Thames Path Walk: Part Two

Richmond to Putney Bridge - 14th March 2015

On a bright but chilly Saturday morning, twelve EFOG members set off from Richmond Station on the second leg of the London section of the Thames Path along the south bank. We had completed the first leg from Hampton Court down to Richmond the year before last, but a busy 2014 kept us at bay until now.

Once we hit the path itself, the first bridge we came to was Twickenham Bridge, followed shortly by Richmond Lock and weir, built in 1894 to keep up the water levels between here and Teddington. The path follows the edge of the Old Deer Park and there is plenty of wildlife to be spotted – herons, various ducks and geese, those blessed green parakeets and even the occasional fox. This section of the path feels very much like being in the country, the high rises of London not much in evidence through the trees. Shortly after Isleworth Ait over on the north bank Syon House, built in 1770, with the big lion over the front. The house and park are owned by the Percys, the Dukes of Northumberland, (friend of Edmund Blackadder….!), it is the only great house in London still in private hands. It has very nice gardens and a butterfly house and is worth a visit if you don't mind the noise of planes. On the south bank is Kew Gardens; we had views of the avenues and the Palm House and Kew Palace, home at one time to George 111 and his many children. On the north bank we also noted the entrance to the Grand Union Canal at Brentford.

The path continued through a nice section towards Mortlake, where we came across The Ship public house and made a stop for coffee amongst the very fit teams of lady rowers, for whom this is a popular watering hole. This section of the path is prone to flood at high tide and the defences along the path are very much in evidence . The path goes past a large brewery complex, formerly owned by Watney’s, now by Budweiser. During the week the smell of the operations is pretty atrocious along this stretch. At the end of this narrow stretch of path is Ye White Hart, another hostelry, and very useful for a lunch spot out of any rain.

Passing beneath Barnes Bridge into the town itself there are two blue plaques on the little houses opposite, one to composer Gustav Holst and one to Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet. Barnes Reach has also been the where the paddle boarders appear on the river, though they were not about today. The third hostelry, the Bull’s head is also along this stretch, where the group broke for lunch between the chip shop and the pub and the benches for those who brought their own provisions. After lunch, just before the path disappeared into the trees, we stopped to observe two houses on the street opposite – one has a cow on its balcony with the word 'Salt' written on it and across the road there is a spaceman on the balcony….

We passed by St Pauls School and moved on to Hammersmith Bridge, built by Joseph Bazalgette. It's a nice green one with the shield of Middlesex embossed on it, showing the three se-axs, short close fighting swords, from where the Saxon tribe got its name. The bridge is quite low, so one or two of the group had to mind their heads.

All of this stretch is where the university boat race takes place and we passed the finishing point, an innocuous little marker, further back upstream at Mortlake. One of the most recognisable sights for those who watch the race is the Harrods Repository building, now luxury flats of course, and better seen from the north bank, but right next to us on the path.

Just inland at this point is the London Wetland Centre at Barnes, visited by the Group on a number of occasions

The path now becomes very much shared by the walkers and the rowing clubs who populate this stretch and it is possible that we saw the Oxford and Cambridge crews practicing, though there were so many rowers it was difficult to tell. The last refreshment point pub, the Dukes Head, is along this section of road. The walk finishes at Putney Bridge, opposite which is St Mary's Church, site of the parliamentary debate known at the Putney Debates, held by Oliver Cromwell and and his parliamentary colleagues to decide the constitution of England after the civil war. After an end-of-walk cup of tea in the café by the bridge, we crossed the bridge and turned right to Putney Bridge tube station and the end of the walk.

Sue U.  24th March 2015

The Lea Valley Walk and the Cody Dock Project

Continuing on the theme of EFOG's donation to the the Gasworks Dock Partnership - or Cody Dock – those of you who are not members of the Ramblers or haven't read the March 2015 issue of South East Walker may be interested to know that it contains an article about Cody Dock.

Almost overlooked by Canary Wharf, set amongst an industrial landscape, the River Lea by Cody Dock is a haven of wildlife and tranquilityEntitled “Lea access on the way – at last!” It explains how the proposed Lea Valley Walk – a 50 mile route following the Lea from its source to the Thames - comes to a halt at the entrance to the dock, where a foot-and-cycle bridge was promised but not delivered as part of the Olympic Legacy.

The creation of the Gasworks Dock Partnership by Simon Myers – who with his family joined us for the recent Copped hall evening walk – has at last made the bridge a reality, and it is hoped to be installed this summer.

Duncan and Simon discussing a garden-creation at Cody DockDuncan and I visited Cody Dock the other day, with Duncan planting flowers and watering willow saplings as well as establishing – we hope – a few worm colonies, and me just wandering about looking at things.

