March 2014 issue 86 by Karen

Incorporating Your Surbiton Month: March 2014 Issue No. 86 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

Happy Mothers’ Day Inside this month:

* Articles and quizzes *Community pages and Events * And much more................... * Remember to put your clocks forward.

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ON PAGE 93

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Hello Readers

elcome to this month’s magazine, I hope it is a good read for you and you can find just the service that you need amongst our advertisers.

ready for 2am on the 30th. Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers and grandmothers on the same day. Next month we celebrate Easter, so if you are holding any events or promotions, remember to send in your information by the 8th March.

It is amazing how some advertisers say that they do not ask anyone enquiring about their business, just how they found them. But when people ring an advertiser do they tell them they saw their advert in A Berrylands Companion magazine? It works both ways! Keeping track of how adverts attract custom is vital, for businesses, for the magazine and ultimately for you the reader, as we could lose advertisers.

Best wishes

Karen

Whilst the Surbiton area has not seen the awful devastation that has befallen the South West of England, we have had some very windy weather recently, driving rain into all those nooks and crannies and we have not been immune. The rain has found it’s way through to cause a problem in one of our rooms upstairs. At the moment we have a very badly stained ceiling!! And the rain is still falling. So we are looking forward to Spring, which will probably be quite short! Would you believe it, British Summer Time begins at the end of the month!! Don’t forget to put the clocks forward on the 29th March

Useful Numbers Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Trading Standards Refuse Collection Electoral Registration Council Tax Citizens Advice Customs & Excise (VAT) Inland Revenue Helpline Environmental Agency Surbiton Library Kingston Police Non-Emergency Police Emergency Services Non Emergency NHS

020 8547 5000

National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport

08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 0844 335 1801

Transport:

Emergencies/Utilities: Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency Water Emergency BT Fault Line Virgin Media Crimestoppers Kingston Hospital NHS Direct (24/7) Childline Samaritans Age Concern Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org Domestic Violence Help Line www.victimsupport.org.uk Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at YMCA

020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 85474630 020 8547 5196 0844 826 9701 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 020 3541 1212 101 999 111

0800 111 999 0800 783 8866 0845 920 0800 0800 800 151 0845 142 0000 0800 555 111 020 8546 7711 0845 4647 0800 1111 0845 790 9090 0800 00 99 66 020 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

The Better Life Green with Envy

by Derek Thompson

made 48 litres of cider last autumn. By way of a contrast, we once harvested five sweet potatoes that wouldn’t fill a saucer and managed a mug of juice from a bag of foraged apples. We were given a whistlestop tour of several fruit bushes and raspberry canes, a nod to the concrete pond (rectangular) and a visit to the earthworks soon to become a solar array. They also showed us where the water butts will sit and how they plan to follow our example, by linking them to a Rainwater Hub up the wall under the main drainpipe. Our Better Life has always been about cooperation. We try to work with Nature and the seasons; we swap produce and ideas with neighbours and friends. It’s never about competition...usually. “You must come and see our new place,” a friend of ours simpered. “We’re still renovating, but the garden is looking lovely.” In fairness, they’ve been renovating for months and months now and there’s no sign of the house surrendering yet. Anne was very keen to go, principally because she likes looking around other people’s houses - when they’re in, I hasten to add. The garden was, to my emerald eyes, spectacular. They had six chickens, each one a different breed and with its own pedigree, a humungous vegetable plot with three types of potato already in the ground and enough fruit trees to have

I was quiet on the drive home, thinking about what we could do with more space. Anne, ever the practical one, knew just how to harness my ambitions. She drew up a list of things we need to do in March for our own little ecoparadise: 1. Take up more grass, so we can extend the minimeadow to make it a midimeadow. We’ll also need more fine sand for the 50 / 50 mix before we sow last year’s wildflower seeds and it’ll be a chance to delve into a traditional seed catalogue to diversify. 2. Spread the love by spreading the compost. Plus, this year I really want to look at doing something with seaweed. Incidentally, the ‘love’ does not extend to weeds. 3. Tend to the plants in the (world’s smallest) conservatory. I tend to think everything is pot-bound,

but sometimes I am right. It’s also a good time to check the drainage and keep a watchful eye on the temperature. It may only be March but it can be pretty toasty in there on a sunny day. 4. Generally, get busy. This covers a multitude of activities - everything from checking car boot sales for new old tools to turning over the veg patch and planting out onions and beans. Naturally, we popped into a garden centre on our way home - for tea and cake. “While you were looking at their wood store,” Anne caught me daydreaming, “Stephanie told me how much they’d been inspired by our garden.” I smiled then, remembering how we’d agreed a tomato growing competition: Gardner’s Delight vs. Sweet Million - our conservatory vs. their leaky greenhouse. And I recalled those words of Robert Louis Stevenson: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Mainly, it had to be said, because it was written in the seed catalogue.

Derek Thompson is a writer and humourist based in the West Country. His writing blog can be found at www. alongthewritelines.blogspot.com and he is also a regular at www. strictlywriting.blogspot.com

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We’re getting ready for Spring at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club Roy Staniland explains

arch and April are key months in the Club’s year, because our eleven superb grass courts need intensive maintenance to bring them into peak condition for the new grass season in May. Our ground staff mow each court at least three times a week, and there’s fertiliser and other regular spraying to be fitted into a busy outdoor schedule. While we wait impatiently for the grass season, tennis need never stop at our Club. Two of our fast-draining hard courts are covered by our magnificent Dome, guaranteeing play until the end of March, whatever the weather. Three of our hard courts have been laid with synthetic clay, and these are highly popular with our Members. Of course, there’s always plenty happening indoors. We have four state of the art squash courts, all of them heated and air-conditioned. Our Squash Coach is available if you feel the need to improve your game! Our spacious Fitness Suite is a very important facility for our Members. Its equipment includes some of the latest apparatus, from cardiovascular aids to resistance machines and free weights. Equally important is our Studio, with regular classes which range from Pilates and Yoga to Zumba and Indoor Cycling. And there’s Cardio Tennis, a unique fitness programme.

comfy Clubhouse Bar. Why not come along and see us? Just drop in, or ring beforehand if you wish on 0208 399 1594. You can be sure of a warm welcome! About The Club Today Although the Club started life as far back as 1881, today we are well up with most modern trends and facilities. For instance, we have no less than twelve professional tennis coaches, and our training and coaching programmes run all the year and involve more than 250 pupils a week, from age 3 right up to the over-80s. Nor is our coaching limited to the Club premises; we visit eleven local schools on a regular basis for coaching sessions. In partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association and the Tennis Foundation, the Club is committed to the development of tennis in our area, and particularly among the youngest players. Just what you would expect from a major Club in the modern era of tennis. We are also a Disability Hub, working with children and adults with a range of disabilities. See you soon! Roy

Roy Staniland is the Director of Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT. 0208 399 1594 www.surbiton.org

No other Club in the neighbourhood offers our unique spread of facilities. We have plenty of social events, and you can always relax and chat in our

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Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Surbiton Hill Garage If you would like copies at your business please call me on: 020 8274 0096

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Cake and Bake Apricot and Apple Strudel Layers of light and crispy filo pastry wrapped around a sweet fruit filling makes a delicious pud that tastes just as good warm as cold. Serve with tangy crème fraiche, thick Greek yogurt or vanilla custard

Ingredients:

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5. Peel, core and finely chop the apples and place in a bowl with the lemon zest, apricots, breadcrumbs, mixed spice and 3 tbsp of the Demerara sugar. Mix well.

Place 2 sheets of the filo pastry, slightly overlapping, on a large greased baking tray. Brush them liberally with some of the melted butter then arrange 2 more sheets on top. Brush with more butter and top with the last 2 sheets.

Spoon the apple mixture along one long pastry edge, leaving a 3cm border. Sprinkle over another 3 tbsp of Demerara sugar. Fold in the two short ends of the pastry then roll up loosely from one long side to enclose the filling, making sure the seal is underneath. Brush the pastry all over with any remaining melted butter and sprinkle over the rest of the Demerara sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Check after 25 minutes and cover loosely with foil if the pastry begins to go too brown. Serve warm or cold dusted with icing sugar.

