March 2015 issue 96 by Karen

Month: March 2015 Issue No. 96 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

Inside this month:

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

Happy Mothers’ Day

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Hello Readers

elcome to this month’s magazine. 2015 is going to be a memorable year for me. And for A Berrylands Companion.

It was in 2005 that I decided to start the magazine and the first few issues were black & white, 16 pages with a colour card cover. The first edition was published in November 2005, which makes this November the 10th Anniversary. The magazine has grown since then, to a glossy full colour 64 pages, with more advertisers and content. Looking in those first magazines, I am pleasantly surprised to see some familiar advertisers that are still with us, 10 years later!! It also means that this year’s July/August edition will be the 100th issue of A Berrylands Companion. I am planning to celebrate the success of the magazine with some help... from the readers and the advertisers.

I think we are all 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 28th March ready for 2am on the 29th. Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers and grandmothers on the 15th March. Next month we celebrate Easter, so if you are holding any events or promotions, remember to send in your information by the 8th March.

Best wishes

Karen

Please send in your comments on the magazine, how it has helped your business or how useful A Berrylands Companion has been to help you manage to find the services and trades you needed.

Front cover photo: ©Konstanttin/Dreamstime.com

Useful Numbers Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Trading Standards www.adviceguide.org.uk 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

Transport:

National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport

020 8547 5757 020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 8547 4630 020 8547 5196 0870 126 4019 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 020 3541 1212 101 999 111 08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 0844 335 1801

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

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 to3adverts

A response from Kingston Council on the suggested speed calming measures raised at the Edward Davey meeting last month.

ollowing the report of the meeting with Edward Davey, on the speeds along Kingsdowne Road, in the last edition of A Berrylands Companion, Liam Judge, Project Engineer for Surbiton, gave the Council’s response to the various observations and suggestions made by the group. In summary: • There was little scope for rationalising the signage, though the speeding limit signs would be larger with a yellow background and should be lowered during February. Changing the colour of the signage on the road surface would be too expensive; • Making the whole length of Kingsdowne Road a 20mph zone and including St Matthews Avenue in the limited zone was something which could be considered when the petition from residents was received; • All of the suggested traffic calming measures for Kingsdowne came with problems: “shrubs in tubs” (as in Manorgate Road) incur a big maintenance liability, limit parking capacity and rely on single line traffic to be effective (similarly the use of herringbone parking bays); painting the ‘raised table’ of the pedestrian crossing is only effective on those encountering it for the first time; using the signals at the crossing to halt speeding drivers is known to confuse pedestrians; nor could these lights be linked to those at the Ewell Road;

• The Council would have no objection to the School placing ‘cut-out figures’ on the lapboard fences by the crossing, and the Council would look into using the ‘Smiley Face’ speed indicators in both directions and in alternate directions. Our suggestion that these might be used to collect data on speeds for a more accurate assessment of the problem did lead to an offer that measurement at more locations could be done by the Council. • The feasibility of introducing a signalled pedestrian crossing to the island on Ewell road was still being considered. Applying a speed limit is meant to reduce risk, but this risk is not measured by the average speed of vehicles, as the Council used in their previous response. Hitting a pedestrian at 30mph is far more likely to result in death or serious injury, and so it is important to know the number or proportion of vehicles travelling at these speeds. Mr Judge suggests that the modal speed is also in the middle twenties, however, a cursory analysis of the data suggests that last year more than two thirds of the vehicles were travelling faster than 25mph. There has been a gradual reduction in this proportion since 2012 (when it was fourfifths), but there is still around a third of vehicles travelling above 30mph.

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Cake and Bake Hot Cross Buns Home-made hot cross buns are easy to make so why not give them a go? Serve warm from the oven, split and spread with orange flavoured butter for the ultimate Easter treat!

Ingredients: • 500g strong white plain flour, plus extra for dusting • � tsp salt • 2 tsp ground mixed spice • 55g caster sugar • 1 x 7g sachet easy blend or fast action dried yeast • 300ml milk • 55g butter, cubed • 1 large egg • 150g dried mixed fruit

for the crosses and glaze • 3 tbsp plain flour • 1-2 tbsp warmed golden syrup or honey

Serves 12

1. Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt, mixed spice, sugar and dried yeast. Make a well in the middle. 2. Bring the milk almost to the boil in a small pan then stir in the butter until melted. Leave the liquid to cool until it’s just hand hot. Pour the liquid into the well with the beaten egg and mix with a round- bladed knife to make a soft and slightly sticky dough. 3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. 4. Place the dough in a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover with oiled cling film. Leave the bowl in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. 5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the dried fruit. Divide and shape the dough into 12 even-sized buns and place on a large greased baking sheet, leaving about 2cm space around each bun. 6. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place until the buns have risen by at least half again and are almost touching each other. This will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Preheat the oven to 220C, 200C fan, Gas Mark 7. 7. For the crosses, place the flour in a bowl and gradually add enough cold water (about 2 tbsp) to make a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small plain nozzle and pipe crosses on each of the buns. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until risen and golden brown. Leave on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooking rack. Brush with the warmed golden syrup or honey while the buns are still warm.

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March 2015 Proof 1.indd 9

Exciting times ahead at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club!

says Roy Staniland

ow it’s March, we hope that the worst of the wintry weather has receded, because we have a very busy time ahead of us at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club. In addition to our normal preparations for Spring and Summer, we’re also looking ahead to the international Aegon Surbiton Trophy.

a pound or two at the same time. The Suite extends over two floors, and offers some of the latest fitness aids, including cardiovascular, resistance machines and free weights.

This prestigious tennis tournament will run from the 6th June to the 14th June, and is open to international players, with both men’s and ladies’ events. All eleven of our superb grass courts will be in use for this. These have as usual been carefully nurtured throughout the winter, and right now, they look in superb condition . Our ground staff are to be congratulated!

Squash is always popular in the winter months. We have four state-of-the-art courts, each heated and air conditioned. We have a Squash Club Night every Saturday from 5.30pm onwards; it’s good fun, and you meet new friends and opponents. There’s also a Squash Beginners’ session on Sundays from 5pm to 6pm, and our Squash Leagues run all the year.

During the Aegon Surbiton Trophy our Members will still have access to the hard courts, three of which are laid with synthetic clay and are very popular with our Members. They’re floodlit, too!

We’re a very friendly and sociable Club. We run a range of social activities, such as our regular Quiz Nights, which are usually full up!

While discussing the Aegon Trophy, may I mention our need for a considerable number of volunteers for the tournament period. We need a lot of Tournament Stewards, who will work around the Club as Court Stewards, on Information and Ticket Management . Some will be needed as Chauffeurs for the players and officials. Can you offer accommodation? For events like this, a number of the players like to take B+Bs in local households, for which the householders receive a modest fee. Please ring me, Roy Staniland, on 0208 399 1594 (ext 204) if you would like to volunteer for this. Back to the present. Our Fitness Suite is at its most popular at this time of year, when Members want to keep fit and maybe lose

Nearby is our Studio, where we have regular classes on Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Indoor Cycling.

There’s always plenty going on at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club. Whatever your chosen activity, you can relax in the Clubhouse Bar afterwards for coffee and a range of other drinks. Why not pop in and see us? There’s no obligation, and you can be sure of a warm welcome! Yours sincerely Roy Staniland Director, Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands KT5 8JT

0208 399 1594 info@surbiton.org ww.surbiton.org

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Finance Pensions Rules are Changing: What You Need to Know By Ann Haldon www.cornerstonewebcontent.com If you’re confused by drawdown, annuity, tax wrappers and pots, you are definitely not alone. It sometimes feels like politicians are being deliberately obtuse - why don’t they use plain English when talking about pensions so we all know where we stand on this important issue? Although other choices are available, including property or stocks and shares, saving into a private pension does offer the following tax advantages: • The government pays tax relief on your payments • You’re not taxed on the money in your pension pot (up to certain limits) • At pension age you can withdraw a percentage of your pension as a tax-free lump sum But what about the State Pension – won’t that provide the income I need in retirement? State Pension rules are set to change from 2016 when a weekly flat rate will be introduced. These are some of the new rules, should you reach State Pension age on or after April 6th 2016: • The full pension amount will be a minimum of £148.40 per week (the actual amount to be decided upon in late 2015) • At least 10 qualifying years

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are needed to receive the new State Pension • The total number of qualifying years for eligibility has increased from 30 to 35 Auto enrolment Auto enrolment is new legislation that obliges employers to offer eligible employees a workplace pension. The new scheme, which was introduced in October 2012, is being rolled out to include all UK employers by February 2018. Currently, if you earn a minimum annual salary of £10,000, are aged between 22 years and the State Pension age, and work under a contract of employment in the UK, you are entitled to automatic enrolment on a workplace pension. New legislation regarding annuities Until recently, when you retired you had no other option but to use your pension fund to buy an annuity. Annuities provide you with a fixed income for life, and even though the legislation has now changed, this product may still offer the most stable income for you in retirement. The 2014 Budget saw changes to pension legislation. From 2015 you will not be forced to buy an annuity with your pension fund, but can use the money in other ways. As a general rule, people choose the ‘income drawdown’ option, an

annuity, or a mixture of the two. What is income drawdown? Income drawdown is an alternative to buying an annuity. You buy stocks, shares and other investments and take a regular income by cashing them in over time, with 25% of each ‘drawdown’ being tax-free. If you are not risk averse and you have a larger pension pot of £100,000 or more, the rewards can be greater. Income drawdown is a complicated option with high fees and charges, and it will not be right for everybody, but there is a middle-ground that offers the security of an annuity with a little more flexibility. An investment-linked annuity There are two types of investment-linked annuity: • Unit-linked: these depend on the performance of stocks, shares and other investments • With-profits: these retain part of your return in highperforming years for use if investment performance declines Charges and fees for pension products can be high, and serve to reduce the overall value of your fund. That’s why you need the advice and guidance of a professional financial expert to cut through the jargon, clearly explain what you are buying, and tell you the true cost of the product.