Now I hear that this amazing project – reminiscent of the Copped Hall one – may be under threat because a neighbouring waste transfer station is seeking (partly retrospective) permission to enlarge their facility. If this were to happen, it would impact even more severely on the community facilities at Cody Dock, and those of us who may like to use the riverside walk-way.

I have just signed the petition to Newham Council asking them not to allow this extension to the transfer station; you might like to do the same, but at least have a read about it here:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/say-no-to-waste-transfer-station

The Gasworks Dock Partnership website is at:     http://www.gasworksdock.org.uk/

Paul Ferris 11^th March 2015

An EFOG week ( or so) in February

We EFOGers pack a lot into a week or so …. even in the winter wetness and threats of cold …. bless the science of woolly hats and layers.

EFOG members visiting Temple PlaceOur walk to and across the “wild woods and heath” of Woolwich on the 15th February proved to be one of those days which brightened as it aged, starting grey and 'glowery' but evolving into a lovely afternoon which ended just in time for Ken to see the rugby. The day before, those going to see the magnificent 'Cotton To Gold' Exhibition in Temple Place also managed to get in a rain-free walk along the Embankment.

A week later – despite the forecast – it was a dry enough morning for Marian and her “team” to re-plant a lot of primroses – hopefully well away from the disturbance when the dear old hall - which is our weekly meeting place - is demolished and rebuilt. The work gang were bolstered by Fozi's gift of cakes to keep us going.

Rescuing the Primroses from grounds of the soon-to-be-rebuilt ROVSCO hallAnd that night? Wow! As I drove through the sleet to Copped Hall near Epping I wondered just how many others would be mad enough to go on Peter's evening walk. Not to worry – the gods were with us – or at least the elements. By the time we started the sleet had travelled on and we had a great (if rather squelchy in parts) forest walk, under a clear sky with bright stars and a beautiful sickle moon. A lucky few even managed to spot some deer.

That fish and chip supper, next to the huge log fire in the hall helped, of course – and the company of friends as well as friendly strangers.

The night walk, prior to a fish-and-chip supper at Copped HallIn the last week or so we've also celebrated St. Valentine's Day. It wasn't just an excuse to eat – honest – but eats there were – and sweets. We had the chance to win heart shaped kibbles if we were were winners in the Valentine Quiz and buy Sue's delicious giant cup cakes or heart shaped flower arrangements - in aid of charity.

A week later, we welcomed the start of the Chinese Year Of The Ram. People brought a wide variety of appropriate flavoured' nibbles to sample under large Chinese lanterns and other decorations – everything from garlic flavoured peanuts (how do they do that when they're still in their shells) to lychee and lime jelly or mandarin choc stix. Other snacks involved quite a bit of guess work – were those little orange sweets really prunes? Meanwhile we listened to Chinese music and found out, with Jacky's guidance, how much (or little) we matched the personalities of the years in which we were born.

The hall has been a bit chilly of late but we we needed our layers more when 'outdoors' – even though we have been truly lucky with the weather. Well done and thanks to all who organised these events and helped – as well as those who went. Wasn't it fun?

Pam. 25th February 2015

EFOG's 2015 Rodings Rally Donation

As many of you will know, Epping Forest Outdoor Group includes 50p in its entry fee for the annual Rodings Rally (our November all night map and compass event in Epping Forest) The proceeds from this 'levy' are then given to one or more deserving causes decided by members at our January AGM.

This year the money is being given to The Gasworks Dock Partnership (GDP) in Canning Town.

Some of you will remember that Paul Ferris and I were drumming up votes last year for that part of the GDP project known as Cody Wilds, the greening of a kilometre stretch of the lower River Lea's bank, with the creation of reed beds and meadow. Some of our members also visited the Dock during one of Paul's walks in that direction last year. (see here)

The Gasworks Dock Partnership was started up, for public benefit, to help regenerate the area alongside the east bank of the lower Lea. It aims to do this by setting up a thriving cultural quarter around the Dock with community centre and arts and crafts studios. It also hopes to provide education, training and work experience for unemployed people.

Val presenting the cheque to Simon MyersThe area will also provide accessible, affordable, recreational facilities, especially for those who, for whatever reason, are unable to enjoy these elsewhere.

Future income for GDP will come from the letting of moorings in the Dock to the boat community and studio space to artists. There is a great dearth of such moorings and affordable small studio space in London.

There are plans for a future museum to showcase the area's wealth of industrial heritage. Contacts are already being made with local schools to further GDP's educational objectives.

Val, Paul and I visited on Saturday 31 January to present the Club's cheque for £200 to Simon Myers, CEO of GDP, and came away even more convinced of the value of this project (see photos)

For more information, visit The Gasworks Dock Partnership website at http://www.gasworksdock.org.uk/

Duncan 31 January 2015