So what do you do after you take early retirement at the age of 54 following a career as a computer systems engineer working for British Airways? That was the question facing Derek Beake from Richmond Drive, Shepperton in 1997…

If you happen to be wandering along beside the river in a couple of week's time, you may see a wonderful collection of classic boats chugging past as the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) veterans' cruise winds its stately way from Kingston to Shepperton.

Spelthorne's annual River Day takes place on Saturday, September 6 when the borough's mayor will be rowed up the Thames from Sunbury to Staines in a grand procession aimed at raising money for charity.