DECEMBER-JANUARY 2020 ISSUU 154

Month: December 2020January 2021 Issue No: 154 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

Delivered free each month to homes in Berrylands, plus Surbiton or Tolworth

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

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REPAIR?

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16/11/2020 11:22:31

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Hello Readers

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his has been a year like no other, and one we really don’t want to repeat!! I am writing this message as we enter the second lockdown. At least we know what that means. Christmas will be a very different season this year.

Whilst some advertisers have had to close or limit their services, others have continued to be busy throughout the year and lockdowns. Please help our local advertisers by using their services. It is a hard time for everyone.

At Christmas, remember any elderly neighbours that might be unable to see their family and so may be alone. Even if you cannot invite them into your home because they are shielding, perhaps it could be kind to call on them, at a distance, and offer some assistance.

everyone this year, which has been a year none of us would have envisaged last Christmas.

Please stay safe and keep well, as we all look to 2021 being a much better year, with more opportunities to reunite with our loved ones and friends.

We all need to remember: Wear a Mask, Wash our Hands and Keep our Distance.

Have a really Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Until next year, Best wishes, Karen

It will certainly be a challenge for

Useful Numbers 020 8547 5000 Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Action Fraud (Trading Standards) 0345 040 506 020 8547 5560 Refuse Collection Electoral Registration 020 85474630 020 8547 5007 Council Tax 0870 126 4019 Citizens Advice 0845 010 9000 Customs & Excise (VAT) 0300 200 3300 HMRC Helpline Environmental Agency 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 Surbiton Library 020 8541 1212 Kingston Police 101 Non Emergency Services 999 Emergency Services 111 Non Emergency NHS Transport: 08457 484 950 National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline 0870 608 2608 Gatwick Airport 0844 335 1802 Heathrow Airport 0844 335 1801

Emergencies/Utilities: Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency Thames Water Emergency BT Fault Line Virgin Media Crimestoppers Kingston Hospital NHS Direct (24/7) Childline Samaritans Age UK Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org Domestic Violence Helpline www.victimsupport.org.uk Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at Millbank House surbitonhill.snt@met.police.uk

0800 111 999 0800 40 40 90 0800 714 614 0800 800 151 0845 142 0000 0800 555 111 020 8546 7711 0845 4647 0800 1111 116 123 0800 169 2081 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 020 8721 2518

A Berrylands Companion

18 Kingsdowne Road, Surbiton, KT6 6JZ 020 8274 0096 karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Please mention A Berrylands Companion when responding to adverts

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16/11/2020 11:22:35

By Kate Duggan

Books to give, add to your wish list or just treat yourself to…

The Thursday Murder Cub – Richard Osman Retirees Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron have a unique set of skills that they put to good use solving old murder cases. So when a real murder takes place rather close to home, the four are well placed to find the killer. Funny, warm and with a twist every minute, The Thursday Murder Club will keep readers guessing right until the end. Best of all, a sequel is already in the pipeline.

Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment for Every Day of the Year – Susie Dent Ever wondered who the original Jack the lad was? Or where a phrase like ‘turn a blind eye’ came from? Susie Dent has been a regular expert on Countdown for twenty-five years. In Word Perfect, she reveals the story behind some wellknown words and phrases and introduces the reader to a whole load of new ones.

(Personally, I might start calling a hankie by its Victorian slang name – a snottinger.)

The Boy Who Grew Dragons – Andy Shepherd Looking for a book for a seven to nine year old? The Boy Who Grew Dragons is likely to be appeal to even reluctant readers. Tomas discovers an unusual plant when he’s helping out in his grandparents’ garden. It turns out to be a dragon fruit tree and the fruit is about to hatch. Before long, Tomas is learning all about his new pet, from the fact it loves broccoli to the unfortunate fact that dragon poo is highly explosive.

Flavour – Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage If you’re buying for someone who loves nothing more than spending a couple of hours in the kitchen cooking up a storm, this is the gift for them. It is not, however, a cookery book for beginners or those wanting to whip up a quick and easy dish. The ingredients aren’t always easy to come by and most of the recipes are experimental to say the least. The dishes are not always vegetarian, but fruit, vegetables or fungi are the star ingredients, and often used in rather surprising ways. Lime and Coconut Potato Gratin anyone?

My Garden World – Monty Don Wildlife fans will adore My Garden World, which is basically Monty Don’s personal homage to the birds, insects and other creatures that share his garden. The book is packed with interesting nuggets of information about British wildlife and is a real pleasure to read (particularly when sat in the garden with a cuppa). If you want to really earn some brownie points, team it with a few packets of wildflower seeds and a pair of binoculars.

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16/11/2020 11:22:35

Hidato

Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one hexagon to another (touching) hexagon, placing consecutive numbers into the empty shapes as you go. Some numbers are already given.

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Taking out a credit card to pay off a credit card might seem insane at first glance. But that’s exactly what a 0% balance transfer card is all about – as long as you use it the right way. It’s a strategy that’s absolutely not for everyone, but could be worth a look if you have good organisational skills, self-control and a decent credit record.

You may come across two types of card, known as a balance transfer card and a money transfer card. Both work in a similar way: when you take out the card the new lender will pay money into an account you already have. You won’t have to pay any interest on this amount to the new lender as long as you pay it back by a set date, often twelve to eighteen months later.

The difference is where the money goes. A balance transfer card means the money goes straight towards reducing or clearing your outstanding balance on another credit card. A money transfer card means the money goes into your bank account, reducing or clearing

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your overdraft. (There’s no point using a money transfer card if your bank account is in the black.)

Using a transfer card doesn’t reduce your debt.

However, it does give you breathing space during which you can put more of your spare money into clearing the debt rather than having it eaten up by interest.

Of course, the deal comes with a couple of catches, which answer the question of what’s in it for the company issuing the new card. The first is that you’ll usually have to pay a fee up front when you take out the card. This will usually be something up to three percent of the amount you are transferring. Though this may seem a small sum, bear in mind this payment is a fee and doesn’t reduce your debt.

The second catch is that the lenders issue such cards in the hope that you don’t simply pay off the outstanding debt before the end of the interest-free period. Instead they hope you’ll take advantage of the fact you can make purchases

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16/11/2020 11:22:38

Taxation advice and guidance to local businesses and sole traders for more than 20 years.

• • • • • •

Accounts and Taxation Self Assessment Tax Returns CIS and Payroll VAT Returns Tax Planning and Advice Book Keeping Services

Contact Mark Baker 020 3044 2747 07909 703463

Email: markbaker@mbaccountancy.co.uk

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:22:40

Perfect for a festive sweet treat or a lovely edible Christmas gift these spiced star cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Makes 20 Ready in 1 hour, plus chilling and cooling INGREDIENTS 2 medium egg whites 175g icing sugar 250g finely ground roasted hazelnuts 50g mixed peel, finely chopped 1 tbsp ground cinnamon TIP Dust the cookie cutter with icing sugar frequently to prevent the mixture sticking.

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1. Using an electric handheld mixer, whisk the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl until holding stiff peaks. Stir in the icing sugar until thoroughly combined then continue to whisk until thick and glossy.

2. Remove 40g of this mixture and set aside. Fold the hazelnuts, mixed peel and cinnamon into the remaining mixture to make a very stiff dough. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 140C, 120C fan, gas mark 1. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. Roll the dough out on a surface heavily dusted with icing sugar to a 1cm thickness.

4. Using a 5cm star-shaped cookie cutter stamp out about 20 stars, re-rolling the dough as needed until it is all used up. Place the stars on the baking sheet, well-spaced apart.

Spread a little of the reserved egg white and icing sugar mixture on top of each star.

5. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cookies are still white and crisp on top but slightly soft underneath. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and leave the cookies to dry out for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

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16/11/2020 11:22:42

Fruiterer & Greengrocer

155 Surbiton Hill Park, Berrylands, Surbitton Tel: 020 83 399 5550 Mob: 07753 690 518 Fax: 020 8390 9231

in Season Fruits in Season Keep Safe & Well Vegetables Broccoli, Satsumas, Clementines, Sharon Fruit, Melons, All Berries, Cranberries, Fresh Figs, Fresh Dates, Avocado, Lychees, Physalis, Chestnuts All varieties of Nuts

Cauliflower, Alll types of Baby Carrots Pa arsnips & Baby Parsnips Brussel Sprouts, Sprout Stalks, Brussel Tops Swede

May we wish all our customers A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Martyn and Team We have the following available: Dairy products, milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, fresh bread daily and a choice of mince pies Free delivery on Christmas Trees, Holly, Mistletoe and fresh Christmas Wreaths.

