The meeting was organised by The League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital and local General Practitioners, in response to their concerns about the future of the Hospital.

Since April 2011, TMH has come under the control of Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust (HRCH). The Trust is currently applying to obtain Foundation Trust status, which would include the ownership of the hospital. If such a Trust were formed, it would be comparatively small and could therefore be exposed to a further merger – a potential move that worries GPs that it would cease to be a ‘community hospital’.

Chairman of Teddington Society, Baroness Jenny Hilton chaired the meeting and opened the event commenting, “Teddington Memorial Hospital is a wonderful local resource and I am so pleased to see so much support here tonight for our hospital.”

Local General Practitioners iterated that the hospital should remain locally accountable and responsive to local needs, adding that the GPs strongly support finding an alternative way to secure the future of the hospital – a move overwhelmingly supported by the audience in a vote (350 for, 3 against).

Another meeting will be held at the same venue in January to report the progress of this work any other news back to the community. You can read more about the history of the hospital here.

This annual phenomenon is actually deliberately created by changing the balance of locks at Teddington and Richmond and letting the natural tide drain the Thames to enable essential maintenance of the locks, weirs and sluices and inspection of the river bed along this stretch.

Some of the original weir footings exposed at low tide.

The Port of London Authority issues special navigation advice during November due to the draw-off which lasts from 6th to the 27th of November this year (now extended to last until the 25th December) . Moored boats can be grounded during this time and navigation at low tide is particularly tricky.

The natural tidal shoreline near Ham – a short way downstream of Teddington Lock. Photos: Sunshine Soon

On these rare occasions to see the river bed exposed, it’s also an excellent opportunity to explore and help clean up the river (although note you may need special permission to do this).

The Environment Trust is inviting anyone interested to help collect litter on the Richmond & Twickenham foreshore whilst learning about the wildlife that inhabits the river bed via a guided tour including history of the locks. These various events will be taking place on 12th (Twickenham) and 26th November (Richmond) – see website for more info but all will require wellies!

[Update] A shot of the environment group cleaning the exposed riverbed at Eel Pie Island in Twickenham.

The museum seeks to help the public understand more about learning disabilities through exhibitions, events and educational activities and to also celebrate achievements of people with these disabilities.

To provide this service, a volunteer scheme is being created with Richmond Mencap and an enthusiastic museum volunteer coordinator is being sought for the museum to be involved in the day-to-day running of the centre. More details here or email ian.jones-healey@downs-syndrome.org.uk if you are interested.

If you wish to see the theatre itself as nature intended (during a performance) in addition to the recent “Night at the Opera” there are some events planned in the near future including an evening celebrating the Humour and comedy songs of Teddington-born Noel Coward on the 19th November 2011.

In addition to their annual Christmas Carol concert on the 8th December, on the 3rd the Kingston Chamber Orchestra will also be holding a charity concert of popular classics in aid of the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Mick Fowler, mountaineer and president of the Alpine Club and descendant Bill Whymper unveiled the blue plaque during a special ceremony a hundred years after Edwards death.

Whymper was arguably the best-known climber of the golden age of British mountaineering in the mid 1800′s. He led the first ascent of the Matterhorn although he was always haunted by the death of four of his climbing companions during this ascent. He is described an English Heritage historian as ‘more at home in the inhospitable peaks than in the company of others”

At the time the climb was thought to be impossible but Whymper’s determination, climbing skills and knowledge of the Alps through his sketches all helped him to be the first to reach the summit. Edward lived at 82 Waldegrave Road with his wife Edith who was 45 years his junior and together they had a daughter who also went on to become a mountaineer.

This family home has now been converted into a business that could be of use to those partaking in extreme sports these days. Waldegrave Clinic has chiropractors, physiotherapists and complimentary therapists that can help patients with back pain, muscular and joint pain and rehabilitation and sports injuries. Their highly knowledgeable and skilled practitioners have helped the clinic join only a handful of practices nationally that have been awarded the Patient Partnership Quality Mark.

Some are in Conservation Areas, some are not, but they are all special in some way. The Teddington Society’s planning group is compiling a register of these buildings (BTMs) with the aim of making them better known both to their owners and to the wider public. The Society believes that a more general awareness of these buildings of distinctive character can only increase interest in them and in their value.

If you own or think you may own a BTM (and have not already made contact) and are interested in having your home included in this project, send a brief email or letter to Michael Foss of the Teddington Society, giving your address, name or that of the owner and contact details including email address.

As well as participating in this project you may also be interested in joining the Teddington Society – you can do this for a small annual subscription. If you would like to do so please Michael Foss know and the membership secretary will send you an application form.

The Teddington Society are always keen to hear from fellow residents about ways in which we can further improve the townscape of the locality in which we are so fortunate to live and work, and look forward to hearing from you.

Michael Foss
20 Teddington Park
Teddington
TW11 8DA
Tel: 020 89774809
mhfoss@btinternet.com

Coward’s talent shone brightly from an early age as he became know for his many abilities throughout a busy life that included the roles of playwright, composer, award-winning actor, singer and also for his wit and flamboyance. His dandy attitude towards life matched his reputation as a fashion icon and he has been named by many as the benchmark of British style and substance – perhaps even inventing the very notion of the ‘celebrity’ and leaving him with the honourable nickname ‘The Master’.

After attending dance school, he made his stage debut at an early age and throughout his teenage years honed his talent and love for the stage with the legendary Sir Charles Hawtrey. Through this connection he was also introduced to the high society which provided the backdrop to most of his plays that were to follow.

The drug and sexuality infused content of the first of these, The Vortex lauded him with praise and commercial reward, turning him into an overnight success in Britain and the US. This is amongst several Coward plays that are still shown to this day – Will Young took to the stage recently to play the role of Nicky Lancaster.

