Got something to say or a bit of news that doesn’t quite fit on any of the items or pages on the site? Well, stick it on here then. If you’re lucky, and we do mean if you’re really, really lucky then we’ll tweet the link to the comment and see if the great mass of the twickerati can help you out. Who knows, it might even work. Simply add your thang as a reply below and click “post comment”.
(Word of warning: We offer no guarantee that we’ll approve every post. And it’s likely that boring press releases, especially political ones, won’t be approved. Why? Just because.)
FREE exhibition, top workshops for women start-ups. Join us on 3 October, Twickenham. Find all you need to get off to a flying start under one roof. Also suitable for those already in business, looking to get more professional.
http://www.bigbusinessgetready.co.uk
Hi everyone,
Sorry to drop in on your lovely site but I work for ITV and we’re coming your way next week with our highly successful show, ‘May the Best House Win’!
We’re looking for contestants who are available Tuesday-Friday next week. For more info please check out: http://www.itv.com/besthouse
On the 5th August from 10:30 onwards at the new Diamond Jubilee Garden
on Twickenham Riverside the Twickenham Petanque Club is having a
friendly event with the Palewell Petanque Club who will conduct a ½ hr
introduction on the basic rules and then do any coaching necessary to
Twickenham residents.
So please come along and throw some balls!
Coming up: Jam Yesterday Jam Tomorrow events:
Have you or your family members lived in this area for many years? Are you interested in the market garden heritage of the local area? Then the Environment Trust would like to invite you to take part in their oral history project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, on
Monday 20 August 12.00-3.00pm, White House Community Centre, The Avenue, Hampton
Please remember, tomorrow is Petanque day at the Jubilee Gardens. I’ll be there, with my family at 11:00 am, come rain or shine. If it is raining, I’ll be in the sunshine cafe.
I have a set of boules, so if you are curious and want to give it a try for the first time, please come!
See you there!
I need to find a manual labourer. Got some work needs doing in my garden in Heathfield South – about 3-5 days. I had a search around the web and I have struggled to find anyone other than expensive gardeners who want to do design and gardening – which I don’t really need or want to pay for. Any tips appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Check out the sign in the shop next to the old Par-Ici. I don’t have their contact details but they are fantastic and will definitely be able to
Hi Mike, do you have an email address? I’m a local labourer.
Please Sign a Petition for a 20 mph Speed Limit near St Marys School
Petition for 20 mph speed limit and other traffic mitigation in the vicinity of St Mary’s School on Strafford Road, Twickenham.
https://www.voiceregister.com/Traffic-mitigation-at-St-Marys-School-Twickenham
The opening of a new school in Strafford Road makes traffic mitigation imperative. Strafford Rd., Oak Lane and Amyand Park Rd. together function as a ‘rat run’, the only route between central Twickenham and central St Margaret’s for drivers seeking to avoid congestion on Richmond Road (an ‘A’ road). With the support of the school’s Governing Body, we request a speed limit of 20 mph in Strafford Rd.; pedestrian crossings across Strafford Rd., Amyand Park Rd., and Oak Lane; and other measures such as speed bumps or narrowings of the carriageway on Strafford Rd.
Just published: Neil Aspinall, the “5th Beatle” who lived in Waldegrave Park for 40 years – funeral at St Mary’s, buried in Teddington. http://www.twickenham-museum.org.uk/detail.asp?ContentID=435
Yo’thang
Anyone remember Hamilton Electricity Works? Well the dearly loved BTM at the end of Hamilton Road, Twickenham has been under threat over the past seven years of demolition and hostile development. The last planning application brought good news to residents as the developer at last decided to refurbish the former Victorian power generating station so it blended in nicely with the surrounding area.
I came back from holiday last week to discover part of it had been demolished. When I queried this with demolition boss, I was told that it was only a ‘lean to’. Funny how this lean to has stood solidly for 111 years and within two days, it is a pile of rubble.
The council has been informed about this illegal act and are investigating. In the meantime the demo crew are busy at work ripping apart lock ups and building up a nice big bonfire. This will be a boon to bored commuters on the Reading line nearby especially if a spark sets light to one of the many gas canisters lying around.
