Issue 23 – July 2014 Richmond Shakespeare Society Notice Board Events Diary Children’s Activities Summer Soups and BBQs Is The Novel Dead? Strawberry Hill House Local History | Events | Community News | Local Businesses | Features twmagazines.co.uk TW AG In this issue The Independent Magazine for Strawberry Hill
TW Mag is a glossy A5 magazine, distributed free of charge every month to a minimum of 5,000 homes within the South Twickenham/Strawberry Hill area. TW Mag delivers an interesting read for the residents. Each issue focuses on local editorial content including relevant and interesting feature articles. The issues provide an informative and helpful magazine that becomes a valuable source of information to residents and an important reference point for sourcing local goods and services. TW Mag celebrates what is special about Strawberry Hill/South Twickenham for those who live and work here and provides an inexpensive but effective platform for the local business community. Published by TW Magazines.
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JULY brings a flourish of activity as many of us try to squeeze too much in before the holidays begin in earnest.
Of course on our return it will be even worse as we attempt to
catch up, but hopefully a healthy sun tan (if there is such a thing nowadays), and a Zen like state will mean we can take that bit in our stride. I live in hope.
If any of you are considering using some well deserved free time to pen that masterpiece you’ve had on the back-burner, then St Mary’s University’s David Savil has some inspiring words. See page 14.
With our regular columns and expert advice to keep you entertained and informed, I hope you enjoy this edition of TW Mag and look forward to seeing you again next month.
This monthRichmond Shakespeare Society Pages 6 & 8
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Don’t miss the August Issue Deadline: B o o k b y 1 5 t h J u l y
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6 | TW MAG – July 2014
A Labour of Love
summer show. Two of them will be productions from our very successful youth theatre groups, one for younger children, one for teenage Children. Then there are a further seven productions of a variety of plays, one is usually Shakespeare, but there is a lot of modern repertoire as well.
Obviously as the Richmond Shakespeare Society, we would probably like to spend a great deal of our time performing Shakespeare, but it’s just not possible, they invariably have large casts and large crewing requirements. Not even the National Theatre would do that many Shakespeare productions on the trot. Obviously we need to fit in smaller cast and crew productions, and actually it suits us because it opens up a great deal of choice in the productions we put on. Given that everything is done by people who give up their spare time to do it, on the whole what we do is extremely successfully. One of the reasons I have maintained my membership for more than 25 years is that there is a very vibrant and happy social life associated with the society. We have around 400 full members, and then the audience members number around 600. The membership is based on the rule that anyone can turn up to audition, by looking on the website you can find out when the next set of auditions are. But if you are cast then you need to join.
We strike a balance between wanting fresh members to come in and keep the life blood of
AHEAD OF THE RICHMOND Shakespeare Society’s annual outdoor performance at in July we go behind the scenes of the RSS with long time member and Strawberry Hill resident Matthew Flexman.
I come from a theatrical family, while I’m sure it’s not scientifically true, there is a case for acting being in the blood. Both my parents were professionals. I’ve always had an interest in theatre and performing art. When I moved into the area, the RSS was an obvious choice to be able to express that. Shakespeare is as great as theatre gets, and not all companies undertake it. We have held an RSS outdoor Shakespeare production within the borough every year since the society formed in 1934, barring a year during the second war and one year in the 1960s when there wasn’t a venue.
Since we got our permanent home at the Mary Wallace Theatre in 1980 the structure of the society hasn’t changed that much over the years.We are a stable and successful theatre company. For some reason west London is particularly rich with amateur companies, there is a small handful who own and manage their own theatres. People always remark on what a lovely little theatre it is.
Managing your own theatre brings its own challenges, especially as we are a voluntary organisation. You have to keep on top of every aspect from maintenance, to license requirements, but it also brings many more opportunities, we have the freedom to programme whatever season of plays we feel works best.
We have a season of ten productions within each year, one of which is the annual outdoor
SUNDAY 6th JULY, 12 -8pmJoin fellow members of the local community for an afternoon of fun, food & drink, music, art and sport plus lots more.
