Notes from the Chair

Spring 2023

We appear to be doing something right!

Event organiser Rosemary Hill has produced a short survey asking members what they think of the Society’s events. The questions requested feedback about our talks, walks, lunch, the quiz night and summer party. She also asked for any other suggestions that members would like us to consider adding to our calendar of events.

We are very pleased that the survey endorsed that our interesting talks are enjoyed by members. Suggestions for other events included more organised walks throughout the year; a music evening; a poetry recital; a country dance; litter picking; and organising a local market.

The Hampton Society’s aims are to preserve and enhance the area’s beauty and interest and to encourage a strong sense of community by sharing information and arranging interesting talks and events throughout the year.

Whilst we will always maintain an eye on planning applications and continue to improve the channels of communication with members through this newsletter and regular emails, we will strive to build on the success of the talks and events we organise.

January Lunch & Quiz Night

Our January lunch was held at the Jolly Coopers this year. By all accounts the food was delicious and as you will see from the picture it was a cosy affair and will take some beating. Back after too many years of pandemic postponement, the quiz night was a resounding sell-out success. Proceedings were conducted by our new quiz setters, Andy Smith and Margaret Lamb. My thanks go to them for such an enjoyable evening. It was a pleasure to see the whole hall singing along to one of the songs in the music round!

Planning applications are sometimes not what they seem

Towpath pontoons by Thames Close. Applicant had said they were working closely with local residents and that they were very positive about the improvement plans. The reality was that the residents had no such relationship with the developers and were largely against any plans as they would challenge the privacy and endanger the Sea Scouts who operate from a hut close to the proposed moorings.

Request for newsletter deliverers

Do you live on or near Broad Lane? Would you like a little exercise four times a year and help distribute the newsletter? We are also looking for anyone who can help step in when any of our deliverers are away or unable to. Please contact Linda Brignall on 020 8979 9499 if you are able to help.

AGM in April

I would like to encourage as many members as possible to attend the next AGM. Not only will we be hearing from a representative of the Hampton Fund (formerly the Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity). We also hope to introduce some new committee members. See you on 27 April.

Kind regards,

William Redfern, Chair

March 2023

Summer 2023

First of all, apologies for the delay in bringing you this newsletter as we wanted to report on the Summer Party.

It was a lovely evening as you’ll see from the pictures on the back page. It’s such a special place to have a gathering and a great opportunity to catch up with each other. We were sorry we had to increase the price of the tickets due to the soaring cost of everything we are all currently experiencing (thanks Liz and Vlad). Even though it’s not just about the meal – there’s the unrivalled location and the fantastic entertainment from the band that are also included in the price – the buffet was delicious and there was plenty to go around.

Do you still want a Summer Party, or something different?

I was surprised tickets were slow to sell and that only 60 out of an expected 80-100 attended. As a result, we have had to subsidise the cost of putting on the event for the second year. I would really like to know from members who didn’t come this year what the reason might be and whether you think we should be doing something different or nothing at all. Please contact us at enquiries@thehamptonsociety.org.uk and let me know what you think.

New committee members

I would like to welcome again our two new committee members, Diana Pogson and Andy Smith. Diana approached me at the AGM to ask if there was anything she could help with and we are very pleased to have her join the committee. Andy was our quiz master in February and will now also be helping with our other events.

Hampton Ward Mayor and Leader of the council

In May I sent my congratulations to Hampton Ward councillors Suzette Nicholson and Gareth Roberts who have become the 58th Mayor of Richmond and re-elected Leader of the council respectively. Not bad for the village on the outer edges of the borough! Suzette follows former Hampton North Ward councillor Martin Seymour who became Mayor in 2015 which we featured in our summer newsletter at the time. Martin recently gave an excellent talk at our AGM to members about the history and work of Hampton Fund, formerly the Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity.

Changes around Hampton

You may well have seen work has begun on the Kingsbury development. The showroom is no more but the garage is open for sales and service business as usual.

On a more colourful note, have you seen the fabulous mural on the Hampton Hub building? I think it really captures the essence of being ‘a place for everyone’. Well done to the artist of the mural and Susan Green and Chris Grace who manage the Hub. Have a look around next time you’re passing, they have lots of activities and concerts.