You will see some of my photos at the side but this is just the beginning. watch this space
If you are towards the Richmond, Barnes, Mortlake side of the Borough and are a dad to young kids (3-5) then have a look at these free Dad’s Day art workshop session at the Powerstation Youth Centre in Mortlake.
Council blurb: “Every Saturday 10.30am-12.30pm (starting from Saturday 14 April). A new, free, weekly programme of drop-in art activities for dads with children aged up to 5 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.”
Richmond Council: http://bit.ly/LKtY3E
Goalkeeper wanted for Twickenham Sharks U12s football team.
Sharks are a small club based in Twickenham but playing home matches at Imber Court Sports Club in East Molesey. We are seeking a goalkeeper for the 2012-2013 season – who will be in year 7 next year.
We intend to train on Friday evenings from 7-8pm and on Saturday mornings from 11 – 12:30am, but can be flexible about availability for training. Our goalkeeper from last year would be available to fill in occasionally if the new goalkeeper wanted a week off or the occasional chance to play outfield.
Detailed information about the club and its record is available on our website, http://www.twickenhamsharks.co.uk. We came runners up in Division 4 of the Surrey Youth League last season and have been promoted to Division 2 for next season.
Please contact Ellen Purton on 07931 322 755 or by email at ellenpurton@gmail.com if interested.
it seems Aka’s have resurrected plans to legitimise take away use. hugely unpopular last time out
Changed their name too. Bring back Kaka’s, I say!
They’ve always done takeaway, as far as I can see. Has the council investigated?
This from Chris Squire about FORCE (Friends of the River Crane Environment)…
FORCE has organised a public meeting to discuss the River Crane for 11th July, in Twickenham Library, starting at 7-30pm. Thames Water will be present at this meeting and it will be an opportunity for the public to hear more about the incident and the plans for the future and to put their questions to Thames Water and FORCE representatives.
Here’s one you might like that arrived by email…
Join the team behind Honest Publishing – local independent publisher based here in Twickenham – for a talk on publishing in the 21st century, what it means to be a POD publisher, tips for writers looking to get published, and their new book The Vorrh by renowned artist Brian Catling, with foreword by comic book legend Alan Moore.
Saturday 9 June, 2.30pm, Twickenham Library. £2 admission
Massively recommend anyone and everyone attending Perform Pilates on Church Street above Naz Balti. Have been going for a few weeks and am completely hooked! Cynthia, the lady who runs the classes, is fantastic – really patient and great at what she does. Classes are reasonably priced too
Can’t go wrong.
Hey peeps…enjoy the Twickenham Riverside Jubilee Festival. Take a rare chance to see Pope’s Grotto or visit Turner’s House. Otherwise enjoy craft & food stalls on the riverside along with live music and river races.
Good GP? I’m new(ish) to the area and want to register with a GP. Any recommendations?
I wonder by what criteria a GP is rated as “good”? Helpful, unobstructive reception staff are the first hurdle. Once through that you need a decent set of doctors… There is a directory with some reviews at:
http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=GP
I’m at the York Practice, nominally Dr Frank Thomas is my GP. Nice clean premises. It’s fairly easy to get a same day appointment if you take whoever is free- they are all personable and professeional. The practice nurse and the asthma specialist nurse I see are knowledgeable and professional. My 80-something year old neighbour thinks very highly of Frank Thomas, who has been his doctor for decades.
yes acorn surgery
We’ve used Cross Deep surgery for years. I don’t think you get assigned a specific GP anymore, you just see whoever’s free although you can request to see a particular one if you want. (I think there’s currently one male GP and about 3 women if that has any bearing on things.). The bottom line is… we’re all still alive so it must be OK.
The Twickenham Museum will be holding its 8th Annual Lecture, titled ‘the archaeology of some West London gardens’ on Tuesday 29th of May at 8 p.m. in St Mary’s Church Hall, Church St. It will be presented by Brian Dix, B.A. F.S.A., an eminent garden historian who worked on many historic gardens in this area, including Hampton Court and Bushy Park Water Gardens.