MUSIC a wide variety of local bands and singers FOOD & DRINK Sample a range of national and international cuisines
FOR CHILDREN Funfair and Bouncy Castle SPORT Watch Twickenham Cricket Club play on The Green Meet players from Old Thamesians and Teddington Ladies Rugby Clubs
PLUS a wide variety of stalls and games: www.twickenhamgreen.org
Brazilian Dance Family Workshop Saturday 5th July, 10–11am
Celebrate both the World Cup in Brazil and
Big Dance Week. This fun, Brazilian themed
workshop is suitable for all the family and
aims to help to release our inner samba!
No need to book, just turn up for the start
time ready to go in comfortable clothes and
flat shoes!
Cost:Pay What You Can donation on the day.
Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, TW11 9NN
www.landmarkartscentre.org
THE EEL PIE ALL STARS REMEMBER ART WOOD’S BIRTHDAYto benefit The Prostate Cancer Charity
Thursday 10 July Doors 8:30pm. Music 9-11:30pm.The Eel Pie Club at The Patch, 67 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SZ
Tickets: £12 (£10 Members) cash on door or cc adv via www.eelpieclub.comInquiries: 07732 322610
Notice Board
4 | TW MAG – July 2014
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A Labour of Love
summer show. Two of them will be productions from our very successful youth theatre groups, one for younger children, one for teenage children. Then there are a further seven productions of a variety of plays, one is usually Shakespeare, but there is a lot of modern repertoire as well.
Obviously as the Richmond Shakespeare Society, we would probably like to spend a great deal of our time performing Shakespeare, but it’s just not possible. Invariably they large casts and large crewing requirements. Not even the National Theatre would do that many Shakespeare productions on the trot. Obviously we need to fit in smaller cast and crew productions, and actually it suits us because it opens up a great deal of choice in the productions we put on. Given that everything is done by people who give up their spare time to do it, on the whole what we do is extremely successfully. One of the reasons I have maintained my membership for more than 25 years is that there is a very vibrant and happy social life associated with the Society. We have around 400 full members, and then the audience members number around 600. The membership is based on the rule that anyone can turn up to audition, by looking on the website you can find out when the next set of auditions are. But if you are cast then you need to join.
We strike a balance between wanting fresh members to come in and keep the life blood of
AHEAD OF THE RICHMOND Shakespeare Society’s annual outdoor performance in
July we go behind the scenes of the RSS with long time member and Strawberry Hill resident Matthew Flexman.
‘I come from a theatrical family, while I’m sure it’s not scientifically true, there is a case for acting being in the blood. Both my parents were professionals and I’ve always had an interest in theatre and performing art. When I moved into the area, the RSS was an obvious choice to be able to express that. Shakespeare is as great as theatre gets, and not all companies undertake it.
We have held an RSS outdoor Shakespeare production within the borough every year since the society formed in 1934, barring a year during WWII and one year in the 1960s when there wasn’t a venue available.
Since we got our permanent home at the Mary Wallace Theatre in 1980 the structure of the society hasn’t changed that much over the years.We are a stable and successful theatre company. For some reason West London is particularly rich with amateur companies, there is a small handful who own and manage their own theatres. People always remark on what a lovely little theatre it is.
Managing your own theatre brings its own challenges, especially as we are a voluntary organisation. You have to keep on top of every aspect from maintenance, to license requirements, but it also brings many more opportunities. It gives us the freedom to programme whatever season of plays we feel works best.
We have a season of ten productions within each year, one of which is the annual outdoor
Continues on page 8
Matthew in Taking Sides
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8 | TW MAG – July 2014
A Labour of Love (Continued)
sources anyway. I’m by no means an expert, my knowledge is purely based on performing his plays. But in my view he is the greatest playwright that ever lived. The quality of the language is staggeringly beautiful sometimes. Not necessarily because of its poetry, but often the structure of the lines. I believe he really gets what it is to be human. If the purpose of art in any form, whether it is theatre, art or music is to explore the human condition and what it is to be alive I believe Shakespeare does it better than anyone who has ever lived.
When one plays a Shakespeare role you get to see how he has understood how all these characters relate, communicate and feel and are, in their own minds and in relation to the world around them and he expresses it brilliantly. For an actor that is more valuable than any other quality that a writer could have.
