New steps on Majestic Way

I complained nine years ago when some small steps were created on this ridge along what has come to be called Majestic Way, the path that runs across the front of Ham House and ends in the middle of the bend in the river, more or less opposite Radnor Gardens. My arguments then were that the path is pointless and the steps are a built thing in a natural environment.

Those arguments apply even more so to the substantially larger new steps. I really do not like them.

View under threat

The proposal to surround all of the Ham Polo site with a 2m high metal fence may have gone away, at least for now, but another proposed fence puts this view from the path alongside Ham House under threat. The plan is to significantly extend the existing sand area (just to the left of this picture) used for practicing and to surround that with a 1.8m high solid fence to stop balls escaping. 

Fallen trees

Falling trees is a regular event along the towpath from Teddington Lock to Ham House, which is understandable given how wet the ground often is. However, Richmond Council has again done a good job in clearing the path quickly.

Awkward window

I had been expecting the large gap in the massively extending house in Tideway Close to be a large window with views over Ham Lands but I had not expected it to look as awkward as this, particularly when the other views of the modified house are so good.

Pointless path reclaimed

A path was created here, alongside Latchmere Brook, in 2014 and I described it at the time as "pointless". The proof of that is there to see as the complete lack of use of the pointless path has let the vegetation reclaim it completely, so much so that you cannot tell that there used to be a path there at all.

The view of the pond has also changed, for the better, with the substantial growth around it.

A history in brick

I was lucky to attend The Buildings of Ham Common. An architectural tour of Facades, Styles and Conservation by local architect Richard Woolf and arranged by Ham United Group. Most, if not all, of the 18 buildings he talked about have been covered here, often more that once, though not necessarily from the same perspective.

Normally when I mention Stafford Cottages, next to New Inn on Ham Common, it is for the very impressive garden but Richard took us into Bishops Close to look at the side wall. Here the different shades of brick and the straight lines show how this side of the building has grown over the years.

The different chimney pots also tell a tale but you'll have to go on the walk to find out what that is, providing we can convince Richard to do this again one day.

Elephant

Bramlings in Ham Gate Avenue has featured here a few times over the years because it is a charming and well-presented building. The excuse this time is a cute elephant waiting to be let in at the front door.

Working on Langham House Close

Langham House Close is one of the most important development in Ham and it has its own Wikipedia page to prove it. The extensive scaffolding shows that some changes are being made but its Grade II* listing will ensure that these are in keeping with it history.

Spared railings at South Lodge

South Lodge is one of the very best buildings on Ham Common so it is a shame that it is largely hidden behind vegetation and cars. However, these decorative railings on the Bishops Close side are easy to see. The railings used to be above all of the low wall but all the rest were removed when iron was collected for the war effort. Their lucky escape then gives us pleasure today.