Photo: Peter Denton

With the outbreak of World War II he proved that his dedication was not limited to the arts – not content with conquering the world of theatre, turning his hand to operettas and delighting society crowds wherever he went, he also worked with MI5 and also created inspirational films to rally the troops and folks back home.

After working in the British propaganda office in Paris and spying in various countries in Europe, he was tasked to use his celebrity to influence the American public and political opinion in favour of helping Britain’s war efforts – a job which he was proud to do but brought him frustration because he couldn’t reveal the true nature of his task to the public. He was a whisker away from receiving a knighthood for his efforts but Winston Churchill personally blocked this – with Coward’s ‘flamboyant lifestyle’ in mind.

Today he is immortalised in an attractive bust which greets guests as they enter Teddington Library, Waldegrave Road – the road in which he was also born and with a blue plaque visible at number 131.

One of his famous quotes: “Never mind, dear, we’re all made the same, though some more than others.”

The event, organised by the Hampton Wick Association’s local history group, also features a line-up of short illustrated talks covering subjects such as the pubs of Hampton Wick, the Bronze Age barrow in Sandy Lane, the architect Edward Lapidge, Kingston Bridge and an almost unique record from the WWI recruiting board.

Many of the photographs come from private collections and have never been displayed in public before.

The exhibition runs from 3.30pm to 8pm on the 13th November 2010, with talks starting at 4.45pm. Entrance is £1, or 50p for concessions or HWA members.

Hampton Wick High Street circa 1895 (trenches in road indicate sewers being installed) – click for larger version

Colin Pain, honorary president of the HWA local history group, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest shown in our local history. Hampton Wick is a very clearly defined community with a history going back to Roman times at least. For centuries this was the first crossing over the Thames after London Bridge and so the area has had immense strategic and commercial significance.”

Organiser Ray Elmitt added: “This is also a chance for many people to see the interior of the newly re-opened St John’s Church in Church Grove. It is a beautiful building and worth a visit in its own right!”

There is a second opportunity to see the exhibition on Sunday 14th November when St John’s Church will be open and serving coffee following the Remembrance Day service at the Memorial Gardens.

Winterbourne’s stores circa 1905 – now the site of Deep Blue Fish & Chip Restaurant

For more details: www.hwhistory.org.uk

The Grade II Listed hospital buildings, built from 1866 to care for mentally handicapped children have been in a state of disrepair for many years now and have suffered from vandalism and general theft and damage from people living on site.

The roof in particular has suffered from the removal of lead and roof tiles – enabling severe water damage, damp and rot in many areas. Other items removed include fireplaces, switches and mouldings.

Click on images to see more photos

The buildings are also on the English Heritage’s “At Risk” register (as Strawberry Hill House was previously) which has led to a request for an “Urgent Works Notice” and grant application to save the site.

By the early 1990′s, the hospital became part of the Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton Healthcare NHS Trust but it closed in 2000 and the site was sold to developers with hopes of turning the existing buildings into further residences for guests with learning disabilities, hotel, restaurant and bar – all in addition to the new flats created on the site that now form Langdon Park.

However a hotel operator to take the project on wasn’t found and revised plans in 2007 that factor in recent damage now only include residential use.

[Update] As mentioned in comments below, English Heritage (current owners) have agreed a deal with developers to convert the building into flats – work has already started on this huge project starting with securing the building to prevent further damage.

This Grade I listed building was built between 1747 and 1792 by writer Horace Walpole (son of prime minister Robert Walpole) and revived the trend for Gothic style buildings – some examples of which can be found dotted around Strawberry Hill itself.

Described as one of Britains finest examples of Georgain Revival architecture and a direct influence on buildings such as the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, the house fell into disrepair and was put on the English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ register in 1991, appeared on the BBC series ‘Restoration’ and also on the World Monuments Fund list of endangered sites (which helped the campaign for its restoration).

The Strawberry Hill Trust have been a driving force behind the work and gaining funds from patrons and organisations such as the £4.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

An education centre for schools is on site as is a small museum, cafe and gift shop. The next phase of the restoration, concentrating on the gardens and other furniture, paintings and other items will begin next year.

Photos: Dean Nicholas / Londonist

Some more pictures of the exquisite features along with some of the restoration work being carried out can be found in this Guardian photo gallery.

To avoid disappointment, visitors should book before they visit (tours are already booked up a long time in advance). The house can be found on Waldegrave Road – named after Walpole’s grandniece & the Waldegrave family.

One of the research projects it is undertaking this year to coincide with he Dunkirk evacuation anniversary (with the Little Ships currently preparing to embark on their re-enactment journey to Dunkirk) is the “Thames At War”. One aspect of the war being researched will be the effects of bombing raids (including V1 and V2 rockets) directly on the River Thames and Teddington Lock area.

Researchers are asking for anyone to come forward who might have any information about the following areas – when were the raids, what damage was done, is any damage still visible and anecdotally what was the reaction and impact on the local population.

Although unlike raids directed at NPL there is no direct evidence that the lock was specifically targeted but flood defences downstream would have been hugely affected if the lock was damaged or destroyed. Reports of attempts on this target may have been suppressed by the government at the time for this very reason.

If anyone has any memories, newspaper cuttings, photos etc then please get in touch with Stewart at stewart.dickson@hotmail.co.uk.

Any information gathered will be archived for future generations and accessed by the public via this group and any personal testimony will only be published with full agreement of the contributor.

While we are on the subject of old memories, if anyone has scans of old photos, postcards etc of Teddington and its notable sights that you wish others to enjoy, please send them to contact@teddingtontown.co.uk and they may feature in future articles.