SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE 161

Month: September 2021 Issue No: 161 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

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* Surbiton Festival * Recipes, Puzzles & Quizzes * Edward Davey, M.P * Community pages * New Advertisers And more......

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Inside this issue:

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Hello Readers

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re you like me, all sport fatigued out?

Covid aside, we have had Tennis, Euros, Tour de France, Grand Prix, Golf, Athletics and of course the Tokyo Olympics. I think we all need a holiday! Even if that is a Staycation and further on are some suggestions.

I hope that you had a great Summer anyhow and I’m sure most of us managed at some point to catch up with friends and family without sticking to the distant waves and virtual hugs that social distancing mandated (ugh, putting your arms around yourself in a representation of a hug never was quite right).

But – sanitised fingers crossed – let’s hope further incarceration is off the cards (I think you’ve got the message. I didn’t enjoy lockdown). I am just really grateful I’m still running my magazine business, mainly through the support of all you lovely readers for the advertisers, and to be able to return to printing details of the local clubs, events and news you are sending in. Keep it coming!

submit the details as early as possible. It has been a difficult year and a half for us all, and we all hope that we can get back to ‘normal’ as soon as possible, so if you are responsible for the publicity for your club, society or social group, I am looking for your details to include on the What’s On & Local Events page.

As if this year has not been hard enough, one family in our road has recently reported that their little cat has been killed by a speeding car. Please kill the speed, not the animals. It might be a child next time, unfortunately. It would be helpful if you could sign the on line petition that has been set up, see the details on page 24.

I hope that you are all staying safe and keeping well.

Best wishes,

Karen

Now I’m getting ready for Autumn leading into Christmas. It seems to come round quicker each year. With restrictions now lifted, if your club, school or society is planning any festivities, don’t forget to

Useful Numbers Kingston Council www.kingston.gov.uk Action Fraud (Trading Standards) Refuse Collection Electoral Registration Council Tax Citizens Advice Customs & Excise (VAT) Inland Revenue Helpline Environmental Agency Surbiton Library Kingston Police Non Emergency Services 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 6444 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 Millbank House surbitonhill.snt@met.police.uk

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 116 123 0800 00 99 66 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 020 8721 2518

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Conjure Women – Afia Atakora Set a few years after the abolition of slavery, Conjure Women tells the story of Rue. As a ‘conjure woman’, Rue has learnt how to treat minor ailments and birth babies. But when a baby is born with black eyes and other children succumb to a mysterious illness, Rue’s community starts to turn against her. Rue has many secrets, one of which could change her community forever. A beautifully written book for fans of Toni Morrison and Yaa Gyasi.

Beautiful Country – Qian Julie Wang The author moved to America when she was seven. While her parents were professors back in China, they found themselves relegated to working in sweatshops in the US. As undocumented migrants, the family had few rights and lived in fear of being sent back to China.

Such fear that when Qian’s mother grew sick, the family could not seek help. A stunning memoir, Beautiful Country will take your breath away.

Widowland – CJ Carey In a reimagined timeline where the Nazis won World War II, women in Britain are subject to strict controls. As an elite ‘Geli woman’ with a high-up boyfriend, Rose enjoys some privileges and has seemingly settled into the role prescribed for her. She’s tasked with rewriting classic books to align them to this new world order. However, when Rose is sent to infiltrate Widowland – the slums where childless, husbandless women over fifty are banished to – in order to report back on a rebellious faction, she has to decide whose side she’s really on. A slow-burner, but ultimately gripping.

My Time Will Come – Ian Manuel Ian Manuel was sentenced to life in prison at just fourteen years old for his role in a botched robbery. He was placed in solitary confinement. This is Ian’s story of where it all went wrong, how he survived twenty-six years in the American prison system (most of which he spent in solitary), where he was beaten, chained and belittled, and how he came to befriend the woman he shot.

Sea Prayer – Khalid Hosseini A father and son wait for a boat that they hope will take them to a new life.

The father talks of the beauty of Syria before the bombs hit – the bustling markets, olive groves and tight-knit families. He talks of his hopes for the future and his belief that the country they’re travelling to will see all the goodness and potential in his son. Written in response to the death of Alan Kurdi and other refugee children, Sea Prayer is a deeply moving, beautifully illustrated book. It’s very short but well-deserving of a place on your bookshelf.

The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club – Josie Lloyd The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club is a surprisingly light-hearted, uplifting read based on the author’s own experiences with cancer. The main character is Keira, whose world comes crashing down after a cancer diagnosis. Struggling to come to terms with her illness, Keira finds solace, companionship and laughter in a running group of other cancer patients and survivors.

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There are several HMRC programs that can reduce your taxable income. These aren’t shady scams but rather perfectly legitimate offers from the government, though admittedly ones they don’t always shout about.

Marriage Allowance If you are married or in a civil partnership you could get up to £252 a year through Marriage Allowance. That’s where one partner transfers £1,260 of their personal allowance to the other partner, who’ll then pay less in tax.

The allowance is only available (and only makes financial sense) if one partner is a basic-rate taxpayer and the other doesn’t pay income tax and you should always crunch the numbers before applying.

The person making the transfer (the nontaxpayer) can apply online at www.gov. uk/apply-marriage-allowance. The person receiving the transfer (the taxpayer) can’t make the application. All you need to apply is both partners’ national insurance numbers and proof of identity. HMRC will then apply the changes to both partners, either through their tax code or self-assessment.

When you apply, you can backdate your claim to cover any of the previous four tax years where you met the criteria. For previous-year claims, HMRC simply sends a cheque or bank payment for the relevant amount to the partner receiving the personal allowance transfer.

equipment. The other is to take a flat amount of £6 a week, which doesn’t require any evidence of the costs. It’s a small amount but adds up to more than £60 a year just for filling in a short online application. You can also backdate claims to cover two years, though the rate was £4 a week until April 2020.

Work Uniform Claims If you’re an employee with a work uniform and pay to clean it yourself, or you pay for repairing work equipment, you can claim tax relief on these costs. The uniform expenses are only for clothes that you have to wear for work and people wouldn’t normally wear outside of work. For example, you couldn’t claim for an ordinary suit.

You can claim the actual expenses of cleaning or repairs, but you will need to apply by post and send supporting receipts to HMRC. Alternatively you can claim a flat rate based on occupation.

For example, army staff can claim £100 a year, ambulance staff £185 a year and prison officers £80 a year. Full details are at www.gov. uk/guidance/job-expenses-for-uniforms-workclothing-and-tools.

Once you’ve had an application approved, the personal allowance transfer will remain in place until you cancel it.

Working From Home Allowance If you’ve worked at home regularly (even if it’s part-time or a ‘temporary’ arrangement during COVID), you can get tax relief to compensate you for your costs. This tax relief will reduce your taxable income and thus you’ll pay less tax. You can claim it at www.tax.service.gov.uk/claimtax-relief-expenses/only-claiming-working-fromhome-tax-relief.

You have two ways to work out the amount of the relief. One is to calculate the actual extra costs you’ve incurred, which can include a share of utility bills and costs such as office

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Taxation advice and guidance to local businesses Taxation advice and sole traders and guidance to for more than local businesses 15 years. and sole traders for more than 20 years.

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Sometimes, simplicity is best...

Aloe vera Aloe is one of my all-time favourite skincare essentials. People tend to think of it as merely a sunburn remedy, but it’s a fantastic hydrator that can be used all over the body. It’s also chockfull of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and it can work wonders on psoriasis and other skin conditions. You can use it direct from a plant (I have several at home), or just buy it in a tub for ease of use. Look for 99%-100% pure aloe vera that hasn’t been watered down. (It will contain preservatives.)

Try it… as an overnight face mask. Aloe can be a bit sticky and does take a while to absorb, so it’s not ideal for morning use if you’re in a hurry.

Instead, I like to use it before bed. Massage it into dry skin and reap the benefits the next morning. Your skin should feel softer, plumper and more hydrated for a fraction of the cost of a normal night cream.

Coconut oil Another awesome hydrator, coconut oil has been found to help skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. It soothes, calms and moisturises skin. (It also smells delicious.) Coconut oil is a real multi-tasker as you can use it all over, including your hair, and, of course, you can cook with it. A little goes a very long way, so a £10ish jar will likely last you for several months.

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature but melts easily.