Homemade fruit and Vegetable Hampers for Christmas gifts, made to order.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements Tel: 020 8399 5550 Take the stress out of Christmas with our free local delivery service.

Please pop in to collect your Christmas order form.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:23:50

The ongoing pandemic is challenging the best of us when it comes to keeping our spirits up, bu ut even without this, the darker days and nights caused by the shorter daylight hours of winter can have a huge effect on how we feel. Remember, each day will be getting a few minutes lighter after the 21st December so there is - literally - light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to take action.

Do Get Out of the House

Do Speak Up

A break from your usual environment, even if it’s just a walk to the postbox, will lift your spirits for several hours afterwards.

Do Eat Well

Don t Read All About It Don t Drift

Junk food will make you feel sluggish and guilty so make just a bit more of an effort to shop, cook and eat healthily.

Social media sometimes makes you feel like everyone else is living their best life and there can be a lot of negativity too. Switch it off!

Don t Beat Yourself Up

If you have a day where you really have en’t mana aged to o do anyth hing to cheer yourself, just remind yourself that you are human, and sometimes it’s OK not to be OK.

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Do Look to the Light

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real disorder. A lightbox or even sitting by a window could help with this.

Speaking to other people is so important.

Speak to your friends and family. Ask the supermarket cashier about their day or smile at a stranger to remind yourself you aren’t alone.

Particularly if you aren’t working, the days might seem like one long blur so start each week with a plan. Even if it’s as mundane as sorting a cupboard it’ll be an achievement to mark the day.

Do Read All About It

Search on the internet for user forums where others talk about their feelings. “A problem shared is a problem halved” as the saying goes.

Don t Skimp on your Sleep

However negative, bored or anxious you feel when you go to bed, it won’t seem as bad the next morning provided you’ve had a full night’s rest.

Don t Ignore It

If none of the ideas above wo ork for you and you u are feelin ng re eallly down, don’t assum me it’ll jusst disappear.

Reach out to your doctor or a mental health charity.

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16/11/2020 11:23:50

Food Facts:

Food Facts:

Grapes

It’s highly likely during December that grapes in some form will be in your diet. Not just actual grapes, but also in the form of wine and Christmas cake or pudding.

There are around 8,000 different varieties of grape, including wine grapes and table grapes, the latter having thinner skins and usually being seedless.

It takes just over a kilo of grapes to make one bottle of wine.

Raisins and sultanas are very similar, both being from white grapes, although they have different drying methods. Currants, however, are specifically from Zante grapes and are typically smaller and more strongly flavoured.

In the French language, the word raisin on its own means grape; ‘raisin sec’ (dry grape) is what we know as the dried fruit.

Grapes and raisins are severely toxic to dogs and can cause an acute kidney failure.

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Onions

The heaviest onion ever grown was 8.5 kg and was weighed at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show in 2014.

It is estimated humans have been growing and eating onions for at least 7,000 years.

China produces over 25% of the world’s onion supply.

Eating fresh parsley will help take away the taste and smell of onion (and garlic) on your breath.

Onions are eaten and grown in more countries than any other vegetable, with at least 175 countries producing an onion crop.

And unlike wheat (the largest global crop by area harvested), the onion is a staple of every major cuisine.

The sulphuric acid in onions is what causes you to cry. However, several things reduce the release of the acid: if you cut the root end last; if the onion is cold; or you cut it while holding the onion under cold running water.

Wearing contact lenses also protects your eyes from the acid.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:23:53

Christmas can be Chaos for Your Gut

By Jackie Mitchell

Bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea. These are all common digestive problems that we all experience and usually they can be treated with ‘over the counter’ medicines. Some conditions might be as a result of overindulging or eating the wrong food, but with Christmas round the corner, what can we do to avoid them?

With more of us working from home, it’s all too easy to eat a rushed sandwich in front of the computer, skip lunch altogether or grab a snack while prep paring g the kids’ tea. How you eat is a major consiideration, as eating to oo quickly and not swallowing food prope erly can lead to diges stive problems.

As Ro oberta Baldo, nutritiional therapist from Baldo & Mason says “E Eat slowly.

This allows time for the signals from the e senses to ge et to the brain an nd stimulate the e production of digestive enzzymes, muscular con ntractions and othe er processes neccessary for dige estion, before the fo ood arrives.”

Chewing food properly also helpss with digestion.

As Robertta says, “If food is not che ewed properly, digestion is impeded and may take much longer be ecause the food does not have sufficient surface area exposed to the dig gestive juices for digesttion to occur efficiently y.”

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Taking your time over a meal is also important.

At Christmas, we’ll all have plenty of time to linger over a meal, but Roberta advises to eat mindfully and “focus on your meal rather than eat whilst doing other things. How we eat is as important as what we eat.”

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Digestive problems often settle down by themselves, but sometimes symptoms persist that could indicate other conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). According to The IBS Network, this affects over twelve million people in the UK. Classic symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, change in bowel habits, diarrhoea and constipation. Alison Reid, CEO, The IBS Network, says “It is a very individual condition and symptoms will vary for each person. Other symptoms can include lethargy, nausea and backache. There is no specific cause for IBS but the most common risk factors are a gastroenteritis attack, a traumatic or upsetting event and courses of powerful antibiotics.”

What causes IBS to flare up? Contributory factors include the food that we eat and the stress in our lives.

Self-management is the key to living well with IBS, says Alison. “Once you have a better understanding of what is happening in your body you will be able to explore what treatments work best for you. These include dietary and lifestyle changes, psychological therapies and medications – see your GP or pharmacist for advice. These may be used together or on their own depending on the possible cause and severity of the condition.”

Managing general lifestyle and diet is vitally important when dealing with IBS, says Dr Simon Smale, consultant gastroenterologist and clinical director, Manchester University NHS Trust.

“Small meals eaten often rather than one big meal at the end of the day,” he says. “Ensure you don’t drink too much caffeine and alcohol as they can have dire effects. If the condition is primarily diarrhoea, avoid the following foods –

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16/11/2020 11:23:54

Electric Scooters

YOUR HIGH SPEED RIDE TO A GREENER FUTURE The next generation of E-Scooters transformingg your new commute into a safe, enjoyable experience.

All terrain scooters available.

Visit our Leatherhead warehouse or, Order online for free next day delivery 79 PRICES START FROM AS LITTLE AS £27

www.hikerboy.co.uk Tel: 01372 236100 Email: contact@hikerboy.co.uk

WORD SEARCH Advent Angels Camel Candles Card Child Comet Crib

Cupid Dancer Elves Family Gift Gold Holly Ivy

Jolly Myrrh Party Prancer Sleigh Stable Star Tinsel

Toys Turkey Vixen Winter Wreath Yuletide

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S C R S C L C H I L D A P

T T A D A N C E R E O D R

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I B I L E I H D L O O T A

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E C M H T A N G E L S R E

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

A H A F A M I L Y Y M E L

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16/11/2020 11:23:56

Lamb shanks are cut from the end of a leg of lamb and are ideal for slow cooking. Serve with creamy mash potato for a really warming winter supper.

Serves 2 (see tip)

Ready in 3 hours

INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 15g butter 2 large lamb shanks 2 leeks, trimmed, washed and sliced 600ml vegetable stock 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp tomato puree 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 3 fresh rosemary sprigs Salt and freshly ground black pepper 300g chestnut mushrooms, halved Freshly chopped parsley, to garnish Steamed green beans, to serve TIP As a general guide each lamb shank will serve one adult, however if you use large lamb shanks this recipe will stretch to serve a family of two adults and two children.

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1. Preheat the oven to 170C, 150C fan, gas mark 3. Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Add the lamb shanks and fry for 3-4 minutes until browned all over, turning frequently. Transfer the lamb to an ovenproof dish.

2. Add the leeks to the frying pan and fry for 5 minutes then pour in the stock and Worcestershire sauce and stir in the tomato puree. Bring to the boil then add the carrots, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Spoon the stock and vegetables around the lamb and add the rosemary sprigs.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cover tightly with a lid or foil and cook for 2 hours.

4. Remove the dish from the oven and stir in the mushrooms. Return to the oven and cook for a further 30-40 minutes, uncovered, until the lamb is very tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.

Serve garnished with freshly chopped parsley and with steamed green beans.

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16/11/2020 11:23:58

C.D Jennings

Sons

Surbiton’s High Class Traditional Family Butchers Meat of the Highest Quality from the Finest Sources

Serving Surbiton Since 1962 .

Order Now For Christmas New Year Call: 020 8399 4870 Due to the situation with Covid we will NOT be selling turkeys this year.

