High Street Update Lite

And here we have a mini-High Street Update for you. An interim post, if you will. It’s almost poetic in its symmetry, balance and poignancy. Almost.

We have three photos that say something about the state of the modern suburban high street. Although we really ought to have kicked off with an empty shop we’ve spared you that depressing site despite there being plenty to choose from in Twickenham.

First, The Crown on Richmond Road, newly refurbed with a foodie focus after a long period of closure and already getting some good feedback on Twitter.

Second, the display at The Coffee Lab cafe on King Street. The latest addition to Twickenham’s cafe culture serves good coffee and some impressive looking cakes.

Third, one of the big kids shows up late to the party. And he hasn’t even brought a bottle! It’s the new Sainsbury’s Local at Twickenham Green. Expect a mix of offers, bargains and overinflated prices. Not all on the same items obviously.

Pic of the Week

Spring Sunrise
Even if you don’t live by it, go running or walk the dog by it, it’s worth getting down to the river early on a bright spring morning. Although we don’t usually say things like this… it’s actually quite uplifting.

Spring morning, Orleans Gardens

Pic of the Week

Spring arrives at last and a paddle boarder enjoys trip up the River Thames. Well we say ‘enjoys’ but we couldn’t get a close up of his facial expression. We’d like to think he was enjoying the sights of Twickenham and Eel Pie Island from the river but he could well have been in an absolutely fuming rage for all we know. Late home for dinner perhaps? Still, a nice evening for it though.

Spring sprung?

Spring Reflections

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Some river water goes on some grass!

High spring tides have led to the usual dose of flooding by the river at Twickenham including here at Radnor Gardens. A picture for those in a reflective mood.

Spring reflections

Prize of the Week

Prize of the week? Well, more like prize of last week. Remember our recent Twickenham themed caption competition? Congratulations again to our winner, David. The prize was a gift box of Twickenham and twickerati themed cupcakes from Sweetie Pies Boutique Bakery on Church Street. And here they are. Good or what?!

Cupcake Prize from Sweetie Pies

And in case you missed it, here’s the photo again:

Competition Time!

And the winner?
It was David. He correctly identified Church Street as the home of Sweetie Pies and won the tie break with this caption:
“Lord True regretted agreeing to judge the cup-stacking competition after it ended in a judicial review.”

You can see all the entries here.

Suburban Skylines: Cupolas, Towers & Turrets

Looking up from the buildings lining our streets, what’s one of the first things that meets the eye? That’s right, it’s the ubiquitous ‘To Let’ signs which seem to adorn many of our high street properties. We’ve certainly got no shortage of them. Look a little higher and you might just see something a bit more interesting. Yes, really!

In this photo gallery we’ve put together a collection of pictures of cupolas, towers and turrets in Twickenham and the surrounding area. Not all are lurking above the ‘to let’ signs on our high street properties, in fact most aren’t. Many you’ll recognise, some you may not. And there’s even a mystery tower and a strange roof cowl thingy too to get you guessing. Can you place them?

All photos (apart from three) are the property of Twickerman, aka @twickeman on Twitter. A big thank you to him for his snapping skills. And if you’ve got your own, send us the link and we’ll add them. Needless to say, there’s no fee payable – not even from you to us – just a credit, obviously.

So, look to the skies! Or at least just look up a bit. Can’t even be bothered with that? Well then, just scroll down the page.

Twickenham yacht club

Strawberry Hill House

Where is it?

Forde House, Twickenham

Pictures of the Week: 1920s Twickenham

These photos come from the excellent Britain From Above website which features hundreds of aerial photographs of Britain taken between 1919 and 1953.

Here are just two of many local pictures. The first one shows central Twickenham in 1928. Note the station to the west of the road bridge, no sign of the Royal Mail sorting office which is about to be redeveloped (ooh, topical) and a very sleepy looking London Road.

Twickenham Junction, 1928

And how about this from the days before rugby became big business and when Whitton and north Twickenham was mostly fields.

Twickenham Rugby Ground, 1927

LINKS:
* Britain from Above (Twickenham search results)

And on twickerati
* More insights into Twickenham’s history
* Collecting your Twickenham Memories

n.b. These photos have been used under Britain From Above’s policy on non-commercial ‘blogging’ use. See their site for details of the permissions and restrictions on using their images. And yes, we hope we’ve complied properly.

Pix of the Week: Winter Weather

Brrr! Corr blimey Guv’nor, it’s mighty chilly out there. Etc, etc. And now that we’ve got the preliminaries out of the way, here’s a selection of winter photos starting off with a great picture of a frosty Twickenham Green. And we’ve got some rather good snow shots too:

A frosty sunrise on Twickenham Green

Frosty January Morning (c Emma Coleman)

[Copyright: Emma Coleman (@blink_photo) / Blink Photography]

Pic of the Week

Christmas morning saw plenty of rain but the weather improved a little over the day and the sun even made a brief appearance. Which was nice.

Pic of the Week: Christmas Lights

Christmas gets underway in Twickenham with a Yo Ho Ho (or is it Ho Ho Ho, we’re never sure? One was the Green Giant, the other Father Christmas, is that it?).

The lights are on the tree and we suppose that means it’s time to start getting into a festive mood and/or start panicking. We were even joined by a Star Wars storm trooper to help the Christmas spirit along. George Lucas missed a trick there. Next up: Ebenezer Vader Snubs Death Star Christmas Party III.

Thanks to the Twickenham Town Business Association, Twickenham Alive and others for putting on a good event. And remember kids, check out our What’s On item for a summary of what’s on in and around the town over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, here’s a few more pics…