Lemon Lemon oil contains citric acid, so may help to fade dark spots and brighten skin. It can be quite harsh though, so it’s best not to use it undiluted, and make sure you do a patch test first. A few drops of lemon essential oil in filtered water is a great toner for dull or acne-prone skin. (Just keep it away from your eyes!) That said, I mainly like lemon just for the smell. It’s been used in aromatherapy for generations and is one of the best stress-busting, energy-boosting essential oils around.

Try it… as a mood lifting aromatherapy blend.

Add a few drops of lemon essential oil and a few of geranium essential oil to water in a diffuser or oil burner. Alternatively, try the Time to Smile blend by Alexandra Kay (£20, www.greenpeople.co.uk), which combines lemon with other uplifting scents such as cedar and peppermint. It smells amazing and really does brighten your mood.

Try it… as a hair mask. Warm a small amount (around quarter of a teaspoon full) between your hands to melt it.

Massage the oil into your hair, wrap it in a towel and leave for half an hour before shampooing out.

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By Kate Duggan

YOU ARE WARMLY WELCOME TO THE

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Group pots together so the plants can enjoy a micro climate

Ask anyone who looks after a garden if they would like a highmaintenance outdoor space and the answer will almost definitely be no. So how do you achieve a garden that is easy to look after.

Keep it Simple Start with simple things. Look around to see how potty you have gone over pots - you really don’t want too many. The content within pots and containers requires regular watering by the head gardener and nutrients within the compost depletes within just a few weeks and they require feeding. Plants also require gentle snipping to keep them looking neat and attractive, and to encourage more flowers.

If you have shrubs in pots, they might need pruning as well as turning so that each side

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of the plant receives an equal amount of light. If all this is making you feel exhausted, just keep a few very large containers for certain specimens and make them into a feature. If, however, you aren’t ready to abandon your potaholic habits, group them together so that they can create their own microclimate. Each pot will provide a bit of shade for another and the air around them will enjoy increased humidity.

No Mow Next, we come to the lawn, if there is one.

You don’t need to mow every week and you could allow the grass sward to grow longer.

Welcome weeds and wildflowers into the lawn; it’s far better for wildlife than a monoculture of

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By Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

grass. Provided the lawn looks vaguely green, it really doesn’t matter if there are daisies, dandelions, moss or most other self-seeded delights amongst the grass. The gentle buzzing of bees is the reward you get for being more relaxed about your green carpet. Lawn edges can be defined by using some sort of edging system that will stop the grass spreading into the flowerbeds. These really do take the stress out of maintaining a neat edge. There are dozens of options, from rustic and durable Corten weathering steel through to rubber, plastic, wood and brick.

Keep Weeds in the Dark Ask a gardener about a job that always needs doing and weeds will be high on the agenda.

There’s a very simple way to stop weeds growing: cover up your soil! It’s inevitable that nature will send something to infiltrate any little patch of bare ground. So, if you would rather choose your own variety of species to grow in your garden, rather than whatever a passing bird decides to eject, ensure you plant densely. While new plants are establishing, spread mulch onto any bare soil to stop weeds taking hold.

Container filled with annuals

Shrubby Heroes Shrubs are generally the best low-maintenance plant of all. Replace any annual planting schemes with shrub beds, but don’t inflict the hedge-cutter ‘blob treatment’ on them. The secret lies in choosing your plants wisely and thus not planting something that grows larger than the space available. You can allow them to grow into their natural form.

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By Katherine Sorrell

Make putting toys away easy and enjoyable, even for little fingers, and tidying up shouldn’t be too much of a chore.

é Get smart with storage and make use of clear, stackable boxes in a range of sizes with clip-close lids. SmartStore Classic Range by Orthex, from £7, johnlewis.com.

é Too cool for school? Try a coloured storage locker. Mustard Made Lockers, the Midi Locker in sage, £299, roseandgrey.co.uk.

Stackable, practical, colourful and inexpensive – a great storage solution. Flip-lid stackable storage box, £5, poundland.co.uk. è

ç For teddies, laundry or general storage, try a soft, quilted basket – with added dinosaurs for fun.

Dinosaur storage basket (large), £24, sophieallport.com.

ç Fun and functional, this storage bench has a contemporary look and is both versatile and tough. Industrial kids locker storage bench in Hertog Grey by Woood, £249, cuckooland.com.

Storage, storage, everywhere • If there’s one golden rule about storage, it’s that you can’t have too much of it.

Aim for a mix of cupboards with doors and boxes with lids – in which toys can be put away out of sight – and open baskets, shelves and chests, where it’s easy to chuck soft toys or similar.

• Match the size of the storage to what’s being stored. Teeny tiny toys like Lego or Playmobil are best kept in small, lidded boxes. For superlative efficiency, try labelling or colour-coding them.

• Neutral colours can create a calm environment, and should be less likely to become outdated by the latest fad.

There’s no reason why your child’s storage shouldn’t complement the overall aesthetic of your home – just choose pieces set at a lower level and make sure they’re safe from toppling over or trapping little fingers.

• For optimum practicality, storage that’s multipurpose, modular, stackable or on wheels is always a great choice. If you’re short on floor space, try hanging it from the ceiling, tucking it under the bed or mounting it on the back of the door.

By Katherine Sorrell

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Why not make your little one’s room good-looking and practical with coordinating colours, attractive textures and appealing accessories to complete the look?

By Katherine Sorrell

The priority in any young child’s bedroom is for a safe, calm and comfortable space in which to sleep and, once they are a little older, a great place to enjoy playing. A good mattress and well-fitting blackout curtains or blinds will help them get a full night’s rest.

You will also need suitable flooring, excellent storage and flexible lighting. Finally, add interesting furniture and accessories, and brighten up the walls with eye-catching art.

The ideal bedroom floor would be soft and cosy, durable, non-slip and easy to mop. Even supposedly washable manmade carpets are still susceptible to spills and accidents, so a more versatile choice would be wooden or laminate floorboards plus a soft rug (with an antislip mat beneath). Alternatives include vinyl, linoleum, cork or rubber, and why not add a play rug with a printed design such as hopscotch or a racetrack? If you do opt for carpet, choose a texture or pattern that won’t show the dirt, and ask for a stain-resistant treatment before installation.

To encourage children to put things away, toy and book storage should be plentiful and easy to access. Try to

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Fun tent bed in solid pine and MDF, with lookout holes at each end.

Kids Teepee cabin bed by Woood, from £399; matching bookcase, £215; both Cuckooland: 01305 231 231; cuckooland.com.

incorporate it into tucked-away spaces such as the alcoves either side of a chimney or below a window, co-ordinating built-in storage with the decorative features of your home. Low shelving plus a variety of boxes or baskets is ideal; you could install higher shelves for items that should only be used under supervision. Avoid heavylidded, traditional toy chests that could trap tiny fingers, and remember the basic rule of storage: suit the size of the container to the size of its contents. Small plastic lidded boxes are perfect for LEGO, Playmobil and so on, while a large basket is great for soft toys. Don’t forget peg rails, hooks and hanging fabric organisers – all of which are useful space savers – but in your storage choices, try to stick to a limited colour palette or a group of similar textures (the natural, neutral look is fashionable and will stand the test of time) so that the room looks thought-through rather than randomly assembled.

Well-designed lighting is essential – bright enough to play by in the dim winter months, with a bedside lamp (and maybe one on a desk, too) and some purely decorative extras, such as strings of fairy lights, colour-changing LEDs or a projector lamp. Always use the correct wattage of bulb and position the fitting so that there are no trailing flexes. Inset ceiling lights and high-up wall lights are better than too many floor or table lamps that could be knocked over. One option is Natural colours and textures, with piles of cushions, for a super-comfortable feel. Nihla a chargeable wireless lamp bed by Bloomingville, £195; Bloomingville Kesa that can be placed wherever storage box, £124; Bloomingville Eman sleepy it’s needed. Avoid pendant bear basket, £93; all Sweetpea & Willow: shades that reveal the dazzle 0345 257 2627; sweetpeaandwillow.com.

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of a bulb – though a diffuser will conceal the bulb discreetly. Consider a dimmer switch, which can be retro-fitted quite cheaply (though check that your bulb will work with a dimmer), and smart lights, operated via remote control, an app or even voice commands.

