Contacts

The Teddington Society
21 Teddington Park
Teddington TW11 8BD

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

The Summer 2008 issue of Tidings includes the following:

• Letter from the Chair
• From the Editor
• Teddington in Flower
• Wood turning by the Bells
• AGM Minutes and Treasurer’s Report
• "Rogues" Gallery
• Teddington Heathland
• Lords of the Manor
• Recent Updates
• Business Exchange
• NPL in University Challenge
• Water Rocket Challenge
• Diary and Events

Letter from the Chair
As I write this, April is being a very traditional month with sunshine and showers so I hope it is a good augury for May and June and a sunny day for "Teddington in Flower"; although we were lucky last year despite the wet summer.

The Teddington Society has been very involved in the arguments over the proposed CPZ and has tried to limit it to the roads in the immediate vicinity of the railway station but unfortunately it would seem to be likely to cover a far wider area. We are now engaged in the attempt to save the Broad Street Post Office (arguably an even more important issue) and have written both individually and as a Society to stress the importance for many people of having a Post Office so conveniently located.

May I wish all our readers a very happy and enjoyable summer.

Jenny Hilton

From the Editor
“Pompey Chimes ring out again!” One of the few privileges of being the Editor is that it allows you the opportunity to ignore the rules and restrictions that apply to all the other contributors. Being born and bred in Pompey (Portsmouth), it’s a time for celebrating that their football team is back at Wembley for the FA Cup Final for the first time since 1939. By the time this reaches you, I am hoping that you will have heard the "Chimes" ringing out again.

You may also notice in this issue that there is a preponderance of mentions of the National Physical Laboratory (the Bells; retention of buildings; opening of the Clapperstile gate; rocket challenge; University Challenge; Corporate membership). I can assure you that these articles and the fact that I spent nearly 40 years there is a mere coincidence.

Tributes were paid to Margaret Chan at the AGM following her four years as Editor. Having produced my first issue (not without a few hiccups – but that’s another story for another day!), I realise that I have a hard act to follow. Margaret has provided me with a wealth of guidance and good advice for which I am already grateful. I shall be calling in her promises of support and articles for future issues – so watch out for the bylines.

Mike Woods

NPL in University Challenge
A team of scientists from Teddington’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have managed what many politicians dread – survived a TV show-down with Jeremy Paxman! The NPL team have been competing in the current ser ies of University Challenge - The Professionals, the spin off format of the popular BBC quiz for students. The team, Roger Scowen, James Miall, Kevin Marshall and Team Captain Louise Wright, all work at NPL, the UK’s National Measurement Institute. They were accompanied by a lucky mascot, a replica of the UK's standard kilogram – the physical artefact that forms the basis of all weight measurements and is housed in NPL. This was referred to by Jeremy Paxman as "a kilogram in a vase".

The team wrote off the Society of Authors in round one then gave the Hospital Consultants a taste of their own medicine in a tough semi-final match. Regrettably they stumbled at the last hurdle but went down honourably to a team from the Ministry of Justice in the Final on BBC2 on the 22nd April!

The Editor