Shepperton Matters Articles

When I was invited to try hot yoga at the newly opened studio at The Thames Club, just outside Laleham, I was a little nervous. Although I do Pilates regularly, I am the one that sits under the air conditioning. I am not overly keen on visiting tropical countries either.

I received an astonishing and humbling telephone call in May last year from the British High Commissioner in Colombo. He said he was delighted to inform me that I had been recommended to receive an MBE award from Her Majesty the Queen for Services to the Community in Sri Lanka, and would I be willing to accept?

Rivermead House is seen in this attractive postcard of Thames Street, Sunbury, dating from about 1910. The house stood just west of the junction with French Street, facing Rivermead Island across the road.

Later this year, on Saturday 9 June 2018, Shepperton folk will again enjoy what they have done for no less than the last 45 years – Shepperton Village Fair! Each year, thousands of people descend on Manor Park at the bottom of the High Street from all over the local area. Some come from quite far afield, too.

22 year old David Haywood has always relished a challenge. One of 5 siblings, he spent his childhood holidays exploring the outdoors in the Lake District.

Since 1900 improved road and rail links with London and a growing appreciation of countryside values have stimulated the demand for housing on the Thames riverbank (and islands) between Thames Ditton and Staines-upon-Thames.

I am indebted to Bill Lindsay, great-great-grandson of William Schaw Lindsay, Lord of the Manor of Shepperton from 1856 to 1877, for the inspiration for this month’s article.

Oh dear! Not a great start to the year for many of you out there who have discovered to your cost that Sunbury Cross is operating a new parking system. The barrier has been broken for weeks so many of you may have happily gone in, done your shopping and gone out without giving a second thought to parking charges. But a new number plate recognition system is in operation, meaning there is no barrier.

For the first time ever, I heard the EA admit that they would, “in an ideal world”, like to dredge the river and backwaters. That may sound good, but in reality, the ideal world would need a money tree. But the only trees we have are the ones which have fallen into, or overhang the backwaters.

Hanworth Park House has been a private residence, a military hospital, a nursing home and the HQ of aviation in the UK. For a while, it was the home of Aston Martin and Lagonda, who used the aircraft hangars to finish assembly of the luxury motors post war until the 1960’s.

The Sunbury and Shepperton area has been home to many famous actors and actresses over the years, but in her time, none was more famous than the now little-known Alma Taylor.

There have been some tasty changes at the Ivory Tusk in Shepperton. The core menu remains the same, with a great selection of mild (including Mr C’s favourite Chicken Tikka Masala), medium and hot dishes on offer as well as vegetable side dishes, accompaniments and of course tandoori dishes.

This photo was taken looking across the frozen Thames at Dockett Eddy, Shepperton in January 1940, and shows the Thames Conservancy tug Thames battling its way upstream through thick ice.

It is not every day you get to have a cuppa with the Chief Constable of Surrey, Nick Ephgrave. I felt immensely privileged to do so recently.