• 2 large cooking apples • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • 85g no-need-tosoak dried apricots, chopped • 50g fresh white breadcrumbs • 1 tsp ground mixed spice • 7 tbsp Demerara sugar • 6 large sheets filo pastry (approx 200g) • 50g unsalted butter, melted • Icing sugar, for dusting

Serves 4 - 6 8

TIP

Adding breadcrumbs to the fruit mixture helps to soak up any juices and stop the pastry from becoming soggy. You can replace them with ground almonds, if liked.

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A New Year - Get Planning!

tart your New Year by putting your grand plans for improving your home into action. If you are thinking of extending and/or improving your property, now is the time to start planning. Building to a high specification will add space to your home and increase the value of your property. Berrylands Building Company Is your local firm, with a highly skilled team with over 30 years of experience. We offer a ‘Design and Build’ service which will help take away the stresses of planning your extension.

Latest projects Our latest completed project photographed in the heart of Berrylands, (Pine Gardens). A single storey rear and side kitchen/diner extension including new patio and landscaping. Before:

We come highly recommended by previous clients who agree that we give a professional, approachable and affordable service. Just check out our “Checkatrade” ratings. Planning is Key Invite us to discuss how we can push your project forward. We are happy to introduce you to our recommended Architects and Structural Engineers and give advice on planning issues.

After:

Any building project takes time, particularly if you need to gain planning permission. By starting this process early with a reputable firm, you will have help every step of the way to complete a high quality build. So, get your plans kicked off early and work with your local building company using our 5 step guide: 1) Invite us to your home to discuss your requirements 2) Meet our recommended Architects and Structural Engineers, or if you already have your plans drawn up, no problem. 3) Get plans drawn up if required, and we will give you a detailed quotation. 4) Allow time to submit your plans for planning permission and/or building control (normally 6/8 weeks for planning) 5) Arrange and book in a date for Berrylands Building Company to start work We are on CHECKATRADE We are extremely proud members of Checkatrade for the last 10 years and we come highly recommended by our previous customers. Working locally, with local homeowners like yourselves, allows us to be in a position of providing you with plenty of recognizable references.

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‘Very high standard of workmanship’ ‘Taking pains to minimize the disruption to our family’ (Mr & Mrs C Godfrey)

So, this New Year, get in early and talk through your plans to extend your home with your local building firm, Berrylands Building Company. See our website for more projects www.berrylandsbuilders.co.uk Contact: Garry Hall 020 8399 6276 or 07941374324

E mail: garry@berrylandsbuilders.co.uk

‘Small enough to care, big enough to deliver’

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11/24/20

10 Ways To Save On Renovating Your Home Building work can be expensive, but if you’re canny you can keep costs down, says Katherine Sorrell By Katherine Sorrell 1. Use trade suppliers: they’re much cheaper than their high-street equivalents. If you’re embarking on a major project, open an account with your local builders merchant, or else try specialists such as Screwfix or Plumbase. Feel intimidated about going into a branch? Do your research beforehand (so you know what you’re talking about), wear appropriate clothing and act confident. If you need to ask advice, though, do – these guys are the specialists and will probably be only too happy to help. 2. Borrow rather than buy expensive tools that you’re unlikely to use very often. Ask friends – making sure their tools have been well maintained – or try a local hire shop. Before you start, though, make sure you know exactly how to use the tool safely. 3. Do as much work as you can yourself, and ask friends and family to help. You may be able to improve your DIY skills by studying a good manual, taking an evening

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class or even attending a specialist course. Only tackle jobs you can manage safely, however. Painting, decorating, tiling, sanding floorboards are all fine. But complex or tricky jobs should be left to the professionals, as should anything that involves electricity, gas or working at a height. 4. Try to design fitted furniture such as shelves or cupboards with the dimensions of standard materials in mind. This will allow you to either buy off the shelf or will save on cuttingwaste, and therefore cost you less. 5. Grab the best bargains in sales and clearances, and at factory outlets, seconds shops and discount warehouses. This may mean planning your decorating around a oneoff sale, or waiting until you have acquired just the right discounted item, but your patience will pay off in the end. 6. How about second-hand? You never know what you might find if you scour the

right places, from auctions and junk shops to small ads in your local paper and salvage yards. The golden rule is to be prepared – if you’re out and about, write out a list of relevant dimensions and keep it, together with a mini tape measure, on your person at all times. And be aware of safety: if you do buy secondhand radiators, taps or electrical items, have them fitted by someone who’s qualified to check that they’re totally safe and functioning correctly. 7. Something for nothing? Some people swear by the fine art of ‘skip dipping’ – and it’s true that many a desirable item, from floorboards to kitchen cupboards, has been re-homed in this way. If you’re going to try this, never trespass, and ask the owner’s permission first. Much easier, though, is to sign up to an internet-based network such as Freecycle, which connects people who are giving things away with people who will happily take them off their hands. Don’t expect designer style, but

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you may be surprised at the range of useful things on offer, and you can even post a ‘wanted’ ad if you’re after something in particular. 8. Buy wallpaper and fabric from ends-of-line and discount suppliers. And avoid paying extra for special colours from expensive paint companies – have your chosen colour mixed for you, in whatever finish you require. Johnstone’s and Dulux both offer this service. 9. Use decorating tricks to save money. If you can’t afford carpet, for example, either sand your floorboards or paint them, and add a simple rug for a clean, contemporary look. Instead of bespoke curtains, choose Roman or

roller blinds, which use much less fabric and are correspondingly a great deal cheaper (you may even be able to buy them off the peg or make them yourself). Can’t afford to have the glass in an overlooked window beautifully etched? Then buy some stick-on window film, which is easy to use and inexpensive. 10. Think laterally. In a bathroom, for example, you can completely transform the look and feel of the room by changing the taps, loo seat, bath panel, window treatment and shower curtain. In a kitchen, consider replacing either the cupboard doors and drawer fronts, or carefully repainting

them. A new worktop can also be relatively inexpensive, and will give the room a whole new look. Image on left: Roller blinds are smart and simple – and much less expensive than curtains. These rich brown blinds with an on-trend print start at £50 (60x60cm), Luxaflex Sunway (0800 652 7799; www.sunwayblinds.co.uk). Image above: Window film is an easy and inexpensive solution for overlooked windows. Etch-effect film, £20.85 for a 50cm square sheet, Purlfrost (020 8992 4024; www.purlfrost.com).

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Why Saving Doesn’t Have To Be Taxing It’s that time of the year when financial talk is all about tax free savings and ISAs. It’s worth listening, because you’re really missing a trick if all your savings are being taxed – so here’s a quick introduction to saving tax-free. Avoiding and Reducing Tax on Interest If you earn less than your annual tax allowance, you won’t have to pay tax on your savings interest (unless it pushes your income over your tax allowance). But most banks and building societies automatically tax your interest, so register as a non-taxpayer by filling in form R85, found here http://www.hmrc.gov. uk/forms/r85.pdf, for each institution you bank with. You can check your eligibility at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ helpsheets/r85-helpsheet.pdf. Don’t forget, children pay tax too – most won’t earn enough to go over their allowance, but parents must fill in an R85 on their behalf. Remember, if money given by a parent produces interest of over £100 a year, the interest is considered part of that parent’s income. If you or your partner pay different tax rates, consider putting savings in the name of whoever pays the lowest rate. Some couples aren’t happy with their savings in just one name, but if you are, it can make good financial sense, particularly if one of you is

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paying the higher rate tax of 40% or more while the other pays basic tax or none at all.

Tax Free Savings

Even if you’re a tax-payer, there are tax-free saving schemes sanctioned by the government which allow you to invest a limited amount each tax-year and receive your interest tax-free. An ISA (Individual Savings Account) allows you to save up to an overall maximum of £11,520 a year (in tax year 2013-14), either in a Stocks and Shares ISAs (annual limit £11,520) or a Cash ISA (annual limit only £5760 per year – so you may want to invest the rest of your allowance in a Stocks and Shares ISA). Many Cash ISAs now have instant access facilities - handy if you want to save but think that you might need to dip into your ISA. Junior ISAs are also available for children up to 18, but have a lower limit of just £3,720 per annum; those born between 1 Sep 2002 and 2 Jan 2011 aren’t eligible, as they have Child Trust Funds. Of course, most children won’t pay tax anyway, but one advantage of a Junior ISA is that savings automatically convert into an adult cash ISA when the child turns 18, and

then remain tax-free – even if the amount is over the adult ISA limit. The Government backed NSI (National Savings and Investments) sometimes offer Savings Certificates which give tax-free returns without affecting your ISA allowance. You can also save tax-free with a Friendly Society; their policies often have other features such as life or health insurance, but they are designed for long term saving and investing; charges can be severe if you end the policy early.

