Contacts

The Teddington Society
21 Teddington Park
Teddington TW11 8DB

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

The Summer 2009 issue of Tidings includes the following:

• Letter from the Chair
• From the Editor
• Reports from the Groups
• West London Waste Plan
• From Infinity to Teddington in 30 mins
• AGM Minutes and Accounts
• Stephen Hales - 300 years
• Teddington Shopaloos
• Lords of the Manor
• Teddington Library
• Tales from the Riverbank
• Grove Gardens - Plaque
• Anne Hustwit
• The Natives are restless...
• Diary and Events

Letter from the Chair
This has been an unusually active time for the Teddington Society and I must pay tribute to the organisers of the various events that I have attended in the past month. The highlight was perhaps the dedication of the historical plaque in Grove Gardens - a great deal of time and effort in collaboration with Richmond Council and The Times newspaper went into producing an excellent addition to Teddington's identity and it was an enjoyable and well attended social occasion. The Teddington Society also helped at the launch of Richmond in Bloom at Squire's Garden Centre and turned out in force at the demonstration in Bushy Park. At the time of writing this, I am looking forward to the Society outing to Arundel - which I have only visited once many years ago.

This is the time of year when Teddington is perhaps looking its best with trees bursting into leaf in every shade of green and flowers everywhere. We have already had some warm spring days and, after two wet summers, we should perhaps hope that this is a promise of things to come!

Jenny Hilton

From the Editor
I offer no apologies for directing you to Page 8. The article there on parking charges in Bushy Park only hints at the strength of outrage felt by many at these proposals which totally ignore the wishes of local residents. We have seen many instances recently where it is clear that our elected representatives are out of touch with those that they are supposed to represent. This is not aimed at any particular political party – it is a malaise and arrogance which seems to have pervaded politicians of all persuasions. The protests in Bushy Park were very much a spontaneous reaction of local people and the huge numbers who turned out at short notice must serve as a warning. The electorate often turns a blind eye to the idiosyncrasies and selfishness of politicians but there comes a time when they say “no more”. With the exception of our local MP, our photo record indicates a marked absence of our elected representatives, including those who are members of the Teddington Society – if they were there, they kept their heads down. The message is clear – “enough is enough” and our local councillors would do well to recognise the writing on the wall.

Mike Woods

Anne Hustwit
Our late Treasurer, Anne Hustwit, died on Monday 13th April in the Princess Alice Hospice after a long and brave fight against cancer. Anne took over from Pamela Gerrard in 1995, organising our finances for 12 years until Duncan Shuttleworth took over in 2007.

When the Society revived the Xmas Lights in 2002 Anne handled the money for The Teddington Business Community in the first couple of years. Having worked for the Inland Revenue, her knowledge of money led to her organising a Currency Quiz for the Society and running an Investment Society. For many years she was a driver for the Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group. Anne's funeral was held on 23rd April at S.W. Middlesex Crematorium. She is survived by a brother and sister to whom we extend our condolences. Donations in her memory can be sent to The Princess Alice Hospice, West End Lane, Esher KT10 8NA.

Tne Natives are Restless...
The combined forces of the Friends of Bushy Park, The Teddington Society, The Hampton Wick Association, The Hampton Hill Association and the Hampton Association raised 250 angry marchers plus a pack of dogs, small children and the odd bike in Bushy Park on Saturday April 18th to protest against the proposed car parking charges. Add to that, representatives from both Houses of Parliament - MP Vincent Cable from the Commons and Baroness Hilton of Eggardon from the Lords - and you have serious opposition to the Royal Parks plan (for details of the consultation see: Bushy Park parking consultation).