Doreen Love

Home Guards’ ‘Mac’ was the guardian of the lock

One of the things I love most about writing this column is that every now and again I’m contacted by someone with a lovely story to tell connected to our stretch of the Thames.

Dot’s a saviour for swans

I’ve met a host of lovely people whilst writing this column but probably none as charming and dedicated to her cause as Dot Beeson, the woman behind the Swan Sanctuary based in Felix Lane, Shepperton.

Arch rivals on the river

Hundreds of thousands of people cross them every year in cars, on cycles and on foot and they are a vital part of our day-to-day lives. Without them, many people would be unable to get to work, to do their shopping or to visit friends and family. So maybe it’s a little surprising that few people give much thought to the bridges that cross the River Thames – we just take them for granted.