Since its launch at the Twickenham Yacht Club in May last year, the River Centre has passed several milestones and involved the work and support of many people. Here are a few highlights:

• City Bridge Trust awarded us project development funding in July 2007. Its recommendation concluded ‘This will be a flagship project which could have an influence on river-based cities around the world. The very model of selection of the project is innovative and deserving of note.’
• Sir David Attenborough, having examined our proposals, kindly agreed to become the River Centre’s patron and submitted to being photographed with the project team, the architect’s model and some canada geese on Twickenham Waterfront. His support and advice are of enormous value and inspiration.
• Ethical Property Foundation, from whom we sought advice about the legal basis for an organisation to run the River Centre, linked us to Alan Elias, a legal and commercial consultant and until recently a senior equity partner of Clifford Chance. Alan is acting as a mentor on our legal and business plans.
• Richmond Council’s Deputy Director of Environment Paul Chadwick attended our AGM to introduce the framework for the Riverside Regeneration project, and has since worked closely with us on the development of our Heads of Terms and business plan, while the Trust has advised the council on the overall development brief.
• In February, we held a workshop at Ham House, led by BBM marketing consultants. Eighteen partners and advisers debated the business plan and priorities for the next stage of the project.
• Kingston University won funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for a doctorate to explore designing the River Centre as a teaching tool, which will help to make the building a demonstration of sustainable construction.
• The River Centre was represented at two public consultation workshops and a 5-day public exhibition, where the comments and ideas of the many visitors were inspiring and confirmed that our plans are on the right track. Drawings by Clive Chapman Associates were invaluable as a means of expressing the initial concept and we are very grateful for his practice’s support.
• The business plan has been reviewed by around 20 people, including Robert & Felicity Shepherd and other local business people and experts in charitable and commercial organisations, to all of whom we send our thanks.
• Many organisations and individuals have spared time to discuss the project and offer advice, among them the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, District Scouts, Port of London Authority, Twickenham Rowing Club, Thames Explorer Trust, Gaia Foundation, Rugby Football Union, as well as Twickenham Town Centre Manager Esther Worboys and Judy White, formerly the Landmark Arts Centre’s commercial manager, who has joined the project team.
• Nine local societies have invited Joe Pecorelli, Yvonne Hewett or me to speak at their meetings, providing useful opportunities to explain our aims and collect the views of local people across the borough from Hampton to Richmond.

The funding from City Bridge Trust is providing a vital basis for the project’s development. It supports office costs, contributions to the salaries of the office coordinator and project manager, environmental education consultancy from Joe Pecorelli and project management support from Rob Gray. The hours that Rob gives to the project far outweigh the fee that he receives, and for this the Trust owes him a great debt. You can read reports from Rob and Joe below.

There is still much to do, and we will continue to work flat out. No offer of help will be turned away, and to the many people who have already supported us by signing pledge cards, making donations or offering their views at the consultations and meetings, a big thank you!

8 King Street Richmond: a success story

The Environment Trust took on this project in 2000. The charming early Victorian printer’s shop in one of Richmond’s most historic streets was brought to our attention by the borough’s conservation officer. Listed grade II but in a derelict state, it was hanging from the walls of the adjoining buildings, and standing in the way of the owner’s plans for access to the industrial building behind.

The Trust carried out a feasibility study funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and English Heritage, and the council imposed first urgent works and then full repairs notices, which were ignored by the owner, culminating in a compulsory purchase order (CPO) in November 2006. We are very grateful to AHF for agreeing a loan that would have enabled us to purchase the building and carry out a restoration if the CPO went ahead. Fortunately the owner was persuaded to carry out the repairs himself, and this year the conservation department signed the project off, satisfied that the necessary work had been done and to the required standard.

The building, with its unusual fan-shaped window and gilded sign still intact, is now being marketed as office space and has already attracted some interest. Although we would have liked to carry out the restoration, we are glad that our perseverance and that of Richmond council has established a secure future for the building.

Two new projects in Mortlake

Sir Richard Burton’s tomb: Last year the Trust was approached by an already established group led by Peter and Yannick Banks, the Friends of Burton, wishing to restore the tomb of the famed explorer, author and translator Sir Richard Burton and his wife Lady Isabel Burton. Read more on this exciting new project later in this Annual Report.

Air-raid shelter at St Leonard’s Court: Represented by their ward councillor Virginia Morris, residents of St Leonard’s Court in East Sheen have been resisting proposals to convert a World War 2 air-raid shelter beneath a tranquil communal garden into two subterranean one-bedroom flats. Built concurrently with the 1930s block, the air-raid shelter provided accommodation for half the residents on a week-on, week-off basis. It is in a good state of repair and contains men’s and women’s day rooms equipped with chemical toilets and dormitories with three tiers of bunks, each with its own shelf, light and numbered hooks all warmed by a single solid fuel boiler. Unfortunately, the air-raid shelter does not benefit from listed status, nor is it in a conservation area, but the Trust will help residents explore other routes for protection of this valuable example of 20th century local heritage.

In both of these projects we are grateful for the advice and energy of Paul Velluet, whose life-long knowledge of the borough’s architecture is an invaluable asset.

Listing and planning

The Trust has applied for or supported applications for listed status for several buildings in the borough over the past few years, but is increasingly meeting difficulty with candidates that do not conform to English Heritage’s exacting standards for national value. There are numerous examples that make an important contribution to our local heritage, but which – because they are not unique and they lack the protection of listing – are vulnerable to redevelopment. One example is Poulett’s boathouse, next to Thames Eyot in Twickenham. A rarity in the tidal Thames, this is a deep-water boathouse with a fine balustrade (now obscured by ivy) and a brick vaulted roof. With a door to Wharf Lane it could provide an important adjunct to the riverside regeneration.

The air-raid shelter at St Leonard’s Court may not be the only example of a communal shelter in Greater London, but it is one of very few that are accessible, and it is in a good state of repair. How much more interesting for children and adults to experience the claustrophobic space, the narrow bunks and assembly areas with their numbered hooks, and to hear first hand the reminiscences of residents in a local landmark than to visit a huge museum at a distance.

Poulett’s boathouse, photo courtesy Richmond Local Studies archive

Environment and sustainability

The council’s £1 million Terrace Gardens restoration project has three Trust representatives on its consultative committee – Alex Robb, Robin Wade and Carole Ritchie, all providing their expertise in nature conservation, design and education.

