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 (November 2025)
.The breach on the towpath near Kew gardens has just been reopened: congratulations to all those involved in this complex repair. The RTS believes continued access to the bank of the river is important and so has indicated its support for Brentford Walks in trying to regain public access around Brentford Dock estate
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The PLA Act controls much of what happens on our local river. We are still waiting for the report from the chair of the inquiry into the Port of London Authority (PLA) Harbour Revision Order (HRO): this is expected to be released together with the response from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). 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 a report on how the inquiry unfolded.
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We are still awaiting the planning inspectorate for the rerun on the pontoon for the Peggy Jean restaurant 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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The long-delayed development of a marina at Waterman’s Park, Brentford, has been further complicated by associated companies having just gone into administration. The RTS and others, like the Friends of Waterman’s Park and those of us who are planning a Heritage Harbour at Brentford, are watching developments here with great interest, hoping for a more community-friendly solution.
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We are now in the period of the ‘drain off’ – when the tide is allowed to run out as the sluices at Richmond are held up – lasting this year until 19th December. Our last branch event was a well-attended walk exploring the newly exposed river bed. The next event is our Xmas drinks, on the 9th December, this time at the Sun Inn at Parkshot. Our branch AGM is on the 21st January at the Twickenham Club and we look forward to a talk on Venetian river fetes on the 9th February 26.
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Please see details of planned events on the Events page.
Hilary Pereira
Branch Chairman
