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EVERYONE WELCOMETELEPHONE 020 8398 5550 FOR INFORMATION

55076_ISFC:SPRING inside Cover 2005 23/9/09 15:46 Page 1

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AUTUMN 2009

The Magazine of the Thames Ditton and Weston GreenResidents’ Association

Published quarterly since Spring 1970

EditorKeith Evetts6 Church WalkThames Ditton KT7 0NW020 8398 [email protected]

Magazine DesignGuy Holman24 Angel Road,Thames Ditton020 8398 1770

DistributionGeorge Cammack19 Riversdale Road,Thames Ditton020 8398 8727

Advertisement ManagerVerity Park20 Portsmouth AvenueThames Ditton KT7 0RT020 8398 5926

ContributorsYou are welcome to submitarticles or images. Please contactthe Editor in advance. Next deadline 7 November.

AdvertisersThames Ditton Today isdelivered to an influential4000 households throughoutThames Ditton and Weston Green.Call for rates for full page, half andquarter page advertising.

In this Issue:News from the Residents’ Association ………………… 7

Consult Before You Decide ……………………………… 13

Curtain Up at the Vera Fletcher Hall …………………… 24

Consult Before You Decide (continued) ………………… 27

Celebrating 75 Years: Blue Plaque Scheme……………… 33

A Century of Dittons Scouting…………………………… 37

Autumn Crossword ……………………………………… 41

Solution to Summer Crossword ………………………… 43

Services, Groups, Clubs and Societies…………………… 44

Theatre In The Village – Noticeboard …………………… 46

Cover photo: The World of Weston Green by Will Derrick

This issue marks 75 years since the Association was foundedin Weston Green and I make no apology for devoting space tosummarise its story. The cover image by a talented youngphotographer from Weston Green comprises 36 separate10-degree exposures of the Green that took a whole day tostitch together into a spherical projection. A remarkableimage. The normal range of content returns in the Winterissue. – Editor.

www.residents-association.comOfficers and staff of the Association are volunteers, but we must fund costs of this magazine,administrative and election expenses, and other expenses such as spring bulb-planting and thevillage Christmas tree. The subscription is only £3 per household. If you can contribute more,please do so. Subscriptions (in an envelope please) may be left at Moss Chemist, 14 High Street,or Thorkill Road Pharmacy, 94 Thorkill Road, Thames Ditton. Or mail to Membership SecretaryPeter Haynes at 6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton KT7 0JJ. Thank you.

55076.qxd:Thames Ditton SPRING 2005 24/9/09 14:14 Page 3

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the next residents’ association open meetings are

TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER, 2009 AND TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY, 2010 AT 8.00PM

AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL, 4 EMBERCOURT ROAD, THAMES DITTON

ALL WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THAMES DITTON AND WESTON GREEN ARE WELCOME

Thames Ditton & Weston Green

Residents’ Association

About the Association

Founded in 1934 our Association is astrong, locally based non-party-politicalorganisation concerned with protecting theamenities and furthering the interests of theinhabitants of Thames Ditton and WestonGreen. We work to preserve and enhance thebest in our attractive environment and thequality of life of everyone in our community.

Through regular meetings, social activities,our magazine and website we keep in touchwith residents’ views and we raise and spendfunds for the benefit of the community, fromtree and bulb planting to contestingunacceptable development projects.

With five Residents’ Councillors we have astrong voice on Elmbridge Council workingwith other residents’ councillors to ensure thatdecisions are based on the needs of localcommunities and on good management ratherthan on party politics.

Our Residents’ County Councillor PeterHickman represents our views at SurreyCounty Council.

President: Ann Levick,8 Basing Close, Thames DittonVice-President: Edward Rowe,23 Portsmouth Avenue, Thames DittonVice-President: Maureen Sheldrick,34 The Woodlands, Esher

Thames Ditton CouncillorsDavid Lowe,8 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4957Ruth Lyon,11 Riversdale Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3396Karen Randolph, Deepfield, Giggs Hill Road,Thames Ditton 020 8398 5005Weston Green CouncillorsLorraine Sharp,168 Ember Lane, Esher 07970 874 925Tannia Shipley, ‘Clinton House’27 Lower Green Road, Esher 020 8398 2484Surrey County Councillor:Peter Hickman, Little Lodge,Watts Road, Thames Ditton 020 8339 0931Officers:Chairman: Libby MacIntyre,24, High Street, Thames Ditton 020 8398 5534 Vice-Chairman: Alan Brauner,11 Speer Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 0870Vice-Chairman: Martin Wilberforce,7 River Avenue, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4732Hon. Treasurer: Bob Huxster,5 Station Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3489Hon. Secretary: Tricia Bland,29 Station Rd., Thames Ditton 020 8339 0485Membership Secretary: Peter Haynes6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton 020 8398 6019Conveners of Sub-Committees:Health and Community: Karen Randolph (see above for details)Planning: Graham Cooke 23 Ashley Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 8509Highways, Drainage: Andrew Roberts1 Boyle Farm Road, Thames Ditton 020 8786 6882

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News From the Residents’ Association

23 May to 18 September

CountyThanks to all who helped with the

campaign and voted to re-elect PeterHickman to Surrey County Council on 4June as councillor for the Dittons andWeston Green. Your support is greatlyappreciated. Peter was duly elected with2635 votes, to the Conservativecandidate’s 1193. Against the hugenational swing to them the Conservativeslost three seats in Surrey with Residentsgaining two, LibDems the other, and some close calls. The Conservativesretain an absolute majority, and continueto run the council as they have donethroughout its existence.

The highly competent interim ChiefExecutive of Surrey County Council,hired after the resignation of the last one,made an objective evaluation of what hefound before moving on himself. Hewrote a damning report that described theCouncil as “arrogant, bureaucratic,lacking in vision, direction and strategy,obsessed with itself, inefficient,unsophisticated, with a culture of blameand bullying, a lack of leadership, and indenial about its shortcomings.” Thereport received minimal mention in theopening speech to the Council by its newLeader, Cllr. Andrew Povey(Conservative, Waverley), and it has notbeen put before the full Council to debate.

In early Summer our HighwaysConvenor Andrew Roberts compiled a list

of potholesin Thames Ditton and WestonGreen and submitted it as a batch toSurrey. The contractors filled the bulk ofthem – those that met their measurementcriteria – within thirty days. We willrepeat the exercise: keep an eye on ourwebsite. Andrew planted the flowersround the Fountain and the Octagon,which the Association funded. Thevandalised light from the Fountain is inthe hands of SCC awaiting a quote fromrepairers.

Surrey have funds to resume theparking consultation this Autumn and anew supervising official is reading himselfin. Keep an eye on our website.

Car park chargesDespite the petition earlier this year the

Elmbridge Cabinet refused to allowcharges in the Ashley Road car park to berolled back from the intolerable levelsimposed in January. It was even statedthat high charges for a day or longer wereintended to discourage all-day parkers.This is in total contradiction to Surrey’sintention, which the Association hasalways shared, to get all-day parkers intothe car park and free up street parking forshort-term shoppers and deliveries. YourResidents’ councillors have now got thematter referred to full Council.

Residents may also note a report in TheTimes forecasting that councils wouldincreasingly use parking charges and


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controlled zones, on which no ceiling isimposed, to raise general revenue ascouncil tax is capped. There is noguarantee that a widespread scheme ofcontrolled parking in the village wouldnot be used in this way by county andborough in years to come.

PlanningThe appeal by developers against

Elmbridge’s refusal for 4 detached and 3terraced houses on the site of the oldHarrow was dismissed by the PlanningInspector. He considered the plans wouldadversely affect the character andappearance of the area, and the livingconditions of the occupiers of the adjacenthouse due to unacceptable loss of privacy.The 3 storey houses would have aregimented similarity of design that wasuntypical and unsympathetic to thecharacter and appearance of the area; theywould be clearly visible from within theGreen Belt at Weston Green and theirunsympathetic nature would harm thevisual amenities of the Green Belt. Thedevelopers have since withdrawn a furtherapplication while they think again.

But another Planning Inspectoroverturned Elmbridge’s refusal forVodafone to erect a phone mast by thepath from Lower Green Road to Esherstation, in an unsatisfactory hearing.There is a better alternative nearby on thegrandstand roof at Sandown, where weunderstand the mast would be acceptable,but this is being ignored by Vodafone.This battle continues: several hundredsignatures have already been gathered bythe Lower Green Residents on a petitionto Network Rail not to allow the mast tobe erected on its land.

