It was February 2014. The Thames was in flood it was cold and misty. My family was very worried because our house was very close to being flooded by the torrential flow of the river…
Through the eyes of a child Read More »
Faced by the prospect of serious food shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries launched the National Farm Survey (NFS) (sometimes referred to as the Second Domesday Book) in September 1941.
Agriculture and landscape: Shepperton in 1941 Read More »
We review the talent of Spelthorne with pre Christmas visits to the Laleham panto and the Spelthorne Gymnastics, as well as a visit to Meson Toby’s music nights.
As the Eco Park fight goes legal we look at getting cut price trees planted by the Spelthorne Tree Wardens. Why not do something positive?
Manna Food Bank is a local charity in the Borough of Spelthorne, supporting local families and individuals who are referred by agencies, both statutory and voluntary, and perceived as being in emergency need of food and household essentials.
As readers are probably aware (although many local residents are still not!), Surrey County Council recently gave itself planning permission again to build the massive Eco Park waste disposal incinerator in Charlton Lane, Shepperton, despite massive local opposition, which Surrey CC just seem to ignore time and time again for their own reasons. Sadly Secretary
The Art of Letter Writing is not dead after all. It seems that Santa receives an estimated 550,000 letters each year, sent to Lapland of course. Do your children still write letters to Santa?
Dear Father Christmas Read More »
An insightful questions and answers interview with Bishop of Kensington.
Questions for Bishop of Kensington Read More »
To my sisters and I Remembrance Sunday brings back memories of our late father, Derrick Tysoe, proudly wearing his World War II medals at various remembrance events throughout the year.
Remembrance Sunday Read More »
We saw an example recently of what can happen if a politician does a speech ‘the old fashioned way’, ie, from memory and not using the magic of the autocue. Ed Milliband literally forgot two key important elements of his party address and he was lambasted for it.
Ben From the Beeb – Right on Cue Read More »
I recently went to see the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at the Tower of London, which will see 888,246 ceramic poppies planted in the Tower’s moat, each poppy representing a British military fatality during the war.
Remembrance in Littleton Read More »
Local resident Elizabeth Tysoe will be placing the first wreath at the Laleham war memorial in memory of her father Derrick Tysoe. We hear about her memories of her father who was one of the D Day Veterans. We also take a visit to the Littleton War Memorial.
Over 150 Spelthorne residents packed into the Church Hall in Laleham in October to attend a public meeting called by Spelthorne Councillors to discuss the future of Laleham Park.
Laleham Park Saved Read More »
On Saturday 20th September, local residents who are fed up and angry that Surrey County Council keeps claiming there is little local opposition to the Eco Park waste incinerator, organised a peaceful protest at the site entrance.
Charlton Lane Eco Park Protest Read More »
The craftsmen and women at Shepperton Studios are famous for their ability to create scenery and models for film and TV, during World War Two however, their predecessors put these same skills to a more vital use.
Decoy and Deception at the Studios Read More »
History – Decoy & Deception at Shepperton Studios Mat Tarrant – the Golden Boy from Shepperton Blooming Marvellous – We have a chat with Laleham’s Colin Squire Classic Car Gathering in Shepperton
As well as an overview of local historical talks and events, we visit the Thames Club for an introduction to Functional Training and have tea with Mavis Duncan, avid knitter and in charge of the Village Hall bookings. We take a look at some of the latest issues relating to both the Charlton Lane incinerator and Laleham Park proposed development.
September always seems to be a busy month for heritage in our area, so this month I thought I would highlight several events and anniversaries.
2014 sees the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Thames Valley Railway, the original rather grandiose name for the branch line from Strawberry Hill to Shepperton.
A Busy Month For Heritage! Read More »
It turns out that Functional Training involves training the body for activities performed in everyday life. So far so good. It combines muscle work with cardio so that you burn more calories.
Getting Fit for Every Day Read More »
I sat under the vines in the garden of Perry Cottage (you may have visited it during the Laleham Open Gardens) and chatted with life time Laleham resident Mavis Duncan about the village, the residents and what is important to them. Mavis is chairman and booking secretary of the Village Hall, taking bookings at all hours of the day for all sorts of gatherings.
Of the Village Hall and Knitted Hats Read More »
The First World War began for this country on August 4th 1914 when Britain declared war on Germany, for invading neutral Belgium. As in many other communities all over the country, the war had a profound effect on our local towns and villages.
The Centenary of the First World War Read More »