Thames Landscape Strategy: London’s Arcadia: Since the start of the London’s Arcadia project, I have represented for the Trust a local view on its steering committee. It is a fascinating project, and the dramatic and subtler changes to the landscape it has achieved are well known and celebrated – the Terrace Field, the Ham Avenues, Ham House car park, boardwalk and Hunter’s Pond to name a few! We have just helped to welcome a group from Richmond, Virginia, and seeing these changes through their eyes, and remembering the Trust’s participation in many of the volunteer efforts was a great source of pride.

Thames Landscape Strategy’s ‘one-stop shop’ at the River Centre will provide an insight into the Thames and its many attractions for visitors to Twickenham, and the Strategy’s river education projects will be run from the education centre.

Tow Path Working Group: Chaired by the Trust, the working group continues to provide a forum for the two Strategies that operate in Richmond’s area (Thames Landscape Strategy and Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea), the local council, the Port of London Authority, and the Environment Agency. The towpath group convened by Angela Dixon has expanded to take in representatives of most of the amenity groups from Kew to Putney, and feeds in to the working group.

Richmond Environment Network: An important part of my job as projects manager is to sit on the management team and steering group of REN, which has been going for 4 years and, under Colin Cooper’s leadership, has grown into an essential and effective umbrella for environmental activities across the borough, as well as focusing the community’s awareness on climate change and the means to combat it and adapt to it. This work, which Colin reports on in more detail below, is vital for the borough. REN is a key component of the future River Centre, which will provide a physical hub for all its activities.

As always, there is too much to report, and too many people to thank! I hope that everyone who has contributed their energy to the Trust’s activities over the past year knows how valuable it has been – and how much more of it will be welcomed in the coming year!
Angela Kidner

RICHMOND ENVIRONMENT NETWORK

REN – the partnership between the Environment Trust, BTCV and the Thames Landscape Strategy – has now been hosted by the Trust for over a year. In that time, REN has grown to meet demand for our services from local people and environmental groups. Last year saw the merger of Richmond Environmental Information Centre (REIC, also known as SustAR) and Richmond’s Local Agenda 21 into REN. With these arrivals REN now strives to link, support, develop and promote environmental and sustainability activities within the borough.

We have picked up the reins from the various projects that came with the mergers of last year. The Richmond Biodiversity Group and Building Responsibly Group, both established groups, are now part of REN. The Environmental Forum series has attracted widespread acclaim in addressing important topics with high-calibre speakers such as Aubrey Meyer, author of Contraction and Convergence. We have just revised our Sustainability Briefing Papers, which provide simple-to-understand information on sustainability, particularly in the home. Topics include renewable energy, insulation, solar water heating (making hot water from light), solar photovoltaics (making electricity from light), wind power and water saving.

In addition, we have launched several new projects to support local environmental groups and schools. After an initial trial our project to support the development of environmental activities in schools is up and running and being managed by Joe Pecorelli. Stemming from this is the Schools Environment Forum, which helps people in schools who are engaged in environmental projects network together, enabling them to share their experiences, while also introducing them to local environmental practitioners and educators. Both of these pieces of work develop the audience for the Twickenham River Centre.

We have recently been successful in finding funding to support and increase volunteering numbers with groups such as the Trust, who carry out practical conservation on the borough’s parks, open spaces and riverside. We have also launched our community resource library for local environmental groups to borrow book, DVDs and equipment.

We are not all work no play, however – we have launched two social activities to bring together people with an interest in or who work in the environmental sector and live or work locally. Green Drinks happen on the first Monday of the month in Twickenham and Green Parents is currently meeting regularly.

In the coming year we are looking increasingly at sustainability, with plans for a local food-growing project, perhaps using the permaculture approach, as well as supporting other voluntary groups to operate in a more sustainable way. More information about all of our activities and our contact details can be found on our website: www.richenvironmentnet.org.uk.
Colin Cooper

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

After a period of ad hoc voluntary involvement with the Trust, I became a regular member of the team in September last year, thanks to a grant from the City Bridge Trust, which funds me for 12 hours per week. This time is used to coordinate the Schools Environment Forum, a project of Richmond Environment Network, to support local schools in their efforts to become more sustainable and start to develop the educational programmes for the Twickenham River Centre.

There are so many good, community-minded people in this borough and the Trust has gathered a particularly energetic, motivated and committed group of them around the River Centre project. It is really a great pleasure to be involved in such an organisation. We want the River Centre to be a lively, engaging, muddy place, celebrating the river and encouraging positive environmental action. We have been busy exploring potential River Centre partnerships with many organisations. One recent exciting development signifies, we hope, the start of a long-term relationship with Richmond Adult Community College. With them, we have put together a programme of healthy walks exploring the lovely wild places and rich heritage of our borough for adults with special educational needs, which will help these people overcome some of their barriers to getting out and enjoying nature.

The Schools Environment Forum in the London Wetland Centre last November attracted 26 schools from the borough and received very positive feedback. The forum focuses on sharing case studies of good environmental practice in schools and practical ideas for staff to achieve greater sustainability. For example, Adrian Corke from the one of the borough’s pioneering environmental schools, Stanley Juniors, told us how from modest beginnings he changed things at the school. He now teaches in a school with community recycling bins by the front doors, solar panels on the roof, regular fair trade sales in the school hall and many other initiatives.

As part of my work for the Trust, I am regularly asked to give assemblies on environmental topics. One I’m particularly looking forward to is for Orleans Infants in Twickenham, where I will be encouraging the children to recycle and be conscious of saving energy. They are aged only 4–7, so my talk will be light on ecological catastrophe and will focus on making these important, world-saving habits fun. They have a green pig as the emblem for their eco team (I think because they have pig-shaped recycling bins), so my subject will be ‘Who is the most dirty and wasteful&hellep; pig or person?’

Another very gratifying project for me has been running the Schools Wildlife Garden Challenge sponsored by Mears Ltd. The competition for a Richmond school to win a wildlife garden was launched last November. The three schools short-listed were ones with very little or no wild space in their grounds. I ran workshops with the children about wildlife, what creatures need, and why it is important to make space for wildlife. As always I was delighted with how much many of the children know about animals and plants – including a 9-year-old boy who could identify a greater from a lesser spotted woodpecker with confidence! The children produced some lovely designs making it very difficult for the eventual winner, St Edmunds, to be chosen by judges from Mears, Richmond Housing Partnership and the Environment Trust. Mears will start work on the garden at the school this summer.