Tickets, £6 in aid of Museum funds, can be bought at the Museum during open hours.
http://www.twickenham-museum.org.uk
Regarding the Army and Navy carnage it’s notable that many of the supporters arrive early in the morning already worse for wear and carry on drinking all day and night oblivious to the fact there is also a rugby match taking place.
I suggest rotating the fixture between Twickenham, Murrayfield, Cardiff and Belfast so each home nations can experience the behaviour and impact of our forces every four years. Fair shares.
Nikki
I suspect the RFU dates have been set aside for concerts.
It would be great to have another H4H concert as the one in 2010 was brill.
Its possible the July date is for a pre Olympics concert/event as the torch will be touring London at that time.
Thanks for that, will keep my eye on Ticketmaster. I would also like to comment that I walked through the town centre yesterday just after 3pm and have never ever seen so many beer cans, bottles and food rubbish strewn around the streets and pavements, outside the Cabbage Patch especially, and all the way down to Mogden Lane Tesco. What is it with the A&N rugby days? I am all for the Forces enjoying themselves and letting their hair down, God knows they deserve it out of all of us for what they do, but for people that are mean to be the most disciplined on the planet, I am disappointed in the mess, noise and behaviour they leave behind. All the other days put together, the 6 Nations, Internationals, Premiership and London 7′s etc. don’t create this mess. Any suggestions?
The Horse Rangers are celebrating St George’s Day. The youth charity’s Band will be playing in the Parades at Whitton on Sat Apr 21 and Richmond on Sunday Apr 22. Please support us and visit horserangers.com or our FB page
Calling all Twickerites! Would you be intererested in volunteering at your local charity – The Horse Rangers Association?
The HRA provides nearly 400 places for young people, able-bodied and those with special needs, who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to learn about horse management.
HRA is always keen to hear from anyone who has some spare time to help as a volunteer. Whether it’s serving teas or walking a pony … please contact us asap. All volunteers must be CRB checked.
Visit our website: horserangers.com for more info
First it was Twickenham Week, then it was the Twickenham Festival and now it’s the Twickenham Riverside Jubilee Festival and it runs for more than 2 weeks, from Friday 1st to Sunday 17th June!
I shall be allowing the populace into the grounds of my little Gothick castle’s to attend the usual Jazz Festival on the 3rd and 4th. I believe the bard of Twickenham, Mr Pope, will be welcoming visitors to his Grotto on the 2nd and 9th of June.
There will also be dragon boat races, a regatta, craft markets, street parties and much more. The HANDS Charities May Fair will be happening on the Green on Monday the 4th June (following the pattern of May Balls at the University of Cambridge which are held in June, obviously).
See: http://www.twickenhamalive.com/ for more details in due course.
Richmond Business Expo, the biggest local business show in SW London, hits Twickenham Stadium on 19th April. This is no ordinary expo! Row upon row of soulless stands are actively discouraged. Instead, you will find a hive of creativity, ideas and inspiration to help grow your business.
If you’re a fully fledged business, in the early stages of starting one, or maybe facing redundancy and want to explore creating your own venture – you will find something of interest. Up to 100 local businesses will be showcasing. The variety is limitless; professional services, design and marketing, home & garden, financial and legal, online experts, restaurants and more.
Plus our FREE ‘How I Made It’ seminars with keynote speakers are not to be missed. Three super-successful entrepreneurs will be sharing their inspirational stories to show you what really is possible when you put your mind to it.
The whole event will be abuzz with inspiration, innovation and hope. Book your FREE TICKET at http://www.richmondexpo.co.uk
Am I the only person to be irritated by the buses on Heath Road when they announce Copthall Gardens as it is written, not as it should be pronounced (as in Copt Hall Gardens, which, funnily enough, is derived from the eponymous hall which stood nearby)? I emailed London Buses some time ago and had a polite response, but nothing has changed.
Eventually, we’ll be pronouncing it like that and the link with a little bit of Twickenham’s history will be lost to future generations.
No you are not. It is irritating. Next time the announcer voice says, “The next stop is…. ” shout Copt Hall to drown her out.
Regarding the St James Sorting Office Consultation:
St James are ONLY demanding 5 hours of your time on Friday or Saturday.
Perhaps that’s how long it takes to workshop (aka brainwash) local residents these days!!
