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.
Shepperton Matters is once again sponsoring the Shepperton Fair Photographic competition. There are several categories to choose from. The Derek Belsey Memorial Trophy awards photos of natural history.
Shepperton Fair Photographic Competition Read More »
It was wet and miserable outside. Inside it was vibrant, happy and fun. The Greeno was positively bustling and was brimming with positivity.
The Greeno –Lifeline to Many Read More »
I joined in some fun recently. I was invited to the Thamesmead School quiz one Friday night, put on by what was the Parent Teachers Association, to raise much needed funds for the school.
Friends of Thamesmead Read More »
The local bridges over the Thames are a vital part of our transport infrastructure, if often the focus of long queues of traffic. Many of them have a long and interesting history, and that between Shepperton and Chertsey is no exception.
In the December issue, the history piece by Nick Pollard described ghostly goings on at Battlecrease Hall in Shepperton. These tales had been reported in the local newspaper in the mid 1940’s. Battlecrease Hall was given a new lease of life by current owners Mike Brennan and Lisa Rollin who moved in in 2013.
Things that go bump in the night Read More »
This month we visit Battlecrease Hall in Shepperton to hear from current owners Mike Brennan and Lisa Rollin about their experiences of ghosts, poltergeists and spirits. We also meet the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey for coffee and find out about his work representing the royal family. We also talk to the old boys who worked on the river maintenance of the Thames, dredging and keeping channels clear to ensure no flooding. If only we could go back to those days!
Charles Dickens, who knew the Sunbury and Shepperton area well, was the man who popularised the idea of the Christmas Ghost Story, in the mid nineteenth century. Whilst looking through old Christmas editions of the Middlesex Chronicle at Spelthorne Museum in Staines, I came across the following story of ghostly goings-on at Battlecrease Hall in Shepperton in the edition for 27th December 1946.
A CHRISTMAS GHOST STORY Read More »
It seems that Shepperton has it’s own Christmas ghost story. We hear tales of things that went bump in the night at Battlecrease House. We also revisit the story of the Great Wood Scramble, with further memories of the market gardening around Watersplash Road.
The article on the Great Woodland Scramble 1928 in the September issue raised several conversations with informed readers, including members of the Barker family who first occupied Staines Road Farm in 1928.
Maps, memory and landscape Read More »
The ability to stand up in front of an audience and be able to give an address, is always going to stand you in good stead. Think of that best man’s speech, making a sales presentation or standing up and asking a question at a public meeting.
Once was the time……. Friday night was the start of the weekend. Maybe a quick drink after work with friends in the local pub, before ending the night in a local restaurant. That of course was in those long ago days before I met my little Cherub. So, what did I do last Friday night? I went to the annual AGM of the Laleham Allotment Association.
The Joys of an Allotment Read More »
It is the 27th year and the county is seen as the most vibrant in Surrey in terms of the effort that goes into it. The joy of seeing blooms adorning shop fronts, lamp posts, front gardens, pubs and public spaces, gives us the feel good factor and a sense of civic pride.
Spelthorne’s Bloomin’ Marvellous! Read More »
A man’s shed…The place he escapes to have a bit of time of his own, to think, to create…For many it is their little bit of sanctuary. But not everyone is lucky enough to have one, and actually a man’s shed still lacks in one thing – Company.
A Man and His Shed Read More »
There is plenty to get your teeth into in the November issue. If you have time on your hands, how about getting stuck into an allotment, or perhaps a spot of woodwork at the Greeno shed? We also celebrate Spelthorne in Bloom winners and take a look back to how the Thames was by Shepperton Lock many years ago….
Ignore the caption of this postcard dating from the 1920s, the view shown is of Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island, which are both definitely in Shepperton! These islands mark the most southerly point of the River Thames, but are both at least partly man-made.
The Thames at Shepperton Read More »
How can six cows become such an attraction? There was much talk of it last year, but finally, with little warning, six Aberdeen Angus cows arrived in Sunbury Park.
Sunbury Park – Much More Than Just Cows! Read More »
Sunbury will be marking a remembrance on October 18th this year, the date when two brave RAF fighter pilots lost their lives 75 years ago, whilst attempting to land at Kempton Park Racecourse.
Kempton Memorial to Brave Pilots Read More »
For many years before the coming of the railway to our area in the mid nineteenth century, the main way of moving around bulky goods was by river.
Rope making in Sunbury and Shepperton Read More »
We explore some local stories and trades this month, in the newly merged and enlarged Shepperton Matters. Read about the great wood scramble in 1928 around Watersplash Road when the area was cleared for housing.