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Winter Sun The Simple Solution To Those Seasonal Blues! by Kate McLelland As daffodils come into bloom and the pale sun hints at approaching summer warmth, it’s easy to forget the miseries of the winter just passed. Travel delays, colds and flu, slushy pavements and subzero conditions all add to the feeling that nature is conspiring against you. An escape to the sun in the depths of a bitter British winter can be a real tonic but it pays to choose your destination carefully: popular holiday destinations in Spain and Greece that reach blisteringly hot temperatures in the summer can be cool and rainy during the winter months A good choice for an accessibly priced winter holiday is the Spanish Canary Islands. With winter temperatures of between 20ºC (68ºF) - 21ºC (70ºF) and at only four and a half hours by plane from the UK, you’re bound to find a holiday that will suit you, whether you’re looking for a lively beach resort or a tranquil break near one of the islands’ four national parks. One of the most reliably warm winter destinations is Marrakesh, a major city in Morocco famed for its souks, historic tombs and ancient palaces. Marrakesh is a mere four-hour flight away and the area hits a comfortable daily

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peak of 18ºC (65ºF) over the winter months. Another reasonably priced location for a midwinter or early spring break is Cyprus. In winter the days are mostly dry and sunny with pleasant temperatures of around 15ºC (60ºF), but don’t expect bikini weather until April at the earliest. Tunisia in North Africa benefits from slightly warmer average temperatures - 12ºC (53ºF) to 17ºC (63ºF) in December and January – and is a popular destination because of its excellent beach resorts, colourful markets and beautiful ancient buildings. Madeira enjoys an even temperature all the year round and in winter you can expect a steady, comfortable daytime heat of 20ºC (68ºF) with an average of six hours of sun every day. However there is a greater risk of heavy rain and storms in December and January. To find real summer heat you must be ready for a much longer flight, but as flight times lengthen, holiday prices rise accordingly. Dubai, a seven hour flight from the UK, is now a booming holiday destination for well-heeled tourists. Dubai’s winter lasts from January till March but temperatures during that time can still reach 30ºC

(86ºF). There’s an average eight hours of sun each day, but you can also expect sudden rain showers and thunderstorms. You can reach Barbados in eight to nine hours and for the extra travelling time you’ll be rewarded with the best that the Caribbean has to offer: beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, high quality leisure facilities and temperatures of 29ºC - 30ºC right through until the end of March. St Kitts, with its long, golden beaches, plantations and rainforests can be reached in another hour by plane, but at 27ºC - 28ºC, winter temperatures here are slightly cooler than in Barbados. When it comes to price, there is a winter holiday to suit just about everyone’s budget: a typical starting price for an all-inclusive, 7 day holiday for two in the Canaries is just over £300. So if you’re one of those people who gets a sinking feeling just thinking about the winter to come, a holiday in the sun may be just the solution you’ve been looking for.

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Windows • Doors • Conservatories Orangeries • Garage Doors • Roofline

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Home & Interiors Look Back In Nostalgia

Do you yearn for the charming styles of the past? For the pretty patterns and jolly colours, the homemade accessories, the simple good looks that made a home really homely? Then read on for interiors expert Katherine Sorrell’s look at nostalgic style. It’s such a tempting idea – to give up today’s gadget-bound and stressful complexities and return to a simpler way of life: all home-made, home-grown and home-cooked. In practice, of course, that may not be possible but, at the very least, why not surround yourself with some of the comforts of an oldfashioned home? The result is an unfussy but nurturing style that can mix and match the best of past and present in a way that suits you perfectly. Take a look at your floors for a first step towards nostalgic

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By Katherine Sorrell

style. Plain or painted wooden boards are ideal, with flat-woven rugs for extra warmth where necessary, though neutral carpets or natural-fibre coverings are a good alternative, while you could opt for stone tiles in hallways or kitchens. On the walls, you might keep things plain and simple with while or off-white paint, or else push the boat out and go for floral wallpaper. A hand-block printed effect, in a palette of light, bright and cheery colours, is particularly effective. For bathrooms and kitchens, painted tongue and groove panelling or white bevel-edged tiles (laid in a brick bond pattern) work especially well.

pieces aren’t too much of a problem provided they fit into the overall aesthetic. If in doubt, a lick of paint or a well-positioned throw can work wonders. Textiles are often the key to getting nostalgic style just right. Think plain fabrics combined with ticking stripes, gingham, spots and florals – spriggy or else big, blowsy blooms. Don’t aim for over-coordination; instead, a range of complementary colours and patterns gives a suitably eclectic effect. Natural fabrics (such as cotton, linen and wool) are nicest, in a range of weights and effects, such as tweed, canvas, muslin or sateen. Look out for interesting remnants at markets, auctions and car boot sales that, if you’re good with a sewing machine, can be run up into all sorts of lovely items. Window treatments, for example, are a doddle – just a pair of gathered curtains – while leftovers can quickly

The good news here is that furniture can be really inexpensive – the sort of thing you might pick up at a local auction or even a second-hand shop for next to nothing. Look for sturdy, useful pieces in a timeless style, made from pine, oak or Lloyd Loom. Anything too dark or heavy looking can be painted – though make sure it is not too massive and overbearing in the room. Don’t expect perfection: knocked corners or faded upholstery may even enhance the overall look, while mismatching

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be made into cushion covers. Add ric rac, ribbon or bobble trims to your heart’s content. Patchwork quilts, of course, are simply perfect in the bedroom, as are Welsh blankets and satin eiderdowns, while knitting and crochet (especially granny squares) are essential ingredients in virtually any room. Displays of pretty accessories can be the making of this look, whether it’s spongeprinted ceramics, pressed glass, blue-and-white crockery or enamelware. Modern reproductions are easy to find and not expensive, but more fun can be had in seeking out just the right original bits and bobs, from storage jars to aprons, cut-glass jugs to wooden kitchen utensils, whether it’s at a vintage fair, charity shops or your local car boot sale. Think dressers

arrangements of native flowers tucked into jam jars or informal jugs or vases. The result? You have transformed yesterday’s pleasures into today’s delightful treasures.

piled with pretty crockery, a stack of biscuit tins on a shelf or lace-edged towels in the bathroom. Add woven baskets, metal buckets, vintage milk bottles, bristle brushes, some lengths of bunting, even old books such as orange Penguin classics or Ladybird children’s stories; and finish things off with some informal

Top left - Clara Lemon rollers, from £69 (65cm w x 75cm d) including measuring and fitting, Hillarys. Tel 0800 916 6516; hillarys.co.uk. Bottom right - A selection of crockery from Cath Kidston’s spring 2015 ranges, tel 08450 262 440; www. cathkidston.co.uk. Top centre- Southwold double bed frame, £249; Southwold onedrawer bedside table, £79; Tonal Roses double duvet set, £15; Chevron rug, £55; Light Naturals faux fur cushion, £12; grey frosted vase (tall), £12; all Tesco, tel 0800 323 4050; www.tesco.com.

Painting and Decorating Roofing and Guttering Plastering and Tiling Household Maintenance Loft conversions and extensions Marcus & Sarah Baines 020 8390 7549 07702 603 885 berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

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

Master 9-16.indd 13 To advertise

13/01/2015 call Karen on 020 8274 009617 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

09:53:42

Mother’s Day Around The World By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk Mothers deserve attention all year round, so why do we celebrate mothers on one special day - and do other countries follow suit? The UK Traditionally, on ‘Mothering Sunday’ (the fourth Sunday in Lent) people returned to their baptismal ‘mother church’. As their parents’ home was often nearby, over time the day became a holiday for visiting family. Flowers were gathered on the way home and mums received Simnel cakes. Observance of Mothering Sunday gradually withered but after its revival in 1920 it spread throughout the Empire, becoming known as Mother’s Day. Around the World Most countries have a Mother’s Day, but origins and traditions vary. Unless stated otherwise, countries below follow U.S. tradition, celebrating on the second Sunday in May. In France, American soldiers introduced their Mother’s Day during the First World War. Originally focussed on fertile mothers, today Fête des Mères celebrates all mothers, who traditionally receive a cake shaped like a bouquet of flowers. France celebrates on the last Sunday in May, as does Sweden, where the Red Cross sells plastic flowers in aid of deprived mothers. In Italy mums receive a heart-

shaped cake, but on the second Sunday before Christmas. Children in the Balkan States tie their mother up until she gives them treats. Egypt’s Mother’s Day on 21st March is celebrated with songs devoted to mothers. In Nepal, children return to the family home on “Aama ko Mukh Herne Din” (“to see Mother’s face”) on the last day of Baishak dark fortnight, making breakfast for their mothers and giving them gifts, favourite foods and new clothes. Those who have lost mothers visit Mata Tirtha, a sacred site with a pool in which they ‘look upon their mother’s face’. The USA didn’t keep English Mother’s Day, but Anna Jarvis campaigned for one in honour of her mother, who introduced “Mothers’ Friendship Day” after the Civil War. At a church service on the second anniversary of her mother’s death (the second Sunday of May), Anna distributed her mother’s favourite flowers: white carnations. Today they signify mothers who have passed away, while coloured carnations honour mothers still living. In Australia, Mother’s Day grew from Janet Heyden’s campaign to give gifts to lonely inmates of Newington State Home for Women. Schoolchildren in Japan draw pictures of their mothers for a nationwide competition and winning pictures travel the country in a mobile exhibition.

Mexico’s Mother’s Day on 10th May was once a pawn in battles between government and church on modernisation and materialism. It now celebrates both mothers and the Virgin Mary. Children often arrive at their mother’s house the night before. Traditionally the day starts with mass before mothers are presented with a breakfast of tamales and atole, but many mothers are now treated to breakfast at home, accompanied by a song. In Paraguay, Mother’s Day is celebrated with Dia de la Patria (Independence Day) on 15th May, to honour Juana María de Lara’s role in winning Paraguay’s independence. Similarly, Bolivia’s Dia de la Madre Boliviana on 27th May commemorates the women killed fighting for independence in the Battle of Coronilla. In Ethiopia, their ‘Antrosht’ celebration lasts three days, beginning after the rains have ceased (usually October/ November). Traditionally, mothers cook a special meal but daughters provide dairy products, vegetables and spices while sons bring the meat. Afterwards they enjoy traditional songs and dances. So why not make sure your mother has a great celebration!

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Facing North by Pippa Greenwood

The problem I am asked about most frequently is one that almost all of us have: “What do I do with a north-facing wall?” What everyone wants to know is what you can plant up it but more, what can you do to turn your luck around and increase the chances of your chosen plant not just surviving but also thriving. Getting the right plant for the spot is essential and I’ve listed some great north-facing wall climbers below. But first consider whether you need year round cover (and so something evergreen) or would accept a deciduous climber that will lose its leaves but keep a framework of stems, or if you could live with an herbaceous climber that will die back each year and return again in the spring. If the wall is very shaded it may be worth reducing the shade somewhat if you can.

Nearby wall-shrubs could be pruned back or overhanging trees crown lifted (the lower branches removed) or crown thinned (the crown’s density reduced). Walls may be a dark grey or brick colour but you can make the spot considerably more plant friendly if you change the colour of the wall before planting. Use of a palecoloured masonry paint on the wall will cause light to be reflected back to the plant and make it more likely to thrive even if conditions are a bit gloomy. Consider growing more than one climber to increase the season of interest and so the amount of time that the wall looks good – perhaps a climber for spring and another for summer. Flowering may be reduced if the site is gloomy and so

to maximize your climber’s flower power make sure that you apply sulphate of potash as this will increase flowering potential somewhat. Follow the instructions on the pack, and generally try to apply it to the root area in late summer and then again in spring. Make sure that the climber goes in at a good distance from the wall up which it is to grow. A minimum of about 45cm (18in) should mean that it can develop a good strong root system and this will help to keep it growing well and strongly even in this rather shaded spot. Self-clinging climbers such as the climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy can look great and help to provide at least part of the interest you’re after for your north-facing wall, but even these often need a bit of a helping hand to get them started – train the stems on to the wall and protect from wind until they get properly attached.

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TOP PLANTS FOR NORTHFACING WALLS AND FENCES Akebia Quinata (the chocolate vine). Pretty pale green foliage with vanilla perfumed purple-brown flowers in late spring. Berberidopsis Coralline, evergreen twining climber. Prefers acidic soil, clusters of deep red flowers in early autumn. Clematis, twining climber. Many smaller flowered varieties such as white flowered, rampant C. montana do well. Codonopsis Convolvulacea. A herbaceous climber with pretty bell or saucer shaped violet coloured flowers in summer.

