Appeal for stories of
Lockdown and VE Day

Tim from Nightingale Road has shared his VE Day bunting picture

Dear Hampton Society supporter,

I have received a bumper amount of enquiries from members following yesterday‘s eNewsletter. Please read on. But first, an appeal from The Hampton Society newsletter editor.

Historic Contributions sought for the Summer 2020 Newsletter

by Maura Waters, editor

Surviving Lockdown in Hampton

How are we all managing during Lockdown? How far will we be able to apply “good common sense” in the coming weeks? I hope our readers will tell us how by writing a 300-word account of their experiences, either as advice of “awful warnings” and preferably – though not essentially – with a local theme of ‘Living in Hampton’.

VE and VJ Day Celebrations

For this issue and the next autumn one in September, the atmosphere will be lightened by our families’ memories of VE Day, Victory in Europe, towards the end of World War II in 1945. Family recollections, and especially pictures, would be most welcome. Hampton’s historian, John Sheaf, has already shown us some of his VE Day pictures online, but tells me he has none of Victory in Japan Day this coming August. Do you have any?

The wealth of their knowledge, or maybe yours, will feature in our Summer Newsletter due out in early June. Pictures or descriptions of Hampton would be welcome, although so many of us did not have the advantage of being born locally! 

Please dig deep into the family memory banks. My husband remembers being taken to what his parents told him were the VE celebrations in London as a child of five. All he can actually recollect is “a sea of legs and coloured searchlights in St James's Park”. Similarly, aged four, I was told the guy for our local bonfire on VJ Day was Hirohito, the Japanese emperor. “No like Hito Hito (sic)!” I cried, worried that someone was to be burned alive! But I cherish the little brown pottery mug I was given to celebrate both victory days.

I would also be interested to hear accounts of how you celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day in these strangest of strange circumstances. It could also add to our historical account of what we did under Lockdown. 

Where to send your submission

Now see what you can do! Contributions please by 31 May. Please send your story to me, Maura Waters, Editor, Hampton Society Newsletter, by email n.waters360@gmail.com or phone 020 8979 9654.

Messages from members

Joan writes: “Can I remind everyone that Tuesday 12 May is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale and is the International Nurses and Midwifes Day. We are asked to put a light in our windows at 8.30 to draw attention to the occasion.”

William: Thanks for letting us all know. Light up your lamps!

Simon has written in: “Thanks William: glad to see the White House is coming out of intensive care (I speak as an hon. member of the Hampton and District Model Railway club! We had a talk at Rotary today with the horrors of what people will do at times of crisis!”

William: Thanks, Simon. I have enjoyed taking the children to the model railway shows in the past (and on my own more recently!).

Carole writes: “It was kind of you to send a personal response to my research into the science paper on moisture droplets being spread in a ‘tail’ behind walkers, runners and riders.

“One good piece of news is that I successfully persuaded the council to clear the litter and leaves from the St Albans Riverside area. The amount of leaves and litter by, and in the vicinity of, the brick gazebo behind the wall the other side of the road from the Hampton Court Road park gate was particularly disgusting as it had not been cleared for at least a year, if not more. After being cleared, this back area is now recognisable as a wheel chair ramp. 

“I have thanked them and also received reassurances that the water leak here and the river side of the gazebo will also be examined as that area has been so waterlogged it has been impassable for anyone not wanting to be ankle deep in mud for the last two or three summers as well as winters.” 

Cheryl writes: “Have you had information through regarding the car parks being reopened soon as we are now allowed to drive further afield?”

William: I have done some rudimentary research that has shown that there has been no update from the National Trust, for example, and all their car parks appear to remain closed. I would advise members to check with the place they are planning to visit first either by phone or online.

BBC Explanation of the Latest Government Guidance

Lockdown update: Click on the images for all you need to know about the new government measures from the BBC.

Update from Richmond Council

Weekly letter from
the Chief Superintendent

I wanted to write and brief you about some police activity taking place in our local area (and the rest of London).

As you are aware, during the lockdown period, we have been continuing our focus on reducing violence in the capital together with our Local Authority partners through the community safety partnerships. As we start looking towards a relaxation or removal of lockdown in due course, we want to maintain the reductions in violent crime, building upon the natural pause in offending realised due to the COVID restrictions.

Read on…

Hampton Pool
Summer Picnic Concerts for 2020
have sadly been postponed

In a statement on the Hampton Pool ‘concerts’ website, Hampton Pool Trust have said: “As a result of government guidance issued today, with heavy hearts, we are required to postpone our entire 2020 Concerts programme and intend to reschedule them to July 2021. We hope to be able to confirm the same line-up but ask you to bear with us as this may take a couple of weeks.

“We can confirm that all ticket purchases for any of the concerts we reschedule will automatically be transferred over to the new dates, so please hang on to your tickets. Refunds will be available for those unable to attend the new dates. You do not need to do anything at this stage.

“If, once the new dates for the concerts have been confirmed, you are unable to attend, you will be entitled to a refund. If we are unable to reschedule the concert you had tickets for, refunds will automatically be processed and you will be notified of the new acts in due course.

“We realise you will be as disappointed as we are at this news but hope you will understand that we have had this decision forced upon us by government guidance and are now working hard to reschedule as much of this year’s series as possible. Our Summer Picnic Concerts began at Hampton Pool in 2002 and have gone from strength to strength, so although next summer seems ages away, we’ll look forward to welcoming you back then and we’ll pick up where we left off.

“As soon as we have the rescheduled events confirmed, we will be in touch again. We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time and hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well.”

Hampton Pool Summer Picnic Concerts Team

Please forward these updates
to friends and family

...if you think they would benefit from the information contained. If they are not members and live locally, please ask them to consider joining and supporting The Hampton Society by completing an application form.

Kind regards,

William Redfern
Chair, The Hampton Society
enquiries@thehamptonsociety.org.uk
#StaySafeAtHome #StayHomeSaveLives

Helping hands

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs:
what you can and can’t do

Read more about what you can and cannot do

If you need assistance during the coronavirus outbreak contact Richmond Council Community Hub

A Community Hub has been established that is working to help coordinate the support offered by the Council working in partnership with Richmond’s many voluntary organisations. 

If you or someone you know needs this support and they don’t have existing family, friends or other support that can step in, then please contact 020 8871 6555 or email here.

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