Please order directly from Kellybron e.co.uk We will be taking orders for ALL other items.

Thank you for all your support at this time.

Christmas Offerings Free Range Geese, Ducks, Chickens & Game Scotch Beef & Lamb Free Range Pork Gammons & Bacon Balmoral Venison And of course our own make sausages!

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) or call us to place an order on 020 83 4870

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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For more information view our website www.cd enningsandsons.com email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:23:59

Many of th he giffts we give or get at Ch hristm mas a re g adgets, and d th hat m eans Christmas are gadgets, that means Santa h as s a ffew ew th hings to th hink Santa has things think abou ut iin n tthe he d ays b effore th he b ig about days before the big day. For example, if the kids have asked him for a games console it’s highly likely that the console will need to download a big software update before it can play online; the worst possible time to do that download is on Christmas morning when everybody else in your s trying tryiing to d o th he same e. If street iis do the same. you can, connect any new console he iinternet nternet iin n ad dvance so th here’’s to th the advance there’s no delay before the kids can play.

Another good idea is to prepare a bit of paper with your Wi-Fi details and password on it: from Amazon Echo speakers to Apple iPads and even many kids’ toys, a Wi-Fi connection is needed for them to work. Digging out the details in advance will speed things up considerably on the day.

It’s worth looking out any USB-ready charger plugs (such as from iPhones or Kindle Fire tablets), because to help reduce electronic waste many USBpowered devices will come with a cable but not the plug it connects to.

And of course, it’s a very good idea to check what batteries any gadgets, toys or remote controllers are going to need.

If you don’t already have one, a battery charger with a couple of sets of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries will come in very handy in the next few days.

Last but not least, we’d recommend having a multi-tool or a screwdriver set and some really good scissors handy.

We’ve found that many kids’ toys come screwed to the packaging or require very small crosshead screwdrivers to open their battery compartments, and others come in extremely strong clear plastic that’s very hard to open.

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The top big-ticket Christmas gifts 2020 Apple Watch The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch ever made. There are now three watches to choose from, starting at £199 for the Series 3 and rising to £399 for the Series 6. £199, Apple.com

Oculus Quest 2 This is very geeky, we know, but the Facebookowned Oculus Que est delivers an incredible virtual reality experience without wires or the need for a computer. £299, Oculus.com

Fitbit Sense If you or your loved one is a fitness fan, the new Fitbit Versa adds clever new features to its tried-and--tested fitness tracking, including g EKG, temperature sensing and d even stress sensing. £299, Fitbit.com

Play yStation 5 The next-generation PlayStation is big, beautiifull and d it isn’t quiite as expensive as we feared: the stan ndard version is £449 and the disk k-free digital version is £359. £449, Very.co.uk

Dyson Supersonic If your time is money, then Dyson’s high-tech hairdryer will pay for itself very quickly: not only does it make your hair look amazing, but it does it in an amazingly short time too. £299, Boots.com

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16/11/2020 11:24:00

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:24:46

Presents for eve ery age, dget taste and budget

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1. Secateurs, Pruning Knife & Pouch Set, £12, National Trust .

2. Blue Tit Needle Felting Kit, £9.99, British Heart Foundation 3. Red Cable Hat with Pink Pom Pom, £20, Oliver Bonas 4. The Wreath Box, £40, Hotel Chocolat 5. Lunchbag, £14.95, Joules 6. Wellbeing Candle and Diffuser Set, £12.99, Argos 7. Embellished Bolt Mule Slippers, £45, Accessorise

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16/11/2020 11:24:49

Berrylands Autocare * MOT Testing (while you wait) * Diagnostic Testing * Servicing & Mechanical Repairs * Open until 5.30pm weekdays * Saturdays: 9.00am to 1.00pm

250 yards from main line Berrylands Station Providing a service for our local community

167 Surbiton Hill Park, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8EJ

020 8399 4362

info@berrylandsautocare.co.uk www.berrylandsautocare.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:24:50

CornerHOUSE gets government grant so at least some of the show can go on

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urbiton’s popular community arts centre, the cornerHOUSE, has been awarded a £10,000 Government grant to help it through the Covid-19 period that has decimated arts venues and theatrical performances throughout the country.

The money, awarded by the Coronavirus Community Support Fund and distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund, will help the Douglas Road, Tolworth-based arts venue to keep on operating, albeit at a reduced level while the pandemic lasts.

After an initial closure during lockdown the cornerHOUSE has been open on a Covid-secure basis over the past few months with significantly reduced seating, a one-way system and hand sanitising precautions. It has been severely limited in the events it is able to stage because of social distancing requirements but has been able to put on a number of short productions including monologues and plays written especially for just two or three 20 20

actors. A film club, comedy nights and poetry readings have also been staged.

The arts centre is run entirely by volunteers but has had to continue meeting its normal expenditure including insurance, gas and electricity bills plus sanitising and cleaning supplies while only achieving a fraction of its regular income from hire fees and ticket sales. The £10,000 grant will help defray some of these unavoidable costs.

Jeremy Thorn, chair of the cornerHOUSE trustees said: “ We were delighted to receive this support from the Government’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund. This is both of real practical help and a big boost to the morale of our loyal band of volunteers who have been working hard to restore as much as possible of our services to the local community, as well as developing new activities that can be made to work in the current difficult environment”.

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16/11/2020 11:24:50

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The best apps for... Santa!

The best for silly festive fun: Elf Yourself Some things have become tradition: Mariah on the stereo, Elf on the Shelf and the Elf Yourself app on your phone. It enables you to put your friends’ or family’s faces on a troupe of dancing elves and use augmented reality so they appear to be dancing in your home.

Message From Santa Message From Santa enables the kids to leave a voicemail for Santa or to send him a text message, and to receive a video message from St Nicholas himself. Don’t worry, it’s not a real video call: the whole thing is simulated so you don’t need to worry about sharing your phone number.

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NORAD Santa Tracker Track Santa’s Christmas Eve trip around the world thanks to the US military, whose satellites enable you to see exactly where Santa is as he gets ever closer to your home.

They’ve been tracking Santa since 1955, and www.noradsanta.org starts offering Christmas content from the first of the month.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:24:52

Founded in 2014, Veganuary is a New Year initiative to encourage people across the world to try veganism in January. Here, we look at the reasons to take part and how to survive a month – or more – without meat and dairy.

Veganism has ballooned in recent years.

A record 400,000 people signed up to the Veganuary movement in 2020, and it’s estimated that the UK alone is now home to nearly two million vegans. Exposing documentaries like ‘What the Health’, ‘Cowspiracy’ and David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on Our Planet’ have helped drive the trend, all of which shed light on the benefits of a vegan diet for our health and for the planet.

What is veganism?

A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs and even honey in favour of plants and plant-based products. Many ‘lifestyle vegans’ will also avoid buying leather, fur, wool and anything that’s been tested on animals. In short, a vegan lifestyle is one that tries, as much as possible, to exist without exploiting animals.

Why should you try it?

The benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet are numerous. David Attenborough said himself that our planet simply cannot sustain seven billion meat eaters, and scientists have claimed that eating large amounts of meat and dairy is linked to a number of health conditions too.

What many people don’t know is that, when done correctly, it’s actually possible to get all the nutrients you need from a totally plant-based diet, no matter your age or lifestyle. Giving up meat and dairy can also help you lose weight and introduce you to more fruits, vegetables,

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seeds and grains that you wouldn’t normally incorporate into your weekly shop.

Veganism may not be for everyone, but even just trying it for a month will significantly reduce your carbon footprint and may encourage you to eat less meat and dairy in the future.

The big question: how?

Adopting a vegan diet is actually a lot easier than you think! Supermarkets, cafes and restaurants have been filling their shelves and kitchens with tasty meat and dairy substitutes over the last couple of years, meaning finding something you like is easier than ever. Book shops and the internet are packed full of easy, tasty recipes for you to try, and if you sign up to Veganuary you’ll receive weekly tips and recipe ideas to keep you on track.

Seitan, Quorn and tofu are fantastic substitutes for meat and can be used to create plantbased versions of your favourite dishes, from spaghetti bolognese to chicken tikka masala (be aware that Quorn does sometimes use egg in its products). They’re all easy to cook, packed with healthy plant proteins and have a very convincing meat-like texture.

What about milk? Thankfully, the dairy section in supermarkets is now filled with a huge array of plant-based milks, including soy, oat, almond and coconut, all with a milky texture and their own unique flavour. There are huge varieties of vegan cheeses too, from coconut-based cheddars to softer cheeses made from cashew nuts. Although they won’t taste exactly like the real deal, they’re close enough – and delicious in their own right! Love your Greek-style yoghurt?