Humulus Lupulus, the hop, a twining climber. The golden leafed ‘Aurea’ will perform quite well as long as the shade is not too intense or the site windy. Hydrangea Anomela Petiolaris. A self-clinging deciduous climber with broad creamy white flowerheads. Lathyrus Latifolius. the everlasting pea. An herbaceous climber with small clusters of pinky purple flowers throughout the summer and in to early autumn

Lonicera x Tellamanniana, a deciduous twining climber. Bright yellowy orange honeysuckle flowers in late spring and summer. Vitis coignetiae, a selfclinging, rampant climber. Renowned for its fabulous autumn colour. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system, biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots more besides.

Lonicera x Americana, a deciduous twining climber. Classic honeysuckle flowers in yellow flushed red and with a gorgeous perfume during the summer.

LOCAL CARPENTER GARDENER CITY & GUILDS QUALIFIED

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• Tree surveys & repo • Tree surveys & reports to the highest levels of service in every instance.

We are happy to give advice – on all your arboricultural querie • Free quotes • Fully NPTC qualified R.J. Tree Services qualiﬁed & professional • Tree reductions / crown thins staff are dedicated to the highest levels of service in every instance. • Tree felling Free Quotes • Stump removal Diploma qualiﬁed NPTC licensed • Hedgeworks Tree Reductions / Crown Thins • Tree surveys & reports Tree Felling Stump Removal Hedgeworks Tree Surveys & Reports £10 million insurance liability cover

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At Evergreen, we know that your garden is important to you & your family. We offer a variety of services that can enhance your garden. Our skilled team can offer the removal of the existing garden area, through to laying your turf and borders. We are an established family business with over 40 years experience.

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Tel: 020 8397 0370 or 07889 022 362 We are checkable:

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14/05/2010 14:19:06

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR ROOF?.. “We are a small Friendly Family Run business that can help you with all your Roofing problems.”

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SURBITON BUSINESS CENTRE 44-46 VICTORIA ROAD, SURBITON, KT6 4JL To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009623 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Hobbies Why cards are still king when you want to play By Kate McLelland Fancy a game of Strip Jack Naked? Or maybe Black Maria? What about a quick hand of Snip Snap Snorum? If these activities sound strange you may be relieved to discover that they are all card games whose rules are now lost in the mists of time, but it’s probably no surprise to find that some games have fallen out of fashion over the centuries. What is surprising is that card games have managed to survive at all in this age of virtual gaming. The fact that card games have lasted into the 21st century speaks volumes about the enduring power of playing cards to fascinate and entertain us. It’s now widely believed that they were invented in China: some of the earliest references to card playing by the Chinese nobility date as far back as the 9th century. Because they were light and easy to transport, traders carried decks of cards abroad and so the fashion rapidly spread to Egypt, Persia and India. Card games eventually reached Europe in the 15th century. During this period the Italians invented the Tarot

deck, which saw an additional set of trump cards added to the standard deck. These were used as ordinary playing cards until the 18th century, when they also began to be used for fortune-telling. The Georgians and Victorians were keen card players and favourite games included Whist, Ecarte, Faro and Loo. In the early 20th century games such as Pontoon, Gin Rummy, Canasta and Contract Bridge became popular but the interest in card games began to fade in the second half of that century as television and other distractions tempted people to abandon their social gaming habits. It’s good to know that in spite of computers and the internet (or perhaps because of them) card gaming is once more growing in popularity, but in addition to online gaming, people are also coming together to play socially. As well as old favourites such as Poker and Bridge, there’s a huge interest in collectible card games, where players use specially designed sets of playing cards and trade their cards during a game. You can find a list of local clubs

at www.orcsnest.com/clubs. htm and www.ukgmn.co.uk or alternatively ask at your local library. Many pubs now host informal groups playing card games such as Cribbage or Poker, so it’s worth asking the landlord of your local pub if they have card playing evenings. If you can’t find a local group that meets your needs, you could consider setting up your own club. A pub or local café may be the ideal place to get together, but do check with the owner to see if they have any objections before setting up a meeting. This is particularly important if you want to play for money, as the premises may not be licensed for gambling. If you are joining – or starting – a club you’ll find it’s a good way to make new friends who share your passion. It’s also a great way to exercise your brain. So many different games … so many ways to play them. When you consider that all this potential can be found in just 52 pieces of printed paper, it’s no wonder that card games have managed to retain their appeal over thousands of years.

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To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009625 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

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.

Latest projects One of our latest completed projects is on Ditton Road, Surbiton. A full width kitchen extension, 1st floor extension, reconfiguration of ground floor rooms & new decking & landscaping.

Before

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. 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.

‘Berrylands Building Company provide a Professional & Personable Service’ (Mr & Mrs Johnson) 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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•Extensions BERRYLANDS BERRYLANDS •Conversions Property Maintenance Ltd •All types of Paving

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iPainting and Decorating and Tiling * Extensions *iPlastering Conversions * All types of Pavin iHousehold Maintenance and Repairs iBathrooms Fitted and Refurbished Local builders withandover 30 years experience. iCarpentry Plumbing iFlat Packs and Small Jobs

Painting and Decorating Plastering and Tiling Local builders with over 30 years experience. Conversions * All types of Paving Many local customers with excellent references, Household Maintenance and Repairs Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Many local customers with excellent references, 020 8390 7549 Bathrooms Fitted and Refurbished viewings by appointment 603a885 Check out 07702 our Check Trade ratings. ers with over 30 years experience. Carpentry and Plumbing Check out our Check a Trade ratings. Flat Packs and Small Jobs 71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8LR berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

ustomers with excellent references, Tel: 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324

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All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk

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W.CHECKATRADE .COM,Surbiton, /BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE iltern Drive Surrey, KT5 8LR NO JOB TOO SMALL Mob: 07941 324 FOR374 FREE ESTIMATES No obligation quotations. References available. All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk JUST CALL CHRIS

• Domestic and Commercial • Bathroom Refurbishment • Tiling and Plastering • Free Estimate Provided • Fully Insured • 20 Years Experience

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proof 3 Dec 10-HP.indd 9

CJM Plumbing and Heating 27 020 8274 009627 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Emotions Amused Annoyed Anxious Caring Contemptuous Content Dislike Doubtful Envy Glum

Greed Guilt Hatred Horror Joyous Pride Sad Serenity

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Find the names associated with emotions in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

Please mention the magazine 28 when contacting advertisers

MEGA DEALS!

TYRE SPECIALISTS

(Ewell)

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All leading makes of tyres Available from stock Wheel alignment and balancing While U Wait service

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PRO-FIT

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We are an established, family run business serving householders within the community. • • • • • •

Friendly service with no high pressure sales persons Competitive prices A variety of windows to complement any property, including triple glazed options A full range of doors including our fabulous Bi-folds and the new ‘Suffolk Door’ range ‘Secure by Design’ high security locking ‘A’ rated thermal efficiency

All our products are of premium quality, BBA accredited with high specification that pays special attention to security and insulation. Visit our website for an instant online quote. Pro-Fit are proud to support local youth organisations within the community.

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£10.95 *Please note King Prawn & Fish Dishes are £2 extra

Ovenclean will transform your oven and put the sparkle back into your kitchen! ✓ Friendly, professional and reliable ✓ Completely safe, eco-friendly cleaning system ✓ No fumes, no mess, no bother ✓ Removes grease, fat and burnt on carbon deposits from: ● Ovens ● Grills ● Extractors

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ALAN SURSHAM (MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN)

Registered Office: 1, Orchard Close, West Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9NS

Your local MOT TESTER AND SERVICE REPAIRER

ALL CARS COLLECTED AND DELIVERED (LOCAL AREAS)

Interim Service - £85 Full Service - £145 (Parts and Labour included) CARS UP TO 2000 CC Quotes for cars over 2000 cc - please phone

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Office - 020 8397 8654 Garage - 07784 716 567 (For instant attention) EP March 10 .indd 1

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009631 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Health Quit While You’re Ahead

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

doesn’t eliminate risk - and we now know that carcinogens and irritants adhere to hair, clothing, furniture, objects and floors in a room, putting babies at the chewing, crawling stage at risk. • You’ll save money and smell more pleasant.

March 14th is National No Smoking Day and there is everincreasing evidence about the damage smoking can do to you: • The health problems: cancers (lung, larynx, lips, tongue, throat, oesophagus, stomach, kidneys, bladder, pancreas, testicles, cervix), emphysema, angina, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, pleurisy, liver damage, high blood pressure, circulation problems and gangrene leading to amputation, hair loss, hearing loss, glue ear, eye irritation, cataracts, gum disease, blindness, loss of sense of smell, osteoporosis, impotence, deformed or low mobility sperm, reduced fertility, miscarriage, low birthweight babies and premature aging. • You risk causing all these diseases in those you love. Smoking around them increases their risk of lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25%. Children’s under-developed immune systems and faster breathing make them particularly vulnerable. Smoke toxins linger in a smoker’s breath and for two hours in the air, so smoking in another room

Helping You Quit Withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, irritability, insomnia, headache, depression, difficulty concentrating, dizziness and constipation usually peak 24 hours after your last cigarette, before easing off over 2-4 weeks. Ultimately, like any drug addict, smokers smoke not to feel better but to feel normal. That’s why you may need support. Counselling/Addiction Groups Local advisers from the NHS Stop Smoking Service can offer support, and you’re four times more likely to quit with their help. Visit http://www.nhs.uk/ smokefree/help-and-advice/localsupport-services-helplines or ask your GP. Nicotine Replacement Therapy NRT can help you defeat nicotine addiction gradually, without those other toxic cigarette ingredients: benzene and acetone (solvents); cadmium (used in batteries); cyanide and arsenic (well-known poisons); formaldehyde (dead body preserver); tar; ammonia; shellac and carbon monoxide (which sticks to your blood, robbing you of oxygen and straining your heart). NRT can greatly increase your chances of quitting smoking successfully and there are a range of products available on prescription or to buy. Some can be combined for your ideal dose and coverage.

• Patches: release a steady dose of nicotine into your bloodstream. They’re very discreet and come in a range of doses and types. • Gum: gives a burst of nicotine when you are craving a cigarette. • Lozenges and soluble sublingual tablets (microtabs which dissolve under the tongue). • Inhalators: Similar to a cigarette, they’re ideal if you find the habit of holding a cigarette hard to break. • Nasal sprays: usually best suited to heavy smokers, they rapidly deliver a strong dose of nicotine. Research suggests they may be the most effective type of NRT. Other Medication These prescription-only medications are only available to over-18s and aren’t suitable for everyone. Ensure your doctor is aware of your medical history, current mental or physical problems and medications. They don’t contain nicotine but help you overcome addiction. • Zyban (Bupropion Hydrochloride): Taken 1-2 weeks before you plan to quit and continued for around 2 months, it helps to relieve withdrawal symptoms. • Champix (Varenicline): also started 1-2 weeks before your planned quit date and continued for around 10 weeks. It reduces nicotine cravings and also decreases the ‘hit’ when you do have a cigarette. So now you know your options, why not try to make March 14th YOUR No Smoking Day? Good luck!

Please mention the magazine 32 when contacting advertisers

Spotlight On............

Personae Interior Design Services “Elegant Design needn’t be expensive” says Sarah Taylor

and inspiration are appropriate. Or specific advice on regulations, a real hazard these days. Perhaps I can help with sourcing furniture and fittings. Or maybe those who spend some time working at home need to have a modest office setup to inspire them. It could be any or all of those assignments.’