Of course you don’t have to be Shakespeare mad to come along to RSS. Everyone is welcome and we have regular open days where you can come and see the theatre. There is so much that someone can get from becoming a member, you don’t have to be interested in acting. There is a whole range of things you can do and meet some lovely people as well.’
the group going, and giving the people who give their time more consistently to the Society to get their opportunities too. One of the great joys of amateur theatre is the variety of roles you can play. I have many friends who are professional actors who say they would never get those opportunities in a million years. I’ve played Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, now of course it is not the same as the RSC, but 99.9% of professional male actors will never get that chance.
I’ve been extremely lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to have been involved in an eclectic range of productions. Perhaps the ones I’m most proud of have tended to be modern plays, Educating Rita, a fabulous play called Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood which is a brilliant play. I did a two-hander a few years ago called Not About Heroes with just two of us playing Siegfried Sasson and Wilfred Owen set in the WWI. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard was a highlight. Over my amateur theatre carreer I can name a dozen plays that I honestly think were to a professional standard. There have been some where everything has come together perfectly and have been absolutely outstanding plays.
Certainly as my career has progressed I do less theatre now, simply because my work commitments as a solicitor don’t allow me to go from play to play as I did when I was in my twenties. But that works for me, I get to pick and choose the things I do and to go for the ones I really enjoy. With amateur theatre everyone is there because they want to be, not because they are being paid, it is because they love it and want to be involved. You never hear any one say it is a chore. Amateur means lover, you are there because you love what you do.
When I’m asked what is so special about Shakespeare I would have to say it’s not his plots that impress me, his story lines are often quite trite and often borrowed from other
Love’s Labour’s Lost Sunday 20th – Saturday 26th July 7.45pm - matinee on Saturday at 3pm. (No performance on Wednesday 23rd).Tickets - £12 Booking - richmondshakespeare.org.uk 020 8744 0547 (10am–7pm) (Telephone booking from 7th July)
Friday 7th July, 8pm for 8.30pm startThe Dead Parrot SocietyCharity Night in adi of the Royal Marsden
Hospital and Team Harry. Featuring Viv Groskop,
Milton Jones, Adam Bloom, James Mullinger
Tickets: £10, Reserve: thedeadparrotsociety.co.uk
Royal Oak, 172 High St, Teddington, TW11 8HU
Until July 10th, Mon-Fri 9.30am–12.30pm; 4th – 6th July 11am–4pmIn The Gallery - Haydon WilliamsBased on landscape locations, subjects are
presented within a theatrical fantasy mood.
Often linked to dramatic or historic events,
many are inspired by Richmond Park and the
local area. Admission: freeContact: [email protected], 020 8977 7558, www.landmarkartscentre.org Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, Teddington, TW11
Saturday 12th July, 7.30pmSongs From The ShowsPerformed by Opera UK. Opera UK return for an evening of songs from Les Miserables, West Side Story, Oklahoma, South Pacific and many more.
Ticket prices are £18 and £15 concessions. Contact
Lesley Alabaf, 0333 1212 300, Lesley.alabaf@
downs-syndrome.org.uk. Normansfield Theatre,
2a Langdon Down Centre, TW11 9PS
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IN A RECENT LECTURE to an Oxford College, Will Self painted a bleak picture of the novel’s
future. In a digital culture, where reading attention spans are progressively shortened, Self can only foresee a small public for the kind of difficult and challenging novels that he loves - the kind of novel he calls ‘serious’. The novel, Self contends, has not been central to our culture since the modernist period which produced works like James Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake.
As a writing tutor at St Mary’s University, I couldn’t agree less. In fact, I disagree so profoundly, that I have just designed a new kind of Masters course specifically tailored to the needs of unpublished novelists in Richmond and beyond.
In his lecture, Self, a novelist and professor at Brunel University, appears equally disparaging of Creative Writing in Higher Education. I think he’s mistaken on that count as well.
If you are reading this article, perhaps you harbour an ambition to write a novel? To write several novels? But perhaps ‘life’, as it tends to do, has got in the way? If so, Self’s comments might seem rather discouraging. Indeed, you may have read other commentaries declaring the novel dead, and criticizing Creative Writing courses. Well take heart dear reader (or should that be writer?). Read on, and I will persuade you that Will Self, and all pronouncements of the novel’s death are wrong. I will also persuade you that Creative Writing in Higher Education is a fulfilling and life changing experience that all the Selfs of this world should not deny you.
My first contention, is with Self’s idea of culture and what is central to it. The kind of novel he idolises was the product of a publishing industry even more elitist in its recruitment of editors and writers than it is today.