Heritage, Conservation andGreen Belt

Elmbridge’s publicity machineryomitted to mention that EnglishHeritage’s annual “Heritage at Risk”register in June listed the Thames DittonConservation Area as at risk of neglect,decay or damaging change. Part of this,such as the state of the road surfaces orthe use of non-conservation qualityyellow lines or lamp posts, may beattributed to Surrey’s failings; part toElmbridge’s planners not paying enoughattention to the small print ofspecifications for developments; and partto weak enforcement, of which developerstake full advantage. But some residentsbear responsibility too – please keep yourproperty well conserved.

On the positive side Elmbridge’sHeritage section, who supervised theCHIP reappraisal recently, is as effectiveas the budget allows in makingenhancements to the Conservation Areas,lately replacing the battered street signs inthe High Street. The Elmbridge ‘streetsmart’ team did a splendid job to spruceup the High Street and clear weeds. Justtwo men (for the entire Borough)accomplished in a few days what thecounty and its contractors conspicuouslyfailed to do for several years. ElmbridgeCouncil is also more on top of the graffitiproblem than it has ever been.

The credit crunch has caused approveddevelopments as well as applications tostall and there are too many unsightlyboarded and neglected properties of note,of which the most worrying is the formerHome of Compassion, a Grade 2 Listedbuilding of great historic significance for


9

the village. Thieves stole lead from theconservatory roof and York stone from theexterior. The Association and some of itsconcerned members pressed the owners,the insurers and Elmbridge to improve itssecurity. We have also been in touch withthe Neighbourhood Police team who havestepped up their own coverage.Meanwhile the crumbling and dangerousold wall by the slipway was shored upbefore removal and should be rebuilt.

The administration in Elmbridgecontinues to allow Green Belt land in theborough to be eaten away, notably invoting to demolish historic MoorePlace in Esher and build another newluxury hotel on a fresh site adjacent to it.Residents’ councillors voted against.Other nibbles are being taken out of the

Green Belt there, atSandown and at Cobham.There is Governmentpressure to accommodatemore housing in theregion and theAssociation is concernedthat despite generalprotestations to thecontrary aimed atembarrassing theGovernment, those whopresently rule Elmbridgehave shown themselvesdisposed to allowdevelopment on GreenBelt. Residents arekeeping a watchful eyeon the MetropolitanPolice’s Green Belt landat Imber Court.

Ember CentreFollowing the successful campaign to

prevent Elmbridge from axeing the EmberCentre, the Vera Fletcher HallAssociation, the Residents’ Associationand a resident who prefers to remainanonymous but was inadvertentlymentioned in the last issue, each donated£500 towards computers and otherinstructional facilities at the Centre, whichis thoroughly reinvigorated and fully usedby its elderly members. They will shortlystart line-dancing.

Milbourne pondAt the time of writing, the pond has

dried out completely although annualrainfall in the present decade is running at6% more than the long-term average, and


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Evening classes at Esher College

Telephone 020 8335 2544 for more information or to book a place. All courses are on site at Weston Green Road, Thames Ditton, with ample free parking.

Courses starting in September include Apple Mac & iLife, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Digital

Photography for Beginners. Visit www.esher.ac.uk/abc for details

New Courses for 2009 Flower Arranging Wednesday 23 September for 10 Weeks 19.00—21.00 £100

Wedding Workshops Saturdays 24 April & 15 May 09.30—15.30 £35 per session

Card Making Tuesday 22 September for 10 weeks 19.00—21.00 £115

Language Courses We offer a range of courses in Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin & Spanish.

Need to shape-up then try Dance & Tone Wednesday 16 September for 10 weeks 18.00—19.00 £40

Art A range of Art courses including the new Understanding Modern Art Monday 21 September for 10 weeks 19.00—21.00 £100

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even the wettest July on record failed tomake an impact. Residents are deeplyconcerned, to put it mildly, and ourWeston Green councillors have placed thematter firmly on the Elmbridge agendaagain. There may be polarisation betweenofficials who prefer to keep the ‘wildlifepond’ as it is, even without any water (oraquatic wildlife) in it, and residents –taxpayers – who want it restored to itsformer state as a pond with water in it fortwo centuries. Funding may be aproblem. Residents will be fully briefedand consulted – keep an eye on ourwebsite.

Doings and DatesSt Nicholas Restoration Appeal:

work on the church electrics and heatingwill now begin on 21 September.Brochures are being distributedthroughout the parish and we encouragereaders to bear in mind the history of thechurch and parish which is central to thatof the village, the importance of thebuilding and churchyard to the visualscene, and support the appeal with adonation. These can be sent (with GiftAid on a form in the brochure) to theParish Office, Summer Road, KT7 0QQ.Donations can be made online atwww. ju s tg iv ing . com/s tn i cpa r i sh -thamesditton (tested, and works – Ed).Bearing in mind the secular factorsmentioned above, the Residents’Association also proposes to make amodest donation. Works may affect theRemembrance Service on 8 November.After a short service at 10am thecongregation will proceed to the Warmemorial to join the Scouts’ ceremony by11 in time for the act of Remembrance.

If you can play the trumpet or bugle forthe Last Post please get in touchurgently with Hilary Franklin on 0208398 8551.

Janet Espley has retired after thirteenyears as Head of Thames Ditton InfantsSchool, during which the school hasconsistently been among the very top stateprimaries in the nation. We welcome JulieMcCallum-Allen and Claire Barwell asthe new Head and Deputy of the school.Mrs. McCallum-Allen came to Britainfrom the USA 24 years ago, lives inPutney and was head of Beauclerc Infant& Nursery in Lower Sunbury for 6 years.Mrs. Barwell comes from Hurst ParkPrimary, has two young children, andlives in Surrey.

This year’s Residents’ AssociationChristmas Party will take place onSaturday 12 December at the VeraFletcher Hall. Enjoy a three-course dinneramong friends together with yourfavourite music. At £29 a ticket (noincrease on last year), it’s a wonderfulcommunity occasion and great value. Fortickets phone Lorraine Sharp on 07970874 925 early – it always gets sold out.The Christmas Fair in the High Streetwill be from 1800 – 2200 on Wednesday9 December, organised by retailers andbusinesses under the auspices of theResidents Association. There will be anAutumn Fair in the Vera Fletcher Hall onWednesday 21 October from 10 till 6organised by Stitchery as a unique‘shopping event’ to celebrate ten years ofthe current shop, which will also featurean exhibition of original paintings bylocal artist Lisa Tolley.

www.residents-association.com


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Green Room Garden Designs

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Consult Before You Decide

a study in local democracy

The Residents’ Association is 75 yearsold It embodies a thread of localdemocracy that has run for centuries inthe Dittons and Weston Green. Earlyhistory of residents’ protest andengagement in local administrativematters is scant but recognisable:petitioning the Lord Protector after HenryVIII’s death to dismantle the extensiveenclosed deer Chase around HamptonCourt (1547); protesting the failure ofLord Onslow’s heirs to maintain EmberLane in good order (1783); forming avigilante force to act against highwaymenand brigands in the locality (1792); andengaging in the basic administrative

affairs of the parish. The building ofrailway lines in the mid-1800s met withstrong opposition from Thames Dittonresidents to the loss of farmland andcommons. This led to compensation forlandowners and subsequent largepayments to local rates by the London andSouth-Western Railway Company. Then,in 1873 Chelsea Waterworks proposed tobuild reservoirs on 50 acres of meadowupstream of the Swan, part of the PalaceEstate, where Albany Reach is today.Local residents joined together in DefenceCommittees to mount such a strongprotest that the House of Lords threw outthe Bill, the reservoirs were built at

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Residents march against the Joviel plan to develop the High Street – 26 January 1967


Molesey instead, and what is now ouronly riverside walk was saved. Itundoubtedly helped that famed barristerand former Chancellor Lord St Leonards,then 92, was still active and living atBoyle Farm. The inhabitants of ThamesDitton have repeatedly been well-placedto draw on the resources of someformidable residents.

The late 1800s saw some industry inThames Ditton, the advent of a newerpopulation to serve it, and the first flushof house-building consequent on therailway links. By the end of the century,the sparse population had more thandoubled. The Local Government Act1894 established county and metropolitanboroughs, urban and rural districts withtheir own councils, and a year later Esherand Dittons Urban District Council wasformed. The focus of local administrationshifted away from local householders andthe immediacy of the parish. A secondwave of house-building followed in thedecade after the Great War, and it is fromthen that we begin to see the pressuresthat led to residents forming anAssociation. Traffic was alreadybecoming a problem, and in 1925 we findresidents taking a traffic census. Thebuilding of Hampton Court Way in 1932across common land, bisecting WestonGreen, was followed by plans to build aby-pass for Esher across the commonstoo. And so, in 1934, the Thames DittonResidents’ Association was formed tofight it. The ideas and ideals ofResidents’ Associations were nowbecoming prevalent: others in South-EastEngland were founded from around 1923and one had been established inneighbouring Hinchley Wood in 1932.