You can find Sarah in a smart little studio in the centre of Kingston. She is the principal and the driving force behind Personae Interior Design, and with an engineering background she brings a refreshingly new and open approach to interior design.

How did Personae start?

‘First and most important,’ says Sarah, ‘is the cost. Our solutions don’t break the balance sheet. We can work with small businesses in small premises and we have a unique approach to small budgets.’

‘I suppose it all began at the prestigious KLC School of Design, where I enjoyed working on both residential and commercial assignments. This was a most valuable professional experience, and gave me an excellent start.’

‘What really counts is the Creative Vision for each project that I develop with my clients. Then come the detailed specifications. Only then can we look at budgets.’

Why not talk to Sarah Taylor on 07854707999 or sarah@personaedesign.com. Her website is www. personaedesign.com

Tell us about your Creative Vision We aim always to create beautiful spaces, spaces where your customers and clients will be drawn in, stay and come back again. We can transform premises with no charm or warmth into a professional facility that reflects the ethos of your organisation, large or small. One that customers and clients will empathise with and bring you business and repeat business.’

Interior Design Services

‘In summary, at Personae Interior Design we can add value to your present setup. That’s our mission.

Quote this advert to sign up for FREE to my workshop

“Your Style and How to Live with it”

Exactly how do you work, Sarah?

www.personaedesign.com sarah@personaedesign.com 07854707999

‘I have always to recognise that not everyone needs the full design service. Perhaps only ideas

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

Mrs Paula Maple

“The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

(M.Ch.S. D.Pod.M) HPC Registered Chiropodist & Podiatrist

Tel: 020 8390 7777 by appointment

Ace Complementary Health Centre 304 Ewell Road, Surbiton Surrey, KT6 7AQ www.ace-osteopaths.com

10% Discount with this advert until end of March 2015

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!

Visit www.buggyfit.com www.mumsinshape.co.uk or email: anna@mumsinshape.co.uk

Please mention the magazine 34 when contacting advertisers

Short Story Floppity Poppity “Maxwell, we need to talk about the rabbit”, Colin said gruffly, “will you please stop twitching the curtain?” “No can do, Dad”, Maxwell peered through his parents’ window into the twilight, “I’m checking the coast is clear”. “Didn’t you buy that fancy sports car to attract the ladies?” Colin chuckled, picking up his newspaper. “Your neighbour, Dolores Bagwell, is no lady. She treats me like a free taxi service”, moaned Maxwell, “the second I unlock the car she virtually leaps into the passenger seat”. Maxwell closed the curtain and looked at his Dad. He knew what this was about. “You’re not getting rid of Floppity Poppity”, he said, “and that’s final”. “Mum and I want to decorate the spare room, and it’s time the rabbit went”, Colin said. “Went where?” Maxwell asked suspiciously. “I’m sure there’s space in your flat”, Colin smiled. Maxwell grimaced. His flat had nothing but space, and that’s the way he liked it. It had reclaimed oak floorboards, and zinc worktops. Floppity Poppity, a four foot cuddly rabbit with one ear, a tatty bow, and some mysterious stains would certainly not go with his decor. “I don’t see why I’ve got to take him just because you’re giving my bedroom a lick of paint”, Maxwell sulked, “it seems very selfish”.

Floppity Poppity had been a present from Aunty Betty for Maxwell’s first birthday. He had sat in the corner of Maxwell’s bedroom and been a wrestling partner, a makeshift beanbag and a comforter through chicken pox. Maxwell loved him, just not enough to have him in his flat. “Chuck him in a skip”, Colin said bluntly. “The Dawson’s on the corner have got one, and it’s only half full”. “I’m sure they’d be delighted if Floppity suddenly appeared in it”, Maxwell said sarcastically. “They’d be fine, I’ve already asked them”. Colin quickly hid behind the sports page. Maxwell’s mouth fell open, “you want me to just throw him away, like we owe him nothing? Can’t you just put him back in my bedroom once you’ve decorated?” “It hasn’t been your bedroom for over ten years and why you still need a cuddly toy is beyond me”. “I can’t believe you could be so heartless”. Maxwell snatched up his car key. “I’m going”. “Take the rabbit with you”, Colin called after him. Maxwell bundled the rabbit out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Opening the passenger door of his car he sat Floppity down on the seat. The rabbit looked sadly at him. “I guess it’s time to say goodbye old fellow”, Maxwell said, and, in one last tender

gesture, fastened the seatbelt around him. Maxwell was getting into the driver’s side when he heard the familiar sound of high heels tottering up the drive. His heart sank. “Maxwell darling”, Mrs Bagwell called, “the off-licence please. And be quick, it closes in ten minutes”. “Mrs Bagwell, I can’t…”, Maxwell began. “Who’s that? A lady friend?” Mrs Bagwell peered indignantly through the windscreen at the shadowy figure inside. “That’s no good, she’s in my seat”. Maxwell seized his opportunity, “Yes, that’s, er, Flo”. “Flo who?” Mrs Bagwell asked resentfully. “Flo who sits in the passenger seat now”, he added cryptically and quickly started the engine. Reversing off the drive, he called, “Dad would love to give you a lift”. Then he grinned at the sound of Mrs Bagwell’s urgent knocking on his parents’ front door. “Floppity, old friend”, Maxwell smiled, accelerating past the Dawson’s skip, “I think you’ve just found a whole new purpose in life”. By Jackie Brewster

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009635 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

And Another Thing... by Tom Hughes

pring being just around the corner reminded me of the time last year me and Sarah decided to visit a wedding show to give us some inspiration for our impending Big Day. Who knew that love and happiness was such a serious business? After filling out our registration form with the usual false name and address, we were allowed inside a vast exhibition hall full of stands dedicated to all things fluffy and amazing. The first stall was selling imitation red Post Boxes. Here was my first conundrum. “Sarah, what are they for?” “Our guests post their cards inside them so they don’t get lost.” “Well that’s no good for us is it?” “Why?” “We get married at five o’clock and last post on a Saturday is 12.45.” “Tom, if you are going to mess about all day we might as well go home now.”

Chastened, we proceeded down the next aisle. Walking past photographers and old men in peaked caps waving pictures of Rolls Royces, I stumbled upon the strangest stall I had ever seen. A woman was sitting behind a counter which contained nothing more than a few photographs. Then I saw it. Behind her, sat on its perch was a real life tawny owl. Yellow and black saucer eyes, a beak designed for eviscerating rodents and claws that could probably strip your flesh down to the bone. I whispered to Sarah “Do you think she’s got her events mixed up? Do you think she knows this is a wedding show?” “Of course she knows it’s a wedding show.” “Then what is she doing here with that owl?” “Well what do you think she’s doing?” Why someone would need an owl to get married I couldn’t begin to fathom. I decided to make some enquiries myself.

The lady smiled as I leaned forward and asked, “You haven’t by any chance got a pea green boat and a pussy cat hidden under there have you?” Another sharp dig from Sarah. Through a fixed smiled she explained to me that the owl’s job was to deliver the rings at the ceremony – fly across the venue to the handler who would present them to the best man. “Yes but then who signs for them? Surely the owl can’t – “ I was then dragged away to a tax-dodging generic coffee emporium, where Sarah had to have a little word. So, after a good talking to, we continued with our investigations. But there seemed nothing here that was of any practical use for the Groom About Town. It was then I chanced upon the kind of stall I had been waiting for all day the eyebrow stall! I elbowed my way to the front of the queue, muttering something about sorting out the caterpillars

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above my eyes.

waterproof.”

“Tom, please don’t.” But it was too late.

This confused me further. “Madam, I anticipate my wedding day being emotional. However, I don’t think I’ll be reciting my vows whilst standing on my head. In any case, I thought you might be trimming them, I believe the correct term is shaping?

the rest to your bride, OK?”

She stopped in mid-powder. “I’m sorry sir, we don’t do that here. That’s a different stall.”

I think life goes smoother if we all just play to our strengths, don’t you?

I presented my eyebrows to the nice lady. She glanced from one fuzzy outcrop to the other, emitting a worrying tut-tut with each inspection. “Well sir, it’s gonna take a lot of hard work, but together, we’ll get there.” She then rolled out a set of miniature tools that were either for repairing the disaster above my eyes, or she had stolen a Lilliputian’s car repair kit. She then produced a tiny comb and proceeded to comb my eyebrows (I’m not making this up by the way). Then suddenly, some powder appeared. Wary of edging into guy-liner territory, I was about to object when she reassured me, “Don’t worry about the powder sir, it’s

I turned to Sarah who, noting that I appeared to be wearing a slightly more alarmed expression than usual, declared that maybe arranging our wedding was something best left to the experts, which as it transpired, didn’t include me. “Look Tom,” she sighed, “On the day, just turn up and leave

Follow Tom’s escapades at groomsdaybook.com Twitter @groomsdaybook

Giuseppe & Rosa Lina Welcome you to:

Ristorante Sorrento Authentic Italian Cuisine

Set Menus available every day

Open Easter Sunday 12.00pm - 6.00pm

Lunch: £11.95

**Book Early For Easter **

Dinner: £13.95

OPENING HOURS

Family run business

Choice of set menus or à la carte

Large parties welcome Private car park

Monday-Friday Lunch 12.00pm - 2.30pm Monday-Saturday Evening 6.30pm-11.00pm Sunday 12.00pm - 6.00pm

Restaurant can be hired for Parties, Receptions or Private Functions for over 100 people. Call for information: 020 8390 6921 379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7DE

Tel: 020 8390 6921

www.ristorantesorrento.com

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009637 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Paneer & Mixed Vegetable

Coconut Curry Serves 4

Ready in 45 minutes

This filling vegetable curry can be made with any mix of vegetables you have to hand. Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread and some cooling natural yogurt. Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the carrots and boil for 5 minutes until almost tender adding the cauliflower and broccoli florets for the last 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

Ingredients: • 2 small carrots, peeled and • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

thinly sliced 100g small cauliflower florets 100g small broccoli florets 1 tbsp vegetable oil 225g paneer cheese, cubed 150g mushrooms, wiped and sliced 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 2cm piece root ginger, peeled and grated 1 red chilli pepper, deseeded and chopped, plus extra sliced chilli to garnish 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste 400ml can coconut milk 150g frozen peas 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped Squeeze of lime juice Fresh oregano leaves, to garnish

Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the paneer and mushrooms and stir-fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and fry very gently for about 10 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and fry for a further 2-3 minutes then stir in the Thai paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and return the paneer and mushrooms to the pan along with the drained vegetables, peas and tomatoes. Stir well and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes. Add the lime juice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve garnished with sliced red chilli pepper and oregano leaves.

TIP

Paneer is an Indian vegetarian cheese which has a firm texture and goes particularly well with spices and garlic, chilli and ginger. You can use drained and cubed tofu instead, if preferred.

