A Berrylands Companion

Hello Readers,

Already, it’s March and the weather is still cold!!! With clocks springing forward, we can only hope for warmer longer days. It might mean that we should be ‘spring cleaning’

A job I have been putting off for far too long, is a clear out of clothes we no longer wear, whether because they no longer fit, or because old and trusted faithfuls need to be updated! Some will go to charity shops and some will be listed on a clothes online shop. This latter job will be a test of my technical skills, I’m afraid. Producing this magazine, I am usually working at least a month ahead and after nearly 18 years, I am still not used to it! I am looking for Easter articles now, although that will be in the April edition.

Then we can all look forward to the Coronation of King Charles III in May, and with an extra Bank Holiday, I assume there might be a few street parties locally to celebrate. Applications to hold parties should be submitted to the

Useful Numbers

Council www.kingston.gov.uk

Council as soon as possible!!

I have had a sneak preview of the April articles and there are some new ones I hope you will like. Perhaps you would could help with future content, by completing the Readers’ Survey please, on page 32.

Sad news that King George Bowls Club is another victim of Covid and financial rises. The advert on page 37 sets out the situation the club finds itself, without support from locals.

Will you be celebrating St David’s Day or St Patrick’s day this month?

With Mothers’ Day as well, it is a busy time for celebrations.

Best wishes, Karen

Front cover photo: Gerhard from Pixabay.com

Inspirational reads to mark International Women’s Day and great gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

All You Ever Wanted – Susan Elliot Wright

A dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies. Life is hectic when new mum Emily returns to work, so when she meets Anna, she’s grateful to find someone who can calm her down. Anna soon becomes part of the family but Emily can’t help feeling something isn’t right: someone is keeping a big secret from her – and they know her lifechanging secret too…

You’ll Never Walk Alone – Rachel Kelly

The Sunday Times best-selling author brings you a lovely collection of inspirational poetry, designed to help you through every occasion, on good days and bad, and to bring poetry into your life. One for every week of the year, the 52 poems are organised into seasons – from the dark and wintry to the spring-like and hopeful – with insightful notes from the author.

Whatever Next? Lessons from an Unexpected Life – Anne Glenconner

From Maid of Honour at the late Queen’s coronation in 1953 to Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Anne Glenconner (the author of The Times Memoir of the Year, Lady in Waiting), brings her bracing honesty, characteristic wit and courage to reflect on – and reveal more – about her fascinating life and the hard-won lessons learnt in diplomacy, marriage and motherhood.

Deliciously Vintage Baking & Desserts

The novelty of retro foods has spiked since lockdowns, with consumers returning to nostalgic recipes for a dose of comfort food and for the enjoyment of traditional baking. And it’s not hard to see why some cakes and bakes become classics, with family recipes handed down through the generations. From cookies and cakes to pastries and desserts, Victoria Glass charts the delicious range of some of our much-loved classics, guaranteed to hit all the right notes of nostalgia and deliciousness.

Good for a Girl – Lauren Fleshman

One of the most-decorated distance runners in the United States, Lauren Fleshman tells of how she fell in love with running as a girl and shares her own running journey – from being pushed to her limits and succumbing to devastating injuries to daring to fight for a better way for female athletes. It’s a powerful look at how competitive sports is designed for men and boys and routinely fail female athletes, leading to injuries, eating disorders, and mental-health issues.

The London Séance Society – Sarah Penner (out 21st March)

1873. At an abandoned chateau on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire, known for conjuring the spirits of murder victims and revealing their killers. Although sceptical, Lenna Wickes has come to Vaudeline for answers to her sister’s death and agrees to become her assistant. When the pair travel to London to help solve a high-profile murder, they begin to suspect they are not merely out to solve a crime, but are perhaps entangled in one themselves...

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A Berrylands Based Building Company

We're an in house team of local builders based in Berrylands specialising in all aspects of building including extensions and refurbishments. We have a portfolio of projects stretching across our 10 years of trading. From Landscaping to Luxury Bathroom installations, our team of local trades is here to assist with any project you have planned for 2023

There are usually signs of an employer finding trading conditions difficult. In the short term that may not affect you at all, but it’s wise to be aware of what your rights are should job cuts be announced.

What are the signs?

A struggling business will have put a number of cost-saving measures in place well in advance of enacting any staff cuts. Hiring freezes (including not replacing leavers), no annual pay rises, no upgrades to technology or equipment, and calls coming in from creditors chasing overdue invoices are indications that all is not well.

It could just be a temporary cash-flow issue, but you should ensure your CV is up-to-date before any bad news hits, not after. This is also your chance to review your career and consider if this is an opportunity to make a long overdue change.

Redundancy

If voluntary redundancies won’t sufficiently reduce the workforce, a company will announce a programme of compulsory redundances. You may be eligible for certain things including:

• Redundancy pay

• A notice period

• A consultation with your employer

• The option to move into a different job

• Time off to find a new job

Your employer may well offer you better leaving terms than their statutory obligations, but otherwise you will need to have worked for your employer for a continuous period of two years, with the amount due being based on your weekly pay, age, and the length of time that you’ve worked at the same place.

It’s worth checking your employment contract well before any bad news lands.

Administration

Many companies go into administration rather than liquidation, which means that it’s not necessarily the end for the business.

Companies can be restructured and sold on as a going concern, with staff being transferred over to a new employer under strict protective regulations.

If this happens, the first fourteen days are crucial for employees.

• If you’re made redundant during this period, you become an ‘ordinary creditor’ and are placed at the bottom of the list for payment.

• If you’re retained as an employee after the initial fourteen days, this makes you a ‘preferential creditor’ and puts you in a better position financially if you’re made redundant later on.

Liquidation

In the case of company liquidation where the business stops trading, all employees are made redundant and those eligible for statutory redundancy pay will claim their entitlement through the National Insurance Fund. Note that regardless of what your contract said, you will only be entitled to statutory payments.

Your employer will have appointed an insolvency practitioner who will normally send you all the forms you need to claim any money you’re owed. If this doesn’t happen, you can contact your employer’s insolvency practitioner, who will advise you how to claim payments from the NI Redundancy Payments Service and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

What next

Whilst it’s natural to want a bit of time to assimilate the news of possible changes to your working life, you should get your CV out to recruitment consultants or other companies in your industry sector as soon as you can.

Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

Cervical screening

Cervical screenings, also known as ‘smear tests’ are offered to all women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64. It’s designed to check the health of cells in the cervix, to prevent cervical cancer from developing in the future. It’s offered every three years for those aged 25 to 49, and every five years between the ages of 50 and 64.

Breast screening

If you’re registered as a woman at a GP surgery and aged between 50 and 71, you’ll be offered an NHS breast screening (mammogram) every three years. A mammogram checks your breasts for signs of cancer, and save around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.

Bowel cancer screening

The NHS’s bowel cancer screening (which is a home test) is offered to everyone aged between 60 and 74. If you fall within this demographic, you’ll receive a screening every two years. However, the programme is currently in the process of expanding to make it available to people aged over 50.