We are still looking for people to help with our schools work, maybe growing vegetables with the children or supporting eco clubs, so if anyone wants to get involved please do contact me. Thank you.
Joe Pecorelli

TWICKENHAM RIVER CENTRE

In September 2006 the Trust’s proposals for the Twickenham River Centre were selected by the council as its preferred option for the community-benefit component of the Twickenham Riverside development.The Trust is now leading a large and growing partnership of organisations to design the building and the services that will be delivered from it.

In February this year the Trust and the council worked together on a 5-day public exhibition on the River Centre and the wider development. Over 600 people attended and there was plenty of interest and enthusiasm for the Centre as well as creative and helpful suggestions of what it may include. A questionnaire by the Trust showed a large majority (almost 90 per cent) supportive of the River Centre, while the council’s questionnaire on the overall development was split 50:50 for and against.

In the light of these findings, and despite some continued political opposition, the council’s cabinet voted unanimously in April this year to approve the scheme and we are now entering the process of selecting a developer for the project.

The Trust has plenty to do in the meantime – we are developing our plans for the building and the internal fitout, and we are identifying potential funders for these components. We are also building the links with our partners and developing the services in advance, such that these can be transferred into the building on completion. One key step in this process will be the co-location of the Trust’s services with BTCV, REN and Arts Richmond, in a new rented office on Eel Pie Island.

The plan is to develop more and larger projects, with greater public involvement and benefits, on the major themes of the river, the wider local environment and community sustainability. The involvement of Arts Richmond provides considerable scope to further the links between the arts and the environment, building on successes such as the Arts Picnics.

We are very excited about the possibilities over the next few years and very keen to involve all our Trust members in the process. If you have any ideas or questions then please don’t hesitate to put them to Angela Kidner or myself.
Rob Gray

Twickenham River Centre team

Project Team
Alex Robb (ETRuT trustee, LWT: Crane Park Island) – audience development, exhibition design
Angela Kidner (ETRuT projects manager) – fundraising, business plan
Colin Cooper (Richmond Environment Network coordinator) – building use/operations
Jason Debney (Thames Landscape Strategy) – riverside redevelopment, education
Jenny Pearce (ETRuT trustee, director of projects) – planning, liaison with council on development plan
Joe Pecorelli (freelance environmental educator) – environmental education
Judy White (formerly Landmark Arts Centre commercial manager) – commercial opportunities
Peter Dolan (local businessman) – local fundraising & donated admin support
Rob Gray (formerly chair of Richmond’s LA21 group, FORCE) – project manager, business plan
Sara Black (ETRuT office coordinator) – publicity/communications
Yvonne Hewett (local resident, runs www.rivercentre.org.uk) – publicity/communications

Also involved
Sir David Attenborough – River Centre Patron
Paul Chamberlain (ETRuT trustee & outgoing chairman) – business plan development
Andrew Darby (ETRuT trustee & honorary treasurer) – financial advice
Guy Cowley (ETRuT trustee & honorary secretary) – charities advice
Paul Chadwick (LBRuT assistant director, environment) – leading riverside redevelopment project
Michael Doust (LBRuT sustainability unit manager) – sustainability advice
Alan Elias ( solicitor, formerly Clifford Chance senior equity partner) – legal and business planning advice
Alex McIntosh (formerly with Action Planning) – business planning advice
Robert & Felicity Shepherd – business planning advice
Clive Chapman Architects – architectural concepts/development brief consultancy
Kerry Rock (Action Planning) – fundraising advice
Mark Betteridge (BBM Consultants) – communications advice
Mark Edwards (Richmond Bridge Boathouses) – consultancy on boathouse/pontoon
Vicky Phillips (REN steering group chair) – legal consultancy
Paola Sassi (architect) – sustainability advice
Serge Lourie (LBRuT council leader)
Jack Betteridge (local resident, Twickenham Riverside Group)
Maureen Payan (HANDS)
Richard Rigby (BTCV)
Victoria Howse (Ethical Property Foundation)
Jonathan Bryant (British Waterways)
Bates Wells & Braithwaite
Kingston University – PhD thesis on building as teaching tool
Urban Practitioners consortium – preparing overall development brief for LBRuT

TWICKENHAM RIVER CENTRE USERS & SUPPORTERS

14th Richmond Sea Scouts – Adventure for Youth (Eel Pie Island) – Age Concern Richmond – Bridge Boathouses (Richmond) – Chase Bridge School – CORLD (Richmond Mencap/Richmond Homes for Life Trust) – Eco-Action – Eel Pie Island Slipways – Environment Agency – Great River Race Jolly Boat building programme – HANDS (Help a Neighbour in Distress) – Jubilant Trust – LBRuT Waste & Recycling team – Learning Partnership – London Wildlife Trust: Crane Park Island – Marble Hill Society – Ready Trust – Richmond Adult Community College – Richmond Arts Education, Orleans House Gallery – Richmond CVS Volunteer Centre – Richmond District Scouts – Richmond Education Business Network – Richmond Integrated Youth Support – Richmond upon Thames Forum for Older People – River & Rowing Museum – River Thames Boat Project – Royal National Lifeboat Institution – Rugby Football Union – Sea Cadets Corps, Twickenham Unit – Thames Explorer Trust – Twickenham Rowing Club – Twickenham Society – Twickenham Town Centre Manager – Twickenham Yacht Club – Watermen’s Hall Preservation Trust

Geoff Acton – Robert Bailey – Simon Barber – Miss C M Bartlett – Robert Bell – John Bell – Susan Birmingham – William Bossert – Robert Bowcock – Marwood Braund – Martin Brecknell – John Burrell – Peter Butler – Vincent Cable – Jan & David Callow – Denise Carr – Alice Casey – Hilary Catchpole – Clive Chapman – Janet Clarke – P G Clayton – Nikky Cooper – Cathy Cooper – Colin Cooper – Hugh Corner – Jonathan Cox – Mr & Mrs P G Curran – Alison Dietz – Peter Dolan – Ian Duncan – D F J Duncan – Kathryn Elliott – Mrs C Evans – Joyce Findlay – Vanessa Fison – Rosalind Graham Hunt – Tim & Sarah Gutch – Lis Hall – Ann Halliday – Anne Hardwick – Maria Harvey-Lavin – Andy Hawkins – Simon Herbert – Yvonne Hewett – John & Anne Hornby – Jane Horrocks – Tasha Hunter – Fay Hunter – Gina Ingram – Michael Inwards – Susan Jones – Patrick Kidner – Barney & Angie King – David Kingston – Jo Kitson – David J E Knight – Joy & Michael Lee – Jill Lycett – Sarah Mallen – Sir Clive Martin – Ron McEwen – E McManus – Helen Montgomery-Smith – Kevin Mundy – Roger Mutton – C D Nell – Julian Nest – Mrs Newman – Con O’Brien – Robert O’Connor – Thomas O’Kill – Andrew Page – Mary Paul – Peter Pearce – Scott & Hilary Pereira – Jean Pinto – Derek Plummer – Zoe Reed – Lorraine Roberts – John Rogers – Steve Scagell – Colin & Susan Scorer – Jane Smith – Richard Smith – Chris Squire – Andrew Tam – Alex Thomas – Brenda Vaufrovard – Moira Vincent – Anna Weston – Geoff Wheeler – Kim Wilkie – Jenny Willis – A Wood – Brian Wood – James & Mary Woodford

