What an issue this is. Local events galore. We have a review of the wonderful Shepperton Fair, as well as the Laleham Open Gardens. We also say goodbye to the old Mayor of Spelthorne and welcome the new one in, Alfred Friday, who has plans to make Spelthorne sparkle during his term.
During WW2, our community faced a new and worrying threat as Germany commenced its V (Vengeance) weapon campaign against London. Between late June and September in the summer of 1944, the Sunbury/Shepperton area was struck by five V-1’s (doodlebugs) and finally a single V-2 rocket.
A Summer of German V-Weapons Read More »
We were honoured to be invited to the recent inauguration of the new Mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor Alfred Friday – more of this to follow.
New Mayor of Spelthorne Read More »
In typical British summertime tradition, when it came to this special event the weather did not cooperate. Again, with true British stoicism, Sunbury residents came out to join in the celebrations to mark the Queen’s official 90th birthday on June 12th.
Sunbury Celebrates The Queen Read More »
The volunteers who run Spelthorne Museum have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Queens Award for Spelthorne Museum Read More »
A set of postcards from 1919, sent simply to The Cottage, Littleton, Shepperton have had us delving into the past once again. The Cottage, refers to Astleham Cottage which was originally on Littleton Common, now the site of the Queen Mary Reservoir.
Postcards from the Past Read More »
As well as our usual look at Shepperton of yesteryear, we meet Fat Al, the strongman of Shepperton, who has just opened his own gym by Nauticalia. We also hear about the talent at Thamesmead School through their annual Songstar competition. Finally, we hear about the bee society and find out that we could actually learn a lot from their ways of interacting.
Songstar is one of Thamesmead’s favourite school events and is our very own answer to the Eurovision Song Contest!
Songstar at Thamesmead School – Weds 11th May 2016 Read More »
Forget honey and even their pollination services! What we can learn from honeybees could change our whole way of thinking – but first we need to let go of the idea that humans are more important than anything else on the planet.
Learning from bees Read More »
This postcard, dated 1908, is entitled ‘The Almshouses Shepperton’. Far from being Almshouses though, this was at the time the Shepperton National School. An illustration of how important it is not to take things at face value when researching history! Many readers will recognise that the building (on the right) is now the ‘School of Spice’ restaurant, at the lower end of Shepperton High Street.
Shepperton National School 1908 Read More »
There will be a varied programme during the festival as usual, but this year the SSAA will be presenting a mini festival from July 21st-24th. There will be something for everyone for sure, celebrating art through music, art, cooking and literature. Events will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre apart from the first two mentioned here.
A Little Arts Festival 2016 Read More »
Bridal fashion truly comes to Shepperton, at an affordable price. The Princess Alice Hospice shop now boasts a special floor of wedding dresses, prom dresses and outfits for the mother of the bride. Brilliant. We also meet Stephen Kettle, slate sculptor to some rather special clients.
“Whilst we may not be able to directly affect the lot of many people in troubled areas, we can make a huge difference within our own communities” said Chairman Colin Squire during the opening remarks of the 2016 Spelthorne Civic Awards presentation last month.
Spelthorne Civic Awards 2016 Read More »
Shepperton is a great area for bees to live, because there is plenty of forage for them in the large undeveloped areas around the lakes and by the rivers, and there is little intensive agriculture or monoculture.
Stephen Kettle is not a regular sculptor as such, but creates art out of tiny chips of slate. Over the years he has had numerous high profile commissions and his work had been championed by none other than James May of Top Gear fame.
Shepperton Slate Sculptor & Friends Read More »
As a publisher myself I fully appreciate the work that goes into creating magazines. I have the luxury of a computer, the ability to correct spelling and move sentences around all at super-fast speed.
School Magazine Publishing in 1957 Read More »
Imagine you are watching TV one evening and it is a strain to see detail. What do you do? In our privileged Western world, you simply call up your local optician, get an appointment and sort some long distance glasses. No problem!
Mission for Vision Read More »
There have been big changes at the Kings Head in Shepperton and it is well worth a visit.
Restaurant Review – the Kings Head, Shepperton Read More »
This month we meet a former lord of the manor, Sir Edward Nicolls of Littleton Park. Nearer to our world today, we talk to optician Ian Squire about his charity Mission for Vision which he set up to help those in impoverished countries in Africa who do not have access to eye care. The Shepperton Fair is not far away now and the theme has been announced as Colourful Carnival. We look at what the fair means to local primary schools who take part in the parade.
Sir Edward Nicholl was born at Pool, in Cornwall, on the 17th June, 1862. He came from a fairly modest background, and was apprenticed as an engineer. On completing his apprenticeship, he became a ship’s engineer, and worked his way up to become marine superintendent. Eventually he managed to raise some money and became a ship owner himself.
Sir Edward Nicholl of Littleton Park Read More »
We spend a morning that The Greeno centre. It involves rugby players, dogs, welding and a visit to the hair dresser. What a morning!
We also see the launch of the Shepperton Fair photographic competition, sponsored by Shepperton Matters and attend a quiz night at Thamesmead School as part of the fundraising activities by Friends of Thamesmead.
