May 2015 issuu 98

Month: May 2015 Issue No: 98 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:

* Recipes * Puzzles * Articles *Gardening, Interior Design * Community pages and Events New articles: * Pets Behaviour * Driving

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Hello Readers

W

ell, it’s May already! I just can’t believe how quickly the months go by. Hopefully, the weather will have perked up and will be more seasonal. So it will be time to get out in the garden and start digging and planting your new flowers and veg.

and comes when we call the cats in! Usually she is first. Her tail stump has healed, like a Manx cat, and her legs are better. She and another fox, possibly her mate, come nearly every day and have no problems with our cats. They sit and wait to be fed. Or they lie out in the garden, sunning themselves.

Talking of digging, we have some foxes that regularly visit our garden, perhaps they, or their relatives visit your garden as well. We have put out some dog food in the form of biscuits, which the fox takes off and burys them in various pots and amongst our plant beds. If he is expecting a bumper harvest, he will be disappointed! We dig them out if he hasn’t returned first.

Later this month is the Surbiton Food Festival and I am sure you will be visiting the various events. Have fun!

We have several different foxes and one in particular has touched our hearts. We think it is a vixen, and she appeared late last year looking very dishevelled and her rear end was tatty, to say the least. Then we noticed her tail was damaged, and she didn’t seem to be able to lift it up. Gradually, we noticed it getting balder by the day. By Christmas it was completely bare, up to the tip which had a little tuft. Her back legs looked very sore and we thought she might have mange. We gave her some extra food and she seemed to appreciate the help. Unfortunately, within weeks, she lost her tail completely. She is still visiting

At the risk of repeating myself, A Berrylands Companion magazine will be celebrating 100 issues in the summer and the 10th Anniversary edition in November. If you have a testimonial to share, please send it in to me, and thank you.

If you have a new business locally, advertise in the magazine! Just call me or email me with your details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With best wishes

Karen

Useful Numbers Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Trading Standards Refuse Collection Electoral Registration Council Tax Citizens Advice Customs & Excise (VAT) Inland Revenue Helpline Environmental Agency Surbiton Library Kingston Police Non Emergency Police Emergency Services Non Emergency NHS Transport: National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport

020 8547 5757 020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 85474630 020 8547 5196 0870 126 4019 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 5006 020 8541 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 Helpline 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

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Golden Years Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning

By curious coincidence this month’s General Election falls on the 50th anniversary of another such, whose dire consequences are still with us today.

In 1963 the short-lived Central African Federation was dissolved so that its constituent countries – Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland – could be granted independence. A precondition was the acceptance of universal suffrage, to which the Europeans in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia grudgingly assented. They became independent as Malawi and Zambia respectively in July and October 1964.

The Southern Rhodesians, though, weren’t playing. Many of them were newcomers from other parts of the Empire: they had fled majority rule once and they weren’t about to do it again.

Despite being warned against it by the newly-elected British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, in November 1964 they held a referendum and overwhelmingly voted for a Unilateral

Declaration of Independence on their own terms – which included the perpetuation of minority rule.

In the election of 7th May 1965 Ian Smith’s Rhodesia Front won a landslide, taking 50 of the legislature’s 65 seats. But only 100,000-odd of the country’s 5,000,000 people were allowed to vote, and 90,000 of those were European. Six months later Rhodesia issued its UDI. The Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs, told Smith it was invalid.

Smith told Sir Humphrey – politely, as they were old friends – where he could shove it. Sir Humphrey retired in a huff to Government House, where he remained in magnificent isolation until Rhodesia declared itself a republic four years later.

The world piled in on Rhodesia.

Britain froze its overseas assets and imposed trade restrictions. The UN declared an arms and oil embargo.

Canada, India, Sri Lanka, West Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Turkey, Australia – nobody would recognise the new state. Meanwhile the Russians and Chinese armed the military wings of the banned African parties, ZANU and ZAPU, unleashing a decadelong bush war that cost more

Skateboarding is a thrilling and glorious spectacle (when done well); and on 22nd of this month it celebrates its golden anniversary as a televised sport. That was the day of the inaugural US national skateboarding championship, held in Anaheim, California. It was known then as “sidewalk surfing”, and the first commercial skateboards were actually made by surfboard manufacturers.

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than 20,000 lives.

The backing of South Africa and sanctions-busting by Western supporters allowed Rhodesia to survive for 14 years. But although its military won almost every encounter they had with the guerrillas – and, often, with the Zambian army – the economic position was untenable. In 1979 Rhodesia caved in and allowed a free election in which Bishop Abel Muzorewa’s United African National Congress won a slim majority.

There was a ceasefire; sanctions were lifted; Britain finally and officially lowered the Union Flag. The first postindependence election was held in February 1980; Robert Mugabe’s ZANU won and... well, you know the rest.

One can’t help asking what might have happened if the Southern Rhodesian settlers, like the Europeans in Northern Rhodesia, had called a one-man-one-vote election in 1965? Out of fear and suspicion, though, they chose defiance, isolation, and war over democracy, openness, and trust. They controlled the economy, the civil service, the judiciary, the armed forces – and by refusing to give an inch, they lost the lot.

Happy 50th birthdays to Rob Brydon (3rd), Linda Evangelista (10th), Jeremy Vine (17th), and Brooke Shields (31st). Cake and botox to you all!

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Wonderful months ahead at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club says Roy Staniland

O

fficially, May is the last month of Spring, and at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club this means the opening of our eleven magnificent grass courts, all lovingly tended right through the winter by our professional ground staff.

Since our nine all-weather hard courts are in action all the year round, this means that we can offer our Members a range of tennis facilities that few clubs like ours can hope to match. Especially as three of our hard courts are laid in synthetic clay, and these have become top choice for our tennis Members. So if the weather is kind to us from May onwards, the courts and the clubhouse will be full, with everyone having a great time!

Then in June the Club is Host to the Aegon Surbiton Trophy, which will run from Saturday 6th June to Sunday the 14th, with both men’s and ladies’ events.

This is a highly prestigious tournament, open to all the international stars of tennis. It’s a considerable honour for the Club and reflects our prominent standing in the world of tennis.

As a special facility for local schools, accompanied youngsters are invited to watch the Tournament and take part in coaching and fun activities. Please contact our Head Coach, Tom Crisp, on 0208 399 1594 for details.

As I mentioned last month, we need quite a number of local volunteers to help with the Aegon tournament.

Tasks could include Court Stewarding, Information or Ticket Management. Some volunteers would be needed as Chauffeurs for players and officials.

Or, can you offer accommodation? A number of players like to stay in local B+Bs, for which the householder receives a modest fee! Please ring me, Roy Staniland, on 0208 399 1594 (ext 204) if you would like to be an Aegon Trophy Volunteer!

But it’s not just tennis that we offer our Members!

For instance, our spacious Fitness Suite is very popular all the year round. We have some of the latest equipment, from cardiovascular aids to resistance machines and free weights. Close by is our Studio, where we run regular classes for Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Indoor Cycling.

Squash is also very important at the Club. We have

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four excellent state-of-the-art courts, all heated and air-conditioned. And on Saturday evenings there’s a special Squash Club Night, where you can meet new friends and find new opponents. This starts at 5.30pm every week. There’s also a Beginners’ Squash Evening on Sundays from 5pm to 6pm, and for those of all standards who are keen to improve, our Squash Coach can be contacted through the Club.

Summer is also a good time for all our social activities, such as our BBQs and regular Quiz Nights.

We’re a friendly Club, as you would soon find if you came along to see us. There’s always something going on at the Club – the choice is yours! Whatever your chosen activity, you can relax afterwards in the Clubhouse Bar with coffee or other drinks.

At Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club we’re always looking to introduce extra Member-friendly ideas and facilities. Recently we’ve brought in a new class of membership – Off Peak Full. This applies to all the Club’s facilities on weekdays only and up to 5pm, and gives a substantial saving of more than £100 from the standard Full Membership.

There’s also a new option – Off Peak Gym, which applies to weekdays only and up to 5pm. This offers remarkable value – the use of our splendid Fitness Suite at Off Peak times for only £120 for three months or £360 for a full year. It’s a real bargain, and our extensive Junior Membership also benefits from very generous terms.

Why don’t you pop in and see us? You’ll be very welcome, and there’s no obligation.

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

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Home & Interiors Hotel Style Bathrooms at Home

By Katherine Sorrell down or add partition walls? Or would you like a walk-in shower, underfloor heating or perhaps a pair of his ‘n’ hers basins? Avoid moving existing plumbing, if possible, as it will save money and effort. However, if the floorplan of your current bathroom really isn’t working for you, this one-off plumbing cost could be worth it in the long run.

Flooring

The best hotel bathrooms are blissful escapes from humdrum reality. Superbly planned to make the most of what is often not the hugest of spaces, they offer sleek efficiency at the same time as indulgence and opulence, from cosy-toes underfloor heating to tactile taps, monsoon showerheads to gleaming glass. And that’s not even to mention the most flattering of lighting schemes, the deepest of deep-fill baths and the fluffiest of fluffy towels.

All this and more is why we find it so pleasurable to stay in a hotel that’s got its bathrooms right. And if you hanker for

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this feeling all the time, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t recreate the same sort of haven in which to relax and refresh at home. Simply take some of the essential elements that we have outlined below, and your boring room can be transformed into a true bathing beauty.