Pensions We should all save in a pension, and pension contributions accrue tax relief. You can usually pay extra voluntary contributions into your employer’s pension scheme, and can also pay into a personal pension scheme (either as a top-up or your sole pension). Some pensions will allow you to take early lump sums but pensions aren’t designed for short-term investment, so always check terms and conditions before deciding how much money to commit long term. By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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K B Design

• Architectural Services • Residential + Commercial Extensions or New Build • Planning + Building Regulation Consents • Health and Safety for Construction • Party Wall Awards

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To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk QP advert 1

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• • • • •

S O M E

Life Begins When did you last do something impulsive?

It sometimes pays to follow your instincts. Author JK Rowling reportedly decided to write the first Harry Potter novel after an idea for the story occurred to her when she was travelling on a train. She completed the book as a struggling single mum on state benefits, becoming a multimillionaire within five years. Japanese engineer Yusuke Funaki saw a performance by the world-famous circus company Cirque du Soleil and was so inspired that he decided to learn the ropeskipping techniques he had seen in the show. After a few years of practice he abandoned engineering and literally ran away to join the circus. He is still working with Cirque du Soleil as a performer at their Florida base. The link between these two individuals is their willingness to follow an impulse, taking up new activities that – given their backgrounds and relative inexperience in their chosen

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fields - were far from guaranteed to result in success. It takes a certain kind of courage to risk everything in order to follow a dream, especially when we know it might fail. Most of us, at some stage in our lives, have done things that we have regretted at a later date. Sometimes our spur-of-the-moment choices seem so out of character it’s almost as though someone else has taken over our minds. A study of the brain shows why we feel this way. While the primitive, emotional part of our brain (found in the limbic system) makes rapid-fire decisions about things we like, dislike, hate, love, fear or want, the intellectual and more logical mind (located in prefrontal cortex) is geared to making deliberate and rational conclusions at a slightly slower pace. Allow your emotional brain to guide your actions and you’re likely to end up doing something impulsive. We tend to associate impulsivity with youth. As they age, people often reject these youthful emotional responses: instead mature people use the knowledge they have acquired, backed up by logic and reason, to cope with new challenges or solve problems. While no-one would

by Kate McLelland

doubt the benefits that knowledge and experience can bring, something is perhaps lost in this process. Impulse and risk-taking are closely linked with creativity, and there’s a danger that we may ignore creative impulses that have the power to change the course of our lives. By middle-age, many of us have ceased to follow our instincts completely, relying on tried and trusted methods that we have learned in our formative years to see us through. But does sticking with what we know actually inhibit brain development? When individuals settle into routines that are repeated automatically from day to day, the brain activity required for those activities decreases. That means that we tend to carry out familiar actions on autopilot and consequently our minds receive very little stimulation. The good news is that older people can reactivate their brains by undertaking new activities, or by approaching established routines in different ways. Whether you decide to join a choir, take up a musical instrument or volunteer for a local charity, it’s not really about the activity – it’s about rekindling the youthful spark that encouraged you to experiment and try new things. At the very least it will give your brain some exercise, at best it might be the key to a whole new life.

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Est 35 YEARS

ROBINSON & SON

William Stallion

150 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9HF

*Alterations & Additions *New Installations *Maintenance *Rewires *Testing & Inspection EICR/PIR *NIC/EIC Registered,insured,certiﬁed

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PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS & DECORATORS Wallpapering

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ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS BOILER SERVICING OR REPAIRS

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solicitors

Need a DIVORCE, SEPARATION OR HELP WITH CONTACT speak to Carol Stevens-Stratten Need to MOVE HOUSE OR GET HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS speak to Jonathan Owens Need to MAKE A WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY OR ADMINISTER AN ESTATE speak to James Winfield

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LAW FIRM, AND PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE For more information or a no obligation quote

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Email: ewell@lewis-dick.com or visit our Website: www.lewis-dick.com Lewis & Dick, 443 Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT19 0DG To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

A Touch of the Orient by Pippa Greenwood

As the new gardening year is under way, is it time to embark on a new era in your garden? It can be really refreshing to have a change of style, not necessarily in your whole garden but perhaps you could create a different and contrasting feel in a small part of your plot to the rest of your well-loved garden? The Japanese style is largely very simplistic and aims to create a relaxed, calm environment. In any garden you’re going to need walls, fences, pathways and so forth, and if you use natural materials such as wood or of course bamboo, they blend in better with the surroundings of an existing or a newly planned garden and instantly help to create that oriental feel. Provided the surface is made relatively slip-proof, a small bridge can be created quite easily using a simple plank of wood, allowing you to cross over an existing or new pond or other water feature. Stain the wood an interesting colour: perhaps even bright Japanesestyle red if you’re feeling daring. Thinking of water, why not create your own ‘deer chase’? All you need to set up is a source of water powered by a pump, then allow the water to pour out from a bamboo spout and then into another hollowed out piece of bamboo. As the weight of the water increases

in the hollowed out bamboo it causes it to tip and to swivel around slightly. Once filled up it then tilts downwards and pours its water into the basin or bowl beneath. When empty it clunks back into position. If you want something even simpler, then buy some wide diameter bamboo canes, hollow one out, cut the end at an angle and simply create a trickling water spout. Provided you fix everything up with a pump, the water can then be recycled around from the bowl or basin and back into the trickling pipe. Gravelled areas raked into simple patterns resembling waves or entire circles also help to create a Japanese feel. These can take up the majority of the garden space, be a relatively small area or perhaps link your existing garden into the Japanese ‘room’ that you have created. Concentric rings of raked gravel or sand look particularly dramatic if you place a sizeable, interestingly shaped boulder, stone or specimen plant in the centre of the middle circle. When it comes to plants there are several which instantly help to evoke that Japanese effect. The so-called Japanese maples with their intricately divided leaves epitomise Japanese gardens and many will turn brilliant shades in the autumn. Japanese azaleas too can be used to great effect and can

bring in some of those really bright colours which look so good for the relatively simple garden surrounding them. Pine trees may be too large for most gardens, but you can gradually bend the stems of a smaller one to create a bonsai effect. Of course, if you’re a collector of bonsai then most of these trees actually enjoy spending the summer outside in a garden and provided they are kept adequately maintained, will look great in your Japanese garden. A trip down to your local garden centre is bound to supply you with a few oriental-themed containers. Plant one or two of these up with a small acer, camellia, miniature azalea or miniature bamboo and you will really help to complete that oriental touch. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for a great range of gardening-related items including ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system, electronic cat and fox deterrents, lots of slug controls, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, and many other useful garden items.

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R.J. Tree qualified & profession R.J. Tree Services qualified & professional staffServices are dedicated Doors/Skirting Maintenance Repair Work Hedge Trimming to the highest levels of service in every i to the highest levels of service in every instance. Trimming, tidying & mowing Shelving/Carpentry Gates Joinery We are happy Fencing We are happy to give advice – on all you to give advice – on all your arboricultural queries. gates & sheds Fencing, decking, Stud Walling Clearance Wardrobes Decking

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To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 3 07980 903 881 21 pects of our work

Garden of Delights How tech can take the grunt out of gardening

It’s that time of year again: spring has sprung and the grass has started to rise. While robot lawnmowers haven’t quite reached bargain basement prices just yet - a robomower such as Husquvarna’s Automower 305G has an RRP of £1,399, and even the cheapest online shops charge around £850 - technology can still help: firms such as Bosch, Greenworks and Mountfield all offer battery-powered lawnmowers that offer the convenience of cable-free mowing without the noise, smell and hassle of petrol engines. Prices range from just over £200 to around £500. What’s even easier than a cordless mower? That’s right: grass that you don’t have to mow in the first place. Hi-tech turf (www.hitechturf.co.uk) looks like grass and feels like grass, but it’s entirely artificial - and if you have terrible memories of plasticky, jaggy artificial turf you’ll be relieved to discover that this is a very different proposition. For around £29 per square metre (for HT Luxury) you can lay a lawn that looks just like the real thing without any of the work. If your budget’s a bit more limited then there are more affordable options including a budget artificial turf at £7.99 per square metre.

