As part of the hospice’s volunteers campaign, the Business Secretary aimed to show visitors to the shop that even in these hard times of austerity, giving your time can be just as rewarding and invaluable for local charities.

Vince, Patron of Shooting Star CHASE said of his day at the shop: “It is a very successful, well organised and well laid out shop. I have helped on the till, steamed donated clothes and helped with some cleaning. The staff have made me feel so welcome, they have a great spirit… I would encourage anyone to come and volunteer for Shooting Star CHASE. Volunteers are vital and make a big difference to the charity.”

Val Hall, Shooting Star CHASE Senior Retail Co-ordinator added: “It was fantastic to have the Business Secretary volunteer with us. He really proves that donating your time is vital to charities. Shooting Star CHASE’s volunteers are so important in keeping our shops going, and although we have many dedicated volunteers, we still need more.

“We hope that Dr Cable’s example will spur local residents to follow suit and donate their time to make a real difference to over 500 local families that rely on our support.”

For those able to help out, Shooting Star CHASE are currently looking for new volunteers for their shops in Teddington, Twickenham, Hampton Hill, Shepperton, Whitton and Ashford. For more information on volunteering, click here.

“Blue Matrix” by Sunshine Soon – a shot of Park House after the recent blue paint-job.

The happiness-sapping weather finally broke on Wednesday and early risers were treated to a glorious orange and pink sunrise. Photo: Chris Meara.

A tree at the Hampton Wick gate to Bushy Park bows under the ever-growing weight of discarded trainers. Photo: Adrian Nabarro.

A member of forum talkphotography.co.uk got up extra early to bag this bright and colourful sunrise over a pond in Bushy Park. Photo: Martin Patten.

A curious deer stood still for long enough to grab a shot of its reflection in a stream in the park.

Another stunning set of colours from a sunrise over Bushy Park, this time at Diana Fountain. Photo: dodderyicedry.

Last Saturday Sally Willis was the 1,000 runner across the line at Bushy parkrun – a combination of mild weather, increasing popularity and the kicking off of many New Year’s resolutions saw the largest numbers at Bushy parkrun by a long margin. Exactly 1,000 runners joined the run and Sally was fittingly handed her finishing token by Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the parkrun founder. By chance there were only actually 1,000 finishing tokens available! Photo: Peter G Smith.

Our shops have really done us proud this year with their Christmas window displays and helped keep locals shopping locally.

Many businesses will be closed from just after midday on Saturday (Christmas Eve) and not re-open until the New Year so check at your favourite shops to see when they open again!

A huge double-rainbow stopped people in their tracks on Sunday – particularly striking against the dark winter sky.

A hack in Bushy Park with the winter sun keeping the riders just warm enough.

Photo: Nic Wiseman

The Littlest Star children’s book – on sale in local shops after a remarkable 23 days from concept to reality to be on sale in time for Christmas, raising money for Shooting Star Chase.

Winter berries in Bushy Park set against a blue sky.

Photo: Peter Denton

The Tearfund Christmas Carol Service filled the Landmark Arts Centre with heavenly voices last week.

Photo: Andy Wilson

The Teddington Society has pressured SWT to update, re-paint & glaze or just replace the ageing bridge for some time now. Vince Cable has added to this pressure and has reported that work will start early next year starting with scaffolding being put up in mid February.

The footbridge has been a sore point for many years with peeling paint, missing windows and any that remain not being cleaned.

Cable: “I am told that … the work will involve full decoration and refurbishment of the footbridge both internally and externally together with replacement of the windows with ones which are easier to maintain.”

Photo: jakepjohnson

The footbridge is a particular embarrassment because it is often the first impression that visitors experience when they visit the town. Although this clearly hasn’t scared too many people away judging by the flattering “Metro Moves” article in last weeks Metro.

Teddington is described in this as “an area offering a perfect balance between town and country” along with valuable assets such as Bushy Park, good commuting, excellent schools and then a breakdown of property prices to expect. Alongside the article is an advert for Hamptons International which is to move in to the office currently occupied by Fielding Gould.

Plans for the demolition of the previous Queen Dowager pub (North Lane) and building of 5 x 4 bedroom houses have now been submitted to Richmond Council.

In addition to the loss of the Waldegrave Arms (also to be turned into residential use) this will be one less pub in the area, but one that consistently struggled to keep up with other high street competition with several different landlords and temporary management companies all trying in vain.

Recent marketing of the pub has not successfully found either a lease or freehold manager so Youngs have decided to instead apply to turn the site into residential housing. Work has already begun on the site including removing a several large trees in the beer garden.

[Update 24/12/2011] Thanks to those who have emailed this info. Q Developments have published some images from proposed plans for the residential development of the Kingston Road ex-Shell garage site. Plans include 3 x 4 bedroom family townhouses, 4 x 4 bedroom contemporary family houses and one 2 bedroom flat. Plans will be submitted to Richmond Council soon and be available online for comment.

Recent issues have included a mixture of broken down trains, signal failures, problems caused by bad weather and over-running engineering works. On Sunday 4th an incident led to debris on the line near Queenstown Road Battersea stopping all trains between Waterloo and Clapham Junction. On Monday the 5th there were signalling problems at Clapham.

On 6th December signal-related problems at Wimbledon and Vauxhall delayed many trains. Last week also sadly saw massive disruption caused by a death at New Malden station – halting all trains running into London this direction whilst power was shut off to investigate the scene (treated as non-suspicious).

SWT staff try to advise on alternative transport

Today’s particular severe disruption was caused by caused by the theft of over 50m of copper cable overnight near Twickenham station. Network Rail engineers were soon on site to replace the stolen cables to restore signalling equipment and slowly but surely the train service returned to normal throughout the day.