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C.D Jennings & Sons Surbiton’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

C.D Jennings & Sons Easter 2015 Specials Valentine’s Day Specials Call us on 020 8399 4870 to reserve your Easter feast! Call us on 020 8399 4870 ScotchSteaks Highland Lamb Legs,Fillet, Shoulders, T-bone, Sirloin,Saddles, Rib Eye,Racks Rump,

Centre Cut, Onglet, Flat Iron, Scotch Beef Flank Skirt, Hanger Sirloin, Topside, Foreribs, Fillets All of our beef is dry aged for 21 days at our shop Range Turkeys, Ducks andFree comes fromChickens, the finest farms in Scotland

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) 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 009639 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

The Easter Lamb is on its way!

says Alan Jennings

inter’s moving away from us now, or at least we hope so, and soon we’ll be enjoying Easter and the Easter break once again.

The actual date for Easter dates varies each year, as you will know. This year Easter Sunday falls on the 6th of April. Even now, it’s not too early to plan our celebrations, especially in the food department! This is where Easter Lamb is so important. Not just in Britain, but right across the Continent, the traditional meat for celebrating Easter is lamb, usually with a big joint for family and friends on the Sunday. So here at Jennings we will be stocking up heavily with prime lamb, ready for the demands of our customers. At the moment all our lambs come from our selected farms in the Scottish Highlands, and magnificent quality they are, too! Later on we will also be able to offer lambs from our chosen farms in East Anglia, where the weather can usually be mild enough for the early growth of grass to bring the lambs to peak condition. These lambs are quality through and through. What should you buy for your Easter table? Will it be a leg of lamb to roast for a sizeable gathering, or maybe a more modest half-leg for a couple on their

own? Or could it be a shoulder, for those who like to cook slow and long to bring out all the flavours of the young lamb? Or there’s rack of lamb, another good choice for a roast. There are many cuts of lamb which may suit you, so ask our advice if you need it. Of course, if you really want to impress, you could always choose the fabulous Crown of Lamb, but you’ll need plenty of time and dexterity beforehand if you’re going to set it up yourself. Or you could ask about Crown of Lamb at Jennings, and we’ll be able to help with some good advice. Or we can make a Crown up for you with pleasure, given reasonable notice. Whatever cut of lamb you decide on, it’s worth letting us know in good time so that we can make sure to supply you with exactly what you want. Why not pay us a visit soon so that we can advise you in good time? All at Jennings wish you a happy Easter, with the hope of some excellent weather over the holiday time! Best wishes, Alan C D Jennings and Sons Traditional Quality Butchers since 1962 146 Ewell Road Surbiton KT6 6HE Tel: o2o 8399 4870

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A response to last month’s message from Edward Davey, on new recycling plans

by Councillor Richard Hudson

n reply to last month’s article on recycling by Edward Davey MP, Councillor Richard Hudson has provided the following information on the new plans. We are neither building on the Fairfield nor stopping or intending to stop weekly recycling The new scheme will allow us to increase the Borough’s recycling rate, which has fallen year on year for the last three years. By providing a second, separate wheelie bin for paper and card (removing the need for the current cardboard white sack and at least one green box), we are ensuring that the recyclates remain dry – getting paper and cardboard wet as it did in the old system meant it had to be sent to landfill. Surveys done in Kingston and across the UK as a whole show that people say they would recycle more if the containers were larger, or if they had more of them. A separate bin for paper and card will allow residents to recycle more paper and card, whilst freeing up space in green boxes for more plastic, tins and glass. This new scheme also has the benefit of saving residents £4.2 million over the seven year life of the contract – the equivalent to a 3% increase in Council Tax. Much of this is saved in not having to replace expensive, bespoke waste collection lorries. But we’ll also save money. For example, by providing people with sturdy, robust bins for paper and

card (already factored into the contract cost), we’ll have to provide fewer replacement green boxes. We currently replace 10,000 per year at a cost of £50,000 – that’s a fifth of Kingston’s households receiving a new box every single year and it soon adds up! The change in the way that recycling is to be sorted, from ‘kerbside sorting’ to ‘twin streaming’, will help prevent health problems for operatives who currently undergo a lot of physical stress and strain, lifting and twisting repeatedly with heavy boxes. Additional benefits of the new system include 33% fewer waste collection lorries on our roads so less traffic clogging up our residential streets and less pollution released into the atmosphere. Further, the new bin for paper and card will stop recyclates from being blown all over the place during windy weather. This makes the new system cleaner, greener and leaner. For further information on recycle collections for your road, visit the council website: www.kingston.gov.uk Councillor Richard Hudson Alexandra Ward Lead Member Infrastructure and Contracts richard.hudson@councillors.kingston.gov.uk

The best care and support at home – for over 20 years!

• Supporting you – or your loved one – to live safely and happily at home • Enabling every client to do the things they want to do • Providing specially structured support at home for those with dementia • Keeping in close touch with relatives to give complete peace of mind To find out more, call us now:

020 8399 3388

info@halohomecare.co.uk www.halohomecare.co.uk

Halo Homecare Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales: 6686170. Regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009641 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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HOME HOMEWANTED! WANTED! HOME WANTED! Delilah&& herkittens kittens Delilah her Delilah & her kittens

“Hello, I am Delilah, thepretty pretty 2 year “Hello I am Delilah, the 2 year “Hello am Delilah, year oldI tabby to the the left pretty & the 22 bundles of oldoldtabby to the left & thebundles 2mybundles of tabby tosee the left & the of joy you below me 2are 2 kittens “ Hello Delilah, theare pretty 2 year Benji &I am Jessie. you see below meme are my 2my kittens joyjoyyou see below kittens, old tabby to the left & the 2 bundles of Benji&&Jessie. Jessie. Benji joy you see below me are my 2 kittens I was homeless & Benji and Jessie were born in a shed but luckily we Benji & Jessie.

I was homeless & by and were rescued Cats Protection & were are I was homeless &Benji Benji &Jessie Jessie after.we However werebeing bornvery in a well shedlooked but luckily born in a homeless shed, but luckily were have allbybeen care for some was &inBenji and Jessie wereIwe rescued Cats Protection &we aretime now and although Benji Jessie were born inlooked a shed but & luckily weare rescued by Protection & are being very wellCats after. However now 5 months old, I am still devoted to were rescued by Cats Protection & are we have in care some time them & well Ibeen don’ tlooked want tofor be parted from being veryall after. However very wellBenji looked after. However them. nowbeing and although & Jessie are wenow have all been in care for time we have allold, been in care for some sometotime 5 months I am still devoted now and Benji Jessie are 5 We really like a& now and although Benji &forever Jessie are them & would Ialthough don’ t all want to be parted fromhome where we can explore outside & have now 5 months old, I am still devoted to them. months old, I am still devoted to them laps to snuggle on. My little family them &love I don’ t be wantparted to be parted from would to come & live with your & I don’t want to from them.

family no very young children We them. would -allbut really like a forever home please”. we can explore outside & have Wewhere would really like a forever home lapsWe to snuggle My little would allon. really like afamily forever home If you feel that you could give Delilahwhere & her kittens a much we explore have would lovecan to come & live outside with your& & where we can explore outside have deserved forever loving home please call Rosemary family but no very young children laps to sniggle on. My little family laps to snuggle on. My little family 01737 350307. please” . love would come & with your your would love to tocome & live live with - but no very young children familyfamily - but no very young children please” . If you feel that you could give Delilah & her kittens a much

please”

deserved forever loving home please call Rosemary 01737 350307. wefeel have 7,000 cats and kittens our care at any IfAs you thataround you could give Delilah & her in kittens a much one time,forever we willloving find you theplease perfectcall feline friend. deserved home Rosemary 01737 350307. www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

As we have around 7,000 cats and kittens in our care at any one time, we will find you the perfect feline friend. As we have around 7,000 cats and kittens in our care at any www.cats.org.uk one time, we will find you the perfect feline friend. Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

The Cats’ Protection is asking for your help! They have been contacted by Gosia Raczek, who is going to run in the London Marathon, on behalf of Cats’ Protection. All the money raised will go to help Cats’ Protection. So, if you can’t take in a rescued cat, perhaps you can donate some money to help the work to support the cats and kittens in their care. Gosia has set up a Giving page link: https//www.justgiving.com/GosiaRaczek-cats/ On behalf of Gosia, Cats’ Protection and all the cats: Thank you!!

Playtime Day Nursery Providing quality and Tolworth affordable childcare for babies & children from 6 months to 5 years!

IMMEDIATE STARTS AVAILABLE

£45 per day £24 half day Easy Parking Flexible!

We are a family run Children's Day Nursery located in Tolworth Rise North. Open 7.30am to 6pm, Mon to Fri and for 52 weeks a year!

SAFE SECURE EDUCATIONAL Free Nursery places for 3 and 4 year olds CARING A fantastic outdoor learning and play activity area FUN Very competitive pricing – we’re the lowest in the area!

Full time, very experienced and fully trained qualified staff Flexible and understanding to your child’s specific needs

Tolworth@PlaytimeDayNurseries.co.uk

0208 399 1951

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009643 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Beauty Wrinkle Removal: The Results & the Risks

by Alison Runham

allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, so ensure you’re confident that the therapist would know how to deal with this if it occurs.

Injectable Treatments

ou moisturise, tone, exfoliate, eat a healthy diet and stay out of the sun. You don’t smoke. But still those pesky wrinkles gradually gain ground. If you want to keep them at bay a little longer, it’s time to let the professionals take charge. Available treatments can significantly reduce telltale signs of ageing, and whilst the effect won’t be as dramatic as cosmetic surgery, for many it’s enough to give them a ‘lift’ and a fresher appearance.

Picking Your Therapist

Recommendations are great, but always check the qualifications and experience of any therapist. Stay safe: • Therapists performing nonsurgical cosmetic procedures don’t require medical qualifications and aren’t overseen by the Care Quality Commission, but many procedures do carry risks and should only be carried out by someone highly trained. The Treatments You Can Trust

(TYCT) register, backed by the Department of Health, will tell you if the treatment provider is appropriately qualified. • Injectable cosmetic treatments (e.g. Botox, Restylane) should only be performed by an appropriately trained doctor, dermatologist, dentist or registered nurse within a clinical setting. Check that they are registered with the appropriate professional body: doctors or dermatologists, the General Medical Council (GMC); dentists, the General Dental Council (GDC); nurses the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). • See your doctor before undergoing injectable treatments. Botox® is a prescription-only treatment that shouldn’t be undertaken without a review of your medical history. All the treatments below have one risk in common: allergic reaction. While this may be limited to itching,

Botox® Botox® contains a toxin Botulinum toxin A – which relaxes the muscle underneath the wrinkle, smoothing it out. Several small injections are usually given and it’s particularly popular for brow lines. Pros: The effects usually last for several months. Cons: You may have flu-like symptoms for a day or so, and some bruising. The results can take up to a fortnight to become evident and repeat treatments are needed to maintain your new look, although some people develop a resistance the treatment. Treated areas may be droopy for a while, and blurred vision can occur if the area around the eyes is treated. Dermal fillers Dermal filler is the general term for a variety of chemicals (e.g. hyaluronic acid and collagen) that are injected either to fill wrinkles or plump up your lips. Although it’s not a legal requirement for these to be administered by a medical professional, it’s highly recommended (a look at the ‘cons’ below will explain why). Some fillers are more permanent than others, and certain treatments may require a local anaesthetic first. They are usually given as a series of small injections, and the treated area is massaged. Pros: Permanent fillers give long-

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lasting results. Cons: The results can sometimes be asymmetrical or lumpy, or the filler can drift away from the injection site – this may need surgical repair. The treated area is likely to be swollen and tender for a while, and you may experience itching and bruising. In the worst case scenario, dermal fillers can cause necrosis (death of the surrounding tissue).