Plant-based powerhouse Oatly even do a vegan version of that too.

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16/11/2020 11:24:54

WVM can manage all your vehicle needs. Our workshop is located in Berrylands and we carry out mobile smart repairs in the surrounding areas. › SERVICING & REPAIRS

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16/11/2020 11:24:56

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16/11/2020 11:24:56

Aspen Veterinary Surgery

HOME WANTED

Your pet matters to us

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Chloe is an adorable mature female tabby who came into care because for no apparent reason her owner no longer wanted her. She spent most of her time outside and was unkempt her fur was in a bad state.

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Despite her previous neglect she is so gentle and is a bit of a purr machine .

She loves being stroked and brushed she simply loves being loved. She would be an ideal companion for an older person. f you feel you could give Chloe the loving home she absolutely deserves, please call Sue on 020 390 3165. or email adoption epsom.cats.org.uk

Join Aspen Pet Care Plan Save Money, Spread Costs, Pay Monthly, Open Mon-Fri: 8am-7.30pm Sat: 8.30-11am 24 hour Emergency Service

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Dear Santa Paws, I’ve been a good boy this year, apart from the cowpat incident. I’ve been vigilant about chasing squirrels (it’s good exercise for them you know) and it’s months since I last dug a hole in my dad’s prize lawn.

Last year’s bag of dog biscuits was nice, although the ‘breath control’ labelling didn’t go unnoticed. This year I think it would help you if I give you some ideas.

Firstly, can I have some human stuff that I’m actually not supposed to play with? You know: socks, shoes, a top-of-the-range tennis ball, or a human pillow – because doggie pillows are just not the same.

Then I’d love an automatic belly rubber.

My humans are good, but I want so much more – belly rubs are the absolute best.

Finally, a special request: if anyone has put dog fancy dress clothes on their list, please tell them the workshop had sold out. Especially if they included dog antlers.

Yours,

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

D Dec 20-Jan 21. 25-32.indd 25

PS: If you bring chocolates for my humans, please put them out of my reach because they are poisonous for me.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:25:52

Brilliant buys for bikes Technology is doing amazing things for cyclists right now, so if your plans for 2021 including spending more time on two wheels there are all kinds of devices to help you.

The important consideration is safety.

Many modern bike helmets have integrated MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) to help protect against certain kinds of impacts, and many also have integrated LED lights to make you more visible to other road users. Safety shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort, though, and good helmets are precision designed to be as light as possible while delivering serious protection. Some even direct airflow to keep your sunglasses fog-free. fffered from a flat in the If you’ve ever suff middle of nowhere you’ll be delighted to discover that a manual pump isn’t your only option. Portable air compressors can inflate even road bikes’ tyres without any effort and they’re both small enough and affordable enough to be a really worthwhile purchase.

The advent of apps such as Strava means that many cyclists want to log their trip and performance data to track their own progress and to compete with others. There are several devices that can help you with that. Cycle computers track your distance and key stats, while power meters measure the strength that’s going to your pedals. fffordable models tend to go without More aff connectivity, so you’ll need to enter the results into your chosen app yourself, but higher up the product range you’ll get fully connected computers that automatically sync with your phone. You could also use your phone – there are plenty of cycling ng apps designed to do just that – but cyclin computers are designed to put up with conditions that smartphones aren’t. For example your smartphone may be splash proof, but is it crash proof? And of course, smartphones can be very expensive. Even a high-end cycling computer is a fraction of what you’d pay for an iPhone.

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4iiii Precision Power Meter If you’re really serious about cycling, a power meter can log not just your power, but how much power you’re pushing to each pedal. It lasts for about four days on a single coin battery. £269, halfords.co.uk Bell Formula LED MIPS This helmet provides a superb combination of safety features including built-in LED lighting and MultiDirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) to protect you from serious impacts. £109.99, bellbikehelmets.co.uk

Livall BH60SE Smart Helmet Helmets don’t come much more high-tech than this. The Livall’s has a rear LED strip, LED indicators, and smartphone integration with built-in speakers for handsfree phone calls. £99, halfords.co.uk

Cateye Quick Wireless Cycle Comp puter ateye According to Cycling Weekly, the Ca mirrors the more expensive Garmin Edge y; it’s 530 in terms of speed and accuracy easy to read and the battery life is huge. £44.99, tweekscycles.com

omi Mi Portable Tyre In ator iao ny Mi is a portable electric The tin air comprressor that delivers up to 150psi, so it’s suitable for all kinds of bikes. There’s even an integrated light to help you sort out your tyres at night. £39, amazon.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:25:54

KING GEORGE FIELD INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Learn to Bowl, Free Coaching, All Ages & Abilities Welcome

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The best apps for... Cycling

Zwift Zwift is a useful training tool: it’s designed to be used on turbo trainers and connect you to other riders, which if you’ve endured the tedium of indoor training you’ll know how great an idea that is.

It’s like a pedal-powered video game and it can share your stats with Strava.

Rouvy If you like Zwift’s virtual rides but would rather train and compete on real roads, Rouvy enables you to take your turbo trainer travelling to real-life routes thanks to more than two million miles of video recordings. It can even create artificial riders for you to race against.

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D Dec 20-Jan 21. 25-32.indd 27

Strava Strava is arguably the bestknown apps for cyclists, and you can use it in two ways: as a stand-alone app to record your rides, or as an app to upload your bike’s GPS computer to. Either way you can then see how you compare to other riders: Strava is as much a social network as it is a bike app.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:26:06

By Katherine Sorrell

Which tree to buy? Where to put it? And how best to look after it? We help you to make the most of your festive centrepiece.

Some say there is no substitute for a real Christmas tree – while others argue that artificial trees are an excellent alternative. We offer some arboreal insights.

Which type of real tree?

For the smell and feel of Christmas, you can’t beat a real tree. But which type should you opt for? The Norway Spruce is the classic choice, with a traditional shape, plenty of branches and a long-lasting scent. However, it can be on the spikey side and is more likely to shed needles.

The Nordmann Fir is the most popular Christmas tree in Europe and has an even shape, soft foliage and glossy, dark green needles that don’t drop much. The Scots Pine is less common but retains its needles and has a lovely, fresh smell, while the Fraser Fir –popular in the USA – has silvery-green, dense, bushy foliage and soft, low-shed needles that give off a citrusy aroma.

The majestic Noble Fir features dense whorls of blueish needles with well-spaced foliage while the unusual Lodgepole Pine is bushy, with upward-pointing branches, a strong pine scent and the best needle-retention of all.

Cut or container?

Freshly cut Christmas trees provide a problem when it comes to disposal (thought they are, of course, biodegradable). For some, a great alternative could be a Christmas tree purposegrown in a pot. Once the festive season is over the tree can be moved outside in its pot until next year. Each year it will get a little bigger, and it can be kept for up to three years.

Preparing for your tree-shopping trip First, write down the dimensions of the space – height and width – into which your tree will fit, and take them with you along with a tape measure. Pack a pair of heavy gloves to protect your hands, and an old blanket to catch pine needles that fall off in the boot of your car. If transporting your tree on the roof of the car, take a suitable rope and perhaps a tarpaulin to wrap around the tree for protection.

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The colours of tree decorations can complement those of the room as a whole. Gabrielle three-seater sofa, £1,099, Sofology: 03444 818 181; sofology.co.uk.

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16/11/2020 11:26:07

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Crafted for production or blueprints for DIY. Contact abre.etteh@gmail.com 07411561075

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:26:09

By Katherine Sorrell

Go for the luxe look with our selection of good-looking baubles in eye-catching metallics and glamorous darks

é These clear baubles hold sparkling glitter and are illuminated from a warm white LED within. Glitter illuminated Christmas bauble, £11.99 for three, lights4fun.co.uk. Image: Oliver Perrott

How to Decorate the Perfect Christmas Tree Did you know that there’s maths involved in decorating a Christmas tree? According to Wired magazine, you should use about 100 fairy lights and 6.2 baubles to each foot of tree, though this may depend on how bushy your tree is and – of course – your personal preference towards the gaudy or the minimal. Start the decoration by winding the lights around, switching them on first so you can see exactly what you’re doing.

Choose a colour theme for the decorations.

While many of us opt for gold, silver or red baubles, recent years have seen a trend towards pastel colours, peacock shades and, conversely, minimal, Nordic-style white or natural paper, wood or raffia. Or how about a dramatic and opulent look that includes bold, metallic colours, animal prints, swags, sequins, glitter and starbursts? If you’re going to go over the top, you may as well do it with complete conviction, after all.

