in this issue€¦ · summer 2015 the magazine of the thames ditton and weston green residents’...

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Summer 2015

The Magazine of the Thames Ditton and Weston GreenResidents’ Association

Published quarterly since Spring 1970

Editorial Team

Libby MacIntyre & Sandra [email protected]

Magazine Design

Guy Holman24 Angel Road,Thames Ditton020 8398 1770

Distribution Manager

David Youd6 Riversdale Road,Thames Ditton KT7 0QL020 8398 3216

Advertisement Manager

Verity Park20 Portsmouth Avenue,Thames Ditton KT7 0RT020 8398 5926

Contributors

You are welcome to submitarticles or images. Please contactthe Editorial Team well in advanceof the next deadline 8th August.

Advertisers

Thames Ditton Today is deliveredto an influential 4000 householdsthroughout Thames Ditton andWeston Green. Contact VerityPark for rates for full page, halfand quarter page advertising.

In this Issue:News from the Residents’ Association …………………… 7

Protecting our greens from incursion …………………… 11

Xbox versus the summer ………………………………… 13

Foley Amateur Boxing Club ……………………………… 15

Thames Ditton Almshouses – can you help ……………… 19

Lisa Tolley – Local artist ………………………………… 21

Secret Gardens of Weston Green ………………………… 24

Celebrating 100 years of the Women’s Institute ………… 26

Fund raising in Thames Ditton …………………………… 27

Hanging gardens of Queens Road ………………………… 30

Litter, litter everywhere…………………………………… 32

Imber Court and the nouveaux riches – Edward Knipe … 33

Summer Crossword ……………………………………… 41

Solution to Spring Crossword …………………………… 43

Services, Groups, Clubs and Societies …………………… 44

Chairman’s address to the AGM ………………………… .46

Cover illustration: Extract from limited edition print‘Thames Ditton’ by Lisa Tolley

www.residents-association.com

Officers and staff of the Association are volunteers, but we must fund costs of this magazine,administrative and election expenses, and other expenses such as spring bulb-planting and thevillage Christmas tree. The subscription is only £3 per household. If you can contribute more,please do so. Subscriptions can be paid via our website www.residents-association.com.Subscriptions (in an envelope please) may be left at Boots Pharmacy, 14 High Street, or ThorkillRoad Pharmacy, 94 Thorkill Road, Thames Ditton. Or mail to Membership SecretaryPeter Haynes at 6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton KT7 0JJ. Thank you.

102471 N_Thames Ditton SPRING 2005 27/05/2015 13:51

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The next Residents’ Association Open Meetings areTuesday 23 June – 8pm, All Saints’ Church Hall, Weston Green andTuesday 29 September at 8pm, Vera Fletcher Hall, Thames Ditton

all who live or work in Thames Ditton and Weston Green are welcome

Thames Ditton & Weston GreenResidents’ AssociationAbout the Association

Founded in 1934 our Association is astrong, locally based non-party-politicalorganization concerned with protectingthe amenities and furthering the interestsof the inhabitants of Thames Ditton andWeston Green. We work to preserve andenhance the best in our attractiveenvironment and the quality of life ofeveryone in our community.

Through regular meetings, socialactivities, our magazine and website wekeep in touch with residents’ views andwe raise and spend funds for the benefitof the community, from tree and bulbplanting to contesting unacceptabledevelopment projects.

With five Residents’ Councillors wehave a strong voice on Elmbridge Councilworking with other residents’ councillorsto ensure that decisions are based on theneeds of local communities and on goodmanagement rather than on party politics.

Our Residents’ County CouncillorPeter Hickman represents our views atSurrey County Council.

President: Maureen Sheldrick,34 The Woodlands, EsherSurrey County Councillor:Peter Hickman, Little Lodge,Watts Road, Thames Ditton 020 8339 0931

Thames Ditton CouncillorsTricia Bland,29 Station Road, Thames Ditton 020 8339 0485Ruth Lyon,11 Riversdale Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3396Karen Randolph, Deepfield, Giggs Hill Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 5005

Weston Green CouncillorsRuth Bruce,15 Imber Grove, Esher 020 8398 8324Tannia Shipley, Clinton House,27 Lower Green Road, Esher 020 8398 2484

OfficersChairman: Rhodri Richards,Ditton Cottage, Giggs Hill Road,Thames Ditton 020 8224 5181Vice-Chairman: Martin Wilberforce,7 River Avenue, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4732Hon. Treasurer: Christa Silverthorne,62 Thorkhill Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 7101Hon. Secretary: Florian Traub,85 Longmead Road, Thames Ditton 020 8224 2880Membership Secretary: Peter Haynes,6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton 020 8398 6019

Conveners of Sub-CommitteesHealth and Community:Karen Randolph (see above)Planning: Graham Cooke, 23 Ashley Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 8509Highways, Drainage: Andrew Roberts,1 Boyle Farm Road, Thames Ditton 020 8786 6882

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News from the Residents’ Association

To end-May

Borough Council electionsThe hard work and time that our

Residents’ Association Borough Councillorsput in on our behalf were clearly recognisedand appreciated when Tannia Shipley andKaren Randolph were emphatically re-elected in Weston Green and ThamesDitton, with 66% and 56% of the voterespectively. Weston Green ward had thehighest turnout with 77.5% of theelectorate voting. Thames Ditton wardwas hot on its heels with 74.3%.

Deputy Mayor of ElmbridgeFollowing her re-election Tannia

Shipley was elected Deputy Mayor ofElmbridge at the Annual Council Meeting.

Proposed changes to wardboundaries

We reported in the Spring edition thatthe Elmbridge Conservative admin -istration has decided to reduce the numberof Borough Councillors from 60 to 48.RA Councillors have sought to ensure anyredrawing of boundaries does not breakup long-standing communities. Proposalsare now with the Boundary Commissionfor review and their deliberations will beopen to consultation later in the year. Wewill keep you informed

Ember River Bridge ProjectThames Ditton resident Howard Baker is

leading the charge on a project to build a newpedestrian bridge over the Ember River.

The proposed bridge will provide anuninterrupted riverside walk from ThamesDitton to Hampton Court Bridge byjoining Albany Reach and CigaretteIsland Park. Current thinking is that thebridge will be an elegant arched bridge setback some 30 metres from the confluenceof the Thames and the Ember Rivers.

Howard’s team includes ThamesDitton resident Andrew Roberts and Andyvon Bradsky, Chairman, PRP Architects,national architects with an office at FerryWorks Thames Ditton.

The current plan is to file a full planningapplication in the summer at which timelocal residents and statutory consultees willhave the opportunity to make represent -ations. The estate of long-time ThamesDitton resident Barry Johnson has verykindly contributed £1,000 to help fund theplanning application, which will need inputfrom engineers, ecologists and architects.

‘The bridge will need to be functional and veryelegant, respecting the setting opposite

Hampton Court Palace’ says Howard Baker


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One other member Howardwould like to add to the projectteam is a Civil Engineer, ideallywith an interest in bridges. If thissounds like you, please contactHoward via the RA website wherea forum has been started(www.residents-association.com).

There are a number of issues toresolve before the bridge iscommissioned, not the least beinghow the bridge is funded and whopays for on-going maintenancecosts.

