The Teddington Society History Group (TSHG) is one of the original groups of the Society and has been active continuously since its formation. TSHG currently has 10 members - we all live in or around Teddington. Although members have varying degrees of local knowledge and expertise we are united in our enthusiasm for exploring the history of Teddington, its past residents, townscape and buildings. Members regularly contribute articles about their work to Tidings.
We work closely with the Teddington Society Planning Group as we have a shared interest in the built environment and maintaining the character of the town.
We are particularly interested to hear from Teddington Society members who wish to join the group or may be able to offer particular knowledge or expertise or be prepared to give talks to Teddington Society members, schools and local groups.
St Mary with St Alban Church
Houses near Peg Woffington’s Cottage
We also welcome members (and non-members) to ask us for assistance with, or share the results of, their own research into their families, houses and local history.
The group meets every six weeks to share progress on a variety of projects, most of which are initiated by individual members undertaking their own research either working independently or with other members. Our work naturally tends to be about the development of Teddington as a town, the history of buildings, businesses and notable residents.
TSHG continues to produce publications on its work - details are to be found in our Publications and Merchandise page.
An example of the group's work:
In 2023 we carried out a survey by visiting the shops and businesses in the main Teddington thoroughfares and compared the findings with historic records. Group members then produced an article entitled 84 Years On for Tidings (Winter 2023); this described the shift in the nature of the shops over time. The survey results have now been passed to the Richmond Local Studies Library so that it can be made available to other researchers.
We hope that you may be interested in the past successes of the TSHG as follows:
We lobbied to obtain a Grade II listing for Oak Cottage, 159 High Street, Teddington - this was registered in 1973. In 1977 we carried out a survey of all houses and roads in Teddington. We were also very much involved in the St George's Day processions in Teddington and we also held some local history exhibitions on open days and coffee mornings.
In 1990 we began an annual summer group walk taking various routes around Teddington, noting items of special interest and recording new buildings and significant alterations. We have also held regular walks for Teddington Society members around Teddington. You will find the details of these walks on this website here and we aim to add further ones.
We worked together with Teddington Society Planning Group on issues including the development of the church of St Albans the Martyr becoming the Landmark Arts Centre in 1995, the development of Tough Brothers boatyard for housing and the draw dock beside the footbridge at Teddington Lock. We also worked with the Planning Group in compiling a Directory of the Buildings of Townscape Merit in Teddington and continue to help update this.
The group has produced three interpretation panels on the history of Teddington, one at Grove Gardens which explains the history of the Grove Estate, one at Elmfield Gardens describing the early history of the town and one at the Barrow in Bushy Park.
We have given numerous talks on the history of Teddington to Teddington Society members and many more to other groups including schools, and societies who have requested them.
The group has met groups of care home and day centre residents in Teddington to talk about Teddington history and hear their reminiscences. In 2006 we organised a very successful Local History Day incorporating a walk around the town which included a quiz for participants.
In 2013 the Teddington Society organised an event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Teddington and Bushy Park railway station. This was a very well-attended and successful occasion with Dr Vince Cable MP unveiling the commemorative plaque in the station ticket hall.
Get more involved in the History Group?
The History Group is led by Howard Dix if you would like to help please contact him.