Diabetic eye screening

From the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual diabetic eye test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy – which can lead to sight loss if left untreated.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening AAA screenings are offered to men during the year they turn 65 to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. This is a bulge or swelling in the

aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your stomach, which if left untreated could burst causing dangerous bleeding inside the stomach.

Pregnancy screenings

The first screening is for sickle cell and thalassaemia, offered before 10 weeks, followed by blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. Mothers will be offered screenings for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome between 11 to 14 weeks, before a final check of the babies’ development between 18 to 21 weeks. As with any screening, you can choose which tests, if any, are right for you.

Newborn screenings

Newborn babies’ tests start with a physical examination straight after birth that covers the eyes, heart, hips and testes (if the baby’s a boy), closely followed by a hearing test.

When a baby is about five days old, they’ll be offered a blood spot test to check for nine rare but serious health conditions.

Private screenings

While the tests outlined above are looking for specific conditions, many private screenings are often more of a preventative nature. A health adviser will review your weight, fitness, mobility, blood pressure and even mental health.

If anything comes up as a result of the test, the service will often work with you to ‘coach’ you for a time through a combination of online tools and follow-up calls.

Many serious health conditions can go unnoticed for months – and even years – but health screenings can help us to identify any underlying issues, so we can significantly reduce our risk and improve the prognosis of any illness. After all, prevention is better than cure.

Encore Singing Group:

We are a sociable community who love singing together under the expert tutelage of Dr Charles MacDougall, meeting at: St. Matthews Church, St Matthews Ave KT6 6JQ 10am to 12noon Mondays term time. All most welcome. Pop in or contact Liz for free

UNITED REFORM CHURCH, ELGAR

BERRYLANDS, KT5

The best bathrooms are both briskly functional and luxurious, relaxing havens. Replacing an out-of-date bathroom is costly, but it may possible to update some aspects without a lot of trouble or expense. Here are eight suggestions.

On the walls

Scrape old grout from between the tiles on tiled walls and regrout. It may be possible to replace the tiles entirely or tile on top of what’s there. This isn’t the cheapest or quickest option but is the most effective. Walls that are not tiled can be covered with a fresh coat of paint (choose one suitable for humid environments). Wallpaper is a great way to introduce colour and pattern without tiling. Provided it’s not too near a watery zone, a splashproof or wipeable wallpaper makes a fabulous focal point.

Lighting updates

Choose new lights to go in the same positions as your existing fittings and, while you have your electrician there, consider swapping the light switch for a dimmer to create a relaxing ambience in the room when desired. Change to low-energy LED bulbs to save money in the long run.

Window treatments

Changing the window treatment gives the room a whole new look. Roller blinds are inexpensive and practical, but also consider a Roman or Venetian blind, or even custom-made shutters.

Storage

Clear out the bathroom clutter first, then consider whether anything can be stored elsewhere. For the bathroom itself, look for wall-mounted or tall and thin storage options. For small items, choose a coordinated selection of woven baskets, acrylic and wooden boxes, ceramic pots and so on, adding texture as well as places to hide things away.

Black bamboo bath rack, £10, dunelm.com.

A selection of new bathroom products from matalan.co.uk.

By Katherine Sorrell

Mirror on the wall

A large mirror is useful and helps increase the feeling of light and space. For ultimate luxury, swap a conventional mirror for a heated one with a backlight and perhaps a shaver/toothbrush charger socket – and even a Bluetooth speaker.

Taptastic taps

Replacing the taps is an easy job for a plumber but make sure you choose like for like – a mixer tap where there is only one hole, and a pair of taps where there are two. Old shower heads and hoses benefit from an occasional upgrade, too.

Plant perfection

Provided you have enough light in your bathroom, adding a selection of pot plants brings a calming sense of wellness, colour and interesting textures and shapes. Choose plants that enjoy heat and humidity, such as ferns and bromeliads.

The finishing touches

A new set of coordinating towels will make your day. For softness and absorbency choose 100% cotton, and look for closely stitched edges and a weight of at least 500 grams per square metre. For a spa-like feeling, try ribbed, waffle or honeycomb towels, while lightweight linen gets softer as it ages and is lovely for hand towels.

Roller blind made in Prestigious Textiles Sandbank Seafoam 5107-723 fabric, £19 per metre, tm-interiors.co.uk.

Spring-flowering plants – choose wisely

The sap is flowing! Peer closely at a few twigs and you will find buds galore. You can’t fail to have noticed beautiful bulbs are already brightening up the borders. There are wonderful hellebores that never fail to enchant, ravishing rhododendrons and azaleas, elegant camellias, and marvellous magnolias, bergenias and a host of other early spring beauties.

Don’t assume that you can grow anything, anywhere, however. Plants are like people in that they have their own particular needs and dislikes.

By Caroline Knight

Rhododendrons and azaleas were once categorised as separate species but they are now grouped together. There are subtle differences. Azaleas are always evergreen, whereas some rhododendrons are deciduous. They all need slightly acidic, moist soils and prefer dappled shade and sheltered conditions The leaves of a rhododendron are thick and leathery, but azalea leaves are generally smaller, often with fine hairs covering the surface. Rhododendrons produce large trusses of multiple flowers whereas azalea flowers appear at the end of the stem, in smaller numbers. The range of colours within this genus is impressive, from the purest white flower, through to yellows, oranges, reds, lilacs and purples. These shrubs were introduced to the UK way back in the sixteenth century and are currently enjoying a revival in popularity.

Camellias are newer arrivals, having been brought here early in the eighteenth century. These evergreen shrubs also need an acidic soil and they like dappled shade, sheltered from wind. Avoid an east-facing position where morning sun can scorch the winter and spring flowers. It is important to keep these flowering shrubs well-watered in summer when they are forming next year’s flower buds. Use rainwater, where possible, because tap water is generally too alkaline.

Rhododendrons

Magnolias are shrubs with shapely forms and wonderful creamy-white and pink spring flowers. Some of these are giants but they are often shoehorned into spaces that are too small. The resulting pruning tends to spoil their shape and often promotes a wild growing frenzy that makes matters worse. Many magnolias produce goblet-shaped flowers, whilst others delight the season with glorious star-shaped blooms. It’s important to appreciate that their ancestors inhabited primitive, ancient forests. This tells you that they like a little shelter, even though the modern cultivars can tolerate city living and even bright sun.

Hellebores are woodland-edge plants that like dappled shade and moist (but not boggy) soils. They can thrive in most types of soil, provided it is nutrient-rich. Give them the right conditions and they need very little care, save a mulch to help retain moisture within the growing position.

Bergenias are brilliant ground-cover evergreens that can grow almost anywhere, even though they prefer slight shade and moist soil. Elephant’s ears, as they are commonly known, are great perennials for the beginner as they also help to supress weeds. The early spring flowers are generally pink but can also be red, lilac or white. These are held on stalks and they create a truly uplifting scene at a time when colour is scarce.

Azalea

By Katherine Sorrell

Can you go green when redecorating or buying new furnishings and accessories? Beautiful products, good vibes – it’s a win-win!

Choose eco-friendly paint and wallpapers if you can. Pea Green 91, from £52 for 2.5l Absolute Matt Emulsion; Hencroft wallpaper in Pink Primula – National Trust Papers, £109 per roll, both littlegreene.com.