I don’t see any point in holding such an event (other than to tick a public consultation box) until the Council have confirmed the move of the youth centre from Heatham House to the sorting office site. This move will
reduce the development area of the sorting office site, thus limiting the potential for other much needed amenities and will result in St James having to build very high to generate profits (deja vu?!).
It’s time for the Council to come clean on Heatham House.
Dear RFU
Having just read on the bbc website that apparently J White has said that the RFU have been in contact concerning the vacant England manager role I felt I had to write to you to express my views.
As with most England supporters these last few years I’ve been so disappointed with whats happening with our national side- poor play @ results, inflated player power / egos, poor management and a general lack of pride in playing for ones national side , not to mention the extremely poor discipline showed by players and lack of control exercised by those in control .
With the appointment of Stuart Lancaster as interim manager recently , as if my magic, a lot of these past problems on the pitch appear to have been addressed . Mr Lancaster has showed tremendous drive and enthusiasm, but most of all has put in place a clear set of rules and guidelines and hasn’t been afraid to exercise control and discipline as and when required. This was so sorely missing these past years . In addition, the players seem to be playing now with more adventure and freedom, no longer the ‘defence first’ mentality imposed by numerous predecessors.
However, this ‘sea change’ hasn’t occurred by magic, but by a man who clearly understands man management , who possesses an excellent rugby skill set and is respected amongst all players – and hopefully management. . namely Stuart Lancaster.
For the sake of English Rugby, will the decision makers amongst the RFU please read this heartfelt email , and understand that you have a man, an Englishman to boot, already in the role who clearly has demonstrated he is able and willing to take the English National side on to a new and higher playing level, his name is STUART LANCASTER , he deserves to be made England Manager on a permanent contract.
( Incidentally, I’m a former rugby player, having played for Orleans FPRFC in Twickenham for over 20 years, who yearns for an English team to be proud of!)
This just in… if you want to know what might happen on the old Royal Mail Sorting Office Site in Twickenham and want to have a (probably fairly limited) say in it then this could be for you. Might be worth a visit:
A Vision for Twickenham Sorting Office: A Community Planning Weekend
• What: You are invited to attend this Vision for Twickenham Sorting Office Community Planning Weekend to participate in creating a new Vision for the future this important site.
•When: Friday 23 March [2pm - 7pm] & Saturday 24 March [11am - 4pm]
• Where: at Richmond Adult and Community College, Clifden Road,Twickenham TW1 4LT [RACC]
• Why: St James (part of the Berkeley Group) has recently purchased the former Sorting Office site with a view to bringing forward residential led, mixed use proposals. The aim is to meet the aspirations of the emerging Twickenham Area Action Plan and deliver a development of high quality, which enhances this important part of Twickenham and is well integrated with the surrounding area. St James has appointed John Thompson & Partners (JTP) as architects for the scheme and to facilitate the community planning process.
• How: Community Planning is a way of engaging with the local community and partners to shape the future of their towns and neighbourhoods. At the Community Planning Weekend you will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, walkabouts and hands-on planning groups to discuss key issues and develop ideas relating to the regeneration of the site. This event will be an opportunity to share local knowledge and contribute to the emerging Vision for the site. Pop in for a short while, a few hours or stay for the entire time if you can. Team members will be on hand to explain what’s happening.
• Report Back: Following the public workshop days the team led by JTP will analyse and summarise the outcomes and develop an illustrated Vision for the Sorting Office site. It will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 25 April 2012 at RACC.
• Contact: Ieva Anserberga, John Thompson & Partners by email at ia@jtp.co.uk or by telephone on 020 7017 1780.
More: http://www.jtp.co.uk/community-planning-projects/twickenham/
I went to this, interesting what some of the proposals were, especially for a possible music venue opposite the station. I think the results are in this week with a meeting at the college giving details.
Fundraising is Funraising
Here’s hoping that the twickerati are feeling generous with time and money, willing to try new ideas, make new friends, and make our locality more lively in the cause of raising money for Oxfam.
We’re starting Fundraising for Oxfam in Richmond and Twickenham (FORT). We ve got some good fundraising ideas, but could do with more. And we need the twickerati to share the roles of management and organising events.
