now available for takeaway (Shambles offers 15% discount and for both restaurants this is collection only).

The Clockhouse now have a separate restaurant area to add extra capacity to the popular eating destination.

Sammy’s is open for business again after a refurbishment and has a friendly, family atmosphere with the buzz of a modern bar and restaurant. It has an excellent lunch menu as well as a seasonal and varied monthly menu and the popular Sunday roast a particular favourite. There are real-ales, modern lagers and a carefully selected wine list. Sammy’s also has a private function room which can be hired out for parties and events.

Situated on Church Road, Al Borgo has certainly created a strong first impression with diners and now sits comfortably alongside the finest restaurants in Teddington – adding to the already strong pedigree of eating establishments in the area.

Customer favourites include some very special pastas including a home-made ricotta tortelli with broad beans and pecorino cheese. Baked gnocchi with tomato, mozzarella and basil – which is more of a traditional dish, while the Sea Bass fillet in potato crust is one of the Chef’s more modern creations, as is the delicious Beef Fillet in red wine sauce with crispy red onion from Tropea, a particular variety of red onion grown in a small area of Calabria in southern Italy.

Desserts are also a strong point – if you’re feeling brave you can try to wrestle Marco’s favourite dessert’ Chocolate Salami’ away from him! The cinnamon and caramel ice cream has to be tasted to be believed. Last but not least the White Chocolate Souffleé dessert which was created by accident when white chocolate was delivered instead of the darker variety, the chef decided to try making it regardless and a legend was born.

As well as lunch and Christmas specials, Al Borgo are offering an eight course New Years Eve ‘Degustazione‘ menu.

Finally, as one of 2,000 French Restaurants submitted for the competition, Retro recently received enough votes to warrant a tasting visit from maitre d’ Jean Baptiste as part of the F Words “hunt for the Best Local Restaurant” but sadly didn’t make it through to the final cook-off on the show (although they could be seen in a couple of brief shots during the programme).

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Posted by: mrbeamish | November 24, 2009

Art auction to benefit Teddington School

EventsIn addition to the Christmas Fair and Concerts, Normansfield Theatre is also the venue for an art exhibition and auction in aid of the Teddington School redevelopment project which is due to finish in September 2010. The school is hoping to raise £250,000 through various means towards the final elements of the project which are detailed on the schools Justgiving page – every penny donated counts so even if you can’t make it to the auction you can help by donating online.

Well established and celebrated artists have donated works for the auction so it presents a unique chance to get hold of a prestigious and rare piece at a local event.

On Friday December 4th (6:30-10:00pm) and Saturday December 5th (10:00am-4:00pm) tickets are available for £5 and £3 respectively. Art lovers will be given a chance to take a closer look at the works in the exhibition before the auction.

Artists work will include paintings, charactertures, pen/ink, sketchings and photos from Elizabeth Blackadder, Peter Blake, Bernard Dunstan, Antony Gormley and Albert Irwin plus local artists, celebrities works including Ian Hislop, Ricky Gervais, Andrew Marr as well as work from Teddington School students.

The auction itself will be conducted by Christie’s international auctioneer Hugh Edmeades.

For tickets and enquiries email pta@teddington.richmond.sch.uk or call 020 8943 0033.

See poster and School site for more details and more complete list of works to be included in the auction.

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Posted in Art, Charity, Events | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: mrbeamish | November 22, 2009

Normansfield Theatre events

EventsIf you are curious about or simply haven’t heard of the hidden gem that is Normansfield Theatre, there are several up-and-coming events that could finally give you the excuse to visit. The grade II listed building is preserved by the Langdon Down Centre Trust and is a rare glimpse into the Victorian age with its resplendent fixtures and fittings.

Each year, the doors are opened during the festive period to help raise funds for the Downs Syndrome Association.

Christmas Craft Fair – Sunday 6th December 2009 Free Entry – Doors open at 11am and close at 4.30pm.

Start your Christmas shopping early with 25 stalls selling beautiful hand craft gifts for all your Christmas needs.

Silver jewellery, silk scarves, candles, pottery, leather bags, craft materials for next years projects and homemade Christmas fare such as Christmas cakes, hand-made cards and garlands.

For those people who are tried of shopping they have a quiet tea room with comfortable seating, hot drinks and yummy homemade cakes. Along with ample free parking, it is the prefect Sunday shopping experience for the whole family.

