Garage conversion

Many of the houses in Royal Park Gate have had their garages converted into living accommodation over the years and this time I caught the work in progress with the new windows in place and the old garage door waiting to be disposed of.

A curve of plants

The little corner where Ham Farm Road meets Parkleys is getting better with more planting and these new arrivals do a good job of neutralising the ugliness of the concrete bollards.

Extension and more

Until recently, this odd pair of semis in Craig Road looked distinctly unloved then two years ago the one on the right was transformed making the one on the left look even worse in comparison, so it is good to see that the second house is now being worked on.

Remembrance

This dramatic memorial dominates the middle section of Back Lane, in a good way.

Clarendon SEND School rises

It is now possible to get an idea what Clarendon SEND School in Meadlands Drive will look like, albeit from a distance. It looks fairly conventional which while not a bad thing it is not a great thing either.

31 Ham Farm Road progresses

I have been following progress at 31 Ham Farm Road since it restarted in 2022 and it is still very busy there every time that I walk past, as the clutter shows.

While most of the work is at the back there are noticeable changes to the side and front and it is the possible future changes to the front that interest me. The mix of blocks and bricks suggests a rendered finish which could make it as boring as its neighbour, number 29. The black windows do not help either.

1-9 Sandpits Road

I suspect that I may have inadvertently wondered onto a private parking space to take this photo but the temptation to get a decent picture of 1-9 Sandpits Road was too much for me. From this angle you get a glimpse of the lower level which you cannot see from the road.

These houses are included in the modernist architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi.

No garden

Moat od the houses in Buckingham Road have retained their low brick walls at the front and some sort of garden behind them so it rather stands out when one breaks the convention removing both its wall and all of its garden.

New trees in Kingfisher Drive

Wates Estate has good landscaping but even so it is still good to see a few new trees planted to break up this long brick wall in Kingfisher Drive.

KP10 LDE

White shed

One of the white houses in Burnell Avenue has gained at attractive white shed.

YP71 JWD

Lone tree

The main reason for walking along Ham Farm Road so regularly (most days) is to keep an eye on all of the building projects there and the second reason is this little corner where Ham Farm Road meets Parkleys.

In recent months the corner has been cleared, then seeded with grass, which grew very quickly, then a border was cleared along the two fences and now a tree has appeared in the corner.

Worrying extension

This house on the corner of Thamesgate Close is getting a worrying extension that is distinctly out of character for the estate which has a distinct character of red brick and semi-open porches.

25 Ham Farm Road

I had been trying to take a picture of the rebuilt 25 Ham Farm Road for a few weeks only to be frustrated by parked vehicles and some leftover building materials, so I was pleased to finally find it free of obstructions. 

It is a rather fine house, well deserving its place in a road rich in unique fine houses (and some others).

Grey twins

These semis in Dysart Avenue are being updated together which makes sense for things like the shared roof and also gives a welcome conformity of style with the same rendering, unlike before.

While these houses are clearly twin-like there are differences, e.g. the one on the left has a side extension and the one on the right has windows in the roof. The windows are also different though maybe just close enough in style for it not to matter.

Repeat offender

Pavement parking

On the rails

My main reason for visiting Ham Farm Road frequently in recent months is the large amount of building work going on but there is also the filming of Ludwig series two happening. 

A large number of people and alot of equipment is used to film a few interior shots; I try to avoid taking pictures of people so here is one of some iteresting equipment instead.

Stepped ridge

I have recorded the way that the common stye of roofs on the houses on Petersham Road opposite Richmond Golf Club has been slowly eroding, with the worst case being the grey roof next to this one. An effort has been made here to get it right with a stepped edge on the ridge tiles but their colour does not match the rest of the roof.

The main roof is the same as the porch, it was just easier to take a close-up of the lower roof.

Latest works at Ham Cross

There are works at Ham Cross regularly for a variety of reasons (water, electricity, telephony, ...) and each time there is significant disruption. In this case crossing the road to get to the bus stop was something of a challenge.

Unexpected windows

I visited Cedar Heights specifically to see is number 14 had been demolished, as per its approved planning application, and was very surprised to find it not only standing but equipped with new Anglian windows.

One one hand I am disappointed that the interesting new building shown in the plans will no longer be built but I am happy that the new windows are exactly right for the house.

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.

The Hive from the south

As the scaffolding falls away, more of The Hive is revealed, this is the view from Ashburnham Road. The full impact will not be know until the hoardings have gone too but impressions are still good for all the reasons that I like the view from the north.

21 Ham Farm Road

21 Ham Farm Road gets another deserved mention here because it is included in the new architecture guided walk Perambulation Nº27—Richmond to Ham by Stefi Orazi.