Planning

A well-designed bathroom feels comfortable and convenient no matter how large or small. If you are rethinking your entire room, decide on basic layout issues at the start. Should the WC be in a separate room, for example? Do you need to knock

Bathroom floors must be non-slip, easy to clean and comfortable underfoot; most importantly, though, they mustn’t mind getting wet.

While the upmarket hotel bathroom uses expensive stone or marble tiles, lookalikes made from ceramic or porcelain are a cheaper option.

Vinyl flooring – also much less expensive – comes in a vast range of colours and patterns, some of which replicate natural materials such as ceramic, stone or wood. If you want to go green, think bamboo – which looks similar to timber, but loves humidity; natural rubber – available in gorgeous textures and colours; cork – which now comes in a range of fashionable shades; and linoleum – made from renewable resources. On a tight budget, simply sand timber floorboards and repaint them with glossy, off-white floor paint for a fresh, clean look.

Storage

Great storage is just as important in a bathroom as any other room in the house; sometimes even more so. Where are you going to keep towels, toilet rolls, bottles of cleaning

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fluids, razors and a whole host of other (mostly unsightly) things? Fitted storage, either from a bathroom supplier or made for you by a joiner is ideal if you can afford it (though of course you can’t take it with you if you plan to move house).

Alternatively, there are plenty of less expensive options. A wooden chest or blanket box, for example, could double as both a seat and towel store, while a wall-mounted shelf could be the perfect place to stack lotions and potions. In a large bathroom, a chest of drawers keeps all your bits and bobs in one place, while in a small room a metal rack on wheels combines both function and style.

Lighting

Give your bathroom a boost with a new lighting scheme.

Always use fittings designed for wet and steamy conditions,

and combine task lights (for shaving and putting on makeup) with general background light. Downlights set into the ceiling are a great start, or else ceiling tracks with directional spotlights, which are inexpensive to fit. If you’re renovating the whole bathroom, it may be possible to install two lighting circuits: one for working lights and the other, on a dimmer switch, for soothing, ambient lights. Alternatively, set the mood for a long, relaxing bath with the warm glow of candlelight.

useful but also helps to increase the feeling of light and space in the room, and can become a focal point. Small storage items, such as wicker baskets, pretty ceramics or bright plastic tubs, bring texture, colour and interest. Last – but definitely not least – consider buying a new set of co-ordinating towels. The fluffier the better and, of course, in clean, bright hotel-white.

Accessories and extras

Quick fixes for tired bathrooms include changing a dated pair of taps for some good-looking, modern ones, installing a glass shower screen to replace a flappy old curtain or jazzing up your windows with some decorative window film. Add a large mirror – it’s not only

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11

Update on the speeding traffic

I

t’s been a while since I last reported on the campaign to reduce the speeding along Kingsdowne Road and neighbouring roads.

We returned from our holiday in March, to find large 20 mph signs painted in circles on the road surface of Kingsdowne Road.

Was it by accident or on purpose, that the signs were either side of our house, I wonder?

There were several roads also being resurfaced as well, so the potholes were at last being addressed.

There were new larger 20 mph signs placed at either end of the road, at the junction of St Matthew’s Avenue and at the junction with the mini roundabout with Brighton Road.

According to the Police and Council Officers, these large painted road surface signs are apparently deterrents and effective in reducing speeds. Really??

I would really like to say that there was a reduction in the speeds of traffic along the road. But despite all the new signs, drivers are still speeding. The ‘smiley’ electrictronic signs are up, but the numbers do not often raise a smile.

In fact, when Ed Davey was stood on the doorstep during his election campaign, he asked whether the newly implemented measures had shown the speeds were any less. But it was obvious that the answer was going to be an emphatic NO! I know it is difficult to keep to 20mph, but

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most of the drivers are not even trying to reduce their speed. Not the car or van driver, not the motor biker, nor the learner driver!

And sadly, even the police car, which was not on an emergency call with lights and sirens going, was travelling at over 30 mph.

There will be further speed checks by the Police and Council, but the figures reported so far have not been very hopeful. When the officer holding the speed machine is wearing a highly visable jacket, I think drivers would react by lowering their speed.

It might be better to link the smiley electronic signs to a monitor that will count the traffic and report the speeds over several days and nights.

A better range of speeds will be recorded on and a mean average can then be recported.

Perhaps a link to the traffic lights from the smiley electronic sign, which would automatically change the lights to red when speeds of approaching vehicles are over 20 mph, might be something to be considered.

After all, the straight road gives drivers a view of the lights at Ewell Road, and if it is green, they seem to think they can get there, even if they are more than half a road away!!

If anyone else has any suggestions to reduce speeds along residential roads, and near schools, then I’d like to hear them.

Please send them in to me by email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Or if you prefer, let your local Councillor know what you think about speed ing traffic.

You can find out how to contact them by checking on the Kingston Council website.

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Beer of the Month Cider is always seen as a summer drink, and local Apple Days are always held in October, so why are we featuring it in May? Apple days celebrate not cider but the apple harvest and apples in general.

But October is when the cidermaker’s year really begins. That’s when the main harvest and when the hard labour of milling and pressing gets under way in earnest.

Once it’s gone through its first fermentation, the fresh-pressed juice is sealed away for its long, cold, slow, maturation to emerge fresh and bright in May. That’s when the Big Apple Association holds the Cider & Perry Trials at Putley Village Hall in Herefordshire and when the Campaign for Real Ale hosts its national Cider & Perry Competition at Reading Beer Festival. The ciders entered in these competitions are the genuine farmhouse item – still, strong, and 100% freshpressed juice and not what you’d usually find in supermarkets. However here are two that come close.

Chaplin & Cork’s Somerset Reserve is named after the two cidermakers at the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill. And it’s very good, with an overpowering aroma of freshly-picked apples, a palate that’s quite light for its alcohol content (6.8%), only lightly carbonated, and an authentic burst of tannin in the finish.

Henry Weston’s Vintage from Herefordshire is even stronger at 8.2%, so treat it with respect. The nose isn’t quite as pronounced, and the palate is sweeter, richer, rounder – creamy, even – while the finish is also quenchingly bitter.

Whilst neither of these is what an aficionado would call “traditional”, they’re both excellent in their own right.

By Ted Bruning

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resurrected dinosaurs. However, they do know about human emotions and frailties – hope, fear, love, loss, rage, despair and everything else that defines us and drives our behaviour.

You don’t have to quote chapter and verse from your own past, which is just as well because that usually involves other people. Instead, use your creativity and imagination.

Emotions

It’s almost inevitable that your first short story or debut novel will draw upon personal experience. Mark Twain, the creator of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, advised: Write (about) what you know. What do you know better than your own life? You might be tempted to raid your diaries for inspiration, or you could try using an empty chair to interview yourself.

My own version of Mr Twain’s sage advice is as follows: Know what you’re writing about.

Most science fiction authors, for example, have never been into space, or travelled in time, or

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As long as the emotions are genuine your readers will gladly suspend their disbelief – Richard Adams managed it with rabbits and William Horwood did it with moles. Why not a society of chairs where the ruling throne is a megalomaniac and the only hopes of overthrowing her lie with a timid easy chair and a laid-back recliner?

When you feel your own writing you can be sure you’re getting somewhere. I’ve yet to meet an author who doesn’t mourn the death of an important character for days afterwards. In fact, some of my best conversations have been with imaginary friends!

By Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk

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17

Finance Alternative Investments: Returns v Risk

The alternative investment market has grown considerably in recent years, as results of research by innovation charity, Nesta, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, shows, “... [the UK market] has more than doubled in size year on year from £267 million in 2012 to £666 million in 2013 to £1.74 billion in 2014.”� Here are five ways to invest should you wish to try a nontraditional route: Peer-to-peer consumer lending This involves lending small amounts of money to individuals via dedicated peer-to-peer websites. Higher interest rates provide motivation to invest when compared with banks and building societies, but peer-topeer lending also carries with it greater dangers.

One such risk is the lack of protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which normally guarantees savings up to a maximum of £85,000.

Equity-based crowdfunding Investors put money into one or more businesses either at the start-up or growth stage, in return for a stake in the

company. Those companies seeking funding place their business plan and pitch online, plus details about their background and experience.

Transactions are processed online, in one of two different ways: • You deal directly with the company you are investing in, and your name goes on the shares – Crowdcube operate under this policy.

• The crowdfunding website processes the deal on behalf of multiple (sometimes thousands) investors, and holds the shares – this is Seedrs’ method of operating.

Fine wine There are three ways to buy into the wine market: • Established, reputable wine merchants: with the emphasis firmly on established and reputable merchants, you can buy ‘new vintage’ wine by the case, or ‘en primeur’ which means pre-bottled. Buying ‘en primeur’ is less expensive, but riskier in the long run as the vintage has not yet been tested.

• Wine funds: these allow you to spread the risk over a range of different grapes and vines, and you can simply sit back and allow a fund manager to make the selection. With this model it’s important to note that you are effectively trading on the wine market rather than owning the wine itself.

• Buying and selling wine: online wine trading platforms allow

By Ann Haldon

you to carry out your own buying and selling activities, read reviews on various wines, and check on the value of your portfolio.

Stamps Stamp collecting used to be regarded as a hobby, but it is now seen as an investment opportunity. If you want to build up your own collection, it’s rarity and quality that are the watchwords.

Knowing what is rare and of good quality is something that comes with experience built up over a number of years, however.

Classic cars A new classic car fund was launched in May 2014 by private equity group, PHD Equity Partners. A minimum investment of £50,000 is required, and investors are able to drive their car(s) on certain days of the year.