Historic home demolishedDespite a spirited campaign to save the

home of Sir Sydney Camm, ‘the man whosaved Britain’, the house he lived in -Carradale, in Ember Court Road, ThamesDitton - was demolished by developersShanley Homes, starting (somewhatironically) on VE day.

Sir Sydney designed the Hurricanefighter plane, which in 1940 shot down 60per cent of enemy aircraft in WWIIleading the News Chronicle to of 1941 todescribe him as ‘the man who savedBritain’. He went on to design many otherfighter aircraft, including early versions ofthe Harrier Jump Jet.

Residents’ Assocition Councillors RuthLyon and Karen Randolph gatheredconsiderable national support in anattempt to save the house, includingletters to the Times signed bydistinguished former presidents of theRoyal Aeronautical Society, to local pressand to the Evening Standard. It was alsofeatured in articles in the Standard, DailyMail and Surrey Comet as well as onBBC television.

Alas, the developers were not open toan alternative development which wouldhave kept intact the historic house forfuture generations. The Residents’Associ ation will be asking Shanly Homesto provide tangible recognition and tocelebrate the fact that Sir Sydney Cammlived and worked in the village for morethan 30 years; including working with usto erect a Blue Plaque when thedevelopment is finished.

Short-term parking baysThe implementation of short-term

parking bays to facilitate trade to shops inthe High Street is due to start shortly. Nofirm date is available at present.

PlanningPlanning permission was sought to

demolish two houses and erect four at87/89 Grove Way (2014/1132). This wasrefused by EBC and the applicant went toappeal which was dismissed.

There is currently a planning applicationfor the site of Esher Tyre and Exhaust(2015/1257). The proposal is to build four,two storey houses with rooms in the roof


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space and dormer windows. Surrey CountyCouncil Highways have recommendedrefusal on pedestrian safety issues.

The planning application for The EwePublic House by the Co-Op was grantedwith a plethora of conditions. Con -firmation of Compliance with thoseconditions is now being submitted anddetermined by the council. A variation ofCondition 2 (Approved Plans) has beenreceived (PA 2015/0291) for the additionof external air conditioning units andrefrigeration plant.

A substantial and highly prominentsteel structure, incorporating safety railsand ladders, has been erected above thedistinctive ‘saw tooth’ roof of FerryWorks in Summer Road, apparently forsafety reasons but without planningpermission. Retrospective planningpermission has now been applied for(2015/0728). Ferry works is in aConservation Area and the structures arehighly visible and incongruous in thissetting. The RA hopes that a moreappropriate and less prominent solution tothe identified safety issues is available.

A planning application (2015/1507)has been submitted for change of use ofthe George and Dragon car park oneSaturday per month between 8.00 amand13.00 pm for use as farmers market.

Home of Compassion roadworksAt the time of writing, Caring Homes

had announced that there will beroadworks in the vicinity of the High Streetnear the Home Of Compassion in order tofacilitate the installation/updating ofvarious utilities. Anticipated dates for thegas supply are: 17, 18 and 19 June and 22,23 and 24 June. For the duration of these

dates there will be temporary traffic lightserected as part of the traffic management iea partial road closure, allowing single lanetraffic flow. In addition, dates are yet to beset for other utilities: water, electricity andtelephone. Water is projected to be laidbetween September-Christmas. Theresponsibility of notification to all thoseimmediately affected is that of the utilitycompanies and should take place about twoweeks before. In terms of the restorationand building works for the Home ofCompassion, this is still on schedule forcompletion mid-February, 2016.Milbourne Pond

We are waiting for our environmentalconsultant to provide acceptable waterabstraction rates. We expect this in thenext couple of weeks, following which wewill ask Elmbridge Borough Council fortheir agreement to lay a pipe to the pondand start abstracting small quantities oftop-up water. This is very much anexperiment to see if keeping the claysurface wet will enable us to maintain ashallow pond until such time as we havefunds to re-profile and line the pond. Marathon success

Congratulations to the RA HonororaySecretary Florian Traub, who completedthe London Marathon in a pretty swift3:24:21. As a result he raised £2,033 forCLIC Sargent, which is a cancer charityfor children and young people.Dates for your diary

Secret Gardens of Weston Green –Sunday June 21 1-5pm.

Christmas Fair in the High StreetSunday 29 November 3-6 pm.

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Traveller incursions –protecting our greens

Local residents will be well aware ofthe traveller incursions that occurred lastSummer.

A great deal of time, energy, and moneywas spent in dealing with the illegalpossession of common land over a periodof six weeks from the end of July toSeptember. It has to be said that ElmbridgeBorough Council, together with the help ofthe police, did an extraordinary job ofmoving the travellers on. It was an onerousand difficult process – one that had to becarried out in a meticulous way in order tocomply with very rigorous legalrequirements. As Ward Councillors, CllrBruce and I were kept very busy – thetelephones did not stop ringing and theemails were flooding in on an hourly basis.Residents were, under standably, extremelyconcerned and were very helpful ininforming us of any developments on thesites that had been illegally occupied. Ourgreatest difficulty was keeping residents

informed of the steps being taken to removethe travellers from the site. The ResidentsAssociation website, particularly the forum,became an invaluable tool and much timewas spent updating progress on the website.(www.residents-assocation.com).

Following a series of incursions duringthe previous summer of 2013 the Councilhad adopted a Joint Protocol with SurreyPolice for the management of unauthorisedGypsy and Traveller Encampments. Thisprotocol guided the response to theincursions in Weston Green and ThamesDitton last Summer.

Officers and Ward Councillors haverecently been considering the best way toprevent further incursions. Total andabsolute protection of every site isimpossible, but it is crucial that security isreviewed and improved where possible.

There are various options. Ditching andbanking is one such solution and involvesdigging a large trench, with the spoil

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forming a bank. This is probably the mostsecure option. The bank would bemechanically mowed and would blend inwith the surrounding green areas.Unfortunately, the area would look veryunsightly for the first year or two but inthe long-term it would provide the mostnatural barrier.

Wooden posts are an alternative. Theyhave a shorter life span but are used, quitesuccessfully, in a large number of openspaces. They require regular maintenanceand can be removed by large vehicles.

Metal posts are a more expensivesolution but not always appropriate in ourgreen open spaces such as our beautifulWeston Green Conservation Area.

It is sometimes possible to use selectedtree planting as an option.

An assortment of these deterrents willbe utilised in Weston Green and I amdelighted to report that we have beenprioritised in the light of last year’sincursions. The work has gone out totender and residents should soon see thework commencing.

I would ask that residents are patient,especially when the ditching starts. The areawill look pretty bleak at first – bulbs will bedisplaced and there will be long trenches ofearth that will look unsightly. We have tobe patient, understanding, and realise thatthis work is vital in order to protect thisvery special area against further incursions.

Councillor Tannia Shipley

Stop Press – at time of publication anotherincursion has occured by Longmead Road.


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There are currently teenage thumbs inour community itching for the schoolholidays to start and the summer Xbox/Playstation/ iPod/iPad/Facebook/Twitter(delete or add to as applicable) sessions tobegin. If allowed, they will last uninter -rupted until September. In the schoolholidays this tribe is rarely seen during theday, except when they emerge out of theirden, early afternoon, clad in a onesie, bedhead hair and looking to raid the fridge forbrunch.

