Getting up early in the morning to train canoeists on the Thames definitely its benefits, like this stunning sunrise. Photo: GB canoeing coach and 3 times Olympian sprint canoer Paul Darby-Dowman
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F1 presenter Jake Humphrey celebrates reaching Teddington Lock with a Vettel ‘number one’ finger. The Lock marks the halfway point on a 10k run from his home in Richmond as part of pre-season training that isn’t limited to just the drivers!

Someone clearly likes exploring local scenes early! A still and moody morning on the Thames and early morning reflections at The Architects Gallery. Photos: sardinista

We have so far escaped the harsh winter of last year but some frosty mornings have started to creep up on us and with the plummeting temperatures, this week will see some great winter scenes in the park. Photos: Max Ellis

Based by the Wharf Restaurant the Lifeboat Station has always been run by local volunteers and the station is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 2011 saw an average of one ‘shout’ a week proving an invaluable service on their stretch of the river from Hampton Court to Richmond. The first shout of 2012 was at 3am on Tuesday 3rd January to assist a search for a missing man in the area, who was later found safe and sound.

The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and since it was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

Cathy with some fellow volunteers

The station would like to thank all it’s volunteers over the years and also the local community for all it’s continued support. If you want to help celebrate this milestone and help raise funds for the RNLI, an up-and-coming event at the Landmark Arts Centre will let you do just that!

West End performer and RNLI volunteer crew member Cathy Cogle will be presenting and performing ‘An Evening at The Musicals’ for one night only to raise funds.

Cathy Cogle lives in Teddington and has performed in West End shows such as Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The Woman in White. She recently took part in the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert at the O2 and also appeared at this year’s Royal Variety Performance and the Classical Brit Awards.

Cathy: ‘It can be tough when the pager goes off at 3am but the adrenalin soon kicks in and we are out on the river within a matter of minutes. We get called out for all sorts of emergencies; suicide attempts, searching for missing people, rescuing swimmers and boats in trouble… The RNLI does not get any funding from the UK government and so I thought I would do my bit, combine my two passions and help a very worthy cause.’

‘An Evening at The Musicals’ is a spectacular concert of songs from the world’s greatest musicals performed by some of the finest West End performers. They will perform for one night only on Sunday 12th February 8pm. Tickets £15 /£20. Box office 0208 977 7558 or online at landmarkartscentre.org.

Photo: Grant Russell

Seal’s are quite a rare site at the Lock, but occasionally turn up and mill about to catch fish before heading downstream again back to the sea.

This one was still in the area on Boxing Day – spotted near Kingston Rowing Club (towards Kingston Bridge) and to onlookers seemed a bit weak so the RSPCA were called to assess.

Photo: Philip Downer

Another couple of sightings on Tuesday – by the Anglers beergarden beach and a nice closeup.

[Update 27/12/2011 5pm] The seal has just been caught by a diver so that it can be transported to a nearby otter sanctuary. Onlookers have gathered from talking to the attending police that the seal was actually released after staying in a animal rescue centre in Taunton! The young female seal has had quite a journey and lost it’s bearings swimming down the Thames.

Photo: billyandalex

So far public comments are a mixture of for and against – some whole-heartedly backing this attempt at harnessing some of the untapped hydro power and others that mention the scheme isn’t economically viable and will potentially cause damage to the environment.

The group has also published its first newsletter “The Hydrograph”, designed to update followers on every aspect of the project with the latest news.

As well as corporate sponsorship, Ham Hydro has responded to calls for a method to receive smaller donations to help the scheme – you can now buy a brick to help build the project!

Just as final costs for construction are being confirmed, the overall financial model and project viability is at an important stage so any help with funding will ensure that plans can be turned into reality. Each donated virtual brick costs just £20 and your name will be added to the list of supporters.

Meanwhile upstream in Windsor, another hydro-powered scheme by Royal appointment will be providing approximately half of the energy required to power Windsor Castle.

This £1.7 million project just beats Teddington’s scheme to be the first of its kind in place on a weir managed by the Environment Agency and is expected to start producing power in the new year.

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

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.

Eat your heart out Hampton Court, this year you will be able to skate by the river in Teddington!

An ambitious plan has been hatched by The Anglers to make winter extra special by creating a full-sized ice-skating rink in their garden.

Work will begin as soon as next week to level off the sloping area to provide a flat surface for the ice. From 1st December until the 8th of January the rink will open and will be a sure-fire draw of winter crowds to the area.

Also don’t forget The Anglers popular annual firework will be held this evening (Sunday 6th November 2011) and includes a bonfire, fire eaters, music as well as the fireworks themselves – all in aid of Help for Heroes.

[Update] Unfortunately due to planning objections the ice-rink will no longer be happening.

Fund-raising in January 2012 will enable investors to buy shares in the company and be have a chance to be involved in this pioneering renewable energy scheme.

Once live, the project should be capable of powering 600 homes and electricity will be sold back to the National Grid. According to the British Hydropower Association, Britain has enough potential hydro energy to power 1.4 million homes.

A recent Teddington Society-hosted meeting was attended by over 100 local residents who were interested in the scheme and posed some interesting questions. Working models of the Archimedean screw and presentations from project directors and The Environment Agency all helped inform attendees of the technical issues involved, environmental impacts and funding.

Visitors and those living near the park will already know that rutting season is here again. Deer fighting can be seen spilling onto rugby pitches and at night-time you could be mistaken for thinking there is a dairy farm nearby! Photo: DodderyIceDry.

Royal Parks have again reminded park to users to stay well away from stags during rutting season following three separate attacks in Bushy Park.

A deep golden sun sets over the Thames. Photo: Ryan J Nicholson.

Locals are certainly used to being buzzed to helicopters so this low-flying airship was something unusual to see! The Goodyear Blimp is currently flying around the UK in September and October as part of the 2011 Goodyear Safety Tour. Photo: Conor Mulhern.

A “grave error” on a headstone spotted by eagle-eyed ellimondo.

One of many recent spectacular Autumnal sunsets this time captured over the high street by Oliver South.

A tilt-shift photo of two lunch-time fishermen at Teddington lock taken from Haymarket’s offices by FourFourTwo’s art editor Anth Moore.

Once complete, the project will generate clean electricity using hydro-power generated by the tidal Thames – investing the generated income to promote further low-carbon schemes in the local area.

Recent mock-up of how the scheme might look

The group is holding a public meeting hosted by the Teddington Society at St John’s Ambulance Hall, Park Road on September 30th at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in hearing details or wanting any burning questions answered are welcome to attend.

A short presentation on the project including the background, technical issues, environmental impacts and funding of the scheme will be followed by open questions from the floor.