Inaugural meeting is on Monday 19th March at 7.45 pm at The Orange Tree in Richmond. (Table at the back in the alcove on the right if you enter from Kew Road.) Meanwhile if you’ld like to know more, contact:-
shireenalam@gmail.com – 07845 524641, or
alick@munro.com 07944 933532
Alick Munro
Hello Art Lovers,
Just wanted to remind you about the pop-up gallery group show of paintings, sculpture and mixed- media work courtesy of Neal’s Yard Galleries. Lots of artists on display. It’s at Forsyth House, 211-217 Lower Richmond Rd, Richmond, TW9 4LN and runs from 1st to 11th March on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 2.30-7.00pm and on Sundays from 2.30-4.30pm. Pop into the pop-up and have a browse. There’s a lot of great talent on show.
More details at: http://www.nealsyardgalleries.com
(or see my work at http://www.dominiqueholt.com)
Boris backs Solum plans for Twickenham Station
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/9564030.Boris_accepts_Twickenham_station_plans/
What a difference a year makes – from Back Boris Leaflet, Spring 2011
“BORIS PICKS A WINNER
Planning in Twickenham is now based on preserving the character of the existing environment. Any new development is to be low density family housing, not cramped, high density high rise without car parking””
I am a local artist working on a project called ART2HEAL
ART2HEAL is a project running in select spaces in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames providing art in health environments (wards, Waiting rooms and therapy rooms) to promote healing via visual stimulation
Project aim:
Utilise available wall spaces in heath centers and clinics to promote healing through the arts and provide a platform for contemporary art,whilst at the same time benefiting your patients through access to art.
I am trying to raise community awareness and need to find businesses to sponsor ART2HEAL
Please do get in touch if you are able to help in ANY way, it will be very much appreciated.
Need some help from the local Richmond community as Richmond Council have persecuted me and my mother for the past 5 years and all the evidence is here : -
https://sites.google.com/site/onelawfortescohmv/council-tax-conspiracy
Can you help?
Have you spoken to the Richmond & Twickenham Times about this. They might be interested in doing some digging. Or there’s always a Freedom of Information request to get more details on the relevant correspondence.
Anyone know who is responsible for not one but now two flag poles resplendent with flags on the Hospital Bridge Roundabout? Please give them a big pat on the back. TW2 keeping Great Britain Great! Or trying to anyway
Missing: Rickshaw Man
Prizes for Valentines Giveaway (List)
Amorous Weekend in Venice? Check
Romantic Dinner for Two? Check
Enchanting Rickshaw ride home? Er…
Yup. We need your help – we can’t seem to find the Rickshaw man! We’ve seen him around, near Water Lane, but that was around last year… we need him now – can you help?
Unfortunately, we don’t have much to go on – he’s a man and his Rickshaw’s black… with possible white trimming? The important thing is he’s most likely local and we need to find him since he’s been mentioned in our Valentine’s Competition Giveaway!
If you have any information that goes towards his capture- er! Identifying and locating him, please contact us on 020-8744 0474 or e-mail: info@crusadertravel.com
Thank You!
One assumes this isn’t a package of prizes given that it’s a bleedin’ long rickshaw ride home from Piazza San Marco
And, at the risk of straying into off colour material – what guarantees are on offer that the Venetian weekend would be “Amorous”? ; would professional services be on hand to ensure no lull in the proceedings
If you can’t find Rickshaw Man, you could offer a romantic weekend for two at Twickenham Travelodge (including microwave dinner).
Simples (and cheaps).
Sixties Night with the 60s All-Stars
Fabulous band made up of original members of Kinks, Foundations and George Harrison Band will be at The Turk’s Head, St Margarets on Friday 3rd Feb. Only £20 (in advance) to include light supper & lots of dancing to a great band. All in aid of The Royal Marsden – organsied by The David Adams Leukaemia Appeal. Email: liz@davidadamsleukaemiaappeail.org or see http://www.davidadamsleukaemiaappeal.org
Hello Art Lovers,
There’s a pop-up gallery group show of paintings, sculpture and mixed- media work from 1st to 11th March 2012 courtesy of Neal’s Yard Galleries. This one’s at Forsyth House, 211-217 Lower Richmond Rd, Richmond, TW9 4LN and running Thursday, Friday and Saturday 2.30-7pm and Sunday 2.30-4.30pm. Pop into the pop-up and have a browse.