Above: Grove Gardens Chapel (photos courtesy Raj Gedhu)
Below: Vineyard Passage Burial Ground (photos courtesy Raj Gedhu,left, and Martin Edgar, right)

VINEYARD PASSAGE BURIAL GROUND

The year has been characterised by steady progress. Gerald’s Garden (a corner planted as a garden in memory of the late Gerald Jessop, who started that particular project himself some years ago) has had its planting thickened up, and now looks very attractive.

Two new projects were initiated:

• We are having a plaque made to set out briefly the origins of the Burial Ground and as a kind of welcome to passers-by. This will be put on a steel post that is already in the corner at the Vineyard end. An application for funding from the council’s Initiatives Fund has been made, and the contractor is lined up to do the job.
• The vista from the timber bench, looking behind the row of tombs towards the Vestry House, was ‘closed’ by a birch tree set in a rather dilapidated plinth hard by the Vestry House; however, the tree was cut down in the winter for some unknown reason. So we will be taking out the entire roots of the old tree, re-building the plinth and planting a weeping pear there as a suitable ornamental specimen. A contractor has been lined up, and applications for funding made to the council for an Initiatives Fund grant and to the Richmond Parish Lands Charity.

Since the year end, we have heard that all applications for funding have been successful, and both projects will be completed in 2008.

We held our Summer Cake stall again in the Vineyard Passage, and were both pleased and surprised by the amount of cakes, cookies and other delights made by friends and neighbours and donated for us to sell. Demand was high too, and we sold out by midday, generating nearly £500 for the group’s funds in the process.

Some information on the Burial Ground is available. Copies of a 1963 survey of the inscriptions on the graves and monuments can be obtained from the council’s Local Studies archive in the Old Town Hall, the council’s Cemeteries Manager (who fields enquiries from time to time) and the Trust office. This is a historical document of some interest, since the inscriptions have inevitably deteriorated and many of the gravestones have since been moved.

A member of the group carried out a survey of the birds to be found in the Burial Ground, and the results are provided below.

So, in summary, a year of steady progress.
Martin Edgar & Jack Felt

Birds in the Vineyard Passage Burial Ground

The Vineyard Passage Burial Ground provides a small but welcome area of woodland garden for humans and wildlife to enjoy. Birds in particular find shelter, food and nesting sites there and in some of the adjacent gardens. The bird species listed below were observed in, or flying over, the area at various times during the past year.

Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Swift, House martin*, Ring-necked parakeet (rose-ringed parakeet), Greater spotted woodpecker, Pied wagtail, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song thrush*, Blackcap, Goldcrest, House sparrow**, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit*, Blue tit, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Tawny owl, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch

*Sadly these were single birds spotted only once. Before the Vineyard Junior School was converted to sheltered housing (now Clearwater House on the corner of Grosvenor Road and The Vineyard), house martins would return each year to nest in numbers under the eaves of the Victorian building. The children loved to look up and see the heads peeping out of the cup-shaped nests. During conversion, the colony of nests was ripped down and steps taken to prevent return. Since then I have rarely seen martins in this area, but was pleased to see one flying over in 2007, possibly on its way to the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes.

The song thrush was also a regular visitor to the area in bygone years, but the rise in pesticide use has probably led to the decline in these and other birds. They suffer the consequences of eating poisoned snails and finding fewer of them. Undoubtedly the popularity of converting lawns to decking and cemented paving in gardens has also affected many ground-feeding birds, as well as the song thrush.

The coal tit is a shy bird and usually prefers areas planted with conifers but has been seen in the Burial Ground occasionally. A few neighbouring residents have feeders in their gardens and coal tits are partial to peanuts. We must not underestimate the positive effect on birds that well stocked and varied bird feeders have in gardens nearby. We have only to provide and birds soon arrive!

**Another concern: house sparrow numbers here have declined in recent years. There may be many reasons but, as hedges are no longer fashionable in gardens in this area and overgrown shrubs are frequently pruned at times when birds are still nesting, house sparrows and others like them have difficulty finding suitable sites. One hedge in a nearby front garden had been a traditional nest site for sparrows since the 1950s, but they have failed to nest there this year. The new owner’s gardener cut the hedge severely with a very noisy electric trimmer when the birds were nest-building and they fled.
Jill Deacon

ST HELENA BOATHOUSE

They said that last year’s summer came and went in April, so it was not an ideal year for boating. However, some of us had a few good times on the river, between the almost ceaseless downpours, and progress has been made with repair work.

In particular, we enjoyed a picnic supper on the river in August, listening to an open-air Vivaldi concert wafting across from Marble Hill House. Later, the dark sky was riven with the colours and patterns of fireworks, which were reflected in the still water. Some members saw another magnificent form of aerial display&hellep; from Pipistrelle bats!

This year we have tackled most of the repairs and improvement works we have been planning, using savings made over the past few years. As an outdoor sprinkler system had been installed by the owner of the garden above the boathouse, this had caused water and crystallised salts from the brickwork to fall on the boats below. We have now had a plastic canopy installed over the domed ceiling of the boathouse, which has solved the problem, for the present at least. We have also had the doors repaired and repainted and have produced a very useful noticeboard. This has already helped us sell a boat and find a new boathouse user and is available for both boathouse and Trust news. Next we hope to prevent the influx of some water at high tides.

During the year we have been joined by two new boaters and are looking for additional ones – one to rent a boat space measuring 10 × 4 ft and another to buy a share in the lease until 2046. Please ring Jill on 020 8948 1984 if you are interested in either of these or if you might like to buy an old, working Avon Rubber life-saving dinghy, trolley and Johnson 2-stroke engine.