Kind regards,
William Redfern, Chair

June 2023

Autumn & Winter 2023

As your Chair, it is always a pleasure to share news of our upcoming events and reflect on the successes of our recent gatherings.

Our trip to Denbies Wine Estate was a resounding success, and your positive feedback is a testament to our commitment to offering a varied and engaging calendar of events. We aim to provide opportunities for you to connect with fellow members, explore new interests, and broaden your horizons.

Our last two talks at St Mary’s community hall have been met with packed houses eager to learn and engage. They were informative and fascinating. A big thank you to our committee members Rosemary and Alice for their outstanding efforts in organising these enriching events.

Summer party comments

Your feedback has made it clear that this is a cherished occasion in our social calendar. I extend a warm welcome to anyone who lives alone and may feel hesitant to attend our gatherings. Our events are a fantastic chance to meet new friends, expand your social circle, and engage with like-minded individuals. We are more than happy to introduce you to other members and ensure you feel comfortable and included.

Enhancing the Committee

I am delighted to announce that Alayne Öztürk has accepted the position of our new secretary following my appeal for new committee members. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Lesley Cesenek for her invaluable contributions in the role over the past few years. Additionally, we have received a welcome offer of assistance from Julia Stafford, who has kindly agreed to contribute articles to our newsletter and provide support at our events. Thank you, Julia and Alayne, for your willingness to lend a hand.

We are immensely grateful for the unwavering commitment of our new and existing committee members. Their dedication and enthusiasm are essential to the success of the Society.

Jazz Night at St Mary’s

Marking an exciting departure from our usual programming, we are hosting a jazz evening on Thursday, December 7th, featuring the renowned Perrin Jazz Collective. Tickets are selling fast at only £5 each. Tables will accommodate up to six people, and if you are coming on your own, we will ensure you find a welcoming spot to enjoy the music and company. Secure your tickets by scanning the QR code at the top of the next page or go to bit.ly/46dKllJ.

Remembering our community’s dedicated councillors

November has brought us the sad news of the passing of two esteemed councillors, Geoffrey Samuel and Martin Elengorn. Their dedication to serving our community leaves an indelible mark on our local landscape.

Geoffrey Samuel was a dedicated and long serving councillor representing Hampton North. In my experience, he was a committed and courteous councillor who was always available to meet with residents and hear their concerns.

I will miss his regular email newsletters that updated all who received them with issues in the Hampton North ward, especially the future of the White House. He was also a prominent figure at Remembrance Sunday, adding a touch of elegance and respect to the occasion with his academic attire.

That same week, I first heard of the passing of Councillor Martin Elengorn, who has represented Teddington since 1982. He had been seen only the week before at his usual spot in a Teddington café where he made himself available to meet residents and hear about local issues.

On behalf of the Society, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Geoffrey Samuel and Martin Elengorn. Their contributions to our community will not be forgotten.

Kind regards,
William Redfern, Chair

November 2023

Spring 2022

I have received lots of news from Hampton Pool in its centenary year.

First of all, following Greater London Authority approval at Stage 2 in late January, Richmond Planning confirmed the decision to approve the Hampton Pool building development on 18 February. The charitable trust will be holding a conversation with their members highlighting the key features and what has changed in March.

Centenary celebrations will take place at the weekend of 24 June, around the date it officially opened a hundred years ago in 1922. Please get in touch with the Trust at 100@hamptonpooltrust.org.uk if you have any memories of Hampton Pool over the years you would like to share in this momentous year.

Calling time

I would like to thank members Richard Pull, Linda and Robert Cox for all their enthusiastic help in running the refreshment bar at our events over the last few years. We now have a vacancy and would love to hear from you if you fancy helping the Society by running our modest bar. Please get in contact with me to get involved.

I would also like to acknowledge the immense effort of our retiring committee member Sylvia Bridge Le Cluse. For over seven years Sylvia has been monitoring and advising the committee on planning applications that challenge the aims of the Society – the protection and development of the local environment, both built and natural, and to ensure that the provision of amenities enhances the quality of life for the residents of Hampton. Iacopo Sassi is a practising architect, deputy Chair of the Society and leads the planning group. If you would like to join the committee and help in this important area, Iacopo and I would really like to hear from you.