Lawns aren’t the only places where technology can make life easier. Battery power has reached the point where it’s good enough for seriously demanding garden tasks. Black & Decker will happily sell you battery-powered chainsaws, pruning saws and loppers. The batteries deliver plenty of oomph - the chainsaw will power through up to 150 3.5cm branches before it runs out of puff - but boffins have yet to invent a device that ensures we remember to charge the power tools before we actually need them. More modest gardening can benefit from gadgetry too. Hozelock’s auto-watering system sticks a timer onto your tap, turning it on and off at the times you program, and options range from a simple sprinkler to an entire micro-irrigation system. Some timers even have rain sensors that mean they won’t turn on the tap if the weather forecast turned out to be overly optimistic. Not all gardening gadgets need electricity to function. The iconic Leatherman multi-tool isn’t exactly cheap, but its products - and their many imitators - offer a huge range of tools in one handy gadget. For example the Leatherman Charge AL includes two kinds of pliers,

a knife, a saw and a serrated knife, a wood and metal file, wire cutters and wire strippers. If you find gardening is, literally, a pain, it’s worth taking a look at the range of gardening tools made by Radius Garden, whose slogan is “Garden more. Hurt less.” The odd-looking tools have been designed with ergonomic grips to make them more comfortable and less likely to aggravate repetitive strain injuries, and the range includes trowels, forks, transplanters, weeders and cultivators. Expect to pay around £9 for each individual tool or around £30 for a set of four. If taking the grunting out of gardening sounds like something you’d like to do, you might also want to consider a device such as Fiskar’s Weed Puller (currently £25), which is designed to remove weeds without using chemicals or wrecking your lower back: it’s a long L-shaped stick containing deep-reaching stainless steel claws that effortlessly grab weeds by the roots. It might not be an exciting robot mower but anything that helps with a hard day’s weeding sounds like a great gadget to us. Images left to right: Black & Decker Cordless Lopper, WORX cordless lawn mower, Hozelock auto watering system with rain sensor, Radius ergonomic gardening tools

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Winter storms and your trees!

Roger Kerr

he storm conditions we all endured in the Christmas and New Year period brought serious problems for many trees, this article will assist you in assessing the stability of your garden trees and give some tips to minimise future damage. The problems that the weather can bring to our trees can be divided into conditions prior to storms as well as the events themselves. A prolonged period of rain can saturate the soil which can raise local water tables to the point that surface water covers the lawn. The problem can be exasperated where older lawns with a compacted surface from years of us walking over them slows the infiltration of rainwater into the soil below. In areas like ours with clay based soils the poor porosity and permeability further intensifies the saturation of the garden. It is these clay soils that create a slippage zone under the tree rootplate as the movement of the tree creates “slip” just like the sort used in school pottery lessons!! Just rub some soil and water in your hand to see if your garden has these slippery clay soils. Following a period of sustained rainfall the occasion of a storm can be the final straw in affecting the stability of a tree. The key factors that cause a tree to collapse in high winds are the “sail” area and height of a tree. The sail area is the amount of the tree that can catch the wind just like the sail of a boat, the bigger the sail the more movement that can be expected especially if the tree is an evergreen or a deciduous tree in leaf. The higher the tree is the more leverage is exerted on the base of the tree in high winds, in physics this is often referred to as a “moment”, shorter trees cause less leverage on the base and rootplate. Where trees are in groups they assist one another by creating a collective friction against the wind. A tree standing by itself is more vunerable to the full force of the wind, whereas a mix of trees surrounded by buildings can be protected somewhat, buildings however can funnel the wind that can act against

this general benefit of surburban housing! Trees with shallow rootplates are more prone to the effects of storms. The majority of our emergency call outs over the holiday period and into January were for conifer, pine and Eucalyptus trees, these trees have roots that rarely go more than 1 metre below the surface, they rely upon a wide but shallow root structure to support the weight of the tree. The other trees we worked on tended to have health issues including rootplate decay whereby they were already prone to a failure of the whole tree and the storm was the trigger for this. To assess your tree stability and condition follow these basic guidelines 1. Look for hanging branches in the canopy or branches with unusual angles that appear to be recent, a good tip is to photograph the tree so a comparison image is available to you 2. Look for raised roots in the lawn area, as a root plate becomes unstable these roots can be exposed on the surface as loops. 3. Inspect the base of the tree look for a difference in soil height on opposite sides of the trunk. 4. An easy clue to spot is the movement of the trunk itself , see if the trunk is off centre from the usual position, on smaller trees you can “feel” movement by holding the tree trunk when its windy to see if the movement is excessive. Tree surgery that reduces the size of the tree via a crown reduction alleviates the forces of a large sail area and leverage. A crown thin reduces the sail area facing the wind that again helps reduce vunerability. Making you lawn more porous via forking the lawn rootplate to aerate the soil improves the movement of water through the soil rather than ponding up on the surface. For a proper assessment contact a qualified Arborist for expert advice.

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To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

March On

A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson Far from being a stroll among the bluebells, the Appalachian Trail is a two thousand mile route that goes right the way along the East Coast of North America, from Georgia to Maine. Bill Bryson’s hilarious account of all the things that will kill you along the way will have you longing for a bit of adventure. This is a trek that’s a journey into the wild. Some don’t make it alive. Rest assured, if the bears don’t get you then the poison ivy will. Walking Home: A Poet’s Journey, Simon Armitage Most walkers complete the Pennine Way by going South to North but Simon Armitage decided it would be more poetic if he did it the other way around. He made the 256 mile journey from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border to his native Yorkshire, and the village where he was born. True to form, Armitage decided not to look like he was on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition but to wander as a lonely troubadour, penniless on the Pennine Way and give poetry readings in village halls, churches and pubs. It’s packed with Northern soul and would be best enjoyed with a pint of stout in a pub.

Now the weather’s improving and spring has almost sprung, it’s time to head outside and explore the great outdoors. OK, so this might be taking the month of March a tad literally, but how about taking it literary? Here are some of our top tips for great reads about epic journeys.

Walking, Henry David Thoreau According to Thoreau, in order to find happiness, we just need to spend more time outdoors. More specifically, not only do we need to constantly reconnect with nature but we need to be moving and discovering and taking long afternoon walks. As a writer he took inspiration from his surroundings and revelled in the wild and the free. Here he did his greatest thinking and he remains a hero among environmentalists and fans of American literature alike.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Rachel Joyce This is an extraordinary story that begins with the most ordinary of objects: a letter. Harold Fry receives a letter from old flame and dear friend Queenie, who is now in a hospice and facing her mortality. Harold writes her a reply but then on a whim, decides he must walk the 600 miles to hand deliver it to her, leaving his wife upstairs doing the housework. It’s such an amazing and heart-warming story. Will Harold reach Queenie in time?

Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doris Pilkington, Nugi Garimara In 1931 the Australian government dictated that all Aboriginal and mixed race children should be removed from their homes and put into settlements to assimilate into white culture. This is the true story of three little girls who followed the rabbit-proof fence 1000 miles across the harsh Australian outback, all the way back home. Doris Pilkington’s mother was one of those girls and here she tells her mother’s remarkable survival story. It’s an absolutely unbelievable account of the human spirit and its resilience.

The Hobbit, J R R Tolkien If there’s one thing in life that hobbits enjoy more than anything, it’s comfort. From the sanctuary of his hobbit-hole, Bilbo Baggins is plucked by the wizard Gandalf and taken off on an extraordinary and most unexpected journey, deep into Middle Earth. Accompanying Gandalf and his band of thirteen dwarves, the world’s most reluctant hero must help them raid the treasures of Smaug the Magnificent, a dangerous dragon. Written for Tolkien’s own grandchildren, it’s the prelude to The Lord of the Rings and a fantastic odyssey into the unknown.