The evaluation and dissemination of the ‘serious’ novel in the modernist period, was largely confined to the tiny population in Higher Education. In 1920, approximately 5,000 students in the UK obtained a degree of any kind. In 2011, the figure was approximately 544,000.
With the progressive development of education and literacy across our society, ‘literary’ novels, and many other kinds of novel, became a normal part of most people’s cultural life. But our conception of what makes a novel good or culturally valuable, also changed with the democratisation of our education.
One result of this is that more eclectic and expansive reading habits changed what is really ‘central’ in our cultural life, and who decides what is culturally valuable. Educated citizens rightly began to question who is entitled to be a producer or arbiter of culture. This decentralisation of cultural norms is only hastened by the digital age.
If the production of writing and art appears, as Self suggests in his own article, ‘gilded with a sort of wonderment’, why shouldn’t we all have the opportunity to explore our potential to write?
And writing is not as solitary an activity as Self suggests. Writing involves readers, agents and editors, all of whom play a part in shaping readable work.
It is the great romantic lie of the novelist that only she dives into her imagination and returns to the surface with literary pearls. Anyone should be capable of taking this first step, but in most cases, talent needs encouragement, sound advice, and contact with experienced professionals to turn a pearl into a necklace.
Oxford educated writers may find themselves in ready contact with professionals in the publishing industry. But for those who do not have these contacts, good creative writing
14 | TW MAG – July 2014
Personal Development
The Death of the Novel? Not in Twickenham
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courses, run with passion by experienced writers who respect the art of teaching as much as writing, are now in good supply.
Much of Self’s argument about the novel and the digital age is illuminating and provocative. I agree with Self when he points out that the work of a good novelist is the dedicated work of a lifetime - one year on a Creative Writing course will not make a novelist of you. But it could be the beginning of your writing life.
Ford Madox Ford said that there are two kinds of novelist: the artist, and the virtuoso. The latter takes a form that already exists and works to perfect it. The former works against the grain to refresh his medium.
At St Mary’s, we offer one of very few courses dedicated to the form of the novel, ‘serious’ or not. We look forward to welcoming all kinds
of writers who aspire to begin a novel - whether they want to be the next Hilary Mantel or the next Lee Child - and we relish the experience of guiding them at the beginning of their journey into an art form and craft. If you enjoy writing, then it is your instrument, and just like any keen musician, you will find your practice challenged, enhanced and renewed by the right course.
St Mary’s Creative Writing First Novel MA, begins in September and is open to applications now. Interested readers can contact me via smuc.ac.uk or at [email protected]
Food & Drink
16 | TW MAG – July 2014
2) Pound the garlic cloves in a mortar, add a little of the soaked bread, olive oil and salt to make a paste.
3) Put the tomatoes, bread, chopped cucumber, bell pepper and onion, in a blender for a few seconds to roughly mix. Mix in the garlic paste and a little sherry vinegar.Hola! ready to serve, slightly chilled – never too cold.
I learnt a lot about Spanish cooking from my friend Maria Jose Sevilla, who was the Manager of the Foods & Wines from Spain department at the Spanish Trade Commission in London. She is one of the best connoisseurs of Spanish food and cuisine in the UK and it was she who taught me how to make ajoblanco or garlic and almond soup.
INGREDIENTS SERVES 44 slices of stale bread1 cup of blanched almonds3 cloves of garlic, sliced5 tbsp Olive Oil2 tbsp Sherry vinegar
This soup is best with a silky texture so a blender is used.
1) Soak the bread in cold water for 15 minutes.
2) Up the bread and almonds in a food processor and blend until smooth.
3) Add the garlic and blend again.
4) Slowly pour in olive oil with the motor running until it makes a paste.
5) Add 2∞ cups of cold water, including that which you soaked the bread in, add 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar.
6) Chill. Serve with a few seedless green grapes on top.
The most well-known chilled soup must of course be Gazpacho. Simple and delicious. As with most recipes, there are conflicting reports of the origin. According to the Real Academia de la Lengua Española (Royal Academy of the Spanish Language) ‘gazpacho’ might come from the same word in the Arabic dialect spoken in Spain who took it from a Greek word which refers to the collection box in old churches where people used to donate different things: coins of different shapes, bread, whatever.