Resurfacing Treatments

All the treatments below aim, in essence, to damage the outer layer of skin - removing dead and aging skin cells, forcing the body to produce more collagen, and stimulating new growth to repair the damage. If you’re a cold sore sufferer, they may trigger an outbreak. Laser/light resurfacing This is also known as a ‘laser peel’ or ‘labrasion’. A pulsating burst of light from a laser or pulsed diode light is used to remove the skin’s outer cells layer

by layer. Pros: May remove blemishes and acne scars too. Effects are usually long lasting (up to several years). Cons: Itching is common and your skin will dry and begin to peel after a few days. Facial redness may last for months. Chemical peels. A variety of chemicals can be used to ‘burn’ or peel away the top layer of old or dead skin cells. Fruit and glycolic acid peels have a limited effect but intensive peels that use more aggressive chemicals (e.g. salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid) penetrate deeper into the skin, giving more noticeable results. Pros: Younger looking skin without the risk of injections. Deep peels are a one-off, longlasting treatment. Cons: Deeper peels can be uncomfortable and the likelihood of scarring and changes in skin pigmentation are increased. A sedative and/or local anaesthetic may be needed.

Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion or ‘particle resurfacing’ uses fine abrasive crystals to remove the outer layer of skin cells. A vacuum device is used simultaneously to remove dead skin cells as they are ‘sanded’ off. Pros: Usually produces noticeable results and may remove blemishes too. Cons: Can cause facial redness for several hours, and some slight bruising. It may cause scarring and permanent pigmentation changes. A course of treatments gives the best result. Remember: Always tell your therapist about any sensitivities, allergies or medical conditions before you start treatment.

All aboard... It often begins with an idea that haunts you and won’t go away. It may become a short story, a novella or a fully-grown novel, but there’s work to be done before the first word is on the page. It’s said that everyone has a book in them, but most of the people I know have several. We writers are a strange clan frequently aspiring (i.e. struggling), occasonally triumphant (letters in the local paper still count), and often locked in a world of our own creation. Forget about JK Rowling’s success and put aside dreams of writing the next Fifty Shades (although Fifty Sheds was a triumph). Instead, let me take you on a journey from inspiration to publication, stopping at frustration, desperation, perspiration and several other interesting places on the way. Like the best adventures we’ll be meeting some real characters, and a few fictional ones.

Luckily, guidance is at hand from Rudyard Kipling:

“I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.” When you ask yourself the questions that your readers will eventually ask, the results may surprise you. If your answers come to you thick and fast, loud and clear, congratulations - the muse is in town! Some writers start with the plot, while others insist they need to get to know their central character first. Whatever your approach, make some notes because it’s time to start writing! By Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009645 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

MOVIE REVIEW:

Exodus Gods and Kings American Sniper Chris Mills

My name is Chris Mills and my job is to review the latest and greatest movies to hit the big screen. I have a passion for film and an even bigger passion for the cinema experience. I am your local Film Critic.

lintand Eastwood is second withoutmovie a shadow of a Exodus Gods Kings is the adaptation doubtthe a living Hisgraced TV and movie of a Bible story cinemalegend. has been with this beganrelease, in 1955,Noah and starring over theRussell many year. Priorcareer to Exodus’ yearswashed Clint Eastwood hasscreen become of Crowe onto the big backthe in epitomy April 2014. macho Noah and cool. Clint possibly most Although stormed theEastwood box officeisit failed to make famous for his Sergio Leone’s, Man with a connection withrole theinaudience. WhereThe money was No NameNoah Trilogy. some would argue that concerned wasHowever a success however audiences Clint Eastwood is disappointed. just as famousAsfora his roleExodus as the worldwide were left result San Francisco Cop, Dirty Harry Callahan, where he needed to be something much greater. Bigger, darker up his most well-known of catch phrases, andpicked more powerful. Ridley Scott’s name carries a cerahead… my day”. His latest American tain“Go weight toMake it. Cinema greats suchfilm, as Gladiator, Sniper seesRunner Eastwood role as director Alien, Blade and don BlacktheHawk Down haveand all leave acting to Bradley CooperScott’s who proves be bared histhe name stamp with Exodus latest to venmore at portraying greatest sniper ture. Histhan nextcapable will surely be the the highly anticipated in American History, ChrisisKyle. sequel to Prometheus which set for release in 2016. isn’t and a pro-war film. Itaway doesn’t fill ForAmerican those whoSniper saw Noah were blown by its the of senses the pushes glory of that would be sense scale,with Exodus thebattle envelope even furexpected fromis abigger, film directed man such as ther. Everything grander by anda more impresEastwood. Eastwood is in factwhich very seem anti-war sive. From theClint streets of Egyptian cities, to has and been greatly American be and neverthis ending filled to thereflected brim withingreat sculpSniper. The struggle to maintain form of tures, works of art laced with gold andsome awe inspiring humanity both on Quarry, and off the field is violence expertly architecture. To the a pitbattle of sorrow, The opening scene andexpressed. slavery where the slaves live, sees workKyle and defend die. Thea convoyofofboth soldiers from a potentially deadly Russian vastness the Quarry, the Egyptian City and the Grenade. The opening scene also concludes with environments in between are immense. Ridley Scott first the kill. harshness Some war films would hasChris trulyKyle’s captured of both thisglorify landsuch anthe event. However thiswho warinhabit film forces the scape and lives of the people it. audience to question if there was a right choice to Notbeonly Exodus appear Furthermore visually dazzling, the madedoes in such a situation? American story of thedelves movieinto is also untarnished. Ridley has battle manSniper a soldier’s world off the aged to Itincorporate breaking special effects field. portrays a ground desperate struggle for balance, with delicate and intricate Some fully films,return such and the fact that many dialogue. soldiers never as from the disaster movie ways 2012American seem to devote war. In many Sniper countless confronts hours rendering story and not to just war butCGI, the forgetting haunting the it inflicts. Thescript way aspects of expects the film.soldiers However this is not thewar case society returning from to with drop Exodus. The balance and dialogue is back into everydaybetween life as ifaction war never happened. sublime, which ensures the story the The idea that a soldier such remains as Chrisintact Kyle for should duration its 150 running time. return offrom warminute and instantly forget the horrors that torment him. American Sniper delves into the Furthermore Exodus Gods and Kings boasts a stellar world of a soldier whose war doesn’t end when he cast. Christian Baleonce has hung up thethe Batman cape gets home and he is home memory of and war donned a far more scraggly one along with a big beard becomes an unbeatable enemy.

Clint Eastwood’s directing style for American Sniper is more rugged than we have been used too in more to recent deliveryears. a powerful performance as Moses. However It would seem he has combined many I feel Joel Edgerton steals for every scene camera techniques fromthe hisshow, past experiences bothhe in appears inand he behind deliversthe confidence andClint embodies the front of, camera lens. Eastwood role of the monstrous Ramses perfectly. Joel uses close up shots Pharaoh with a wide angle lens similar Edgerton hasLeone’s also appeared Zero Dark Thirty This and to Sergio famous in filming technique. thefilming 2011 remake of The Thing. Exodus also has into surstyle injects a level of controlled chaos prise Sigourney Weaver and the guest movieappearances which worksfrom perfectly with both setting Ben Kingsley. and story and helps to maintain pace throughout. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller both deliver Although Exodus is based on a well-known Bible story, outstanding performances as Mr and Mrs Kyle. It is a story where Moses frees 600,000 people from the both refreshing and rewarding to see an actor such oppressive life of slavery, the movie doesn’t delve into as Bradley Cooper remove himself from his comfort the world of the slaves in nearly enough detail. It is up zone and step into an unfamiliar and rather more to the audience to imagine the hardship and the crudemanding role than we as an audience are used to elty that the Egyptian slaves endure. Sadly Ridley seeing him portray. seems to have left this aspect of the story for the audience to Sniper fathomisout themselves. AsIts anemotional, audience American a superior war film. there is an understanding of why 600,000 a slaves it’s powerful and delves into everything wellshould morally freed should. but little indication of The the developed warbemovie Many consider horrors areto being freed from. Hurt they Locker be the finest example of a modern day war more ways than one, Exodus Godsfilm. and However Kings is ainfantastic film which disAmerican Sniper is ascale far sharper shooter. acting. The plays both astonishing and beautiful 10/10 film is further wrapped in a mesmerising script with qualities of depth and gravity. The movie carries with it Editor’s note: As we go to print American Sniper all the traits we expect from a director of Ridley Scott’s was showing at Kingston and Epsom Odeon calibre. Cinemas. Please check press for details at time of intended visit, Running time 2hrs 14mins 7/10 Editor’s note: As we went to print Exodus Gods and Kings was showing at Kingston Odeon Cinema. Please check press for details at time of intended visit. Rated 12A. Running time 2hrs 22 mins.

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Mobile bicycle Service & repair your HoMe | your Work | your ride rebelwaltz-cyclesolutions.co.uk

I can pick up your bike from your home or place of work then return to you at your convenience. From a safety check, new build to a full service, all work and repairs will be quoted prior to commencing. Will contact you immediately if any other defects are spotted so there will be no unpleasant surprises. Free pick up and drop off within a five mile radius of Surbiton. Repair and service prices start from ÂŁ10.00. Please see website for further prices and details.

Contact Jon Martin jon@rebelwaltz-cyclesolutions.co.uk 07514 435855

To advertise call Karen on 020 8274 009647 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Lost and Found They say you can both lose yourself and find answers to the meaning of life in a good book. We’ve put together a collection of some of the best stories about getting lost, being lost, and (sometimes) being recovered. Whatever age we are sometimes, we all feel a little lost and disoriented. This will help get you back on the right track- from a literary point of view at any rate. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast - By Cheryl Strayed There’s going for a walk to clear your head and then there’s deciding to trek eleven-hundred miles on your own. Twenty-six year old Cheryl Strayed has just lost her mother to cancer and her marriage to irreconcilable differences. She packs up her life and decides to hike along the West Coast of the United States, from the Mojave Desert in California up into Oregon and finally Washington State. She’s not a hiker and she has doesn’t really have a plan, other than to keep on walking. It’s an incredible journey, dominated by soul-searching and physical endurance. Read it with a cuppa and your feet up- or in a tent up a mountain somewhere if you’re that way inclined. Lost and Found - By Oliver Jeffers What would you do if you found a penguin on your doorstep? Would you keep him as a pet as in some soppy Christmas advert for a department store, or would you assume he was lost and take him back to the South Pole? This is such an endearing story for a picture book and asks questions about loneliness and isolation. Next time a penguin comes a-knocking, he might well just be looking for a friend.

Life of Pi - By Yann Martel This is an incredible novel, and if you haven’t read it or heard about then you must have been stranded on a boat in the middle of the Pacific for some considerable time. Sixteen year old Pi is searching for answers and meaning to his life when he becomes lost at sea after a cargo ship sinks. His only companions are a lame zebra, a blood-thirsty hyena, a sea-sick orang-utan…and a 450 pound Bengal tiger. Not the most ideal of situations but what unfolds is the most incredible story of survival. Beautiful. Lord of the Flies - By William Golding How long would it take for a group of young castaways to turn feral? William Golding’s classic tale of schoolboys who find themselves washed up on a desert island after a plane crash has stood the test of time, with new readers discovering it from every generation. There’s camaraderie at first, with allegiances formed and survival skills kicking in. But events soon take a sinister turn and leader Ralph finds he has a bit of a mutiny on his hands. Who wants to spend all day doing chores when you have a tropical island to explore and enjoy? Civility quickly descends into anarchy and sadly, not everyone will leave the island alive.