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020 8399 4945 www.tolworthmotorcompany.co.uk

A genuine â&#x20AC;&#x153;freshâ&#x20AC;? approach to used vehicles Tolworth Motor Company is jointly owned and managed by Andrew Hawkins and Nick Kift. Between them they have more than 50 years experience in the motor trade and finance industry. Throughout their working lives they have gained a wealth of knowledge and are renowned for their extensive contacts and expertise. This has enabled them to hand pick the finest cars from around the country. Their experience allows them to give honest advice and valuations. The finance service is extensively utilised by a range of garages, companies and private individuals the service is exceptional, providing a finance brokerage which has access to more than 40 finance companies

covering all products and has the ability to fund vehicles and most business assets. Cars are purchased and the money immediately transferred to your bank. Cars can be re-financed to raise cash or alternatively re-structure your existing finance agreement to suit your needs. Prior to collection all cars have a thorough pre delivery check, are fully valeted, come with a minimum of 6 months MOT, a fully comprehensive warranty and a HPI certificate. If required there is a 7 days free insurance option. The showroom is located behind M&S at Tolworth within easy reach of the A3. Its fresh appearance and welcoming layout ensures that all vehicles are visible, and accessible for immediate test drives. AA and RAC inspections are welcomed. The friendly non pressurised atmosphere and welcoming coffee entices your attention! Please come in to discuss your requirements.

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To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Beauty Designer vs. Budget Beauty Buys

By Helen Taylor

Try Estee Lauder Double Wear £28.50. BluSHer - Save Everyone needs a bit of colour in their cheeks and blusher is definitely one of those items that Image: Courtesy of Estee Lauder you can save on, because high-end products Do you love designer don’t differ too greatly from cosmetics? Or do you prefer a budget versions. Just make sure bargain buy? Whatever your that you choose a natural shade, preference, it’s worth checking out our guide to when to splurge as cheaper colours can be a little more intense and unnatural and when to save. if applied too heavily. Foundation - Splurge Try No7 Natural Blush Tint Foundation literally provides Powder £8.00. the foundation for the rest of MaScara - Splurge your make-up. It evens out your natural skin and covers up flaws Full, long lashes really do make your eyes look more beautiful, - like blemishes and scars - to so it’s worth investing in a quality leave you with a perfect finish. mascara. Cheap products just can’t beat Cheap mascara is often their costly counterparts when disappointing because its it comes to this all-important consistency doesn’t match that purchase, because poorer of more expensive products, formulations don’t have the and leaves lashes looking sticky, staying power and the true-toclumpy and undefined. skin colour of pricier versions. High-end cosmetic companies To find the one that’s ideal lead the way in developing the for you, head to your nearest best formulas and brushes for department store and take their mascara, so you can be advantage of some expert sure that you’ll see the benefits advice. Find a shade which when you upgrade from a matches your natural colouring budget brand. and works best for your Try Givenchy Noir Couture requirements, like skin type and Waterproof Mascara £22.50. coverage. High-end foundations are eyeSHadow - Save formulated with all of these Generally, there isn’t too much things in mind and come in a difference between budget variety of true-to-life shades. and more costly eyeshadows, Built to solve the problems as long as you choose neutral presented by cheap foundations, shades - stronger colours can these products are far superior. be very harsh.

Cheap eyeshadow does have a tendency to be more glittery and shimmery though, so be careful if you’re a more mature lady because it will emphasise every line and crease around your eyes. Try Bourjois Little Round Pot Intense Eyeshadow £6.99. powder - Splurge Like foundation, there is a real difference between budget and high-end face powder. Expensive products are finely milled, making their texture extra soft and natural looking on the skin. A good powder sets your foundation and finishes your make-up, so invest in a quality one. Try Guerlain Les Voilettes Compact Powder £35. lip-gloSS - Save Lip-gloss formulations are pretty similar, so save some money when you buy yours. There’s an array to choose from and all of them will instantly serve to plump up your lips. Try Barry M Lip-gloss Wand £4.49. HigHligHter - Splurge There are many different highlighters on the market; some are in powder form, others liquid. Find the right one and your face will be instantly lifted with a radiant and youthful glow. And if there’s one product that you really should splurge on, it’s YSL’s Touche Eclat Radiant Touch £25.

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so barre Strength . Flexibility . Stamina NEW CLASS Wednesday 12.15pm LOCATION The Studio Surbiton Rackets & Fitness Club Berrylands, Surbiton KT5 8JT

Iso Barre is a unique and challenging programme of full-body, group exercise classes. Clients are expertly led through a series of conditioning intervals which systematically target each muscle group through a combination of isometrics, resistance, and barre work for core strengthening and alignment. Deep recovery stretching follows each interval to lengthen and shape the body. Guidance on form and technique is delivered by one of our highly trained team of instructors resulting in the most efficient and effective barre class available.

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One to One Homecare is the trading name of Halo Homecare Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales: 6686170. Regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

nd_A6_2.indd 1

9/5/13 10:24:57

Hiatus Hernias A hernia occurs when part of the body bulges through a weakened or damaged wall of muscle or tissue. 1 in 10 people will suffer from a hiatus hernia, where the stomach is the culprit, bulging through the hiatus (a gap in the diaphragm that allows the oesophagus to pass through). If this area is weakened or damaged (herniated), the upper part of the stomach can sometimes bulge through and sit above the diaphragm, forming a hiatus hernia. But not all hiatus hernias are the same: Over 90% are sliding hiatus hernias - the upper stomach pushes up through the hiatus, under the oesophagus. Paraoesophageal (rolling) hiatus hernia - the upper stomach pushes up through the hiatus beside the oesophagus. It usually requires surgery and causes more pain than a sliding hiatus hernia. Mixed hiatus hernia - both sliding and rolling characteristics are present. Extremely rare. Smokers, women, overweight people and over 50s are more prone to hiatus hernias and they’re more prevalent in the Western world, possibly due to unhealthy low fibre diets. There isn’t always an obvious cause, but common causes are: • Persistent / violent coughing or sneezing • Persistent / violent straining on the toilet or vomiting

• Heavy lifting • Pregnancy / delivery • Sudden bending or straining to reach something Sometimes hiatus hernias are symptomless, but symptoms are: • pain in the left side of your chest or just under the ribs – this can be severe • acid reflux (heartburn) • physical sensation of your stomach pushing upwards • shortness of breath • sometimes nausea, belching, loss of appetite, discomfort when eating, difficulty passing stools Hiatus hernia symptoms can be mistaken for chest or heart problems and vice versa, and occasionally a hiatus hernia can become strangulated, requiring urgent attention. So if you have symptoms, always see a doctor – or visit A&E if you’re suddenly in great pain. Unless your doctor suspects a strangulated hernia, they usually won’t refer you for surgery immediately (if at all). Instead they’ll suggest ways to improve symptoms and prevent aggravating the hernia. Treatment • Lifestyle / Diet changes - lose excess weight and give up smoking. Avoid eating late in the evening or before lying down. Small, light meals are best. Certain foods are inclined to cause heartburn,

so if affected avoid them: alcohol, caffeinated or fizzy drinks, peppermint, spicy or fatty foods, onions, garlic, citrus and tomatoes. • Sleeping – avoid sleeping flat, preferably by raising the head of your bed; using lots of pillows may put more pressure on the abdomen. • Painkillers – usually antiinflammatories e.g. ibuprofen, or opioids like co-codamol or co-dydramol, depending on your symptoms. • Antacids and alginates – to soothe the stomach and reduce acidity. • Proton Pump Inhibitors – e.g. Omeprazole, to reduce the production of stomach acid. • H2 receptor antagonists – e.g Ranitidine, to block histamine and so reduce stomach acid. If these steps fail, or there are concerns about damage to your stomach or oesophagus, then surgery will be recommended - usually by Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF). This is keyhole surgery carried out under general anaesthetic, which puts the stomach into the correct position and tightens the diaphragm around the oesophagus, using part of the upper stomach. It’s a common, simple, low-risk operation – so don’t be put off. If you suspect you have a hiatus hernia, visit your doctor. By Alison Runham

Please mention the magazine 34 when contacting advertisers

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Professional Toe Nail Cutting Service

I Slimming World

For those who find it difficult to cut their own nails

Fully trained at Age Concern, enhanced CRB certificate. Cut and file of all types of nails from straight forward to more complex. Treatment of hard skin and a foot cream/massage provided. I can visit you at home or in a residential centre. Price ÂŁ22 per visit, discounts available if more than one person in the same household, eg husband and wife. Please contact Julie on:

Joi

07932 510855

wa r

m an

d frie n

d l y g ro u p n e

ar you today...

WEDNESDAY Surbiton Surbiton New Life Baptist Church 1 Balaclava Road Morning Group: 9.30am Evening Groups: 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel: Justine 020 8942 6117

R N P G S I 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.