There are three colours of Gazpacho: Red containing tomato; White containing bread and almonds, sometimes dried fruit; Green which is white but with some herbs and spices.
In Andalusia, most gazpacho recipes typically include stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion and garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, water and salt. This is how we make it –
INGREDIENTS SERVES 48 slices of stale white bread, crusts removed, broken into big chunks2 pounds firm, ripe tomatoes, sliced1 cucumber, peeled & chopped1 large white onion1 green bell pepper, seeds and pith removed2 garlic cloves, smashedSea saltExtra-virgin olive oil2-3 tbsp sherry vinegar
1) Put the sliced tomatoes in a bowl, add cold water, then put the stale bread on top so it is immersed in water. Cover with a cloth and leave overnight. This imparts all the flavour of the tomatoes into the bread.
Chilled Soups & Summer Birds for the Barbecue
Tony Rowe, is Owner of Arthur’s on the Green arthursonthegreeen.co.uk Tel. 020 8893 3995
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lemon zest After they have been marinated put on the barbecue, turning frequently until cooked. Serve with couscous and roasted vegetables.
These are dishes I love to cook on warm summer evenings. iBuen Apetito!
There are two little birds which I love to cook on the chargrill or barbecue - Quails and Spatchcock Poussin or Spring Chicken. The quails I would cook whole but ask the butcher to ‘spatchcock’ the poussin. This means to remove the backbone so that it can be flattened.
Both the quail and the poussin should be marinated overnight. I like to marinate the quail with olive oil, pomegranate molasses, honey, a few
cloves of garlic and some fresh mint. The poussin can be marinated in olive oil, garlic, thyme,
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18 | TW MAG – July 2014
If you are interested in attending any of these activities, please
phone first to check the details.
Ballet for ChildrenClasses for 3 years upwards.Established 1982. Fully registered and qualified. Contact: Geraldine Maguire, ARAD020 8894 3991 www.balletforchildren.org St. James’ Hall, Radnor Rd
Busy Bees Tuesdays: 10–11.30am, parent and toddler group for ∞ years to pre-school.Contact: Siobhan Crowther 020 8977 8000. Teddington Baptist Church, Church Rd, TW11 8PF
Catch-a-ballsThursdays: various times and ages. Fun games and activities including ball handling skills, bat and ball techniques and agility. Develop balance and posture, co-ordination and spatial awareness and social skills. Book your free trial class now.Contact: 020 8398 3034, [email protected], www.catch-a-balls.co.uk. The Crossway, St Stephen Church, 306 Richmond Rd, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 2PD
Cheeky Monkey’sEvery Tuesday, 10am till noonUnder 5’sA friendly drop-in for parents and carers with pre-school children. Good quality toys with plenty of space for the children to play and a singing time. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits available.To find out more, contact the church office at [email protected] or 020 8892 5258The Crossway, St Stephen Church, 306 Richmond Rd, Twickenham, TW1 2PD
Classical BabiesFriday 4th July, 11–11.45am, parents & up to 3 years45 minutes of music by professional musicians in a family friendly environment. Contact: Nadine Andre on 07732 058705 or [email protected] Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, TW11 9NN
Dragon Drama Improvisational theatre, storytelling, acting, movement, mime, magic and mayhem! Workshops for Preschool - Eighteen years old. For further information contact 07590 452 436 or [email protected]. www.dragondrama.co.uk
Fairtrade FridaysEvery Friday 10–12noonFairtrade cafe with tea, coffee and snacks served. All welcome - toys available for the children.Teddington Methodist Church in the main hall, 1 Stanley Road, TW11 8PT
Footie TotsThursdays and Fridays, 2∞-8 years.An Introduction to the world of fitness and football for children. Teaching basic ball skills, scoring lots of goals and having fun on the way.Contact Andy on 07931 707720 or [email protected] Trinity Church, Vicarage Rd, TW2 www.footie-tots.co.uk/
Frankie & Flo’s Play CafeTues/Weds/Thurs, 2.30pm - 5.00pm5 years and under, older siblings welcome. A friendly environment with bouncy castle, ride on toys, craft activities, baby area, dressing up clothes, play shop, roller coaster. Professional children’s (and adult) haircuts. Beauty therapist Cost: Under 1 year £2, 1 yr and over £3.501st Sibling £2.00, additional siblings £1.00Contact: Cassie on 07803 594786St Mary’s Parish Hall, Langham Road, Teddington TW11 9HF
Jo JinglesMondays: 9.30am walking-2yrs; 10.25am 2yrs+; 11.20am 3mths-walking.Also TuesdaysMusic, singing and movement classes for babies and pre-school age children from 3 months to 5 years of age. Contact: 020 8241 8139 www.twickenham.jojingles.com/classes.aspHoly Trinity Church, Vicarage Rd, TW2 5TS
Kids’ Art Club6th July 10am-noon, 5–11 yrsA different art project for each session, including drawing, painting, relief making, printing & collage. Fun workshops are fully designed & supervised by art educators. Cost: £12 per child, incl. all mats. Book early.