A £1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information on this cable theft. British Transport Police are investigating the matter and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen any suspicious activity. They also wish to remind any would-be thieves that live cables carry up to 25,000 volts.

Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The ever-increasing crime of metal-theft costs the UK economy an estimated £770m each year. A consortium of transport companies as well as stepping up patrols via the police, are working together to push the government into new laws to battle metal-theft by tackling the black market for this trade.

Potential changes will include introducing stricter licensing laws for scrap metal dealers, increased powers for the police to close down unscrupulous dealers and tougher sentences for cable thieves in the courts.

[Update 13/12/2011] Several issues affected train journeys today – starting early with severe delays and cancellations caused by signal failure at Waterloo (closing half the platforms). After trains finally returned to normal a broken down train at Wimbledon delayed trains during the evening rush hour and finally in a separate incident delays of half an hour due to signal problems at New Malden.

It was also mentioned via SWT’s Twitter account that monthly and yearly season tickets will have refunds automatically applied when they are next renewed. Details about this new feature will be on their website in the next few days.

The location of a pot of gold in Teddington is highlighted by a bright rainbow last week. Photo: OnlyWayIsGinger.

A spooky Bushy Park scene during the recent heavy fog. Photo: Grant Russell.

More misty scenes this time from Justin Hannaford who captured a runner cutting through the grey.

Teddington footbridge and a bit of history along with it including the history of Ferry Road, named after the ferry that used to operate here before the bridge was built. Photo: Eddie Chui (c).

A stunning sunset and deer shot taken by Media Wisdom Photography

Another great turn-out for the Santa Fun Run in Bushy Park in aide of Princess Alice Hospice. Photo: LiteMeterPix. More pics here.

A long exposure creates a ghost train at Teddington Station. Photo: Baptiste Blanchon.

Last year saw road problems with a bus and a car break down by the main roundabout, this year didn’t start well either after traffic was diverted after a bad accident that closed Kingston Road and required the driver to be cut from their car.

The festivities in Teddington were however mostly unaffected and the unseasonably warm weather helped pack out the streets and Elmfield Gardens for the switch on.

Eastenders star Kellie Shirley took to the mic and after some words was joined by Mayor Clare Head in leading the countdown. The lights came on along the whole length of the high street some time after due to a technical hitch (all despite last-minute fixes due to earlier vandalism).

The Mayor and Kellie with the chosen children’s Lights-Up poster designs

An amusing Santa entertained the crowds in the RNLI lifeboat outside of the Kings Head whilst at the other end of the high street Santa’s grotto at Play Inside Out there were huge queues waiting to give present ideas as early as 4pm!

On Church Road Diner’s Delight soon sold out of their supply of Mezes and soup and the spit roast pig at Nearest Cafe was all gone in 90 minutes! Thankfully it wasn’t so cold that the nearby indoor Christmas Fayre was needed to warm up, but it was none-the-less crammed with shoppers checking out the 30 stalls inside.

Music sounded from many venues – the school band outside of Boots, live music at Vidatherapy and Boho Boutique

Lights sparkle after the switch-on. Photo: Brian Holder, Teddington Society

As well as celebrating the lights switch on it was also an evening of celebration for Teds (21 years) and Bottega (1st anniversary).

Comments via Twitter after the event summed up the whole vibe of the evening:

Kindle Stoves: Thank you so much Teddington for your wonderful community spirit and making #Teddington Lights Up such a success! Have a good weekend!

Astrora Coffee: Hope everyone had a lovely evening in #Teddington yesterday. Thank you all who came to say hi. Seems we’ve found some new coffee converts

Milestone Commercial: Huge turn out in Teddington, well done to all involved. Please support your local shops and businesses this Xmas. Use them or lose them!

Miss_Manful: Walked through teddington today as the christmas lights were being put on and the sense of community there is just amazing

Sandi Wood: had such a lovely time at Teddington light’s up. Amazing sense of community, so glad we moved here.

MrTomBaker: Love how #Teddington makes a big deal about turning on it’s Christmas Lights. Makes me feel festive every year.

See also some video highlights from BestOfRichmond.

An unusual view of parkrun – a camera setup to capture runners attempting to jump puddles 1km from the finish line. Photo: jedleicester

Autumn oak leaves in Bushy Park. Photo: eurokeith

The Annual 5km Teddington Head rowing regatta recently hosted by Walbrook Rowing Club. Photo: Henry Elkington

More rowing on the Thames as fans of Made In Chelsea were pleasantly surprised as Proudlock and Alice had a date on the river at Teddington Skiff Club – the oldest such club in existence (founded in 1895).

The pizza dough displays outside Canta Napoli restaurant have been turning heads but this grand creation has stopped passers-by in their tracks! The restaurant’s pizza chef challenged his ability making this traditional presepe (nativity scene).

Perfect timing caught these birds on camera flying in formation close to the Thames just after dawn. Photo: maxellis.

A blast from the past – a fire hydrant cover still bearing the name Teddington Urban District Council, established in 1894 and absorbed into the Borough of Twickenham in 1937 – making this iron at least 74 years old. Photo: Peter Denton

The filming will be carried out by Hartswood Films which is based at Twickenham Studios and have worked on such titles as Sherlock, Men Behaving Badly and Coupling.

The new comedy pilot is currently titled “Me and Mrs Jones” and follows the chaotic life of a single mother and her relationships with her ex-husband and potential love interests.

On Monday filming will take place (8am-12) in The Teddington Arms with interior shots of the some of the characters will be taken going for a drink.

Wednesday morning will see the film crews at BoHo Boutique for some shots inside the shop of characters buying a dress. At both locations film crew technical vehicles will be nearby in suspended car-parking bays (pre-arranged with Richmond Council).

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.