Contacts

The Teddington Society
21 Teddington Park
Teddington TW11 8DB

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

The Autumn 2009 issue of Tidings includes the following:

• Letter from the Chair
• From the Editor
• Reports from the Groups
• Ceta Garcia
• Peg Woffington's 250th
• Xmas Lights Up
• Teddington in Flower
• Lords of the Manor
• 7th Teddington Air Scouts
• Teddington Riverside Artists
• Business Exchange
• Tales of the Riverbank
• Diary and Events

Letter from the Chair
I have been on two Teddington Society outings this summer, both splendidly organised by Angela Carvill. The visit to Arundel Castle included not only the historic castle but also an interesting new garden with large Grecian but wooden arches and pillars, and an electric boat trip in a wetland reserve full of strange ducks and geese. More recently we had a fascinating trip to Kentwell Hall in Suffolk where we were transported back in time to 1535 with cheese-makers, basket weavers and alchemists with convincing period dress and conversation.

I missed Teddington in Flower this year (I was painting in Italy) but I gather that through the superb skill of our lcal garden owners and Sheena Harold's usual great energy and organisation it was, despite the weather, a very successful day and raised a large sum for charity.

I had hoped that this Summer might bring more settled weather than in the past two years but at least I am not having to water the allotment and it is going to be a magnificient year for plums!

Jenny Hilton

From the Editor
In this issue I have reserved a special place for a Teddington community that is close to my heart. Having been attracted to Teddigton by an offer of a position as a radioactivity scientist at NPL in 1966, my sojourn here was relatively innocuous until I went on a parents visit to a summer camp for the Cub Scouts of 7th Teddington Air Scouts at Broadstone Warren in about 1976. Walking out after a pleasant but deeply muddy afternoon, I was accosted by Mrs G. who quite forcefully asked me what I did for a living. "I'm a nuclear physicist who measures radioactivity", I replied innocently. In every other social situation, this statement has killed the conversation stone dead. Not for Mrs G. "Why don't you come and give a short half-hour Scientist Badge talk to our Cubs next week".

Feeling proud to be recognised for my undoubted(?) expertise, I foolishly agreed. Ten years later I retired as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader who had attended religiously every Friday evening and suffered the trials and tribulations of errant Cubs, errant parents and numerous Cub camps. However, it was with serious regret that I left and I still wonder whether I made the right decision. That Group has recently celebrated its 75th anniversary (the Teddington Society is a mere youngster in this community game). 7th Teddington has been a real family affair and I know that many Society members have had dealings with the Group and were at the celebrations. I cannot do justice to the Group here. Suffice it to say, the article in Tidings is just a minor tribute, not only to the Group but also to the G's who have played such a major role in its continuance.

On a more routine note, the "Lords of the Manor" article draws to a close in this issue of Tidings. But fear not, the History Group continues to thrive and in our next issue we begin a series of articles on the Thames at Teddington.

Mike Woods

Ceta Garcia 1947-2009
Ceta Christina Garcia who worked for The Diver Group above the Teddington Bookshop in the High Street for 40 years, died suddenly on June 14th. The Diver Group has been a long standing Corporate Member of the Society and Ceta's husband, Carlos, ran the book shop. Ceta is greatly missed by John Demont and Sheena Harold as she was Treasurer of the Teddington Business Community Christmas Lights Committee. She not only brightened our lives with her bubbly personality and kindness, but helped brighten the whole town at a special time of the year.