In terms of furniture, it’s best to keep larger, more expensive items relatively neutral, so that they last as long as possible as your child grows up. However, if you have the budget, then a special bed makes an amazing centrepiece, and there are some wonderful options, from tepee beds to cars, rockets and high sleepers that look like castles or tree houses. Without crowding the room too much, you’ll want to add a chest of drawers and a small wardrobe, and possibly a low table or a small desk for reading, writing and craft activities. These can be smartly coordinating or second-hand, vintage or repurposed – provided there are no sharp bits or splinters, a lick of paint can brighten up an old piece no end, and will add character. For quiet play and general lounging, floor cushions, low stools and beanbags are probably better (and less expensive) than miniature children’s sofas and chairs, which are quickly outgrown.

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When it comes to finishing touches, there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to plain walls, from decorative stickers to an entire wall of attractive storage. Oversized images – a mural or an enlarged child’s painting – are full of impact and can set a theme, if you so wish, complementing your furnishings. Add quirky cushions, sweet rugs and interesting lamp shades, and you’ve got an attractive room that’s flexible, functional and – importantly – great fun.

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Bored of baking fairy cakes? Help your kids’ cooking skills reach the next level with our easy recipes.

Top tips before you start This is a great time to start teaching your child about food hygiene and safety. Even toddlers can quickly learn that they need to wash their hands before cooking and not to touch the hob when it’s on.

Older children can learn how to use an oven glove and knife, why it’s important to clean surfaces and so on. Do always supervise kids when they’re cooking though.

All the recipes should feed four people for lunch or dinner.

Cheat’s pizza

Ingredients • 2 part-baked baguettes • 4-5 tablespoons of passata (or just use ketchup mixed with a dollop of tomato puree) • Toppings, e.g. shredded ham, cooked sweetcorn, pineapple chunks, pepperoni • Approx. 250g of grated mozzarella or cheddar Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.

2. Cut each baguette in half lengthways. Spread passata on the long cut sides.

3. Add your toppings, followed by cheese, and pop the pizzas in the oven for 10 minutes.

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Cheesy egg muffins Ingredients • 8 eggs • 100ml of milk • 1-2 slices of ham • A handful of vegetables, e.g. sliced mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, tinned sweetcorn • Approx. 120g of cheddar cheese Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Lightly grease a muffin tin with butter.

2. Whisk the eggs and milk together.

3. Tear the ham into small pieces. Add the vegetables and ham to each individual muffin cup. Pour in the eggs and top with grated cheese.

4. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. (Use a skewer or sharp knife to check they’re cooked.)

5. Eat hot with fries or cold with salad.

Pepper and tomato pasta Ingredients • Half an onion • Three large red or yellow salad peppers • Two cloves of garlic • One tablespoon of olive oil • One carton of passata • One tin of chopped tomatoes • A pinch of dried basil • Approx. 400g of dried wholemeal spaghetti • Cheese to sprinkle on top Method 1. Chop the onion, peppers and garlic. Warm the olive oil on a medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the chopped vegetables and lightly sauté for a few minutes. Add the passata, tinned tomatoes and dried basil. Pop the lid on and leave to simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling water for 10 minutes (or as long as it says on the packet).

3. Blend the sauce until smooth and spoon it over the cooked pasta. Add grated cheese if required. If there’s any sauce left, freeze it for another day.

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13/08/2021 16:11:20

Sometimes, the best cathedral cities are the smaller ones. Unassuming in size but brimming with old-world charm, they’re perfect for summer city breaks and cosy winter escapes. Here are just four of our favourite off-the-beaten-track cathedral cities in the UK. Wells, Somerset The tiny medieval city of Wells wouldn’t hold the title of England’s smallest city without its magnificent cathedral.

Standing alongside the grand Bishop’s Palace Wells Cathedral – the official residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells since the twelfth century – the pair are a sight to behold. The cathedral’s iconic West Front is adorned with 300 intricate carvings, making it one of the most impressive collections of medieval sculpture in the western world.

Away from the cathedral, Wells’ charming cobbled streets, ancient market place and medieval buildings beckon. Visit on Wednesday or Saturday to peruse the farmers’ market’s local produce, before visiting one of the nearby museums.

Ely Cathedral

Ely, Cambridgeshire Another small city, dominated by its showstopping cathedral, Ely is a perfect day-trip’s distance away from Cambridge. With a history stretching back over 1,300 years, the cathedral gained its status in the early twelfth century.

After a tour of the cathedral, discover the city’s medieval streets and stop for lunch in one of the pretty traditional tea rooms. You could also visit some of the city’s museums, including the UK’s only stained-glass museum.

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Ripon, Yorkshire Claiming to be the UK’s oldest city, Ripon is steeped in history and tradition. From the 9pm horn blower – a tradition that dates back 1,100 years – to the outstanding 672 AD cathedral, this is a historian’s paradise. The cathedral is most famous for housing a sacred crypt, built in 672

by Saint Wilfrid, which mind-blowingly predates England itself!

Cathedral aside, Ripon also boasts a bustling marketplace and a high street of eclectic shops.

Fountains Abbey is also worth jumping in the car for; just a ten-minute drive from the heart of Ripon, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is England’s best-preserved Cistercian monastery.

Ripon Cathedral

Kirkwall, Scottish Highlands Although not technically a city, Kirkwall is the capital of Scotland’s remote Orkney islands and houses the UK’s most northerly cathedral – St Magnus Cathedral. Fondly known by locals as ‘Light in the North’, it was built in 1137 by the Viking Earl Rognvald, in honour of his martyred uncle.

Brimming with Scandinavian charm, the town itself is famous for its Norse roots. Close to the cathedral, you’ll find Bishop’s and Earl’s Palace – widely regarded as some of Scotland’s finest examples of architecture – and The Orkney Museum, filled with exhibitions and artefacts from thousands of years ago.

A visit to Kirkwall wouldn’t be complete without some time by the harbour front. Watch the local fishing fleets as you dine in one of the waterside restaurants.

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

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

020 8399 4362

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

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

Mini Cryptic Crossword Across 1.

Twenty gain a point (5) 3.

March round allure (5) 6.

The shape of nothing (5) 7.

Endlessly turn back for furrow (3) 8.

Secretly scheme about where to build a house (4) 9.

Light wood made from a slab (5) 12. Grow old in stages (3) 14. Little sibling in the Resistance (3) 15. Little man able to move up and down repeatedly (3) 17. Tread heavily on a postal token (5) 20. Something awful in progress (4) 21. Girl from Sevastapol (3) 22. Fist-fighting dog? (5) 23. Transfer of remit for bishop’s hat (5) 24. Beach sounds positive (5) Down 1.

Brush round woody plant (5) 2.

Mystic symbols nurse devised (5) 3.

Weapon that’s wounded a girl (7) 4.

Vessel in Southsea or Taunton (5) 5.

Got together with little regard for unit of length (5) 10. Fuss in lead out (3) 11. One long step with legs on either side (7) 13. Precious stone little Margaret returns (3) 15. Amber sort of fish (5) 16. First sailor in vessel to show off (5) 18. Mouthpiece (5) 19. Fruit pulp, unadulterated to a point (5)

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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eBay once dominated the online selling market, but nowadays you’re spoilt for choice on where to sell your unwanted clothes, furniture and homeware.

Whether you’re moving house, redecorating or just trying to live more minimally, we’ve gathered together some of the best websites and ways to rehome your clutter.

Shpock sells itself as an online car boot sale: cheap, local and full of surprises. It’s your place to get rid of those smaller items that won’t get much attention on bigger sites like Gumtree or eBay, from cushions to children’s clothes and everything in between.

It’s completely free to list, unless you want to promote an item. Shpock doesn’t get involved in the payment process either. Once a price has been negotiated, it’s up to the buyer and seller to arrange delivery and payment.

From sofas and desks to cars, pets and even rooms to rent, Gumtree has it all.

Gumtree is used to look for items locally, so putting your postcode in the listing is paramount.

If you want your ad to get some extra attention, you can put some money behind it, but other than that it’s free.

Similar to Depop, but with a slightly older target audience, Vinted is a huge online marketplace for selling clothes, with millions of users. Upmarket high street brands tend to do better. Bagged a popular Zara handbag that sold out within days? You can probably sell it for twice the price on Vinted.

There are no fees for uploading or selling your items on Vinted, but there is a small fee to the buyer.

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A must-download if you’re into vintage fashion, Depop is a great place to sell homemade or vintage clothes, shoes and accessories – the quirkier, the better.

Listing your items is free, but once an item sells, Depop will charge a 10% fee on the sale price. Then there’s also a small PayPal transaction fee to be aware of. However, Depop can fetch you a high price and with over 18 million users, it’s one of the most popular online marketplaces right now.