0844 897 8000

3 letters: 10 4 letters: 17 5 letters: 6 6 letters: 1

www.slimmingworld.com

Long Ditton Yoga Friendly yoga classes for all levels - beginners welcome. Would you like to:

be fitter? be more flexible? reduce your stress levels?

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

6:45 - 8:15 pm 9.30 - 11.00 am 6:45 - 8:15 pm

& & &

8:30 - 10:00 pm 11:15 - 12:45 pm 8:30 - 10:00 pm

Long Ditton Parish Hall KT6 5LE. www.longdittonyoga.co.uk enquiries@longdittonyoga.co.uk or call Carolyn on 020 8390 9522

Please mention the magazine 36 when contacting advertisers

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

with Cheryl Ditch the workout, Join the party!

Bar . Restaurant Social Events Large Car Park

Fitness @ ST MATTHEW’S SCHOOL Langley Road, Surbiton Wednesdays 7.30pm

FUNCTION ROOM FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Gold @

SURBITON SEA SCOUTS HQ

Electric Parade Off Balaclava Road Mondays 11 am

07702 358064

nunescheryl@hotmail.com/Facebook-Zumba with Cheryl

Jubilee Way,.Chessington, KT9 1TR Tel: 020 8397 7025

All the fun of Zumba Fitness at a pace to suit YOU!

www.kgfindoorbowlsclub.co.uk

ZUMBA® and the Zumba Fitness logos are trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC. - Used under license.

Layout: advert full colour 2 17 12 CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

14 17

15 24

2 17

2 10

12 26

2 24

18 2

2 6

18 2

10 24

1 2

2 18

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

1 8

11 3

Easy Lamb Rogan Dhansak Serves 4-6

Ready in 4 hours This recipe does use fresh ingredients but ‘cheats’ a little by using a jar of sauce rather than creating it from scratch which saves time, but still produces a delicious and authentic dish. Unlike many curry type dishes, the lentils make this very thick so there’s no need for rice. It reheats perfectly and so can be cooked the day before ready to eat at short notice the next day.

Ingredients: • 800g diced leg of lamb or lamb steaks

• 3 whole peppers, red, green, yellow, sliced.

• 1 chopped and diced onion • 2 carrots peeled and finely diced

• 2 sticks of celery chopped and finely diced

• 2 jars of Rogan Josh

sauce (recommend Loyd Grossman)

• Half a teacup of dried red lentils

• 2 – 4 whole red chillies sliced • Bunch of fresh coriander • Olive oil • Salt and pepper • For serving, naan bread and sour cream

Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas Mark 2. Add a splash of olive oil to a frying pan and cook the onions, carrot and celery until they take on a bit of colour, then put these into a large casserole pot. In the same pan put about half the diced lamb and fry until sealed, then put into casserole pot, repeat with the rest of the lamb. Fry the peppers for a couple of minutes, then put them into casserole pot with a pinch of salt and a good grind of pepper. Add the chillies to taste – 4 chillies will give a medium heat but use fewer chillies and remove the seeds if you don’t like it too hot. Pour in the two jars of Rogan Josh, then add a bit of water to the jars, put the lid back on and shake. Chop half the coriander and add to the pot with the liquid from the jars and stir thoroughly. You need the casserole pot filled to near the top, so add water if necessary. Don’t worry if it looks a bit watery, the lentils at the end will thicken it all up. Put into the oven, giving it a stir after about 2 hours.

6 After 3.5 hours sprinkle over lentils and stir in.

Put back into the oven for another 40 minutes.

7 Just before serving sprinkle the rest of the fresh coriander on top and then serve with naan bread, and sour cream.

Please mention the magazine 38 when contacting advertisers

C.D Jennings & Sons Surbitonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s High Class Traditional Family Butchers Meat of the Highest Quality from the Finest Sources

Serving Surbiton for over 50 Years C.D Jennings & Sons Winter Specials Call us on 020 8399 4870 Stews & Casseroles Oxtail, Shin of Beef, Neck of Lamb, Belly Pork, Diced Venison, Rabbit, Beef Cheeks, Lamb Shanks Roasts Ribs of Beef, Pork Shoulders, Legs Lamb, Free Range Chickens

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite The Victoria pub) or call us to place an order on 020 8399 4870

For more information view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Nourishing stews and casseroles. A tasty and economical way to keep warm! says Alan Jennings

arch can be a pretty cold month, and my mind turns to the splendid range of warming dishes that can help us through the winter months. Like my favourite stews and casseroles.

Whether you want to go for beef, lamb or pork, there’s an excellent range of cuts which are ideal for slow cooking in stews and casseroles. These are the cheaper cuts, which may help with the family budget, but they’re none the worse for that; indeed, the longer, slower cooking they need helps each cut to develop its own characteristic flavour, and some are my own personal favourites for home cooking. Starting with beef, excellent choices for a stew would be chuck steak or shin of beef, and they won’t run you up a big bill, either. Oxtail is another economical cut that has its own celebrated flavour. For those in the know, beef cheeks are a highly fashionable option for slow cooking. Lamb casseroles have a delicacy that any foodie can admire. For these dishes shoulder and neck are ideal, and the lamb will cook down to a mouth-watering tenderness. Or, you can have lamb shanks, which have been appearing in many trendy eateries and pubs in recent years. They taste just as good at home when braised slowly in stock and vegetables to bring out the flavour and juices. Our lambs come from Scotland and the English salt-marshes, so they’ve got built-in flavour right from the pasture to your table. Pork devotees have their own choices for stews and casseroles. There’s pork belly,

renowned for its special flavour. Although it roasts beautifully, it also excels as the main ingredient of a really nourishing casserole, either as a piece or separated into segments beforehand. Another pork delicacy is shoulder meat, which can be diced and stewed very slowly to bring out all its subtle softness. Our pork is the famous Gloucester Old Spot strain, renowned for its flavour, and raised for us under ideal conditions in East Anglia. Stews and casseroles are among the easiest of dishes to prepare. Usually the meat has to be browned in hot oil to seal in the juices, and after that meat or vegetable stock is added to cover the meat and braise it as slowly as possible. Your choice of vegetables can be added, and when the meat is really tender and ready to serve the whole dish can be thickened if you wish with flour, cornflour or arrowroot. How long do you need to cook your stew or casserole? It depends on the meat, of course. Beef shin might take two hours, but pork diced fairly small might need only an hour. If in doubt, consult the nearest cookbook or one of the many cookery sites on the internet, but the essential test is the tenderness of the meat. Happy cooking! Best wishes Alan C D Jennings and Sons Traditional Quality Butchers since 1963 146 Ewell Road Surbiton KT6 6HE 020 8399 4870

Please mention the magazine 40 when contacting advertisers

S C HO

B U RY

H OU S

WESTBURY HOUSE SCHOOL

AN INDEPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 3 TO 11 YEARS

FOR INFORMATION SCHOOL: Pupilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; moral, social and culturalREGARDING development is THE outstanding. The school is Please telephone the school office successful in creating a happy family atmosphere in which each pupil can flourish. 020 8942 Ofsted Report5885 2008

A LOVE OF LEARNING IS FOR LIFE

Open Day is on Saturday, March 22nd from 10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

80 WESTBURY ROAD NEW MALDEN SURREY KT3 5AS

Tel: 5885 020 8942 Tel: 020 8942 / Fax:5885 020 8942 5885 E-mail: info@westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk Website: www.westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 41

Please mention the magazine 42 when contacting advertisers

Mrs Jones EDUCATION 11 PLUS TUITION

“The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

& Mock Exam Practice West & South West London

Y3 (pre-Plus), Y4 and Y5 (11 Plus) State Grammar and Private Schools Bursaries and Scholarships Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Exam Practice, Interview Technique

This power walking class, with a mix of cardio, strengthening & toning exercises is proving to be the answer to shifting postnatal weight & re-toning your body after giving birth! • Burns fat, improves posture & strengthens , ITON core muscles • A one hour social class with SURB LDEN, A M time to chat to other Mums • For all levels NEW STON KING of fitness • Suitable for all buggies/pushchairs • It’s fun & your baby or toddler comes too!