We enjoy using and conserving this part of Richmond’s historic riverside and look forward to another year on the great River Thames.
Honor Bailey & Jill Deacon

Kilmorey Mausoleum, photos courtesy Tony Lewis and Raj Gedhu

KILMOREY MAUSOLEUM

Looking at the grounds of Kilmorey Mausoleum today it is hard to recall how derelict these appeared 6 years ago when the Environment Trust offered to look after the garden in St Margarets. Yet we saw then that they held tremendous promise and also believed that public access to this little-known yet historic site should be encouraged.

Last year, both of these ambitions moved forward. For a start we organised two public open days in addition to the traditional opening in September as part of the nationwide Open House scheme. Even more rewardingly, there were also many visits to the site by scouts, cubs and a stream of local schoolchildren. The scouts were working towards a naturalist badge and, under guidance, they worked on path maintenance and weeding and built log piles to encourage stag beetles.

In the early summer, children from the nearby St Stephens School visited for a story-telling day organised in conjunction with the Richmond Library Service. Later in the summer, a similar story-telling day was organised for families. A circle of tree stumps, donated by Kew Gardens, created an atmospheric story-telling area enclosed by trees. Two librarians read stories with animal themes and organised craft activities, while members of the Trust were deployed to tell the story of the mausoleum and to explain the site’s wildlife. Both visits were a great success and St Stephens School has continued to visit Kilmorey each fortnight as part of its ‘eco club’. A similar open story-telling day is planned for August this year.

There was no doubt that the children enjoyed the site and the wildlife experience. For some, it was the first time that they had had a chance to pick blackberries and there was a gleeful interest in creatures such as slugs, stag beetles and foxes as well as a fascination with the secret tunnel and exploratory paths. For the Trust it was a fascinating demonstration of the synergy between a historic building and the wildlife garden surrounding it.

During the children’s visits a further feature of the garden that proved to be a strong attraction was the composting toilet erected earlier in the year. This is believed to be the first such toilet in the borough and was chosen to overcome problems posed by the site’s lack of running water. It will be opened formally by local inventor Trevor Baylis during this year’s summer open day.

Children were fascinated by the toilet while the regular volunteers who help Claire McCormack care for the garden appreciated its practical benefits. Volunteers meet weekly at the garden, which has developed from strength to strength this year; we are particularly grateful for help from Tony Lewis, Charles Keggen and Jane Harrison.

Claire was declared to be the green champion of Richmond borough in a competition organised by a local newspaper group – public recognition for her diligence and expertise. And the garden itself won a second silver award in the environmental section of the Richmond in Bloom awards.

Over the past year, some trees have been coppiced and a new autumn bed planted to extend the longevity of colour in the garden through the year. At the time of publication the wildlife meadow surrounding the mausoleum, which was stunning in colour and texture in June to August 2007, should be approaching its full glory.

It takes a surprising amount of effort to create this natural-looking effect because of the area’s persistent deep-rooted perennial weeds. Anyone interested in helping to maintain and develop the garden would be more than welcome to join the volunteers. Normally they meet every Monday lunchtime. Tools and training will be provided; we just need your help and your enthusiasm. It might be best to check beforehand that the group will be there by phoning the Trust office or dialling 07955 172 940 on the day.

Recently the team has developed a new demonstration compost area as the grounds are managed organically on a sustainable basis. Another example of this has been the effort to tackle leaf miner disease on horse chestnut trees by bagging and sealing the dead leaves in an attempt to break the lifecycle of this destructive borough-wide pest.

We have been grateful over the past year for help from not only Trust volunteers but also some organisations in the area. In addition to the assistance from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew we have been given logs from Sandy Chalmers, a tree surgeon and landscape gardener based in St Margarets, and bark chips from Oliver Finn of TreeCare in Esher.

Other groups have been involved with the mausoleum during these past 12 months. The site was the destination of a walk organised in east Twickenham by the Richmond tour guides, and a display was organised at one of the open days by a local group from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Over the year, repairs to the mausoleum roof have been undertaken by Richmond council, which owns this grade II* listed property. Planning permission has also been granted for repairs to the granite pillars and surrounding walls, although such work will require considerable fundraising.

Our plans for 2008–09 include continuing work on the garden and further sessions with local scout groups and schoolchildren. It will again serve as a destination for a walk organised by the Richmond tour guides and the Trust is working with the Richmond Library Service on a further story-telling session to be held on 20th August, at which all families are welcome.
Derrik Mercer

VIOLET NEEDHAM

The children’s author Violet Needham (1876–1967) was born in Mayfair, London, the younger daughter of Captain Charles Needham of the 1st Life Guards and his beautiful and wealthy Dutch wife. Violet grew up in considerable luxury and style, moving from larger to smaller houses wherever her father was stationed and according to their ever-changing financial circumstances. The family spent some years at Hampton Court and Violet would have been well acquainted with the area, including Richmond and St Margarets.

Violet’s father, Charles, an aristocratic and temperamental soldier, was the illegitimate offspring of an eccentric family. Francis Jack Needham, the second Earl of Kilmorey, had eloped with his young ward, Priscilla Hoste, which caused a national scandal. But this was a love match and he set her up in his own establishment, acknowledged his son and had her buried in his mausoleum after her death in 1854.

Violet’s cosmopolitan and cultured upbringing in England and on the continent – she spoke French, German, Italian and Dutch as well as English – is reflected in her books, many of which are set in Europe and have a humanitarian theme. She wrote 19 books for children, published between 1939 and 1957. Although the first book, The Black Riders, was published when she was 63 she had always written and told stories to children.

Violet was the product of a romantic, colourful family and it is not surprising that this is reflected in her books. Her works contain wonderful descriptions of places and buildings which she must have known and are full of local colour.

Her books had immediate and lasting popularity because of their exciting narratives and quality of writing. Unfortunately she has been neglected by critics of children’s fiction and no longer enjoys the popularity she deserves. The Violet Needham Society aims to promote her achievements, while Kilmorey Mausoleum and the Violet Needham Chapel in East Twickenham provide a lasting memorial to her.
Barbara Harcourt

ART PICNICS

What began as an experiment has now become one of the Trust’s major successes and a great way of discovering new corners of the borough.

