We are indebted to Michael Metcalfe who has just completed the mammoth task of digitising all 222 editions of Thames Ditton Today magazine, from its launch in Spring 1970 to Winter 2025. He has also collated every original printed edition which are now held at Thames Ditton library along with 158 editions (Spring 1970-Winter 2009) which are bound into 12 hardback books. With the support of the RA, his next task is to preserve editions from 2010 to 2025 in more hardback books.
Michael became aware of the need to document the history of Thames Ditton when two years ago he was forced to cut down the majestic 250-year-old Cypress tree in the gardens of the Old Manor House in Station Road. He and his wife Lisa have lived in a cottage in the grounds since the mid 80s and having to cut down the badly diseased tree made him realise the need to do more to chart the history of the village for posterity. He found the early editions of Thames Ditton Today to be an invaluable local history resource. “They are a fascinating window into our past, but they are fragile. I realised that digitising them would not only preserve them for future generations but make them accessible to the entire community. I’m delighted to have played a small part in ensuring the collection is complete, consistent, and well-preserved.”
Michael and his wife Lisa are pictured with library manager Alex Anderson