from the perspective of a local resident
A celebration of all things Henley on Thames ……………………………………….
A good cut through to the station is Queen Street, and almost hidden in that road is the Conservative Club building which looks quite old
I have been active on my Twitter Feed, and have somewhat neglected posts recently. The nights are getting lighter and longer, the Regatta preparations are well under way. More tourists are coming into town. I am meeting some of them when waiting for a bus, and being as helpful as possible, in giving them directions and tips of best walks and places to visit. As I am sure every other resident of Henley is!
The Local and District Elections are coming up on Thursday and the councillors are campaigning to get our votes.
A peek down New Street – a difficult side of the street to cross – Motorists give pedestrians a chance!
Well that’s all for now – many more shops to be recorded. I will start a new page on the site eventually to document our commercial side of the Town. It will be interesting in the end to see when shops close and re-open as something else. There have been changes, even in the five and a half years I have lived here.
The Twitter Feed is https://twitter.com/on_blogger?lang=en
We had another lovely sunny day today, the second one in a row.
We walked to Marsh Lock and took in the Imperial Hotel, Royal Mansions, Singers Park and The Angel on the Bridge.
Some coots were either fighting or mating. I also enjoyed seeing our local Cormorants in close up for once. I have got some good shots abroad, but the sunlight today gave me a great opportunity to get up close and personal.
The wishing tree was looking great in the sunshine, and the fairy doors seem to be concentrated on one tree now.
I also saw two missing life belts – it is very selfish and illegal to touch these unless there is a life at risk in the water!
I have combined all of the shots I took into a slide show below – if you want to see a picture for longer, please used the pause button underneath.
Love Henley
#Henley
It is some time since I had a walk down the footpath opposite the Rugby Club on the Marlow Road.
I noticed new signs regarding fishing etc along the river and route.
Below are some views taken when entering the footpath that leads to the river.
I took some telephoto shots of town from beside the moored shell of the bar that is used during the Regatta.
It was rather misty, and rain was coming on, so the pictures are not very bright.
We arrive now at Fawley Court and note that the bridge has been totally removed. Buckinghamshire Council are being extremely slow at replacing the bridge.
The bridge has disappeared, is it in the river or has it been removed?
This Lady was running when I commenced my walk and was on her return journey when I started to walk back to the Marlow Road.
A warning the ground is very wet underfoot, due to the snow thawing. Wear some good shoes or boots if you choose to venture forth. I observed Ducks, Coots, and a few rabbits hopping around.
Some pictures of our Christmas Lights to start off with.
Pictures now of a Food Market in the Town Square -also with a photographers set – which looks like a Snow Globe
The winning shop display photographed at night
Night time is a good time to appreciate the stained glass windows on St Mary’s Church, this is the venue on Christmas Eve for the final Living Advent Calendar
So sad the day I took the picture below the, lights were not on the bridge, is this the end for the lights, or was there a technical fault?
A new pop up Shoe Shop in the Town Square (wonder how long that will be there?)
Henley Sky in the Winter – lovely colour at Sunset a few days ago.
Friar Park brings plenty of tourists to its gates. George Harrison lived there and his wife Olivia still owns the house. There is a Facebook Page which is called the Friar Park Fan Club that also has plenty of photos and postcards of this house, that some locals attended when the Nuns ran a school there before George bought it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriarPark/
Here is a short film of a group visiting our Town some years ago.
Some pictures and videos you may not have seen before
The Sue Ryder Hospice at Nettlebed – during a visit to their monthly sales
The Quaker Meeting House situated on the Fairmile
Information from http://heritage.quaker.org.uk/files/Henley%20LM.pdf
Whilst I was waiting for the Town Bus to go to the swimming pool I enjoyed listening to this lady singing. She often pops up in town for a jolly good sing song, and collecting money.
An old barn stands a short way from the Friends Meeting House on Fairmile
The Duck Pond Market is held monthly in the Market Square. These markets started off in Ruislip Middx close to the Duck Pond, hence the name. A mix of crafts etc.
The Town Hall after Remembrance Sunday
Recently people have commented about the Terns upstaging the Swans – this shows how they swoop on any food that is around.
Next follows the contents of the local noticeboard in Market Square – some useful information there if you need it.
Some lovely views of Town can be had whilst walking down West Street. There is a cut through to West Street from the Hart and Bell Surgeries – well worth the walk!
A different view of Northfield End
The corner of Bell Street and a look down Hart Street
A new memorial bench – close to the renovated apartments at Northfield End
The children’s roundabout has just been build in preparation for the Christmas Shopping Evening
The Town Christmas Tree in place
A view into Bell Street, and I appear to have snapped the local traffic warden!
Silly String on the pavements after the Christmas Shopping Experience. Less on buildings though.
The new Whistles store – for the ladies!
At long last the windows in the vacant shops have been filled with pictures and information about the building work which is backing on to Kings Road Car Park.
The Architectural dig continues in earnest
I can’t take the credit for seeing this rainbow first today. A lady had her mobile phone in the air taking a picture. This alerted me to this rainbow which was starting to fade.
Finally a mention about the Living Advent Calendar which started on the 1st and runs up to the 24th December. From 6.15 to 6.45 each evening free entertainment for charity – be sure to buy raffle tickets! It is held in various venues all over town. http://www.livingadventcalendar.co.uk/calendar-451.html
Here is the second evening event which was held at Phyllis Court
Yesterday I went to the Launderette with our quilt, and instead of lurking locally there, I decided to take a walk down Greys Road towards Gillotts Field
I have organised the pictures of Greys Road and Gillotts Field into a slide show below
If you get the time take a walk down this part of the road and into the field. I have been told that the fields eventually lead to St Marks Road – I didn’t have time to substantiate that as the washing machine cycle was only 39 minutes.
Love Henley