By 1939 there were a thousand Residents’Associations recorded nationally. T h eAssociation was heavily centred onWeston Green (and two years later added‘Weston Green’ to its title): only one ofthe Association’s local Government andGeneral Purposes Committee of 10members did not have a Weston Greenaddress. It is believed that theAssociation put up candidates for theCouncil from the outset. The residents ofLong Ditton Ward subsequently joined in.The Association campaigned on planningand highways issues, and its support grewsteadily. By 1938 membership, at oneshilling per head, numbered around 800.There is a certain irony in associations forthe defence of local amenities being setup by newcomers, residents of villaslately built over farmland; and in thosewho were a prime cause of more trafficbeing active in limiting it or lobbying forit to be routed elsewhere! But we must beglad they did so.

There is little record of activitiesduring the period 1939 – 1945. The endof war, however, saw a renascentResidents’ Association. In 1946 it hadtwo councillors and the following yearsaw dissemination of a stirring documentwith themes wholly relevant to this day:

“… Your councillors can only properlyrepresent you and your neighbours if youtell them what you are thinking… it is nogood sitting back and grousing about thecouncil’s sins of omission andcommission, if you don’t do anythingabout it…

“… party politics should be kept out oflocal government. When we wish tosupport a candidate we do not ask hisreligion, nor do we ask his politics, we

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want to send the best men and women torepresent us on the council, without partyor creed entering the matter…

“… the areas we represent should notbe allowed to become an arena for apolitical dogfight for politicians andcareerists…

“… The Residents’ Association is notconcerned with ‘isms’, abstruse politicaltheories; nor with ideologies. What weare very much concerned with are thepractical everyday affairs of our localcommunal life…

“… accepts instructions from no body,no party, no office, no one except theresidents who compose it.”

The constitution was recast in 1948and subscriptions raised to half a crown.By 1951 the founding Vice-Chairman,Col. Rees, who had later becomeChairman, was still President of what wasnow entitled the Thames Ditton, LongDitton and Weston Green Residents’Association. Although only ninemembers attended the AGM that year,membership remained healthy and voterscontinued to turn out for Residents’candidates.

Informing residentsThere were pre-war attempts to

communicate with residents via anewsletter, ‘The Resident,’ that appearedoccasionally, and after the war there wereoccasional such publications and reportsin the local press. From these we can seethat while support remained consistent,the Association was sometimes lessactive, sometimes more. At the AGM in1958 retiring Chairman P. R. Noakesnoted the absence of major issues, whichindicated “the generally satisfactory

manner in which local affairs wereconducted by Esher Council.” TheAssociation had achieved success onissues such as road safety, street lighting,the condition of paths and ditches, cyclingon footpaths, and had been represented ata public planning enquiry.

In 1960 a smart bulletin announcedthat the Newsletter would be resumed anda public meeting held at the village hall inEmbercourt Road. The meeting would beopen to all residents whether members ofthe Association or not, with Residents’councillors attending, to report and bequestioned. The Association’s objectivesand modus operandi were restated.Hitherto, it seems that public meetingshad been called only occasionally whenthere was a particular issue of concern tobe discussed, with business mostly beingeffected by the Executive Committee andsubordinate Committees of theAssociation. This was probably the firstmeeting to set the pattern of present dayOpen Meetings of the Association, whereit was made explicit that “matters broughtto our notice by non-members receive asmuch consideration as those which reachus from members.” There followed a listof the Association’s activities since theWar.

This bulletin and meeting appears tobeen another of the periodic convulsionsto re-energise the Association. A certainT. S. Mercer was about to be elected asPress Secretary. The newsletter, however,does not seem to have lasted.

Threats to the villageIn 1964 Long Ditton residents broke

away to form their own Residents’Association. But if the parent Association

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in Thames Ditton and Weston Green wasworried about any drift downhill, it neednot have been. What was about to happenhad effects lasting forty years, galvanisedthe Residents’ Association and boostedmembership no end. In late 1966, theAssociation was tipped off at the eleventhhour that a Council Planning meeting wasabout to approve a plan to demolish theWest side of the High Street, widen theroad, build a 1960s style boxy shoppingprecinct and put a road from the Octagonto Station Road behind it. This wasdubbed the Joviel Plan, after the name ofthe developers. The Chairman of theCouncil Planning Committee, Cllr.Limmer (Conservative), who was said tosupport the developers’ plan, himself livedin the village. The Association managedto get consideration deferred whileresidents were consulted. There followeda highly-organised campaign that receivedthe support of 70% of Thames Dittonpeople, mostly irate: on one occasion theymarched through the village to CouncillorLimmer’s house in Speer Road. TheLondon Evening Standard devoted a halfpage to the demonstration under theheadline ‘The Fury of The FriendlyVillage.’ Drawing on resourceful andwell-connected residents, thoroughpreparation and mobilisation, theAssociation defeated the plan.

In the aftermath of ‘The Battle ofDitton,’ residents’ tails were up.Membership reached a high point. Theconstitution was rewritten, providing for avoting general Council of some fiftymembers as well as an ExecutiveCommittee which met monthly, followedby the Association’s Council, beforemonthly Esher Council meetings. In the

Spring of 1970 a regular publicationappeared at last – the quarterly, ThamesDitton Today. That year, historian T. S.Mercer published ‘More Thames DittonTales and Scandals‘. In the foreword hewrote: “… the village is being eaten awaybit by bit and only perpetual vigilance cansave it from losing its atmosphere. Ourbulwark against this destruction is theDittons Residents’ Association.”

And so it proved to be, on many fronts.

HighwaysRoads, traffic and parking have been

major, often intractable, issues. Facedwith lorries and commuters cuttingthrough Thames Ditton to avoid the Scillyisles, in 1970 a traffic census wasmounted by volunteers but the authoritiesseemed more concerned with clearing theroads for more through traffic than inreducing it. A Surrey proposal to put aconnecting road from Portsmouth Road toStation Road, demolishing the George andDragon, was seen off. There followed aseries of battles to get Surrey toimplement the 1973 Heavy CommercialVehicles Act by restricting lorries overthree tons from the Thames Ditton‘triangle’ – and also to press businesses inthe Woodlands in Weston Green to restrictvoluntarily the movement of HGVs to oneagreed route. Finally, in August 1980 anorder was made to ban heavy lorries frompassing the railway arches at ThamesDitton station. Further operations weremounted to monitor, witness, photographand report to the police the many lorrieswhose drivers ignored it.

Parking has also been a long-runningissue. In 1971 Ashley Rd car park wasestablished and a year later there were

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established and a year later there wereproposals to remove cars parked againstthe wall of the Home of Compassion,which had caused accidents and onefatality. In 1974 the Association resisteddraconian police action to ticket carsparked along the High Street, noting that:“… a degree of parking in the High St.,by slowing down and discouragingthrough traffic, contributes to its safety…one of the great benefits of the villageboth to customers and to shopkeepers isthat it is still possible to briefly park andshop.” The problem of all-day parkersbecame increasingly serious throughoutthe 1980s: there was a colourful leafletcampaign to get them to use the car park,with support from local shopkeepers andHigh St residents who contributedcampaign expenses.

In 1992 the Islanders petitioned forspeed humps in Summer Road; they evenraised £600 which would pay for onehump! The Association asked Elmbridgeto look at traffic calming measures, andalso to prevent commuter parking inBasingfield Rd and Lower Green Rd.Elmbridge carried out a traffic study, butaction was deferred while Surrey &Elmbridge considered the issue of parkingenforcement following decriminalisationof parking offences. After three years ofstudy, debate and public consultation,controversial speed bumps were installedin 2001, and the 20mph zone in 2003,with a dramatic reduction in accidents.An amended parking scheme, however,ran into difficulties. In Weston Green,suggestions to restrict parking near Esherstation led to such a wide area beingconcerned about displacement of parkedcars that a scheme was judged

unworkable. In Thames Ditton anyscheme not only had to be self-financingbut needed to take into account theinterests of all residents, including theIslanders, who kept their cars in the area.Moreover, responsibility for Highwayswas now taken on by Surrey fromElmbridge, and the Association observedthat it was “extremely difficult for ourcouncillors and officers to get access toSurrey’s Highways department.” With aResidents’ Association County Councillor(Peter Hickman) elected for the first timein 2005, parking was back on the agenda.The Association carried out a furthermajor exercise to consult residents in2006-2007, and after reconnaissance workby Surrey and extensive official publicconsultation, the formulation of a parkingscheme again ran into difficulties.Residents’ interests as well as those ofretail and other businesses, commuters,office workers, and parents using cars forthe school run, were too often competingand incompatible. The budget and theallotted time was exhausted beforeconclusion. As of Autumn 2009, theconsultation will be renewed over the nextfew months under a new Surrey official.

