Chairman:   Roy Miller

                   Email: themillers@vicarage42.co.uk

 

Secretary:    

          

As our branch name suggests, we cover the most interesting (that’s what we think anyway!) stretch of the river from Old Windsor through bustling and cosmopolitan towns and tranquil countryside, passing historic palaces and national monuments, to Teddington Lock, the first non-tidal lock on the River Thames.

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We are a very lively branch, currently the second largest, and combine activities to support the overall aims and objectives of the Society with a social programme tailored to the needs and wants of our members. At one end of the spectrum there are monthly pub lunches, normally at riverside hostelries, when members can get together for a chat and exchange views on current developments affecting our river. On a slightly more formal note we arrange evening talks by guest speakers on a variety of river-related subjects. For example, recently we’ve had talks on the history and continuing story of the Dunkirk Little Ships, the design, engineering and future of the Thames Barrier, a fascinating insight into the work of the Met Police’s Marine Response Unit, the history of the Thames bridges on our stretch from medieval times to the present and an equally fascinating and meticulously researched history of some of the Thames' islands. Additionally there are occasional visits and outings, such as a trip on an amphibious vehicle (DUWK) along the Thames at Windsor and a visit to Mapledurham Mill.

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To further enhance the mission of the Society we represent our branch at River Users Group (RUG) meetings and report back to our membership on issues that may affect them. This ranges from illegal mooring, flooding issues right through to inappropriate development. We have attended many of the River Thames Scheme forums and drop-in sessions and have provided what we consider is some very useful input. Our River Wardens continue to carry out sterling work on their regular inspections of the river and reporting back on specific issues that need addressing.

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Any organisation is only as strong as its membership and there is an ongoing recruitment programme involving stands at locks and appropriate events along with constant handing out of publicity material and one-to-one “selling” by our boat owners on their cruises up and down the river. 

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Branch Chairman's Report (April 2025)

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• The River Thames Scheme:
  It was made very apparent at the second Consultation, that the favoured scheme at Ferris Meadow Lake is Option 1 whereby the Storm Water would be channelled through the lake. It was stated that this option would be the most cost effective; the most effective at reducing flooding; maximises the use of existing natural features and lakes; and would involve the amount of construction
   

• Teddington Direct River Abstraction Project:
  The September 2024 update, it was proposed that the outfall tunnel for treated water from Mogden Treatment Works would be increased from 1.8m to 3.5m (internal diameter). This means that a Tunnel boring machine can be used, thereby shortening the construction period disruption. With this wider diameter, the number of tunnel-to-surface shafts can be reduced from 5 to 1. I have a copy of the project update with me

• Meetings
  Our February meeting covered The History of Staines and Laleham Boatyards – given by Nick Pollard . We have rescheduled the cancelled talk on Eel Pie Island to May 21st.

• Sunday Lunches
  Attendances at our lunches have dwindled somewhat. Hopefully, as we move in to Spring and Summer they will improve

• Impossible Dream:
  Thanks to the crew of Impossible Dream for arranging a river cruise between Shepperton and Sunbury. The weather was fine and the participants enjoyed a picnic within Shepperton Marina.
   

• Our forthcoming events are listed in the Events Diary .