Highly Experienced Graduate Teachers EXCELLENT RESULTS

TEL: 0208-390-6076 www.11plustuition.co.uk

Please call Anna on 0208 873 7441 visit www.buggyfit.com or www.mumsinshape.co.uk or email: anna@mumsinshape.co.uk

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Short Story Parma Violets by Jackie Brewster “Can you be trusted to mind the café while I nip next door?” Aunt Carol asked solemnly as though she was leaving Becky in charge of the country. It was a big responsibility, and this was only Becky’s third day. The lunchtime rush was over, and there had been no customers for nearly an hour. While Becky was grateful to Carol for giving her a holiday job, she found that buttering cobs was not as easy as they made it look on television. She suspected Carol wasn’t convinced she had what it took to be a success in catering. “Whatever you do,” Carol warned her, ”don’t let that rat chap in.” Which seemed both a strange and reasonable request. Left alone, Becky practised folding napkins until she heard the café door open. An elderly gentleman, smartly dressed, sat down at the table by the window. Becky took a deep breath, picked up her order pad and walked briskly over to him. “What can I get you, sir?” she asked. He was wearing a jacket which appeared to be wriggling. A small furry nose popped up between the lapels. Becky nearly dropped her pencil. “Oh, don’t worry about him,” the man said. “He’s fine.” “Pets aren’t allowed in the café,” Becky said nervously. She was almost certain this was true because she’d read a sign in the window. “Roland’s not a pet,” the man

replied, browsing the menu. “He’s a guide dog, and they’re perfectly welcome everywhere.” “But you’re not blind,” Becky said, a little embarrassed. “Of course everyone immediately thinks of guide dogs for the blind.” He closed the menu as though he found nothing appetising within it. “Roland’s an allergy guide dog. Have you heard of that?” Becky confessed she had not. “I am allergic to parma violets,” the man continued confidentially. “Roland has to sniff my food to confirm it’s safe to eat.” “Allergic to parma violets?” Becky repeated blankly. “Dangerously.” The man nodded sagely and tapped the menu. “Can you recommend anything that doesn’t include parma violets?” Becky was confused. Parma violets were little purple sweets - she had no idea they were also a cooking ingredient. “I don’t think there’s any in the tea,” Becky said hopefully. The man frowned, “Can you guarantee it?” She shook her head. “In that case, it’s a good job I have Roland here.” He pulled Roland out of his jacket and sat him in his lap. He was a funny looking dog, with short legs, a pointy nose and a long body. “What type of dog is he?” Becky asked. “He’s an allergy dog, we’ve

been through this.” The man waved his hand dismissively. “Be quick with the tea dear, I’ve a plane to catch.” Becky hurried back behind the counter. Something didn’t feel right about the man and his allergy dog. She hoped he would drink up and go before her aunt returned. After all, the nearest airport was a two hour drive. She was not in luck. Carol bustled into the café carrying a box of crisps. “Any customers?” she asked. “Not really,” Becky lied as she overflowed the teacup. “So who’s that for?” Carol asked dubiously. “The gentleman over there.” Carol turned round and almost exploded. “Not you again,” she screamed. “Get that rat out of here!” The man scooped up Roland protectively. “He’s not a rat,” he said indignantly. “He’s a ferret, and they’re very clever animals.” “He sniffs parma violets,” Becky added to explain the situation. And with that, her fate in the world of catering was sealed.

Please mention the magazine 44 when contacting advertisers

Virgin Active, Kingston on Mondays St Nicholas Church Hall, Thames Ditton on Weds Surbiton Hill Methodist Church Hall on Thursdays St Luke's Church, Kingston on Thursdays YMCA Surbiton on Fridays St John's Parish Hall, Surbiton/Kingston on Saturdays

KINGSTON, SURBITON AND THAMES DITTON T: 0208 224 3971 E: kingston.surbiton@monkeymusic.co.uk

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Invite your friends, family or school to breakfast to help sick children in hospitals and hospices across the UK

WIN

fantastic prizes

DOWNLOAD YOURFR FUNDRAISEE ING PACKTODA Y

HOT LINE 0845 600 1924

www.wallaceandgromitsbigbreakfast.org Wallace & Gromit’s Big Breakfast raises funds for Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Foundation, which supports children’s healthcare throughout the UK. Registered charity 1096483. Company number 04659630. © and ™ Aardman/Wallace & Gromit Limited 2014.

Supported by

NumberWorks’n’Words after-school tuition succeeds because children get: • Specialist English tutors and maths tutors

• Individualised, tailored instruction • Proven resources matching school curriculum • So much fun it doesn’t feel like learning!

From age 5 to GCSE

Phone today to book a FREE assessment and intro lesson!

Surbiton 020 8399 1234

www.numberworksnwords.com

When calling quote: A Berrylands Companion

Please mention the magazine 46 when contacting advertisers

Do you want an outstanding education for your child? SCCN offers free 15 hours funded nursery places term time only for children from the age of 3 We also offer extended hours 8.00am to 6.00pm all year round

We are currently taking applications for September 2014

Closing date 21st March See our outstanding Ofsted Report http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspectionreport/provider/ELS/102560

For further information or to arrange a visit please contact our school office: 020 8390 2555 Email: office@sccn.rbksch.org Website: www.surbitonchildrenscentre.org Address: Alpha Road, Surbiton, KT5 8RS

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

QUIZ SOLUTIONS Word Ladder Solution

Here is one possible solution, (others may exist) 3 Letters pig gin nip gip pin rip sin rig sip

sir 4 Letters gins gips grin grip nips pigs ping pins

pirn snip spin rips sign rigs ring prig sing 5 Letters

grins grips pings pirns sprig rings 6 Letters spring

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Page Solution: Chinese New Year Symbol: Horse Not a Chinese New Year Symbol: Tortoise

ROCK rick rice rile role ROLL CODEWORD SOLUTION 17

P A

17 2

Wordsearch Hidden Phrase: I can fish from a stick and a string. Giancarlo Esposito

P E

24 2

R E

MINI CRYPTIC SOLUTION

Solution

26 2

U E

26 10 2 1

E S

U N

26 1

S E

E K

R V

M A

12 2

8 8

K H

10 23

Q U E E

26 1

1 1

M G W Q

11 3 2 2

C H E E

18 2

S E

24 2

R E

N C R

D L

Hidato

Solution 49 46

M O

E T

E S

W R

R O

45 48 36

38 33 34

40 39

20 22

Please mention the magazine 48 when contacting advertisers

S Z I

On the

On your

lap

On your

desk

To advertise call on 020 8274 Companion 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk To advertise in Karen A Berrylands call 020 8274 0096

57 49

COMMUNITY PAGE

SURBITON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Tues 4th March: The Society’s AGM. The meeting will start at 7.45pm, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton. No charge is made for visitors on this evening. Come and find out more about our Society and perhaps become a member. Refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting. Tues 1st April: Mrs Carrie Evans will talk

& demonstrate “At Home in the 15th C” including, with the help of her son, how to wear your suit of armour! The meeting will start at 7.45pm, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton. Visitors are welcome, a contribution of £2.00 is appreciated.

Details about meetings and the Society:

The Secretary: 020 8399 4473 lenandmarilyn@virginmedia.com

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Did you know there is an association in Hook which exists to support gardeners and allotment holders? Are you interested in gardening? If so our association, which was founded over 50 years ago and is run by volunteers, can provide a wide range of composts, fertilisers, seeds and other gardening products at notfor-proﬁt club prices to our members. Membership costs only £1 a year and our trading facility is situated next to the entrance to the allotment plots, just beyond the rugby club pavilion, at the rear of King Edward’s recreation ground, Hook Road, Chessington. We are open:Sundays - 10am to 12 noon - February to October 10am to 11am - November to January If you want to make further enquiries come and see us during the above times. A warm welcome and friendly gardening service awaits you.

Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers

COMMUNITY PAGE British Summer Time starts, so remember to TURN clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed, on Saturday 29th March

For all gardeners and allotment holders!

