- Jigsaw Care Services Crowned Winners of Richmond’s Den
- Livestock at Heatham House
- New Interactive Olympics website launched
- Mayor issues Great River Race challenge
- Richmond Council to monitor BAA Heathrow trials
- Youngsters get new youth zone
- A knife stabs more than one heart
- New Interactive Olympics website launched!
- Special gardens at Twickenham Riverside opened by Royal approval
- Barnes restaurant owner fined for dumping waste
- Support on offer following Dog Control Order
- Top apprentices inspire local firms to say “You’re hired!”
- Outdoor gym boost for Richmond upon Thames
- Richmond upon Thames most active in the country
- Bike Fest is wheelie good
- Criminal minds host author evening
- ‘Have your say’ as Council extends prepaid cards consultation
- Outstanding care workers to receive recognition
- Scores of unsafe gravestones repaired
- Richmond upon Thames celebrates the Olympics with a showcase of cultural events.
- Lowest paid staff receive pay boost
- Local families to benefit from Council housing policy
- Richmond Council leave Regal House
- Consultation on Twickenham town centre works to be launched
- Happy soul day at Ham
- Towpath upgraded to benefit residents
- Live it up this summer
- Young people make it to the silver screen
- Local Artists open their doors
- Small art makes big impression
- Bike Fest comes to Borough
- Richmond upon Thames students in Olympic Torch Fever
- Roll up for The Mayor’s Jubilee Quiz Night
- Sky Ride Local starts in Richmond upon Thames
- Redwood and Oakland are the cats whiskers!
- Civic Pride rules in Richmond upon Thames
- Street Champions inspire Low Carbon Zone success
- Richmond Council underpins support to town centres
- Council Tax benefit reform poses challenge for Council
- Twickenham Riverside to be opened by Royal approval
- Best practice for Tenants’ Housing Champion
- Make a noise in your local library
- Volunteering Richmond launches locally
- Hundreds of Diamond Jubilee street parties in Richmond upon Thames
- Entrepreneurs set for The Richmond’s Den semi-final
Release Date: 08/06/2012
Twickenham Riverside to be opened by Royal approval
A Royal guest will officially open Twickenham Riverside as part of a weekend of special events to mark the eagerly anticipated unveiling of the Diamond Jubilee Gardens.
Following over 30 years of neglect, a six month intensive on-site activity has transformed the former Twickenham Lido pool site into a stunning public garden overlooking the Thames. Twickenham’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens will be officially opened on 23 June by Princess Alexandra who will be shown around the garden by Lord True, Leader of Richmond Council. Around 200 guests will attend the 1930s themed ceremony to toast the landmark regeneration achievement.
The site will then be opened up to the public on 24 June through an action packed day of free activities. A number of bands will perform live on the main stage throughout the day with family friendly activities to include a 1930’s traditional showground with a coconut shy, ball-in-the-bucket and Hoopla. There will also be face painting, balloon modelling and street performers. Gates open at 11am and the event will close at 6pm.
Completion of the work, cements the Council promise to open the Twickenham Riverside for all people to enjoy and make 2012 a year for celebration. The site has been sympathetically designed to reflect its history and indeed the original diving board has been retained and incorporated into the landscape of the gardens. The lawn has also been sectioned into ‘swimming pool lanes’ and is located exactly where the swimming pool was positioned.
The Sunshine Café has been extended to include a new patio seating area next to the lawn and the area next to the where the old changing rooms were has been paved to create a public performance square.
Cllr Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted the work has been completed, it looks fantastic and I’m proud of the achievement of everybody involved in the project to transform the area. Our contractors have worked really hard to ensure the programme has been delivered on time. They have done a brilliant job and I’m sure everyone who visits the garden will be really impressed by how it looks.
“It’s great to see that after so many years of neglect, the site has been completely revamped. It’s a credit to the local people who have battled for years to have this area re-opened and brought back into public use. The Diamond Jubilee Gardens are a testament to what can be done by listening to and working with residents.”
Numerous volunteers initially helped clear 30 years worth of debris and growth from the site before the contractors could begin work. Volunteers came from a number of different organisations including the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Twickenham Riverside Terrace Group and the Friends of Twickenham Riverside.
View the full press release