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.
I was a shy young thing. Ironically, joining the Brownies, would have been just the thing for me, as I discovered when I went to the grand opening of the new HQ of the 1st Sunbury Scouts & Guides. The event was teaming with old and young, those who had been a scout or guide back as far as 40 years ago.
New HQ for Sunbury Scouts & Guides Read More »
The Légion d’honneur, is France’s highest decoration. It was established by Napoleon in 1802 to recognise individual merit. Among its recipients are those who have played a part in the liberation of France and so it was that Sunbury’s John Cairns was recently invited to a special ceremony at the French Embassy to receive such an award for the part he played in WW2.
Légion d’Honneur for Sunbury Man Read More »
At the turn of the last century, Sunbury was a weekend and holiday destination. The river was bordered by many little cottages and the beauty of the river and peace of the village offered sanctuary from the bustle of London. Many of those weekend retreats have been sold and redeveloped.
Historic Getaway sold at Auction Read More »
We revisit the past in this issue. A look at how the Thames was at Shepperton Lock in the 1920’s, a visit to a former holiday home on Wheatley’s Ait in Sunbury where actors and actresses got up to all sorts in the 1920’s.
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 »
Sunbury has some famous new comers – Our 6 cows in Sunbury Park have made it onto the ITV News and the Daily Telegraph. Read all about Sunbury Park’s uses through the past century. You will be surprised. You can also find out about the origins of the name Rope Walk, as we explore rope making in the area.
This year started badly with a large chunk of my winter spent in rehab after a long spell of illness and injures that put me a long way behind my competition
Shepperton has a Double World Champion Read More »
Centenary celebrations for the national Women’s Institute in September 2015 attracted widespread media coverage. Some readers may also know of the Middlesex Federation of Women’s Institute’s 75th Anniversary publication entitled Middlesex: Within Living Memory, a collection of members’ life experiences published in 1996
Landscape change: memories of a WI member Read More »
You may know him, and if you like good quality fish at good prices you really should visit him on Wednesdays, as do I and an increasingly large coterie of loyal repeat customers.
A (Wednes)day in the life of Andrew Clarke Read More »
A packed issue this month. Full of history and local stories. I joined St Trinian’s, a long held ambition! We have a look at local houses George Wilson’s boatyard, and Pomfret Cottage both either sold or up for sale. We also congratulate local businesses celebrating milestones this year.
A chapter in the history of Sunbury’s riverside ended recently, with the closure of the long-established boatyard of George Wilson & Sons.
George Wilson & Sons, Sunbury Read More »
Guinness, the black stuff, may be served in the bar, but we are talking Guinness as in breaking records in August.
Guinness Record Attempt and Webb Ellis at Hazelwood Read More »
Clearing out is a great way of discovering long lost treasures. So it was for a local Sunbury resident who was having a clear out and came across his son’s summer school project from when he was 10.
A Child’s View of Sunbury’s Treasures Read More »
Every year crowds gather at Rivermead Island in Sunbury for the annual regatta. This year the event on Saturday August 15th will be the 138th year. We wander around the stalls, watch the arena events, have a bite to eat and cheer on the racers.
The Children’s Regatta – Then & Now Read More »
Lots happening in Sunbury in August. How about the new Sunbury Comedy Festival? Or the Regatta of course. We look at the children’s regatta, meet the brain behind the comedy festival and preview the arrival of the Webb Ellis trophy in Sunbury.
Hopefully you will have already visited Spelthorne Museum in Staines, but if not you are missing a treat! Next time you are in Staines, ome and find us, just through Staines library.
A treasure trove of history Read More »
They deny encouraging the scheme. They deny even knowing any details about it, despite meeting after meeting after meeting with The Jockey Club and their consultants. We’ve made it all up, apparently.
The huge conspiracy theory that will not die Read More »
As many of you will know from my last article, June saw several commemorations locally of the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta. My experience of the celebrations began on the evening of Friday 12th, with a reception at Bisham Abbey for Charter Bearers who had been nominated to carry a copy of Magna Carta in the River Relay from Hurley to Runnymede over the weekend.
My Mad Magna Carta Weekend! Read More »