Are you one of the many parents whodespair at the amount of time youroffspring spends doing this? Or perhapsone of this tribe who has come to realisethat by week 4 of the holidays it’s gettingpretty boring and you wouldn’t mindactually seeing your mates.

This dilemma faced my friend during theEaster holidays. Unwilling to accept defeatshe and a couple of like minded Mums eachagreed to organise something that their fourteenage sons would enjoy doing together.And this is what they did.

Day 1: Golf lesson followed by a round ofgolf. The 4 boys had all played beforethough to varying degrees and the golfprofessional tailored the lesson to suit themall. Those without clubs borrowed them orshared with those that had. They had lunchand afterwards played on the course. Noneof them had a handicap. There are a coupleof clubs locally that offer lessons, it’s notalways necessary to have a handicap andyou don’t have to be a member either.

Day 2: Tennis camp. By the time they areteenagers the thought of going to any kindof organised kids camp is out of thequestion so this Mum got in touch with alocal tennis coach and asked him to do amorning of lessons, fun drills etc. Afterlunch the lads played as they wanted.Fortunately she had a tennis court andswimming pool for after, but failing thatthere are tennis coaches at local clubs inThames Ditton and Esher.Day 3: Cook me a curry. Local cooks/chefs/companies have courses to teachteenagers to cook. Run over one day ormore they are tailor made to the individuale.g. cooking for students, bread and pizzamaking. Courses take place in your home orat their venue. Some years ago I organisedthis myself and was amazed when mychildren and their friends (all under 9 at thetime) cooked a 4 course lunch for theirMums, served it and washed up. Boys enjoythese courses just as much as girls.Day 4: Daytona and the cinema. Tuckedaway in the middle of Sandown race courseis Daytona race track. This is karting. It’sbookable in advance or you can just turnup, arrive and drive. Participants get asafety briefing and instruction and thendrive the karts. For lunch they ate in Esherand a movie (of the lad’s choice) followedin the afternoon.

The outcome of the four days surprisedthe organisers. The boys enjoyed it so muchthat they have set up a couple of outingsthemselves for the summer holidays.

Sandra Dennis

Xbox versus the summer


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Boxing clever in Weston Green

On Saturday May 2, the fight of thecentury took place in Las Vegas. Sixteenthousand fans filled the arena and itbecame the most watched pay-per-viewevent of all time. Floyd ‘Money’Mayweather boxed Manny ‘Pac-man’Pacquiao for the world welter-weightchampionship and split a purse of $300million. The richest fight ever… money,money, money… USA versus thePhilipines over 12 three-minute rounds.Fantastic! But was it really worth it?

On Sunday morning on May 3, a dozenor so people gathered in the pavilion ofthe Weston Green Sports Club, home ofthe Foley Amateur Boxing Club, foranother session of coaching and fitnesstraining. Beverley Peppard, the club’ssecretary, provided a warm welcome.

Men, boys and girls aged between sixand 60 were warming up, bobbing and

weaving, whilst a young teenagegirl skipped rhythmically andexpertly, her rope in perfectcounterpoint to her feet.Two six-year-old boys engaged in agame of no-touch boxing, makingthe moves as taught by the headcoach Paul Dawson, – one boyretreating as the other advanced –ducking (no diving) – as the otherprepared a right jab, the two boysserious in their application of thecoach’s instructions. No punching,no knock-outs, no contact, butdetermination to do as the coach

says. Paul explains that boys up to the ageof 10 can enjoy a contactless introductionto the sport; thereafter contact is allowedas long as the correct headgear and glovesare worn.

That Sunday morning was nothingspecial for the Foley club – the usual mixof banter and bantam-weights, thumpsand bumps, rhythmic skipping and thehammer of blows into the helpless punch-bags. Much of human life could be there.

For example, where else could Lucy, alively 15-year-old Chelsea ladies’footballer be seen in a boxing ring withDominic Raab, the 45-year-old localMember of Parliament standing (andwinning) for re-election in five-days’time? They were not of course opponentsbut were stewarded by two Foleystalwarts wearing punchbag gloves as

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Foley Boxing Club – ready for action


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targets for Lucy’s rapid lefts and rights andfor Dom’s more conservative haymakers.

The Foley ABC began life in the 1960sin a stable adjoining the Foley Arms pub inClaygate. Encouraged by Youngs brewery,the club gained a reputation for punchingabove its weight and produced a long line ofamateur champions, many of whom wenton to enjoy successful professional careers.

The club’s future was put in doubtwhen the brewery redeveloped the siteinto a pub/restaurant/hotel business.Fortunately the Foley was offered a homeby the WGSC, an offer accompanied by agenerous £46,000 donation from SirGeorge Young, enabling them toconstruct a modern boxing gymnasium intheir new home.

The Foley has always endeavoured toprovide a club for boxers ie a competitiveenvironment where boxers aged between11 and 40 can be matched againstcontestants of similar ages, weight andexperience in a three-round contest.Alongside that, the club offers facilitiesfor anyone who wants to keep fit andstrong, and who might occasionally feelthe need to smash their frustrations into apunchbag. This is the therapeutic andcalming side of the sport.

Beverley also sees the Foley very muchas an extended family with her partner,Paul, and three other ex-professionalboxers volunteering to give somethingback to the wider community. They all liveby the Foley ethos and expect others to actin a similar fashion.

The Olympic Games have always beena beacon for amateur boxing and NicolaAdams (the world’s first female boxingOlympic Champion) is a great role model

for the girls. Although they are out -numbered 4:1 by the men in the Foleysquad, Lucy and two others are eager tofollow in her footsteps.

The Foley is not just interested inresting on its well-earned laurels; it sendsout a message to local schools and councilsthat Amateur Boxing can, and should be, avehicle for disciplined restraint as acounter to violence and aggression. Manypotential troublemakers are encouraged toget down to the Foley as soon as they feelan attack coming on. Hit a punchbag ratherthan a passer-by! In that way, not only canthey avoid a potential problem, but theycan count on the continuing support of theFoley family.

Terry Bygraves

Fancy Footwork


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Thames Dittons Almshouses– Can you help?

Thames Ditton has an AlmshouseCharity which runs two groups ofresidences and is currently looking for oneor two new Trustees – could you help?

The first recorded Almshouse wasfounded by King Athelstan in York in the10th Century, and the oldest still inexistence is thought to be the Hospital ofSt. Oswald in Worcester (circa 990). Inthe 1500s, there were about 800mediaeval hospitals across the country.Following the dissolution of themonasteries, only a handful remained, andthese were re-founded on secular linesand rebuilt in a new domestic collegiatestyle. They offered accommodation topoor, old and distressed people. Later onwealthy people donated money to buildhomes for the poor in their areas, andfrom the 18th century, industrialists andlater unions provided accommodation forpeople who had worked for them or whowere members.

Today there are almshouses for retiredfishermen, miners, retail workers and ahost of other groups in addition to theelderly. Some were founded by the CityLivery Companies many of which stillretain almshouses. There are alsoalmshouses for families, the disabled andeven a few for key workers.