Children’s Activities
Continues on page 20.
A caring and happy school, providing an inspiring and creative education amongst first-class facilities.
Independent Day School for Girls aged 4–11 and Boys aged 4–13
From September 2014 we will be offering wraparound care from 8am-6pm. We are currently taking registrations
for 2015, with some limited availability for Sept 2014.Prospective parents are welcome to join our school
assembly followed by a personal tour with the Headmaster.Please call 020 8979 6216 for more information.
If you are interested in attending any of these activities, please phone first to check the details.Children’s Activities
20 | TW MAG – July 2014
Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, TW11 Call 020 8977 7558 to book.
Little Wrigglers Dance, Perform & PlayMonday 2-2.45pm 2_ 4 yearsThursdays: 9.45-10.30am, 3-4 years, 10:30-11am, 2-3 years. A creative mix of dance, music and mime to inspire your child to move to music.Contact: Rachel 07817 691660 [email protected], www.littlewrigglers.co.uk. Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, TW11 9NN
Monkey MusicMondays to Thursdays. Times according to age group. Age: 3 mths–4 years. Small, tailor-made classes to encourage children to learn through songs and games. Contact: Claire Slade 020 8847 4031, www.monkeymusic.co.uk Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, TW11 9NN
See SawFriday morning, Under 5’sChildren to learn, play and explore in multi-sensory sessions designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and develop skills in communication, co-ordination and social interaction. No booking necessary and drop-ins welcomed. Contact: 020 8831 6000, [email protected] House Gallery, Riverside, TW1 3DJ
Saturday SocialEvery first Saturday of the monthSaturday Social is a free drop-in family art workshop targeting parents and carers who are alone with their children at weekends. Get creative and meet other parents and carers. Orleans House Gallery, Riverside, TW1 3DJ
Story Time @ Twickenham LibraryTuesdays: 3.45pm. Free weekly story time for the under 5s. Tel: 020 8734 3340 , Garfield Rd, TW1 3JT
Sunday Afternoon Art First Sundays of the month. 2-3.30pm, 4 years +. A free drop-in workshop for families. This month – Family Portraits. No booking necessary.Contact: 020 8831 6000, [email protected] House Gallery, Riverside, TW1 3DJ
Teddington Dance StudioClasses all week and weekends in Teddington.Ballet, modern, tap, street jazz and melody movement, musical theatre, tinny tappers. For 1/2 to 16 year olds.Contact: Natalie 07887 353950, [email protected]
Tempo TotsMondays & Fridays.Time according to age. Music making with singing and dancing. Each week there’s a different theme. Contact: 07956 447118, [email protected], tempo-tots.comThe Hyde Room, York House, Richmond Rd, TW1 3AA & The Maple Room, The Crossways, St Stephen’s, 306 Richmond Rd, TW1 2PD
Tiny Teddies Second and fourth Friday of the month: 10.30-11am. Bounce and rhyme for babies and toddlers. Twickenham Library, Garfield Rd, TW1 3JT. Contact: 020 8734 3340 & Teddington Library (fourth Wednesday of the month)
Tiny TunesWednesdays 10-10.40am & 11am-11.40am3 months-5 yearsThe drop in classes are pay as you go so no need to book, just turn up. £5 per child/£2.50 siblings. Contact: Lisa 07977 585020, [email protected], www.tinytuneslive.com Twickenham Library, Garfield Rd, TW1 3JT
Toddler TimeEvery Friday, 10am-noonDrop-in group for Parents ,carers with babies, toddlers. More information contact Charlotte 07879606852 or [email protected] Reformed Church, First Cross Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QA
Twickenham Twins’ Club PlaygroupEvery Wednesday from 2.30pm - 4.30pmSit and enjoy a cuppa and talk to other parents/carers of multiples, to provide support, to swap hints and tips, and to share experiences - good and bad!Cost: £2 per family (with membership), £3Twickenham Methodist Church, Queens Road, Twickenham TW1 4ENwww.twickenhamtwinsclub.co.uk
a sheet of 25. As you can imagine this seems to take forever. Although with this election there was an innovation in counting the split votes in that they were recorded electronically and shown on a screen viewed by the scrutineers.