Multipurpose furnishings with a difference – these pieces are constructed with a recycled table top made from yogurt pots and children’s toys. Poppy side table/stool, £150, woodmancoteretro.com.

Different from every angle, this light fitting is constructed from curves of sustainably sourced timber, fasted with two brass screws. Small SEYA pendant in ash, £215, tomraffield.com.

Hand-poured with a natural, plant-based wax, this candle uses an organic cotton wick, is scented with essential and botanical oils, and comes in a reusable ceramic pot. Aromatherapy Restore scented candle, £48, greathousefarmstores.co.uk.

Natural, recycled, sustainable…

• Consider buying pieces made from recycled and/or upcycled materials, such as wine glasses, rugs or throws made from plastic (they feel as soft as wool) and furniture from reclaimed timber.

• Natural materials such as wool, linen, sisal, cork or timber are a sustainable choice and always make beautiful additions to a home.

• When buying new timber, check that it’s from a sustainable source. Ask your retailer or check for an identifying label.

• Question where items are made and how they’re transported – there’s obviously a larger carbon footprint when products are moved across the world. Buying things that are handmade locally can be a lovely treat.

• Opt for long-lasting quality if you can afford it. Although the initial cost is higher, if a piece is wellmade it could last for generations.

• Buy water-based paints where possible – fewer harmful chemicals are not only kinder to the environment but also to the air quality in your home.

This console table has been constructed using light reclaimed wood and features two goodsized drawers to offer practical storage space. Chelwood console table, £455, modishliving.co.uk.

If you are considering getting a dog this spring, make sure you weigh up the pros and cons fi rst. Here’s a guide to what to consider before committing…

They’re cute, cuddly and a bundle of fun –but adorable little puppies don’t stay puppies forever, and as they grow so do their needs and demands, which can be particularly tough if your family life is a busy one. So, no matter how much you (or the children!) may want a dog, it won’t be fair on your furry friend if you’re unable to fully commit and cater to their needs, and to give it a happy, healthy life.

While it may feel quick and easy, it’s not advisable to buy a puppy online. Pictures can be misleading, and it’s impossible to tell if they’ve come from a reputable source. On 6th April 2020, Lucy’s Law was introduced, which bans the sale of puppies or kittens in England from third parties or ‘middle men’, meaning that anyone looking to get a new animal should go directly to a breeder or a rescue or rehoming centre. Is a dog for you?

Remember, a dog will be a big part of your family, hopefully for many years to come, so before you make any decisions, ask yourself eight key questions:

1. Can you commit to this long-term?

2. Can you afford to maintain a dog?

3. Do you have enough space?

4. Do you have enough time?

5. Can you commit to exercising your dog?

6. Can you keep your dog company?

7. Have you talked about it with your family?

8. Will a new puppy get along with children and other pets?

A perfect match!

Do your research to find the best match for you, your family and your lifestyle. Try to learn as much as you can about the breeds you’re interested in. This can be a fun task to get the children involved with – after all, the new arrival is going to be as much a part of their lives as it is yours.

Find out about both the good traits and the downsides of owning any breeds you’re considering. Meet different breeds in person (Discover Dogs and Crufts are great places to discover dog breeds) and talk to friends or family who already have dogs.

Don’t be in the dog house!

When getting a puppy, it is important that they learn not only how to behave but also how to be around and communicate with other puppies and dogs.

Whether you sign up to local puppy-training classes or train your dog at home, give them the best start in life by teaching them not only basic commands, but also socialisation and other life skills that will help them in the future. New or rescue?

Rehoming a rescue dog is very rewarding, however, it’s good to know what their background is before you decide to rehome them, as this may affect their behaviour in a variety of ways.

HOME WANTED! Cloud

Cloud is a pretty, and very sweet 4-year-old white and grey female. She had been living as a stray for approximately six months and has been quite poorly but has recovered well and is now ready to find her forever home. Cloud is initially quite timid but once she gets to know you is a very affectionate and gentle soul. Initially she will need a bit of patience settling into her new environment, but the result will be very rewarding. She would love a home with a safe enclosed garden with no other pets or children.

If you think you could offer Cloud her forever home please call 0345 260 1387 or email enquiries@epsom.cats.org.uk. Priority will be given to enquiries in the local areas of: KT5,6,9, KT17-23, SM7 and RH3-5.

Epsom Ewell & District Branch http://www.epsom.cats.org.uk

If you cannot adopt a cat but would still like to help us please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Epsom-CatsProtection

As we have around 7,000 cats and kittens in our care at any one time, we will find you the perfect feline friend. www.cats.org.uk

Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

The annual Crufts dog show will be taking place this year at the NEC Birmingham, from 9-12 March. Organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, it is the largest show of its kind in the world. Crufts is named after its founder Charles Cruft. Having no interest in joining the family jewellery business after leaving college in 1876, Charles decided instead to take employment with James Spratt who had set up a new venture in Holborn, London selling ‘dog cakes’.

Charles Cruft was ambitious and a relatively short apprenticeship as an office boy led to a promotion to travelling salesman. This brought him into

contact with large estates and sporting kennels. His next career move with Spratts saw him travelling to Europe and here in 1878, French dog breeders, perhaps seeing entrepreneurial talents in Cruft, invited him to organise the promotion of the canine section of the Paris Exhibition. He was still just two years out of college.

Back in England in 1886 he took up the management of the Allied Terrier Club Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. It was in 1891 that the first Cruft’s show was booked into the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington with a total of 2437 competitors, and 36 breeds.

Crufts now attracts over 18,000 competitors alongside hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is broadcast to an international television audience.

Charles Cruft

CC BY 2.0 Adrian Betteridge

Clare Balding is broadcasting royalty – and her own royal connections are pretty impressive too…

To millions of TV viewers, Clare Balding is the charismatic presenter of Crufts, which returns to the NEC Birmingham this month (9th-12th March). Clare has hosted the show since 2004 (for both the BBC and now Channel 4). So, does she have a favourite moment throughout her time presenting Crufts? “Having puppies with me on the sofa is always a joy, as you never know what’s going to happen. If I can have a dog on my lap or at my feet for every link, I’m happy.”

Clare, 52, who lives in West London with her radio presenter wife Alice Arnold, was the recipient of an unexpected CBE in the late Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2022. Already with an OBE in 2013 for her services to broadcasting and journalism, Clare was given the title in acknowledgment of her services to sport and charity.

Sport has always played an important part in Clare’s life. Not only has the BAFTA-winning presenter, who joined the BBC as a trainee in 1994, led the coverage of sporting events including the Olympics and Paralympics, the Grand National, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and the Commonwealth Games to name but a few, Clare became a champion amateur jockey in her early twenties and dreamt of winning the Grand National, or riding at the Olympics.

