Changes at Sandy Lane Playground

There are changes being made to Sandy Lane Playground. It is many years since my children have played there so I am not familiar with the equipment enough to be sure on what has changed but I am pretty sure that the trampoline pit is new.

Bull Meadow

I do not know how official it is but the school playing field in Sandy Lane has been named as Bull Meadow by Richmond Park FC. I have never seen a bull there, and I never expect to, but I like the name and, besides, any name is better than no name.

Bringing flowers to Maguire Drive

One of the things that I love about Ham is that way that almost all of the mayor developments have been constructed with green spaces in them. These significantly reduce the visual impact of the buildings and have environmental benefits too. This fairly typical example is in the south-east corner of Maguire Drive.

The well established tree has clearly been a feature of this space for many years and more recently it has been joined by some flowers in a raised bed. Both are very welcome. Grass has its merits but it is also flat and has a uniform colour and I like things that vary both.

A welcome surprise between Cowper Road and Beard Road

One of the things I like most about Ham is the public spaces between the buildings and that is a characteristic found across the area including in the south-east corner where this open space runs between Cowper Road and Beard Road. They both lead off Latchmere Lane which is to the right here with the back of Sopwith Close (in Kingston) to the left.

This is a good sized and well maintained area and I like the way that it has some mature trees and humps that break the space up. I also like the splash of colour on the fence on the left.

And this is what that splash of colour looks like close-up. It is very jolly and very welcome.

Wates willow

This typical view of the Wates Estate shows why it is so popular. The houses and flats are nice enough but what makes the Wates Estate is the generous spaces between them.

These spaces are nicely irregular in shape, often raised (as here) and are always well planted with flowers, bushes and trees. Sometimes there is even enough space for a large willow to stretch its limbs.

Mead by the river

Others may argue with me but as far as I am concerned the souther border of Ham Lands in the copse by Royal Park Gate. Next to this, heading West and a little North, is a popular field that separates Burnell Avenue from the River Thames.

The wide open space edged by trees is typical of Ham Lands and it is this that makes the area so special. It is only the glimpse of the weir at Teddington that reminds you that you are deep within the M25.

Beside the prison

The future of Latchmere House is uncertain now that the Prison Service is moving out and selling the site and while it is fairly safe to say that whatever replaces the prison buildings will be an improvement the open land between it and Latchmere Lane is another matter.

The prison is there behind the wall but the trees hide it well and the grass before it disguises the nature of the area. This is a pretty spot and needs to stay that way.

The end of the daffodils

Ham Village Green has been improving gradually but significantly in recent months through the new play and fitness equipment but it is worth pausing to remember that it also has a lot of natural beauty. We can see that here as we look north over the dwindling daffodils towards the little clump of trees by Woodville Road.

Cowper Road

Cowper Road is the first cousin to its next door neighbour Beard Road and the family resemblance is obvious; both have short rows of attractive houses with plenty of open space between them. It is that that qualifies them both to make the proud claim of being in Ham.

Logs

Another mature tree along the tow path has been felled in its prime and the dead body has been laid out as a warning for us all to see.

Entering Ham Gate Avenue

Ham Gate Avenue is a long straight road that is usually busy with traffic so it is not very appealing; I would much rather be in Ham Common Woods which is bisected by the road. However, the corner of Ham Gate Avenue and Petersham Road is a small natural gem.

Communal spaces

I have said several times that what I like most about Ham is the communal spaces that are scattered throughout the area. Ham Common and Ham Lands are the two biggest examples of these but the smaller spaces in the residential areas are also delightful. This is particularly true in the Wates Estate that is cleverly laid our and wonderfully landscaped.


To be honest, I am not exactly sure where this is as I was wandering aimlessly when I came across it. What started as a small path to a set of garages became a wider path between houses and then wider still with trees and planters.


The best example of these spaces is the set of gardens hidden behind houses in Fellbrook, Broughton Avenue, Kingsfisher Drive and Riverside Drive.

Changes in Ham Street

There are three new things in this picture of Ham Street looking South towards the junction with Ashburnham Road: the parking area outside of the shops is being resurfaced, the shop unit on the far right that has been empty for some time is opening soon as "Hansel & Pretzel" a cafe and delicatessen selling German goods, and an outdoor gym has been placed on the corner of Ham Village Green.

Neglected plot

Royal Park Gate, which forms the southern border of Ham, is mostly well landscaped, particularly the main foot and cycle path that runs through the centre of it to the river. But this little plot on Horsley Drive is unclaimed by anybody and so has fallen in to neglect.

Garden at Ham Library

There is a fair amount of open space around Ham Library (on the corners of Ham Street, Ashburnham Road and Back Lane) and it is well looked after. This is the part of the garden next to Back Lane.

FitPoint in Riverside Drive

This is a "FitPoint" and has just arrived next to the playground in Riverside Drive. The FitPoint consists of a rowing machine, twisting discs, bench lift, push-up, pull-up and step-ups.

Polo

Walking along the footpath to the east of Ham House gives you views across Ham Polo towards Star and Garter Hill. Occasionally the view includes a polo match in play.

Riverside Drive

This is the junction of Riverside Drive with Ham Street viewed across the small green there.

Recreation Ground

Between the more formal King George's Field and the river is this recreation ground, It is a nice place to have family picnics and to start explorations of the wilder parts of Ham Lands that begins with the trees in the distance.

Royal Park Gate

I took this picture to show just how green parts of Royal Park Gate are. It was taken where Northweald Lane turns sharply west and is looking south-west along the cycle/footpath (marked by lamp posts) towards the river.