In Thames Ditton the oldestAlmshouse was built around 1630 on apiece of waste ground at Ditton Marsh atthe end of what became Almshouse Lane,now called Weston Park. These fourproperties were provided by DameElizabeth Hill of Imber Court. Twofurther Almshouses were provided in1873 by Helen and Williamina, twindaughters of the Rt. Hon. FitzwilliamHume Dick, MP, of Ditton House.

By 1970 these properties were in asorry state and could not be lived in. TheTrustees at the time decided to build sixnew units. This block of residences is on

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Almshouses, Station Road, Thames Ditton


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the edge of the common,surrounded by a smallcommunal garden, with parking

Commuters will be familiarwith the other six residences inStation Road; opposite ThamesDitton Station. They areimportant Grade 2* listedbuildings, provided in 1720, byHenry Bridges, Lord of theManor of Imber, for ‘six poorold men or women belonging tothe Parish of Thames Ditton’.

Today Thames Ditton has 12 residencesfor people of pensionable age who havelimited financial means and who live inthe Ancient Parish of Thames Ditton (thisincludes Weston Green, Hinchley Wood,most of Claygate and parts of Esher). Thecharity is self-funded, monthly main -tenance fees are paid by the residents tocontribute towards overheads. Currentlyall residences are occupied but a waitinglist is maintained for people who maywish to be considered if a vacancy arises.

The Station Road property has just hadapproval to replace the current casementwindows at the front, and as per thegrade 2* listing requirements will be likefor like. They will be of better quality, bemore secure and draught proof!

The charity is run by up to 7 trustees, 3of which are appointed by ElmbridgeCouncil, and 4 co-opted. The Trustees mayappoint other people to assist in the runningof the Charity; this includes Treasurer and‘Clerks’. People experienced in accounting,law maintenance of properties, housingassociations or care homes professionsamongst many, can all use these skills involunteering to be a Trustee. Contractors

are employed when required, although wecould not do without our garden main -tenance contractor to ensure the grass is cut,shrubs pruned and gardens kept in areasonable condition. Residents alsomaintain areas of the gardens.

Currently we have a potentialrequirement for two further trustees and / orappointees who would be prepared to takeon various tasks; local people who are ableto give a small amount of time to deal withany resident or property issues, to take onthe administration for meeting agendas &minute taking, or a financial background totake on aspects of accounting, income andexpenditure and also just be able to pop inand visit the residents. As always the key tobeing a volunteer is the sharing ofresponsibilities. At least quarterly meetingsare held to discuss resident issues, health &safety, applications, financials, ongoingmaintenance and longer term tasks.

If anyone has an interest in becoming aTrustee please give Steve Butler or IreneTaylor a call. Steve Butler 020 8224 0749 Irene Taylor 020 8398 1011

Steve Butler

Almshouses, Weston Park


Lisa Tolley – Local Artist

When you close your eyes and think ofThames Ditton or Weston Green whatimages come to mind – quaint cottages,verdant verges, a rippling river? Orperhaps lively shops, busy tots and familyoutings? All these delightful aspects havebeen captured over the years by localartist Lisa Tolley, whose charming housepaintings and street scenes have becomewell known in our villages.

As part of her contribution to theResidents’ Association and village lifeLisa has generously provided – free – thelovely artwork, maps and tickets for allthe Secret Gardens events, including thelatest ‘Secret Gardens of Weston Green’to be held on Sunday June 21. I caught upwith her as she was creating the map for

the event to find out a bit more about herand her work.

I was surprised to find that while herartwork is now part and parcel of the localscene it might have been very different ifLisa had not had met Jeremy Hamiltonfrom Stitchery in Thames Ditton HighStreet. But let’s begin at the beginning…

Lisa trained as a textile designer atManchester Metropolitan University, thenin the heart of UK textile production. Shesays her distinctive style is a reflection ofthe rigorous training she received, with afocus on colour and detail. Her firststudent assignment was to paint a spiderplant and identify all the different greens!Her fascination with colour and the co -ordin ation of shades and colour was born.

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om

22


Gouache paint was the medium ofchoice in the textile world and is themedium she still paints with now – lovingit for its flexibility and intensity of colour.

Following her degree she wenttravelling for a year, mainly in Asia,filling sketch books with small scenesfrom her travels – a row of houses inDarwin, Australia, or sail boats bobbingoff the coast in Thailand. She also paintedpostcards to send home to her mum,original souvenirs of her time away.

The world of work beckoned andfollowing a Masters in Business sheworked in product development andmarketing, finally working as a textilebuyer for the Conran Shop in London,Paris and New York. In all those yearsshe didn’t pick up a paint brush until herbrother-in-law asked her to produce acanvas for his 40th birthday. Realisinghow much she enjoyed painting, andlooking for a way to work from homewhen her eldest son was born, she thoughtabout how she could work for herself.

She took the painting of the Darwinhouses into Stitchery and asked Jeremy ifhe thought there could be a market forsimilar paintings in our area. He suggestedthat she start with some postcards – andthey went from there. That year (2004) shehad a small space in Stitchery at the firstHigh Street Christmas Fair and sold herfirst picture. Since then her distinctivepaintings have adorned bags, mugs and teatowels and many local people went on tocommission a Lisa Tolley original of theirhouses and families.

She and her husband Richard havelived in Thames Ditton for ten years andwith three boys from six to 13 she is

now part of village life. Lisa works fromhome in her airy office or on the kitchentable. It takes up to 20 hours to create ahouse painting and she always meetsclients to get a sense of their lifestyle, asthat helps her capture them and the waythey live in the painting. Her websitewww.lisatolley.co.uk shows many moreexamples of her work and providesinformation for those who would like tocommission a painting. Prices range from£275 to £375 and there is a small discountfor those who live locally. Lisa Tolleyprints can also be purchased at Stitchery.

In the course of our chat Lisa told methat her favourite artist was DavidHockney and I could see the appeal – theyboth capture the places they love with adesigner’s eye for colour and pattern.

Her paintings really portray what it islike to live here: quirky, colourful – andfun!

Libby MacIntyre

23


Secret Gardens 2015– Weston Green

Napoleon (borrowing from AdamSmith) once disparagingly called the UK a‘Nation of Shopkeepers’, but we all knowthat we are in fact a ‘Nation of Gardeners’.

Now, some of us can tell our dahliasfrom our delphiniums and some of usblissfully cannot, even though we mightthoroughly appreciate both.

Most folk will probably take offence at awasp after our sandwich at a picnic, but arethe majority of us really much troubled byinsects in the grand scheme of things?Probably not.

However, out there in the undergrowthlurks a breed of beings whose hearts beat alittle faster at the thought of a handful ofodd-looking shrivelled-up vegetable matterarriving over the winter in a packet, ready tobe planted out at the opportune time. Theyare preoccupied by the nocturnal habits ofslugs and snails – the unseen ‘enemieswithin’. They long for sun and, when itappears, worry there's too much of it andpray for rain. Come the summer they beginto watch the news from behind a cushionand listen with bated breath to radio reportsin trepidation and fear of being faced withthe dreaded words ‘hose pipe ban’. They areof course… the Secret Gardeners.