Clare has two other great passions in life –animals (especially dogs and horses) and writing. Her childhood was unconventional. Home for Clare and her brother Andrew was Park House Stables, 1,500 acres of land adjoining Watership Down. Her father, Ian Balding, was the Queen’s racehorse trainer. Rather inevitably, Clare took easily to horses, learning to ride almost as soon as she could walk. Her first mount, Valkyrie, a

sweet-natured Shetland pony, was given to her parents by the Queen shortly after Clare was born. Valkyrie had taught Princes Andrew and Edward to ride.

Her long association with the royal family is through her grandfather, Peter Hastings-Bass, father Ian and uncle, the seventeenth Earl of Huntingdon, with all serving as trainers for the Queen’s horses.

Reflecting on their connections back in 2017, Clare said: “My dad trained for the Queen so growing up, she would come and see the horses…about once a year and sometimes he’d forget to tell us that the Queen was coming.”

“So, you’d have that situation where you came back to the house, the Queen was there for breakfast, that was really odd.”

“She loved coming to the stables because it was the one place that didn’t smell of fresh paint, it smelt of horses.”

Clare is also a best-selling and award-winning author of numerous books and children’s novels. Her first book, My Animals and Other Family was published by Penguin in 2012. Her second book, Walking Home, was published in 2014, while her first children’s book, The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop, a witty book with a horse-mad heroine, followed in 2016. To date Clare has a further five books to her credit.

Image: © Owen James Vincent

“My dad trained for the Queen so growing up, she would come and see the horses…about once a year and sometimes he’d forget to tell us that the Queen was coming.”

If you’re a foodie, you’ll know that the best part of any holiday is sampling the local cuisine. But while every city has its own exciting flavours, there are some that have food steeped in their DNA. Whether it’s Morocco’s flavourful tagine or a bowl of comforting pho in Vietnam, here are a handful of destinations known for hosting some of the best dining experiences in the world.

Tokyo, Japan

At the heart of Japanese cuisine, there’s Tokyo. With thirty Michelin-starred sushi restaurants sprawled across the city, it goes without saying that it’s home to the finest sushi you’ll ever taste. Then there’s warming ramen, soba noodles, delicious katsu curry and okomiyaki – a thick pancake filled with whatever you want, grilled on a hot plate on your table.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech transforms every meal into an experience. Exotic spices and irresistible aromas fill every street, turning a simple stroll into a stomachrumbling mission to track down the finest food.

If you’re feeling daring, try a sheep’s head – a popular delicacy. Or, play it safe and order a traditional Moroccan tagine dish slow-cooked in a clay pot, or try a harira – a tasty lentil soup often used during Ramadan to break the fast.

Lima, Peru

Peru’s capital city is widely regarded as a global gastronomy destination to rival that of Buenos Aires. You can’t visit Lima without trying the nation’s signature dish: ceviche. You’ll find variations of this zesty dish, made from fresh raw fish, everywhere you go.

If you pride yourself on being an adventurous foodie, try Anticucho – a grilled cow heart on skewers. Peruvians eat guinea pig too – or cuy as it’s known locally. It’s a delicacy, but you can find it in restaurants all over the city.

San Sebastian, Spain

Famous for the pintxos – Basque tapas bars that litter its streets – the small city of San Sebastián is widely recognised as one of the world’s best food destinations. It even has one of the highest number of Michelin stars per square metre, beating the likes of New York and Paris!

However, if you’re on a tighter budget, head for the street markets to get your hands on fresh seafood and pintxos – small pieces of bread topped with a variety of ingredients.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans is a melting pot of fantastic food. Notes from Native Americans, French settlers, Africans, Southern American culture, and Caribbean, Creole and Cajun spices combine to create a forever-changing array of flavours.

Three distinct dishes are: the po-boy, an overstuffed sandwich of seafood or roast beef; gumbo, a West African stew; and beignets, deep-fried dough dusted with powdered sugar.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Balancing salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavours, Vietnam’s cuisine blends the country’s French colonial past and its neighbouring Asian countries, while still retaining its own identity.

Hanoi is famous for its street food. Grab yourself a table and slurp up some pho. Perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the banh mi is another must-try: a Vietnamese-style baguette filled with egg, pickled vegetables or meat.

You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6-letter word will always be just a normal everyday word. 3

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.

The days when photos languished on half-used film canisters are long gone: today we have instant gratification when we take photos on our phones or with digital cameras. And with digital photo frames you can display your favourites just as you would with printed photos, with the extra benefits digital technology brings. You can have automatic slideshows that move between photos, sometimes with transition effects for smooth changes.

You’ll find that some smart home devices double as digital photo frames too, so for example Amazon’s Echo Show can show the photos you store on your Amazon Photos account, while the Google Nest Hub can do the same for Google Photos.

The cheapest digital photo frames are essentially a small screen with a slot for a camera memory card and/or a USB stick. Simply connect the card or USB stick containing the photos you want to display and the frame does the rest.

Slightly more expensive frames are even easier, because they can connect to your home Wi-Fi network and receive photos from your phone or tablet. Once transferred, the photos are stored on the frame and displayed according to whatever settings you’ve used. And if you go for more premium products, for example the NixPlay Smart, you can connect it to cloud services such as Flickr, Facebook, Instagram and many more.

It’s worth noting that most digital photo frames aren’t as high-resolution as your phone or tablet, with most models running at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and sometimes less. That means they look a little jaggy up close, but you won’t notice when you’re a few feet away.

If you want to give your photos the biggest possible frame, it’s never been easier to display them on your TV. Google’s ChromeCast technology – built into Android phones and many smart TVs – enables you to display your Google Photos on your TV, and the Apple TV box does the same with iCloud Photos.

Some TVs take things even further. Some Smart TVs have built-in photo modes that can display your favourites when you’re not watching a film or show, and Samsung’s The Frame TV becomes a digital art frame when it’s not being used, enabling you to display works of art or your own masterpieces.

Google

Apple TV 4K

It’s more expensive than other TV boxes, but Apple’s latest Apple TV 4K brings all the streaming services to your TV and makes it easy to get your iCloud photos. £149, apple.com

Nest Hub (2nd generation)

Google’s smart home hub is a smart speaker with a great little screen, and that makes it an ideal photo frame when you’re not using its smart home features. £44.99, johnlewis.com

Samsung The Frame smart TV

Many of Samsung’s TVs have photo modes that turn them into digital photo frames, but The Frame was designed specifically to look like a work of art. From £1099, samsung.com

Google Chromecast

There are two versions of the Chromecast: the HD model for around £25, and a 4K version that’s twice the price. Both versions plug into the HDMI port of your TV and add smart TV features including photo sharing. £24.99

Nixplay Smart photo frame

This US best-seller is nicely made, comes in a range of sizes and makes it easy to get photos from your phone or tablet, or from online storage from the likes of Facebook and Flickr.

£149, amazon.co.uk

Lighter mornings and longer evenings are starting to entice many of us back out of our winter hibernation. And if you’ve always fancied trying golf, spring is the perfect time to get started…

Why learn golf?

While it might not burn a ton of calories or build muscles, there are still plenty of health benefits to golf. For a start, golf can benefit your cardiovascular system and improve your balance. Plus, you’re on your feet almost the whole time you play (unless you hire a buggy). A

Golf is a mindful sport, involving skill and focus, which can offer great stress relief. And you can play alone or with friends.