RoadsThe publicly-owned commons are an

obvious easy route for any strategicplanner charged with building a road orrailway link from South-West London,crossing the Thames by the reservoirs tolink up with roads now established on thenorth bank and connecting with Heathrowand the motorway system. There weresuch proposals in 1966 (‘Link Road’) andagain in 1971 (‘Ringway 3’) and 1975:the ‘inner orbital route’ – a four lane

17


highway to relieve the river crossings atHampton Court and Walton. Again in theearly 1990s, the HASQUAD (Heathrowand Southwest London Quadrant)proposals to build a new motorway toHeathrow would have destroyed thecommons round Weston Green and madeThames Ditton’s roads worse rat-runs.Each time such proposals were aired, theAssociation spent an enormous amount ofeffort working in conjunction with like-minded organisations to research, consultthe public, expose Surrey’s ChiefEngineer to public meetings and lobbyagainst. To date, that these efforts havesucceeded owes as much to the enormouscosts of the projects, and occasionallytimely economic recession as to theconsideration of officials and Ministers.Plans for a third runway at Heathrow arelikely, sooner or later, to place a throughroute across the commons back in theframe. Other Association activities onhighways over the years included a verylong and ultimately fruitful campaign toimprove safety along Hampton CourtWay.

Planning Planning has been a bread-and-butter

subject for the Association from itsinception. It has made decisiveinterventions on crucial planning issuessince the Joviel Plan ignited the fightingspirit of the village in 1966. A host oflesser but cumulatively importantapplications has been rigorouslycontested. The Association alsodemonstrated a constructive approach.

In 1973, proposals to build 150 houseson the Old Pauline sports grounds weresuccessfully resisted, along with plans to

build a twelve-storey block of flats on thesite of decaying Ferry Works, and theCouncil’s intentions to develop theremaining Albany riverside including thereplacement of the old Vaudeville club,then used as a warehouse. On the Albanysite, a competition for redevelopmentproposals organised by the Associationwas won by the Skiffers, and theAssociation played a part in ensuring thatthe plans eventually approved containedprovision for the continuation of thatsporting club. Equally, the Associationtook a constructive view of the OldPaulines’ subsequent plans to build thehealth and squash club we have today,with accompanying parking (some ofwhich was parlayed into use for HighStreet offices and others). Afterreviewing the options to acquire the FerryWorks site for public access to the river,which proved costly and unfeasible, theAssociation promoted the work ofarchitect Katharina Dry (later Halasz), aresident, for a sympathetic restorationof this significant industrial building toprovide continuing local industry andemployment without noise, smell or otherdrawbacks.

This positive approach was successfulenough for the same architect to be calledupon for the conversion of AC Cars’premises in the High Street into a mixeddevelopment of residential and officeaccommodation, with parking, that wenow have at Harvest Lane. Again we seethe Association being constructive, butfirm. Having given the proposals a fairwind, residents were not going to stand bywhen the developers later breachedplanning conditions to add height to thebuilding in construction. The Association

18


economy as part of the character ofThames Ditton, rather than yield topressures to convert buildings toresidential use. As well as plans for theAC Cars site, plans to redevelop the oldFoundry opposite Ferry Works were alsosupported, with modern offices, shelteredaccommodation, and provision of moreparking spaces.

In 1993 the Association found itselffighting on two major fronts.Sainsbury’s had proposed a superstore onthe Seething Wells Waterworks site, andTesco revealed their interest in the site ofthe old Milk Marketing Board at GiggsHill Green. These sites were already incommercial use. The Sainsbury’sproposed supermarket was twice as big astheir Cobham store plus parking for up to800 cars and 431 houses and flats. Tescoproposed a marginally smaller store butnevertheless huge, with a filling stationand an office block. Several of thesurviving small retailers in Thames Dittonwould have been put out of business, and

when the association researchedat first hand the daily vehiclemovements at Cobham andother superstores it was plainthat the already serious trafficproblems in our area would bequite insupportable with eithernew supermarket, let alone both.Moreover the listed waterworksbuilding at Seething Wellswould be demolished and theprospect at Giggs Hill Greenirretrievably impaired. Apacked Open meeting at theVera Fletcher Hall revealedoverwhelming opposition to theTesco proposals in particular.

Working with neighbouringassociations and others like-minded, theAssociation hired a barrister and wasrepresented at appeals. Both supermarketproposals were rejected in 1995. TheAssociation then went to work to find aconstructive way forward for the GiggsHill Green site. By now, Residents’groups formed the Cabinet in ElmbridgeBorough Council and those from ThamesDitton were well placed to be heard andheeded. At the end of 1996, after no lessthan four sets of developers’ proposalshad gone to appeal, plans were approvedfor 140 houses, 4 acres of recreationalland and a health facility. That we havethese facilities, public tennis courts and arecreational area is to a very large extentattributable to the Association’s efforts asis the fact that we do not have a gated andprivate estate there with maximum densityof identical houses facing the Green. Anarticle in the Summer 1997 issue ofThames Ditton Today, “The FinalChapter” by Stan Perry (planning

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issue of Thames Ditton Today, “TheFinal Chapter” by Stan Perry (planningconvenor) and John Barton well illustratesthe painstaking, detailed work of theAssociation, its constructive approach,and firmness when developers’ intentionsvaried from what was approved.

Always seeking the proper applicationof planning guidelines as well asconsultation with residents on planningproposals, the Association has alsodevoted effort to the planning strategythat underpins those guidelines. Itcampaigned from 1970 for theestablishment of Conservation Areas inThames Ditton and Weston Green andwith the Town and Country AmenitiesAct 1974 these soon became a reality. Itresearched and submitted on the ‘SurreyStructure Plan’ in 1978 and since then onfurther strategic planning documents forthe county and for Elmbridge, has latterlycontributed to the reappraisal of theThames Ditton Conservation Areas and isnow considering the Elmbridge draft CoreStrategy for the period to 2026. From2001 it also pressed for all phone masts torequire planning permission.

ShopsAs well as providing parking for

shoppers, the fostering of small retailersthat contribute to the village character hasbeen a concern since the mid 1970s. In1977 a major tussle failed to preventclosure of the sub-Post Office at Winter’sBridge. In 1988 Alison Dwelly, then 16,wrote a seminal work in Thames DittonToday recording the disappearance ofvillage shops over the previous decade,which led to the Association setting up aworking group: the support of our local

MP was also enlisted. From that time theAssociation has actively, and usuallysuccessfully, defended small retailpremises against change of use. Withsome setbacks: in 2004 the Association,after mobilising the whole of WestonGreen and researching and mounting anenergetic case, unsuccessfully resisted theclosure of Weston Green Post Office aspart of the euphemistically-named “PostOffice Network Reinvention Programme.”

Water in, water outDrains and water have been frequent

themes, with the Association predicting,then reacting to the floods of 1968 andlobbying for the flood preventionmeasures then instituted; trying to nail thesewage smell in the High Street for thirtyyears and in 1989 pressing Thames Waterto reduce pollution entering local rivers;during the present decade successfullypersuading Thames Water to invest severalmillion pounds in upgrading the sewagescheme for Thames Ditton; and battlinghard with county officials and others to getdrains properly maintained near EsherStation and in Station Road. Support forresidents’ efforts to preserve the two pondsin Weston Green, and involvement inworks to clear the flow of the River Rythe,have also featured.

Noise1972 saw the start of a long campaign

against excessive aircraft noise whichtook years of research and effort, workingwith like-minded organisations in thearea. After persuading Surrey and Esherto support more acceptable proposals onlocal overhead routes, lobbying LondonAirport and the Department of Trademade an impact. Subsequently plans for a

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helicopter service linking Gatwick andHeathrow to be routed over ThamesDitton and Weston Green were seen off,and the route was moved to the north sideof the Thames. Aircraft noise re-emergedas an issue in 1987 when airlines pressedfor increased night flying from Heathrow.The following year, the Federation ofHeathrow Anti Noise Groups (in whichthe Association played an active part)was successful in getting night flightsrestricted.

Community, amenity and socialThe Association has always been

active with small, but cumulativelysignificant, initiatives to beautify thevillages by planting trees – particularlyafter the great Storm of 1987, and alsoalong Albany Reach and Giggs HillGreen; planting flowers and bulbs, andoccasionally organising litter picks orscrubbing graffiti.