Local inspiration

Finally, I would like to say how inspired I have been by the achievement of our two local girls and their friend, our cover stars. I have been in regular contact with Pauline – Charlotte’s mum – during the girls’ adventure at sea. Besides updates on progress and amazing encounters, Pauline has regularly informed me of when they would be appearing on BBC Breakfast who have been following the ExtraOARdinary story. The show even hosted a video link between the girls’ parents and satellite phone in the Atlantic on Christmas Day.

Back on dry land, the three girls were in the studio on Monday 21 February and received a special message from Dolly Parton, after whom their boat was named. She said “I can honestly say that I am so flattered and so honoured that you would use me in any way to accomplish what you have accomplished. I just wanna say how proud of you I am - you are to be commended. Having my name associated with great girls like you is wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped a lot of people.”

As a parent, I can only imagine how anxious all their mums and dads must have been while their children were in the middle of a vast ocean and I’m sure they are glad it’s all over. Until their next challenge!

Kind regards,

William Redfern, Chair

March 2022

Summer 2022

Welcome to our celebration issue to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

I hope you all enjoyed the recent Jubilee celebrations and that you were able to take part in a local street party - one of an amazing 16,000 around the country. Talking of parties we’ve now sold over two thirds of our allocation of tickets for the summer party at Hampton Sailing Club. If you haven’t already got a ticket and would like to come I would encourage you to get one soon to avoid disappointment as numbers are limited.

I have been asked by several members why we are having our summer party on the same day as the celebrations at Hampton Pool. It’s unfortunate but we have to plan our summer party around the Hampton Sailing Club regatta so that we can take advantage of their marquee and accommodate more people in comfort. I hope those involved in both Hampton Pool and The Hampton Society will understand.

It’s quite a year for centenaries

This year also marks 100 years of the Hampton War Memorial Charity. The cottages, built in Oldfield Road, remain as residences for ex-service personnel and their families to this day.

‘Tread lightly’

The BBC is also 100 years old this year. One of its most famous servants, Sir David Attenborough, was the narrator to the film that we showed at this year‘s AGM about Richmond Park. The message he wanted us to take away from the film was to tread lightly in order to protect the ecology of the parks and to secure their future for generations to come. This is a message I was acutely aware of having recently visited one of our more remote areas of the British Isles, the Outer Hebrides. This largely unspoilt archipelago benefits from a sparse population and only a small number of tourists each year. The beaches and landscape are beautifully clean, owing in part to the relatively small impact of visitors.

Theatre news

The marvellous Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond has announced the appointment of their new artistic director. Tom Littler is currently Artistic Director and Executive Producer of the West End’s Jermyn Street Theatre. He will succeed Paul Miller who is stepping down in December 2022 after more than eight years in post. Tom has directed throughout the UK and Europe and has been nominated for eight OffWestEnd Best Director Awards. I wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing one of his productions when he takes over.

Future of the High Street

I have received an update from Cllr Richard Baker, Business and Growth Lead Member, following the Community Conversation events, where we shared ideas for local high streets. He is particularly excited to be piloting a local service hub concept which could be a brilliant solution to the things people tell us they miss in their local areas. Further details can be found here https://bit.ly/3MYYcDG and a larger version of this infographic can be found here https://bit.ly/390VyhX.

Kind regards and I hope you have a lovely summer,
William Redfern, Chair

June 2022

Autumn & Winter 2022

Although the primary concern of the Society is the built and natural environment of Hampton, we take pride in also being able to provide our members with local information and news updates in the form of these newsletters and regular email correspondence, as well as entertainment through our popular talks and events.

Our autumn season has, so far, been a resounding success so thank you for coming! The results of our recent survey indicate that we are doing the right things for you and the recent unprecedented audience figures for Graham Dillamore, Stephan Roman and Tracy Borman’s talks are certainly backing that up. However, if you have a subject for a talk or an activity you think might be of interest to members, please drop me a line.