Hang the larger, heavier decorations towards the bottom of the tree, so it doesn’t look out of balance. It adds visual depth (and aids stability) to hang them near the trunk. Then you can sprinkle the medium-sized and smaller decorations nearer the ends of the branches and at the top of the tree, not forgetting to place your favourites at eye level for maximum impact.

Mix up the bauble shapes and colours so they’re not all grouped together. Finally, add a statement tree topper and hide the base with an attractive skirt.

Layered gold ruffles ad dd texture and interest. Metallic sequin feather baublle, £2.99, dobbies.com. è

Deck out you ur tree with an on-trend anging style. Acorn ha s, £22 decorations for a set of eight, ellajames.co.uk. è

é Introduce a sense of opulence with this bauble featuring gold bead swags. Smoked glass bauble, £3.99, giselagraham.co.uk.

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Made from glass in rich-toned black, these six baubles each feature a vibrant glittered starburst design that will add a shimmer to any festive scheme. Six baubles, £32, coxandcox.co.uk. è

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16/11/2020 11:26:10

Over 8,000 copies full colour hand delivery to KT5 and KT6 with a page advert for £54 a month

Call Karen on 020 8274 00 6 karen berrylandscompanion.com

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D Dec 20-Jan 21. 25-32.indd 31

T O F Y S R You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6-letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.

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16/11/2020 11:26:12

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16/11/2020 11:26:14

Based in Berrylands, Surbiton and covering all areas of SW London and Surrey We are your local, cost effective, alternative to skip hire and trips to the dump

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16/11/2020 11:27:07

The quintessentially English country garden is something many of us dream about owning. It has classic, timeless appeal and looks gorgeous in a really relaxed way. And, although it may be easier to achieve the cottage garden style in the countryside, even in a town you can still recreate at least some of that classic country look.

Shrubs make a great backdrop to a country-look garden – choose a range of different shapes, textures and shades of leaf colour to start to recreate the cottage-garden feel. Choose mainly or all deciduous shrubs, rather than conifers and other evergreens, for the best effect. Include some evergreens for more of a year-round look.

Make something of a garden gate: a wooden or metal gate painted white gives the right feel, and when smart, traditional-look fixings and fixtures are painted contrasting black, the look is complete. White works well but bright colours can look out of place. Make sure you prepare the surface well before painting.

Carefully coordinated and muted shades need not be the name of the game in a country-style garden. The combination of a wide range of types of flower in an even wider range of colours is perfect. Forget the rigid confines of a colour wheel, allow some contrasting colours and, as long as there is plenty of greenery in-between, they’ll look great.

Unless it is in a vegetable plot, regimented, straight row or blocks of planting are definitely out! Plant loosely and almost randomly to achieve the truly relaxed feel that this sort of garden is all about. No strraight lines, anywhere – instead use e drifts of planting to give bed ds and bo orders a country style, wha atever their size.

Bare e earth does not often featurre in a cottage garden.

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Instead, make sure that plants are everywhere and allowed to grow closer than usual. When you plant up a bed from scratch, the plants will need to be quite far apart or else they will soon become too crowded. But whilst they find their feet and start to fill their space, use hardy annuals sown from scattered seed or plantings of seasonal bedding to fill in gaps and create a wall-to-wall carpet of colour.

Plants in pots can be used to great effect for added seasonal splashes of colour, so get planting with temporary plants such as brightly coloured pelargoniums and geraniums or longerterm plants such as bulbs and small shrubs.

Choose a pot with an informal, rounded shape, rather than anything too geometric or modern in shape or colour; a terracotta pot works a treat.

A good range of heights in the flower borders helps create a feeling of rich opulence. Make sure that basically the smaller plants are at the front and the largest at the back, but add in some tall, slim plants throughout the planting – these will add colour, interest and variation in height without blocking your view of their smaller neighbours. There are lots of plants you can use for this; the classic is the purple-flowered Verbena bonariensis.

A wall made from traditional materials like brick or stone makes a perfect boundary. A really laidback option is a drystone wall – with variations in the grey and brownish colours of the stone it looks great in all weathers, and you’ll often be able to get plants such as house leeks growing in some of the crevices too.

If your garden is on a slope, you may well need steps. Rather than going for wood, angular slabs

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16/11/2020 11:27:09

LOCAL CARPENTRY AND GARDEN SERVICES CITY & GUILDS QUALIFIED

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16/11/2020 11:27:10

From second-hand trees to locally sourced lunch, here’s how you can make this Christmas your most sustainable yet.

‘Less is more’ is a mantra that’s rarely heard around Christmas. With overindulgence becoming as traditional as Christmas turkey, there are growing concerns around how our excessive spending is impacting the environment.

This year, show Planet Earth a little love with these five eco-friendly Christmas tips, designed to help save you money and the planet.

Rent, reuse or recycle a tree Every December, up to eight million Christmas trees are bought in the UK alone, most of which are dumped at the end of the season. That’s a lot of waste!

Plastic trees last for years, but they take enormous amounts of energy to manufacture and won’t decompose for hundreds of years. If you want to switch to an artificial tree, look out for some pre-loved ones on eBay, Gumtree and Freecycle. That way, you’re only reusing what would otherwise be thrown away.

If Christmas just isn’t the same without that authentic pine tree scent, you’ll be happy to hear that there are sustainable ways to enjoy real trees too. Why not rent a Christmas tree from a local farm? After you’ve used it, it’ll be picked up

and replanted ready for next year. Win, win!

If you are buying new, look out for the ‘Grown in Britain’ label or FSC ‘seal of approval’, which will prove your tree has been grown to environmental standards. And, when you’re done with it, find a drop-off point in your area where it can be recycled into chippings.

Buy second-hand Gifts don’t have to be brand new to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Suggest a second-hand present rule with family and friends this year, where you only buy each other pre-loved or handmade gifts. These could be from a charity shop, car boot sale or secondhand selling websites such as eBay. Thrifting is great fun and everyone will end up with presents that are truly unique.

If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you could even whip up some gifts from home. Candles, jams and chutneys or knitted hats and scarves: get creative and see where your talents take you!

Choose – and dispose of – your food wisely We’re all guilty of buying – and eating – a little more food than we should at Christmas, which is why it’s important to make sure your food is coming from a sustainable place.

Instead of fighting over groceries in the supermarket aisle, source your Christmas lunch from local farm shops. You could also consider a meat-free Christmas, but if that’s a step too far, opt for a free-range or organic turkey from a source you trust.

Sadly, Christmas is also the most wasteful time of the year. With fridges of uneaten food, how can we make sure our waste goes to a good place?

First off, try to only buy things that you know will get eaten before, on or just after Christmas. If you get carried away, transform your leftovers into new meals or see how much you can fit in the freezer.

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16/11/2020 11:27:12

Opening Hours:

To book an appointment:

98 Ale exandra Dr, Surbiton KT5 5 9AG

Last International & UK Posting Dates 2020 Wed 9 Dec Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, Far and Middle East Thurs 10 Dec Cyprus, Malta Fri 11 Dec Australia, Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia), New Zealand and Turkey Sat 12 Dec Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA Wed 16 Dec Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland Fri 18 Dec UK 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For Mon 21 Dec 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For; Royal Mail Tracked 48 Tues 22 Dec Royal Mail Tracked 24 Wed 23 Dec Special Delivery Guaranteed

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:27:15

By John Lister, johnlisterwriting.com

Lovely as it would be for estate agent sites to have an Amazon-style ‘Buy It Now’ button by the listed price, working out how much you’ll actually pay for a house can be a confusing process.

Let’s break down some of the unfamiliar abbreviations and explore what actually determines the price.

The first thing to remember is that no matter what terms a listing uses, the price is always a negotiation. Estate agents are legally required to pass on any off ffer f to a seller, no matter how far below the listed price. And while the advertised price is certainly a starting point, what really counts is how many people are seriously interested in the property tyy and how desperate the seller is to move.

While many estate agents use common terms, they don’t always use them in the same way.

Sometimes it’s designed as a clear signal, sometime it’s a hidden code, and sometimes the agent uses a term just because everyone else does. With that in mind, here are a few pointers.

‘Off ffers f in the region of’ (or ‘OIRO’) is usually an indication there’s a bit more flexibility than with a listing which just has a price. The seller would like to get the listed amount (or ideally more) but might well be open to a lower off ffer, f so don’t be afraid to try.

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‘Guide price’ is sometimes used in the same way as ‘OIRO’, though you’ll need to check the listing as this could also mean the property is being sold at auction.

