I’m always pleased to see new businesses arrive on our lovely stretch of the Thames – they provide work and can bring people into the area who spend their money locally which is good for the economy.

Elaine Cole from Walton loves to take a walk beside the river. She enjoys watching the boats go by, looking at the wildlife and she also takes the opportunity to re-stock her medicine cabinet.

More than anything else, our lovely river should be fun for all who have the opportunity to use it. And nowhere is that spirit of fun better reflected than in the annual Shepperton Village Fair raft race, which is sponsored by the Nauticalia marine supplies company based in Ferry Lane and organised by Desborough Sailing Club.