There’s a lot going on in our area

Hampton has become somewhat of a centre of entertainment! Aptly named ‘Hampton Hub’ on Ashley Road (formerly the Metropolitan Water Board Club) hosts evenings of music and comedy. Acts that have played at the Hub Club include Shakatak, China Crisis and a variety of tribute acts; plus comedians including Andy Parsons and Milton Jones. You can find out what’s on next at the hamptonhub.co.uk website.

The West End gets beamed directly into the village at the Hammond Theatre on Hanworth Road (on Hampton School grounds). As well as live events, it also shows live screenings including the Royal Ballet and opera from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and and drama from the National Theatre. Not only are ticket prices a lot more affordable than these famous venues, it also cuts out the hassle of a commute into and out of town, late at night. See their website www.thehammondtheatre.co.uk for more information about upcoming events.

Tribute of Friendship

We lost a huge champion for Hampton last year. Caroline Badgery, along with her husband Michael, was a local estate agent and was instrumental in running the Hampton Village Traders’ Association and its events. Fellow HVTA committee member Jane Witham of the Jolly Coopers organised a ‘friendship bench’ in her memory. It was a pleasure to attend its unveiling in the garden of Linden Hall along with Jane, Michael, friends and family at the beginning of September.

Real Beauties!

I was surprised to see that one of the ‘Windsor Beauties’, the subjects of a talk by Laurence Shafe we held over Zoom during lockdown, had sprung to life in front of my eyes on a recent visit to Hampton Court. Laurence will be enlightening us again in a talk on JMW Turner in March next year – this time also IRL (in real life) at St Mary’s! The corridor and the adjacent Cumberland Art Gallery that holds part of the Royal Collection including 13 Canelettos are not to be missed if you are planning a visit.

God Save The King

It was an honour to represent the Society again at this year’s Remembrance Sunday service at the War Memorial Cottages on Oldfield Road, the centenary of when they were built in 1922. It was the largest contingent of youth groups I have experienced at this event including representatives of many Scouting packs. Along with our MP, Munira Wilson, the leader of the council Gareth Roberts, local councillors, churches, organisations, I laid our wreath on behalf of the residents. It was the first time I have had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem to our new king, Charles III. Although our late Queen only visited Hampton on an official engagement once (as featured in the facing article), she regularly came over this way to see her horses in the Royal Paddocks in Bushy Park. The Society was lucky enough to be given a guided tour of the Paddocks in 2014 where we were told that the Queen personally named every horse.

Kind regards,
William Redfern, Chair

November 2022

Spring 2021

With the light getting brighter on the horizon, both seasonally and metaphorically, I hope you are all keeping well.

Have you noticed all the work being done on the waterways around Fisher’s Pond in Bushy Park’s Woodland Gardens? On my daily walks, I have been fascinated to see the birds bemused by the heavy machinery and the easier access to tasty morsels caused by the dredging. The work is to improve the flow and quality of the water by removing the build-up of sediment. This is all part of The Royal Parks Mission: Invertebrate project that I have been hearing about on their regular Podcast https://bit.ly/3kTf7u3. The gardens are also looking a little bare at the moment due to the clearing of the Rhododendron ponticums, a non-native invasive species being removed to improve the site’s ecology.

COVID-19 Community Champion

I have volunteered to represent the Society in this capacity. The aim is to share relevant information with you through this newsletter and by email. If you have been offered a vaccine (at time of publication this covers ages 56 and above) , I would encourage you to arrange one through the national booking service, which can be accessed at the NHS website. The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.

Vaccine Myth Busting

Myth: The vaccine can give you COVID-19. Fact: Some vaccines contain the germs that cause the disease they are immunising against, but they have been killed or weakened to the point that they don’t make you sick. But in the case of a coronavirus vaccine, none of the vaccines contain a live coronavirus, and they therefore can’t give you a coronavirus infection.

Meal Train – all aboard for helping out

Through friends of ours that have found themselves in difficult circumstances, I have become aware of an innovative ‘crowdsourcing’ online platform that helps schedule and organise homemade meal-giving for other people. If you are trying to help your friend, family or associates through a difficult time, this might be for you. By managing contributions, the person you are helping can say what meals they do or don’t like and your friendship group can see when each of you are providing for them. Sounds really helpful. Find out more at mealtrain.com.