At some point in late winter/early springthis sterling band of guys and girls kindlyand valiantly agreed to share something oftheir ‘green’ worlds with us by makingtheir patches – large or small, groomed orwild (umm, sorry… natural) – available to

us to visit en masse. Not a decision for thefaint hearted! So on Sunday June 21,Fathers’ Day, they will be eagerly waitingto welcome us to share, enjoy and I amsure, admire, the fruits of their labour. Whatbetter treat for Dad – and it might get himout of cutting his own grass perhaps?

Last time we were in Weston Green, twoyears ago in 2013, we were regaled withstories of gardening by torchlight by GeraldSmith – Weston Green’s very own ‘gardengnome’, greatly impressed by Lorraine andGraham Hequet’s plant list, and utterlyenchanted by Nicki Holland’s compact‘white’ courtyard among many otherhorticultural delights.

24

A secret sun spot?


25

So what’s in store this time? Well, wecan’t give the whole game away buteveryone is working very hard. There aresome concerns – a ‘singed’ conifer, theavailability of sphagnum moss in June, therecent windy spell knocking things down,rival demands on time approaching anoffspring’s 18th birthday celebration – andthe problem of trying to persuade thefamily dog not to relieve himself on thelawn for the next few weeks!

One person, who of course shallremain nameless, used the words‘dandelion gate’ when I caught up withher. On further enquiry, gardeners’emotions ranged from ‘a bag of nerves’(calmer now) to ‘very relaxed, as I amsupervising my other half from thecomfort of my deckchair’. I’d say this wasabout normal at this stage of preparation,so all is well.

Now, no Secret Garden event would becomplete without an opportunity toindulge in cake and a ‘cuppa’ and soAnstice, who must surely be the mostglamourous ‘tea lady’ in the kingdom,will be on hand with her team in AllSaints’ Church Hall (and outside if theweather allows) to tempt us withrefreshment goodies that befit the goodburghers of the neighbourhood andvarious visitors.

So we cordially invite interested partiesfrom Weston Green, Thames Ditton andfurther abroad to come and uncover theSecret Gardens’ secrets and, with them,eagerly wait to see what lies beyond thevarious garden gates.

What you need to knowabout the Secret Gardens

of Weston GreenDate: Sunday June 21, 2015Time: 1pm – 5pm (teas from 2pm)Tickets: £5 per adult,children under 18 free

Available in Weston Green from:

The Greyhound PubEsher Tyre & ExhaustAll Saints’ Church office

Ruth Bruce020 8398 8324 [email protected]

Tannia Shipley 020 8398 [email protected]

Available in Thames Ditton from:

The StitcheryThe Secret Garden florist

Councillor Ruth Bruce


Celebrating 100 yearsof the Women’s Institute

26

Everyone has probably heard of theWomens’ Institute (WI) but perhaps not somany will be aware that the WI iscelebrating its centenary during 2015.Thames Ditton WI have decided to renovateand plant up the wheelbarrows which adornthe platform at Thames Ditton RailwayStation. This annual task use to be under -taken by the former Station Master, RonCox. It is hoped that commuters andtravellers will enjoy the floral display duringthe summer. WIs all over the country aremaking similar contributions to theircommunities. The WI nationally campaignson a range of issues and provides friendshipand fun to the members.

Thames Ditton WI meet on the thirdTuesday of the month at 8.00pm in StNicholas Church Hall. If you would liketo join us just come along and be sure of awarm welcome.

Contact 020 8398 2700 for moreinformation.

Celia Rowe President Thames Ditton WI

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Forty five years ago after my husbandMichael had died of cancer at the earlyage of 34, I joined a group of, to myyoung mind, elderly ladies fund raisingfor Cancer Research Campaign. I hadbeen persuaded to join them.

A couple of years later, I became theChairman of this group and as the oldercommittee members retired I replacedthem with my younger friends. We haveremained together ever since, raising half amillion pounds over the years for what hasnow become Cancer Research UK. Someof my original friends have sadly died butone or two of them still remain. They areloyal and trusted friends. However, we arenow probably a great deal older than theoriginal committee that I joined. Ideally,for the fundraising tocontinue we need ayoung group of peopleto come and join us.

Do you have areason to want to raisemoney for this worthycause? Most familieshave someone whohas, or has had cancer,or have friends whohave experienced it.So much has beendone over the pastforty years to improvethe treatment and lifeexpectancy of people

with cancer. So many people now live withcancer that is no longer the death sentenceit once was. But much more still needs tobe done. Maybe you feel that otherillnesses are more deserving. I don’t know.

I do know that medical research isgoing on all the time into dreadfuldiseases and sometimes due to geneticresearch into cancer something isdiscovered that can help a completelydifferent problem.

Joining a fundraising group may seemlike a considerable commitment but itneedn’t be. It is what you make of it. Weonly arrange social activities in andaround Thames Ditton and East Molesey.We always try to give good value formoney and something that involves

27

Fund raising in Thames Ditton

The local Cancer Research Campaignfundraising committee in 1983.


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enjoyment for the person donating and forus too. Sponsoring someone to dosomething brave and adventurous onlyinvolves the person being sponsored.What does the sponsor get out of it? Theyjust write the cheque!

We like our events to be fun for all ofus, with good food and company in thelocal community. So why not come andjoin us. You don’t have to be a group offriends. Maybe you are new to the areaand would like to meet new people. Do getin touch with me Vivienne Harris on 0208398 6787 or Kathy Lowe on 020 89793247. We look forward to meeting you.

Vivienne Harris

In recognition of their fundraising the committeewere invited to the House of Commons

by MP Liam Fox

29

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Hanging gardens of Queens Road

Babylon had its hanging gardens,one of the Seven Wonders of theancient world – but Thames Ditton hasits hanging baskets, and if QueensRoad resident and RA member PamBannister keeps up the good work shecould be vying for eighth place in yearsto come.

This year, on Tuesday June 30, Pam isorganising the eighth annual floralextravaganza that is the Queens RoadHanging Basket Competition. From asmall seed of an idea, planted by Pam inthe summer of July 2008 among a selectgroup of householders, the competition

has grown into a cascade of colour thatlights up this pretty road of charmingcottages, leading usefully as it does to thedelights of the Albany riverside pub anddining house, which this year – as ever –is generously sponsoring the event,together with The Angel Comedy Cluband Squires Garden Centre.

“A few houses always did their best tobrighten up the road with pretty floralbaskets and containers, and it just struckme one day that it would be lovely ifeveryone could be persuaded to have ago,” said the vivacious Pam, a resident ofThames Ditton for nearly 30 years.

A winning hanging basket


“I mailshotted every house in the roadand had a great response. In that first yeararound half the households participatedand it has grown from there.”

Pam admitted that she was ratherembarrassed when the independent judgesawarded one of the first prizes to her!“Since then I have not entered thecompetition, although I do make sure thehouse keeps up the high standard of theroad!”

The competition is timed to coincidewith the Hampton Court Flower Showand ensures that visitors who walk downthe road to catch the ferry from theAlbany get their gardening fix off to agood start.

