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

An un-assuming semi-detached house has produced a steady stream of world-class athletes in recent years and made locals used to the sight of the “Teddington Kenyans”. PACE Sports Management under the leadership of Ricky Simms owns “the running house” where hopefuls eat and train together in nearby Bushy and Richmond Parks as well as the track at St Mary’s University.

Olympic, Commonwealth and World Champions have all been through the training process at this “enclave of excellence” where Mo first noticed how obsessed the Kenyans were with their training regime. At certain times of the year, PACE-managed Usain Bolt also can be seen training in the area, staying at a B&B and feeding his love for Chinese food at a local takeaway.

Although travelling the world for training and competitions, Mo regularly returns home to his home nearby and his beloved training ground. This weekend he was back running in Bushy Park again, this particular time with Stars Gym.

Teddington is seen by many as a ‘base of Excellence’ for training due to nearby Bushy Park, equipment specialists Sweatshop, personal trainers such as gym-free In-Kilter Fitness and sports injury specialists such as Physio & Therapy.

Even if you’re not aiming to be a professional athlete there is plenty of encouragement and advice available nearby and you can also join in the free Bushy parkrun every Saturday at 9am.

“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.

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

Campaigners want contraceptives to be used to control deer numbers instead of shooting by marksmen. Following a short break, the cull will continue from this week during some evenings.

Organiser Lesley Dove: “Many locals living close to the parks have heard the crying of dying and distressed deer during the culls and this is clearly not humane, whatever the parks authorities claim.”

In response to campaigns such as this, The Deer Society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales (as well as Friends of Richmond Park) have all voiced their support for the cull and stated that they “fully endorse the humane shooting of deer as teh optimum method of deer control in royal parks”.

Royal Parks has always maintained that the reason for the cull is to keep a consistent herd number for feeding and so that the ecological balance of the park is not disturbed by the deer. Deer numbers even in huge national parks need to be controlled due to various reasons including wildlife habitats being damaged and rare plants being eaten – areas like Bushy Park might seem to be large but really it’s a small enclosed area compared to their natural environment.

Another reason is to minimise the impact of disease which could threaten this ancient herd. Diseases are caught much more easily in the older deer and can spread with devastating effects. Controlling birthrates won’t help with this issue and any relocation will just move this problem elsewhere.

[Update] photo of the protest taken outside of the Bentalls Centre. (photo: Scott Overall)

An incredible capture of early morning colourful mist combined with sunlight bursting through the branches of a tree. Particularly incredible when you consider it was captured on a camera phone! Photo: Stephen Darlington

Red sunset reflections on the pond surrounding Diana Fountain are cut through by a passing swan. Photo Martin Griflett (c).

There has been somewhat of a media storm over the Bushy Park deer lately and this has attracted photographers expecting trouble during rutting season. Let’s not forget how privileged we are to walk among these majestic animals. Photo: (c) Paul Warrington

Some blamed the unseasonably hot weather In late September for attracting more visitors to the park than normal during rutting season. This deer was spotted taking a cooling swim. Photo: (c) Matt Cattell

It’s easy to overlook the other inhabitants of Bushy but they can make a nice capture too! Photo: Carl Griffith

Stars have been spotted outside the park too! Behind the scenes at a recent photo shoot of X-Factor stars at Teddington Studios. Photo (c) Beacon Radio

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.

On Sunday 25th September, Hampton Wick-based charity, Jeevika Trust is inviting the local community and friends of the trust to its annual sponsored riverside ‘Walk for Water’.

India is home to 50% of the 2 million children across the world that die from diarrhoea every year – many of these will die because they do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. Every day many Indian women walk up to 6 miles to collect water for the family – by joining Jeevika Trust’s Walk for Water you will be sharing their experience for just one day.

Participants from a previous ‘Walk for Water’ outside Hampton Court Palace

The walk will be taking place between 2pm-5pm on Sunday 25th September in Bushy Park and Hampton Court Park. The route is roughly 6 miles long and the Trust is asking walkers to get their friends, family, work colleagues, teachers, neighbours to sponsor them for as much as possible.

Andrew Redpath, Executive Director of Jeevika Trust: “Over the last 4 years our ‘Walk for Water’ has raised over £15,000 to support our water projects and make a difference to many thousands of lives in rural India. That money has helped us to secure year-round household water for over 5,000 people eliminating huge amounts of wasted time and energy by hundreds of women; build rainwater-harvesting systems in two schools to provide drinking water and better sanitation facilities encouraging more pupils, especially girls, to go to school; and create a fish hatchery to provide sustainable livelihoods for many, many villagers. This year we are challenging our supporters to raise even more. So do please come along!“

People who would like to take part can get more information and register their place by visiting their website or by emailing rosemary@jeevika.org.uk or calling 020 8973 3773 (Monday – Wednesday).

[Update] Walkers managed to raise over £2000 for Indian water projects.

140 world-class international cyclists will be speeding along the 140km long route that will be used during next year’s London Olympics. The Olympic organising committee has been working with Richmond Borough Council, TFL, the emergency services and Royal Parks to ensure the minimum of impact will be experienced by residents whilst racing fans can enjoy watching the event itself.

Tour de France in Kent

Since the initial letter was distributed, considerable discussions have taken place with Richmond Council to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. Roads will close on the Sunday from 4-6am and start to re-open at 11:30am – this is expected to impact on traffic over a wide area. Approximately 1,000 roads will be closed and 80km of barriers put up along the route.

Hampton Court bridge and Kingston Bridge will remain closed until approximately 3pm due to the race following this route on the return journey. Bushy and Richmond Park will closed to traffic as usual on Saturday night and not re-open until Monday morning. Pedestrians and race-watchers will be welcome along the route and in the parks – estimated to be passing through Teddington at 9:30am and returning to Hampton Court by 11am.

TFL Maps & lists of restricted roads & cycle route.

During the road closures there will be marshalled limited crossing points for pedestrians and traffic. Journeys usually made by bus or car should be made by alternative methods where possible on the day. Some bus routes will have diversions in place whilst others may not run at all. In addition to road closures, cars won’t be able to park on the race route roads themselves after 6:30pm on Saturday night (13th August).

If you wish to find out more information about this event, a drop-in session is being held at Teddington Train station on Tuesday 26th July 2011 (4:30-7:30pm).

Despite the show finishing today, traffic heading to and from the direction of Hampton Court will continue to have difficulties – this time due to road works.

The Teddington gate to Bushy Park will be closed to road traffic from Monday 11th July for approximately 5 days for much-needed resurfacing work to the park entrance. During this time only through-traffic will be affected and park-users can still access the car parks and sports clubs but via the opposite entrance (Hampton Court side).

Also during the following week, the Hampton Court Gate will also be closed for approximately 5 days for similar repairs. Pedestrian gates should remain open during these times.

Local groups are expressing concern about the August 14th ‘test run’ for the Olympic Cycle Road Race – letters sent to residents who live within 400m of the route mention that race-route roads will be closed for 8 hours as well as disruption for parking and access to nearby roads. Emergency access is being queried as well as the length of the road closures which will effectively cut Teddington in half on the Sunday in question.

More updates are to follow but the Olympic Organising Committee have now said that the 8 hours the letter refers to is a maximum time. For the actual race next year, the iron park gates may also be temporarily removed to allow avoid a bottleneck for competitors.

[Update] Royal Parks today emailed groups linked to Bushy Park with more clarification – Chestnut Avenue will be closed from the evening of Saturday 13th August all day Sunday and then re-open on Monday 15th August 2011. The race itself will pass through Bushy Park at approximately 9:30am on Sunday. More info will be available nearer the time on this event website.