Patricia Eustace’s life has been very closely tied to the River Thames. This charming 86-year-old has spent all her life living beside the river – 60 years in a lovely house overlooking Shepperton Lock – and she was one of several readers who responded to my invitation to share their memories of learning to swim in the Thames.
Year: 2010
Some Kraken results
At the tail end of 2009, Surrey Police announced the launch of Project Kraken – an initiative designed to alert people on our stretch of the river to the dangers of terrorist and criminal activity on the non-tidal Thames.
A very royal wedding
Douglas Dick is a stalwart of the local sailing community – both with Desborough Sailing Club in Shepperton and with Queen Mary Sailing Club on the reservoir in Ashford.
Racing in the memory of two gentlemen of the regatta
It’s that time of year when the Thames regularly resounds to the shouts of enthusiastic coxes urging on the oarsmen in the boat in front of them and one of the highlights of the season is always Staines Amateur Regatta which takes place on Saturday, July 24.
How life ought to be lived
Right, England failed to win the World Cup, Andy Murray crashed out of Wimbledon and England lost the last two one-day matches against the Australians – everything’s back to normal, then.
Here come the big boys
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.
Remedies along a towpath
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.
Above all, a place to enjoy
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.
Her bottom is foul no more – bring on those long summer voyages
While I was swanning around having a truly memorable holiday in Hawaii, my lovely brother, Alan, was working his fingers to the bone, up to his elbows in grease and diesel fuel, refurbishing bits of the engine on Terra Nova, our old Seamaster Admiral cabin cruiser.
Shipshape sea cadets receive their prizes in front of mayor
I’ve always been a firm supporter of the Sea Cadet movement. The cadets, with their historic close links to the Royal Navy, offer a disciplined, well-structured environment in which youngsters can learn an array of interesting and useful skills whilst having a great deal of fun.