A key benefit of golf is the fact you’re outside, usually surrounded by nature. According to one study by Exeter University, just two hours spent in nature each week has significant physical and mental-health benefits.

Who can play?

Most people can learn to play golf. It’s becoming a popular sport for wheelchair users, and specially adapted buggies are available. Visit www.handigolf.net to find out more.

How to learn

Most golf centres offer lessons for beginners and people returning to the game. You can have lessons on your own or in a small group. And some centres even offer free taster sessions.

Once you’ve learned the basics, you can book to play at your local club. This will usually cost around £25 for 18 holes, or less if you become a member.

What you’ll need

Clubs and balls will normally be provided if you book a lesson. You’ll want to wear flat, comfortable, non-slip shoes and smart/casual clothing that you can easily move in. If you sign up for a course, you may want to invest in some proper golf shoes, xwhich offer good grip and cushioning. Some golf centres will insist on golf shoes and most have a dress code, so do check before you go. Once you set out on your own, you’ll need to buy your own golf clubs and balls. Clubs are expensive, but you can often pick them up second-hand or start with a smaller set.

Intensive courses

Fancy fully immersing yourself in the game? If your budget allows, why not book yourself into a residential golf school? You’ll learn from professional golfers over two to three days and can stay onsite. Class sizes are usually small, so you’ll benefit from plenty of one-to-one support. Sedlescombe Golf & Country Club’s beginner golf courses start from just £169 for eight hours of tuition (accommodation and food are extra, see www.golfschool.co.uk).

Next steps

Tempted but not quite ready to take the plunge? Find out more about the game and how to get started at www.englandgolf.org, www.scottishgolf.org, www.walesgolf.org or www.golfireland.ie.

Codeword

Each letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number shown in the grid, with the first few entered

Each row, column and square (4 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the colours Red, Blue, Green and Yellow without repeating any colours within the row, column or square. Focus on one row or column that already has colours filled in, and figure out what other colour could possibly fit in the empty boxes.

Early use of blue paint was so highly prized that laws existed as to what artists were allowed to paint blue. Jesus and Mary’s robes were usually the only accepted uses of the precious colour.

What’s green and sings? Elvis Parsley.

I once did an exam on rainbows. I passed with flying colours.

What’s green and purple and goes up and down? Barney in an elevator.

Mini Cryptic Crossword

Across

1. Sacked and set alight (5)

4. Lowest in importance when slate is mined (5)

6. Place to sleep out of boredom (7)

9. The Latin language (6)

10. Agrees about fatty matter (6)

12. Footwear to see off, we hear (4)

15. Large quantity heard at church (4)

17. Apostle one depicted (6)

19. Sheltered and dashed about (6)

20. Point me towards spice (7)

22. Requested a desk change (5)

23. Upright tree felled round about the first century (5)

Down

1. Superman stories? (6)

2. Ruin one type of celebration (7)

3. Budge up to remove faults (5)

4. Boy seen in a glade (3)

5. Gains points and notches (6)

7. Keen man, it’s said (7)

8. Wander about in Italy, we hear (4)

11. Fish in rased surroundings? (7)

13. Customs put on by sisters (6)

14. Sharp side found in hedges (4)

16. He enjoys inflicting pain; it’s sad in a way (6)

18. Complete excavation, we hear (5)

21. Fellow goes back to give silent assent (3)

Telephone:

The right fragrance can lift your mood, boost your confidence and (pardon the pun) really put a spring in your step. Now that we’re heading into spring, you might prefer a lighter, fresher fragrance than the one you wore over winter. It’s worth considering some of the newer fragrance houses. Shay & Blue, for example, offer a wide range of genderneutral, modern fragrances at affordable prices. Their Tallulahs Camellia is a particular highlight. It’s floral without being overly sweet, with notes of bluebell, gardenia, lily and white tea. £55 for 100ml is great value, and the subscriber offers are also worth checking out.

Perfumes can be expensive, but even the priciest ones usually work out at just a few pence per spray. Still, you’ll want to choose wisely. When you’re trying perfumes on in a shop, spray them onto cardboard tester strips first. Consider how each scent makes you feel. Keep hold of the strips and smell them again in an hour. Fragrance is made up of top, middle and base notes. The top notes are lighter and evaporate quite quickly, so the scent changes subtly over time. Which fragrance do you like best? Head back to the counter and spray it onto your skin. Again, check whether you still like it after an hour. If you do, you’re onto a winner.

On a tight budget? It’s worth checking discount stores like TK Maxx, www.perfumedirect.com and www.thefragranceshop.co.uk. We found Calvin Klein’s Euphoria reduced to £24.99 for 30ml (RRP £42) at Perfume Direct, and Gucci’s Guilty reduced from £57 to £34.20 for 50ml at The Fragrance Shop.

It’s also worth considering dupes. While they won’t smell exactly the same as the original, they’re often a pretty close match, at a fraction of the price. Lidl’s Suddenly Madame Glamour, for example, is very similar to Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle, but costs under £5. And many of Primark’s fragrances are remarkably similar to those of top brands.

If you have your heart set on a particular designer fragrance, you can save money by buying the eau de toilette version rather than the eau de parfum. However, as there’s a lower concentration of fragrance in an eau de toilette, it wears off much quicker, so you’ll need to spray it more often.

Easily bored? Consider buying a discovery set rather than one full-sized bottle. The Floral Street Discovery Set, for example, gets you eight miniatures for £16. You won’t get many sprays from each 1.5ml bottle, but if you don’t wear perfume every day, it’s a fun way to mix things up. Shay & Blue also offer discovery sets, and they’re often on offer.

No idea where to start? Some fragrance brands offer online quizzes or free virtual or in-person consultations. Search online or just ask in-store.

PS You Got This, £2, Primark

DICK

NEED TO MOVE HOUSE

Speak to Tracey Cottam | tracey.cottom@lewis-dick.com tracey.cottam@lewis-dick.com

Speak to Julie Wale | julie.wale@lewis-dick.com

NEED TO MAKE A WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY OR ADMINISTER AN ESTATE | Speak to James Winfield james.winfield@lewis-dick.com

NEED HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS

Speak to Jonathan Owens jonathan.owens@lewis-dick.com

NEED A DIVORCE, SEPARATION OR HELP WITH CONTACT

Speak to Carol Stevens-Stratten carol.stevens-stratten@lewis-dick.com

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LAW FIRM, & PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE

For more information or a no obligation quote 020 8393 0055 ewell@lewis-dick.com or visit our website www.lewis-dick.com

As Catherine Elizabeth Middleton – AKA the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay and one day likely Queen Consort – turns 41 on 9th January, we look at how she has evolved.

Kate Middleton became known as the girl who was dating the nation’s most eligible bachelor: her future husband and future king, Prince William. They met as students in 2001 during their first year at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and went on to graduate in 2005.

Styling a future

Noticeable changes in Kate’s appearance started taking place, presumably in order to fit in with the royal family. Her clothing almost began to reflect what people saw in her character. It was Kate starting to behave in ways that would be seen as more appropriate for a future Queen. William proposed to Kate in October 2010 while the couple holidayed in Kenya.