The swell of support following theBattle of Ditton led to the Association’sfirst recorded social evening: 300 peoplesat down to a dinner staged by ‘youngermembers’ at the youth Club in 1971, theforerunner of the annual residents’Christmas Party. Events were alsoorganised to mark the Queen’s SilverJubilee year, and the millenniumcelebrations when a domed tent waserected at Colets for a Ball. Latterly theAssociation has fostered and providedinsurance cover for the Christmas Fair inthe High Street.

Scouts, Guides, and sporting clubshave also been given modest, andsometimes significant, support. TheAssociation played a role in securing newaccommodation for the Ajax Sea Scouts

and modern premises for the Skiffers; inpreventing developers’ plans to build 12houses on the Tennis Club and supportingthe Club’s subsequent efforts to changethe law (and then staging a fund-raisingevent for the Club’s appeal to buy thefreehold); in supporting the Cricket Cluband the Harry Hawkes Eight; andcurrently in supporting the Guides’ effortsto raise funds to restore their hut.

The Association has been very activein the long-running battle to preservehospital facilities in Thames Ditton, andin the purchase of the old Village Hall andits restoration to the Vera Fletcher Hall.But these histories are more properly setin the context of the Friends of theHospital and the Vera Fletcher HallCommittee with which key Associationfigures were involved.

Local Government andboundary change

From the outset the Associationresisted local government reorganisationsthat would dilute the local voice on localmatters or lead to decisions being taken inmore distant bodies. In 1971 it supportedEsher Urban District Council’s bid toremain a separate authority, butreorganisation in 1973 saw Esher mergedwith Walton & Weybridge to formElmbridge. Elections that year to the newcouncil (to exist from 1 April 1974) saw 3of the Association’s candidates toppingthe poll, and a young mother of four, RuthLyon, elected for the first time. But nowthe Association had three out of sixty-sixcouncillors (subsequently 60) instead ofthree out of thirty-six on the old UDC.The Local Boundary Commission’s

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continued on page 27


Curtain Up

at the Vera Fletcher Hall

In its eighteenth year, our Autumnprogramme brings the best of the country’sperformers in a splendid mix of drama,music and children’s entertainment. Onehighlight is the return of Louis deBernieres and Ilone Antonius Jones tocelebrate National Poetry Day on Friday 9October. “Notwithstanding” is an eveningof stories, poetry and music featuring deBernieres’ new poetry and his latest book,with tales of English village lifeaccompanied by mandolin, guitar and flute.

On Friday 16 October we welcome backCommedia Productions with Mozart’sMagic Flute. Sung in English, this is anexciting new full-scale productionblending passion and mystery with theQueen of the Night and comedy withPapageno and Mozart’s sublime music.The singers, from major opera companies,are accompanied by Commedia’spioneering “virtual orchestra”. Anyonewho came to their “Madame Butterfly” lastyear will know what a treat is in store.

Songs from the Potting Shed on Friday23rd October sees international operasingers Pippa Longworth and KarlDaymond celebrate their love of all thingshorticultural- even the snail, slug and frog –which spawned some of the greatest poetry,music and frustrations known to man. Putdown your spade and come into the garden,Maude! Pippa and Karl have won criticalpraise from Maria Ewing, The Times andthe Financial Times. This promises a greatevening for garden lovers and opera buffs

alike. Opera lovers have another treat onFriday November 27th when CharlesCourt Opera presents Iolanthe – Gilbertand Sullivan’s ever popular “fairy opera”,with its satire on the House of Lords andthe political party system (what haschanged?), with “Tripping hither, trippingthither” and “When I went to the Bar as avery young man”. Banished by the fairyqueen 25 years ago for marrying a meremortal, Iolanthe returns with the news thatshe has a son Strephon, who wishes tomarry Phyllis, a Ward of Chancery.Unfortunately for the lovers, the LordChancellor also has his eye on the lovelyPhyllis but after much singing and quite abit of dancing both Peers and Peris arrive ata satisfactory arrangement and everyonecan go home happy.

Love & Madness Productions, whogave us their memorable “Othello”,Playboy of The Western World and lastyear’s “La Ronde” return to the Hall onFriday 13th November with theirproductions of “A Taste of Honey” and“Romeo and Juliet” in the afternoon andevening. The Independent newspaper saysof Love & Madness that they arereinventing Shakespeare while remainingfaithful to the original text”. ShelaghDelaney’s “A Taste of Honey” has becomea stage classic with its story of Jo, a 17year old working class girl in the 1950swho leaves home to embark on a series ofunsatisfactory relationships. It helped tocreate a genre which revolutionised the

24


English theatre and is directed by NeilSheppeck with a stirring background ofjazz. In exploring the pains of youth it iscomplementary to “Romeo and Juliet” andis directed by Owen Horsley who spentthree years with the acclaimed Cheek byJowl company and whose recent “EdwardII” won rave reviews in London.

The Hall has a reputation for highquality chamber music and we have aspecial treat on Friday November 6th whentwo brilliant young musicians from thefamous Yehudi Menuhin School inCobham, Cosima and Sao SoulezLariviere (violins) join Nigel Hutchinson(piano) in a concert including Bartok,Prokofiev, Paganini and Sarasate. Cosimoand Sao’s parents live in Thames Dittonand their children are among the eliteyoung musicians in the whole country,

studying under the teacher at the Schoolwho taught among others Nicola Benedetti.The concert is in aid of the Mayor ofElmbridge’s charity “Newlife Foundationfor Disabled Children”. The tickets willinclude canapés and there will be a bar fordrinks at the tables.

As always our children’s programmesells out early so if you have children orgrandchildren don’t delay booking! OnSaturday October 17th Martin Bridle thePuppet Man returns with “Goldilocks”.Martin is brilliant in giving the traditionaltale of Goldilocks and the three bearsextra humour and drama. On Saturday28th November Image Musical Theatrereturns with their “Beauty and theBeast”, a family participation musicalbased on the European fairy tale whereBeauty sees beneath the ugly frighteningexterior of the Beast.

Finally, Christmas is celebrated withtwo splendid seasonal productions. OnFriday December 11th Muse and Music,with a West End cast direct from theJermyn Street Theatre, presents“Christmas Gold” with the joy of theseason packed into an hour of cabaret,comprising carols, show songs, comedyand poetry. On Friday January 15 CharlesCourt Opera return with their inimitablepantomime for all the family – “DickWhittington”, a thigh-slappinglysensational and terrifically funnyproduction, toe-tapping routines andmusical treats from pop to opera.Definitely not to be missed !

See page 46 for times and tickets forthese shows. You can keep in touch withevents at the Vera Fletcher Hall on thewebsite:

www.verafletcherhall.co.uk

25

Romeo and Juliet –photo by Love and Madness


26

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demarcation of wards was undermined byan unwanted challenge from Long Ditton,and in the subsequent public enquiry theAssociation successfully prepared andargued a case for the status quo inconjunction with the Thames DittonConservative Association.

While Weston Green has generallybeen attached to the ancient ElmbridgeHundred, the history of the Dittons liespredominantly with Kingston Hundredand parish: but we have always been onthe very borders, with residents preferringElmbridge and Surrey. Tussles havearisen, and will likely occur again. In thewinter of 1989 a battle loomed to preventThames Ditton and Weston Green wardsbeing transferred to Kingston (with itshigh density planning guidelines). In 1992the subject arose anew with a BoundaryCommission proposal to transfer themajority of Long Ditton to Kingston,which could well have expanded toinclude Thames Ditton and WestonGreen. The Association supported LongDitton’s opposition to the proposal, andthe outcome was success. Then in 1994the Local Government Commissionreviewed council structures in Surrey withthe aim of reducing two tiers to one.That year there were not one but twoBoundary Commissions – onparliamentary and local government.Kingston constituency was to be split andpart joined with Richmond. Kingstonwanted instead to take in the Dittons,Hinchley Wood and Molesey. Againthere was a good deal of research,preparation and lobbying with satisfactoryresults. Kingston’s constituency plan wasrejected, and in 1995, Secretary of State

John Gummer decided to preserveElmbridge, retaining two tiers of localgovernment.

Politics without politickingLike other Residents’ Associations, the

Thames Ditton and Weston GreenResidents’ Association was established asa non-political organisation. But to putforward candidates for election is inessence a political act. The foregoinghistory of achievement makes abundantlyclear that direct engagement has broughtsignificant and worthwhile benefits tothese villages. The Association has takena pragmatic view at the cost of frequentagonising over politics. It tries to avoidparty politics and prefers to focus onissues.

