“A penny for your thoughts – or rather, a penny for passage!” chuckled a man beside me, back when Richmond Lock first opened. He then pointed towards the nearly hidden toll booths on the footbridge. Richmond Lock, my friends, is more than just a lock. It’s a marvel of Victorian engineering, built in 1894 to tame the tidal whims of the Thames. Before it, the river here could be quite a sight at low tide – think muddy banks and stranded boats! This ingenious structure, with its lock for larger vessels and slipway for smaller craft, keeps the water flowing smoothly between here and Teddington Lock. As you stroll across, notice those massive sluice gates overhead. For a couple of hours around high tide, they’re raised, allowing boats to pass freely. But when they’re lowered, Richmond Lock earns its keep, holding back the tide and ensuring smooth sailing for all.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service