Two years ago we wanted to combine affordable art classes with visits to interesting buildings and landscapes. We knew there was unmet demand for art tuition in the borough and discussions with some of the many talented artists who regularly support the Trust’s annual art auction soon reassured us that we had a ready-made supply of teachers too.

And so the Art Picnic was born. Now in its second full year, the programme has succeeded in attracting a wide spectrum of would-be artists of all ages, along with established talents who join us for the sheer pleasure of drawing or painting in a group. Some picnickers who have lived in the area all their lives confessed to visiting places they hadn’t even known existed.

To allow for more one-to-one tuition, especially for beginners, we have two tutors at most of this year’s picnics. This policy has started to bear fruit and one total novice sitting in the Temperate House at the recent picnic at Kew Gardens (tutored by Jill Storey and Emily Burton) was heard to say: “I wouldn’t have believed I could have so much fun just sitting and drawing – the time just flew”. Whether she would have felt the same if she’d been outside is another matter, of course!

We have repeated some indoor venues for the winter months this year – Strawberry Hill House, Kempton Steam Museum and, in December, Grove Gardens Chapel for the popular Christmas card and decorations session with Sasa Marinkov. In November we go to Syon House to capture the glorious interiors and some parkland views.

Last year’s picnic at Hampton allotments was so successful that we are returning in October and adding a spring visit to the allotments at North Sheen. In June we go back to Eel Pie Island, hoping for better weather than last year but secure in the knowledge that we can shelter at Min y Don studio if not! In July we are visiting Holly Lodge in Richmond Park, in August there will be another chance to learn willow weaving at the Shot Tower on Crane Park Island and our September picnic is at Teddington Lock. The full programme is available on the Trust’s website.

Everyone is welcome to the picnics and families have found them to be a brilliant way of keeping children amused on sunny Sundays. Booking is strongly advised as the picnics are very popular and we have to restrict numbers to around 25. All dry materials are provided but picnickers are welcome to bring their own paints if they wish.
Ros Newby

VOLUNTEER EVENTS

Between June 2007 and April 2008, our roving band of conservation volunteers has completed 11 projects on 10 different sites in Richmond. Many projects have had a focus on the river, which always provides a splendid setting as well as a rich source of education for the volunteers. But we also returned to Grove Gardens Cemetery, Kilmorey Mausoleum and Strawberry Hill House to begin restoring the grounds to their former glory.

How useful is the work itself and does it have lasting value? Let’s face it, we have had the occasional disaster, especially with our hedge planting near Twickenham Bridge, which was largely destroyed by Transport for London mowers before a protective fence was erected. In other sites, new plants have been blighted by frost or overwhelmed by adjacent weeds. But these are exceptional and most of our projects have flourished. Look for example at the thriving hedge between Buccleuch Gardens and Petersham Meadow, which we planted two years ago. Another obvious success has been the re-planting of Bridge House Gardens, which already creates a wonderful backdrop for Richmond Bridge and the café. Downstream close to Kew Gardens, the willow ‘spiles’ (stakes) that we planted to protect the eroding riverbank have burst into life and are sprouting new growth. This project, part of the Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan, uses traditional methods to keep erosion at bay and to create new marine habitats.

As for the volunteers themselves, nearly 100 people have joined our projects during the year, including about 30 children and young people. The ages of volunteers have ranged from 5 to 80+ and collectively we have completed about 640 hours of work. As in previous years, Tower House School in East Sheen has been outstanding in supporting most of our events. Local scout groups too have made a contribution. For these younger volunteers, there are particular benefits in taking part and where possible we teach them how to use the tools, often for the first time, and find opportunities to explain about the ecology and wildlife habitats at each site. For older participants, there is satisfaction in seeing a job well done and pleasure in taking vigorous exercise in good company and wonderful surroundings. New volunteers are always welcome – if you are interested, please contact the Trust office to be added to our mailing list.

We would like to thank all who have supported our events this year and especially those who have turned out on a regular basis. Special mention should be made of John Cooke who frequently cycles all the way from Merton to join us, Charles Keggen, our most ‘senior’ volunteer, who brings his expertise as an archaeologist to many of our projects, Tim Gutch who has been a loyal supporter from the beginning, and Mandy Lamplough who as Head of Geography has inspired several generations of Tower House boys and their parents to don their wellies and join us on Saturday mornings. We also owe much to our first aider, Pat Pearson, whose skills have fortunately not been called on too frequently this year, and to Jenny Willis for maintaining a supportive presence at the office, keeping our records and working like a Trojan at almost every event! Finally we thank London’s Arcadia for lending us tools and continuing to provide us with exciting projects along the river. Their former project officer Tasha Hunter has always been a valued partner and we look forward to working with her in her new role as ecology officer for the council. She has been replaced in Arcadia by Fran Morrison who has already contributed to several of our recent events. Thanks to all of them, 2007–08 has been a highly successful year for all of our volunteers and they can be proud of what they have achieved.
Patrick Kidner & Zeph King

HAMILTON ELECTRICITY WORKS

People power and a sympathetic local council have won another victory in saving an important landmark in the borough’s history.

Hamilton Electricity Works (HEW) near Twickenham Green was again under threat in April 2007, when developer Hamilton Lofts Ltd appealed against the council’s decision to refuse planning applications for a dense housing development and demolition of this cluster of historical buildings.

The developer had requested written representation to decide the future of HEW and a massive letter-writing campaign ensued to the Inspectorate in Bristol. I attended the Twickenham charity fair on the Green and had my own stand at the FORCE annual fair to publicise the importance of HEW. These events are very valuable for spreading information to a much wider audience, and to people who do not have access to computers or perhaps even read the local newspapers.

After the deluge of mail, the Inspectorate decided to hold a public inquiry over three days in September 2007. There were representations from local residents and Cllrs Clare Head and David Marlow. I attended two of the days and found the proceedings and debate extremely interesting and useful.

In November 2007, the long weeks of waiting for the decision were finally over and the Inspector dismissed both appeals on four main issues: the effect of the proposal on a conservation area; the implication for neighbours’ living conditions, with particular regard to outlook, privacy, daylight and sunlight; the supply of employment land/premises and affordable housing; and adequacy of proposed contributions towards social and community infrastructure, including transport.

