ONE of Teddington's most colourful and friendly characters Malcolm Miatt, who ran The Boat Shop in Ferry Road, Teddington, with his son Howard, has sadly passed away, aged 74.

Malcolm was a brilliant raconteur and recounted stories of bygone days to shop visitors and even strangers alike. He was also a familiar figure sitting outside the shop on a sunny day near the Flying Cloud café nearby.

Despite his popularity and friendly nature Malcolm was not impressed when hordes of tourists and the world's media descended upon his 'doorstep' when a whale got stranded in undergrowth in the river just 20 metres from the shop's front door last year.

Here, Howard pays a touching tribute to his father and recalls his life in Teddington, which included setting up Teddington Harbour and setting up the first RNLI station in Teddington.

"Dad arrived in Teddington in 1986 when he decided to open a small chandlery. Dad had been into boating for many years and quite fancied having a river related business. He found out that the side wing at Toughs Ferry Road site was empty and approached Bob Tough about opening a shop there.

"A big clear out (the building had been unused since the late 60's) and a paint up and dad opened the first chandlery here which was called 'Suntest Marine'. At that time dad had use of the yard and used it as base to show small boats, sales and brokerage as well as the chandlery.

"Suntest went on trading for many years in friendly completion with 'The Boat Shop' at Kingston Bridge. Then one day The Boat Shop at Kingston suffered a fire and closed suddenly.

" Dad bought their undamaged stock ( and some damaged stock, we still have gunmetal englefield clips that are smoke blackened ! ) and Jerry who worked there came to work for dad. This carried on for quite a few more years.

"In 1996 the lease for the middle moorings became available. Dad came to an agreement with the (newly formed) Environment Agency to allow him to install the pontoon system that is still there today, thereby modernising what was a pretty dilapidated set of midstream piles and turning it into a proper 'marina' with electric and water on the pontoons.

"Much deliberation was given to the name and 'Teddington Harbour' was born.

"Four years later, the old Toughs yard opposite the lock was sold to developers and The Wharf' development was built. Dad was approached by the developers and asked if he would like to install a similar pontoon system there.

"This became known as 'Teddington Harbour Yacht Club'. They also included a large steamer landing so that visiting party boats could pick up and drop off here, allowing weddings and other celebrations to take advantage of the nearby riverside church and also the Wharf restaurant.

"Another couple of years went by and Dad was approached by the RNLI, acting on the findings of the 'Marchioness' enquiry to set up an RNLI station at Teddington.

" Dad approached St. George PLC, the developers of the Wharf and negotiated a section of the car park that would be handed over to the RNLI and work duly started on the build and fit out of the RNLI station at Teddington.

"Dad then served as Honorary Secretary from 2001-2003 and then Lifeboat Operations Manager from 2003-2010. During this period he was lucky enough to meet the Queen at Lifeboat Pier in London.

"Mum passed away in 2008 and dad began to wind down his involvement with the RNLI station, eventually handing over the reins to Tim, one of the architects in the newly bought and refurbished Boathouse Design Studio at Ferry Road.

"Dad continued to advise (unofficially) with regards to the Lifeboat Station with the new Operations Managers who were also part of the Design Studio crew.

"In 2015, Dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and underwent a long nine and a half hour operation that was a success but afterwards dad decided he was ready to start to slowly retire.

"I left the Environment Agency in 2016 after having worked for them for 16 years, and came to work for The Boat Shop and Teddington Harbour / THYC alongside dad with a view to taking the helm one day.

"On 21st March 2022, a month shy of his 75th birthday, sadly dad passed away.

"I will be taking the business forward from this point on and I hope that will be his legacy for the life dad loved here in Teddington and all the friends he made here."

Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Teddington RNLI told Nub News: "Malcolm was instrumental in setting up Teddington RNLI 20 years ago. He was the first Lifeboat Operations Manager. (LOM) and served in this role for 10 years - giving his time voluntarily and generously.

"Even after his retirement he continued to help the station through his years of built up local and operational knowledge. Also in my work capacity at the boathouse I would see Malcolm and his son Howard every day at their boat shop. Malcolm had such a dry sense of humour, always had time for people and loved to help where he could. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

The funeral will be held at 1.30pm at the Church of St Mary and St Alban, Teddington on April 12th.