Local historian Ken Howe has spoken to TW11 magazines about his new book.

The book 'Teddington TW11' is a series of essays that Ken has written for the magazine over the years.

But what about Ken himself - what is his history with Teddington?

Here are a few details about his life:

Ken spent his career in the insurance business: "It was something I drifted into after being blocked on going to Teacher Training College, although I suppose it was the right move in hindsight."

He lives with his wife, Teresa, plus "a very scheming cat, Felix, who is the real owner of the house." An army of nephews and nieces keep them busy and, admits Ken, "it's hard work keeping up with them all!"

History – particularly local history – has always been a very keen interest of Ken's and one that has grown over the years: "Fortunately my wife has always shared this interest, which has avoided some confrontations," he quips.

Ken started writing about Teddington history with friends of The Teddington Society and produced "Teddington Past and Present" in 1994. Since then, he has had several picture books published – his last major work was "Edwardian Teddington" where he edited the journal of a lifelong Teddington lady.

His pet subject was the Bronze Age Barrow in Sandy Lane, leading to a paper being published in 2005 and culminating in the siting of a Teddington Society Local History Plaque in 2018.

Ken's favourite spot in Teddington is Bushy Park, even though, as he points out, most of it is actually in the parish of Hampton. "It's always been my playground, since childhood. After breakfast I would call for my friend Mick next door and we would wander off to the park and not return until tea-time."

It's great to hear that Ken has no intention of hanging up his storytelling hat anytime soon. "I have met many wonderful people in the course of writing my articles, all of whom have contributed something towards the quality and continuity of my work…Thank you all. I love meeting and talking to you and acting on what you have to tell me. Keep the stories coming."

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