In his summary, the Inspector made the following points:

• Demolition would harm the character and appearance of the conservation area because of the loss of the principal landmark that forms the termination of the view north along Hamilton Road. This would undermine the strong spatial and historical relationship between the works buildings and the streets of terraced houses directly to their south. It would also undermine the value of the designated Hamilton Road Conservation Area identified in the conservation area statement and appraisal (January 2006).
• The demolition of buildings 2 & 3 would result in loss of an exceptional example of industrial archaeology in the borough, which would harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. The historical significance of the industrial buildings in the development of Twickenham is considered to be the main justification for designation.

This was a fantastic outcome to years of hard campaigning.

In January 2008, I was visited by Bill Bailey of the development team in order to show me an initial plan for the site. I was pleased to see that the plans incorporated all of the existing cluster of buildings. The façades and windows etc. would be refurbished, with an inner courtyard to let in light and give lift access to the second and third floors. The three apexes would be kept, with new complimentary roofing. The eastern perimeter (backing onto Talbot Road), would consist of one single-storey live/work unit, two 1.5-storey studio houses and a two-storey house built on the end of Hamilton Road. In total there would be 25 units plus 1:1 surface car parking spaces (including disabled) and a cycle park.

The only concerns I expressed were that the units were mainly one bedroom thus increasing the density and there were not enough work units. On the whole the plans were refreshingly close to what I would like to see happen to the site. Bill Bailey has not contacted me since but the plan is to hold another public consultation in the near future.

You can find more details on the campaign website at www.hew.org.uk.

On 27th March I gave a talk to the Twickenham Society on the industrial heritage of Twickenham. The talk concentrated on the Electricity Works and social conditions of the working classes in the west Twickenham area. I met many interesting people, including a local historian who talked about collaborating on a book about the industrial history. A member of Twickenham Museum took a handful of my HEW postcards to sell at the museum. I now have some more with a new design.

Sadly, Poupart’s Jam Factory in Third Cross Road was demolished in March 2008. I was under the impression that the developer was going to keep the façade, which featured a saw-tooth roof, but apparently it was in such a bad condition that it just had to go.
Cathy Cooper

Sir Richard Burton's tomb, in St Mary Magdalen churchyard, Mortlake. Photo courtesy Alastair Cassels

SIR RICHARD BURTON’S TOMB

A background to this project was provided in the Trust’s newsletter in Spring 2008. Here, we report in more detail on the work needed and our plans for achieving this.

The mausoleum is located in a secluded corner of the consecrated burial ground attached to St Mary Magdalen’s Church, Mortlake, just yards from the busy railway lines carrying trains to and from Waterloo. It takes the form of a Bedouin tent, in which Sir Richard and Lady Isabel are laid to rest, and was added to the statutory list of buildings of special architectural interest and historic interest at grade II* in October 1973.

Conserving and reinstating the monument

Repairs were carried out to the mausoleum in the 1970s, but the monument is once again in need of repair, restoration and re-presentation. Presently, the mausoleum is included on English Heritage’s Register of Buildings at Risk.

In addition to the need to address the condition and pointing of the stonework and the problems of dampness at low level, the painted decorative scheme of the interior is seriously deteriorating and needs to be consolidated and conserved. Many of the other features and items within the tent also need to be properly conserved.

Externally, the lime-washed surfaces of the stonework need to be reinstated and the decorative Christian and Islamic features reinstated and re-gilded. Importantly, an opening but lockable door needs to be reinstated to afford access to the interior, and stained glass reinstated in the panel above the altar.

As well as repairing and reinstating the structure and decorative features of the monument, the project team proposes promoting the cultural, historical and educational roles of the mausoleum as a celebration of the life and interests of Sir Richard Burton, while respecting the location of the monument within a consecrated burial ground, and the amenity of residents living in the immediate vicinity.

Partnership with the church and local community

Technically, the monument may still be privately owned, and we recognise that it lies in the burial ground of the church of St Mary Magdalen, which is the responsibility of the parish priest, Fr Christopher Pritchard, and the parish council. We have tried as fully as possible to establish the ownership of the mausoleum but so far without clear resolution. While we aim to restrict the works to those of conservative repair and reinstatement, so that listed building consent should not be necessary, we recognise that, if necessary alterations affect the character of the mausoleum as a listed structure, we will require consent from the borough council in conjunction with English Heritage. We expect that, in dealing with any application for consent, the council will take into account the views of the parish priest, parish council and diocesan trustees, as well as the local community. We aim to consult all relevant bodies and special-interest groups and the local community once we have prepared definitive proposals, and before submitting any application for listed building consent should this be necessary.

Organisation of the project

The project for the repair and reinstatement of the Burton Mausoleum will be directed by a local group, the Friends of Burton, working in collaboration with the Environment Trust. Technical advice on the repair and restoration of the monument is being provided by conservation architect Helen Molton, RIBA, AABC, of London-based architects HOK International, conservation engineer Stuart Tappin of Stand Consulting Engineers, and Holden Conservation Ltd. Other support is being provided by chartered architect, Paul Velluet, RIBA, IHBC, a borough resident, formerly regional architect and assistant regional director of English Heritage, London Region, and currently a member of the Diocese of Westminster Historic Churches Committee.

The proposed repair, reinstatement and re-presentation of the mausoleum will cost an estimated £60,000, including fees. As well as seeking to raise funds in the local and broader communities, the project team is applying for financial support from English Heritage under its Historic Buildings, Monuments and Designed Landscapes grants scheme, and will be applying for support from other grant-making bodies.

If you are interested in finding out more about the project, then please contact the Trust office.
Paul Velluet

Inscriptionon Sir Richard Burton's tomb. Photo courtesy Alastair Cassels

PUBLICITY

The Trust has been much in the news over the past 12 months. Mostly this has been focused on the plans for the Twickenham River Centre as these have progressed from initial selection in the Twickenham Challenge contest through various stages of consultation over the redevelopment plan for the Twickenham riverside site.

Not all of the publicity has been favourable as the overall scheme drew criticism from some over the amount of housing planned on the site. But generally the coverage has been positive, including the enthusiastic approval of the River Centre expressed by Sir David Attenborough as well as the majority of those attending a public exhibition of the plans that was staged in York House earlier this year.

The Richmond and Twickenham Times has been the main outlet for material about the Trust, including a feature on the monthly programme of activities undertaken by Trust volunteers. The art auction and art picnics also generated coverage in the local press, including some of the freesheets distributed in the borough.

We have also sought coverage in the monthly magazines published about Richmond with some success and shall continue to pursue these magazines as a means to broaden and deepen the coverage about environmental developments within the borough as a whole.
Derrik Mercer

TREASURER’S REPORT

During the year, donations, grants and subscriptions have all increased. The Art Auction was again very successful (raising nearly £9000), as were other fundraising events, thanks to everyone’s efforts over the year.