It’s not only Ferraris that are of interest to investors - cars like the 1970s Ford Escort are also popular. Many owners combine their love of classic cars with this investment opportunity, driving their pride and joy to meetings and other events.

These ideas may have whetted your appetite for the alternative investment market, but they are just a small selection of the nonstandard investments available.

Collectibles, forestry, diamonds and gold provide other opportunities to invest, but as with all alternative investments they attract higher risks.

�www.nesta.org.uk/publications/understanding-alternative-finance-uk-alternative-finance-industry-report-2014 www.moneyobserver.com/our-analysis/alternative-investments-stamps www.wineinvestmentassociation.org/ www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/diyinvesting/article-2378031/How-invest-wine-avoid-pitfalls-plonk.html www.which.co.uk/money/credit-cards-and-loans/reviews-ns/peer-to-peer-lending-websites/peer-to-peer-lending-explained/ www.whatinvestment.co.uk/financial-news/funds/2463232/and39taxefficientand39-fund-to-invest-in-classic-cars-launched.thtml

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Est 35 YEARS

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19

Going Potty for Summer Plants

by Pippa Greenwood Summer bedding plants are everywhere at this time of year and as soon as conditions are reliable enough, you can plant them out in your garden to create a wonderful, colourful display to last the whole summer long. I am a great fan of hanging baskets, window boxes and patio containers, but this year why not ring the changes and also include some unusual containers and planters to bring a different look or even a bit of humour to your garden?

You can use almost anything as a planter, so keep an open mind before you chuck anything in the bin or skip. I have seen some really crazy plantings in disused hand basins, loo cisterns or even the lavatory itself! Provided there is adequate drainage in the base of the container, it should work well. If you are using something like a hand basin which only has one plug hole in the bottom, make sure that you cover it with pieces of broken crock and then perhaps put an inch or two of coarse gravel in the bottom of the container before you put the compost in as this should help to

20

make sure that the drainage hole does not become blocked.

But if you don’t like the idea of bringing your loo or bathroom out into the garden, there are plenty of other normal household objects which can be used as useful planters without necessarily making your neighbours think you have gone completely crazy. How about that old watering can that’s sprung a leak or has a loose handle? Whether you have a traditional galvanised can or a more modern plastic one, you can have great fun planting it up with bedding, particularly if you choose something like trailing blue lobelia to come spurting out of the top and perhaps even the end.

Buckets, too can look really good fun and if you have one which still has its handle firmly attached, then you could use it as a hanging basket. Plastic buckets can have holes drilled or melted in the base and similarly you can use a sturdy nail to make holes in the base of a metal bucket.

Old footwear, with a bit of

character, can be turned into planting with real flair. If you use old gardening boots or a pair of shoes, you are unlikely to need to add extra drainage as they invariably drain well. But if you are going to recycle a pair of wellies, then you may need to add a bit of extra drainage unless they have quite a lot of damage on their soles.

Again, cascading plants can look particularly dramatic, but a bunch of bright red geraniums or the spiky hedgehog-like foliage of a bright green or variegated grass can look particularly handsome appearing out of some discarded footwear.

What about a beaten up old handbag? If you choose one with several compartments, you can even have sectional planting and if you have one with a handle, it too can be suspended from a pergola or wall and used rather like a hanging basket.

See if there’s anything in your kitchen cupboards that could be recycled and put to better use in the garden.

An old saucepan, casserole pot or even a mixing bowl or jug can make an attractive planter, but again you will

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the garden centre. As I with an old sizeable teapot have to make sure that mentioned, drainage is and some large mugs full of there is sufficient drainage. of great importance, but favourite summer bedding.

If the container is large when it comes to choosing and there are no drainage Larger items such as old a compost and the plants holes in it, then the other wheelbarrows or chimney themselves, you need option is to plant it up as a pots may not be the sort of nothing any different from mini bog garden and use thing you have lying around when you are planting up a moisture-loving plants in it your own garden, but you more traditional container such as hostas or pond-side can often pick these up believe me you can have irises. Colanders or sieves R.J. Tree Services qualified & profession cheaply&from a local R.J. Treeand Services very qualified professional staffand are dedicated a lot more fun! also make interesting salvage or junk yard orto the highest levels of service in every i unusual hanging to thebaskets highest levels of service in every instance.

Visit Pippa’s website www. perhaps even from a friend’s and have the advantage of pippagreenwood.com for garden. Something likeWe a are happy to give advice – on all you holes that are generally so to give advice – on all your arboricultural We are happy ladybirds to queries. control greenfly, wheelbarrow gives a huge small that you need not even Nemaslug, brilliant weeders, planting area and because use a liner. You can simply pop-up crop covers, copper it•holds a large volume • more Free quotes Freesuch quotes tape and lots concentrate on planting one are dedicated of compost, it will also mean besides. • Fully NPTC qualified or two upright specimens • Fully NPTC qualified that you need not be quite so . in the centre of the colander concerned about watering, • Tree reductions / cr • Tree reductions / crown thins and then using plenty of as it will be less inclined to ulturaltrailing queries.

• Tree felling plants around the • Tree felling dry out. edge and allowing them to • Stump removal • Stump removal All these containers can cascade down. Provided • Hedgeworks • treated Hedgeworks be in just the same you have time to keep them Tree Services qualified & professional staff are dedicated way as a container that well watered, you could even R.J. • Tree surveys & repo • Tree surveys & reports bought fromof service in every instance. create your own living tea set to you the have highest levels

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maintenance Trimming, tidying & mowing tidying & mowing maintenance Fencing, decking, gates & sheds timberwork Trimming, decking, gates & sheds timberwork Fencing, paving Patios & paths paving Patios & paths Scaled drawings & planting plans design Scaled drawings & planting plans design For a friendly, reliable service at a competitive rate For a friendly, reliable service at a competitive rate

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23

The Best Car Gadgets For 2015 How to hang onto your licence and keep the kids happy too

We’ve come a long way from the days when the most interesting accessory you could get for your car was a set of fluffy dice. There are all kinds of useful accessories for in-car entertainment, navigation and safety, and you can even get gadgets that can help you hang on to your driving licence.

If you’ve ever worried that you might be over the drink driving limit (which has just been lowered in Scotland), a portable breathalyser is a good investment. The well regarded Alcosense range starts at £25 and rises to £60 for the Elite model, which knows about the lower limits in Scotland, Ireland and much of Europe. If that’s too pricey Alcosense makes disposable tubes at £4.99 for two.

Garmin’s £120 Dash Cam 10HD also has safety on its mind. It is a video camera that sits on your windscreen and continually records what’s in front of you, eliminating any doubt about who’s to blame in the event of an accident. The camera uses microSD memory cards and it does everything automatically so you don’t even need to remember to turn it on. If you’re worried

24

about damage occurring when you’re parked, such as people shunting you in a supermarket and fleeing the scene while you’re still shopping, look for one with a Park Mode to catch the culprits.

If entertainment is your thing you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can pick up an in-car DVD player for £70 or a twin pack for £120, or you could invest in a cheap Android tablet and let the kids watch movies on that: headrest holders are widely available.

If your car stereo is showing its age, you can replace it with an all-singing, all-dancing model for as little as £43, although if you want the ultimate in audio you’ll pay a bit more than that: for example, Pioneer’s SPH-DA120 car stereo, which uses Apple’s CarPlay technology to work with an iPhone, is currently £339. You don’t need to spend that much for a smartphone connection, though: there is a wide range of good quality car stereos for around £50 to £70 with connections for smartphones and/or USB flash drives.

If you’d rather go wireless, gadgets can help with that too. Parrot’s MKi9200 adds

Bluetooth wireless technology to your existing car stereo, enabling you to stream music (or audiobooks, or podcasts) from your phone. It also adds hands-free calling and voice control, meaning you can navigate your music library without taking your eyes off the road. It’s currently £139.99, and (optional) installation is around £50.

One of the most useful incar gadgets may be EE’s Buzzard 2, which provides a Wi-Fi hotspot in your car via the magic of 4G mobile broadband. That’s brilliant if you tend to have a carful of smartphone or tablet-wielding children, or if you need to get online with your laptop when you’re out and about. You can pick one up for free if you sign up for a two-year, £10 per month contract, but keep an eye on the data limits: that £10 gets you 1GB of data transfer per month, so it’s not a great idea to let the kids stream endless Netflix programs when you’re on the road.

Images left to right: Alcosense portable breathalyser; Pioneer CarPlay stereo; Parrot MKi9200 hands-free kit; EE Buzzard 2 portable Wi-Fi.

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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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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

25 25

Who Dreamt That One Up? Iain Betson Asks What’s In A Name?

In the seventies, car names conjured up far flung places of style, with sun kissed beaches and rolling countryside. Ford were masters at this: Cortina, Capri, and Granada, although let’s brush over the Escort. Then they completely lost it with the likes of Ka and Mondeo and Probe.

British Leyland had the lame offerings of Marina (it’s a car not a boat, but it should have sunk without trace all the same), Allegro (it was hardly quick), or Dolomite (more like Termite).

But the Japanese have cornered the weird name market starting with The Bongo Friendee and the Suzuki Mightyboy. From Toyota: The Lucinda Joyful Canopy (it has two sunroofs

Berrylands Autocare * MOT

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26

apparently) and from Mitsubishi the Cyborg-R. Europe, anxious not to be left out, entered VW with its Golf Club and Golf Driver. After that they decided to stay with a simple, descriptive name, so came up with Bora. Vauxhall/Opel had a go as well. There is an urban myth circulating that amongst Spanish speaking countries the Nova enjoyed poor sales as, translated, it means “No Go”.