More details coming soon at: http://www.nealsyardgalleries.com
Talking Shop. The cafe dedicated to conversation.
What does that bring to mind? How might a cafe like that work in or around Twickenham? Would you like to join a working party to see if we could make this a reality? It could be a joyful place for people to meet, in a party atmosphere as guests of a host, serving themselves to soft drinks and snacks, and putting contributions in a collection box for expenses and profits go to charity. Get in touch and we can expand on the idea.
Alick Munro 8892 9243, 07944 933532 alick@munro.com
Um, isn’t that what pubs are for?
pubs can be good for conversation, but generally you have to bring your own mates. it would be good to go somewhere where people are happy and interested to talk.
For Christ’s sake, no more bleddy cafes!
Please come along to my FUNdraising Quiz Night – quite possibly the best quiz you will ever go to!
I am running the London Marathon in April 2012 and am raising money for the ‘Help a Capital Child’ charity, an organisation to help disadvantaged young people in London. For more information about the charity please visit http://www.capitalfm.com/charity or search for their Facebook page.
In order to help reach my fundraising target, I am hosting a quiz night on Sunday 5th February at the ‘London Road’ pub in Twickenham (6pm for a 7pm start). What better way to beat the Sunday night blues – booze, entertainment, nibbles, a raffle with awesome prizes, great company, questions to keep you on your toes and a warm feeling inside?!
Teams of up to 6 people and I would like to suggest a donation of £10 per person into the charity bucket that will be passed around on the night. ABSOLUTELY 100% of ALL money raised at the quiz will be donated to ‘Help a Capital Child’.
Please, please come along and support the event and pass this invite onto ANYONE you think maybe interested in it. For further information then please contact me on Facebook or katharine.lynch@yahoo.co.uk.
If you are unable to make the quiz but would still like to help me reach my fundraising target then please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KatharineLynch and sponsor me there.
Look forward to seeing you on the 5th February!
Kat x
Hello there,
I run a fantastic local singing group, Sol Singers, who do all kinds of songs – anything ranging from pop, jazz, african, folk…anything that’s fun to sing. So, we’re looking for some new members to swell our ranks. Anyone interested? Singing is a fantastic way to de-stress, boosts your confidence and mood and generally have a fun and yet healthy evening out!
Have a look at: http://www.solsingers.com or email me: solsingers@gmail.com
Just changed it to show newest first. Let’s see what people think.
it depends which hemisphere you’re from!
i’m afraid you’ll find its just the same over at the R&TTimes.
i suggest you try using the End key if you can be ar*ed
Travelodge is the first bar or hotel in Twickenham to be granted a 24/7 licence.
Travelodge has just been granted a 24/7 booze licence. Floodgates are now well and truly open for all other Twickenham bars and hotels to follow suit.
Their advertised philosophy of eat, drink and be merry til long after your bedtime is bound to steal business from Twickenham’s other late night dive, the piano lounge, especially at just £12 a bed.
Really? I mean….really? Are you seriously implying that a hotel with a 24hr licence ( pretty commonplace) is likely to become a den of late night sex?! Or am I mistaken, and actually you’re worried that the Piano lounge might go out of business if prospective punters have the option of calling it a night, and getting some shut eye?
Do you know if this is a general licence or a residents only licence? It’s not entirely unknown for hotels to be able to offer 24/7 drinking opportunities otherwise they’d be completely unable to offer either a residents’ bar or in room minibar facilities.