‘Off ffers f in excess of’ (or ‘OIEO’) can work in a couple of ways. Sometimes it really is the lowest amount the seller is willing to accept. That said, if you aren’t taking the mickey and you’re in a strong buying position (mortgage off ffer f in place, no onward chain), it won’t do any harm to off ffer less and see what happens. The same goes for the rarer ‘Fixed price’ listing.

Sometimes, though, ‘OIEO’ is estate agent code for “The seller thinks this house is worth more than I do.” In that case, if you’re happy to risk somebody else beating you to it, you may want to keep an eye on the listing and see if the seller gets a bit more realistic later on.

‘Price on application’ or ‘POA’ usually sparks the old joke about “If you have to ask how much, you can’t aff fford f it.” With houses, though, it’s usually a sign that the seller is concerned about time-wasters just interested in nosing round the house. Don’t be put off fff enquiring, but don’t be surprised if you are ‘vetted’ before you can arrange a viewing.

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SALE 16/11/2020 11:27:16

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Fighting the war on plastic We all know the damage single-use plastics inflict upon our planet’s oceans and communities, but what can we, as consumers, do to make a difference?

With so many single-use plastics still used on our high streets, it’s easy to feel helpless.

Governments and large corporations have a huge responsibility to reduce our plastic consumption, but there are several things that we can do to help.

9

5 1 5

For instant attention

every year. Try to avoid food that’s wrapped in non-recyclable packaging, buy loose fruit and vegetables, and ditch the pointless – and fiddly – plastic bags. Put your fruit and vegetables straight in your trolley instead and just remember to wash it before eating.

Making packed lunches, instead of buying lunches out, is also a great way to help the planet – and your wallet. You could also make a conscious effort to store leftovers in glass containers or use beeswax wrap instead of cling film. Small changes can make a big difference!

Buying your own reusable shopping bags, water bottles and coffee cups is a simple way to reduce your plastic intake. Plastic straws and cutlery are also a no go. Replace them with metal or bamboo versions that can simply be popped into your handbag before you leave the house.

Food packaging is more difficult, as there’s so much of it! Shockingly, UK supermarkets still generate 900,000 tonnes of plastic packaging

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E Dec20-Jan 21. 33-40.indd 39

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:27:18

•Extensions •Conversions •All types of Paving Local builders with over 30 years experience.

Many local customers with excellent references, viewings by appointment

Check out our Check a Trade ratings.

71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8LR

Tel: 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk

Dog Dieting

Your dog isn’t starting the month worried about zipping up their jeans. But if a check on their waistline shows that they are carrying a few extra pounds, it’s time for to you to address the problem for the sake of their health.

Studies have shown that overweight dogs don’t live as long and are more prone to illnesses that

spoil their quality of life. All those little extra treats you’ve been giving them could mean there’s a genuine risk of killing your pet with kindness.

There’s no BMI chart for dogs, so you need to look at body shape and assess body fat.

Viewed from above, does your dog have a waist where their body tapers after the ribcage? Can you feel your dog’s ribs or do they have a potbelly?

Increasing exercise will not be enough on its own, so you should plan a trip to the vet. Not only will they assess how overweight they are, they’ll check if any medical conditions are causing the extra pounds or will prevent weight loss. Furthermore the vet can provide a special calorie-controlled food.

Keep a note of everything – including table scraps and treats – that your dog eats for a few days. A dog that does not seem to eat much dog food probably still has an appetite for sausages and biscuits!

If you’ve reached the stage that your pet actually looks plump, it’s going to take quite a while to reach their target weight, so stick with it.

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16/11/2020 11:27:21

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F Dec20-Jan 21. 41-48.indd 41

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16/11/2020 11:28:06

If you fancy a meat-free meal then look no further than this quick and easy spicy noodle dish.

Serves 4

Ready in 20 mins

INGREDIENTS 200g soba noodles 150g frozen broad beans or edamame beans 2 tsp sunflower oil 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 2cm piece root ginger, peeled and grated 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 carrots, peeled and shredded into thin strips 100g sugar snap peas, halved lengthways 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tbsp sesame seeds Handful fresh coriander or parsley leaves Sriracha sauce, to serve TIP You can replace the soba noodles with rice noodles – no need to boil first, just add straight to the wok or pan with an extra splash of water.

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1. Cook the soba noodles in a pan of boiling water following the packet instructions. Add the broad beans or edamame beans to the pan 2 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Drain and rinse under cold water and set aside.

2. Heat the sunflower oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over a high heat. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the carrots and sugar snap peas and stirfry for 1-2 minutes until just tender.

3. Add the noodles and beans to the pan or wok, along with the soy sauce, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Stir-fry for a further 1-2 minutes then toss through the coriander or parsley and serve piled into warmed bowls. Drizzle with sriracha sauce, if liked.

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16/11/2020 11:28:09

£22 PER PERSON inc VAT Next held: Every rst Sunday of the month 6th and 20th December, 3rd January, 7th February

Next held 5th January, 2nd February, 1st March Two time winner of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce s Award for the Best Leisure and Hospitality Business, Glenmore House is one of Surbiton s best kept secrets.

Constructed in 1 40, Glenmore House is a ne example of late Georgian architecture situated in the exclusive Surbiton conservation area ad acent to the landscaped park of Claremont Gardens, the Edwardian building was one of the rst substantial houses to be built in Surbiton, which has adapted to many uses over time, and today functions as a members club and wedding and events venue.

mpressive double gates open on to Glenmore s free, private car park which can safely accommodate up to 110 cars.

We have ac uired an enviable reputation for gourmet cuisine second to none, offering superb value for money, with no compromise on uality.

Come and en oy the popular Sunday Carvery in the magni cent Eli abethan Suite, Tudor Rooms or Crescent Room.

Choose from a choice of ve starters, ve main courses and at least eight desserts, with coffee and complimentary amuse bouche for ust £22 per person, all prepared by our brigade of award winning Chefs, using the freshest ingredients.

The price is £22 incl VAT, Please Our fabulous Eli abethan Suite (parties overenquire 7 subjectabout: to a 10% Christmas Lunches and under Dinners comprises of a double height service charge).

Children ballroom, featuring sparkling held 12 halfthroughout price. PrivateDecember rooms chandeliers, minstrel galleries and are also available for a small and our a sprung dance oor, ad oined by New additional Year’s charge.

Eve Black Tie Dinner an exclusive bar area.

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F Dec20-Jan 21. 41-48.indd 43

The Tudor Rooms bene t from stained glass windows and chandeliers, and our light and airy Crescent Room en oys fabulous views over Claremont Gardens.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:28:11

Fruit + vegetables + kids isn’t always a match made in heaven.

These tips might help to make meal times a bit less stressful.

By Kate Duggan

Give them a choice If you can, involve your child in shopping, and let them pick out some fruits and vegetables that they want to try. You could also help them to grow some of their own, even if it’s just strawberries on a windowsill.

When it comes to meal times, try offering your child a choice of a few different vegetables sometimes, so they feel that they have some control. And when you have time, involve them in preparing dinner and then praise them for how tasty the food is.

Try raw Kids often prefer the taste or texture of raw vegetables over cooked. My children, for example, will happily munch on raw carrots and peppers, but loathe cooked ones.

Some vegetables shouldn’t be eaten raw (like potatoes) but most can be, even ones you wouldn’t usually think of eating cold, like broccoli.

When you are cooking vegetables, it’s worth trying different methods. My daughter hates steamed kale, but loves crispy kale (chopped up, tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven for 5-10 minutes).

Blend it up Children often complain about ‘bits’, whether it’s the seeds in granary bread or pieces of mushroom in a pasta sauce. Blending soups and sauces until they’re smooth can work wonders.

Let them help themselves Keep your fruit bowl within reach of children over three, so that they can help themselves when they want a snack. You could also keep a snack box of chopped up carrots, peppers, cucumbers etc. on a low shelf of the fridge.

Boost with multivitamins Multivitamins don’t replace the need for a healthy diet, but they can provide a handy boost. Look for ones that include Vitamin D, as our bodies struggle to absorb enough of it during winter.

Bassetts chewable multivitamins tend to be popular with kids. Another option is Kendakids Vita-Boost Shakes, which are fortified with twenty-three vitamins (including vitamin D). You

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mix the powder with warm water (it’s a bit like making up a bottle of baby formula). There are three flavours to choose from. The chocolate one is basically a healthier version of hot chocolate, but my son swears the strawberry is by far the best. See www.kendamil.com.

Don t let dinner become a battle eld Studies have shown that putting pressure on kids to eat can actually lead to worse eating habits a couple of years down the line. Try to make sure you’re sitting down to eat as a family at least a few times a week and don’t let the tension build up until you’re all just focusing on how much (or how little) your child is eating.