The Koreans unleashed a whole raft of silly, inappropriate or misunderstood monikers: Hyundai “Accent” - nothing wrong with that per se, except the script style typeface at a quick glance looks like “effluent”. From Kia: The Cee’d (don’t forget the apostrophe!) Hyundai again: The Pony - never a truer word said.

But it won’t end there, because coming over the horizon are the Chinese. With a manufacturing industry geared to produce just about everything, mass car export is just a matter of time and with it some more silly names.

JAMES ANTHONY DECORATORS

Specialising in quality interior & exterior decorations

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LAMBERT FUNERAL DIRECTORS Independent Family Run Business 17 Berrylands Road, Surbiton, KT5 8QX

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

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We take pride in providing the down-to-earth, practical, emotional and highly professional service you need when faced with the loss of someone you love.

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We aim to alleviate the burden on the bereaved. We are committed to making all of the necessary funeral arrangements.

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27

Beauty Softly Does It

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Summer is just around the corner; long-sleeves have been banished for another few seasons and we’re eyeing up new sandals, sunglasses and swimsuits. It’s all too easy to skimp on bodycare in the colder months, but now the sun is finally out it’s time to treat ourselves to some muchneeded TLC.

G

ood exfoliation is a must, particularly if you’re planning on self-tanning.

Unfortunately, many of the scrubs on the high-street are too harsh, stripping the skin of its natural oils and leaving it feeling scratched and sore. Heyland and Whittle’s Exfoliating Soap Bag (£6) is a much better option. Filled with natural soaps that are packed with essential oils, it’ll make a noticeable difference to your skin and is the perfect alternative to shower gel. For a really indulgent treat, however, it’s hard to beat the Lime & Ginger Salt Glow by Elemis. At £36.50, it isn’t cheap, but it works wonders and smells divine.

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W

hile

bubbles are fun, if you want your bath product to leave your skin silky smooth, then oil is your best bet. Neom’s Tranquillity Bath and Shower Oil is heavenly. A bottle costs £40 from www.amara.com, but a few drops go a long way. Along with skin nourishing ingredients, such as jojoba and Vitamin E, it has a high concentration of essential oils (12 in total), to help you destress, unwind and forget that row you had with your manager. Pour yourself a large glass of wine, lock the bathroom door, put some music on and… relax.

I

f you moisturise all over every day, you can get away with a light body lotion.

But, let’s face it, how many of us have time? If your daily beauty routine is more ‘bare essentials’ than ‘at home spa’ it’s worth investing in a heavy duty hydrator for the weekend. Aveda’s Beautifying Body Moisturiser (£22) is wonderfully rich, but absorbs well, with none of that greasy residue that

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Balm (£9.50), which is completely natural and unbelievably nourishing.

(It also works wonders on dry elbows.) www.narynda. com

some high street brands can leave you with.

The smell is, quite simply, amazing – you may well find that you attract a lot of compliments on your new perfume.

M

ost of us are guilty of neglecting our poor feet, particularly when we can hide them away in boots all winter. But, come summer, the most beautiful pair of designer sandals won’t hide dry, cracked heels and chipped polish. A salon pedicure always feels like a real indulgence and can get your feet in tip-top condition for the warmer months. For minimal maintenance, opt for a longlasting varnish, such as shellac, in a colour that co-ordinates with your favourite sandals. Aqua, coral, bronze or soft violet all look great with a tan. Keep the good work up at home with regular moisturising.

We love Narynda’s Heel

C

herry-red and ‘nude’ lips are both key trends for this summer.

Whichever look you decide to embrace, you need a smooth surface to get the best result.

Red lipstick, in particular, will highlight any areas of chapping or dryness.

Mint Julips Lip Scrub by Lush (£5.50) gently buffs away dry patches and softens skin.

Warning: sugar, lemon and peppermint make it rather tasty, so you may find yourself reaching for it quite a lot…

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

29

Top Tips for Healthy Teeth

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk National Smile Month starts on 18th May, and with researching linking gum disease to serious health problems, it’s obvious our oral health is important.

So instead of dodging dental check-ups, follow our tips for healthy teeth.

Brush Properly: • Look after your toothbrush.

Check regularly for splayed or split bristles, rinse and dry it after every use to remove bacteria and store it somewhere clean.

• Change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months, even if it looks pristine.

• Use the right toothbrush.

Firm bristles may damage gums, so choose a brush with soft to medium bristles and a small to medium head.

Electric toothbrushes are proven to be more effective.

• Use floss or an interdental brush to penetrate the crevices between your teeth.

• Develop good brushing technique. Hold your brush at a 45° angle to the gum line for outer surfaces of your teeth, and tilt it vertically to reach inner surfaces, using small circular movements. Vary the place you start brushing so that the same teeth don’t suffer from your dwindling enthusiasm.

Keeping Plaque at Bay: • Brush often. Brush at least twice a day after meals, but

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not more than three times daily; it may do more harm than good.

• Follow a teeth-friendly diet. Acidic drinks and foods (e.g. citrus fruit, pure fruit juices) and sugary products are major tooth-damage culprits, as are fizzy drinks – even diet versions contain high phosphate levels that damage teeth. Reduce the risk by saving them for meal times and using a straw, or make healthier fizzy drinks by combining sparkling water and sugar-free squash. Don’t chew the ice cubes either (see ‘respect your teeth’ below).

Carbohydrates can damage teeth too, so think twice before tucking into pizza or crisps.

Remember: Prevention is better than Cure, so: • Find a dentist you’re happy with. While location is important, it may be worth travelling further to find a dentist you trust.

The NHS website lists dentists in your area and indicates which accept NHS patients: http://www.nhs. uk/Service-Search/Dentist/ LocationSearch/3. Private dentists often offer payment plans, but ensure you’re clear about what’s included.

Check opening hours suit you, read testimonials and ask friends and family for recommendations too. It’s also worth checking their credentials and what other

services they offer, such as implants, cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics. The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England, and their reports on dentists can be found here: http://www.cqc.org.uk/search/ services/dentists.

• Visit your dentist regularly.

It’s not always pleasant or cheap, but it could save you money (and pain) long-term.

• Use dental products approved by a professional dental association (e.g. the British Dental Association).

Buy high-fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes to keep tooth enamel healthy and reverse tooth damage.

• Respect your teeth. Using them as bottle openers or scissors can cause tiny cracks that may be invisible now, but could cause decay or splintering later.

• Get things straight. Crooked or overlapping teeth can make good oral hygiene difficult, and some braces are now invisible. Ask your dentist for advice.

• Give up smoking. Smoking stains teeth and reduces blood flow in the gums, making smokers more prone to gum disease and tooth loss.

With healthy teeth and fresh breath every month could be National Smile Month, so grab that brush and make a date with your dentist.

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“The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

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• 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!

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Hip Hop Indian Indie Jazz Latin Lounge Mexican New Wave

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

31

Roger Bannister: The Man behind the Mile

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk 6th May 2015 marks the 61st anniversary of Roger Bannister’s ‘four minute mile’.

But the last year’s anniversary interviews and publication of his autobiography, Twin Tracks, revealed that the man behind the mile doesn’t want to be remembered solely for his record-breaking achievement.

Testing Times Bannister had enjoyed running at school and chose to study medicine at Oxford because of its record for “creating [runners] who managed to reach the Olympics and... lead full academic and social lives.” He ran 4:52 in the freshman’s mile and competed abroad, delaying his medical exams.

But he wanted time for other interests. “I must be the international athlete who trained least,” admits Bannister. He only did “the minimum amount of training [necessary] to improve,” and this attracted criticism. Bannister found competing stressful and avoided competitions as the 1952 Olympics approached, saving himself for Helsinki. “Running was only my secondary interest and I could not afford to spend another four years jeopardising my medical future with this exciting distraction.”

However, his training hadn’t prepared him for 1500m heats, semi-finals and a final on consecutive days. His fourth place was a “shattering blow”.

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The Four Minute Mile Undeterred, Bannister focussed on the four minute mile. A 4:03.6 British-record-breaking run proved “that the four-minute mile was not out of reach,” and desperate to achieve it before his chief rival, John Landy, he named the day: 6th May 1954. At the Iffley Road track Bannister ran the mile in 3:59.4 seconds, becoming an overnight sensation.

Landy broke his record 46 days later, but Bannister beat him at the Commonwealth Games.

He retired on a 1500m win at the European Championships, running 3:43.8 – which would have won gold at Helsinki.

Changing Track “My whole life was medicine.

I wanted to become a specialist.” Bannister believed neurology offered the chance to demonstrate “kindness and effectiveness in dealing with patients and clinical problems.”

Some fellow professionals doubted his commitment though. “How can Bannister, a mere athlete, probably spoilt... aspire to neurology?” But he let his work speak for him.

He focussed on the autonomic nervous system, and founded the Clinical Autonomic Research Society in 1982. He and his colleagues made a host of significant discoveries in autonomic failure, identifying rare disorders, and he has said he would rather be remembered

for this work than for his mile.