Judges have included Jim Buttress(judge of Britain in Bloom and the

Allotment Challenge). Its famehas spread and last yearattracted the attention of theBBC when a camera crew fromthe Flower Show made the tripacross the river to examine thework of the local green-fingeredbrigade. Competitors can enter threeclasses: best hanging basket;best window box; and best frontgarden. Many enter all three andprovide a great delight to therest of us. It is now a tradition for entrantsand interested others toassemble at the Albany afterjudging and swap stories (if notgardening tips) over a fewdrinks. This has propagated awhole new social scene and anoccasional ‘Queens Road PubCrawl’ is organised to fill the

gap between competitions. Pam’s small idea has grown into a

village tradition. Hopefully you might feelinspired to start one of your own?

Andy Anderson

31

Organiser Pam shares a smilewith Judge Jim Buttress


Litter, litter everywhere

Having lived in Thames Ditton fornearly 50 years I feel saddened thatmany people do not have respect for oursurroundings these days. This village welive or work in is disfigured with litter.

I go out with rubber gloves andcarrier bags picking up other peoplesli t ter from pavements, verges andgutters. This includes cans, bottles,plastic bags and cigarette packaging andcigarette ends. The cigarette ends beingthe most difficult to pick up. All thesenot only pollute and disfigure ourenvironment but can block drains andcause harm and accidents to children,the elderly and wildlife.

Please think before you drop yourcigarette butt or sweet papers etc andinstead take it home with you or put it in

the nearest litter bin. Let’s all have prideand respect for our village.

Maybe others will follow me inpicking up litter around the village.Could Thames Ditton have a ‘litter pickday’ perhaps on a Sunday once a monthwhen everyone could spend one hourcollecting this rubbish to clean up ourvillage and make it a pleasant place tolive and work in?

Avril NaishThis letter reflects concerns that

residents have about litter in the village.Do you have ideas how to deal with it –would you be involved in a communitydrive to change things? Please let usknow via the Forum on our website‘residents-association.com’.

Editor

32

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Imber Court and the nouveaux riches:Edward Knipe

In January 1649 the lease on the Manorof Imber and its fine house, Ember Court,was conveyed from Sir Dudley Carleton,a senior diplomat and heir of DudleyCarleton, Viscount Dorchester, to EdwardKnipe, merchant. Almost nothing hashitherto been written by local historianson Knipe. So who was he?

Adventuring with theEast India Company

Edward Knipe was born in 1609, thethird child of Elizabeth and Christopher

Knipe, a London haberdasher fromLancashire, later a general merchantimporting among other things beer fromHolstein. The family did well. With 16children their sons had to find a living,but connections helped. At the age of 21,in 1630, Edward was made a factor – anoverseas merchant – of the East IndiaCompany, Britain’s first joint stockcorporation established under Elizabeth Iin 1600. The Company was engaged inbitter, sometimes bloody, rivalry with itsearlier-established Dutch, French, Spanish

33

East India Company ships at Deptford – mid 1600s


34


35

and Portuguese counterparts. Disease, cut-throat local politics and perilousconditions made life tough for the money.

Although selected for Persia, Edwardwas nabbed by the Company’sAccountant at Surat in India, where hestayed. He fell foul of the Company’sCourt of Committees in London, whoreceived reports that from the outsetKnipe had been trading exorbitantly onhis own private account. He was orderedhome, despite support from his localbosses who commended his diligence,claimed to be unaware that he had donemore than a tiny amount of privatetrading, suggested that London hadreceived false information, and wrote ofKnipe that he was: “an acting, able,sprightly young man, tractable anddisposed unto Imployment, such a man aswe should have continued in Amadavad ifoccasion had so required, from whencewe had the testimony of all the Merchantswritten in his favour. … Notwithstandinghee hath bene daily Conversant in theperfecting of your accompts, and hathamongst us so good an esteeme as toinduce us to recommend him to yourmercy, and if you please to a secondImployment.”

On his homeward voyage in the Jonas,Knipe was implicated with two colleaguesin the brutal punishment of a Companyapprentice accused of stealing a parcel ofmusk from their cabin. In September 1635the Court of Committees ordered Knipe topay compensation to the injuredapprentice.

After further months of wrangling theCompany, in consideration of the letter

from his superiors in Surat and “for hisown and his father’s sake” decided toreinstate him. But the aggrieved Knipejoined the rival Courteen trade associationwhich had received a charter to trade inAsia in areas where the East IndiaCompany was not active. It seems likelythat it was during this spell in London thatKnipe married Elizabeth Watts.

With the CourteensKnipe was posted to Aceh in north

Sumatra, where there was a great deal ofinfighting with the Dutch traders. Happilywe have a vignette of him in thevoluminous manuscripts of traveller PeterMundy, who wrote in 1638 on a voyageto Aceh:

“Our English here esteemed off by theKing, who bestowed on the Factory agood peece off ground, wheron they havebuilt them a Commodious dwelling house,with others of Service, according to thisCountry Manner. Hee hath allsoehonnoured them by letting them have oneoff his Elephantts… Mr Edward KnipeCheiffe off the Factory hath bin offtenabroad with him on hunting off wildbeasts… Died here Mr. Knipes Servauntt,Finding other 2 off the Factory very sickeatt our arrivails but now well recovered ;This place held to bee unwholsome… MrEdward Knipe having some businessewith the King, Captaine Swanly and myselffe went with him. Att the entraunce offthe Court gate wee putt off our shooes.And comming Near where the King was,wee made an obeisaunce after theCountry Manner… Then sate wee DowneCrosse legged, there beeing Many people.The King then beeholding the sporte off

35


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Cocke Fighting, much used here, therebeeing good Cockes in this place.”

But relations with the ruler of Acehsoured in 1639 over English allianceswith the distrusted Portuguese. Knipedesperately sought evacuation for himselfand colleagues from associates in Indiabut received no help. It’s not known howhe managed to get back to London, but hehad arrived there by 1641 and was indispute with his employer. Knipepetitioned the House of Lords for “reliefagainst William Courteene… who refusesto pay the salary to which the petitioner isentitled and detains from him a parcel ofcinnamon which is now worth here inEngland about 3500 pounds.”

East India Company part IIIn 1642, as Civil War was breaking out

in England, Edward Knipe rejoined theEast India Company. His next recordedadventure was in 1644-45 when heembarked in the John, an armed Companymerchantman bound round the Cape forIndia, with a cargo of cloth and lead totrade in Mozambique on the way. Thingsdid not go well. Edward Knipe fell outwith the ship’s captain John Mucknell, acantankerous Royalist, and after Knipeand the other merchant passengers hadgone ashore to dine al fresco on the islandof Johanna in the Comores, CaptainMucknell sailed off and left themmarooned there. Mucknell took the shipback to Bristol where he offered it to theRoyalist forces. Too much to handle,Mucknell set off for the Scilly Isles andstarted a pirate fleet with the John asflagship. The ship was sunk when theKing’s supporters later tried to control

Mucknell. Its wreck was discovered in2010 off Scilly.

After a month on Johanna, Knipe andthe others were picked up by another shipand eventually reached India. His newpost lasted two years. Company minutesrecord that Knipe had taken out a “greatsum of gold” to trade on his privateaccount, to the detriment of theCompany’s trade on the Malabar coast.By 1647 his salary was costing £200 peryear, and the company needed to cutcosts. Knipe and some others wereordered home. Furthermore, “The greatinjury done the Company by private tradebeing so very obvious”, the Companydecided to sue Knipe and his colleaguesin Chancery. The lawsuit took two yearsand eventually, in 1649, Knipe wasoffered a deal if he forfeited a thousandpounds to the Company.

