The Thames Path by Leigh Hatts

It’s interesting to learn that Kate Middleton’s parents Carole and Michael were married at Dorney Church. The reception was at Dorney Court which since has doubled for Syon in the film Lady Jane.

Prince William’s great, great grandparents were married in 1881 at tiny Petersham Church near Richmond.

This would be perfect for Kate and William if they could get away with a quiet wedding. But it looks as if they will marry at Westminster Abbey which once stood on Thorney Island surrounded by the tidal Thames.

See pages 60 and 94.

Kate Middleton is in the headlines as she becomes engaged to Prince William but news that she went to school in Pangbourne is not what it seems. St Andrew’s School is some way south-west of the Thames-side village.

However, besides the royal story in tonight’s Evening Standard is the announcement that a Roman village has been discovered in Syon Park. This shows how the site was a strategic one and near a crossing. Only a few years ago another dig found the base of  a church as a large as a cathedral east of the main house.

The Daily Mail also has more details and a map.

See page 57.

Today is the bicentenary of painter Johann Zoffany’s death.

He lived and died at Strand-on-the-Green where the riverside house is marked with a blue plaque. He is buried on the south side of St Anne’s Church on nearby Kew Green across the river.

See pages 54 and 55.

News about Greenwich below comes from the World Travel Market -the travel industry fair in London’s Docklands this week.

Another announcement made at the WTM is that Windsor Castle’s Round Tower will be open to visitors during August and September next year. There are 189 steps to the battlements.

This is the highest point of the castle where the Union Jack or Royal Standard flies. It’s a reference point for walkers on the Thames Path and I look forward to enjoying the view back down on to the winding Thames and beyond to the London skyline.

William the Conqueror chose this strategic point for a fortress and for centuries the river was an important highway for the castle.

See page 90.

The Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich is about to receive its millionth visitor since the grounds were opened to the public with free admission.

The Royal Navy left in 1997 and now the grounds are open free daily 8am to 6pm. The chapel and Painted Hall are usually open free as well.

Next summer will see a new Greenwich Pier for river passengers.

2012 will see the Cutty Sark back as a landmark behind the pier, the St Alphege celebrations and, of course, the Olympics which are to be held partly in Greenwich.

St Alphege, who was Archbishop of Canterbury, was martyred in 1012 at Greenwich by Viking raiders.

See page 18

Clink Street in Southwark which forms part of the Thames Path has a daily ‘fireworks’ display.

The long dark tunnel under the railway used to be a reminder of Dickens’ days. From this week there is extra lighting in the form of a light show every evening.

Also new this week is a branch of Le Pain Quotidien which you will find in Blow’s Yard. Once in Clink Street go left up Stoney Street and left again into Winchester Walk to find the Belgian cafe. It has a communal table for anyone on their own.

See page 33.

A reminder that the River Thames is a living waterway comes with news that Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers have seized three illegal nets on the tidal Thames in London.

An Environment Agency river patrol uncovered the nets last week at Greenwich. Among the nets found was an unattended gillnet, which can trap fish and wildfowl, and two homemade traps.

There is a licensed eel net fishery which stretches up to Tower Bridge and has developed as water quality in the Thames has improved.

Carl Rasey, an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said: “These discoveries are disappointing, as legitimate eel netsmen respect the rules.

“Whoever has set these traps is in breach of an emergency close season and has also allowed them to dry out, which is a separate offence. Whilst these traps are primarily set for eels, they often catch a range of other species which will die if the traps are left exposed at low tide.

“Eel populations are declining across Europe but if we want to ensure that Thames eel fisheries continue to be sustainable then this sort of irresponsible behaviour is unacceptable. We would urge anyone who sees suspicious-looking traps to contact us immediately.”

There are just fifteen people licensed to use nets or traps to take eels in the tidal Thames. A condition is that the fishermen send in catch-returns detailing what has been caught during the year.

The close season for netting and trapping eel is between 1 October and 31 March.

The Greenwich website has news of a planning application to change the railings along the Thames Path in front of the the Royal Naval College.

It’s hard to know if this is really necessary.

See page 18.

An unexpected object on the foreshore just upstream of Chiswick Eyot may appear shortly and be around for up to a year.

It’s a model of a tidal turbine which is being tested prior to a full-scale prototype being tried in the open seas.

The spot is between the eyot and the slipway at the church.

See page 52.

The sudden announcement that Thames Water must build a major new sewer has caught out London Boroughs who knew nothing of the imminent plan.

The tunnel needs to follow the route of the River Thames so that the pipe can be connected to the combined sewer overflows that are located along the riverbanks. The Thames Tunnel will protect the River Thames from increasing pollution.

The Thames Path will be affected in at least two places needed for works: King’s Stairs in Rotherhithe and Tideway Walk between Vauxhall and Battersea Bridges where the barge Maria is moored.

Downstream a worksite is planned next to The Ship at Wandsworth Bridge although this will not affect the line of path. Barn Elms will also have a worksite next to the towpath.

The reserve list of sites includes Durand’s Wharf (near Surrey Docks Farm) which was closed once before for the Jubilee Line construction. On that occasion the Thames Path was diverted on to the road.

King’s Stairs Campaign

Residents in Rotherhithe have been looking at how the works site at King’s Stairs Gardens would change the riverside during and after the works.

The wide grass area between the arcaded path and the Angel pub would be closed for seven years. The Thames Path would probably be diverted down Elephant Way and along Paradise Street close to St Peter’s Church.

Afterwards there would be an above ground  ventilation shaft with vehicle access.

The Save King’s Stairs Gardens campaign has started a petition.

See page 25.