Paul Lamplugh wins Campaign to Save Diana’s Café
Paul Lamplugh OBE, now 75, father of missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who disappeared without trace in 1986, has not only taken on and won a campaign to have the historic Coach House Café in Marble Hill Park, re-opened, he also plans to run it.
Asked why he felt so strongly about the Café, Paul says:
“Sadly, due to a massive stroke in 2003, my wife Diana has been in hospital nearby in Twickenham for the last few years and for two years I took her out from the hospital to this café everyday. It’s a delightful place in a beautiful park and was a lovely treat for us both, so I was very disappointed when English Heritage had to close the cafe in February 2006 because it was making a loss.”
Paul determined to have the cafe re-opened for Diana and all the other visitors to the park who enjoy it and he got together with local residents to start a campaign.
The campaign was a success and Paul and local resident Jenni Dunn won the contract for it. The Coach House Café, to be run for local people as a not-for-profit concern, opens fully on Good Friday, 6th April.
Local actress Samantha Bond who supports the reopening of the café says: “I’ve known the Café well ever since I was 9 years old – it is one of the most beautiful places in London and I’m so delighted that Paul is re-opening it as a not-for-profit venture for us all – and for Diana who has done so much for everyone’s personal safety”
Jenni Dunn says:
“We are grateful for the support of English Heritage. We will provide fresh coffee, afternoon tea with home-baked cakes, light and healthy lunches and, of course, ice creams and children’s food – all served in the café or outside on the park terrace.”
Comments
Delighted to hear the Coach House Cafe is to re-open. I remember it when I was much younger. I, with my friends, will soon be visiting it. Thanks for all your efforts in getting it reopened. Mrs. Mac
McCreddie M (Mac) on 2007-04-05 19:45:05 +0000Great news about the coach house re opening I hope to be a regular! I had no idea Diana had had a stroke and I am in admiration for your new ideas. The Suzy Lampugh Trust was a tremendous source of sensible and intelligent advice over many years for which I for one was very grateful. Thankyou for that and thank you for taking on the coach house I hope it works out for you.
Ann Murray on 2007-04-05 22:16:43 +0000I AM SO DEIGHTED THAT YOU ARE OPENING THE CAFE. IF YOU NEED ANY EX CAFE EXPERIENCE AND EX CATERING EXPERIENCE - HAPPY TO HELP OUT EVERY NOW AND AGAIN ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.
WE ALL FEEL LIKE YOU DID ABOUT IT CLOSING AND NOW SO DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO REOPEN A LOVELY SPOT IN SOUTH LONDON THANK YOU
FIONA DALRYMPLE
FIONQA DALRYMPLE on 2007-04-06 12:13:02 +0000So pleased the Coach House Café is open again. My fiancee and I were first through the door on Friday morning. Excellent coffee and friendly service.
Many thanks to Paul Lamplugh and his team for giving us back this little oasis.
MArk Rimmell on 2007-04-08 06:46:26 +0000I was b. 71 years ago in Sidney Road, St. Margaret's. My Grandparents lived in Napoleon Road. My Aunt and Uncle in The Avenue. Happy days of going to Marble Hill Park, etc. etc. Did not know the cafe had been closed in the Coach House - we used to buy ice creams from there prior to, or after, a Putt!!! and a walk down to the River. When my dear Aunt passed away 10 years ago, the family and friends gathered there after her funeral and we set off balloons to remember her by - over the putting green and away up into the Heavens. A plane was just about to pass by too, en route to Heathrow!! Do hope Mr. Lamplugh's wife is still with him and thanks to him and Jenni Dunn a treasured memory is still with us all. 0ur heritage and past is all important. My very best wishes to you all. From Christchurch, New Zealand. Patricia Hammond.
Patricia Hammond on 2007-11-16 05:10:19 +0000I was b. 71 years ago in Sidney Road, St. Margaret's. My Grandparents lived in Napoleon Road. My Aunt and Uncle in The Avenue. Happy days of going to Marble Hill Park, etc. etc. Did not know the cafe had been closed in the Coach House - we used to buy ice creams from there prior to, or after, a Putt!!! and a walk down to the River. When my dear Aunt passed away 10 years ago, the family and friends gathered there after her funeral and we set off balloons to remember her by - over the putting green and away up into the Heavens. A plane was just about to pass by too, en route to Heathrow!! Do hope Mr. Lamplugh's wife is still with him and thanks to him and Jenni Dunn a treasured memory is still with us all. 0ur heritage and past is all important. My very best wishes to you all. From Christchurch, New Zealand. Patricia Hammond.
Patricia Hammond on 2007-11-16 05:15:24 +0000Hooray - thank you - b. in Sidney Road in 1936 & my Grandparents lived in Napoleon Road & my Aunt & Uncle in The Avenue. Used to frequent Marble Hill Park so often and ice creams at the Coach House were a treat. When our Aunt passed away 10 years ago we had a 'cuppa' there, shed many a tear and sent balloons off over the putting green in her memory... Thank you Mr. Lamplugh and Jenni Dunn for the 'fight' and so retaining our heritage and treasured memories. Best wishes, from New Zealand!
Patricia Hammond on 2007-11-16 05:21:20 +0000I'm so glad that the cafe is re-opening. I ran the cafe for four years from Feb 1998 to October 2001 and got to know the locals, their children and dogs well during this time. I have very fond memories of that time and was very sad when I heard that it had been closed down in Feb 2003. My very best wishes to Paul and Jenni. Time for a visit!
Judith Govey on 2008-01-10 12:04:52 +0000