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The Spring 2010 issue of Tidings includes the following:
Letter from the Chair
As I am writing this in January, may I wish you all a belated
Happy New Year! Clearly, the current chief concern of
Teddington residents is the decision by Margaret Hodge to impose
parking charges in Bushy and Richmond Parks. This is an issue
which has galvanised vigorous opposition from Teddington
residents (like the proposed change of use of the police station
some years ago) and therefore the Teddington Society has been
playing an active role with the Friends of Bushy Park and local
M.P.s in the rallies, petitions, and marches opposing the scheme.
Other issues (particularly those relating to planning applications
and road schemes) where the opinions of people in Teddington
are sharply divided always make it much harder for the
Teddington Society to play a leadership role. I would be interested
to know to what extent we should air such controversies in Tidings?
Should we have a regular letter page, for example?
The AGM is on 13th April this year and we hope as many of you
as possible will be able to attend and hear what I am sure will be
an interesting talk about Hampton Court.
Jenny Hilton
From the Editor
Democracy
This year within the space of just a few months, we exercise the
right to express our views as individuals on a wide range of issues
affecting how our nation moves forward. We will vote on issues at
all levels - international, national, local authority, right down to
local (Teddington) issues.
Our political and social institutions are not always perfect but we
need to protect, and improve, them and that is best done by
participating in them. We must not take them for granted. Apathy is
the enemy of democracy.
Our elected representatives are there to serve the whole of the
community that elects them but, in order for them to do so, they
need to know our views and concerns.
I sincerely hope that you will express your views and cast your
votes, at all levels, and ensure that our democratic values remain
intact. The first opportunity this year is the AGM of the Teddington
Society itself. Your committee needs to hear your views. Please let’s
see you on 13th April and play your part in the democratic process.
Representation
Occasionally, individuals or small groups (even non-members)
take umbrage with the Society’s view on a particular local issue.
When a problem is on our own doorstep, it is very easy to become
a NIMBY and to ignore the interests of others. The Society represents
Teddington as a whole and must continue to do so by considering
everybody’s interests. It is a difficult task and it is why we have
committees and Groups where different views can be fully aired
and debated. Your Group convenors are very much aware of the
difficult lines they have to tread and are always pleased to
welcome new and willing contributors from the Society
membership.
Style
Very occasionally we get complaints about the literary style of
some of our contributors. As Editor, my first task is to fit in as much
relevant information as possible within the page limits we currently
have. I’m conscious of being the “new boy on the block” and know
that your officers and Group convenors put in tremendous amounts
of their own unpaid time to serve Society members. My proof
readers do a grand job of correcting obvious howlers and ensuring
non-ambiguities but I do resist any suggestions that we alter a
contributor’s style. They are individuals - long may they remain so.
Mike Woods
Teddington Lit Up
...on 26th November with a splendid ceremony at Elmfield House conducted by John Demont who
introduced the Mayor of Richmond, Celia Hodges, and actress Sarah Lancashire who led the countdown to
light up time at 6pm. We are indebted to Dr. & Mrs Chana for opening their house to the town. The evening
began with carol singing from Collis Lower School and the NPL choirs. Events took place all over town from
4pm-9pm including closing The Causeway to traffic for the first time. The Park Lane Stables' ponies dressed as
reindeer raised over £100 for Help For Heroes. The lights are paid for by voluntary contributions from many of
the town's business community and lots of shops lit little Christmas trees over their shops too. The Teddington
Society's Sheena Harold, John Demont and Denise Woods helped with the organisation. This year, film
cameraman Alan Benns captured the evening on film and posted it on YouTube. See: Teddington Christmas Lights 2009 (it runs for 4 mins).
Our fame spread further when Baptist minister Richard Littledale gave his version of the night's festivities in
Pause For Thought on the Sarah Kennedy Show on Radio 2. His script is available on:
Pause for Thought: 23 Dec 2009
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