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.
​
_.jpeg)
Chairman: Hilary Pereira
020 8892 5086
Hon Secretary: Pat Speight
020 8948 0643
​
The Upper Tideway branch has a limited social programme of talks, walks and picnics, some together with other local groups.
​
We have a presence at various annual events, such as Tidefest, the Great River Race and Richmond Fair, and currently host the RTS cutter alongside a vintage craft just below Richmond bridge. With other local groups, we engage with the Thames Landscape Strategy, supporting and enhancing on our special local Arcadia.
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
Current Activities - Branch Update (November 2024)
-
The big local news is the breach on the towpath near Kew gardens. Water which had gone over the path with an exceptionally high tide broke through from the ha-ha that runs along the path. The gap in the path that started on 19th October has been extending since, as each tide comes through the gap in the bank and takes out debris into the river as it then retreats. Navigators are warned to take extra care on what is in any case a shallow section of river. The Thames path has been stopped at Richmond lock, and by the Brentford gate of Kew Gardens, with only long detours available for walkers and cyclists. This may take months to repair.
-
The other current river event is the annual drain off, with low water levels above the half tide lock at low tide until the 6th December. The branch has not organised a low tide walk this year. It can be fun exploring river bed which is normally covered, but this needs to be done with care and respect.
-
The branch provided support to the RTS crew in the Great River Race on Saturday 21st September, when the cutter performed well. We held a meeting jointly with the Twickenham Society on the 1st October to hear about planning on the river. There have been further discussions on that topic with key people from the PLA, and with the Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS), and it is hoped they will take forward some of the recommendations. We have commented on and are awaiting final planning decisions on the River Thames Visitor Centre, the boathouse on Ranelagh Drive and the Peggy Jean restaurant pontoon, the last being belayed by a JR challenge to the decision of the inspectorate. Another active local planning issue is the inquiry on the Stag Brewery in Mortlake, with the RTS only taking a passive role this time. We are continuing engaging in discussions about Brentford as a Heritage Harbour and to press for more progress on the ‘marina’ at Waterman’s park, Brentford.
-
The Port of London Authority (PLA) uses the PLA Act 1968 to control the tidal river. It intends to change this Act, using a procedure called a Harbour Revision Order (HRO). A process has been going on now for some years, with the RTS and many others responding to various consultations. We are now preparing for a public inquiry. See the ‘RTS in Action’ section of this website for more information and how to access the papers, including those from the RTS.
-
The next branch event is our Xmas drinks on the 10th December,back at our regular venue of the Roebuck, Richmond Hill
-
Pease see details of planned events on the Events page.
