Ham Close emerges

The Ham Close redevelopment will shape the heart of Ham for a generation and more so it is encouraging that the first part of the first block to emerge from its scaffolding looks good with the protruding sections and the variation in brick colour successfully breaking up the bulk of the building.

Footpath closures

I am not aware of any work that needs doing to Meadow Close so I will be interested to see if there are any noticeable changes when it reopens. The same comment applies to nearby Hazel Lane which is closed on 3 November.

1-9 Sandpits Road

I have long wanted to posy a picture of the cute cottages in Sandpits Road but have always been thwarted by their inaccessibility (sunken plots, fences and trees) and my unwillingness to pry into private areas, I could just go up to the fence and take a photo over it but that would be to intrude. 

I was forced into trying to take a picture of them because they are included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi.

What you can see of the cottages is pretty enough, thanks to the windows, and there is the added bonus of finding that one of the cottages has decided to be cream rather than white.

Spot the difference

Many of the things that I post here are changes that I spot subconsciously when walking, something catches my eye and I stop to try and work out what it was. The gate to The Old Coach House on Petersham Road did just that.

Even now I am not sure what changed or when. It may have been a fresh coat of paint or perhaps it was the removal of the hoop handle that was there in 2008!

Update on Gordon House

It has been almost exactly a year since I posted an update on the major refurbishment and extension of Gordon House simply because while the works have clearly been extensive they have also been mostly hidden behind the high hoardings. And so it was a relief to finally find the large gates open when walking past.

It looks as though the refurbishment of the original house is all but finished, the extension is well underway and work is just starting on a new garage.

Major Launch Lock works

The works at Launch Lock looked pretty big when I reported on them earlier in the month and they have since grown with a large section of the towpath closed for pedestrians, marooning the coffee van.

And new signs show that the encampment along the footpath is also connected with the works and that these works are projected to run until Summer 2026.

That is a lot of work on locks that were worked on for an equally long period only last year.

Charging point

A charging point seems to be installed on Ashburnham Road opposite the junction with Ferrymoor, which is an odd place to encourage people to park. 

Also, while the post it would fit well in the older parts of Ham looks somewhat out of place in modernist Wates Estate.

7 Ham Farm Road

Despite the recent large extension on the left, 7 Ham Farm Road s one of the houses included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi. I think that is because the original house is largely intact and the extension is extremely sympathetic to the original.

It is certainly a house to admire whenever you walk past it.

Work at Ivy Cottage

There seems to be quite a lot going on at Ivy Cottage on Upper Ham Road. The sizeable collection of old windows is the biggest clue while the disturbed ground beyond the open gate and the plasterboard suggest that the work is more than just windows.

Pleasingly, the open gate also reveals the deep red ivy at the back of the house.

Pavement blocked

Ivy House sign

The last sign, literally, of what used to be The Ham Brewery Tap in Ham Street has gone with the pub sign at the front bening replaced by a new one for Ivy House.

Woodbine Cottage

Somehow I have overlooked Woodbine Cottage, despite posting a few pictures of the garden I have never posted one of the house before, so I am pleased to correct that error.

Petersham Road is an awkward and generally unpleasant place to walk (road too busy, pavement too narrow and uneven) and I only use that route to look for new or interesting things and passing Woodbine Cottage the whiteness struck me first and then it was the lovely windows. The partial screening by trees add a welcome sense of mystery.

Repaving Kingfisher Drive

When Kingfisher Drive was resurfaced in 2022 I was surprised that such a quiet road warranted resurfacing and commented that the pavement repair programme also seemed to have odd priorities. That comment has become a prophecy with the equally quiet pavement also being replaced.

9 Ham Farm Road

This is one of the houses included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi and it is easy to see why. Personally I think the protruding garage (off left) detracts from the cosy entrance area so I have focussed on just that.

Grey windows

This end of terrace house in Willow Bank looks to have replaced their windows and while the designs are the same, which is the right thing to do, the light grey colouring jars slightly with the white windows  elsewhere. It is only a small jar, enough to be noticed but not enough to get upset about.

Cables

There always seems to be filming going on somewhere locally and so it takes something a little unusual to attract my attention and this time it was the long line of thick cables running neatly along Upper Ham Road.

Green Fire Hydrant

When I first posted a picture of this Fire Hydrant sign in Woodville Road, back in 2018, it was faded and quite missable whereas the bright green paint (British Racing Green perhaps) makes it stand out proudly.

Clutter

I saw this patch of land, between the parallel paths to Teddington Lock, being prepared for something last month and those things have arrived. Those things are an interesting clutter of colours and shapes, like a small child's toys.

Delta House on Sandy Lane

While I find the mix of house styles in Sandy Lane more of a curse than a blessing I have always liked Delta House for its distinctive modernist styling, though it would look better if there was a front garden.

My limited, and frustrating, research failed to find a house number for the property, and it might not have one, which makes the absence of any identification on the front of the house, or entrance gates, rather bemusing. It is possible that the brass plate by the door says "Delta House" but being unreadable at this distance renders it useless.

This is one of the houses included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi.

More Launch Lock works

Major works were done to Launch Lock over several months last year so I was surprised to see so many people back working there again.

Pavement blocked

I could post several photos like this every day and I picked this one because it is an good example of the bad parking that pedestrians have to contend with.

Ham Village Pharmacy

What used to be Kanset Pharmacy in St Richards Square has changed ownership and has become Ham Village Pharmacy. The branding tells you that is a partner to both Ham Parade and Ham Common Pharmacies.

11 Ham Farm Road

11 Ham Farm Road has features here a few times over the years thanks to its stunning Toad of Toad Hall weathervane and in the process the house itself gas been unfairly overlooked because it is charming and quite distinctive thanks to its windows.

It is also one of the houses included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi.

Smaller windows

Most of the changes to 23 Ham Farm Road are being done at the back and I was surprised to see that the windows at the front, facing directly onto Ham Common Woods, are being reduced in size with almost half of the space filled with breeze blocks.

Fresh paint

The road markings on Ham Parade have been repainted and, for a short while at least, they look exceedingly bright.