D’Oyly Carte Island lies at the end of the Desborough cut as you go upriver towards Shepperton lock. Formerly called Folly Eyot. Richard D’Oyly Carte, hotelier and producer of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in the Victorian era, bought the parcel of land in the Thames in around 1890 and built and shaped it into […]
D’Oyly Carte Island Sold Read More »
Berberis thunbergii are deciduous shrubs which look particularly fabulous at this time year, producing highly coloured leaves, and often berries which last well into winter. These berries are actually edible and rich in vitamin C, though because they are very acidic, they are not widely consumed by people. They are an important food for many
As well as being exciting, launching a new business is challenging and a little scary at the best of times. So to take on a 25 year lease and launch a new hair and beauty salon in the middle of a global pandemic takes some guts! But partners Jade Hanley, Katy Brereton and Sally Smith
A Visit to Sisu & Glow Read More »
Having read the articles on the proposed Surrey Unitary Authority, I feel a sense of déjà vu having been involved in the 1990s at the last Local Government Review when we were seek-ing unitary authority status for Spelthorne. I was living in Staines and involved as an adviser to the borough council and worked with
Unitary Authority – Don’t Lose your Identity Read More »
It is with great sadness that we have no viable alterna-tive to the cancellation of Shepperton Big Tree Night (BTN) celebration this year. Therefore, Big Tree Night will not take place in 2020. This has been brought about by the current uncertainty regarding any future Covid-19 infection rates in the lead up to Christmas and
Big Tree Night 2020 Read More »
Rajiv and Kavita Mohan were due to receive a Community Award last year, but were in India at the time. Their award was presented this summer at their home by Cllr Colin Barnard, Mayor of Spelthorne who said: “Rajiv and Kavita ran the Laleham village shop “Best One” for 15 years. The shop became a
Best One Laleham Civic Award Read More »
Congratulations to Tom and Sharon at Shepperton Post Office who were worthy finalists in the Post Office ‘We’re Stronger Together’ awards for service during Covid-19 pandemic. Absolutely well deserved!! Shepperton Post Office was a finalist in the Local Hero category at the Post Office’s ‘We’re Stronger Together’ regional awards for the South East region. The
Shepperton Post Office Finalists in National Awards Read More »
Now that lockdown has been lifted – my time on BBC Breakfast [helping the nation] is no longer needed. For now, at least (and here’s hoping it lasts) people can now move around more, get out in the fresh air and are beginning to get back to “the new normal” way of life. So now
“Keep Fit & Carry On” says our Green Goddess Read More »
Severe restrictions put in place by the Government earlier this year to tackle the ongoing pandemic has significantly affected our hospital services. Like other Trusts, at the start of lockdown we had to implement several changes at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals to help keep the public, members of staff safe and reduce the risk
There has never been a better time to buy second hand for your home. During lockdown lots of people indulged in some major decluttering and many lovely items have ended up on eBay, Facebook, and similar sites, not to mention charity shops and vintage stores. Nowadays we can buy anything we like new online or
Second Hand. Not Second Best! Read More »
Well….. the High Street is back open again. The vast majority of traders and services are back behind the counters, including the dry cleaners and laundrettes, as well as the hair-dressers and beauty salons. In addition, not just the main High Street, but also “over the bridge” on the junction of Laleham Road and Sheep
SO…. Out of Lockdown… How’s It Going?….. So far anyway… Read More »
I am sure a lot of us will feel a degree of trepidation and sadness with the impending excavation of the gravel pits, not only bringing about the increase in heavy lorries whizzing up and down the by pass (as if there aren’t enough issues with that stretch of road), but also the loss of
Watersplash Farm Wildlife Loss Lamented Read More »
Between April and July Shepperton Rotary Aurora and other groups have donated bags of food to the Jubilee Church Collection Centre in Manygate Lane where the church members and volunteers have been providing for 48 households (nearly 900 individuals) every week. To make this happen, the members of Aurora have helped to publicise, distribute leaflets
The Aurora Foodbank Ladies Read More »
We all love the flowering boat ‘Jeannette’ at the end of the high street. The Shepperton Village Conservation group does a fantastic job caring for all the planters in the high street as well as the treasured boat. Even during the heat wave, these wonderful volunteers were out there making the village look cared for.
Respect and Civic Pride? Read More »
For many of us the period of lockdown has given us a chance to discover new ways of thinking, behaving exploring new talents and interesting hobbies. With the blessing of glorious weather I have taken lots of long and enjoyable walks exploring our local nature. I also decided to try a new hobby and discovered
My New Lockdown Hobby Read More »
The last few months have been different to any other time in our lives, a challenging time of loss for some and financial challenges for others – a time to reflect on our lives. During this turbulent time, relationships can either become strained and grow apart or be-come even stronger. Fortunately at The Bur-lington, the
Views from The Burlington Read More »
Spelthorne Dementia Support / Purple Angels and Cameo are facing a huge challenge with the pandemic. So many new members are needing vital support with the various issues that the virus is causing .The importance of isolating and distancing is very difficult to explain to their loved ones who are living with dementia. Helpline emergency
Purple Angels Update Read More »
You may have seen on the BBC news mid August, that a new species of dinosaur had been recently identified on the Isle of Wight. Several finds of bones last year have been confirmed as coming from the same creature. Those who had been lucky enough to find a piece of it were elated. None
Local Indiana Jones in Dinosaur Find Read More »
On our morning amble down the high street Mojo, the Shepperton Matters dog and I often meet Jean Davies and her trolley of rubbish bags. We will all recognise this smiley face. Jean walks the length and breadth of Shepper-ton every day from Sheep Walk to Gaston Bridge Road and Dockett Eddy Lane to Green
Why All the Rubbish? Read More »
Lords Bridge Court is a development of 38 individual apartments with residents mostly over the age of 75. When the government announced a Lockdown, many of us had no idea exactly what that would mean. Once we realised we would not be allowed to go to shops, supermarkets and pharmacies we started to wonder how
Lords Bridge Court Lockdown Buddies Read More »
How Thamesmead School supported our learners through lockdown and the next steps During the period of lockdown Thamesmead School was one of the 6% of state schools that offered live lessons to all students from the outset. We knew how important it was going to be to keep routine in place for our students if
A New Era of Schooling Read More »
