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 (September 2026)

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• The River Thames Scheme:
  The latest update on the River Thames Scheme website is dated May 2026. The conclusion from this review was that the proposed two new channels and weir improvements were the best option for reducing flood risk. The RTS organisation was planning to submit the finalised business review to DEFRA and the Treasury before Summer 2026. There is no notice on the RTS website that this has been done. If work commences, the EA will be working with both East Surrey and West Surrey Councils.
   

• Teddington Direct River Abstraction Project:
  The public consultation on 2nd June mainly concerned the arrangement of facilities for the works on the Ham bank. It was also announced that the pipeline transferring treated water the new tertiary treatment plant at Mogden would be of a substantially greater diameter and therefore only one entry facility would be required for servicing. The Development Consent Order (DCO) will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) and reviewed on behalf of the Secretary of State. A petition opposing the proposal has been circulating which attempts to imply that the treated water from Mogden will be poorly treated and therefore a health hazard.
   

• Meetings
  Our latest meeting was held on 27th May. Its subject was The History of Salter’s Steamers – given by Keith French. It was a fascinating presentation with 25 people attending. Our next talk will take place on the 23rd October with a presentation on the artworks produced along the Thames by Giovanni Canal (Canaletto) during his stay in London. It is titled “Canaletto along the Thames”
  
  Lunches
  We continue our Sunday Lunches, with recent visits to The White Hart , The Thames Court and Three Horseshoes/Laleham. We will visit The Bell at Hampton for the first time.
  
  Swan Upping
  13th July We arranged a presence at Shepperton Lock to promote the society. Quite a crowd thronged the lock area to view the “Uppers” and a fair number of magazines were distributed. See photographs in the Autumn edition of Thames Guardian.
  
  RUG8
  Since our last meeting I have had correspondence with Jonty Steel with regard to a representative of TOW being involved in RUG8 but with little positive outcome.
  
  Cutter
  We are entered in The Great River Race on Saturday September 12th. I had hoped that we could arrange some joint outings with the Grocer’s Cutter, currently stabled at with Sunbury Skiff Club at Desborough Sailing Club. However, I have had no contact with them this year and I see that they haven’t entered the GRR with the Grocers Cutter.
   

• Our forthcoming events are listed in the Events Diary .
   

Roy Miller
Branch Chairman

 

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