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet - By David Mitchell From acclaimed author David Mitchell, this novel’s set just before the turn of the 18th century, in 1799. Clerk Jacob de Zoet becomes stranded on the Dutch East India Company trading post of Dejima just as war breaks out between the English and the Dutch. The historical novel focuses on the story of the Dutch trader’s love for a Japanese midwife and it’s a compelling tale, but it’s the attention to detail that makes this novel so remarkable as Mitchell paints a brilliant and elaborate picture of Japanese life and culture at that time. Stolen - By Lucy Christopher Not so much lost as takenGemma is a teenage girl who’s kidnapped at Bangkok airport and transported to the Australian Outback by her captor, the unusually gorgeous Ty. Gemma starts to develop a serious case of Stockholm syndrome and begins to see her captor in a different light. The story is recounted through a letter Gemma is writing to Ty- the man who wanted her and her alone. Once again, the descriptions of the harsh and unforgiving Aussie landscape give it a great presence, as though it’s essentially the book’s third main character.

48 when contacting advertisers Please mention the magazine

Indian Cuisine is labelled to have a large array of flavours & hefty portions, making it difficult to take pleasure of relishing most of it at the same time. In our restaurant, with our ‘Tapas style’, you have an opportunity to order as little, or as much, as you desire, and yet, savour the selection of food to your preference and appetite.

opening hours

Monday to Saturday: 5pm to 10.30pm We are closed on Tuesday

delivery times

Wednesday to Sunday: 6pm to 10pm

* Sunday: 12pm to 9pm DELIVERY AVAILABLE NOW

Every Thursday Adult £22.90

To advertise call on 020 8274 0096 email: onKaren all tapas creations when youkaren@berrylands-companion.co.uk dine in restaurant

Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground Sleep out on Friday 6th March 2015 and help homeless people in your local community.

ave you ever thought about how it feels to not have a safe house and a comfy bed to go to when night-time comes? How would you keep warm? Where would you go, and what would you eat? Chris is a young man in his early twenties who had to ask himself all these questions when he became homeless in September 2014. After losing his job, he was unable to afford paying the rent. He sofa surfed with friends and slept on the street. He was cold and lonely. “On the nights I slept out I had to keep on moving to keep warm. I only stayed in the same place for about 10-15 minutes before I had to move on. I never got much sleep,” Chris says. “The coldest period came just before Christmas, when it was around -2 degrees.” One day, a member of the Emmanuel Church in Wimbledon saw Chris sitting on the street and told him to go to the Merton Winter Night Shelter which is run by YMCA LSW. Chris was extremely lucky; he got a place in the Scheme and with the support from the Night Shelter he has now managed to get a part time job. “Having a place to sleep makes everything easier,” Chris says. “You can focus on sorting your life out, instead of thinking about where you are going to go in the night. Also at some of the venues they have laptops we can use to write job applications, and the volunteers are really helpful. It was actually through one of the volunteers that I got a job”. Securing a place to live will be the next step on Chris’s road back to independency. This too, is something the Merton Winter Night Shelter is supporting the homeless people with. However, not everyone is as lucky as Chris. On

the night I met him at the Night Shelter, his friend Darryl also came along to get a warm, homemade meal. However, when the others went to bed, Daryl had to go back out into the cold, dark night, because he doesn’t have a place in the Scheme. “I’m on a waiting list here, I’m on a waiting list everywhere”, Darryl says. “I was in the army for four years, and then I lived abroad for a while. Now, no one wants to help me”. There are many others in Darryl’s situation, and the waiting list for the scheme has increased every year since the Merton Winter Night Shelter started up three years ago. YMCA London South West’s annual fundraising event Sleep Easy aims to raise funds which will help more people to get a place to sleep and the support to move on after they have been in supported accommodation. On 6 March there will be two Sleep Easy events taking place in the Memorial Gardens in Kingston and by the Holy Trinity Church in Wimbledon. This is a fun family friendly event perfect for families, Scout groups, school classes and work colleagues. There will be entertainment, games and competitions, and participants get hot soup and breakfast. The monies raised from the event will go to the Merton Winter Night Shelter and to YMCA LSW’s work with homeless people staying in the YMCA hostels in Kingston and Wimbledon. Last year, over 160 adults and children across the two boroughs braved the cold and took part in Sleep Easy. Over 22,000 was raised. This year, we are hoping to get even more people sleeping out, and by doing so, helping a young homeless person like Darryl to get a roof above their head and a bed to sleep in during the cold winter months.

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Please note that all deadlines for submitting artwork will be by the following dates: 8th March for April issue; 8th April for May issue; 8th May for June issue; 8th June for July/August issue 8th August for September issue; 8th September for October issue; 8th October for November issue; 8th November for December/January issue. 8th January for February issue; 8th February for March issue If you have any queries, please call me on 020 8274 0096 or email me at: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Please note the change of email address.

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

Time to take care of your pets health: March is Dental Month

e all have good intentions to do our best to keep our pets fit and healthy. We vaccinate them to keep them free from disease, exercise them to make sure they do not become obese, we de-flea and worm to keep them free from parasites and groom them to ensure their coats stay shiny.

But the one thing that most of us find diffcult to do is to brush their teeth twice daily to reduce gum disease and tooth loss. Cats often do not tolerate their teeth being brushed at all! You may be able to train your dog to allow you to brush their teeth however, understandably most people do not have time to do this even with the best intentions. Gum disease and tooth decay can also contribute to ill health such as heart disease, abscesses in the mouth and general ill health in older pets. There are a number of products out there to help combat and reduce gum disease and tooth decay. For young animals, these products can be used to keep your pet’s mouth healthier for longer reducing the frequency of dentals required in their lifetime. For older pets some of the products available may not be enough on their own to solve the problem. In this instance, we would recommend starting again from scratch. A dental scale and polish would be advised to get rid of an exisiting problem and then your pet’s teeth can be managed with some of the simple but effect dental products, keeping their teeth whiter for longer. For the month of March we are offering a discount on our dental scale and polish for cats and dogs and if you are part of out Pet Care Plan you will be eligible for an extra 10% off on top of the discounted price. Aspen Pet Care Plan. Here at Aspen we aim to help responsible pet owners give their pet gold standard health care. The Pet Care Plan allows you to spread the cost of routine

healthcare over 12 months at discounted prices, whilst benefiting from an additional 10% discount on ALL other services. The Pet Health Care Plan Includes: • Annual booster and Kennel cough vaccine • 6 monthly health checks by the vet • Flea prevention for the year (Advocate, Nexgard, Broadline) • 6 monthly Worm protection (Milbemax) • A free Microchip • 10% off of all services in-house i.e. neutering, Dentals, bloods, prescription food, prescription medications and more. For more information on our March dental offer, or if you would like to know more information on out Pet Care Plan, please contact us at the Aspen Veterinary Surgery or visit our website www. aspenvets.co.uk

Aspen Veterinary Surgery

Your pet matters to us

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

www.aspenvets.co.uk 351 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7BZ

020 8399 6437

52 To advertise in A Berrylands Companion call 020 8274 0096

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

Kingston & District Philatelic Society Our meetings in 2015 commenced with a display by Brian Trotter R.D.P., F.R.P.S.L. which was in two parts. The first covered Southern Africa and the opening up of Bechuanaland whilst the second part related to the postal history of North Borneo & Labuan. Both were delivered in a polished and erudite way which we can expect from Brian. The next meeting featured the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s display which was a social / thematic look at the development of the U.S.A. as seen from its postal material. We look forward to a display of Gibraltar Postal History by Eric Holmes on 20th February and, on 2nd April, of Frank Simpsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kingdom of Hanover 1659 -1837. Both should be well worth attending. Meanwhile, we have our

Society Competitions and the A.G.M. in March. All are welcome to any of our Society meetings, which are held at 8.00pm in Surbiton Library New Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 6AF on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Friday in each month between September and June. Details of these, and other meetings of the Society will be obtained by contacting the Hon Secretary, Brian Sole, F.R.P.S.L. on 01932 220677 or on brian.sole@btinternet.com

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

17 53

Free ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ courses from February 2015 Are you over 50, live in the borough of Kingston, and want to get fit, lose weight and improve your wellbeing? Why not join a free 5 week course and feel great by Easter? Take your pick from gentle exercise to more vigorous activity with either: Cycling: Kingsmeadow Centre, Kingston, Wed 25th Feb - 25th March 10.00-12.00 Chair based:Graham Spicer Hall, New Malden, Fri 27th Feb - 27th March 12.00 -1.30

All courses include healthy lifestyle/weight loss workshops. To book a place contact Grace: 020 8942 8256 or email: grace.shorthouse@staywellservices.org.uk

LEWIS DICK

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

Call: 020 8393 0055

Email: ewell@lewis-dick.com or visit our Website: www.lewis-dick.com Lewis & Dick, 443 Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT19 0DG

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Get ready for a new local currency... the Kingston Pound

etween March and September 2015, Kingston Pound will run a Pilot for the Electronic Kingston Pound using Text payments and Smartphone apps. So far, prior to the Pilot even starting, £2,500 has been converted into K£’s. The technology being used is the same as the tried and tested technology used by other local currency systems in Brixton, Bristol and Totnes but it is more than just a method of payment. Since October 2012 Kingston Pound Project has been developing a way to formalise a buy local habit by using a local currency called Kingston Pound. The idea is to support local independent businesses and to have over £100,000 converted into Kingston Pounds circulating within the borough. We know that many residents already buy local but using a Kingston Pound will challenge our local independent businesses to also consider buying local themselves. A recent study conducted by Kingston University found that 40% of local businesses do not source any of their produce from local suppliers with a further 40% sourcing less than 25%. Some might argue that the Borough of Kingston is a wealthy area and so there would be no need to have a local currency. Some would argue that this would be like not having double glazing fitted because you can afford the heating bills. When we spend money on the high street 80% of it leaves the borough immediately and some of it leaves the UK untaxed. Kingston Pound can only be spent locally and if it stays around it should have an economic impact. If done at scale, this has to be good for jobs and good for our children

so that they have the chance to work and live closer to home. Our borough has to compete with other boroughs as a place for new businesses to set up and so any initiative aimed at helping them may make them choose our borough. If we don’t use out local businesses we will lose them and our local shopping parades in places like Berrylands will disappear altogether. Developing a Kingston Pound is one way that can help but it needs to work at scale. The Electronic Pilot follows on from the successful trial of a printed version at the Surbiton Food Festival in May 2014. At that time over £3,000 was converted into Kingston Pounds prior to the festival and spent with local businesses during the two weeks of the festival. Kingston Pound has already involved the local University who have looked at the project from an academic point of view. We are encouraging the use and membership of our local Surrey Save Credit Union and we are also looking to involve schools in a borough wide design competition. Kingston Pound is run by a small team of volunteers from business, design and voluntary sectors. It is a non for profit organisation but it is trying to set up the structure so that it can pay for itself. For more information visit www. kingstonpound.org Andrew Connolly Co Founder Kingston Pound

