Local news
Raynes Park Afternoon Townswomen's Guild - March 2015
The weather has restricted our New Year activities a little. Nevertheless on 2nd February two members did travel to Kingston to the refurbished All Saints Church for the Monday lunch time concert. These weekly concerts are obviously popular. Catherine Leonard’s piano recital with music by Liszt, Schubert and Chopin was very well received by the audience of between 50 and 100 people. Their coffee shop is also welcome! Then on 3rd February a group of seven ladies dodged the snow flurries to enjoy lunch together at a favourite venue – Superfish in Morden.
A larger group of 11 visited Twickenham on 10 February. Arriving via a scenic and circuitous bus route from Kingston we made our way down to the riverside to walk along the river embankment, past the bridge over to Eel Pie Island, to the quaint building of the Twickenham Museum. Of all the local memorabilia displayed the item that sticks in my mind is a home made ‘tin can’ diving suit made by a local character who in the early days of diving apparently gave demonstrations from Eel Pie Island Bridge. Air was pumped to him by a boy paid 6d a session later increased to 1/- when he went on strike mid dive! Amazingly, when tested recently by a diving club, it was realised, the apparatus still works.
From the Museum we proceeded next door to the welcoming atmosphere and roaring open fire of The Barmy Army Pub. After an enjoyable leisurely lunch our host suggested we should look at the naked lady statues, close by in York House Gardens. These proved to be part of an enormous, ornate Italian Fountain around a large pond, tucked at one end of these delightful gardens on the riverside.
Our next meeting is on 19th March when Mr. & Mrs. Reynolds will give us a talk entitled ‘Painting Canal Barges’. Anyone who would like to join us at 1.30 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall will be very welcome.
As mentioned before it is open house to all local friends for our summer coach outing on Thursday, 20th August to Hastings for which bookings are now being taken. The fare is £15 including the driver’s tip. The main pick up will be at 9.45 am at Raynes Park Station (Approach Road/Grand Drive side). Return from Hastings 4.30 pm. Further details to follow.
For more information about any of our activities, or if you would like to join us on a visit or lunch outing, please contact Mrs. D Raymond (020 8395 9489) or Mrs. Eileen Brewer (020 8542 6491).
Dorothy Raymond
