TEDDINGTON RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR AMAZING LIFE STORIES
A group of Teddington and Hampton Wick’s longest living residents have been sharing their fascinating personal life stories – dating back almost 100 years – for a new book.
‘Life Stories’ will be available free in local libraries, shops and other outlets, and there will be a six week exhibition in Hampton Wick Library from September 26th, before it moves to Teddington Library.
The 50-page book contains vivid accounts of life in Teddington and Hampton Wick from the 1930s, through the war years and into the 1960s and 70s, by the people
who lived through it all.
Eleanor remembers seeing General Eisenhower at the US Army Camp in Bushy Park in 1944.
Paddy became a pioneering female scientist who tracked enemy submarines during the Cold War from a Government base in Bushy Park.
Betty, who was born and has lived in the same Teddington house since 1926, describes how life has changed over those years.
And Alan – “Mr Teddington” – who was the Teddington railway station manager for thirty years, tells of being awarded an MBE for services to his passengers.
The book was launched at a special event tonight (thursday) at Bullen Hall, Hampton Wick, hosted by the Hampton Wick Association which collaborated with the publication.
Several of the book’s contributors were present to speak about their stories.
“It’s wonderful to have our life stories told like this,” said Eleanor, ”People sometimes forget the long lives we have lived and the things we have experienced. We are a living history and it’s lovely to share it.”
‘Life Stories’ Editor, Phil Wardman, said: “These stories are a fascinating insight into life in our community over the years, through the eyes of those people who’ve lived here so long. They are invaluable documents of social history”.
Eleanor says: “I remember when the Americans set up base in Bushy Park in the early 1940s, they had everything there. They invited us for Christmas lunch one year, all the local people and kids from the local schools.
“We hadn’t had much food of course during he war, but there was no rationing in that camp it was wonderful to have turkey and all the things we could only dream about. Things we just couldn’t get over here at that time. And Wrigleys chewing gum – we’d never seen that before”.
Shirley recalls: “I started work at the Hawker Aircraft Factory in Ham in 1955. They were developing a new aircraft called the Harrier Jump Jet. My job was to test the strength of the metal being used for the wings. You knew you were working on something really important.”
Veronica says: “The original Teddington swimming pool was an open air lido from the 1930s to 1970s. It was so popular and busy with a cafe above it. And mums and kids would play on the grass next to it. It was such a lovely, friendly atmosphere”.
Alan says: “Working for thirty years as Teddington station manager, I became a bit of a local celebrity. I even got called “Mr Teddington” by many of the commuters. I was strongly pro-customer and there was a campaign to make me an MBE for services to passengers which I received from the then Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2010. I was so nervous.”
The book is published by Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of helping elderly and housebound people in the local community.
The stories are also available on the group’s website: www.tedcare.org.uk
It is hoped that further volumes of ’Life Stories’ will be published in the future.
Anyone wishing to be included or just wanting to know more can email: lifestories2026@outlook.com