“Bury me beneath the Willow,
‘Neath the Weeping Willow Tree,
So when he knows where I am sleeping
Then perhaps he’ll weep for me.”

THE CARTER FAMILY

Some sources say that the most common of the cultivated Weeping Willow species (salix x sepulcralis) was first introduced into this country from a German nursery in 1908… which does seem a little late in the day considering the hundreds of thousands of the trees that are now to be found across the length and breadth of Britain.

Dear Reader,

You might already know me from yellowwedge cheese or the My St Margarets Magazine, but I have just entered the blogosphere with what I hope will quickly evolve into an enjoyable food resource, whatsforteatonightdear.wordpress.com. Your visits and comments would be very welcome. As you’ll see the site is also advertising my services as a freelance food and travel writer, do use the contact page on the site if you’re interested in finding out more. I hope you enjoy your visit!

Philip Brocklehurst

In July 2010, local retailer yellowwedge cheese has been named by The Times as one of the ‘Top 10 Cheese Shops in Britain’! Juliet Harbutt who compiled the list wrote;

“Whatever David Harries does, from recycling to educating his customer, he does with huge energy, passion and a zany sense of humour. Not surprising he won the British Cheese Awards ‘Best New Cheese Retailer’ in 2008.”

We haven’t provided a link to the story because of the subscription fee The Times now charges for online content, but feel free to search it out if you have a spare £1!

When the airport is on easterly operations, the usual practice will not change: planes will use the southern runway for the majority of departures and the northern runway for arrivals; night time alternation will be unaffected. If residents would like to speak to somebody about the noise impact of these works or have an enquiry regarding aircraft noise they can call the flight evaluation unit on 0800 344 844 or email noise_complaints@baa.com.

Details at: tinyurl.com/32g574l

— from Christopher J Squire

With the current problems regarding anti-social behaviour and youth violence Performance Academy London is endeavouring to change the self-image of children in the local area. We thought you might be interested in putting this information onto your website.

In September 2010 Performance Academy London will be launching exciting new drama workshops for children aged between 8-12 years old in Whitton. These workshops have the aim of encouraging self esteem and confidence in the next generation. The company director Robert Wells believes in the importance of using drama as a tool to encourage positive self images in the younger generation. ‘I have seen drama transform children’s confidence and self belief… the shyest and most difficult children have developed a love of theatre and been a given a platform so that they can express themselves positively.’

Performance Academy London has worked with children in Richmond, Merton and Chiswick. They have seen how drama has helped to transform children’s attitudes on life. All children have developed a real excitement for theatre and performance.

The new workshops will provide a great opportunity for children to develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as, improving their self-confidence and self-esteem.

The Classes will be held at St Philip and St James Church Hall Kneller Road, Whitton, Middlesex TW2 7DY.

HOBART TOWN DAILY COURIER - MARCH 25TH 1857

The fine old mansion on Richmond Green known as Hope House, and tenanted for several years past by the Royal School for the Education of Daughters of Naval Officers, was destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning.

The premises have been unoccupied since July last, when the pupils of the Naval School were removed to St Margaret’s, formerly the beautiful residence of the Earl of Kilmorey, on the Middlesex shore of the river, opposite Richmond, but now one of the newly acquired estates of the Conservative Land Society.

This is the North St Margarets Residents Association Annual Street Sale, this Saturday 11^th September 1.00pm - 4.00pm, with up to 75 stalls offering bric-a-brac, books, clothes, CD’s and DVDs, toys, children’s items, home made chutneys, jams and pickles and lots more.

Stalls are available to non residents.

For more information phone 020 8892 5211

Join us for a scenic fun run set in the beautiful historic grounds of Marble Hill Park in aid of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

This will be a fun filled charity day with something for all the family. There will be live music and entertainment until 6pm, local food and drink stalls, face painting for children, a raffle with fantastic prizes and perhaps a celebrity or two along the way!

The 6k route is suitable for all fitness levels and ages and there will be a 1k children’s fun run. You can take part as an individual or as a team, in your running kit or in fancy dress (there will be prizes for the best costume!). Organised by local volunteers, this will be a real community event.

This is an extract from an email sent to the Twickenham Action Group.

“Some of the environmental worries have been take into account - none of the new residents will be allowed parking permits — but the footprint is still very large. I have arranged to meet the developers on 6^th August and will communicate residents’ concerns.”

If your readers have concerns please email Dr Cable asap at the following address cablev@parliament.uk.

Ziggy Stardust Came From Isleworth

On the 23^rd April 2009 the St Margarets Community Website carried an article about Vince Taylor, a 1960’s rock ‘n’ roll singer born in Isleworth. After enjoying some moderate success in France Vince fell victim to the powerful psychedelic drug LSD. During his struggle to hold his mind and his failing career together Vince meet David Bowie who was inspired by him to create his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, the “leper Messiah” swallowed up by the excesses of rock stardom.

