The Thames Path by Leigh Hatts

I have just enjoyed Sunday lunch at Surrey Docks Farm where ten days ago Frizzante took over the cafe.

This is an Italian team who already do the catering at Hackney City Farm.

Arriving after 1pm I found that the roast was finished but two of us managed the last two fish pies. For pudding we had their lovely real Italian ice cream (2 scoops £2.50).

The atmosphere is as lovely and informal as before. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.

The Thames Path running through the farm is looking much better, more interesting plants and hedges, and at last gates at both ends.

See page 21.

There is good news of  a possible improvement ti the route at Maidenhead.

After crossing Maidenhead Bridge walkers turn right into Bridge Gardens but then find the way blocked by Bridge House.

Thanks to the persistence and local knowledge of East Berks Ramblers’ footpath secretary Margaret Bowdery  the Royal Borough has published plans for a long awaited riverside path in front of Bridge House.

At present walkers have to cross the busy Ray Mill Road twice.

There is a public consultation in progress.

See page 99.

Some of the lock staff you meet this summer will be local volunteers.

BBC South Today ran a piece on Thursday evening about the Environment Agency’s call for volunteer lock keepers on the Thames.

Seasonal help is not unknown but now the plan is not to pay those coming forward.

This does seem to be a foolish money saving exercise which does nothing to give us confidence about the future of lock and weir keepers.

Waterways operation manager Andrew Graham describes this as an exciting opportunity but the uniformed job needs training and a weekly commitment.

The Enviroment Agency’s chief executive is paid £195,000 a year.

St Peter’s Church at Wallingford, with its candle snuffer spire, is the riverside landmark. Lawyer Sir William Blackstone is buried there. The key to the redundant but lovely building on the Thames Path can be borrowed from the Tourist Information Centre at the Town Hall in Market Place.

Meanwhile, the Churches Conservation Trust is hosting Midsummer Tea Parties at two nearby churches in June.

Both are across the river.

St Mary’s in the hamlet of Newnham Murren just south of Crowmarsh Gifford across Walingford Bridge has fundraising teas available on Saturday 18 June 3.30pm–5.30pm at next door Newnham Farm House.

Riverside St John the Baptist at Mongewell Park is holding its Tea Party the next day on Sunday 19 June, 2pm-4pm.

See pages 144 and 146 -147.

The Nag’s Head on Abingdon Bridge closed in January and despite local concern it remains closed.

It appears that the decision to close was taken by Punch Taverns who were not the building’s owners.

See page 172.

If you are on the Thames Path at Greenwich this Easter Monday you might see traditional chair-lifting at lunchtime.

The Church Times reminds us that the Blackheath Morris Men have been maintaining this Midlands Easter custom next to the Cutty Sark for the last twenty years.

Girls are invited to sit in a decorated chair and be lifted up in the air in return for a kiss.

The flower covered chair will be brought out at about 12.30pm.

See page 18.

The huge iron railway company insignia on the remaining south end of the old Blackfriars railway bridge has been dismantled.

The two 150 year old London, Chatham & Dover Railway crests will be restored and repositioned back to back  at one end of the abutment.

The London SE1 website has an explanation and pictures.

See page 34.

Last Sunday’s Countryfile on BBC1 was trailed as featuring Windsor Great Park and the new rowing course on the opposite side of the Thames.

A surprise inclusion was a piece on Hurley Lock and boat building with additional shots of Temple Lock and Temple Bridge.

The programme, which has wonderful shots of Windsor Castle, can still be seen this week on the BBC iplayer.

See pages 110.

Meridan TV reports tonight that since the start of the year as many as 150 swans have been found dead on the Thames between Windsor and Reading. Cold weather, lack of food and infections are to blame.

The announcement in today’s Budget Speech that the railway line between Kemble and Swindon is to returned to double track is a surprise.

The government has given in to pressure on this as the line could serve as an alternative when weekend rail works close the main line to the Severn tunnel. But in time this could allow for a better service to and from the Thames source at Kemble.

see page 212-213.