Following in Diana’s footsteps

Fast forward to 2022. In his first speech as King Charles III last September, Charles confirmed he was handing his previous title of Prince of Wales to Prince William, making Kate the new Princess of Wales.

Like the late Princess of Wales before her, Kate too has clearly won the hearts of the nation with her natural human approach. She is also following in Diana’s fashion-forward footsteps. While with her own unique sense of style, she also appears to take outfit inspiration from her mother-in-law. From her formal outfits for official engagements to glamorous evening wear, Kate often pays more than a passing nod to the woman she succeeded as a royal fashion icon.

Family first

Back in 2011, the newlyweds decided to postpone their honeymoon so that Prince William could return to his duties with the Search and Rescue Squadron at RAF Anglesey Valley. Now titled the Prince and Princess of

Wales, the country has a special place in the couple’s hearts – rooted in their first home where they lived when Prince George was born and reflected in their decision to take George and Charlotte to Cardiff during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Like other working parents, Kate has admitted to suffering mum guilt, saying: “I’m such a handson mum and whatever you’re doing you want to make sure you’re doing the utmost best job you can for your children.”

Recalling her own childhood, she added: “I had a very happy childhood. I think the things that really resonate with me most are the simple things and I see that now with my own children. Life is so busy, so distracting and sometimes the simple things like watching a fire on a really rainy day provides such enjoyment. I remember that from my childhood – doing simple things, going for a walk together – and that’s what I try and do with my children because it strips away all the complications, all the pressures as a parent.”

© Paolo Roversi

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Mixed Berry Bake with Coconut Macadamia Crumble

Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are a tasty way to get your five-a-day – and they make a wonderful addition to this scrumptious dessert sweet.

Serves 4-6

Preparation time 10 minutes

Cooking time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 700g mixed fresh blueberries, strawberries and raspberries

• 100g caster sugar

• 2 tbsp cornflour

• 1 tsp vanilla paste

For the topping

• 150g plain flour

• 100g salted butter, cubed

• 50g desiccated coconut or large flakes

• 50g soft brown sugar

• A pinch of salt

• 50g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / fan 180°C / gas mark 6.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the fruit with the sugar, cornflour and vanilla paste. Pour into a baking dish (approximately 20 x 30cm).

3. For the topping, mix together the flour, butter, coconut, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it has a rough gravel consistency. Mix in the chopped nuts, then scatter it over the fruit. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

For more recipe inspiration, visit lovefreshberries.co.uk.

Two-time winner of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s Award for the Best Leisure and Hospitality Business, Glenmore House is one of Surbiton’s best kept secrets.

Constructed in 1840, Glenmore House is a fine example of late Georgian architecture situated in the exclusive Surbiton conservation area adjacent to the landscaped park of Claremont Gardens, the Edwardian building was one of the first substantial houses to be built in Surbiton, which has adapted to many uses over time, and today functions as a members’ club and wedding and events venue.

PER PERSON inc VAT

Next held: 5th March, 2nd April

*Every first Sunday of the month

Next held: 5th January, 2nd February, 1st March

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

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

Come and enjoy the popular Sunday Carvery in the magnificent Elizabethan Suite, Tudor Rooms or Crescent Room.

Our fabulous Elizabethan Suite comprises of a double height ballroom, featuring sparkling chandeliers, minstrel galleries and a sprung dance floor, adjoined by an exclusive bar

The Tudor Rooms benefit from stained glass windows and chandeliers, and our light and airy Crescent Room enjoys fabulous views over Claremont Gardens.

Choose from a choice of five starters, five main courses and at least eight desserts, with coffee and complimentary amuse bouche for just £25 per person, all prepared by our brigade of award winning Chefs, using the freshest ingredients.

** The price is £25 incl VAT, (parties over 7 subject to a 10% service charge). Children under 12 half price. Private rooms are also available for a small additional charge.

Serves 4

Preparation time 10 minutes

Cooking time 15-25 minutes

Ingredients

• 400g firm tofu

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• Toasted sesame seeds and sliced spring onions, for sprinkling

For the sauce

• 100g soft light brown sugar

• 3 tbsp water

• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 glove garlic, crushed

• 1cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and grated

• 1 whole star anise

• 1-2 tsp hot sauce, such as Sriracha

This tofu snack is served with a savoury umami-flavoured caramel sauce. You can also serve this with steamed rice and pak choi as a light meal.

Method

1. Drain the tofu and sandwich it between several sheets of kitchen paper. Press down to drain any excess liquid, then pat dry with more kitchen paper. Cut the tofu into 12 cubes.

2. To make the savoury salted caramel sauce, put the sugar and water in a heavy-based pan over a low heat. Tilt the pan so the water covers and dampens the sugar.

3. Watch carefully as the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, then turn up the heat and cook until it starts to turn a golden amber caramel. As soon as this happens, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, star anise and hot sauce. Set aside.

4. Heat the oil in a frying pan set over a medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy all over.

5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the sauce. Cook, basting the tofu occasionally with the sauce, for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly and glazes the tofu.

6. Serve the glazed tofu (we left the star anise for decoration only) sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and spring onions.

Extracted from The Salted Caramel Cookbook by Heather Thomas (HarperNonFiction, £9.99 Hardback), with photography by Joff Lee.

Salted Caramel Tofu

A new idea: a Carer’s Minimum Wage

Sir Edward Davey, M.P

Last month in the Berrylands Companion, I set out some ideas for tackling the crisis in our NHS. I wrote for example about the urgent need for more nurses and GPs, and set out how you could achieve a boost to their numbers.

This month I want to focus more on the social care side of the NHS challenge. For if you care about the NHS, you must care about care – for the major cause of the terrible NHS crisis is the crisis in social care. Thousands of people are stranded in hospital because they aren’t enough care workers to look after them in their own home, or in a care home. New figures show only 2 in 5 people leave hospital when they are ready to do so.

With beds being used by patients who should have been discharged, the end result for the NHS is a damaging back-up, with long waits in A&E units and dangerous ambulance delays – key elements of today’s NHS crisis.

The shortage in care workers

When you do focus on the social care crisis, the key problem is immediately apparent: too few staff.

And the shortage of care workers is far greater than the shortage of NHS staff: there are currently 165,000 vacancies for care workers. That’s the equivalent of more than one-in-ten frontline care jobs being unfilled. And this problem has been getting far worse, with social care vacancies increasing by 55,000 since last year.

The cause of these alarming figures is also immediately apparent: pay. Despite having a tough and important job to do, many care workers are paid less than some of the lowest-paid jobs in most supermarkets and in hospitality. Around 1 in 3 care workers are only paid the national minimum wage, currently £9.50 an hour.

A Carers’ Minimum Wage

So I’m proposing a straightforward solution: pay care workers more, starting with a new Carers’ Minimum Wage, set at £2 an hour higher than the National Minimum Wage.

Caring is a skilled job that should anyway be more highly valued than it is – so even new recruits to the caring profession deserve more than most are paid now. But even if the Government doesn’t buy this skills and fairness argument, Ministers must realise that they will never fix the shortage of carers and thus the NHS crisis if they don’t act on carers’ pay.