Ultimately, you want your child to have a healthy long-term relationship with food. That’s going to be so much harder if they end up getting anxious about dinner time.

And remember that we all have food we hate, even as adults. So if they really despise something, move on.

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16/11/2020 11:28:12

Year 6 2020 11+ results 124 offers with 45 scholarships from 19 schools

Small class sizes | Subject specialist teaching | Unrivalled 11+ preparation Future-proofed education | Tailored provision | 39 acres of sports grounds Nurturing environment | 8 minute walk from Surbiton station

Book your visit at www.surbitonhigh.com/admissions Part of the Surbiton High School family | Tel: 020 8439 1309 | Part of United Learning

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F Dec20-Jan 21. 41-48.indd 45

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:28:17

T U D G E to B A eas ON -cost id al d low Free an ristmas magic h n make C a gg Du

By Kate

Try a digital advent calendar (£3.70) The Jacquie Lawson advent calendar is a firm favourite in our house. (I love it as much as the kids.) A new game, story or creative activity is released each day throughout December.

The calendar is centred around a Christmassy scene, and many of the activities then become part of that scene. So your child might decorate the tree, dress up the snowman or create a wreath to hang on a shop door, for example.

See www.jacquielawson.com/advent.

Send a message from Santa (Free) Santa has been wishing my kids a happy Christmas through a Portable North Pole (www. portablenorthpole.com) video for years. The shorter personalised video is free to create and is pretty much guaranteed to delight younger children. (It’s also worth looking in your phone’s app store for Christmas-themed apps like Santa Spy Cam and Elf Yourself.)

Look for low-cost elves (£1) A branded Elf on a Shelf could set you back over £20, so look for alternatives. I picked up a couple of small bendable elves for £1 each from Tiger a couple of years ago, which did the job just as well as a bigger elf – until the dog got hold of them!

Organise a second-hand scavenger hunt (£10 or under) Most children enjoy a scavenger hunt around the house or garden.

The most successful one I’ve organised for my children involved a load of Shopkins and other mini figures that I picked up second-hand from Facebook Marketplace for under £10. The elves that I mentioned above also create a treasure hunt every year, with a series of clues leading to a craft activity, gift-wrapped sweets or a small toy.

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16/11/2020 11:28:20

Carers – how can we support them better?

by Sir Edward Davey, M.P

“Caring at Christmas” is the theme I’ve set for youngsters entering my competition this year to design a Christmas card . Every year as the local MP, I’ve held the competition – and we’ve had great designs from budding young artists.

I want to focus young minds on both the meaning of Christmas, and the very special circumstances of our times.

For, alongside amazing NHS staff and many key workers, carers have been some of the heroes and heroines highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus has shone a light on our country’s many carers – people doing tough work, on low pay, on the healthcare frontline. And of course the millions of unpaid carers helping relatives and friends.

As we emerge from the pandemic, we must surely reassess how we think about carers and caring.

Whether it’s staff in care homes, looking after our elderly or adults with learning disabilities, or the army of domiciliary carers, going from home to home to assist people, or the millions of unpaid carers looking after family and friends at home, this is work that should be valued far more highly.

There are huge Government policy questions here – some unanswered for far too long.

How should we organise the payment of care for the elderly, especially for people who may end up needing many years of care?

What happens if the demand for elderly care home places reduces significantly, due to people reacting to their inability to visit loved ones during the pandemic, not to mention the high mortality in care homes?

How should we better support carers – from finances to respite care – whether they are young carers, parent or partner carers or kinship carers? How do we, for example, enable people to manage their caring and work responsibilities better?

I raise this here partly because I’m keen to hear your views on carers – you can send me them to edward.davey.mp@ parliament.uk.

Improving rights for carers is an issue I’ve campaigned on for some time.

Alongside Disability Law Service (where I’m Patron), for example, I’ve developed draft legislation to enable employees to have new rights to flexible working, to assist them to juggle their work and care responsibilities – proposals that would require the employer to provide “reasonable adjustments” to someone’s working hours.

Yet I want to go much further.

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F Dec20-Jan 21. 41-48.indd 47

First, we need more support organisations like the brilliant Kingston Carers’ Network.

Kingston Carers’ Network (KCN) is a local charity, providing independent information, advice, advocacy and support to people who care for someone living in our Borough. They support carers of all ages, including young carers aged 5 to 18, and are committed to giving carers a stronger voice. For example, they offer opportunities for carers to have a say in the way health, social care and carers’ services are run locally.

You can see their work at www.kingstoncarers.org.uk.

Many areas have an equivalent to KCN – but far from all.

Second, we need a major improvement in the financial support for carers. Whether it’s an increase in Carers’ Allowance – that I pushed Boris Johnson for at Prime Minister’s Questions back in October – or a widening of the eligibility for Carers’ Allowance, so young carers can access it, for example, there’s scope for huge improvement: taking on serious carer responsibilities often hits a person’s income hard.

Third, we need to see a major change in how the NHS, social care services and unpaid carers work together. The brutal truth – exposed by the pandemic – is that without unpaid carers, the NHS would be in a mess. We depend massively on unpaid carers – if we don’t look after them much better, the costs to society will be much much greater.

I should declare an interest: I’ve been a carer much of my life.

First, when my mum was terminally ill. My father died when I was four, so when mum got breast cancer, and then it went to her bones, my brother and I did most of the caring in her last three years, before she died when I was fifteen.

Then I led the caring responsibilities for my lovely Nanna for 10 years: my mum had been her only child, so it fell to her grandson to step up when she needed help.

And now my wonderful son, John, aged 12, has an undiagnosed neurological condition, which means he can’t walk or talk. He requires 24/7 care, which Emily and I do, with some help.

But I know I’m lucky. We’ve never had severe financial problems on top of our caring challenges. But many of my constituents who are carers do struggle.

Covid-19 has only reinforced the lessons of my own experience – and those from many of my constituents.

So let’s make this a “Caring Christmas”. And a “Caring Future” too.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:28:21

QUIZ SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD SOLUTION 3 Letters FOR FRO FR OFT ORT ROT SO ST TOR TO

TR 4 Letters FORT ORTS ROS ROTS SOFT SORT TORS TO S

5 Letters FORTS FORT FROST SPFT STOR 6 Letters FROST

HIDATO SOLUTION

WORD LADDER ANSWER (This is one solution, there may be others)

FALL pall pawl pawn dawn DOWN CODEWORD SOLUTION WORDSEARCH ANSWER

Hidden Christmas Carol: Deck the halls with boughs of holly.

WORDWHEEL ANSWER BACKDATE CHILDREN’S PAGE Down: 1 Goat, 3 Sheep, 4 Chicken, 5 Dog, 6 Cow. Across: 2 Horse, 4 Cat, 5 Duck, 7 Pig. 48 48

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16/11/2020 11:28:23

Makes 4 Ready in 20 mins INGREDIENTS 500ml non-dairy milk (see Tip) 2 tbsp cornflour 1 tsp vanilla extract 2-3 tbsp maple or agave syrup Few drops vegan yellow food colouring 100g vegan granola 1 large banana, peeled and sliced Mint sprigs, to decorate TIP Almond, oat, coconut or soy milk will all work well in this recipe.

These delicious dairy-free sweet pots are perfect for an energy-boosting breakfast or a simple dessert.

1. Mix 6 tbsp of the non-dairy milk with the cornflour and vanilla extract in a jug to make a smooth paste.

Gradually stir in the rest of the milk.

2. Pour the milk mixture into a medium saucepan and slowly bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring all the time. The mixture will gradually thicken but keep stirring to prevent any lumps forming. Continue cooking over a low heat for 2-3 minutes until you have a smooth thick sauce. Stir in the maple or agave syrup and a few drops of food colouring to give a custard-yellow colour.

3. Divide half the granola and nearly all the banana slices between four small heatproof serving dishes. Spoon over the custard and top with the rest of the granola and banana. Decorate each pot with a sprig of mint and serve warm or cold.

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Dec20-Jan 21. 49-56.indd 49

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:46:27

Nelly, Digby and Esther:

revising our pig prejudice

By Kate McLelland

The famous wartime leader Winston Churchill said, “Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you. Give me a pig! He looks you in the eye and treats you as an equal.” It seems he may have been right. Recent research published on the UCLA e-scholarship website has revealed that pigs share traits with many other animals that we consider to be intelligent, such as chimpanzees, dolphins and elephants.

Skilled swine Rejecting negative perceptions of pigs as lazy, dirty and greedy, the researchers found that they are intuitive and good at learning from each other in groups. They also revealed that pigs can recognise symbols, calculate basic numbers and rapidly recall important memories.