Marketplace Facebook Marketplace is hot on eBay’s heels as the best place to swap your clutter for cash.

The best part is there are no fees, so the profit is all yours.

Like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace is used to sell locally. It’s a platform many of us are already familiar with too, which means you can keep up to date with friends and family, and clear some space in your house, all from one website.

Top tips for selling

Spend time taking good pictures Photograph your items in a well-lit area of your house or garden, and from multiple angles.

The more descriptive, the better Pad out your listing with as much information as you can, including dimensions, condition and your reason for selling.

Be honest Reviews are key to building your online selling profile, so avoid the temptation to skim over any defects in your listing.

Think seasonally Certain items, like garden furniture, will fetch a higher price in the summer, while warm woolly jumpers will do better in the winter.

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MEGA DEALS!

TYRE SPECIALISTS

(Ewell)

MASSIVE DISCOUNTS l l l l

High Performance Cars Light Commercials Family Saloons 4WD Vehicles

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

www.k-p-tyres.co.uk Email: enquiries@k-p-tyres.co.uk 169 CHESSINGTON ROAD, WEST EWELL, EPSOM, SURREY

Codeword

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

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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The ability to hear is one of our most important senses, enabling us to connect to and make sense of the world. It’s the brain’s main connection to what’s happening around us and our hearing is always on duty, 24 hours a day, every day. It’s a sense we tend to take for granted, yet ear problems can develop at any time due to blockages or infections.

Here, we look at some of the common causes of ear discomfort.

Earwax build-up Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. This usually passes out of the ear harmlessly but sometimes too much wax can build up and lead to blocked ears. It’s a very common problem and can often be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) drops.

Some people naturally produce a lot of earwax leading to regularly blocked ears. Other factors that can increase the risk of too much wax building up include: • Producing naturally hard or dry earwax • Having narrow or hairy ear canals • Getting older, as earwax becomes drier with age If you have a build-up of earwax, you may experience symptoms such as: earache, hearing loss, tinnitus, itchiness, vertigo or develop an infection.

Pressure in your ears Your sinuses and ears are closely connected so when you have sinus congestion, this can lead to pressure in your ears. Having clogged sinuses can lead to pain, dizziness, and a muffled sensation. Treating the congestion in

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your sinuses is the first step. Try using a nasal saline decongestant spray or hold a warm, moist muslin cloth to your face – this can help to ease the pressure and discomfort. Drink plenty of fluids too, as staying hydrated can help to keep nasal mucus thin.

Swimmer’s ear Despite the name, you don’t need to have been in the pool to get this! It has the medical name otitis externa and is an infection of the ear canal.

Swimmer’s ear is usually caused by bacteria, although it can sometimes be brought on by a virus or fungus. Symptoms include itching in the ear, pain, and trouble hearing (sound may seem muffled as your ear canal swells). You might also experience fluid draining out of the ear. Prescription ear drops are the most common treatment for this condition.

Hearing loss This often develops gradually with age, although it can also be caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. General signs of hearing loss include misunderstanding what is being said to you, asking people to repeat themselves or regularly watching TV with the volume turned up higher. There are a number of treatment options and recommendations will depend on the cause of your hearing problems.

Who to ask for help?

A sudden change to your hearing is likely to need an appointment with your GP. But if you have ongoing problems such as regular earwax build-up, or you have gradual age-related hearing loss, then it’s worth visiting a specialist.

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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

Diagnostics - Brakes - Clutches - Bodywork - Welding etc.

Labour Rate £37.50 per hour Telephone:

Car Parts

Office - 020 8397 8654 Garage - 07784 716 567 (For instant attention)

Carburretor AirBAG Bag AIR MIRROR Child Seat Axle AXLE RADIO Clutch BATTERY ROOF Battery BODY SATNAV Door Body BONNET STARTER Engine Bonnet BOOT TYRES Fuse Boot BRAKE WHEEL RIM Heater Brake BUMPER WHEELS Horn Bumper CAR SEAT Car Seat Indicator CARBURRETOR CHILD SEAT CLUTCH DOOR ENGINE FUSE HEATER HORN INDICATOR

Mirror Radio Roof Sat Na Starter Tyres Wheel Wheels

To advertise callthe Karen: 020 8274 0096caremail: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Find names of the parts in the grid and the remaining 23 letters

How many more pets have to die on our residential roads?

It is only a matter of time before a child could be in an accident.

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egular readers of this magazine may well remember that back in 2014 I reported that one of our beloved cats, Clyde, was killed on Kingsdowne Road by a speeding vehicle. At that time I campaigned for speed calming measures along this road.

There is a primary school and a residential home for adults on the road as well, and the pupils and residents are at risk.

The signage on the road is not sufficient and drivers still race to beat the traffic lights at the junction with Ewell Road. More traffic calming measures need to be installed and action taken on the drivers that still insist on speeding.

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At the beginning of August, as I write this, another family is suffering grief and anger as their lovely little cat, Ralph, was also killed by a speeding car.

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Both cats were only one year old, very young and perhaps not road savvy. But the speed limit on this residential road is 20mph, enough speed to see a cat, a dog, a fox, or even worse a child in the road and be able to slow down and stop!

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Were you aware that coming off Ewell Road, there is a sign by St Matthew’s Avenue that shows the limit as 20mph?

There is also one at the top of the road from Brighton Road.

Do you notice the 20mph in a circle painted on the road surface, repeated along the length of the road?

Do you pay any attention to the very small speed recorder at the side of the road?

Do you slow down?

Right: Clyde, died 2014

Transport for London, TfL, in their wisdom have designated this road as an A road and allow double decker buses to use it regularly. It has always been a residential road going back decades, perhaps a century. It was a private road with gates at either end when we first moved to Surbiton in the 1970’s.

Our neighbours have set up a petition on Kingston Council website. It would be so helpful if as many people as possible could visit the site and sign in. Adding your name before September 16th 2021 will help to get the council to take notice, that speeds on our residential roads is not acceptable by the residents and voters of our local councillors.

More needs to be done on this road and many others that are used as rat runs.

The petition link is: https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/ mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=91&RPID=252 88875&HPID=25288875&$LO$=1

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Left Ralph, died 2021

Here is the QR code, if you prefer to use this to register and sign the petition, by the 16th September

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Aspen Veterinary Surgery

HOME WANTED!

Your pet matters to us

Oscar

At 14 years young Oscar is a great character; he has a beautiful black coat and a very handsome face. He is vocal and chatty and loves to be around people.

He is very affectionate and likes to be stroked, although like many cats he’s not keen on being picked up. He is learning to be brushed and likes to sit next to his fosterer whilst she is knitting. He loves his food and does enjoy being outside so a garden is important.

If you could give Oscar his forever home, please get in touch on 0345 260 1387 or adoption@epsom.cats.org.uk

He needs to be the only cat in a home without very young children. Oscar has had a clean bill of health from the vets and is ready to find his new forever home could this be you?

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

In line with Cats Protection guidelines, we are only homing cats in the local areas of: KT5,6,9, KT17-23, SM7 and RH3-5 BUT may be flexible for the right home

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

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

www.aspenvets.co.uk

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

351 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7BZ

www.cats.org.uk

020 8399 6437

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

Step back into a 1970s garden and you might see an unfortunate tortoise tethered by a string.

In the days when we didn’t understand these creatures, we thought it was OK to drill a hole through a thin portion of the shell and use this to thread a string. Hopefully we are now kind enough to know that being tethered represents a very poor living environment for any animal.

Do tortoises make good pets? If you have a young child, it’s probably a ‘no’. They are not cuddly and can deliver a painful bite. But most importantly, it’s all about the care that an owner is prepared to offer and children will probably not be able to satisfy their needs. It’s not so much about what a tortoise can give to its owner, but what a caring tortoise-keeper can offer to this very special reptile.

These prehistoric creatures have strong personalities and can be addictive, but their multiple needs include heat, light, dry housing and appropriate nutrition. They require space to roam and company at a ratio of one male to

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

at least five females, otherwise injury from vicious biting will occur. They can’t fend for themselves in this country and will rely on you for all their needs.

Most tortoises in the UK require certification, as many of the various species are now listed on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Always check that you are buying from a reputable source.

By Caroline Knight

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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At the end of the peak growing season, September days can be cool but equally can be summer-warm. Meals and desserts will be chosen according to the weather, and the seasonal fruit and vegetables available are ideal for whatever you cook at this time.