Giving Something Back Chairmanship of the independent Sports Council gave Bannister the chance “to use the experience of both my sports and medical careers; my twin tracks.” He campaigned for random drug-testing and arranged development of a sensitive urinary test for anabolic steroids. “That’s up there with anything I did on the track,” he insists. Meanwhile his successful ‘Sport for All’ campaign encouraged greater sporting participation and access, with the number of multipurpose sports centres rising from 4 to 400. He also chaired the International Council of Sport and Physical Education improving international sporting relations and reducing ethnic and social divisions.

A Worthy Legacy Bannister’s work with the Sports Council laid the foundations for the successful 2012 Olympics and he is rightly proud of all his achievements, but he carried the Olympic torch at the scene of his magic mile (now Bannister Stadium) and acknowledges the fame and opportunity the achievement brought him. So perhaps his legacy is inspiration; to not only set goals, but be prepared to adapt them, and pursue more than one. It’s rather humbling. Evening class, anyone?

Image: Iffley Road Track, Oxford - blue plaque by Jonathan Bowen.

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Aspen Veterinary Surgery

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Your pet matters to us

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“My name is Barney, I am a 3 year old long-haired black tom, and my best friend is Sinbad, the handsome 7 year old black and & white chap. We have been companions all my life. We came into care as our owner, very sadly, died suddenly in September.

Join Aspen Pet Care Plan

We have been through a tough time and I am still a little nervous, but am affectionate when I get to know you, and my friend Sinbad is very gentle and affectionate.

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

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020 8399 6437

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

Why a Luxurious Bed is Important for your Elderly Dog A comfortable place to rest their head, extra support for arthritic bones and a little extra TLC - dogs need all of these things as they grow old.

You can make their twilight years a happy time for both of you simply by being aware of the issues they face, and what you can do to help.

An orthopaedic bed with a memory foam mattress will support their joints by moulding itself around them, helping with blood circulation and providing a

PETS

comfortable place to rest. Problems such as hip dysplasia often show themselves in middle age, so even if you don’t consider your dog to be elderly, it may be worthwhile investing in this type of bed.

What types of luxury beds are there?

Self-heating Metallised insulation is placed below the lining, and radiates heat. Covered with a sheepskin or fleece outer layer, this would have therapeutic benefits particularly if your house is draughty.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Elevated On the theme of draughty houses an elevated bed keeps your dog away from a cold floor, and is available in a range of sizes.

Luxury materials One of the most important considerations is the material used to make the bed and mattress. You can buy alpaca fibre and soft fleece fillings, but it’s also important to think about practicality, so zip-off covers should be a priority to maintain hygiene.

A luxurious place to sleep is important for dogs of all ages, but particularly so for those in their later years.

By Ann Haldon

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

33

And Another Thing...

by Tom Hughes

“Tom, I’m sick of wearing glasses, I want my eyes lasered.

You should get them done too”.

to Co-Op Travel asking about an eye test and they told me to come in here”.

“Listen, the nearest I’ll get to a laser is watching Star Wars.

Have you seen how much they charge? It’s eye watering”.

Pleased with my little joke, I returned to my copy of Ford Mondeo Monthly. Sarah however, was not for dissuading.

“Tom stop it, he won’t get your silly joke”, Sarah said.

“OK then, what about contact lenses?”

“No. I’m happy with my glasses.

I like looking over them at people. It makes me feel superior”.

“Well you can feel superior tomorrow, we’ve got a double appointment at the Opticians”.

I hate Opticians, it’s the fear of getting the test wrong and feeling stupid. I usually end up guessing. And I don’t like sitting in the dark either.

The sliding doors swished open and we were greeted by a nice young man who I guessed from the green name badge went by the name of Adam. I thought I’d put him at his ease.

“Hello. I’ve just been next door

34

“Very well sir, have you an appointment?”

“Yes. Mr and Mrs Hughes”.

“One moment please. I’ll go and speak to our Optician”. Sarah took her seat while I went to examine some frames. “What do you think of these darling?”

“Put them back, you look like Michael Gove”.

A chubby little man with a built up shoe limped into reception “Mr Hughes?”

I nodded, gulping nervously. A fat index finger beckoned me inside.

“Come with me dear”.

Dear? I looked at Sarah, who urged me to follow saying, “Go on, we haven’t got all day....dear”.

He paused at the door to his torture chamber, looked me up and down and said, “I’ve not.... tested you before, have I?” “I don’t think so”.

“No. I’d have remembered. Come

in then”.

Through his enormous lenses his big saucer eyes bored into me. Sat in the hot seat, I watched as he removed his glasses and began cleaning them with his tie. He looked up at me once more. His eyes had disappeared!

Then back on went the glasses and...zoom! The huge pupils returned.

“Now relax while I dim the lights”.

If I wasn’t nervous beforehand, I was now.

Letters appeared on the whiteboard opposite. My torturer settled in besides me, a little too close for comfort for my liking.

“Now can you read left to right, top to bottom”.

“K no er, Y? “Now Tom, don’t guess”.

The letter business over, the Optician then did something really weird. Grabbing a torch, he put his face right next to mine, as in right next, and shone it into my eyes. All I could hear and feel was his breath on my cheek. When, for a second, our

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noses touched, it was all I could do to stay seated.

Outside in reception I found Sarah, relaxing after her examination.

“Well I won’t be going in there again. I nearly chinned him. I thought he was going to throw the lips on me”.

“Tom, he uses an ophthalmoscope to test for high blood pressure, you dope”.

“Oh, well he could have told me”.

Then it was time for our contact lenses. Adam demonstrated the technique for putting them in.

We followed suit. After handing over a small fortune we both stumbled outside, now with our twenty twenty vision supposedly restored.

As we groped our way to the car park, I could hear people tutting and oh-dearing as we passed.

One elderly lady stopped me and taking hold of my hand said, “Whatever tragedy has happened my loves, remember, time is a great healer”.

I looked at Sarah, she looked at me. Our eyes were both red and streaming.

“I can’t see a blooming thing”.

“Neither can I”.

“Look this is ridiculous, let’s go back”.

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

We retraced our steps down the high street, doing our best to avoid the lamp posts. Eventually we made it back to the shop.

“Listen, can we change our minds? We just need to buy some normal glasses”.

“That’s no problem sir, but I think you’ll have to try next door. This is Co-Op Travel”.

Surbiton Historical Society has a Diamond Celebration

S

urbiton & District Historical Society will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in June of this year.

As a start to these celebrations, members will be taken

by Kingston Guides on a walk around the town to view the many architectural styles and hear of the many famous people to have lived in the town ending with a cream tea in St Andrew's Church Hall.

In August, at the Society's Members' Social Evening, there will be display of memorabilia from many of those previous years with an entertaining talk by Tim Harrison, Editor of "The Good Life", with slides showing how Surbiton has changed over that period. There will also be refreshments and a birthday cake.

The Society was originally founded in 1955 by four lecturers at Kingston Polytechnic, now Kingston University. Philip Grevatt and Tony Cawley are still remembered to this day as our May and October lectures are named in their honour. They had an abounding love of history and were proud of living in the Royal Borough and started the Society in the hope that like minded people would be interested too. There have been fluctuations in membership over the years with around 100 in the 1970s and at the moment the

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

membership is around 89.

Many of the past Presidents have been Councillors including the formidable Mrs Edith Bidmead who was Mayor of Surbiton at the same time as being President of the Society.

The monthly meetings are held in Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road on the first Tuesday of the month, starting at 7.45pm with teas, coffee and biscuits served beforehand.

Monthly lecturers have included Lucy Worsley whose talk on Kensington Palace was full of fun and dramatic facts.

The Society has thirteen lectures during its programme year with two in November, one of which is in the afternoon and our January meeting is also in the afternoon. Four outings a year are arranged including one by coach - with this year's coach outing going to Rochester in Kent.

For further information or a copy of our programme up to March 2016, please contact Hon.Secretary, Marilyn Jennings on 020 8399 4474 or e:mail to lenandmarilyn@ virginmedia.com Visitors, too, are always welcome and we ask for a donation of just £2.00 from them.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

35

It’s BBQ time again!

by Alan Jennings

M

ost years, May sees a busy start to the BBQ season. The weather begins to warm up and improve generally, and suddenly everyone’s dusting down last year’s BBQ or buying themselves the latest apparatus for outdoor cuisine.

And we all look forward to those long sultry evenings when eating outside isn’t just a pleasure - it’s a must!

Unfortunately you can’t guarantee good weather. But it’s the food that makes the BBQ memorable, and you can make absolutely sure of the very best food for you and your guests. A proper BBQ today is no scrappy snack in the garden - it can be a really succulent meal with a careful selection of choice meats. Could be a gourmet experience!

So what could be to your list for a successful BBQ, an event which will amaze your family and your guests? We can offer you a fabulous range of different cuts from chicken, lamb and pork, and our famed BBQ steaks are always top of the market for BBQ style. These are all cut from Scotch beef which has been hung for three weeks to give you maximum flavour and tenderness. Whether you go for Fillets, T-bones, Sirloins, Rib-Eyes or Rumps, you’ll find the same mouth-watering quality right across the board.

Nowadays many BBQ enthusiasts are going for a BBQ joint, such as a Butterflied leg of lamb. This is boned and opened out flat ready for the grill, and would be ideal, say, for a Sunday BBQ lunch with a group of friends. Or we could open out a boned Shoulder of Lamb for you, or a Topside of Pork or a flat Belly of Pork. Another popular

36

choice for a single joint is a chicken spatchcocked ready for the BBQ. The single-joint BBQ is the ‘in’ thing, because you can cook it to perfection without having to worry about the different cooking times of other meats which you’re grilling at the same time, a big advantage.