“Vince Taylor was the inspiration for Ziggy. Vince Taylor was a rock n roll star from the Sixties who was slowly going crazy… He always stayed in my mind as an example of what can happen in rock n roll… it seemed very appealing: Oh, I’d love to end up like that, totally nuts.”

David Bowie (1976)

A BBC Producer read the article and now it has been turned into a radio documentary. As well as featuring some of the people who worked with Vince Taylor and helped with his initial climb to minor rock ‘n’ roll stardom, we will also hear from some of those who caught him on his way down, including David Bowie.

“Ziggy Stardust Came from Isleworth” - BBC Radio 4, 11.30am - Thursday 19^th August 2010

Note: Once again, this shows you how lucky we are to have Martyn Day writing on this website. Thank you Martyn!

Fun And Games At Kendal House

In its time the Isleworth/St Margarets riverside has been graced by some fine and famous buildings. There was Lacy house, home for a while to Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Kilmorey House, built for but never occupied by the Earl of Kilmorey, Gordon House, home of lawyer and humorist Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Nazareth House and St Margarets, the family seat of the Marquis of Ailsa and over whose grounds is built the district that now bears its name. But of them all perhaps the most notable, if not the most famous was Kendal House, the home of the Duchess of Kendal, the German mistress of King George I.

Larkin About is run by Emergency Exit Arts and offers young people the chance to learn some new skills, devise a play and meet new people!

Larkin 2010 will feature drama workshops, singing, physical theatre and much more. Plus a very special drumming workshop with one of the cast members from STOMP! - straight from London’s West End!

The group meet everyday starting from Wednesday 27^th July at Orleans House Gallery and the final performance will take place in York House Gardens on Sunday 8^th August.

This is a free project but booking in advance is a must. If you would like to come along, please call Anna Ramsay on 020 8831 6460.

The Council is proposing the extend the boundary of the St Margarets Estate Conservation Area under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The proposed extension includes this property. As part of this process, the Council is seeking views of all owners and/or occupiers.

In brief, the implications of Conservation Area designation are as follows:

1. Conservation Area Consent will be required for the demolition of most buildings and structures (including walls)
2. Works to trees above a certain size will require permission
3. New development will be required to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area
4. Certain minor alterations and additions to single family dwelling houses that are visible to public views will require permission.

Comments and recommendations can be submitted in writing to Rachel Case (Rachel.Case@richmond.gov.uk). Please contact Rachel Case, Conservation Area Officer, with any queries on 020 8891 7941.

Please note: the deadline for comments has been extended to 3 September 2010 in order to enable residents and interested parties sufficient time to consider the implications of the proposed extension.

Consultation ends on 3 September 2010

Council’s web page

“The British drew their reasons to make merry from the many sources which had influence on these islands: the cultures of the Celts, the Romans, the Norse and the Normans, as well as creating a few of their own.

Looking back on the revels of the past brings a suspicion that we may have lost the art of having fun. However village fetes still survive as a means of fund raising for various charities…”

“FAIRS AND REVELS” — Brian Jewell 1976

When we’re far from home and someone asks where we’re from, we usual reply ‘London’. When pushed we might refine our answer to ‘West London’ but what we really want to say is ‘St Margarets’, because that is where we’re from. We may be Londoners by definition but in our hearts we see ourselves as villagers. St Margarets is the village in which we live and it is in its streets that we celebrate our existence - and there’s been a lot of that going on recently.

Two weeks ago we had the St Margarets Fair, 32 years old and still pulling in the crowds and then last weekend, street parties. One took place in North St Margarets. Driven by no other reason than to have some fun, get together with old neighbours and welcome in the new ones, the local Residents Association (NSMRA) and the congregation of the neighbourhood church, All Souls, had a “Big Lunch” Street Party, one of a number held that day across Britain. Although these “Big Lunch” street parties were promoted by the Eden Project as a way of fostering neighbourliness, I suspect that we needed very little encouragement to get involved. Street parties are something that we do instinctively. We’ve been holding them since villages first joined together to form towns and cities. Royal Jubilees, Armistices¸ Coronations, Royal Weddings - whatever the excuse we’re genetically hardwired to block off the road, wheel out some tables and chairs, slap on some music and then sit down in the middle of it all to share food and drink with the people from next door - and that is exactly what happened on the corner of Haliburton and Northcote Road last Sunday. The gentry may have their ballrooms and grand halls in which to hold their festivities but working people traditionally hold their ‘knees-up’ in the street - a custom that the middle class has taken up with enthusiasm.

Would you like to be included?

If so send a short piece about yourself and some photos of your work to Jeannine the magazine editor at magazine@mystmargarets.com. To be considered for the autumn edition please ensure that your email arrives by 30 July 2010.