Cauliflower The wonderfully versatile cauliflower is particularly receptive to flavours like cumin, turmeric, chilli and ginger, meaning it works really well with many dishes from the Indian subcontinent. It also pairs famously with cheese and is good with a roast dinner, which might be back on the menu as the weather cools. Tip: if you are trying to cut down on carbs, blitz the florets in a food processor to make ‘cauli rice’, a surprisingly effective substitute.

Plums Plums taste ranges from tart to sweet. The sour varieties are best cooked and are excellent in a tart on their own, but in a crumble with the cominginto-season Bramley, you can’t go wrong. The sweet varieties make a tasty snack, although the flesh sticks to the stone meaning getting those last bits might leave you needing a toothpick!

Butternut Squash Butternut squash came into season back in August and is plentiful now. If September sees curries and stews back on your meal plans, then think about including some squash in these recipes. Just don’t overcook it or it will – literally – squash into a mush.

Sweetcorn Although sweetcorn does still deserve its classification as a vegetable (but it is also a grain and a fruit), it’s more starchy than many, making it higher in calories and carbohydrate. Still, corn provides fibre and nutrients like vitamin C, thiamine, folate, and potassium.

Leeks In many recipes, you can use leeks in place of onions for a slightly sweeter, milder onion flavour. Many people only use the white and very light green parts of leeks, but the dark green parts are fine in broths and soups. Finely sliced and then sautéed, leeks are a delicious light vegetable for late summer eating.

Apples The famous Bramley cooking apple is just coming into season in September. The very best apple for crumbles, pies, juice and for delicious apple sauce as an accompaniment to roast pork.

Figs Fragrant figs have a rich jammy taste and a delicate, chewy surface. Turkish figs are unmistakable in appearance, with a gloomy purple-earthy coloured skin and a dynamic red inside. Figs don’t mature after picking, so bear this in mind when selecting your produce. Heat into a fig custard tart for a striking harvest-time dessert, or finely cut into a light goat’s curd, fig and beetroot side dish.

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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 We will now be open 9am to 2pm Tues - Sat. Strict social distancing will be in place.

Only 1 person in the C.D Jennings & Sons shop at a time. We will still be delivering to those who need us.

Valentine’s Day Specials See you soon.

Call on020 020 8399 Call ususon 83994870 4870

Steaks T-bone, Fillet, Sirloin, Rib Eye, Rump, Centre Cut, Onglet, Flat Iron, Flank Skirt, Hanger All of our beef is dry aged for 21 days at our shop and comes from the finest farms in Scotland

Visit our shop at 146 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HE (Opposite Sainsbury’s Local) or call us to place an order on 020 8399 4870

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

For more information view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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This is such an easy recipe. Everything is simply placed in a roasting dish and slow-cooked in the oven, creating an amazing spicy lemony flavour. Serve leftovers for lunch the following day cold with salad.

SERVES: 6 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Ingredients • 1 tbsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp sumac • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 organic chicken, jointed • 1 bulb of garlic (separated into unpeeled cloves) • Sprig of thyme • 2 unwaxed lemons, cut into quarters • 150 ml chicken stock • Black pepper • 1 x 400g can artichoke hearts

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1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3.

2. Mix together the paprika, sumac and olive oil. Put the chicken pieces into a roasting tin and add the garlic cloves, thyme and lemon quarters. Pour over the paprika oil and rub all over the chicken pieces.

3. Drizzle over the stock and season with black pepper.

Cover the dish with foil and cook in the oven for 2 hours.

4. Remove the foil from the roasting tin, add the artichoke hearts and turn the oven up to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Cook for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is golden.

Nutrition per serving: 387kcal, fat 27.8g (of which saturates 7g), carbohydrate 1.4g (of which sugars 0.6g), protein 33.2g.

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Hidato Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your

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

Painting and Decorating Roofing and Guttering Plastering and Tiling Household Maintenance Loft conversions and extensions

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Marcus & Sarah Baines 020 8390 7549 07702 603 885

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WWW .CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

No obligation quotations. References available.

All work guaranteed and fully insured.

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

Ken Burgess

Tele: 07976 837 031 Fax: E-mail: kcbdesign69@gmail.com

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K B Design

• Architectural Services • Residential + Commercial

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©puzzlepress.co.uk

berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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070 9200 3581

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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A perfect naturally sweetened flapjack-style bar. Ideal for packed lunches, grab-and-go breakfast options or as a pick-me-up snack. This makes a healthy alternative to shop-bought snack bars and is perfect for children too. The combination of slow-releasing oats, seeds and protein powder with the fresh and dried mango keeps the body energised throughout the day. Ideal as a pre- or post-workout snack. The bars will keep in the fridge for up to a week or can be frozen for up to three months.

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Makes: 16 bars Preparation time: 15 minutes Soaking time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan /gas mark 4.

Ingredients • 250g dried mango slices, without sugar, chopped • 3 limes • 200g frozen or fresh mango chunks • 150ml (1⁄4 pint) light olive oil • 175g gluten-free rolled oats • 175g self-raising gluten-free flour • 30g / 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional • 1⁄2 tsp baking powder • 30g mixed seeds (e.g. sunflower, sesame, pumpkin) • 100g desiccated coconut

4. Place half of the dried mango in a food processor with the fresh mango, lime juice, lime zest and oil, and process to form a thick puree.

2. Place the dried mango pieces in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes to soften, then drain.

3. Zest then juice the limes.

5. Place the oats, flour, protein powder, baking powder, seeds and coconut in a large bowl. Stir in the remaining dried mango. Pour in the puree and mix thoroughly.

6. Spoon the mixture into a greased and lined baking tin that is approximately 25cm by 30cm. Bake in an oven for 30 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin then cut into slices.

Nutrition per serving: 254kcal, fat 15.2g (of which saturates 5g), carbohydrate 23.7g (of which sugars 7.6g), protein 3.6g.

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Music Discovery Apps William Stallion

150 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9HF

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

Tel: 07828 796 702

willstallion@googlemail.com

DOMESTIC INSTALLER

Soundhound Not to be confused with Soundcloud (below), Soundhound enables you to find out what’s playing in the public place you’re in, and in some cases it can even recognise songs if you hum or sing the tune. Once recognised it can add the song to your Apple Music or Spotify playlists.

APPROVED CONTRACTOR

SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLE

£11.95 *Please note King Prawn & Fish Dishes are £2 extra

020 8399 0030/3904

285 Ewell Road, Surbiton

Early Night Special Sun, Mon & Tues 6pm - 7.30pm Create your own 4 course meal from our menu only £10.95 Cash payment only * King Prawn & Fish £2 extra

Soundcloud Soundcloud is used by lots of up-andcoming artists and some household names too: bands such as Chvrches were discovered in part thanks to their Soundcloud streams. It’s a great way to hear music that isn’t getting played by more mainstream services.

Avoid disappointment, please call to BOOK Early

www.prithicuisine.co.uk

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

3 letters: 9 4 letters: 15 5 letters: 9 6 letters: 1

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Last.fm Last.fm is available as an app for your computer, smartphone or tablet and you can connect it to music services such as Spotify, TIDAL and Deezer. It shares what you’ve been listening to and finds music it thinks you’ll like based on what other people with similar tastes have been listening to.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Sleep aids from clever cots to mattress monitors Many new parents would pay anything for a good night’s sleep, and it turns out that ‘anything’ might mean £1,145.

That’s what the SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Cot costs, but if it works then it’s priceless. The SNOO has sensors to detect baby’s movement and responds with calming sounds and motion, helping to settle fractious babies and help them learn to self-soothe. It’s all controlled via a smartphone app that also enables you to get daily sleep reports and healthy sleep tips.

Apple Watch Series 6 Apple’s own sleep-tracking system is really good, particularly now the Apple Watch doesn’t require recharging every night. There are stacks of third-party sleep-tracking apps too. £349 from apple.com

Withings Sleep Analyzer Turn any bed into a smart bed with this clever sleep sensor. It tracks your sleep through the night (or day) and sends the data to your phone so you can identify trends. £89.95 from amazon.co.uk

Hargen Smart Bed Smart refers to the design rather than the tech: the Hargen bed is packed with storage cubbyholes as well as a stereo speaker system with Bluetooth connectivity. £1,999 from sleekliving.co.uk

Smart beds aren’t just for babies. From smart mattresses using a mix of memory foam and other supportive fabrics (to keep you comfortable without making your bed feel like an oven) to smart beds that are packed with technology, there are lots of bedtime options for every body shape and every kind of sleeper.