We are a small friendly local society providing gardening supplies at very reasonable prices to our members: 9 Seeds, summer and spring bulbs, onion sets, seed potatoes. 9 Summer bedding plants and other young plants according to season. 9 Traditional and organic fertilizers and soil improvers/conditioners. 9 Lawn and rose treatments, weedkillers, pest controls. 9 Growbagspremium and bagged compost, gloves, trays, canes, netting etc. DM Contract Solutions Ltd manufactures and installs qualitypots, timber windows and doors which combine traditional English style Annual with membership modern just technology: £2, senior citizens £1. • • • •

Sliding Sash Box Windows – Lead and Spring Balanced Casement Windows Our trading hut is conveniently sited at Moor Lane French Doors Sliding-Folding Doors and more. Allotments (just off Moor Lane near The Bonesgate pub)

Open every Sunday 10am to 12noon, except December.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques combine aesthetics, comfort, convenience and security while preserving its classic lines. It simply exceeds all expectations for its price.

www.dmcscontractsolutions.co.uk

In accordance with our "members only" policy, new members are always welcomecall to join! windows@dmcontractsolutions.co.uk us: 0203 174 0208

TOLWORTH & DISTRICT Leverett LEISURE GARDENERS’ SOCIETY

Electrical Ltd

Open to all gardeners & allotment holders. Established over 90 years Run by members for members, non-profit making & can offer seeds, seed potatoes, fertilisers, Part P registered. composts and other gardening supplies to members at favourable rates. All work certiﬁ ed.

Qualiﬁed electrician

Alexandra Store,small. King Charles Road, No job too alongside Travis Perkins Yard All work considered Open Wednesday 2.00-4.00pm Saturday 2.30-4.30pm Quality at the heart of our work

Knollmead Store, by Knollmead School • Installation &Sunday maintenance 10.00-12 midday. open from February to November • Both Rewires A• newsletter is provided for members four Security lighting times a year with information, • andFire tips offers.alarms • Central heating wiring New members always welcome

Stuart Leverett Annual membership £2.50/ £1.50 Ofﬁconcessions ce: 020 8390

0617 07710 ToMobile: find out more please 123 628 come and see us at one of the contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk Email: stores during trading hours

www.leverettelectrical.co.uk

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 responsibility 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 dates. To advertise any event, community activity in the magazine, please call

Karen on 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk karen@berrylandscompanion.com

To advertise call Karen 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk To advertise in A on Berrylands Companion call 020 8274 0096

51 13

What’s on in March:-

March: National Bed Month, Veggie Month, Great Daffodil Appeal for Marie Curie Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Month.

1st: St David’s Day. World Book Day 4th: Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, at Great Spitalfields in aid of London’s Air Ambulances. 12.30pm start. 5th: Ash Wednesday 14-30th: Ideal Home Exhibition at Earls Court £12 admission. 16th St Patrick’s Day Parade starts at noon, down Piccadilly, Regent’s Street, past Trafalgar Square to finish in Whitehall Place 17th: St Patrick’s Day 20th: Spring Vernal Equinox 21-23rd: Sports Relief 2014, www.sportsrelief.com 22nd: World Water Day An Evening of Psychic Art & Clairvoyance with Andy Mulligan at Tolworth Spiritualist Church, Scout Hall Princes Avenue, Tolworth. 7pm, Admission £2.50 24th: World TB Day 29th: Head of the River Race. Putney to Mortlake, 2.15pm start. Put clocks forward tonight. 30th: British Summer Time begins. Mother’s Day: treat her to lunch/spa/afternoon tea/a show/ flowers/ take her to a London Market/ or visit Covent Garden Until 31st March: Animal Adventures for under 11s, at London Zoo. Admission from £20. 10am -4pm Butterfly Paradise at London Zoo Bird Feed with a Warden at London Wetland Centre, Barnes. Free, daily at 3pm. Until 6th May: Large Hadron Collider at the Science Museum. Admission £10, 10-6pm. Until 1st Sept: Natural History Museum will erect a tropical Butterfly House on the lawn, where there will be challenges, games and activities among the free flying butterflies. Events in April: Bowel Cancer Awareness Month; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month; 1st: April Fool’s Day 6th Tax Week 1 7th: World Health Day 11th: Commonwealth Day 11-12th: Hook Beer Festival, at 1st Hook Scout HQ, Verona Drive, Surbiton. In aid of Breast Cancer. Friday 11th 6pm-10pm, Sat 12pm-4pm and 6pm-10pm. www.hookbeerfest.org.uk for info and e-tickets. 18th: Good Friday 20th: Easter Sunday 21st: Easter Monday, Bank Holiday 23rd: St George’s Day

Places to take the kids over Easter:

Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood, Free admission 10-5.45pm London Transport Museum, Covent Garden 10-6pm (Fri: 11-6) £15, £11.50 Concessions, under 16s Free London Zoo, Varying prices, 10-5.30pm Natural History Museum, Free Science Museum, Free Household Cavalry Museum, Whitehall, March - Sept, 10-6pm Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, Adults £6.50, Child 2-15 £4.95, under 2 Free Family ticket £20.50 Cartoon Museum, Little Russell Street, WC1A 2HH Mon-Sat 10.30-5.30; Sun 12-5.30 £5.50 admit Horniman Museum, 110 London Road, SE23 3PQ. Free admission British Museum, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG. Free admission Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, E2 8EA. Free admission Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ. Free admission

52 To advertise in A Berrylands Companion call 020 8274 0096

What’s On/Local Events 1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, 10-12pm at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, meet outside Clas Ohlson Market Place 10.00. 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@rbk. kingston.gov.uk St Marks & St Andrews Church:Weds mornings 10.15-11.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers and Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 10-11.30am. In addition to this we have a regular craft group meeting. They are all hosted at St Andrews Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them. Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues q0am & 1050am at St Nicholas Parish Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton. All sessions 40 mins long, features music, dance, parachutes, bubbles & pom-poms. Age 3 months -5 years, pay as you go £5, siblings £2.50 www. tinytuneslive.com Kingston Camera Club: Camera enthusiasts welcome. Meet Mon eves, aat St John’s Ambulance HQ, Athelstan Rd off Villiers Avenue. 7.30pm - 10pm with coffee break. New members welcome. Contact Tim Moreland 020 8541 0126, email: tim.moreland@yahoo.com See www.kingstoncameraclub.com Kingston Philatelic Society: Meets 8-10pm on 1st Thurs & 3rd Fri, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road. Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian. sole@btinternet.com Surbiton Floral Club: 1st Weds of the month at Raeburn Hall United Reform Church, Elgar avenue. 7.30 for 7.45pm start. Floral demos, talks, workshops & outings. Tel: 020 8399 8193 Energy Healing & Reiki every Thurs 1.30-3.30pm in Room 22, United Reform Church, Eden Street, Kingston. Turn up or leave a message on 0781 914 163. Donations only. Surbiton Club for the Blind: Alternate Tues 2-4pm at Surbiton Methodist Church Ewell Road, transport available if nec. Social club with entertainment and tea. Info: 020 8399 8596 or 020 8399 3022 if places available. Oasis daytime group for over 60s at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. Plenty of opportunity to chat, play games, do puzzles. Meetings include a 5 minute Bible-based talk. There will be a talk by Age Concern on the 2nd Wednesday. Tel: 020 8390 6631 Why not send in details for Easter or other events Call Karen on 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Get your school, church or charity event mentioned in A Berrylands Companion magazine Call Karen on: 020 8274 0096 or email details to: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Next submission deadline is by 8th March for the April edition. Please Note: The following deadline will be 8th April for May issue.

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Index

Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers

Home & Garden All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) Estates Direct Hire a Handy Man HJC Estates James Anthony KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals M. Duffle Decorating Oven Cleaners Personae Interiors R.J.Tree Services Roofing & Gutters Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Time for You Domestics Warmlite Will Lord William Stallion Electricals

21 10/11 19 5 18 28 25 13 27 18 15 18 15 13 19 7 21 21 15 17 23 21 18

Care & Health Cornerhouse Dental Practice Julie’s Nail Cutting Service One 2 One Homecare Shan Pharmacy

2 36 33 35

Rest & Relaxation Anna Coe CineSanctuary Isso Barre King George Field Bowls Club Kingston Council Mobile Disco Slimming World Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Yoga Zumba Classes

43 7 33 37 49 13 36 56 36 37

Children & Education Gwenda Jones 43 Monkey Music 45 Numberworks 46 Surbiton Children’s Nursery Centre 47 Westbury House School 41 Office Stationery MBE Surbiton

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare K&P Tyres Surbiton Hill Garage Tolworth Motor Company

31 29 29 31 30

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Prithi

39 13

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Recipe Baking Kids Page Events Pages Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Gardening by Pippa Greenwood

50/51 38 8 42 52/53 11 26 3 20

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 £27 a month your advert can feature here for a year! An email with your artwork will ensure it is featured.

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

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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