During the Second World War, people from all walks of life did their bit for the country in whatever ways they could – among them, helping to protect key installations like locks, bridges and weirs on the River Thames as members of the Upper Thames Patrol (UTP).
The pleasure of boats
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…
Dunkirk reunion
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.
Give ’em a wave!
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.
Get behind the club that’s risen from the ashes
There are lots of good causes looking for your support through the year but one which I believe deserves special mention is the third annual River Festival staged by the Weybridge Mariners’ Club (WMC) – a cruiser club based on the lock island at Shepperton.
Gift craft is a ‘Run A’Wey’ success
It’s strange how things happen sometimes, isn’t it? A chance meeting on the river between a member of The River Thames Society and an oarsman from Weybridge Rowing Club has resulted in the donation of a single scull boat to the club by the Teddington to Old Windsor branch of the society.
Brother takes on nautical Terra
He’s great, my brother. When he and I decided to club together and buy a boat a couple of years back, I was a bit hesitant because of the possible technical problems that have to be overcome when you take on the responsibility of owning a vessel.
The dongola mystery explained!
One of the sporting and social highlights of summer on our reaches of the Thames will shortly be upon us – Sunbury Amateur Regatta.
Islands in the stream
There’s always been something very appealing about the idea of living on an island for me. Just the thought of being surrounded by water, cocooned from the rigours of the world and able to gaze out on a tranquil, lazily-flowing river is enough to make me smile.
River’s graveyard for boats
I dreamed of having my own boat for years before I could finally afford one. And, as my family will attest, after becoming a skipper, I have spent considerable amounts of time and money on pampering the succession of boats I’ve owned over the past 15 years or so.