Most of the beds dubbed smart beds are really just connected beds, so for example the £1,999 Hargen Smart Bed’s smart features are Bluetooth audio, a passwordprotected built-in safe and a remote-controlled massage feature. But you can make any bed a smart bed by adding some sleep sensors such as Withings’ Sleep Analyzer (£90).

This fits under your mattress and communicates with your phone, enabling you to track your sleep patterns and monitor conditions such as sleep apnoea that may be preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.

If you’d rather use a wearable, the Apple Watch and many wearable fitness trackers such as Garmin and Fitbit trackers can track your sleep. The available features vary by product but they can typically distinguish between deep and light sleep, and in some cases they can even monitor your oxygen saturation and heart rate to get a fuller picture of your sleep habits. You can use that information to identify the things that might be interfering with your sleep, especially if you also use your phone’s health app to track other data such as exercise or alcohol intake: the more data you have about your body, the easier it becomes to identify triggers and trends that you can take steps to change.

SNOO Smart Sleeper The award-winning SNOO promises to lull baby to sleep by responding to their movements with soothing motions and womb-like sounds. £1,145 from happiestbaby.co.uk

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M o b i l e b i c yc l e S e r v i c e & r e pa i r

Yo u r H o m e | Yo u r W o r k | Yo u r r i d e

rebelwaltz-cyclesolutions.co.uk • I can pick up your bike from your home or place of work then return to you at your convenience.

CAMCORDER TAPE TRANSFER TO DVD £12.50 EACH

• From a safety check, new build to a full service, all work and repairs will be quoted prior to commencing.

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

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

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

PROOF B

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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INDUSTRY LEADING MOBILITY SHOWROOM WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS: ■ Mobility Scooters ■ Wheelchairs ■ Rise and recline chairs ■ Beds ■ Powerchairs ■ Rollators ■ Stairlifts HOME DEMONSTRATIONS AVAILABLE

■ Product specialists on hand ■ On-site parking ■ Fully equipped service centre

BUY, HIRE OR MOTABILITY

0203 058 1042

Unit 61 Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NY www.wheelfreedom.com | info@wheelfreedom.com

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Surbiton High School A-Level Results 2021

e are so proud of our 2021 A-level cohort and so pleased we were able to share the day with them as they came into School to collect their results!

Our congratulations go out to the 2021 A-level cohort who have achieved excellent results, despite the challenges of lockdowns and remote learning which became an integral part of their A-level course.

The robust testing procedures in place here at Surbiton High School, mean our students can reflect positively on what they have accomplished, despite no public examinations taking place.

We are delighted that over 100% have achieved their first choice at university, with over 90% going on to study at Russell Group, or Times Top Ten universities and the remaining students heading off to read Art or Design at the most prestigious universities.

Ten students will be studying dentistry, medical or veterinary science and eight students have accepted their places at Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

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Rebecca Glover, Principal, stated: “The A-level students have studied through one of the most challenging and disruptive times in education and we are immensely proud of the resilience they have shown throughout their A-level courses. The commitment of our pupils to their studies and the dedication of our staff to deliver the A-level curriculum through bespoke methods over the past 18 months, leaves me in awe of how well our school community has worked together to ensure the best outcomes for all students.

This year group have demonstrated an immense amount of resilience, adaptability and self-discipline to remain on track and this will pave the way for their future success. As our students leave us to go on to a myriad of courses at university and colleges, they leave with our best wishes for the bright future ahead of them.”

We look forward to catching up with our now alumnae girls as they begin their University studies later this year with our Green & Silver Club.

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Remember, you can pick up a copy of A Berrylands Companion magazine at the following, subject to Covid restrictions: C.D.Jennings, B&M Budget Store, Surbiton Library, Shan’s Pharmacy, The Lamb, MBE Surbiton, Emma’s Hair Salon, C.F Stears Greengrocer, Emmanuel Church, Berrylands Post Office.

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Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, T. H Collison Optician, Confidental Clinic If you would like copies at your business please call me on:

020 8274 0096

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

CJM Plumbing and Heating email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Talking newspaper, a lifeline for Kingston’s visually impared community

I

by John Howard, one of the KTN Producting Team

f you are blind, or severely visually impaired, modern life presents a range of additional challenges. And that’s before you factor in the additional difficulties encountered in living through a pandemic with all its necessary restrictions on our daily activities.

For many blind people, especially those of advancing years, technology is often more difficult to operate, and many web sites are entirely unsuitable for those who can’t see. Getting out and about can become something of an assault course, especially when cycle lanes are being created, roads dug up and bus routes changed, often at short notice. And spending time with other people has been almost impossible in recent months, with cafes, restaurants and other meeting places closed for long periods, adding to the sense of isolation and creating more pressures for everyone.

Every Friday throughout the year around 80 USB sticks (also known as ‘flash drives’) are sent out in special pouches to the homes of blind and visually impaired residents across the Royal borough. When the sticks arrive (which with the help of the Royal Mail is usually on a Saturday morning), the recipients insert them into special USB players which have been provided by the Kingston Association for the Blind, and listen to the mixture of information and entertainment provided each week by the volunteers of the Kingston Talking Newspaper.

The Talking Newspaper has been produced in Kingston for more than 30 years. Currently the operation runs out of a small studio in Berrylands, with four volunteer ‘producers’ taking turns on a weekly basis to source local news and information of particular interest to the visually impaired community.

Pre-pandemic a group of readers would meet with the producer on a Friday morning to read and record articles from local newspapers and web sites, along with vital information from Kingston Council, Kingston Centre for Independent Living and other local organisations. News was included too from the RNIB, as well as on a range of local events, including music concerts, Audio Described films at local cinemas, and special performances with audio description at the Rose Theatre.

Over the last 16 months, the Talking Newspaper has continued ‘virtually’, with the producers using e-mail to send stories to readers who then record them on their phones and return them in the same way. Throughout the pandemic the Talking Newspaper was available online and via a special telephone service, but it is only in 2021 that the producers have been able to return to the studio themselves and copy the final version onto the USB sticks to mail out to all the listeners.

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The mastermind of the whole operation is Brian Gaff, who is himself blind. From his home in Chessington Brian maintains a database of the talking newspaper’s listeners and he also works closely with the producers in sourcing material for each week’s edition. When the files are returned by readers Brian also ensures that all the volume levels are similar before he creates a ‘master’ file of the contents for the week. The producer will then copy the master at the studio on specialist equipment onto USB sticks and take them to Kingston Sorting Office in Villiers Road for despatch. Brian’s technical abilities have kept the Talking Newspaper going throughout the pandemic and his efforts were rewarded when he was presented in April with a Mayor’s Special Award at the Guildhall in Kingston.

The Talking Newspaper operates under the auspices of the Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB), a local charity that looks after the needs of people in the borough who live with a visual impairment.

The dedicated team at the KAB work tirelessly with their members, helping them to deal with all the challenges of 21st century living. Many of the KAB’s 170 members are over 65 and not familiar with the latest technology which has only increased the workload on the charity’s part-time staff during the pandemic as they continue to offer help and advice either over the phone or via Zoom.

Founded in 1966, the KAB provides a wide range of services, from sports and social activities to an Eye Buddy scheme and advocacy on a range of issues. The charity works closely with the Sight & Hearing Service at Kingston Council to ensure that members have access to vital grants and support. Staff also arrange demonstrations of the latest specialist technology for the visually impaired community and provide support to members in completing surveys and questionnaires, many of which have to be done online.

As we all come to terms with whatever emerges as the ‘new normal’ after the various recent lockdowns, organisations like the KAB and the Kingston Talking Newspaper are needed more than ever by their local communities. And we all hope that they continue to provide vital services to the visually impaired people of Kingston for many more years to come.

Contact: Kingston Talking Newspaper Tel: 020 8287 4180 EM: ktnews@blueyonder.co.uk Kingston Association for the Blind Tel: 020 8606 0060 or 07458 301583 EM: kingstonassoc@btconnect.com Twitter:@kingston_blind

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Target: Excellent: 8 or more words Good: 6 words Fair: 4 words

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B E E D To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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What’s On/Local Events Due to the restrictions of the Covid 19, most groups, clubs and society clubs have been unable to open for meetings.

Please contact the secretary of which ever group you are interested in to find out the up to date information.

If your club usually has an entry on the Community or What’s On pages, please keep me up dated as well, with news of your re-opening.

