Contacts

The Teddington Society
21 Teddington Park
Teddington TW11 8BD

Contact by e-mail:
secretary@teddingtonsociety.org.uk

The Spring 2008 issue of Tidings includes the following:

• Letter from the Chair
• From the Editor
• Reports from the Groups
• Teddington Lights Up
• New Year Party
• Firebird '91
• Return to Chertsey Abbey
• Diary and Events

Letter from the Chair
I am writing this on a dark and unseasonably warm January day. The camellias are out a month early and I hope my fruit trees do not assume that it will remain this mild (14C today) and have all their precocious flowers blighted by later frosts.

This month we have the Teddington Party, which is always enjoyable, to look forward to. Less eagerly anticipated is the meeting on the proposed CPZ which has been a sadly divisive issue for Teddington and which is reported on at greater length elsewhere in this issue of Tidings. There are several events planned for later in the year and I hope to be able to join you all at some of them.

Jenny Hilton

From the Editor
As Margaret announced in the December issue, I am now the acting Editor - confirmation takes place at the AGM - so my first issue is very much a probationary work. Let me introduce myself. My name is Mike Woods and I have lived in Teddington since 1966 when I graduated and took a post as a nuclear physicist at the NPL. 36 years later, in 2002, I took semi-retirement from the NPL as an Emeritus Fellow and now seem to be working harder than ever before. So why did I volunteer to be Editor? I am already asking myself that question. I have spent many years writing and refereeing scientific papers but that hardly qualifies me to be the Editor of Tidings. Thankfully, Margaret has promised to help and to dig me out of the many holes into which I am sure I will fall. I also have a band of trusty proof-readers to back me up. I hope that I can maintain the high standards that you expect but "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and I rely on members to give me constructive feedback. So, the ball is in your court and I look forward to receiving your comments, criticisms, suggestions, etc.

Mike Woods

Teddington Lights Up
On a fine night in November, hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the Christmas lights and take part in the festivities. The Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams, and rugby legend Jason Leonard switched on the lights outside Elmfield House watched by a large crowd of parents and children. Following the switch-on, a choir from Churches Together in Teddington sang carols around the illuminated tree.

The crowds then dispersed into Broad Street and High Street where they sampled the hospitality and activities in the shops and businesses. There were many events organised on the day including story-telling at the Library, a drawing competition, two jazz bands, a dance group, a treasure hunt, chocolate and other tastings, Santa's grotto and sleigh and a giant Christmas tree event at the Landmark Centre.

The Teddington Society was again heavily involved with Sheena Harold in particular doing sterling work. The town has never looked so festive with more lights and trees lit up this year and it was obvious from all the comments received that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

John Demont