New fence

The walk around Ham Common is one I make regularly (in both directions, though mostly anti-clockwise) and on this lap the newness of the fence next to The New Inn was strikingly obvious. It is on the boundary of one of the best gardens in the area so I hope that we will soon see things growing up it. 

Roof timbers

Again I have the recent storms to thank for removing the sheeting and exposing the new roof timbers in this house in Cedar Heights.

Neglected house

If ever a house was caught begging for refurbishment it is this one in Clifford Road.

Sub-station

It took a few strong winds to damage the fence surrounding this electricity sub-station in Craig Road and to expose it to view. I thrive on opportunities like this.

Temporary fence

There is a little story about this temporary fencing.

When this green space on the edge of Biggin Hill Close was first claimed it was bounded by a tall fence which is fine for back gardens but not for pavement-facing borders like this one where the height limit is 1 metre. The Planning Department at Kingston Council stepped in and it was reduced.

Of course the fence is still very temporary so I will hold my judgement until the works are complete.

Behind the fence the garage is getting wider and longer, the wall in the foreground extends further forward than the one behind it.

Three

I first spotted this lovely house number sign when delivering copies of the Ham and Petersham Magazine and I took a picture of it as soon as I was back on the pavement (I always take photos from public places to respect privacy and permissions).

The loveliness of the tile speaks for itself and I always like house number signs where the house number is clear, that is the point of the sign after all.

A first look

I have been watching the work at 189 Petersham Road since March 2021 and while that feels like slow progress to me the work does seem to be drawing towards a close with the completion of the new external walls to the front, which we can now all see thanks to the removal of the front hoardings.

As first looks go, this one is quite impressive and I have high hopes for the finished house.

Lion

This impressive lion at the north end of Ham Street (opposite The Orangery) is partially hidden by the trees behind it, and that is my excuse for not taking a picture of it before.

Working on Hunter's Pond

Hunter's Pond is part of the wetlands by and under the bridge from Ham House to Hammertons Ferry and after a few years of neglect it is being worked on as part of Thames Landscape Strategy's Rewilding Arcadia project.

Quite a lot is planned for this little site and a lot of the work is being done by volunteers in sessions organised by Habitats & Heritage and you can find details of these on their website.