Some Council seats can be won or lost on split votes. But some split voting can simply cancel each other out and make no difference at all.
I’d like to thank the Council officers and other helpers who did a wonderful job carrying out the all night count.
We now have 39 Conservative councillors and 15 Liberal Democrats. No other party is represented in the Council of the London Borough of RIchmond.
However, whoever your councillor is, please be assured that they should work hard for all their residents. We councillors don’t know if the resident we are helping voted for us or not! I am relieved and pleased to tell you that your three Conservative Councillors retained their seats in South Twickenham ward and Cllr David Marlow and Cllr David Porter and I look forward to supporting all our residents in the next four years. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
I THINK EVERYONE who stood as candidates in the recent Local Council Elections on Thursday 22nd
May has just about recovered both mentally and physically!
I salute all those activists who pounded the streets delivering leaflets extolling their party. I congratulate all who were successfully elected and look forward to working with them for the good of the community whatever their political persuasion. The Conservative party was elected for a second term of four years, the first time this has happened in 36 years.
I remembered the last Election in 2010 when voting was so close and there were so many inconclusive recounts that the CEO Gillian Norton sent us all home around 9am on Friday with instructions to return at 4.30pm. As you can imagine by about 7pm on Friday night we were all exhausted as some people had been awake for 36 hours non-stop.
This election polling started at 7am and went on till 10pm when all the sealed ballot boxes were taken to the Sports Hall at St. Mary’s University in Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill to be verified. I arrived at about 11pm for the count and ready for a long night.
After the numbers of ballot papers are verified they are arranged in block votes. This means that the majority of voters vote in a block for the three councillors of the Party they favour. These papers are counted in 25s, recounted and then arranged in blocks of 100 votes with a little slip of coloured paper on them according to the Party. It is excruciatingly slow to watch your pile of 100s slowly mount up!
The time consuming part now starts when the split votes are counted. Split voting is when the elector votes for between one and three candidates either the same or different parties. One officer reads out the candidate’s name to another officer who ticks the appropriate box on
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WHAT’S ONThe Strawberry River Experience 2nd July, 8–9.30pm Enjoy a cruise to Richmond along the scenic Thames. Strawberry Hill tour guide, Raymond Daniel-Davies will give a talk about the historic sites on the river including Orleans House, Ham House and the Star and Garter home. Tickets are £65 includes supper and wine. Embark and disembark at The Wharf pier, Teddington. Age: 18+, £65 per person.
Royal Headgear, 5th July, 12.30pm–3pm Turn yourself into a daring prince or beautiful princess. £2 per child. All ages. Under 8s accompanied by an adult. No booking required.
Flower Arranging on a Budget 6th July 2-4pm
S T R A W B E R R Y H I L LHorace Walpole ’s Gothic Cast le
S T R A W B E R R Y H I L LHorace Walpole ’s Gothic Cast le
THE FESTIVAL OF FUN, held on 1st June launched Summer at Strawberry, an exciting
programme of workshops and activities for children which will run until the end of August and is sponsored by Morrison’s Solicitors.
A record number of families enjoyed a wonderful day out, with over 1,300 children and parents attending on the day. Popular activities included storytelling in the garden’s willow grotto, where the children were enraptured by the stories by the ‘fairy’ Olivia Malaure of Whirligig Parties. Families picnicked in the grounds with many bringing along stuffed toys to enjoy the Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
The ‘magic kingdom’ bouncy castle slide was also a hit with the children, who had the chance to interact with animals from Kidsrome Petting Zoo. The London Scottish Community Team were on hand to help young rugby players practice their passes in the club’s inflatable speed cage. Children could also ‘step back in time’ by dressing up in historical costumes, whilst others took part in the drop-in craft activities from gilding wooden initials to making shields, crowns and tiaras.