Christmas Concerts – Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th December

The Down’s Syndrome Association Christmas concerts are now famous in the local area and a firm favourite in people’s calendars. It is a real chance for the DSA to open their national offices to the local community and raise awareness of the charity and vital funds that allow them to continue helping the 60,000 people with Down’s syndrome in the country live full and active lives.

The beautiful stage of the Normansfield Theatre will be heavy again with talent featuring favourites Singing Hands and the Larondina Dance Company, as well as the highly talented Karen Plewman, Ruth Fenton and the Sol Singers, Marble Hill Singers and Richmond Music Trust’s Trumpet Ensemble. As is tradition each night will end with a triumphant sing-a-long to raise the Christmas spirits high.

Don’t delay – book your tickets today, please call 0845 230 0372 and ask for the fund-raising team

Ticket prices £15 for adults and £8 for children (u12) & concessions.

Both nights performances start at 7.00pm promptly. Doors open at 6.30pm and the curtain come down for 9.30pm.

A complimentary glass of wine and mince-pie is included in your ticket price. Come and join in the DSA Christmas Spirit.

Normansfield Theatre
Langdon Down Centre
2a Langdon Park
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9PS

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Posted by: mrbeamish | November 18, 2009

Teddington Lights Up – 26th November

EventsThis years late-night shopping and Christmas lights switching on ceremony takes place on Thursday 26th November.

Organised by the Teddington Business Community, the evening is one of the main events each year that brings the community together with late night Christmas shoppers taking advantage of the many discounts on offer from local retailers. The festivities will include something for all the family: treasure hunt, Santa’s Grotto, Santa’s sleigh, ‘reindeer’ rides, Christmas story telling, make-overs, face painting, cake decoration, live music and lots of free drink and nibbles.

Coronation Street star Sara Lancashire will join the Mayor to switch on the lights outside Elmfield House.

The festivities will begin at 4:00pm with the light-switching ceremony starting at 5:30pm with Collis School choir singing carols closely followed by the NPL Choir at 5:45pm then finally the lights being turned on at 6pm. Many shops will then stay open until 9pm. Below are details of attractions to visit and a programme of specific events:

General:

  • Astrora coffee will be offering free cookies and coffee tasters brewed from their freshly roasted beans
  • Dexters will give you a warm welcome with mince pies and wine
  • Escape Clothing will be inviting you in for a glass of wine and something sweet
  • Featherstone Leigh – Create a Christmas Decoration
  • Kitchen Sync – decorate Christmas cakes for children
  • La Casa Del Habana is offering chocolate samples & treasure hunt at 4pm
  • Marks & Spencer have special promotions & Christmas offers
  • Mela Mela – raffle Harrods Bear + sparkling champagne, stollen & marshmallows
  • New Generation beauty salon – free raffle with prizes including gift vouchers, products and chocolates
  • Shambles restaurant – free homemade Amoretti biscuits
  • Teds will be giving 20% off winter stock + wine, mince pies, nibbles and sweets for children
  • Tesco will offer Christmas drinks & nibbles

The Causeway:

Church Road:

Events in general:

Events at Elmfield House:

Events in general continued:

Also whilst you’re visiting the attractions on The Causeway don’t forget to checkout the offers in Bottoms Up which will be closing soon. One particularly savvy bargain-hunter bought £3,000 of wine only a few days ago during an hour-long dash – all wine is currently 50% and spirits 40% off.

The reindeer are already in place for rides and with high demand expected, make sure you get there early. Enjoy the evening!

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Posted in Drinking and Dining, Events, News, Police, Shopping | Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted by: mrbeamish | November 16, 2009

Controversial garage sell-off given go-ahead

NewsThe controversial plan to redevelop borough garages and associated community award-winning gardens into affordable housing has been the official go-ahead.

The demolition of these garages is part of the ‘linked-sites strategy’ which has ties to the much wrangled and protested Twickenham riverside development plans.

Despite delays to the Twickenham scheme, the building of the 13 three-bedroom affordable houses will go ahead separately. Councillor Stephen Knight: “In the case of the riverside, the strategy will allow us to minimise the amount of development near the river, and hence maximise the amount of the site available for new public open space.”

Specifically in Teddington areas to be used for the housing will reside in Railway Road and Shacklegate Lane and Teddington garage blocks. Across the borough residents have collaborated to officially complain about the consultation process and generally the need for the housing vs impact that removing the garages will have.

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