With all ‘out and about’ activities suspended because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, here is a wonderful chance for one lucky RTS member to own a unique wooden table 'The Silver River' featuring the River Thames in silver leaf and for all those who buy tickets to help an important River Thames charity.
About the table
Mike Orme has carved the river from source to sea in this beautiful table of Sheesham wood, illuminated in silver leaf, 1400 mm long, 465 mm wide and 455 mm high.
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Chairman: Hilary Pereira
020 8892 5086
Hon Secretary: Pat Speight
020 8948 0643
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The Upper Tideway branch has a limited social programme of talks, walks and picnics, some together with other local groups.
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We have a presence at various annual events, such as Tidefest, the Great River Race and Richmond Fair. With other local groups, we engage with the Thames Landscape Strategy, supporting and enhancing on our special local Arcadia.
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We have an interest in planning matters, trying to preserve what is best about the river, and are ever watchful for applications, including any new non-mobile houseboats, that appear to encroach on precious river space.
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The river authority for us is the Port of London Authority We responded last year to their proposals for changing the legislation under which they operate, but have yet to hear how they propose to proceed.
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We are a small branch in terms of the length of the river we cover, but hope we punch above our weight, for example in relation to policy matters.
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Current Activities - Branch Update (July 2025)
The breach on the towpath near Kew gardens has been undergoing repairs and the plan is said to be a reopening this summer. It’s good to see collaborative work being done between the various bodies involved
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The Council agreed with the RTS and turned down the application to build new houses at ‘the boathouse’ on Ranelagh Drive but other planning issues of local concern are in abeyance . We are still awaiting the planning inspectorate for the rerun on the Peggy Jean restaurant pontoon by Richmond Bridge and for its decision on multiple applications for the River Thames Visitor Centre (RTVC). The RTS opposed developments at both these sites.
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We are still waiting for the report from the chair of the inquiry into the Port of London Authority (PLA) Harbour Revision Order (HRO). See the ‘RTS in Action’ section of the RTS website for more information on the HRO and how to access the papers, including those from the RTS. There is also there a report on how the inquiry unfolded. The RTS website also has a link to a report of the ‘upper river’ public meeting of the PLA held on 1st April.
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There is now a memorial bench on the Marble Hill towpath in memory of raftman Ian, who lived for many years on the adjacent river. The scattering of his ashes on the river on the 12th July was attended by a large crowd, including RTS members, supported by a piper on the bank and Mark Montgomery-Smith playing the last post from the river.
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There has been further activity from the RTS relating to the long-delayed marina at Waterman’s Park, Brentford, with FOI requests to the Council and comments made to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) about discrepancies between the developer’s applications for marine licences and what does and does not appear to be happening on the local river.
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Our next branch event is the picnic on Saturday 23rd August. The Great River Race is on the 20th September. Chiswick Pier Party on the pier is Sunday 27th July.
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Please see details of planned events on the Events page.
Hilary Pereira
Branch Chairman