In these parts the dominant politicalforce during the past century has been theConservative Party and we can see that inthe first three decades of the Association’sexistence the people who made the newTories, the growing business andprofessional middle-class, wereessentially the same people who made theResidents’ Association without thepolitical hoo-hah. It would not have beenin the Association’s interest to rival theConservatives too strongly: in 1951, theThames Ditton Conservative Associationhad some 2000 members. The Residents’Association numbered some 800households. Probably, many of thesewere the same. For many years there wasevidently a tacit understanding that therewas room to co-exist: the Association’scandidates for the borough Council mightnot often be contested by theConservatives and vice-versa; there wasno challenge at County level; and a

27

continued from page 23


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residents’ group running the local Councilwas hardly viewed as a serious prospect.

A turning point was 1966 and theJoviel Plan, which energised theelectorate behind the Association andflagged up an area of contention betweenResidents and party Conservatives –development that put profit first. And aprinciple dear to the Association –consultation of the residents. Similarthings were happening elsewhere inElmbridge. By 1976 there were 36Conservative councillors, 14 fromResidents’ Associations, 7 Labour and 3Liberals. The Conservatives still had onecouncillor in Thames Ditton and one inWeston Green with the Associationholding the other seats. TheConservatives gradually lost ground in theborough. In the mid 1980s a jointResidents-Liberal Democratadministration briefly led Elmbridgebefore Conservatives regained control in1988. The Residents had an appetite tocontest more seats when there werecandidates available. Shortly after 1988,Conservatives were also instructed byCentral Office to contest every seat(nationwide). The days of any ‘tacitunderstandings’ were gone.

After elections in 1992, of 60councillors there were just 19 Residents,but 22 Conservatives who refused to forma minority administration: the lot fell tothe Residents. None of the politicalparties would take posts in the Residents’administration, no doubt wagering that theResidents (many of whom wereinexperienced at Council) would fail withignominy. The Residents agreed acommon platform which the LibDemsand Labour indicated they would

passively support. This was a success.Three years later, council tax had beenreduced by 35% without a cut in services,and the Residents were set for aprotracted sway in Council until 2006.

The Association and our local residentsmost certainly benefited from theincreased say in borough affairs during aperiod when there were major issues inThames Ditton and Weston Green. Thiscame at a price, however. It is noticeablethat the Association’s centre of gravityshifted somewhat towards Elmbridge andits borough-wide institutions. It alsomeant that to regain office theConservatives felt obliged to emphasisedifferences and attack the Residents:which they did. Meanwhile theAssociation was able to draw a distinctionbetween politicians in local governmentand those at Westminster. It retained auseful working relationship with MP IanTaylor, whose support was enlisted for avariety of causes, including the fightagainst the HASQUAD motorwayproposals, support for small retailers, therejection of Tesco, and the struggle topreserve local hospital facilities. Manymoderate conservative residents drew asimilar distinction: they would support theapolitical Association in local elections,and the Conservatives in nationalelections.

Finally, with the national politicalparties’ continuing chicanery in funding,electoral reform was imposed in 2000.The Association was obliged to registerwith the new Electoral Commission if itsname was to be used by its candidates.Ever pragmatic, with great reluctance itbit this bullet. As of 2009, at least fortyother Residents’ Associations around the

29


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Towards 100 yearsThere may be newer readers who think

– erroneously – that not only is theAssociation 75 years old, but its membersare too, and this story will prompt thequestion: ‘What next?’ or even: ‘Will itlive to be 100?’

After researching this account, it isclear that the Association has achieved agreat deal of real substance and indeedhas been that very bulwark described byT S Mercer. Without it, Thames Dittonand Weston Green would have lost moregreen space and commons, have lesscommerce, fewer sports, recreational andcultural facilities, be noisier, smellier,wetter, destroyed by roads and traffic andlook more like Hounslow. The villagescould well have been split up and partsabsorbed by Kingston. The Associationhas stuck to its principles, it has adaptedto change: its constitution was againmodernised two years ago. Its activemembers have been, and are, diverse,resourceful and of very wide experience:from architects, doctors, pharmacists andbarristers to business people, redoubtablemothers, film producers, shop workers,journalists, experienced civil servants,diplomats, Montgomery’s Head ofCamouflage and the Government’s ChiefRestorer of Paintings.

The Association continues to attract newblood, though never as much as it wouldlike. ‘Apathy’ has been a leitmotif of manya Chairman’s annual review for more thansixty years. The growing pressures ofworking life inhibit volunteering. Yet theAssociation retains an effective Executiveand a band of volunteers that would be theenvy of its rivals. Attendance at Openmeetings waxes and wanes according to

topical issues, but membership remainssolid and residents consistently make theeffort to vote.

There will always be threats to thesevillages, small or large, new or – like thoseof roads, traffic, threats to Green Belt,boundary changes and the downside ofliving so close to Heathrow – old and oftrepeated. The Association has experiencein countering them, and a contingencyfund. It also has an eye for improvementsand a sense of community.

As long as threats remain; as long aspoliticians fail to consult residents, all ofthem, and act on local issues accordingly;as long as there are those who care aboutThames Ditton and Weston Green enoughto volunteer their time; and as long asvillagers want the authorities to do thingsfor them rather than do things to them; thenthere will be a Residents’ Association here.

Keith Evetts

This account is based on items in the MercerCollection; the books ‘Fifty Years of ThamesDitton and Weston Green’ and ‘A HistoricalSketch of Thames Ditton’ by Philip Burchett;and reports in the issues of ‘Thames DittonToday’ from 1970 to the present day. All thesesources are available in the Dittons Library.I have also researched internet archives andtaken some oral testimony, though not (yet) asmuch as I should have liked. With limited timeto summarise the story and working alone, Imay have included some inaccuracies. I shouldbe grateful if readers would write to point theseout (gently!), or to contribute direct personalexperiences of events that may add a differentperspective. While many individual residents’associations in this country have their ownhistories, i t seems the history of theseassociations within the broader democraticcontext has not yet been written.

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To commemorate the Association’s75th anniversary we launched aBlue Plaque Scheme for ThamesDitton and Weston Green, and invitedresidents to nominate sites which

deserve to be recognised because oftheir historic nature or the people whohave lived there. We received a flurryof nominations and drew up a‘wish-list:’

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The Blue Plaques Scheme

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The Old Slaughter House(Stag’s Court)

Probably the oldest (1580) secularbuilding in the village, this barn became aslaughter house in the 18th century.Richard ‘Dickie’ Porter, the Royal DeerCatcher, rented it together with abutcher’s shop in the High Street – nowStitchery.

Cesar Picton, Picton HouseCesar Picton was brought to Britain

from Senegal as a six year-old slave andwas well-treated and endowed by thearistocratic family to which he was given.He later amassed a considerable fortuneas a coal merchant in Kingston, boughtthe imposing and delightful Picton Housein the High St. in 1816 and retired hereuntil he died in 1836.

Hannibal Speer,Old Manor House

Hannibal Speer was lord of the Manorof Weston and a key benefactor to thevillages. He gave the drinking Fountain atthe Boyle Farm roundabout, land for theVillage Hall in Embercourt Road; land forthe Cottage Hospital; and on long leasefor the Lawn Tennis Club, both situated inWeston Green Road. He built and lived inthe Old Manor House, Station Road,originally known as West End Lodge,from 1880.

Peter Willans, Maybury LodgeIn the late 1800s Peter Willans, who

lived at Maybury Lodge in the HighStreet, was famous for the design andmanufacture of the high speedreciprocating steam engine at FerryWorks. Another Willans engine powered

early dynamos to light, for example, theBurgtheater and State Opera in Vienna.

Arthur Brian Burton, the oldFoundry, Summer Road

In the late 1800s, as Cox and Sons, theFoundry cast bronze statuary by leadingsculptors. Its greatest works wereproduced under Burton’s long stewardshipas manager from 1900-1933 including thehuge Peace Quadriga at Hyde Park Cornerand Eros in Piccadilly Circus.

Lord St. Leonards, Boyle Farm

Born Edward Burtenshaw Sugden in1781, son of a London hairdresser,Edward became Britain’s highest earningbarrister. MP for Weymouth from 1828,he was made Solicitor-General, knightedunder the Duke of Wellington, and rose tobe Chancellor. He bought Boyle Farm ashis home and took a great interest in thevillage.

The list will be refined as we considerexactly where plaques should bepositioned, and seek owners’ permission.When plaques are mounted, fullerbackground on each will appear here.