Nowadays there is an exceptionally tasty alternative to the traditional cuts. Our readymarinaded range is becoming very popular, as all the cuts have been prepared specially for the BBQ. Why not give it a try?

And we mustn’t forget all the traditional standbys for the BBQ. Our high-quality sausages feature many popular varieties from Traditional Pork to Cumberland and Spicy Spanish. Then we have Kebabs, super-tasty Beef Burgers, Steak Burgers, Ribs and many other delights for your guests.

Above all, we know from our customers that the most important factor in a successful BBQ is the quality of the meat. The better the meat, the better it will BBQ and the better it will taste. Plan well ahead for what you’re going to need. And, if the weather suddenly plays tricks, our meats can always be slipped away into the freezer, ready for the sun to shine another day. But let’s hope for a real BBQ summer this year!

Happy BBQing!

Alan C D Jennings and Sons Traditional Quality Butchers since 1962 146 Ewell Road Surbiton KT6 6HE

020 8399 4870

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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 Butchers 2015 BBQ Offerings

Butterflied Legs of Lamb, Spatchcock Chicken, Pichana Rump Steak, Racks of Ribs.

Our own make Sausages, Burgers, Kebabs.

A wide range of instant marinades.

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

For more information view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

37

Herby Stuffed

Baked Tomatoes Serves 2 - 4

Ready in 1 hour

Large and juicy beefsteak tomatoes are the perfect shape and size for stuffing and make an economical midweek supper. Serve hot or cold with a crisp green salad drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

Preheat the oven to 190C, 375F, Gas 5.

• • • • • • • • •

Use a sharp knife to slice the tops off the tomatoes and slice a thin sliver from the base of each tomato to prevent them wobbling in the dish.

4 firm beefsteak tomatoes 3 tbsp Virgin olive oil 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 75g fresh white breadcrumbs 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley 1 tbsp fresh chopped mint 2 tsp capers, drained and rinsed Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Tip:

Replace the breadcrumbs with cous cous if liked. Place 115g cous cous in a heatproof bowl and pour over boiling water to cover. Stir once then place a plate on top of the bowl and leave for 10 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff up the grains with a fork then stir into the fried onion mixture as above. Add some toasted pine nuts, chopped dried apricots, fresh chopped coriander a little harissa paste for a more exotic flavour.

38

Use a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds and flesh from each tomato. Finely chop and reserve the flesh but discard the seeds. Place the tomato shells in a shallow ovenproof dish.

Heat half the olive oil in a medium-sized frying pan. Add the chopped onion and fry over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and fry for a further 4-5 minutes until tender and golden. Stir in the chopped tomato flesh, breadcrumbs, parsley, mint and capers and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Spoon the breadcrumb mixture into the tomato shells, pressing it down gently then top with the lids. Drizzle over the rest of the olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes are just tender. Serve hot or cold.

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Summer’s Coming

Alfresco Dining Freshly cooked food in our south facing garden Exciting new menu Available for private hire Outdoor skittles alley

• Great Food in Good Company • Great Food in Good company • FOOD SERVED 12-9PM MON TO SAT, SUN 12-7PM- CHILDREN WELCOME UNTIL 7:30PM The Ditton Restaurant Pub, 64 Ditton Hill Road, Long Ditton, Surrey, KT6 5JD 020 8339 0785 www.theditton.co.uk goodfood@theditton.co.uk To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

39 39

Cake and Bake Chocolate Fondant Puddings These divine puds have a wonderful molten chocolate centre which oozes out as you cut into them. Take care not to overcook them and serve immediately otherwise the liquid centres will start to set. Serve with a dollop of tangy crème fraiche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence!

Ingredients: • 100g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 100g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling • 100g good quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces • 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 20g plain flour • Mint sprigs, to decorate • Few strawberries and chocolate shavings, to serve

Serves 4 Ready in 35 mins

40

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/Gas 6. Lightly grease 4 x 175ml capacity individual pudding basins with the extra softened butter and sprinkle with the extra caster sugar.

Place on a baking tray.

2. Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and leave until melted.

Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Leave to cool for about 5 minutes.

3. Place the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and flour in a bowl and, using a hand-held electric whisk, beat together until smooth and creamy. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture and pour into the prepared pudding basins.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the puddings are risen, puffy and just set on the outside- they should have a slight wobble and still be runny inside.

5. Leave for a few seconds then turn the puddings out onto serving plates. Decorate with mint sprigs and serve with the strawberries and chocolate shavings.

TIP

If you don’t have individual pudding basins then use small ovenproof ramekin dishes instead.

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Dining Out They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there is if you’re willing to do a little digging for it, and sometimes that means literally. If you’ve ever fancied foraging, growing your own grub or even becoming totally self-sufficient then this could be the book selection for you. If not, then you could just toss the page into a nice salad, and eat that instead!

Wild Food: A Complete Guide for Foragers - Roger Phillips A leading expert on food foraging, Philips hasn’t managed to kill himself with a dodgy mushroom yet (and he’s been doing it for decades) so it’s a safe bet that what he says, goes. In this easy-to-identify guide to the edible plants found in our woodlands and hedgerows, he even throws in some recipes for good measure. If you’re just thinking, ‘nettle soup’ then you’ll be disappointed, because Roger’s recipes are delicious. You’ll never need to buy a bag of salad again.

The Hedgerow Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes for Wild Food - Ginny Knox and Caro Willson If you can pick more than you can eat on the spot, standing next to a hedge in the sunshine, then this is the book for you. It’s all very well taking home all those delicious (free!) berries, but if you don’t know what to then do with them all you’ll end up with are more unidentified bags of somethingor-other in the bottom of your freezer. This book is all about turning your own mini-harvest into a feast. Instead of jam, why not try ‘fruit leather’ or how about making a flavoured cheese, or cordial or even booze?! You’re only really limited by how many blackberries, sloes, rosehips and wild garlic bulbs you can find, so it’s really worth getting out and taking advantage of nature’s bounty.

Practical Self Sufficiency Dick Strawbridge and James Strawbridge You might recognise father and son team Dick and James from the television. You’d at least remember Dick’s moustache if you’ve ever caught their programme ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’. The Strawbridge family double-act are all for making small changes that can transform the way we exist on this planet.

There are top tips for reducing your carbon footprint, excellent advice on how to lower your household bills and even how to build a wormery. It’s great fun to read and if it doesn’t help you at all then you can at least buy it in hardback, and use it as a shelter.

The Self Sufficient-ish Bible - Andy and Dave Hamilton For anyone who always has good intentions but for whom the idea of living the ‘Good Life’ is a little bit on the extreme side, then twin brothers Andy and Dave are the boys for you. They’re realistic in their approach to living a more green and organic lifestyle, appreciating that most of us are just looking for some ideas for becoming a little more self-reliant and not up for doing a total ‘Tom and Barbara’. They have a refreshing and fun approach to recycling, growing your own produce and making sure your home is more energy efficient. It’s not at all preachy, and with small suggestions it could definitely help to improve your life and outlook,

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

without the need for a total, intimidating overhaul.

The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living - Mark Boyle Former businessman Mark Boyle swapped his suit for a pair of jeans and some rubber gloves and vowed to live for an entire year without spending a penny.

He knew that it wasn’t going to be pretty, but his journey through bad hygiene, scavenging and living a truly frugal existence is fascinating. Dabbling in selfsufficiency wasn’t for Boyle and his approach is extreme to say the very least. He’s gone totally ‘off the grid’ and, according to his friends and family, he may also have gone off his rocker. Whether you could adopt his philosophy or not, it’s a compelling idea and one that will make you question how you live and what’s important.

Food For Free - Richard Mabey If you want fast food, or at least a meal on the run, then you should carry this handy little guide around with you. It’s the ideal companion for the country lady or gent who fancies a snack on the move but has forgotten to pack the cheese and pickle sandwiches. There are details of over 100 edible plants, with clear illustrations and some interesting facts on how they’ve been used across the ages. It also talks you through the rules and regulations so that you don’t start munching on protected wild orchids by mistake.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

41

Should It Be Home Or Away For Grandparents?

by Kate McLelland If you’ve ever watched TV programmes such as “Escape to the Country” or “A Place in the Sun: Home or Away”, you’ll appreciate the dilemma. Each week these shows focus on couples who dream of making a new start in life, either by moving to a different part of Britain or emigrating to a new country altogether.

In many cases the show’s subjects are older couples. The show takes them to their dream location and follows them as they seek advice on property from a real estate professional.

At the start of each programme we learn something about their lives then eavesdrop as they explore various houses.

But as soon as the door closes on the final viewing, the TV presenter’s expression changes from light-hearted to deadly serious: it’s decision time.

This is often a moment of mixed emotions, particularly if the couple is concerned about leaving grandchildren behind. For all their excitement and anticipation there’s often a trace of regret - even guilt - behind the smiles.

grandparents understand how quickly children grow up. While you can always come back for important events such as sports days and the Christmas nativity play, missing out on the small, everyday things may be difficult.

It’s also possible that your children depend on you to provide regular, unpaid childcare services while they work. In those circumstances your move away may have significant economic implications for the family.

But is it right that grandparents, who may have struggled to bring up their own children, should now feel trapped by a sense of obligation to the next generation?

Jules and Gareth Bowman from Essex were faced with that difficult question when they retired.

It’s a tough dilemma that many of today’s grandparents face: should they move, or stay?