And I’ve argued that the cost of this plan – nearly £1 billion – should be paid for by raising more tax from the gambling industry, a sector that Public Health England argues is imposing significant costs on our NHS.

All the research backs up this minimum wage plan. Even the Government’s own advisory body on labour force issues, the Migration Advisory Committee, and the NHS Confederation have called for a higher minimum wage for carers.

And in a detailed paper published last month, the Resolution Foundation (an independent think tank) made a very similar case to mine, for a Carers’ Minimum Wage of an extra £2 an hour above the national minimum wage. In their report Who Cares? they draw on the experience of care workers and mine the available data, to conclude that this policy could make a credible difference to recruitment and retention, so improving the capacity of the social care sector to look after people being discharged from hospital.

Campaigning for a Carers’ Minimum Wage

So I’ve now launched a major new campaign for care workers, to urge the Government to adopt this plan for a Carers’ Minimum Wage.

Starting in early February when I launched the idea on BBC TV’s the Laura Kuensberg show, followed up by pressing the Prime Minister in the Commons, I’m determined to make the voice of carers heard.

I’m keen to hear your reaction to my plan – so please email me your thoughts on edward.davey.mp@parliament.uk

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

HIDATO SOLUTION

TWO M NUTE TR AL

3 Letters

6 Letters rabbit

WORDSEARCH ANSWER

Happiness is a form of courage. Holbrook Jackson

WORDWHEEL ANSWER HINDER

WORD LADDER ANSWER

(This is one solution, there may be others)

HIDE bide bids beds bees sees SEEK

CODEWORD SOLUTION

CHILDREN’S PAGE

Across:

1.Yellow 3. Orange 4. Brown 7. Aqua 8. Green

9. Teal 10. Copper 13.

15. Purple

Down:

Grey 14. Navy

2. Lime 3. Orange 4. Brown 5. White 6. Silver

11. Pink 12. Blue 13. Gold

What’s on in March:

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; Marie Curie

Great Daffodil Appeal Month; National Bed Month

Events in March:

1st: St David’s Day; Women’s History Day

2nd: World Book Day

3rd: World Wildlife Day

6th: British Pie Week

6-12th: Food Waste Action Week

8th: International Women’s Day

Deadline for submission in April edition of A Berrylands Companion

9th: World Kidney Day

14th: Pi Day

17th: St Patrick’s Day; Red Nose Day

18th: Global Recycling Day

19th: Mothers’ Day; World Sleep Day

20th: Spring Equinox

20-26th:Shakespeare Week

22nd: Ramadan starts

21st: World Poetry Day

25th: Tolkein Day; Earth Hour

26th: British Summer Time begins; Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race

Events in April:

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month; Stress Awareness Month; National Pet Month

1st: April Fool’s Day

2nd: Palm Sunday

5th: Passover begins

6th: Maundy Thursday

7th: Good Friday Bank Holiday

6th: Deadline for submission in May edition of A Berrylands Companion

9th: Easter Sunday

10th: Easter Monday Bank Holiday

23rd: St George’s Day; William Shakespeare Day

Events in May:

1st Early May Bank Holiday

6th: Coronation of King Charles III

8th: Coronation Bank Holiday

Deadline for submissions for June edition of A Berrylands Companion

29th: Spring Bank Holiday

Surbiton Bird Club

Fully accessible monthly talks at St Matthew’s School, Langley Road, Surbiton, KT6 6LW 7.30pm-9.30pm

Non members always welcome, £2 for tea & cake donation appreciated! Membership includes access to Hogsmill Nature Reserve and hides

Tues 21st March: Oliver Smart on Shetlands, Finland, Iceland & Alaska to introduce wildlife, eagles to ptarmigan, arctic fox to walrus.

Tues 18th April: Jeff Blincow: Yunnan- Wintering ground for Migrants

Tues16th May: Social Evening

Field Outings: Friendly walks for beginners to experts. To confirm participation, arrange time and meeting place, and pre-arrange lifts if needed and available:

Full details Surbitonbirds.org. 020 8399 9121

Sun 5th March: all day, Acres Down leader

John Barkham Tel: 07803 295 555

Weds 15th March: Midweek walk, Papercourt Meadows, leader: Thelma Caine Tel: 07527 448 308

Sun 26th March: Langstone Harbour, leader

John Barkham Tel: 07803 295 555

Sun 2nd April: Family Day Bushy Park

Weds 5th April: Midweek walk Richmond Park

Sun 16th April: all day, Newhaven and Seaford

Full details Surbitonbirds.org. 020 8399 9121

Remember, you can pick up a copy of A Berrylands Companion magazine at the following:

Surbiton & Tolworth Library, Shan’s Pharmacy, MBE Surbiton, Park Hill Express, Berrylands Post Office, Balaclava Church Hall, Ex-Cellar Wine Bar, Tolworth Recreation Centre, Surbiton Racket Club

Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, Confidental Dental Surgery, Emma’s Hair Salon, Kingston Care, Vets4Life, Business Centre Maple Road, Lib Dem Office

If you would like copies at your business please call me on: 020 8274 0096

26thMar

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Are you interested in gardening?

Did you know there is an association in Hook?

Our Association 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 not-for-profit prices to our members. We support gardeners and allotment holders.

We currently have full and half plots available to rent. Contact: John on 07807 300 749

Membership is £2.50 a year and new allotment holders have free membership for the first year Our trading facility is situated next to the entrance to the allotment plots, beyond the rugby club pavillion, rear of King Edward’s Recreation Ground, Hook Road, Chessington

Open: Sundays 10am - 12 noon Feb - Nov 10am - 11am Nov - Jan

British Summer Time starts, so remember to TURN clocks FORWARD one hour before you go to bed, on Saturday 25th March

Deadlines for submitting new artwork for forthcoming issues of A Berrylands Companion

8th March for April issue

8th April for May issue

8th May for June issue

June 8th for July/Aug issue

Aug 8th for September issue

Sept 8th for October issue

8th Oct for November issue

8th Nov for Dec/January issue

8th Jan for February issue

8th Feb for March issue

For more information call Karen on 020 8274 0096 or send an email to karen@berrylands-companion.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 resposibilty of the advertiser. All artwork is accepted on the condition that the advertiser has obtained permission from any copyright holder for its use by A Berrylands Companion. Whilst every care is taken when printing artwork, we cannot guarantee an exact colour match due to variations in print processes. Bookings are accepted only on this basis.

It is the advertiser’s responsibility to submit any amendments to adverts by the deadline date of the 8th. To advertise any event, or community activity in the magazine, please call: Karen on 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Surbiton Historical Society

Meet at CornerHouse, Douglas Road Tuesdays, 7.30pm, bar opens at 7pm.