Others such as the Milk MarketingBoard and Sir Sydney Camm, designer ofthe Hawker Hurricane, have beennominated and more would be welcomed,particularly from Weston Green residents.This is just the beginning of a project thatwe hope eventually will lead to historicwalks round the villages along ‘blueplaque’ routes, to keep our history alivefor those who come after.

Tricia BlandHon. Sec.


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WE ALSO OFFER A GARDEN CLEARANCE SERVICE


37

A Century of Dittons Scouting

The Dittons Scout Group began 100years ago and will celebrate this milestonewith events during 2009/10. The ScoutTroop was formally registered inSeptember 1910 under the Leadership ofRome Attwell, who was to be the drivingforce behind the Group for the next 38years. Meetings of boys had been takingplace under a lamp post on the north sideof Giggs Hill Green. When Rome Attwellwas persuaded to help they moved to acorrugated iron hut in Thames DittonChurchyard where the church hall nowstands. Subsequent meeting placesincluded the harness room in the stables atBoyle Farm, the local brewery, a garageand a laundry shed. The early years weremarked by camps in and around ThamesDitton, Esher and Cobham and evenattendance at the King’s Rally in WindsorGreat Park.

The Group’s early service to thecommunity included fitting a trek-cartwith hoses and standpipes to help withfire fighting. They laid on ademonstration for Baden-Powell when hevisited Kingston to receive the Freedomof the Borough in 1913. During the FirstWorld War the Troop was kept going bythe Patrol Leaders. Afterwards, the Groupflourished in all sections: Wolf Cub Pack,Scout Troop and Crew of Rover Scouts.The Rover Crew assisted in manyNational Scouting events and led the wayin the County. In 1932 a friend of RomeAttwell, Harold Wesley, gave the Group

the present Headquarters at The Shack atWillowbank. The Group grew in numberand individual proficiency. Many summercamps were held in the New Forest andalong the Dorsetshire coast. Members ofthe Rover Crew did regular service atThames Ditton Cottage Hospital.

With the onset of the Second WorldWar many Leaders were called into theServices. Again the Patrol Leaders andolder Scouts took over running thesections. Rome Attwell’s nephew, Roger,

Archie Lawrence, at 97 Dittons ̓oldest Scoutattending celebrations on 13 September 2009


38

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39

who was involved in Heavy Rescue workin London, took over the Scout Troop in1941. All Scouting activities continued:camping was under trees to hide fromenemy aircraft. National Service work,like erecting air raid shelters, was alsocarried out.

Scouting accelerated after the war. TheSenior Scout Section was formed and inthe years between 1950 and 1975 twenty-six boys gained the King’s or Queen’sScout Award.

Over the years a number of membershave attended World Scout Jamborees,and been active in both Surrey County

and Esher District activities.A steady flow of boys, andnow girls, have developedgood citizenship throughScouting in The Dittons. In2008 a second BeaverColony and second CubScout Pack were opened.Former members of theGroup have spread out overthe world and taken theGroup’s unique spirit withthem; this year a new Grouphas been started by oneformer member in a SouthAfrican Township. All of the early members ofthe Troop have ‘GoneHome’ and later generationsnow lead the Sections.Individuals continue toachieve personal triumphsthrough the ScoutProgramme. For our youngpeople of Scout Troop age to

go on achieving, and getting full benefitfrom membership of the Group, we needmore adults to come forward and help putthat programme into action.

Neville Biden, Group Chairman(A Ditton since 1942)

Neville is too modest to mention it, but at thecentenary celebrations many others did: after afew years in which the lack of volunteers to helprun the Group almost led to its terminal decline,with his and Keith Berryʼs inspiration it has beenturned around and is now one of the ten fastest-growing groups in the country. They have agood time too – 140 parents and friendsattended the celebratory supper and barn-dance at the Shack, and around 200 adultswere at the lamp post ceremony of renewal onGiggs Hill Green this year. Hats off – and dojoin in! Editor

handing on the standards in the 100th year


40

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and conscientious local plumber

Registered with the Institute of Plumbing

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ʻBuy with Confidence ̓Scheme

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56 Speer Road, Thames Ditton,Surrey KT7 0PW

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e-mail [email protected]

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41

Autumn CrosswordBy Margaret Briggs

A £5 Voucher for spendingin any Thames Ditton orWeston Green shop will beawarded to each of the firstthree correct entries openedafter the closing date of7 November 2009

The completed puzzle (orphotocopy) enclosing yourname and address, with theenvelope clearly marked‘Crossword Competition,’should be sent to:

Thames Ditton TodayCrossword Competition6 Church WalkThames DittonKT7 0NW

41

ACROSS41 Two days before tomorrow (9)

48. Seasonal vacation (6,7)

11. Possesses consistency of snow (4)

12. Twists round currents of air (5)

13. Outside entertainment contains Regalappearance inside (4)

16. Belt around the Earth in imagination (7)

17. Ponders the proper way to reply (7)

18. Weeping (2,5)

20. Old retirer looks like his dog (7)

21. Shares out sparingly (4)

22. Large aquatic animal (5)

23. Got in the Royal Academy first but wasstill wet (4)

26. Wine is first across and can be takenanywhere (13)

27. Drinkers’ end (9)

DOWN82. Tree with serrated leaves (3)

83. Get rid kindly of those that tear about, but end with onesslower than the rest (7)

84. Ed makes error so as to ask for it again (2,5)

85. Make raid on dry land (4)

86. Find atomic energy concept difficult? Why not quoteMary Hunt? (7,6)

87. Contradictorily wrong sometimes but actually right often(13)

89. Occasionally but only in selected eras (9)

10. Grip an end anyway to satisfy whims (9)

14. Put back spare parts to secure (5)

15. We and the Latin Queen – friendly or not (4)

19. One who falls usually on their feet (7)

20. Musical group of three voted first (3,4)

24. Against everything in American tins (4)

25. Three Wise Men (4)


42

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We also offer full services in all aspects of

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For a friendly, reliable service at reasonable rates,

please call Richard on 020 8399 8787 or 07778 031963

All consultations and advice are free


43

Solution to the Summer Crosswordby Michael Jackson

Two correct entries this time.Each wins a £5 Voucher forspending in any Thames Ditton orWeston Green shop. Well done!Come on, the rest of you…

Joan Bates44 Warwick GardensThames Ditton KT7 0RB

Joan Mills43 Angel RoadThames Ditton KT7 0AZ

M.P.B. LANDSCAPES

Fully Qualified-Merrist Wood TrainedOver 9 Years Experience

All aspects of work undertaken

Paving – Fencing – Decking – Brickwork – Turfing – etc.

Professional & Reliable

Tel: 020 8398 3509Mobile: 07957 281748

Email: [email protected] Blunden


SERVICES

Cheer (Concern and Help for East Elmbridge Retired) Trudy O Keefe 01372 474555Dittons and Weston Green Neighbourcare Sue Mayes 020 8398 6714Elmbridge Borough Council Community Support ServicesInformation, Meals Services, CommunityTransport, Bus Permits 01372 474552/4Elmbridge Community Alarm Service 01372 474560Elmbridge Relief Carers Scheme 01372 474547Ember Centre for the Retired Mon & Thurs 020 8398 9870

At other times 01372 474553Esher and District Stroke Club Ann Pollock 020 8398 6132Voluntary Action Elmbridge Mrs Carole Roycroft 01372 463587M.D.H.S. Household Services (& garden tidying) Carolyn Smart (Manager) 01932 248533Surrey Mobile Library Service 01483 517402Surrey Youth and Adult Education Service Elmbridge Area 020 8979 8334GROUPS

Girl Guiding in TD & WG Mrs K Williams 020 8398 13001st Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 16283rd Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs Heather Horler 020 8398 03642nd Thames Ditton Rainbows Nicki Sutherland 020 8398 42021st Weston Green (All Saints) Scout Group Alan Nolan-Davies 0844 414 28261st Weston Green Guides (All Saints) Mrs. Louise Lewis 020 8398 48432nd Thames Ditton Guides Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 16281st Weston Green Brownies (All Saints) Mrs K Williams 020 8398 13002nd Weston Green Brownies Linda Hall 020 8941 49131st Weston Green Rainbows Mrs Helen Hill 020 8398 31354th Thames Ditton Ajax Sea Scouts Alison Derrick 020 8398 0041Dittons Scout Group Keith Berry 0208 398 3447Coffee and chat (United Reformed Church) Mrs. E. Barker 01372 467491Emberbrook Trefoil Guild Mrs. Adrienne Nealing 020 8398 5582Esher Floral Art Group Mrs. M. Dingle 020 8398 3943Friends of Bushey and Home Parks Mrs. Julie Cohen 020 8943 2017Friends of Walsingham Care Miss Valerie Chicken 0208 398 2932Molesey and Dittons Neighbourhood Watch Chairman: Pat Farmiloe 020 8398 2787Parents and Toddlers(St Nicholas church) Information 020 8398 7211Ripieno Choir Nick Harris 020 8399 7231Surrey Bell-ringers Nick Pattenden [email protected]