“We had always dreamed of living in the country but my job kept us in town,” says Gareth. “Retirement brought the chance to move but our daughter Ellie worked full time and relied on us for childcare.

Although we didn’t want to let the family down, Jules suffers from ill-health and we felt we only had a few good years left.”

Having been through parenthood themselves,

The Bowmans finally confided their feelings to their daughter

42

and son-in-law.

“I don’t think they’d ever considered that we might want to live somewhere else. Ellie spoke to her boss, who let her work flexi-time, and she found a good créche for the holidays.

The move has been good for us and the family enjoy coming to visit.”

The Bowmans were lucky that their family could adapt to changing circumstances, but what works for one family may not work for another: other grandparents have felt there is no alternative but to continue offering support.

It seems counter-intuitive, but sometimes relocation can work better for everyone involved. Without the stresses and strains of close-up living, family visits become more like holidays, celebrated with lots of outings and treats, while Skype calls via a webcam help to bridge the gaps between visits.

Although it may help to discuss future plans with your children, ultimately it’s up to you to decide on the best long-term solution for your health and happiness. But however you choose to go forward, one thing is certain: real life decisions are more complex and challenging than they appear on those reality TV shows!

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Tele: Fax:

E-mail:

07976 837 031 070 9200 3581

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Leverett Electrical Ltd

Qualified electrician

Part P registered.

All work certified.

No job too small.

All work considered Quality at the heart of our work

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Installation & maintenance Rewires Security lighting Fire alarms Central heating wiring

Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 Mobile: 07710 123 628 Email:contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk www.leverettelectrical.co.uk

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Leverett Electrical Ltd

Qualified electrician

Part P registered.

All work ed.

Painting andcertifi Decorating No job too small.

Roofing and Guttering Plastering and Tiling All work considered Household Maintenance Quality at the heart of our work

conversions&and extensions • Loft Installation maintenance • Marcus Rewires & Sarah Baines • Security lighting 020 8390 7549 • Fire alarms 07702 603 885 • berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk Central heating wiring

Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 WWW .CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE Mobile: 07710 123 628 available.

No obligation quotations.

References All work guaranteed and fully insured.

Email:contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk www.leverettelectrical.co.uk

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk QP advert 2

43 43

Short Story Gertie’s Lunch Harry sighed, pulling down his cap. For the third time today someone had left his pasture gate open and a couple of ewes were already eyeing up the exit.

He dreaded this time of year.

The first warm weekend and all the fair-weather walkers came out in their posh boots, without a thought that this was working land.

As he was about to shut the gate he spotted a lady stood on the other side, frantically searching through her bag.

“Are you the farmer?”. Her face was flushed with annoyance.

“I’m in a dreadful hurry and I need assistance”.

“How can I help?” Harry said calmly.

“I’ve misplaced my mobile. It’s rather expensive”.

“When did you last have it?”

Harry asked patiently.

“I was photographing this sheep”. She pointed at a ewe who was sitting down chewing thoughtfully.

“Old Gertie here”, Harry smirked, “yep, she’s a pretty girl”.

“I don’t suppose someone like you owns a mobile?” she said dismissively. “If I could only call mine I might find it”.

Harry did have a mobile phone, old and battered, but it did the job. He smiled courteously and handed over. She took the phone with an expression of distaste. Gingerly she tapped in the number.

Sure enough, a ringing phone could be heard, muffled, as though wrapped in a thick duvet.

The woman searched with her

44

ear to the ground.

“I can hear it but I can’t see it”.

“It’s as I feared”, Harry said.

“What is?” She looked up.

“Gertie here, she’s partial to technology”.

“I beg your pardon?”

“This season she’s swallowed three mobile phones, an MP3 player and a DVD remote control”.

“Aren’t sheep vegetarians?” she asked suspiciously.

“Try telling her that”. Harry scratched behind Gertie’s ear.

“Mind you, they always come out good as new”, he smiled, “my phone’s working alright isn’t it?”

The woman turned pale and quickly handed the phone back to Harry.

“You just have to wait for nature to take its course”, Harry warmed to his subject, “sheep don’t have fast metabolisms, but they’re regular”.

“I have to wait for her to digest it?”. She pulled a face, “how long will that take?”

Harry looked at his watch, “I’d say it will put in an appearance at precisely midday tomorrow”.

She gulped.

“Then there’s the unpleasant job of sorting through the business”, Harry added cheerfully. “it’s not for the squeamish”.

The woman buried her face in her well-manicured hands and sobbed. Harry took pity.

“I suppose I could always do

that bit”. She looked up with relief, but Harry raised his hand before she could speak, “on one condition”.

“Anything, just name it”, she pleaded.

“You’re to promise never to leave a farm gate open again”.

Harry pointed to the offending gate.

“I promise”, she said guiltily, “I’m sorry about that”.

“We’ll call it a deal”, Harry said, holding out his hand to shake on it. She glanced at his grubby nails, and backed away.

“Here’s my work number”, she said, cautiously passing him a business card with her fingertips, “call me when it’s over”. Then she hurried through the gate, making a big show of closing it behind her.

Harry watched her go while stroking Gertie. Finally he leaned over and whispered, “Up you get old girl”.

Slowly the sheep clambered to her feet. Harry picked up the warm phone from the flattened grass beneath her.

It was a fine phone, very expensive. Yet, even without a handshake Harry considered himself an honourable man. He contemplated the number on the business card. He would phone it tomorrow, just after midday.

by Jackie Brewster

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

45

46

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S

In Memory of Frank Walsh

adly all good things come to an end, and Saturday 23rd May sees the culmination of such a benevolent and beneficial event, with the 20th and final Frank Walsh Memorial Rugby Match taking place at the Kingston Rugby Club.

Frank Walsh, the inspiration behind the occasion, was for many years a selfless volunteer at the rugby club, giving up his time and effort to assist in a whole host of areas, which without his invaluable service would have struggled pitifully. Sadly, Frank suddenly passed away on the 1st January 1996, at only 43 years of age, leaving both the club and the local community missing such an irreplaceable man and with a huge void to fill.

As expected the mass consensus was that something must be done to honour Frank’s efforts for the club and his passion for the sport, and so, as a mark of respect, an annual charity rugby match was organised by his friends and family, with his widow Rosaleen Walsh the pivotal driving force in turning this tragedy into not just a fitting commemoration, but a positive legacy that could mirror Frank’s own charitable work.

The memorial has been a prodigious success right from the initial game in March 1996, with hundreds of avid players from local rugby clubs having donned their boots, and almost £50,000 been raised for a variety of local and National charities throughout these altruistic 19 years. And this year’s finale has seen even greater preparation and interest from the rugby community, and an even greater sum is hoped to be raised money for The Born Too Soon Campaign, Epsom & Ewell Puffin Club and the Canine Partners.

The long awaited match kicks off at 2.30pm and will feature many of the players who participated in the very first match back in 1996 playing in an appropriately titled ‘veteran’s game’. The day itself is much longer, with live music, a disco and a BBQ along with plentiful entertainment for the children including a bouncy castle and face painting sessions. Following the game, a sports auction will take place and will include some impressive signed football and rugby shirts as well as a general raffle.

It is hoped that this will be a joyous occasions and a fitting conclusion to Frank Walsh’s extensive relationship with Kingston Rugby Club.

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.

SAT 23 MAY

Will contact you immediately if any other defects are spotted so there will be no unpleasant surprises.

Kick off 2.30pm at Kingston Rugby Club Hook Rd, Chessington

Free pick up and drop off within a five mile radius of Surbiton.

Repair and service prices start from £10.00.

VETS match followed by Walsh XV v Invitational XV

Please see website for further prices and details.

Raffle / Tombola / Bouncy Castle BBQ / Ice Cream Van / Cake and Sweet Stall / Sports Auction / And more…

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

LIVE MUSIC

from Matt ‘Elvis’ King

DISCO

Open ‘til late

In aid of

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

47

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HIDATO SOLUTION

MINI CRYPTIC SOLUTION

TWO MINUTE TRIAL SOLUTION

Word Ladder Solution Here is one possible solution others may exist!

NAPE name lame lace lack pack peck NECK

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Children’s page answers Correct route:B. Dog treats: 5 on this route, & 11 in total.

Wordsearch phrase: Music is the poetry of the air.

Richter

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Hobbies The fast growing ‘cult’ of small things

By Kate McLelland When 89-year-old Nora Boll recently sold her collection of over 30 dolls’ houses, the auction sale sparked huge interest in the national media, bringing together collectors and dealers from all over the country.

Nora, whose mother started the collection in 1925, had amassed hundreds of items over the years, including miniature chandeliers, little curtains made from parachute silk and even tiny rolls of toilet paper.

John Anderson of auctioneers Anderson and Garland, who managed the sale, commented: “There is something of a cult hobby based on dolls’ houses and furniture”. He went on to add that in his experience a piece of miniature furniture such as a chest of drawers can sell at auction for more than its full-size counterpart.

All grown up Collecting dolls’ houses, furniture and accessories is clearly no longer just a children’s pastime. For serious hobbyists it’s an activity that allows for different specialties and interests, from kitting out period dolls’ houses in accurate historical detail to creating chic, contemporary interiors.

Little lessons learned Like Nora Boll, many women have gone on to become collectors after their mothers first inspired their love of dolls’

houses. In fact the original purpose of these miniature properties was to teach young women about the art of domestic management and many dolls’ houses created for children of the gentry were modelled on the family home.