And that seems to have marked the endof Edward Knipe’s employment by theEast India Company, in the year that hebought Ember Court – evidently with the

37

The first East India House onLeadenhall Street, 1648


38

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wealth accumulated in his personaltrading on the side.

Knipe at Ember CourtIt’s not clear what connections drew

Edward Knipe to Ember Court, but his isnot the only Knipe connection in thelocality: Bartholomew Knipe, probablyidentical with his younger brother of thatname, married Rebecca, daughter ofgunpowder supremo George Evelyn ofLong Ditton. Bartholomew emigrated toVirginia with land grants totalling 800acres.

There are few records of Edward’sactivity here. Soon after taking possessionin 1649, he was nominated Sheriff ofSurrey, a yearly appointment held byseveral Lords of Imber, prestigious butonerous and expensive, which he servedin 1653.

From his entry in the Hearth Taxreceipts of 1664 we can see that with 30fireplaces, Ember Court was way largerthan the next largest house in ThamesDitton and Weston Green – Sir RichardHatton at Forde’s Farm, the forerunner ofBoyle Farm, with just 19 hearths.

St. Nicholas church records reveal thaton 16 January 1670 fund-raising for theredemption of British captives fromTurkish slavery included a contributionof ten shillings from Edward Knipe(while Sir Richard Hatton gave a pound).We can assume that the list ofcontributors more or less reflected thenumber of solvent households in theparish. For these appeals for money weredriven by royal command, there was astrong obligation to contribute, and the

smallest contribution recorded was of onepenny. There were 95 contributors in all.

Knipe and his numerous siblings namedtheir sons after each other, which makesfirm identifications difficult, but there wascertainly a legacy of Knipes both in theCompany (a younger Edward Knipe andRichard, both probable sons of Edward)and in London and Surrey. Edward’snephew Thomas became a legendaryHeadmaster of Westminster School: anumber of Knipes have memorial stones inthe Abbey’s cloisters. His brotherRandolph sired a string of Randolphs andEdwards one of whom, Sir RandolphKnipe, a rich merchant in cloth, became aDirector of the Bank of England andSheriff of London. He was later foundnaked and “drowned in his own fish pondat Epsom”, allegedly a suicide undersuspicion of fraud. Another Edward Knipe,probable grandson of Sir Randolph, cameinto possession of the estate in Epsom, andwas a Steward involved in the originalarticle of agreement establishing Epsomraces in 1778.

Edward Knipe of Ember Court’s briefwill in 1668 left his wife Elizabeth asExecutor to distribute among theirchildren, whose names are not given, “theworldy Estate, which it has pleased Godto bless my pains and Travell”. He died inJanuary 1677 and was buried at AllHallows Staining in the City of London,with probate granted in 1678.

In 1672, five years before Edwarddied, he sold Ember Court to an equallyadventurous East India Companymerchant. But that’s another story…

Keith Evetts


40

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Summer CrosswordBy Michael Jackson

The first three correct entriesrandomly opened after theclosing date 8th August will wina £5 voucher to spend in localshops.

Please send the completed puzzle(or photocopy) enclosing yourname and address, with theenvelope clearly marked‘Crossword Competition’, to:

Thames Ditton Today

Crossword Competition

24 High Street

Thames Ditton

KT7 0RY

ACROSS1. Joy can pin shapes together (9)

6. Spanish Art Gallery (5)

9. Surprise one in Hampton Court’sbewilderness (5)

10. Do American universities climb up places init (3.6)

11. Tenderly in music (7)

12. Utters in a singing voice (7)

13. From the pier, dashing off to St. Pancras for it(4.5.5)

17. Senator lent to Ted recipes to attainpenultimate honour (9–5)

21. Top rate fruit Mum, ripe too for a change (7)

23. A territory of the nobility (7)

25. In Panama an operation one’s hip canalleviate the pain (4.5)

26. Old film partner of Stan (5)

27. She is in Nassau without a name (5)

28. Compiling and solving clues can becomequite this (9)

DOWN1. He married Minnehaha (8)

2. Grand, Upright, softly (5)

3. Hot gardeners, you in charge? Use hose,change, then into these (9)

4. A typical characteristic of something (7)

5. Frustrated when a ball is in the way (7)

6. Fold a petal into this (5)

7. That man Silver from Buenos Aires (9)

8. Seaport on the Black Sea (6)

14. Fragrant flowers, Cape Jasmine (9)

15. They are used to tie down sails (4.5)

16 A politician and an excitable horse go off inhead long flight (8)

18. Placido – singer (7)

19. Loudness curtailed, now it's just bumps (7)

20. Convulsions when maps in steamship arefound in a muddle (6)

22. Pertaining to South American Indians high inthe Andes (5)

24. Did student hide in the capital? (5)


42

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C M D S P L

M A N I F E S T M A R R O W

R L R E O E A

T R U E I N D E C I S I V E

I D E K E E

P A R A D E U N I O N I S T

G T M N T

E S T A T E A G R E E S

R A P R P

E M B A L M E R D A S H E S

E C E A A C

N A S T U R T I U M F A I R

S I I S A A O

S L A V E S E N S H R O U D

L E K K M S


44

SERVICES

Cheer (Concern and Help for East Elmbridge Retired) Harry Livesey 01372 879321

Dittons and Weston Green Neighbourcare Avril Ashworth 020 8398 7521

Elmbridge Borough Council Community Support Services

Thames Ditton Centre for Retired People Mon & Thurs 020 8398 5921

Thames Ditton Children's Centre Tues, Weds, Fri 0208 398 3772

Meals on Wheels, Community Transport, Dial-a-Ride, ask for service at central

Alarm & Telecare services, Relief Carers switchboard 01372 474474

Homesupport Elmbridge Pam Howard (Manager) 01932 267128

Esher and District Stroke Club Ann Pollock 020 8398 6132

Voluntary Action Elmbridge Sally Dubery 01372 463587

Surrey Youth and Adult Education Service Elmbridge Area 020 8979 8334

GROUPS

Girl Guiding in TD & WG Mrs K Williams 020 8398 1300

1st Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 1628

3rd Thames Ditton Brownies Deborah Daoud 020 8398 5521

2nd Thames Ditton Rainbows Alexandra Lyall 07779 616463

1st Weston Green (All Saints) Scout Group Carole Needham 07975 842423

1st Weston Green Guides (All Saints) Mrs. Louise Lewis 020 8398 4843

2nd Thames Ditton Guides Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 1628

1st Weston Green Brownies (All Saints) Mrs K Williams 020 8398 1300

2nd Weston Green Brownies Mrs J Epps 020 8395 0595

1st Weston Green Rainbows Mrs Helen Hill 020 8398 3135

4th Thames Ditton Ajax Sea Scouts Alison Derrick 020 8398 0041

Dittons Scout Group Laura Clarke 020 8398 3447

Coffee and chat (United Reformed Church) Mrs. E. Barker 01372 467491

Emberbrook Trefoil Guild Mrs. Adrienne Nealing 020 8398 5582

Friends of Bushey and Home Parks Jean Smith 020 8977 9391

Friends of Walsingham Care Miss Valerie Chicken 020 8398 2932

Molesey and Dittons Neighbourhood Watch Chairman: John Haberfield 020 8398 5256

Parents and Toddlers(St Nicholas church) Information 020 8398 7211

Ripieno Choir Nick Harris 020 8399 7231

Surrey Bell-ringers Nick Pattenden [email protected]