Albany Motor Yacht Club Secretary 01784 466651Arts and Heritage Club Carol Butcher 01932 867511Claremont PROBUS Club Mr. P. Collins 020 8398 3125Claygate Bridge Club Hon. Secretary 020 8398 1710Colets Health & Fitness Giordano Orsini 020 8398 7108Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Hon Secretary 020 8398 1642Dittons & Hinchley Wood Royal British Legion Hon Secretary 020 8398 6263Ember Players (Drama) Ember Sports Club Anne Segall 020 8941 4528

SERVICES, CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND GROUPS

44


Ember Sports Club Mrs. Pauline Wareham 020 8979 8977Ember Sports Club: Bowls John Garland 01932 220221Ember Sports Club: Croquet Dr. David Cooke 01932 862841Ember Sports Club: Tennis Margaret Robinson 01372 842401Esher Bowling Club Roger Cooper 01372 468109Esher Bridge Centre Paul Whicker 01372 460157Esher Camera Club Billy Buchanan 020 8398 3169Folk Dance Club Pam Phillips 01372 373745Hinchley Wood / Dittons PROBUS Club Ken Thomas 0208 398 0526Long Ditton Cricket Club Nigel Hardy 020 8398 8361Long Ditton Garden Club Mrs. Ann Allen 020 8398 1718Model Railway Society (Hampton Court) Secretary 01932 241224Mothers Union (All Saints) Val Lomax 01932 860344Old Cranleighan Rugby Club Tony Price 07801 837129

Old Cranleighan Hockey Club Eds Copleston (Men) 07775 940703Helen Hawes (Ladies) 07771 557900

River Club (BMYC) David Walker 0870 460 3586Rotary Club, Esher Geoff Morris 01932 868454Rubber Bridge TD Lawn Tennis Club Val 020 8399 9972Surbiton Croquet Club Alec Thomas 020 8398 2391Surbiton Golf Club Secretary 020 8398 3101Surbiton Hockey Club Secretary 020 8398 2401Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club Chris Lewis 07770 562569Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club Mark Rodbard 020 8398 1551Thames Ditton Squash Club (Colets) Dave Peck 020 8398 7108Thames Ditton Cricket Club Howard Frish (Secretary) 07947 561449Thames Ditton Marquetry Group Jasmine Berry 020 8398 4358 Yoga for Health Club Mrs. Celia Rowe 020 8398 2700

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Ember Choral Society Linda Bridges 020 8399 5402 Esher Recorded Music Society Miss S. M. Garrat 020 8398 8541Esher and Molesey Garden Society Julia Presland (Sec) [email protected] Court Way Allotment Association Secretary: Basil Rainbow 020 8398 8471Lynwood Allotment Society Barry Jordan 0776 282 5041Molesey and District Antiques Society Linda Lambert 020 8398 1476NADFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts) Kingston Mrs. Valerie Windsor 020 8549 9967National Trust: Richmond Association Membership Secretary 020 8894 2972Soroptimist International (Kingston District ) Secretary: Pat Harman 020 8390 3507Thames Ditton Women’s Institute (W.I.) Secretary 020 8398 8615Thames Valley Amateur Radio Transmitters Society Chairman 0148328 4279

OTHER

Cancer Research UK Mrs. Vivienne Harris 020 8398 6787University of the Third Age (U3A) Ken Kingham 020 8979 8053Vera Fletcher Hall Lettings: Helen Mason 08456 528 529

Membership: Sue Morris 020 8224 2536

Please contact the Editor to amend these listings

45


46

THE THEATRE IN THAMES DITTON

Friday 9th October 8.00 pmNATIONAL POETRY DAY

Louis de Bernieres (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin)and Ilone Antonius Jones in

NOTWITHSTANDINGAn evening of stories, poetry and music featuring de

Bernieres’ new poetry and his latest book withmandolin, guitar and flute music TICKETS £10

Friday 16 October 8.00 pmCommedia Productions present Mozart’s

THE MAGIC FLUTESung in English , an exciting new full-scaleproduction with singers from major opera

companies and accompanied by Commedia’spioneering ‘virtual orchestra’. TICKETS £15

Friday 23 October 8.00 pmOpera Playhouse presents Pippa Longworth and

Karl Daymond inSONGS FROM THE POTTING SHED.

International opera singers celebrate their love ofall thinks horticultural – even the slug – with poetryand music. So come into the potting shed, Maude!

TICKETS £10

Friday 6 November 8.00 pmCONCERT

Cosima and Sao Soulez Lariviere (violins) andNigel Hutchinson (piano). Brilliant young students

from the Yehudi Menuhin School play Bartok,Prokofiev, Paganini, Sarasate... TICKETS £12

including canapes, in aid of the Mayor ofElmbridge’s charity “Newlife Foundation for

Disabled Children” from Amy HattonTel: 07974 348 993.

Friday 13 November 1.15 pm and 7.30 pmLove & Madness Productions present A TASTE OF HONEY (1.15 pm) and

ROMEO AND JULIET (7.30 pm) Two complementary classics that explore the pains

of youth. TICKETS £12.50

To hire the Vera Fletcher Hall contact managerHelen Mason Tel: 08456 528 529

Friday 27 November 7.30 pmCharles Court Opera presents

IOLANTHEGilbert & Sullivan’s ever popular “fairy opera” with

its satire on the House of Lords and the politicalparty system... TICKETS £15

Friday 11 December 7.00 pmMuse & Music present CHRISTMAS GOLD

A West End cast celebrate Christmas packed intoone hour’s cabaret of carols, show songs, comedy

and poetry. TICKETS £11 (£9)

Tuesday 15 December 8.00 pmRoyston Pike Lecture

“NUNSENSE AT CHRISTMAS” Author, Adrienne Dines’ humorous and irreverent

tales from her childhood in Ireland.TICKETS £1.90 at the door.

Friday 15 January 2010 7.30 pm Charles Court Opera presents

DICK WHITTINGTONA traditional family panto, thigh-slappingly funny,

toe tapping routines and musical treats from pop toopera. TICKETS £12.50

YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRESaturday 17 October 2.30 pm

Martin Bridle ‘The Puppet Man’GOLDILOCKS

The traditional tale of Goldilocks and the threebears is given extra drama and humour.

For 4-8 years. TICKETS £6

Saturday 28 November 2.30 pm Image Theatre present

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A familyparticipation musical based on the European fairy

tale. For 5-10 years. TICKETS £6

Tickets for all shows from Joan LeiferTel: 0844 884 8832 and The Pro Shop,

50a High Street, Thames Ditton.www.verafletcherhall.co.uk

AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL


wow!Two waysto treatyour Pet

www.beechhousevets.com

Beech House Veterinary Centre,Milbourne Stores, Weston Green,

Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0JX

Consulting Hours 11am-1pm 4pm-6pm

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To keep them happy, play with them,exercise them, give them loads ofpraise and cuddles and spoil them

with some special treats and toys. Sopop into the “Beech House Pet Stop”for a wide selection of the very best.(All the products and food we sell have been carefully

chosen with your pet’s best well-being in mind.)

Beech House Veterinary Centre -Passionate about Healthy, Happy Pets

To keep them healthy, pets should be seenat least once every 12-months by a vet. Sowhy not bring them along to Beech House,Thames Ditton for their regular healthchecks. This way, we can detect potentialillnesses early and nip them in the bud.

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THAMES DITTON

KINGSTON

ESHER

HINCHLEYWOOD

Well-Pet Centres also at:Hersham01932 220768Cobham01932 868688Shepperton01932 222257HERSHAM

55076_ISFC:SPRING inside Cover 2005 23/9/09 15:46 Page 2

ARIES CONSTRUCTION LLP(formerly Ditton Construction)

Tel: 020 8941 9191Fax: 020 8941 6664

Mobile: 07836 608086Email: [email protected]

GENERAL BUILDING

EXTENSIONS & LOFT CONVERSIONS

FULL PLANNING & DRAWING SERVICES

ROOFING : PLUMBING : ELECTRICAL

BATHROOM & KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT

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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

13 Thames Court, Victoria Avenue

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Free Estimates – Fast, Efficient, Friendly Service

Local References Available

Published by the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents ̓Association. Printed by the K&N Press Ltd, Unit 10, 19 Lyon Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey.

49676Cover:SPRING Cover 2005 24/11/08 15:19 Page 1

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