Sources of inspiration The Museum of Childhood at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is currently hosting an exhibition of dolls houses called ‘Small Stories’, due to run until 6th September 2015.

If you want to begin your own dolls’ house collection, this fascinating exhibition is a good place to start. Admission is free and further details can be found at www.vam.ac.uk.

Additionally, the National Trust’s website (www.nationaltrust.org. uk) carries information about inspirational dolls’ houses on display throughout the country or you can visit The Kensington Dolls’ House Festival in May (www.dollshousefestival.com).

Your miniature property search Collectors starting from scratch may be able to find their dream house by searching Ebay or through the listings ads in their local newspaper. The Dolls’ House Exchange site (www. dollshouseexchange.co.uk) lets collectors buy and sell second hand items online, giving you an opportunity to pick up a more unusual, custom-built house at an accessible price.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Alternatively the Sue Ryder charity shops carry stocks of dolls houses and dolls’ house furniture. Find a local shop by calling 0800 917 8123 (free of charge), or visit www.sueryder. org.

The Dolls’ House Emporium (www.dollshouse.com) is one of many online retailers offering an astonishing range of furniture and accessories.

These miniature curiosities range from Victorian shop counters and sweet jars to tiny shower cubicles and jacuzzis.

The magic of small things Whatever your reasons for collecting, there’s undoubtedly something magical about seeing the stuff of our everyday lives reduced to miniature scale. There’s an added sense of wonder when you consider the skill and patience that has gone into creating these small but perfectly formed items.

Children’s author Lewis Carroll understood the childish fascination with shrinking down in size and used it to great effect in ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

It’s a happy coincidence that the Victoria and Albert’s ‘Small Stories’ exhibition -sparking a renewed interest in dolls’ house history - has been staged in the 150th anniversary year of Carroll’s famous book.

Image Credit: Hopkinson House - bedroom detail set in 1940s, England.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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COMMUNITY PAGE 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.

SURBITON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Tues 5th May: In honour of one of our founders Mr Philip Grevatt, Mr \ stephen Cooper talks about the rugby players who fought & played in WW1.

The talk is “The Final Whistle - the Great War in 15 players” Tues 2nd June: Dr Helen Goepel’s talk is “Victorian Children in Kingston” 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

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Please note that all deadlines for submitting artwork will be by the following dates: 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 8th March for April issue 8th April for May issue; If you have any queries, please call me on 020 8274 0096 or email me at: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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COMMUNITY PAGE

For all gardeners and allotment holders!

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

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.

C.D.Jennings, MBE Surbiton, Surbiton 9 Summer bedding plants and other young plants according to season. & Tolworth Libraries, Shan’s Pharmacy, 9 Traditional and organic fertilizers and soil improvers/conditioners.

Tolworth Recreation Centre, Emma’s Hair 9 Lawn and rose treatments, weedkillers, pest controls.

Salon, Berrylands Post Office, The Lamb Pub, Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club 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.

Read it whilst you wait at: Sliding Sash Box WindowsAutocare, – Lead and Spring Balanced Aspen• Vets, Berrylands Casement Windows • Cornerhouse Dental Practice, Ace Our trading hut is conveniently sited at Moor Lane French Doors • Complementary Clinic, Cabana Indian Sliding-Folding Doors and more.

Allotments (just off Moor Lane near The Bonesgate pub) • Tapas

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

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques combine aesthetics, comfort, convenience

security preserving classic lines. It simply exceeds all expectations for its price.

If you and would like while copies at youritsbusiness please call me on: In accordance with our "members only" policy,

020 8274 0096

www.dmcscontractsolutions.co.uk

Leverett Electrical Ltd

Qualified electrician

22/01/2010 00:22:03

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No job too small.

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Installation & maintenance Rewires Security lighting Fire alarms Central heating wiring

Stuart Leverett Office: 020 8390 0617 Mobile: 07710 123 628 Email:contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk www.leverettelectrical.co.uk

new members are always welcomecall to join! us: 0203 174 0208

windows@dmcontractsolutions.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@berrylandscompanion.com karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk email:

To advertise A 8274 Berrylands Companion call 020 8274 0096 To advertise call Karen:in020 0096 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

51 13

What’s on in May:-

Events in May:

Action on Stroke Month; 1-31st: Get Walking Month www.ramblers.org.uk 2nd: Cirque Du Chennai 2015 at Arthur Cotterell Theatre, Kingston Hall Road. Doors open 7pm, show

starts 7.30pm. For tickets or if you have any questions email cirqueduchennai@hotmail. co.uk Adults £8 Concessions £6. A caberat to show off performances in Aerial, Trapeze, Silks, Fire Performers and others.

2-10th: Grand Design Live 2-17th: Surbiton Food Festival. www.surbitonfoodfestival.org 3rd: Surbiton Food Festival Launch Apple Blossom Orchard Day at Knollmead Orchard, 12-6pm Seething Freshwater Sardine Festival at Claremont Gardens 1-6pm, See the Sardine Catch at Raven’s Ait, Queen’s Promenade 3pm Sardine Procession to Claremont Gardens 3.30pm Sardine BBQ, 4pm.

4th: May Day Bank Holiday. Save Lives: Wash Your Hands 4-10th: Childrens’ Book Week; Deaf Awareness Week; Viral Meningitis Week.

6-10th: London Craft Week 7th: The General Election; World Ovarian Cancer Day; Natural Skincare Awareness Day 8th: The General Election Count continues 9-10th: London Pet Show at ExCel Centre The Surbiton Village Food Fete in St Andrew’s Square from 12 noon to 6pm 10th: Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church Covent Garden, 10.30am.

World Lupus Day 11-15th: Walk to Work Week; Sun Awareness Week; 11-22nd: Cancer Prevention Fortnight 14th: Museums at Night, a chance to see after hours events 15 May- 31 Dec: Star Wars at Madame Tussauds, 9.30-5.30pm.Tel: 0871 894 3000, Tkts: £30, £25.80 for 4-15, under 4 free, £108 family. https://starwars.madametussauds.com/london/en 16th: Surbiton Farmers’ Market, 9-1pm, & Surbiton Community Sports Day & Picnic at Victoria Recreation Ground 1-4pm.

Mum2mum Market, Baby & Children’s Nearly New Sale: 2-4pm, St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, KT6 4LS. Contact: janine@mum2mummarket.co.uk www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 17th: The Surbiton Brunch at local restaurants and eateries.

19-23rd: Chelsea Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk 23rd: 20th Frank Walsh Memorial Rugby Match, kick off 2.30pm at Kingston Rugby Club, Hook Road, Chessington. This is to be the last memorial match, all proceeds for charity.

23 May- 26 July: Foodie Festival at Alexandra Palace. www.foodiefestival.com 23/24/25th: Foodie Festival at Syon Park, 11am. £15, £12 Cocs, free under 12s.

23-30th: Surbiton Arts Group Spring Exhibition, At Surbiton Library Annexe, 8-10pm, Info: 020 8397 2050. Email: asag2012@aol.com Closed Weds 27th. Sale of paintings etc.

25th: Spring Bank Holiday Whit Monday Surbiton Arts Group Exhibition appraisal by Tiffany Budd

Events in June Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month; Pet’s Microchip Month 6-14th: International Aegon Surbiton Trophy at Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands 8th: Deadline for the July/August edition of A Berrylands Companion, the 100th issue 11-23rd: Hampton Court Palace Festival. www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com 13th: Trooping the Colour at Horseguards’ Parade to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday. Watch along the Mall if you do not have tickets.

13-14th: Open Garden Squares, www.opensquares.org 17-21st: Taste of London Festival at Regent’s Park, www.londontastefestival.com 21st: Fathers’ Day; Wrong Trouser Day 29th-6th July: Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

30th-5th July: Hampton Court Flower Show. Tkts: £22-£35. www.rhs.org.uk

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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:Wednesdays. 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.

Meeting on Wednesday 6th May, at 2.30pm. 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.

Encore Singing Group: Mondays, 10am - 12.15pm in Berrylands. For info: gillyvor@hotmail. com

Why not send in details for Summer 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 May for the June edition.

Please Note: The following deadline will be 8th June for July/August issue.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Index Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers Home & Garden All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) Evergreen Gardening & Landscapes George Curren Electrical James Anthony KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals M. Duffle Decorating Oven Cleaners Profit Windows Systems R.J.Tree Services Roofing & Gutters Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Time for You Domestics Warmlite Will Lord William Stallion Electricals

22 13 43 5 11 9 22 22 26 43 19 43 7 27 17 21 23 11 14 15 22 19

Care & Health Cornerhouse Dental Practice

2

Rest & Relaxation Anna Coe Frank Walsh Memorial Rugby Match King George Field Bowls Club Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Yoga

31 47 31 47 56 29

Children & Education Rugby Tots Splish’n Splash Swimming School

47 45

Funeral Services Lambert Funeral Directors

27

Web Site Design Fresh Web

7

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Cats Protection

33 33

Office Stationery MBE Surbiton

55

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

25 26 25 19

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Nawab To Go Prithi The Ditton Pub

37 8 19 39

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

16

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

51/52 38 40 46 53/54 7 41 3 20

Want To Advertise Your Business?

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

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A Berrylands Companion From as little as ÂŁ33 a month your advert can feature here for a year!

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So What is Stopping You? Call Now!

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55

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Great facilities and location! *Text messages will cost your standard message rate. You will not be charged to receive texts from us.

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