CALL: 0208 274 0096 EMAIL: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@ rbk.kingston.gov.uk Art Classes: Info: 020 8644 0941 Ballet In Surbiton: For info: Tel: 020 8398 2460/6140, Em: balletinsurbiton@aol.com www.balletinsurbiton.co.uk Broadway Sequence Dance Club: From Mon 13th Sept, weekly 8-10.15pm at Raeburn Hall, 90 Elgar Avenue. For more info: www. broadway sequencedance.co.uk

Free Healing Meditation Workshop for Stress & Anxiety: For more information on what to bring & to sign up, go to: www. georgiemacs.com Hope in Depression: Free course that educates &equips adults & their supporters, with tools & proven tips about how to cope better with depression & anxiety. It runs once a week for 6 weeks, start: 1st Oct at 7.30pm term time. For information about subjects covered contact Christ Church, Surbiton Hill, email: office@ccsurbiton.org or call 020 8390 7215 Kingston Camera Club: For more information visit: www.kingstoncameraclub. com Kingston Circle Dance Group: Tel: 020 8399 8684

Kingston Jazz Society: Contact Mike Crimmen (Sec) on 07795 574 776 or m.crimmen@btinternet.com Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Contact Diane Double, Tel: 07762 663 483/020 8397 5084, email: kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail. co.uk Kingston Philatelic Society: Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet.com See diary entries for events.

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

Chinese Brush Painting: Contact Gwen: 020 8398 7313. Beginners & intermediates welcome.

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

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

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

Encore Singing Group: For info: gillyvor@ hotmail.com or call 020 8241 5513. All welcome, contact or pop in.

Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom: Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@ hotmail.com

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

Open Door: A friendship group aimed mainly at seniors, meeting in the lounge at Christ Church from 2.15-4.00pm on

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What’s On/Local Events alternate Thursdays: 5th & 19th September.

Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations. Please check on: www.ccsurbiton.org

St Marks Church:Weds mornings 10.0011.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Hill.

Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 1011.30am, drop in for coffee at St Andrew’s Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them.

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

Surbiton Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired: For information: 0744 364 3716 .

Volunteer drivers very welcome.

Surbiton Floral Club: Tel: 020 8399 8193 Talking of Trains in Surbiton: Programme of talks at Surbiton Library Hall, each Wednesday evening from 15th Sept 2021, until March 7th 2022. presentations on Railway Subjects by Resident Speaker Dick Crane & Guests. Class fee £50 covering 22 meetings.Details on www.talkingoftrains. co.uk More details on website: www. talkingoftrains.co.uk Tiny Tunes: www.tinytuneslive.com Tolworth United Reformed Church, please call Roger on 07525 410 083 / 0202 8393 4270 or email jones.ra@btinternet.com for information.

Tolworth World of Dance: Weds 8 - 9.30pm (term time). Folk dance for Fun, Fitness & Friends. New members always welcome.

Contact: Brenda 020 8397 9649 or email: philip.steventon@btinternet.com

If your club or society is not listed on the Local Events, send in the details!! Clubs, Schools, Churches, & Charity events should be submitted to karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

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

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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What’s on in September:Urology Awareness Month;Childhood Cancer Month;Vascular Disease Month; Sickle Cell Awareness Month; Blue September Month (Prostate Cancer Awareness);World Alzheimers Month; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; Blood Cancer Awareness Month; Organic September

Events in August 30th:

Late Summer Bank Holiday

Events in September:

BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall with Proms in the Park on the final evening.

Until 29th: State Rooms at Buckingham Palace open until 29th September Kingston Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament at Malden Golf Club, 10th: Traps Lane, New Malden KT3 4RS. Registration 7.30am Tee off at 8am. Tickets £85pp includes welcome glass Prosecco, 3 course lunch

at 1pm. Info: www.kingston.gov.uk/events Roald Dahl Day, supports Children’s Charities 13th: Surbiton Festival Village Fete & Dry Hopped Beer Festival 18/19th: St Andrew’s Square International Day of Peace 21st: Chelsea Flower Show 21-26th: Autumn Equinox 22nd: Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning.Check out www.coffee.macmillan.

24th: org.uk Surbiton Festival 10am- 4pm. The Surbiton Festival is back, loads of 25th: free fun & entertainment. Music & performances all day in St Andrew’s Square, Claremont Gardens & the Station forecourt. Craft & market stalls will line Victoria Road & St Andrew’s Road.

Claremont Gardens will brim with free family friendly activities.

Parade starts 12 noon and will go through the town. To book a stall: www.surbitonfestival.co.uk/book-a-stall-2021 Super Sunday (formally Freshwater Sardine Festival) Claremont 26th: Gardens 27-11 Oct Greenwich & Docklands International Festival 2021 Free

1-31 October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month; International Walk to School Month; Lupus Awareness Month; National Cholesterol Month; Black History Month; Stoptober Month; National Home Security Month; Eczema Awareness Month.

2nd: 8th: 21st: 31st:

Surbiton Festival Sports Day & Dog Show. Balaclava Recreation Ground Deadline for submissions for November’s edition of A Berrylands Companion

Trafalgar Day Halloween. British Summer Time ends, clocks ‘fall’ back one hour at 2am

Half Term Suggestions:

Get a London Tourist Pass which can get some tickets to Free or discounted venues.

Please check all venues for current Covid information and opening times before travelling.

Free Entry: Tickets required: London Eye Warner Bros Studio Tour London Aquarium Tower of London KidZania Shreks Adventure! London London Transport Museum Sherlock Holmes Museum Brunel Museum London Canal Museum Cinema Museum London Museum of Water & Steam Postal Museum London Zoo Climb the roof of O2 Arena Hop on Hop off Bus

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Natural History Museum Science Museum National Maritime Museum, Greenwich British Museum Museum of London Bank of England Museum Victoria & Albert Museum of Children Horniman’s Museum & Gardens Museum of London Docklands Local libraries & Kingston Museum Take a picnic to: Richmond Park Bushy Park Green Park Hyde Park St James’ Park (watch Changing the Guard at the Palace)

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Kingston Camera Club Photographic Exhibition

I

f you have time to pop into the All Saints Church, Kingston between Sunday 12th and Friday 24 September, you are likely to be impressed at the talented photographic work done by members of Kingston Camera Club in the past year.

images on a monitor.

This long-established photographic club formed over 125 years’ ago, have a justly high reputation for producing superb images in subjects such as landscape, wildlife, nature, portraiture, black and white monochrome, street photography and imaginatively creative pictures.

Admission is free.

The exhibition includes wall mounted printed photographs, but visitors can also view many beautiful projected digital To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite picture in the exhibition, and are welcome to chat about the club, and photographic topics to Kingston club members who steward the exhibition.

Website: www.kingstoncameraclub.co.uk All Saints Church, 14-16 Market Place, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JP is opposite John Lewis store. The Church is open between 10am and 4pm every day.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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S

Vote for your favourite sculpture on the Kingston Trail

even contemporary sculptures have been selected to be installed in Kingston town centre as part of a new sculpture trail arriving this summer. An open call saw nearly forty submissions from artists from Kingston and beyond to be considered by the sculpture trail selection panel, which included two local students and was chaired by renowned international artist DavidMach RA (creator of the iconic red phone box sculpture ‘Out of Order’ on Old London Road).

The panel met at the end of May to decide which artworks should form part of the trail, which will also incorporate existing public art including the new eleven metre long three channel video installation ‘Echolocation’ from Mat Collishaw and Carole Hodgson FRSS’s 1986 wall-based sculpture of Icarus holding a Sopwith Camel in the Cattle Market car park.

The seven winning artworks are: * ‘Kingston Spinning Sculpture’ by Roger Clarke MRSS - A colourful sculpture that invites viewers to interact by spinning it * ‘AANGEL’ by David Begbie MRSS - An androgynous angel figure, acting as a ‘guardian’ or benevolent presence looking over Kingston * ‘Time and Tide’ by Marigold Hodgkinson FRSS - A curved, mirrored sculpture which shifts gently in the wind reflecting light and it’s continuously changing surroundings * ‘The Kiss’ by Alex R T Davies MRSS - Part of a series of sculptures titled ‘Unwanted Monuments’, two bronze street cones ‘kiss’ inspired by Rodin and Constantin Brâncuși’s piece of the same name, conveying the delicate intimacy of the subject with ordinary objects with no gender. * ‘Party Animal’ by Alex R T Davies MRSS - From Davies’ same series ‘Unwanted Monuments’, a bronze goat sculpture stands proudly with a street cone on its back, inviting the viewer to touch and even sit on the piece. * ‘Mountain’ by Stefan Jovanović & Jack Hardy - a large interactive steel sculpture designed as a symbolic fireplace for gathering, an offering and an invitation to the folks of Kingston to touch and listen to, in sun, wind and rain. * ‘The Juggernaut of Nought’ by Richard Trupp MRSS - a large, industrial wedge-shaped sculpture celebrating the industrial heritage of the Thames riverbank and creating a moment of pause in its surroundings.

