Albert Victor Grayson was an English socialist politician of the early 20th century. A Member of Parliament from 1907 to 1910, he is most notable for his sensational by-election victory at Colne Valley in 1907, and for his unexplained disappearance in 1920.
Frederick Louise, son of George II, the Prince of Wales played the first ever recorded game of baseball more than 250 years ago – right here in Walton-on-Thames!
The White Hart once occupied what is now 23-27 Church Street and there was an inn there as far back as at least the 1660s.
Robert Cedric Sherriff was born in 1896 and educated at Kingston Grammar School and New College, Oxford. On the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the army and served as a captain in the East Surrey regiment.
I recently visited the Museum of London’s excellent (if gruesome in places) exhibition of items from Scotland Yard’s Black Museum, connected with infamous crimes. One of the displays was about the Great Train Robbery of August 8th, 1963.
January is the time for New Year resolutions. What have you been putting off? What do you want to change to make life better?
It may sound like a bizarre wish, but when I was a child I wanted to go to school at St Trinian’s. It looked like such fun. Well, recently I fulfilled my childhood ambition.
There are several business celebrating milestones in Lower Sunbury and who deserve congratulations.
Sunbury is a destination on many a foreign visitors travel plans. Yes, really!
Sunbury is full of people who are interested in the history of where they live. Many have lived here long enough to remember old houses, since demolished, and businesses converted to residential use.
This surely is the most charming front door in Sunbury. Pomfret Cottage has always enchanted me when I have walked past.
A chapter in the history of Sunbury’s riverside ended recently, with the closure of the long-established boatyard of George Wilson & Sons.
Thank goodness for a knight in shining armour. Spelthorne Gymnastics was due to be EVICTED as their home behind Brooklands College in Ashford was being sold for development but Inland Homes, the developer themselves, have stepped in with a deal to enable them to continue at their present site.
Hopefully you will have already visited Spelthorne Museum in Staines, but if not you are missing a treat! Next time you are in Staines, ome and find us, just through Staines library.
As many of you will know from my last article, June saw several commemorations locally of the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta. My experience of the celebrations began on the evening of Friday 12th, with a reception at Bisham Abbey for Charter Bearers who had been nominated to carry a copy of Magna Carta in the River Relay from Hurley to Runnymede over the weekend.
June 15th 2015 sees the 800th anniversary of the document known to history as Magna Carta. It was the result of a revolt by many of the most powerful barons against what they saw as the unjust rule of King John.
With longer days and warmer weather the season of outdoor events is well underway and one that has been gathering momentum from year to year is the annual Staines-upon-Thames Day. Celebrating the Spelthorne Borough’s cultural, historical and environmental heritage the Staines-upon-Thames Day, taking place on Sunday 28 June 2015, embraces a wide range of events …
Yes folks, it is that time again. The sun is shining and the garden blooms are calling. Spelthorne in Bloom is officially open for business and this is your chance to get your garden into the limelight.
Where would our communities be without volunteers? So many do so much good, enriching the lives of others. The Spelthorne Civic Awards is an opportunity to publicly recognise and thank these wonderful people.
At the last meeting of Shepperton Classic Cars in October about 15 or so vehicles turned up. Imagine my surprise at turning the corner into Manor Park to see a full car park of gleaming bonnets and chrome lined up for inspection.
As I write this article, the old Ship Hotel, (more recently called Harrison’s) is being demolished to make way for a block of flats. It’s a sad end for another of our old hostelries, in this case dating back at least 300 years.