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

QUIZ SOLUTIONS Children’s Page Solution: Scrambled foods: Meat & Potato Pie; Cheeseburger; Hot Dog; Hot Chocolate; Cheese & Ham Pasty. 3 Items: Meat & potato Pie £2.40; Hot Chocolate £1.57; Ham & Cheese Pasty £2.38 Hot Dogs: A & F are the same

Word Ladder Solution

Here is one possible solution, (others may exist)

LEAF leak leek seek seem STEM

Wordsearch Hidden Phrase: Happiness is a form of courage. Holbrook Jackson CODEWORD SOLUTION

MINI CRYPTIC SOLUTION

Hidato

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A Better Deal for Commuters

by Edward Davey, M.P

ike thousands of local people, I travel on the train from Surbiton to Waterloo several times a week. And when you add in the other nine train stations in the Royal Borough – from Berrylands to Tolworth, Kingston to Malden Manor – you can understand why I campaign on so many rail commuter issues. There’s been some success. From improved disabled access at Surbiton, Kingston, New Malden and Norbiton stations through to improved security and safety with CCTV and helplines. From leading the successful campaign to stop Waterloo’s former Eurostar platforms from being sold off for offices and shops to the recent conversion of platforms there for commuter trains. Yet three core problems remain for commuters. Cost, reliability and overcrowding. Tackling the cost Rail travel is expensive in the UK. There are reasons for part of that higher cost – not least the massive investment programme now underway, which is the biggest since Victorian times. But commuters from suburbs like ours are without doubt shouldering more than our fair share – and to date without seeing the levels of investment in the South West network other parts of the country have seen. The starkest example of over-pricing is for commuters using Surbiton or Kingston stations – and this is a relatively recent problem, caused by the decision of Ministers and Mayor Livingstone to introduce zonal pricing back in 2007 – without reforming London’s zones. As a result, overnight, on 1st January 2007, some fares from Kingston and Surbiton stations rose by over 35% - as previously those fares had been calculated on a “per mile” basis, and our stations had, historically, been mis-zoned. The rezoning campaign As you can see from my website – www.edwarddavey. co.uk – I did everything legally possible to stop this. From meeting Transport Ministers to petitioning Number 10 and making a short TV video, from challenging the decision on competition grounds with the Office of Rail Regulation to working with a leading transport economist preparing a regulatory case against the fare rises.

about re-zoning. So far he hasn’t been able to deliver. But in 2009, I did get my first breakthrough when Transport Minister, Andrew Adonis, agreed to instruct his officials to work with me: this helped me make a major breakthrough with South West Trains, who for the first time agreed to back re-zoning, in principle - so long as they were fully compensated. Since 2010, as you’ll see on my website, I’ve had an endless series of meetings with Ministers and South West Trains and reached the point when everyone now agrees, re-zoning should go ahead - subject to the Chancellor agreeing the funding. So, with next month’s Budget in mind, I’ve launched a petition to George Osborne for the funding for rezoning – which you can sign at www.edwarddavey.co.uk/rezoning Reliability and overcrowding Reliability of local commuter trains has been mixed over the years. In recent months, I’ve seen a noticeable increase in complaints about SWT performance so I met SWT managers before Christmas and have a follow up meeting shortly. With their customer satisfaction at 80% - dropping 1% on last year – their Chief Executive admitted their “current level of performance is not where it needs to be”. While they have received industry awards for the reliability of their train engines, my impression is that a mixture of signalling issues, as well as accidents and investment work, have combined to create real frustration for passengers recently. I’m keen to get your experiences and views for my meetings with SWT, so do email me at daveye@parliament.uk Overcrowding however is just getting worse. Caused by a combination of too few carriages on some trains plus a general cross-SWT network lack of capacity, it needs a massive step change in the investment priority for our area. CrossRail 2 will be great, but with industry experts saying it won’t be ready until after 2030, we need extra capacity before. And CrossRail2 won’t improve your journey to work if that’s in the City or Docklands.

In frustration, I came up with my re-zoning campaign. If Kingston and Surbiton were re-zoned from 6 to 5, part of the unfairness in ticket prices would be addressed.

So we need massive investment at and into Waterloo. We need to exploit the former Eurostar platforms even more. We need to take back lines into Waterloo we lost to Eurostar. We need to build longer platforms. And so on.

I thought I had made an early breakthrough, when I persuaded Boris Johnson to back my campaign. As Mayor of London, heading up Transport for London with a multibillion pound budge, he was and is well-placed to bring

The plans for a massive revitalisation of Waterloo and its services are well-developed but they need funding. In my view, they should be a key rail investment priority for the decade ahead.

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

COMMUNITY PAGE

SURBITON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Tues 3rd March: The Society’s AGM.

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 7th April:

The title of the talk is “Having a Riot at Surbiton Assembly Room” by Tim Harrison. He will tell us about the mayhem that took place on many occasions in the 19th Century in this elegant building. The meetings 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.

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period

COMMUNITY PAGE British Summer Time starts, so remember to TURN clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed, on Saturday 28th 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. Crossword 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.

29th 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

Leverett Electrical Ltd

Qualiﬁed electrician

Part you P registered. Remember, can pick up a All work certiﬁ ed. copy of A Berrylands Companion magazine the small. following: No jobattoo All work considered C.D.Jennings, YMCA, MBE Surbiton, Surbiton Libraries, Shan’s Quality&at Tolworth the heart of our work Pharmacy, Tolworth Recreation Centre, • Installation & maintenance Emma’s Hair Salon, Berrylands Post Office, The Pub • Lamb Rewires

• Security Read it whilst youlighting wait at: Aspen Vets, Surbiton Hill Garage, Berrylands • Fire alarms Autocare, Cornerhouse Dental Practice, • Complementary Central heating wiringIndian Ace Clinic, Cabana Tapas Stuart Leverett Ofﬁce: 020 8390 0617

If you would like copies at your business Mobile: 07710 please call me on: 123 628

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

59 13

What’s on in March:25th Feb - 1st April: Free Ignition Job Search Course: 11am - 2pm, with free light luck at New Life Baptist Church, 6 Langley Road, Surbiton, KT6 6LN. Will run over 6 Wednesdays, for information: call: 07900 533 709 or Email: jobcourse@virginmedia.com

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. 1-8th: Time For A Cuppa, to support Dementia Uk. www.dementiauk.org 2-8th: British Pie Week; British Acupuncture Awareness Week 2nd: Surbiton Arts Group AGM at Surbiton Library Annexe, 8-10pm. Info: 020 8397 1050 or asag2012@aol.com. All visitors welcome. 5th: World Book Day 6th: Sleep Rough, so others don’t have to: from 7pm. A sponsored sleep out, raising funds for YMCA’s work with the homeless in the Borough. Kingston Memorial Gardens, or Wimbledon Holy Trinity Church. For info: www.ymcalsw.org/event/sleep-easy-2015 or Call: 020 8339 7308 8th: Deadline for A Berrylands Companion April issue International Womens Day 9th: Commonwealth Day 11th: No Smoking Day, www.nosmokingday.org.uk 12th: World Kidney Day 13th: Red Nose Day, Comic Relief 13-22nd: British Science Week 15th: Mothers’ Day St Patrick’s Day Parade starts at noon, down Piccadilly, Regent’s Street, past Trafalgar Square to finish in Whitehall Place. Festival in Trafalgar Square Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run, www.humanrace.co.uk Entry deadline 9pm 9th March 2015. 16th: Surbiton Arts Group Demonstration of Inktense blocks by Caroline Tate. 17th: St Patrick’s Day 20th: Spring Vernal Equinox 20- 6th April: Ideal Home Exhibition, Olympia, Hammersmith Road, 10-6pm, 9pm on Thurs Tickets: 0844 858 6763. www.idealhomeshow.co.uk 22nd: World Water Day 23rd: World Meteorological Day 24th: World TB Day 26th: Purple Day. To raise awareness of Epilepsy. Lavender is the International colour for Epilepsy 28th: Clocks go FORWARD British Summer Time begins 29th: Palm Sunday.Head of the River Race. Putney to Mortlake, 2.15pm start.

Events in April: Bowel Cancer Awareness Month; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month; 1st: April Fool’s Day 2nd: Maundy Thursday 3rd: Good Friday 5th: Easter Sunday 6th Easter Monday Bank Holiday Tax Week 1 World Health Day 21st: Queen Elizabeth’s birthday 23rd: St George’s Day

60 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 Church:Weds mornings 10.00-11.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Hill. Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 10-11.30am, drop in for coffee at St Andrew’s Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them. Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues 10am & 10.50am 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, at 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 Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom:March 11th & 25th, April 8th & 22nd. Learn Regency dancing at St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, 8pm - 10.30pm. Cost £5 per eve. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com 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. Meetings on Wednesdays 4th and 18th March Tel: 020 8390 6631 Open Door: Alternate Thursdays, 2.45 - 4.30pm. A friendship group aimed at seniors. Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations. Christ Church Lounge, King Charles Road, Surbiton. 020 8390 7215 Berrylands Women’s Club: Meets every Mon evening, 8pm at Elgar Hall, United Reform Church, Raeburn Avenue, . Talks, slides and outings. Contact: Joyce Johnson Tel: 020 8390 5817 Art Classes: Every Monday 10-12noon & 2-4pm, with Berrylands Artists at Berrylands Christian Centre, 41 King Charles Road, Surbiton, KT5 8PF. Info: 020 8644 0941 Chinese Brush Painting: Held once a month at Sunray Community Centre, Knollmead, Tolworth. 10-13.00pm Contact Gwen: 020 8398 7313. Beginners & intermediates welcome.

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 21 Berrylands Building Company 26/27 Berrylands Property Maintenance 15 Carpets4U 5 Chris Mould Plumber 27 Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) 11 Estates Direct 25 Evergreen Gardening & Landscapes22 George Curren Electrician 28 James Anthony 27 KB Design 16 Kevin Robinson Decorators 19 Leverett Electricals 16 M. Duffle Decorating 31 Oven Cleaners 31 Personae Interiors 33 Profit Windows Systems 30 R.J.Tree Services 22 Roofing & Gutters 23 Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing 15 Time for You Domestics 17 VSF Garages 7 Warmlite 13 Will Lord 21 William Stallion Electricals 19 Care & Health Cornerhouse Dental Practice Halo Homecare Paula Maple Chiropodist YMCA

2 41 34 50/51

Rest & Relaxation Anna Coe Emmanuel Church Fit as a Fiddle King George Field Bowls Club Kingston Museum Rebel Waltz Cycles Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Yoga

34 9 54 28 55 47 64 53

Children & Education Playtime Day Nursery Rugby Tots

43 51

Office Stationery MBE Surbiton

Funeral Services Lambert Funeral Directors

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Catsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Protection

52 43

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare K&P Tyres Ransome Garage Hire

31 29 29 9

Food & Drink Cabana Indian Tapas C.D.Jennings Prithi Ristorante Sorrento

49 39 31 37

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Recipe Baking Kids Page Edward Davey MP Events Pages Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Gardening by Pippa Greenwood Movie Review Spotlight On Personae Interiors

58/59 38 6 42 57 60/61 34 48 3 20 46 33

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Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

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