Many children took part in the competition to design a miniature garden on a plate. Lucas Dawes aged 3 years, Katie and Lily Temple aged 7 and 8 years and Erikas Daniels, aged 10 years were the lucky winners for their age groups of the miniature garden competition.
Laura Teale, Operations Manager said, ‘This is the second year we have run an event to launch Summer at Strawberry and we were delighted to welcome so many families to Strawberry Hill. The event would not have been such a success if it had not been for the fantastic support of sponsors Morrisons Solicitors.
Record Numbers Enjoy the Festival of Fun
‘The Festival of Fun was a great success and we are really pleased to support Strawberry Hill with this event and Summer at Strawberry. The festival gave members of our team a great opportunity to meet so many families from the community.’ commented Edward Moseley, Partner, Morrison’s Solicitors.
The Summer at Strawberry programme for children runs until 30th August. The programme features a range of activities including woodland trails, Bug Hunt Bonanza, fairy-tale stories and crafts including apple printing and frog making, shield making with Horace’s Historical Heraldry and painting glass gothic goblets.
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TW MAG – July 2014 | 25
Bring a bunch of your favourite supermarket flowers and we’ll demonstrate how to transform these along with flowers grown in the garden into a beautiful creation. Includes a short tour of the garden and a cream tea. Anything produced at the workshop can be taken home.Recommended 18+. £20.
Twilight Tour, 9th & 23rd July, 8pm Explore Walpole’s gothic castle out of hours and at a magical time of day. Our expert guides will show you the theatrical delights of Strawberry Hill and tell you about its unique history, architecture and restoration. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco beforehand from 7.30pm. Recommended 18+, £20.
Garden Tour, 9th & 23rd July, 3.30pm See a rare example of a theatrical border and discover the quaint gothic revival style Priors Garden. Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a free 45 minute walking tour of the garden. You can learn about its key features, restoration and place in the historical context of the Thames landscape. Free, No booking required.
Bold & Bashful Bugs, 12th July, 12.30-3pm Come and make your own beautiful bug then join the big bug hunt and discover both bold and bashful bugs! Hunts start at 1pm & 2pm £2 per child. All ages. Under 8s accompanied by an adult. No booking required.
Gothic Bookclub, 17th July 7.30pm-9pm Read The Minotour Takes a Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill. Five thousand years out of the Labyrinth, the Minotaur finds himself in the American South, living in a trailer park and working as a line cook at a steakhouse. Adult. Free. Advance booking required.
Light Up Your Garden, 19th July, 12.30-3pm Make a lantern and light up a garden in time for the summer. £2 per child. Under 8s accompanied by an adult. No booking required.
Twickenham Alive Music & Fun Day 20th July, from 12pm Enjoy live music, food, drink and family entertainment generously supported by the RFU. Entry free with donations for the continued restoration and upkeep of Strawberry Hill House. Visit twickenhamalive.com for more info. No booking required.
Stained Glass Creations for Under 5s 23rd July, 11am–12pm Take inspiration from the stained glass at Strawberry Hill and create your very own stained window hanger. Advanced booking required. Please only book one place per child. Must be accompanied by an adult. £6.00.
Gothic Goblets 5s, 23rd July, 1–3pm Take inspiration from the stained glass and paint your very own gothic goblet or stained glass window. Includes mini tour of the house. Advanced booking required. Please only book one place per child. £9.00 per person Over 5s. Under 8s accompanied by an adult.
Teddy Bears Picnic, 26th July, 12.30-3pm Will you be brave enough to go down to the woods today? Storytelling in the grounds for a traditional Teddy Bears Picnic. Bring your own picnic. No booking required. £2.00 per child.. Children under 8 accompanied by an adult. No booking required.
Storytelling Hour: Peter Rabbit 30th July, 11am–12pm Enjoy this classic children’s story in the enchanting grounds. Then come and join us on a hunt for carrots in the community garden. Please only book 1 place per child. Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult. £6.00
Everlasting Bubbles, 30th July, 1–3pm Come and make a magical bubble wand that can blow everlasting bubbles! Advance booking required. Please book 1 place per child. Over 5’s. Children Under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. £9.00
www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk Strawberry Hill House, 268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST
Telephone: 020 8744 1241
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