The Queen’s Hall planning application has been rejected. Thus far that’s all the planning pages say – http://www2.richmond.gov.uk/PlanData2/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=11/3695/FUL
The Queen’s Hall proposal is highlighted in Rich & Twick today. I think it is interesting that the developers had not in fact gone into the Hall to have a look at what was there before they proposed to knock it down. There was an “open hour” last Tuesday, organised of behalf of the Richmond Environmental Information Centre
I had no idea about these proposals and feel sure that if the wider public were aware of them it would provoke considerable opposition. It is even more out of character than the plans for the riverside site that the Conservatives scrapped. Perhaps we can get Scott Naylor outside KFC campaigning ( if he hasn’t committed Hari Kiri after the station debacle)??!! I think some letters to the Richmond and Twickenham Times might help
Queen’s Hall, Twickenham – proposed redevelopment
Queen’s Hall is in King Street behind Bu-sen and backs onto the old swimming pool. You can see it clearly from the service road that runs behind the shops on the river side of King Street. The hall has a long history, and the owners, F&C Reit Asset Management, are proposing to turn it into commercial and flats. It’s application 11/3695/FUL (http://idoxwam.richmond.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?&appNumber=11/3695/FUL)
Teresa Read writes: “Queen’s Hall, (accessed through Bu-sen) is an historic building which is being studied as part of a community heritage project. There are a number of artifacts above a false ceiling which have not been seen by the public for many years.
“Queen’s Hall, built in 1877, was used for many concerts and plays. In 1881 Lillie Langtry made her debut there. During the Second World War the Hall was used for dances attended by US forces stationed in Bushy Park. After the War it became a dance studio and is currently occupied by Bu-sen Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.
“On the ground floor a decorative Victorian wrought iron ventilation system and mosaics can still be seen and the original stage is in existence. The name “Queen’s Hall” in mosaic in the entrance to the Hall is covered by a mat. The auditorium, the middle part of the Hall, which can only be accessed by a ladder, contains a very spectacular frieze of a chariot. Other items of interest include chandeliers, plaster motifs and a suspended lighting system.”
For more, and a picture of the frieze, see http://idoxwam.richmond.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?&appNumber=11/3695/FUL
Love rugby? Live in Twickenham? Well….near Twickenham then? Great! Thamesians are a local rugby club based on Twickenham Green welcoming players of all abilities for rugby, socialising and everything in between. The club has a proud history and celebrates its 50th year in 2012. If you would like to find out more about playing rugby for a hugely welcoming club at the very epicentre of the game, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. Follow us on twitter @thamesiansrugby
I’d love to see more rugby on the Green. If there’s anything I could do to support this, let me know!
NEWS:
The ‘Coloured Mass’ has had the distinction of being given the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society’s Award for the best Local History Publication in 2011.
In ‘The Coloured Mass: art and artists in the Twickenham area from Tudor Times to the 21st Century’ (published by the Borough of Twickenham Local History Society) Dr David Allan takes us on a vividly-constructed and scholarly journey through the art history of the Twickenham area. The lives and works of more than eighty artists, sculptors, photographers, come under consideration in this copiously illustrated book. The area’s historic surroundings of Marble Hill, Orleans House, York House, Pope’s Grotto, Walpole’s Strawberry Hill, Garrick’s Temple and Turner’s Lodge have provided a constant source of inspiration for resident and visiting artists over five centuries.
The book’s intriguing title is from Alexander Pope’s words ‘Blend in Beautious Tints the Coloured Mass’ (Epistle to Mr Jervas, 1716), and the contents are no less evocatively described: The Glory of God and the Splendour of Princes; Masters of the Baroque; Connoisseurship and High Art versus Portraiture; The Genius of Landscape and the Photographic Interlude; Expressionists, Collectors and Amateurs; Applied Art, Art education and Abstract Art; 21st century interpretations of Turner’s riverside. Comprehensive appendix listings include specially drawn maps showing the locations of the ecclesiastical and other major buildings where the artists and art were located in each century.
Hi, we are a Twickers based band LEARN TO SWIM. Some may have witnessed our pop folk in front of around 10k at Strawberry Hill Music Day last or Twickenham Regatta last summer. Well…we want to help keep the spirit of Eel Pie Island and local music alive as well as playing central London gigs. Trouble is our stuff isn’t blues and isn’t grass roots folk so, at current, eliminates us for the Barmy Arms and Eel Pie Club… Can anyone recommend any local venues/gig nights we might not know about?
http://www.twitter.com/Learntoswimband
Great music and beer. Support live music + good local boozer. Marble Hill Pub Fri 27/4. 3 bands. Free. http://bit.ly/I8bNpg