The income has enabled the Trust to increase the expenditure on charitable activities, such as Richmond Environment Network, the Twickenham River Centre project and the Art Picnics series. All of these activities have generated new members and enhanced the status of the Trust. The office staff have also spent the majority of their time working on the charitable activities, which is reflected in the accounts.

It has been an interesting 9 years for me and hopefully the next treasurer will find the work for the Trust as rewarding.
Andrew Darby

OFFICE COORDINATOR’S REPORT

The past year has seen a dramatic increase in our workload as the Twickenham River Centre plans take shape and our existing projects continue apace. As a result, and thanks to generous support from City Bridge Trust, my paid time has increased from 10 to 20 hours per week.

As ever, Jenny Willis is the real star, keeping the office going and getting everything ready for each new deadline that crops up – advertising the art picnics each month, preparing for fairs and members meetings, and generally knowing where everything is and what has to be done next.

We were very lucky, towards the end of last year, to be supported in the office by Mabel Law, who spent several weeks helping us get our membership database up to date. If anybody else would like to help out in the office, then please do get in touch – we are always on the lookout for people who can help with day-to-day tasks or take on projects such as organising visits and other activities for members.

We have had two successful visits over the past 12 months, to Clifton Lodge and the Violet Needham Chapel in East Twickenham, as guests of the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, and to the Watermen’s Hall in central London, which is the home of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, who were traditionally responsible for licensing commercial boatmen and women on the Thames.

Our links with the river were strengthened in September 2007 thanks to six intrepid supporters – Susan Kramer, Andrew Darby, Claire McCormack, Peter Dolan, Patrick Kidner and my brother Robert Black – who rowed the 22 miles from Ham to Docklands in the Great River Race, raising welcome funds for the Trust. We hope to take part in this year’s race on 13th September, so do let us know if you’d like to take part.

In the office, we are benefiting from ‘new’ computers (i.e. only 4 years old, instead of the 8-year-old ones that we had been battling with up to now), provided by the teamwork of Colin Cooper (who provided the impetus), Serco (who provided the computers) and Richmond CVS (who set them up for us). We are also enjoying up-to-date software thanks to the manufacturers’ special arrangements for charities and generous sponsorship of our office copy of QuarkXpress (the software used to lay out this Annual Report) by Ann Callaway.

Ann has been helping us apply for Investor in People re-accreditation, and we are very grateful for her expertise and enthusiasm in helping us develop the most efficient ways to run the Trust. We’ll report on the IiP outcome next year, along with news of our proposed office move to Eel Pie Island to shared premises with BTCV Richmond and REN, which we are hoping to achieve over the summer.
Sara Black

THANK YOU!

The Trustees are very grateful to the following individuals and organisations who have supported the Environment Trust over the past year.

Financial support

For the Trust: Awards for All, City Bridge Trust, Father Thames Trust, Hampton Fuel Allotments Charity, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, David King Charitable Trust, Friends of Twickenham Green, Greenwood Centre, Ham and Petersham Association, Rugby Football Union, Share Gift,
John Anthony, Simon Barber, Eleanor Brown, Ann Callaway, John Cloake, Cathy Cooper, Elizabeth Franklin, Edward Goldsmith, Bryan Govett, Tim and Sarah Gutch, Walter and Fiona Holland, Susan Kramer, John Reekie, Peter Reid, John and Maureen Roberts, Caroline Sturt, Penny Wade, Peter Willan, and everyone who has given donations at fairs and events over the year, bought tickets for our annual raffle, or purchased cards at the fairs

For Kilmorey Mausoleum: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, everyone who gave donations at the open days

For Sir Richard Burton’s Tomb: Yannick Banks

For the Twickenham River Centre: Peter Dolan, Maureen Roberts and everyone who sponsored our rowers in the Great River Race

For the Vineyard Passage Burial Ground: Jack and Janet Felt, Martin and Heather Edgar, and everyone who bought cakes at the cake sale in July

Gifts in kind

The following people and organisations have provided invaluable support for the Trust by donating their time and expertise.

Art activities: John Iddon, Ros Newby, Liz MacKenzie, all of the artists who so generously donated their works for the Art Auction, Stephen and Harriet Enthoven for hosting the artists’ party, Jill Storey and Joy Cuff for card sales

Fundraising: Gill Mercer, Ros Newby, Peter Dolan, Claire McCormack, Robert Black, Susan Kramer, Patrick Kidner

Hospitality: National Trust Ham House, Twickenham Yacht Club, Peter Dolan, Patrick Kidner, Gill Mercer, Ros Newby, Judi Stewart, Kerry Rock, Hatty Bates, Amanda Kidner, Liliane Palmer, everyone who provided items for the Vineyard Passage cake sale

Kilmorey Mausoleum: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Sandy Chalmers, Oliver Finn (TreeCare) for tree stumps, logs and bark

Newsletters and leaflet distribution: Mabel Law, Fay Hunter, Ruth Darby, Charles Keggen, Janet Kingston, Tim and Sarah Gutch, Patrick Kidner

Office: Phil Morris (book-keeping), Ann Callaway (organisational development), Andrew Stewart (Chapel caretaker), Mabel Law (office support), Richmond Council for Voluntary Service (computers)

Photography: Raj Gedhu, Tricia de Courcy-Ling, Yvonne Hewett, Tony Lewis

Practical volunteering: Claire McCormack and the Kilmorey Mausoleum volunteers, Martin Edgar, Jack Felt and the Vineyard Passage Burial Ground group, Patrick Kidner, Zeph King, Pat Pearson and the monthly volunteers, everyone who came along to the Riverbed Clean-ups in November, students, staff and parents from Tower House School, North St Margarets scouts and East Sheen scouts.

Richmond Environment Network: Maria Longley, Kathleen Earley, Hirsh Cashdan and the ZWIN team, Jim Deasley (Building Responsibly Group)

Twickenham River Centre: the many people who have contributed their energy and skills to this project are listed above

Raffle prizes: Brula Restaurant, Patrick Kidner, Zac and Sheherazade Goldsmith, Peter Dolan, Squires Garden Centre

We hope that we have included everyone who has helped us over the past year, and we apologise to anyone that we may have inadvertently omitted. We greatly appreciate all of the contributions that we receive, without which the Trust would not be able to achieve its aims and continue to thrive.