The New Baron of Hampton

I read in the excellent Hampton Guide, that drops through our doors twice a year, that we now have nobility in Hampton, sort of. Evgeny Lebedev, who has lived in England since the age of eight and owns the Evening Standard and the Independent newspapers has chosen the title ‘Baron Lebedev of Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and of Siberia in the Russian Federation’. Prime minister Boris Johnson offered the multi-millionaire media magnate a cross-bench peerage for services to both the media industry and also charities, including the Evening Standard’s Dispossessed Fund (£13 million +) and the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation (£10 million +). The 40 year old lives in Stud House in Home Park.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind regards to you all,

William Redfern, Chair

March 2021

Summer 2021

My son and I were lucky enough to qualify for tickets for the FA Cup Final, part of the government’s Events Research Programme.

We both had to have tested negative at an authorised pharmacy in Teddington within 48 hours of the match and proof of both this and our identities was required for entry. The match programme featured Society member Phil Weller and his role at Hampton & Richmond Borough Football Club. He was also featured in a video in the stadium before the game. Apologies to local Chelsea fans, but there was something in the air preceding the day with sightings of lucky foxes around Hampton! As a lifelong Leicester City fan, and as it is the first time the club has won the cup after five appearances, you could say it was a day we will never forget. Well done Phil and congratulations to Chelsea for going on to win the Champions League in Porto. No hard feelings, eh?

Thames Fire

The early May bank holiday ended quite unexpectedly. I had wondered why there were so many sirens screaming through the streets around us in the High Street at around 6.00pm. A quick dip into Twitter revealed that there was a huge fire on the river. Quickly donning a raincoat, I dashed down to the Thames to be met by a chimney of thick grey and black smoke rising from the boatyards on Platts Eyot. It was with much sadness I witnessed the roaring fire that was to destroy two boatyards and several historic boats, taking with them the livelihood of those that worked there. Luckily, our friend’s studio on the end of the island next to the boatyards avoided disaster as the strong wind was blowing away from their building. At least this one historic building was saved. The island is part of Hampton’s heritage and my thoughts are with the businesses that have been so badly affected.

Virtual AGM

Thank you for your flexibility as we held our first virtual AGM in April this year. We cancelled last year’s AGM due to lockdown but we decided it was important to resume this important business rather than miss another year. For those who were not present, our treasurer Brian Brignall presented two years of accounts and all proposing and seconding was done via the chat facility in Zoom. The meeting was followed by a fascinating talk on researching your house’s history, given by Nick Barratt.

Rosemary Hill retires as secretary

Along with arranging our talks, Rosemary is also the secretary for the Society. After many years of service Rosemary has requested that she retires this year from the role to concentrate on organising events with Alice. I would like to thank her sincerely for the diligence and effort she has put in ensuring there is a record of our activities. Lesley Cesenek has kindly accepted to take over as secretary and after approval from our members in attendance at the AGM, I welcome her to the position.

Hampton Matters DVD producer dies

I was very sad to hear of the death of member Ron Smedley (see obituary in the newsletter). As you’ll read, Ron was very much an active member of the community and was generous enough to donate the video he expertly produced to the Hampton Society. The few remaining copies of Hampton Matters, that captures 10 ‘stories of life in Hampton recorded in the first decade of the 21st century’, are available to buy. Please drop me a line at enquiries@thehamptonsociety.org.uk if you would like a DVD. They cost £5 each.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

William Redfern, Chair

June 2021

Autumn 2021

I hope you have all managed to make something of the summer and even get away somewhere special. Wherever you’ve been, I hope you agree that however hard it is for your holiday to come to an end, at least returning to the leafy lanes of Hampton is always a consolation.

The Future of the High Street

I represented the Society in a recent ‘Community Conversation’ hosted by the council. The online Zoom event was led by Paul Clement, an independent specialist in local shops. He highlighted that, contrary to popular belief, Covid-19 has not killed off the high street. If anything, interest in shopping locally has been restored as we have avoided bigger shopping areas.