Around 9,000 years ago farmers began to domesticate pigs by capturing wild boars and breeding them to eliminate their more aggressive characteristics. Wild pigs and boars are also highly intelligent animals: so much so that the Visayan Warty Pig, a breed of wild pig from the Philippines, has been observed using pieces of tree bark gripped in its jaws as a tool to scoop out soil in preparation for nest-making.

Clever Nelly Pigs are considered to be the fourth most intelligent animal in the world and their brainpower is believed to be even greater than that of dogs. Recently ‘Nelly the Clever Pig’ won fame in America as a performing pig, executing complex tricks on stage in return for food rewards. When a Professor of Animal Behaviour went to visit Nelly as part of a TV documentary, the doctor was keen to assess how much her behaviour was in uenced by her human owner.

pushes the glass. After receiving a treat, clever Nelly returns to the glass again and again, earning multiple rewards and demonstrating the astonishing speed at which she can learn without human intervention.

Pigs as pets Having a pig as a pet in the UK is considerably more complicated than looking after a dog or a cat: you are required to register as a pig keeper and you’ll also need a licence to walk your pig along public streets.

A decade or so ago ‘Micropigs’ were the go-to pet for pig lovers, but far from living up to their name, most of these animals went on to grow to normal size. A good example is online swine star Esther the Wonder Pig, whose Canadian owners were told she would grow no bigger than 32kg (she now weighs 295 kg, or 46 stone).

Pet owners like Derek and Steve from Ontario, who look after Esther the Wonder Pig, are very clear about why they have chosen their unusual housemate: “All pigs are loving, intelligent and compassionate animals and they deserve better than the brutal life they are born into.”

That’s a statement consider carefully now science is teaching us more about these fascinating animals.

we’ll all need to

One of the doctor’s experiments was to place a bell and a glass on the oor and ask Nelly to decide which of the two items, when moved, would earn a reward. The film shows Nelly initially shoving the bell with her snout. When that doesn’t produce a reward, she

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16/11/2020 11:46:37

Christmas collections in jeopardy Surbiton Rotary Club had been planning to visit roads throughout Surbiton, Berrylands, Tolworth and Chessington on dark December nights collecting money for local charities - as they have been doing for the last 50 years. However, due to the current Covid regulations this will now not be possible. So unless the Regulations change with effect from 3 December Santa and his sleigh, along with his elves, will be con ned to barracks.

However, anyone wishing to make a donation which will go to local To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Dec20-Jan 21. 49-56.indd 51

charities can do so via: - Text Giving - just text ROTARYSANTA to70085 stating the amount donated : or - go to the website www.surbitonrotary.org.uk where you can donate through Virgin Money Giving.

Any changes to these arrangements will be advised on the above web site and via Twitter (@ surbitonrotary) and Facebook (@ surbitonrotary)

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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16/11/2020 11:46:40

COMMUNITY PAGE

Disclaimer

Whilst all reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included in A Berrylands Companion , the publisher takes no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers, or for the loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement.

Any errors, omissions or offers are the resposibilty of the advertiser. All artwork is accepted on the condition that the advertiser has obtained permission from any copyright holder for its use by A Berrylands Companion. Whilst every care is taken when printing artwork, we cannot guarantee an exact colour match due to variations in print processes. Bookings are accepted only on this basis.

It is the advertiser’s responsibility to submit any amendments to adverts by the deadline date of the 8th.

To advertise any event, or community activity in the magazine, please call: Karen on 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Talking of trains

All meetings have been suspended. This is as a result of the restrictions caused by COVID 19 plus our eviction

by Kingston Council from our meeting place at Surbiton Library Hall. It is hoped circumstances will change by September 2021, to enable the group to resume. In the meantime, video presentations by our Organiser/Lecturer can be viewed on the website: ‘talkinoftrains.co.uk’

Open Door Club

Services are held at Christ Church at 2pm, and bookings can be made via the Church website: ccsurbiton.org. Alternatively anyone interested can email

by Monday 14th December providing names and contact details for our Covid 19 register, to gvosper29@gmail.com We do usually stream our services on YouTube and some of the seating may be visible, there is always the option to watch from home.

Friday Keep Moving Classes Our classes are continuing on Zoom. Please contact: maryedwards77s@gmail.com for more information Surbiton Bird Watchers Society

We are still having our meetings/slide shows on 3rd Tuesday of the month, at 8pm, on Zoom. Open to anyone, contact Thelma Caine on email thelmacaine512@ btinternet.co Please also check our website: surbitonbirds.org

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A Berrylands Companion magazine will be left for pick up at the following, subject to Covid restrictions: B&M Budget Store, Shan’s Pharmacy, C.F Stears Greengrocer, Berrylands Post Office.

Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, If you would like copies at your business please call me on:

020 8274 0096

Deadlines for submitting new artwork for forthcoming issues of A Berrylands Companion 8th Jan for February issue 8th Feb for March issue 8th March for April issue 8th April for May issue 8th May for June issue June 8th for July/Aug issue Aug 8th for September issue Sept 8th for October issue 8th Oct for November issue 8th Nov for Dec/January issue For more information call Karen on 020 8274 0096 or send an email to

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers

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COMMUNITY PAGE Our Lady Immaculate Primary School

Season’s Greetings from Karen and Ken A Berrylands Companion 020 8274 0096 karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

1st Prize - £500 plus 5 x £100 cash prizes £5 per entry*

Text PRESENT to 70970 to enter Draw will take place on 15th December 2020 at 10am Entrants must be at least 16 years of age

Very generously sponsored by

* Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate.

For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org

Season’s Greetings from Addington’s Curtains and Blinds 020 8399 1445 rosemaryadd@aol.com

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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Promoter: Our Lady Immaculate PTA, 399 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7DG Registered Charity Number 1003622 Registered under the Gambling Act 2005 with The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Season’s Greetings from Ed Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton 020 8288 2736

edward.davey.mp@parliament.uk

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Index Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers 29 35 40 33 2 29 51 41 31 33 55 35 29 28 30 34

Home & Garden Abreh Etteh, Architect All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Epsom Roofing Honey Bee Roofing Leverett Electricals London & Surrey Waste & Recycling R.J.Tree Services Will Lord William Stallion Electricals House & Interiors Home Products Gardening by Pippa Greenwood

Care & Health Manhire Nutrition 11 Beauty 18 10/12 Health 5 37 7 5 13 27

27 56

Rest & Relaxation Cine Sanctuary Emma’s Hair Salon Emmanuel Church Elsa Brown Florist Ikerboy UK King George Field Bowls Club Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club

Children & Education 53 Our Lady Immaculate School 45 Surbiton High School 44/46 Parenting Veterinary 25 Aspen Veterinary Surgery 25 Cats Protection League 24/50 Animal Tales 25/40 Pet Care 53 53 53

54 54

Christmas Greetings Addingtons Furnishings Sir Edward Davey M.P A Berrylands Companion

39 19 17 21 23

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare Community Motors K&P Tyres Walsh Vehicle Management

15 31 43 9 14/42 8/49

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Prithi Glenmore House Carvery Stears Greengrocers Recipe Baking

7 6/38

Accountant M&B Accountancy Services Ltd Finance

52/53 32 23 4 3 37 47 20 51

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Kids Page Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Last Posting Dates for Christmas Sir Edward Davey M.P CornerHouse Grant Surbiton Rotary

Want To Advertise Your Business?

Just because there is already an advert for a similar one, please do not think we will not take your advert!

There are so many businesses, trades and services that are not represented in

A Berrylands Companion From as little as £54 a month your advert can feature here for a year!

An email with your artwork will ensure it is featured.

So What is Stopping You? Call Now!

Contact Karen: tel: 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

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R.J. Tree Services providing excellence locally for 15 years.

Our quali ed professional sta are dedicated to the highest levels of service in every instance.

Free

uotes

Tree Felling Stump Removal Hedgeworks

Tree Reductions Crown Thins

Tree Surveys

Reports

ÂŁ10 million insurance liability cover Diploma quali ed NPTC licensed O ce: 020 83 0103 Mobile: 07 80 03881 info r trees.co.uk LOOK FOR THE RED TREE

R.J. Tree Services, Berrylands, Surbiton Visit our website for information and videos on all aspects of our work www.r trees.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Dec20-Jan 21. 49-56.indd 55

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, KEEP SAFE AND SEE YOU ALL SOON. THANK YOU TO ALL THE FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER US. 56 56 Dec20-Jan 21. 49-56.indd 56

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