CLUBS

Albany Motor Yacht Club Secretary 01784 466651

Arts and Heritage Club Carol Butcher 01932 867511

Claremont PROBUS Club Mr. P. Collins 020 8398 3125

Claygate Bridge Club Hon. Secretary 020 8398 1710

Colets Health & Fitness Giordano Orsini 020 8398 7108

Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Hon Secretary 07710 139417

Dittons & Hinchley Wood Royal British Legion Hon Secretary 020 8398 6263

SERVICES, GROUPS, CLUBS, AND SOCIETIES


45

Ember Players (Drama) Ember Sports Club Anne Segall 020 8941 4528

Ember Sports Club Zenda Hedges 020 8398 7038

Ember Sports Club: Bowls Sylvia Jones 01932 788701

Ember Sports Club: Croquet Dr. David Cooke 01932 862841

Ember Sports Club: Tennis Annabel Duncan 020 8786 6318

Esher Bowling Club Roger Cooper 01372 468109

Esher Bridge Centre Paul Whicker 01372 460157

Esher Camera Club Billy Buchanan 020 8398 3169

Esher 41 and Ex-Round Tablers’ Club Dr. R. Tudor-Williams 020 8398 0108

Folk Dance Club Pam Phillips 01372 373745

Hinchley Wood / Dittons PROBUS Club Geoff Francis 01932 867771

Long Ditton Cricket Club Nigel Hardy 020 8398 8361

Long Ditton Garden Club Heather Harvey 020 8398 2642

Model Railway Society (Hampton Court) Secretary 01932 241224

Mothers Union (All Saints) Jill Cotter 020 8398 4598

Old Cranleighan Rugby Club Tony Price 07801 837129

Old Cranleighan Hockey Club Simon Marshall (Men) 07801 737695

Helen Hawes (Ladies) 07771 557900

River Club (BMYC) David Walker 0870 460 3586

Rotary Club, Esher Geoff Morris 01932 868454

Rubber Bridge TD Lawn Tennis Club Val 020 8399 9972

Surbiton Croquet Club Alec Thomas 020 8398 2391

Surbiton Golf Club Secretary 020 8398 3101

Surbiton Hockey Club Secretary 020 8398 2401

Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club Chris Lewis 07770 562569

Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club Mark Rodbard 020 8398 1551

Thames Ditton Squash Club (Colets) Dave Peck 020 8398 7108

Thames Ditton Cricket Club Howard Frish (Secretary) 07947 561449

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Ember Choral Society Linda Bridges 020 8399 5402

Esher Recorded Music Society Miss S. M. Garrat 020 8398 8541

Esher and Molesey Garden Society Chris Walker (Sec) 020 8398 6651

Esher and District Amnesty International Cherry Eddy (Campaigns) 020 8398 4377

Hampton Court Way Allotment Association Lettings: Piotr Hennig 020 8398 5358

Long Ditton Youth Club Toni Izard 07749 633973

Lynwood Allotment Society Gill Vickers 020 8398 4870

Molesey and District Antiques Society Linda Lambert 020 8398 1476

NADFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts) Kingston Mrs. Valerie Windsor 020 8549 9967

Soroptimist International (Kingston District ) Secretary: Pat Harman 020 8390 3507

Thames Ditton Women’s Institute (W.I.) Secretary 020 8398 8615

OTHER

Cancer Research UK Mrs. Vivienne Harris 020 8398 6787

Elmbridge Fairtrade Network Judy Porter 020 8398 6401

University of the Third Age (U3A) Hon Sec Anne Brown 01932 881633

Vera Fletcher Hall Lettings: Helen Mason 08456 528 529

Membership: Sue Morris 020 8224 0980

Please contact the Editor to amend these listings


46

Chairman’s Address to the AGM

Chairman Rhodri Richards opened byhighlighting and thanking the manyvolunteers who offer their time and skills tosupport the Residents Association (RA). Keypoints from his report are:• Thank you to Keith Evetts, who retiredfrom roles of RA Webmaster and Editor ofThames Ditton Today and introduction of the(three!) new people taking over; MarkCharlesworth as Webmaster; and SandraDennis and Libby MacIntyre as co-editors ofthe magazine. • Welcome to Florian Traub as HonorarySecretary, taking over from Tricia Bland whowas elected Borough Councillor for ThamesDitton following the retirement of SandraDennis.• The 69% of the vote for Tricia wastestament to all the work she has done to‘keep the heart in the High Street’.• RA members Caroline James and AndyAnderson had organized the fourth ‘SecretGardens’ event. It was the largest yet andraised £2,500 for the ‘Heart in the HighStreet’ campaign, and St Nicholas Garden ofRemembrance. • RA councillors had worked closely withElmbridge Council to evict travellers fromillegal camps on the commons and to clean upthe litter and repair damage caused. Thecouncil is looking at ways to prevent ithappening again.• We are committed to retaining a villagePost Office. RA councillors and local MP metwith Post Office Ltd to discuss local concernsat its relocation to Simply Fresh. • Planning takes up great deal of time forofficers and councilors. It is worth noting thatthe vast majority of planning applications gothrough without comment.

• The RA is not anti-development, andactively supports high-quality developmentwhich respects the streetscapes and historicfabric of our village.• We always encourage developers toengage with local residents and businesses;where this does not happen we supportresidents who have valid reasons forobjection. • We supported the objections of residentswho would have been overlooked by a newapplication for Taggs Boatyard. We alsohad concerns about the viability of theactive boat yard.• RA Councillors worked to ensure thatresidents’ concerns about the redevelopmentof The Ewe Public House as a Co-op storewere addressed. • The RA made representations as part ofthe Elmbridge Parking Review to introduce afew ‘limited time’ parking bays, outside localshops to help boost passing trade.• The RA organized the installation of aborehole which should be able to keep thewater in the Milbourne Pond on WestonGreen topped up. • The RA made representations to preventproposed boundary changes breaking up long-standing community borders • Residents’ Association volunteers under -took many other activities over the course ofthe year, as they do every year. Some arevisible, such as the installation and decorationof the Christmas trees in the High Street androundabout, or the planting of spring bulbs,but much of it is behind the scenes. • Rhodri again thanked the RA councillors,RA Officers and all volunteers for their workon behalf of the residents and businesses inThames Ditton and Weston Green.


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ROOFING : PLUMBING : ELECTRICAL

BATHROOM & KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT

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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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Free Estimates – Fast, Efficient, Friendly Service

Local References Available

Published by the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents ̓AssociationPrinted by Impress Print Services Ltd., Unit 10, 19 Lyon Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 3PU

75124_BC_SPRING Cover 2005 25/05/2012 07:56 Page 1

in this issue€¦ · summer 2015 the magazine of the thames ditton and weston green residents’...

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