The greatest challenge to our shopkeepers is maintaining this interest and creating a ‘want’, now that the ‘need’ has been significantly reduced. Diversity of offers is also a challenge. Although there is a predominance of certain types of retailer in Hampton, we do at least have a fine butcher, several grocers and general stores, an off licence, a bicycle sales and servicing shop, carpets, beds and gifts alongside services such as hairdressers, dry cleaners, dentists and chemists.

I hope you continue to make the most our local shops if you are already customers. If you’ve not, I would encourage you to have a look around and see what’s on offer. Visit their website www.hamptonvillage.org.uk/index.php/directory.

Destination venue

A recurring theme of the high street discussion was the need for a ‘destination venue’ for people to head to, but in doing so, to also take notice of all the other fine shops the village has to offer. The recent trend of pavement dining has offered the opportunity for us to not only ‘take five’, but take notice of our surroundings as we are socialising.

In addition to this, the Hampton Hub, Ashley Road which used to be the Metropolitan Water Board club, is setting itself up as Hampton’s ‘go-to’ live music and comedy venue. They are hosting a variety of fantastic bands, a couple that you might have caught at the Hampton Pool Summer Picnic Concerts, as well as comedy nights featuring stars of TV and radio. Have a look at the line-up over the next few months at hamptonhub.co.uk/whats-on.

Mast down (for now)

We objected to the siting of an 18 metre 5G mobile phone mast that was proposed for the corner of Oldfield Road and Station Road, beside the childrens’ play area. Sylvia, of our planning sub-group, highlighted the application and in consultation with Iacopo, our resident architect and deputy chair of the Society, we decided that this was not appropriate. Along with the potential risk to traffic and pedestrian accidents on a busy junction it would also be in the middle of a conservation area. The council have thrown the application out – taking into account many other residents’ views.

However, I hope that a suitable site for the mast is found as opposing improved mobile coverage completely would be detrimental to the community in the long term and would run the risk of Hampton becoming a mobile black-spot.

Christmas Celebrations

All being well, a step towards a normal Christmas will take place on Sunday 4 December. More details will be available through the hamptonvillage.org.uk website in due course, but The Hampton Society intend to return with a stall where we hope to see as many new and familiar faces as possible.

Kind regards,
William Redfern, Chair

September 2021

Winter 2021

Merry Christmas to you all.

It was great to see so many of you at the Hampton Christmas Celebrations on Sunday 5 December. Thanks for coming to say hello. I think it is the biggest turn out I’ve seen for many years. We were rushed off our feet signing up new members and giving away our lovely seasonal postcard.

If you still have a spare card, don’t forget to pop it round to a neighbour and encourage them to join our thriving Society. Thank you to the Hampton Village Traders’ Association for all their hard work putting on the event.

Our very own scandal

We also had a good attendance to our last talk of the year at St Mary’s. Sarah Slater shared all the goings on in the Tudor and Hanoverian courts, both with their close association to Hampton Court. There were some gasps amongst the 50 strong audience as we were shown some of the objects of pleasure enjoyed by our 18th century ancestors! Not for the faint hearted.

A return to ‘normality’

As always, it was an honour to represent the Society at this year’s Remembrance service at the memorial gardens by the green on Oldfield Road. Major Richard Warnes of the General Service Corps gave The Exhortation (They shall not grow old…) and kept us all in order. Representatives of the local youth groups helped place the wreaths on the memorial as we were called up. Bryan Woodriff of the West Yorkshire Regt. & Army Intelligence Corps, retired Society committee member and long-term contributor to improvements around Hampton read out the Kohima Epitaph after Reveille marked the end of the two minutes silence.

When you go home tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow we gave our today.

I was proud to see the large numbers of Hamptonians following the parade and gathering at the memorial along with church leaders, school children, youth clubs, organisations (including our own), ward councillors and Munira Wilson MP.

Later in November I saw this stunning display in the gardens of Hampton Court and I thought I’d share it with you.

Assuming we all act responsibly and that the current situation doesn’t deteriorate further, I hope you all have a wonderful family Christmas to make up for last year. Have a lovely time and I look forward to seeing you at an event in 2022.

Kind regards,
William Redfern, Chair

December 2021