Riverwatch: Dot's message has wings

TWO weeks ago,I wrote about Dot Beeson,the lovely lady who runs the Swan Sanctuary in Felix Lane,Shepperton,and told the story of how she first became involved with helping injured birds and other wildlife. Read

Riverwatch: A marine makeover

WHEN Nicky and David Prior bought the Bridge Marine boatyard in June 1984, it was a rundown wreck of a place. Read

Riverwatch: Dot's a saviour for swans

I'VE met a host of lovely people while writing this column, but probably none as charming and dedicated to her cause as Dot Beeson, the woman behind the Swan Sanctuary based in Felix Lane, Shepperton. Read

Riverwatch idyllic gem's hidden away

THERE are many idyllic places from which to enjoy the beauties of the Thames, but one of the best-kept secrets around seems to be Truss's Island - a tiny ait on the Surrey bank of the river quite close to Staines Bridge. Read

Riverwatch: Blame it on his mum

Derek Banks blames his mother for his lifelong interest in boats and boating. Between the ages of 13 and 18 his mum packed him off to work at Crevall's boatyard in Old Windsor in the school holidays. Read

Riverwatch: River plan affects us all

Most of us take the Thames very much for granted as a place for recreation and relaxation, but it has a significant role to play in our overall lives as a source of water,a habitat for wildlife and a potential flood threat. Read

Riverwatch: Revive the riverside resort

IT SEEMS astonishing now, but there was a time, 100 or so years ago, when Staines was considered a riverside resort to rank alongside the likes of Marlow and Henley. Read

Riverwatch: A different venture for Sue

Hampton artist Sue Bailey, has decided to mark the 21st anniversary of the boat project by walking the length of the Thames path from the source to the Thames Barrier. Read

shr-riverwatchbarge-dynamic Image 3

Riverwatch: A lovely way to learn

STROLLING along by the Thames at Walton the other day,I watched a sizeable old barge called Richmond Venturer chuff past me with a group of wheelchair-bound guests on the deck enjoying the spring sunshine. Read

Riverwatch: What a jumble at junkfest

AS regular readers of this column will know, I'm a boat jumble junkie. I just love poking around the tents and tables packed with other boat owners' cast-offs in the hope of finding a bargain or two. Read

Riverwatch: The boat's a real terra to clean

AGEING cabin cruisers are a little bit like elderly actresses - they can still do the job for which they were originally designed but they need a good deal of make-up before they can take the stage with confidence. Read

Riverwatch: Club's reputation is second to none

There are rowing clubs up and down the length of the Thames and the sight of enthusiastic coaches putting crews through their paces is a familiar one to anyone who regularly takes a stroll beside the water. Read

Eric Hubbard

Riverwatch: Eric's ritual has made him a river legend

Firstly, I'd like to say a sincere thanks to my old mate Roger Jolly who's been ably filling in during my absence - I'll pass on the libel writs as soon as I see him! Read

Riverwatch: yo,ho, ho and a nice cup of coffee...

You can't keep a good man down, they say. So, despite a smattering of requests and libel writs I've bobbed up again, like a bit of stale ship's biscuit in a tankard of rum. Read

Riverwatch: Why I'm hooked on angling

These are the dark days on the river. The close season is here, so for three months my fellow anglers can no longer whet their lines in the hope of a tug and pull. Read

Riverwatch: Who's up for Thames festival?

The Herald & News carrier pigeons have deposited several messages on my desk since my debut appearance as guest writer of this column last week. And nearly all contain the four little words: "Bring back Mort Smith!" Read

Riverwatch: Save these little gems

Ahoy me Herald hearties! Read

Riverwatch: Little tankers' vital role

I've been delighted by the response to my question about readers' memories of the Walton Yacht Company during the 1940s and 1950s. Read

Giovanni Canaletto's 1754 painting

Riverwatch: Spanning the centuries

As the long-running debate over a new bridge to span the Thames at Walton appears to have reached a conclusion, I thought it was about time to take a look at the history of this particular crossing as part of the series of articles focusing on the bridges spanning the river in the Herald & News area. Read

The Kingfisher

Riverwatch: Kingfisher is a rare but wonderful sight

If you're extremely lucky, you may occasionally glimpse a kingfisher on our stretch of the river – and, if so, treasure the moment because these brilliantly-coloured birds are becoming increasingly rare as more of their habitats are destroyed. Read

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