Tues 7th March: AGM, Local Historical Trees by Mrs Susan Rhodes

Tues 4th April: The Great Exhibition by Michael Gilbert

Tues 2nd May: Surbiton Hill by Janet Heski

Tues 6th June: One Thames or Two by Jon Cotton

Tues 4th July: Antiquaries & Collections by Julian Pooley

Enquiries to Membership Secretary, Mrs Ann Glover

For information onother dates and talks please contact:

Tel 020 8330 0339

Email ann.glover418@outlook.com

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

What’s On/Local Events

1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121

Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@ rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Chit Chat Sketch: Meets at Court Farm garden centre, Mondays at 2pm, Thursdays at 10am. Time subject to change, availability space limited. Book your place: 07889 897 017 or email: kkpart@outlook.com. Please bring sketch book & pencils Session £8 plus drink.

Christ Church Surbiton Hill: Midweek Communion, simple service of Holy Communion at 12.30-1pm. Open from 11am for quiet prayer, alternate Wednesdays, www. ccsurbiton.org

Cornerston Church, Tel: 0208 549 0733. info@cornerstonechurchkingston.org

Encore Singing Group: Mondays, 10 to 12 term time at St Matthew’s Church KT6 66JQ Pop in for a free taster or email Liz: gillyvor@ hotmail.com

Fircroft Listening Café: Phone or text: 07598 910797. Email: listeningcafe@thefircrofttrust. org Buses 71, 465, K1, K4.

Free Healing Meditation Workshop for Stress & Anxiety: For more information on what to bring & to sign up, go to: www.georgiemacs. com

Hook Church: If you would like to pray with someone, Hook Church Brook Road, KT6 5DB is open Saturday mornings, 11-12.30pm. You would be most welcome. Info: 0208 391 0335

Hope in Depression: Free course that educates & equips adults & their supporters, with tools & proven tips about how to cope better with depression & anxiety. Hosted by Christ Church, Surbiton Hill over 6 Tuesday evening sessions IN PERSON from 21 Feb - 28 Mar. Expert speakers explore different aspects of mental health each week. Info & Sign up ccsurbiton.org/hidc or call 07423 144803

Kingston Camera Club: For more information visit: www.kingstoncameraclub.com

Kingston Jazz Society: Every other Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm at The Druids Head, Kingston. Listen with us, to the best of recorded jazz.

New members warmly welcomed. Contact: kingstonjazzsoc@gmail.com

Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Contact Diane Double, Tel: 07762 663 483/020 8397 5084, email: kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail. co.uk

Kingston Philatelic Society: Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet.com

Kingston Speakeasy: Contact Alick Munro on alick@munro.com or call 0208 892 9243 for date of next meeting.

Ladies Exercise Club: Keep Moving friendly & fun exercise classes for over 60s Fridays 10.15am. 1st class free, then £6/session. Call Mary, 01483 284 716 or maryedwards77s@ gmail.com

Mind in Kingston:www.mindkingston.org.uk or 020 8255 3939

Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom: At St Mark’s Church Hall, Church Hill Rd. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com

Oasis: daytime group for over 60s at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. Meetings on Wednesdays at 2.30pm, 1st March for Communion, 15th March, 5th April. There will be time for icebreakers, chat, puzzles, a 5 minute bible based talk, relevant to our lives plus refreshments. For details: 020 8390 2372 and leave a message.

Open Door: A friendship group aimed mainly at seniors, meeting in the lounge at Christ Church from 2.15-4.00pm on 2nd 16th & 30th March.Refreshments available, full programme to be finalised. For any further information and updates please check on: www.ccsurbiton.org or call the office: 0208490 7215

St John’s Church: Community Cafe open at St John’s Chursh, Grove Lane KT1 2SU fro 10am-1pm. Come for elevenses, or early lunch with friends. Toasted sandwiches, real coffee and home made cakes to eat or take away Vegetarian & gluten free also. For more info: see website or email: parishhall@ stjohnskingston.co.uk

St Mark’s Bridge Club: Meets in Surbiton on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12.30 - 15.30. Phone our secretary Peter on 020 8398 6811

What’s On/Local Events

to come and give it a go. If you do not already have a playing partner we will endeavour to find you one.

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.

St. Matthew’s Church: Come along to the Balance Community Cafe every Wednesday 10am -2pm, for tea, coffee, cakes and light lunches, with a Bereavement Cafe meeting each month at 10.30am. Everyone welcome.

Surbiton Chess Club: Now meets every Tuesday evening at Tolworth Reform Church, 90 Elgar Avenue, KT5 9JR from 7.30pm -10pm. New members welcome. Further details & our Covid policy from: www.surbitonchessclub. co.uk/ email: enquiries@surbitonchessclub. co.uk or at twitter@SurbitonChess.co.uk/

Scottish Country Dancing: Check website: www.surbitoncaledonian.co.uk or call: 01932 784 866

Surbiton Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired: We meet every other Tuesday 2-4pm in the Methodist Church next to the fire station. Chat, entertainment and afternoon teas are served. We welcome newcomers readily. Lifts available. Further details 07443643716

Surbiton Floral Club: Tel: 020 8399 8193

Surbiton Women’s Institute: Surbiton Women’s Institute meeting on Tuesday 14th March with Margaret Watson who entertains us with “Life on a Harpstring”. 2.30-4pm British Legion, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL. All visitors are welcome, first meeting is free, then guests are asked for a donation for the next two meetings, towards WI funds. Refreshments provided.

Talking of Trains in Surbiton: Programme of talks at Surbiton Library Hall, each Wednesday evening from Sept 2022, until March 2023. presentations on Railway Subjects by Resident Speaker Dick Crane & Guests. Class fee £50 covering 22 meetings.Details on www. talkingoftrains.co.uk More details on website: www.talkingoftrains.co.uk

The Reading Retreat: Everyone welcome! A free & friendly weekly shared reading group led by a trained Reader Leader volunteer. Nothing to read beforehand, just come along

to a session to read & listen to a short written piece such as a story or poem , then join in a discussion. Every Tuesday 10.30-11.30am, Alfriston Day Centre, 3 Berrylands Road, KT5 8RB. Email: libraryvolunteers@kingston.gov. uk for further info.

Tiny Tunes: www.tinytuneslive.com

Tolworth United Reformed Church, please call Roger on 07525 410 083 / 0202 8393 4270 or email jones.ra@btinternet.com for information.

Tolworth World of Dance: Dance for Fun, Fitnes & Friends Wednesday (term time) Mornings: 10.30-12.00. St George’s, Hamilton Avenue, Tolworth KT6 7PT. First time FREE, then £5/week, pay as you go. Contact Phil or Brenda: EM: philip.steventon@btinternet.com Facebook/Tolworth World of Dance. Tel: 020 8397 9649

Twickenham Jazz Club: Wednesday nights at The Cabbage Patch in Twickenham, from 7.30-10.30pm. World renowned Jazz musicians live! Please visit our website to check upcoming events: www. twickenhamjazzclub.com

Women do Craft: Christ Church, Surbiton Hill. Every 2nd Weds of the month in the lounge, 7.30-9.15pm. Catch up, chat and do craft together. Check website: www. ccsurbiton.org

These pages are for local clubs, societies and groups to have their information available to readers of A Berrylands Companion.

If your club or society is not listed on the Local Events, send in the details!!

Please send in the updated information for your club by the 8th of the month before issue month.

Clubs, Schools, Churches, & Charity events should be submitted to karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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