The project is being organised through a partnership of the Canbury Community Trust, Kingston Council, Kingston First and Kingston University, who are working together to launch the trail ready for visitors in mid-August.

The trail will run across the town centre including the riverside and Canbury Gardens, North of the town centre and will be in place for up to six months.

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Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite sculpture and this will become a permanent artwork in the town centre. The winning artist will receive £10,000 prize money.

David Mach RA, artist and creator of ‘Out of Order’ (1989) said: “It’s great to see Kingston still pursuing Public Art for its streets. A fantastic opportunity for the artists involved and very enjoyable to meet with the other judges to pick out our favourites.”

Kirsten Henly, Chief Executive of Kingston First said: “Seven exciting new artworks will be installed in the town centre this summer, contributing to Kingston’s strong and varied offer and encouraging visitors to come and enjoy the trail. The incredible legacy of this project will be a permanent sculpture, as voted on by residents of Kingston, sited in the town to be appreciated by generations to come.”

Councillor Rebekah Moll, Portfolio Holder for Culture at Kingston Council said: “The Kingston Sculpture Trail reinforces the Council’s commitment to supporting arts and culture as an integral part of our wider economic recovery. We are delighted to be part of this innovative project connected with so many internationally renowned artists. To be able to showcase their work here in Kingston, in some of our wonderful public spaces, shines a light on all that the town centre and our stunning riverside has to offer residents and visitors alike.”

Mandy Ure, Dean at Kingston School of Art said: "I’m delighted that Kingston School of Art and Kingston University have been able to support this exciting project for the borough, and know that these commissions will be great additions to the town centre.

The chosen sculptures will engage visitors through their story-telling, creativity and playfulness to encourage participation in their environment and offer a moment for reflection."

Paul Stafford MRSS, Hon Fellow Kingston University said: “As an artist, educator and resident of Kingston for over 30 years, I am very proud of our town and how it has grown in confidence and developed, whilst supporting culture and the arts. I hope that our Kingston Sculpture Trail will add to the experience of both residents and visitors and enhance their enjoyment of the riverside and town centre. We are fortunate in that we have attracted interest from extremely high quality, world class artists, who want to be a part of our continuing story. I hope everyone enjoys these new artworks as much as we have enjoyed selecting them.”

To find out more about the sculpture trail please visit: https://www.kingstonfirst.co.uk/sculpture-trail/

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COMMUNITY PAGE

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Are you interested in gardening?

Did you know there is an association in Hook?

For all gardeners and allotment holders!

We are a small friendly local society providing gardening supplies at very reasonable prices to our members: 9 Seeds, summer and spring bulbs, onion sets, seed potatoes.

9 Summer bedding plants and other young plants according to season.

9 Traditional and organic fertilizers and soil improvers/conditioners.

9 Lawn and rose treatments, weedkillers, pest controls.

9 Growbags and bagged compost, pots, gloves, trays, canes, netting etc.

Annual membership just £2, senior citizens £1.

Website:www.horticultural.moonfruit.co.uk Email: chesshort@live.co.uk

Our trading hut is conveniently sited at Moor Lane Allotments (just off Moor Lane near The Bonesgate pub) Open every Sunday 10am to 12noon, except December.

In accordance with our "members only" policy, new members are always welcome to join!

Annual Membership just £2.50, senior citizens £1.50

Our Association was founded over 50 years ago and is run by volunteers, can provide a wide range of composts, fertilisers, seeds and other gardening products at not-for-profit prices to our members. We support gardeners and allotment holders.

We currently have full and half plots available to rent. Contact: John on 07807 300 749 Membership is £2.50 a year and new allotment holders have free membership for the first year Our trading facility is situated next to the entrance to the allotment plots, beyond the rugby club pavillion, rear of King Edward’s Recreation Ground, Hook Road, Chessington Open: Sundays 10am - 12 noon Feb - Nov 10am - 11am Nov - Jan

Surbiton & District Bird Watching Society All meetings now held at St Matthew’s C of E Primary School, Langley Rd, Surbiton, KT6 6LW, at 7.30pm, every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

New members welcome.

Sept 21st: Ashley Grove talking on Great British Birds: Winners & Losers of Climate Change

Outdoor Meetings:

Please note that it is imperative to contact the leader to confirm participation, arrange time and meeting place and/or pre-arrange lifts.

Sunday 5th Sept: Dungeness, Leader: Peter Knox Tel: 0208 543 0472 Sunday 12th Sept: Cissbury Ring, Leader: Thelma Caine, Tel: 07527 448 308 or email: thelmacaine512@btinternet.co.uk Weds 15th Sept: Richmond Park morning walk, Leader: Rebecca Dunne, Tel: 07879 645 971 or email: rdunne@blueyonder.co.uk Further details on surbitonbirds.org

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Transforming Kingston: our greener future can still celebrate the past

by Sir Edward Davey, M.P

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ur Borough needs to plan for a future beyond Covid – with proposals that tackle big challenges like climate change, whilst celebrating what’s special about our community.

Core to the plan is a proposal to sell the iconic Guildhall – mostly likely for a boutique hotel. The Guildhall’s listed status and sale conditions would both preserve the building and improving public access.

Getting this right won’t be easy: the finances of every council are in serious trouble, and many businesses are battling with the impacts of a digital economy that has accelerated during the pandemic – from internet shopping to home working.

This plan includes creating a new public park, around the Hogsmill, and replacing the existing energy-inefficient modern council buildings, with new affordable homes and up-to-date offices.

That’s why I’m so delighted that Kingston Council has moved fast to bring forward eye-catching ideas for a greener future for Kingston – that preserves our historic past, whilst developing exciting new facilities, all in a financially prudent way. All designed to support the town’s economic recovery.

The plan centres on the Guildhall site and the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, including our historic Carnegie library, museum and cattle market – a huge opportunity to shape our town.

And it’s been actively shaped by residents too – with a huge public engagement, with more than 2,500 people completing surveys – including over 250 children – and with a social media that’s reached over 49,000 people.

The emerging plans – still at a relatively early stage – would see a new leisure complex, with swimming pools and new sports facilities, new open public spaces celebrating the Hogsmill River that runs through Kingston, combined with a new hotel, work spaces and affordable housing.

The financial challenge The question is, can such a new vision for Kingston be realised given Covid’s impact on the Council’s budget?

Yes – but only if difficult decisions are taken. And that’s the plan!

First, with the Guildhall. The Guildhall complex costs almost £4 million to run, every year. Much of the space is poorly used and, post-Covid, increasingly less used: indeed, it’s no longer fit for purpose. Even more challenging, the main iconic Guildhall needs major repairs and a retrofit to become energy efficient, at an estimated cost of over £14 million – with repairs and retrofitting of the whole site estimated at an eye-watering £36 million.

If Kingston Council can reduce its running costs – and avoid such expensive capital spending – it can balance its budget without making cuts to the essential services residents rely on, whilst investing its capital in making those services better and greener.

So the Council has come up with a plan – that would preserve and enhance the historic Guildhall building, and improve community use of it. The plan prevents impossibly high bills for council taxpayers and frees up capital for use elsewhere.

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Second, the Kingfisher Leisure Centre. As many will know, the swimming pool there had to be closed because of an urgent need to make major repairs to the roof. The repairs will cost £5 million – yet the swimming pool would still not be the type of competition pool many local swimming clubs want to see, and still lack the sports facilities other Boroughs enjoy.

So Kingston Council believes it’s time to bite the bullet and build a new state-of-the-art leisure centre, that is energy efficient, environmentally sustainable and links the health and well-being of the centre, with new learning and cultural options at the library and museum.

The estimated cost of £40 million seems high but can be prudently met with the wider regeneration and sales of the Guildhall complex, the revenue and capital spending saved, the new leisure income generated, and other options that might include proceeds from the sale of land at the Cattle Market or Ashdown Road Car Park.

Kingston Council is now working through different options and so has a new round of public consultation called “Transforming Kingston.” If you want to comment, you can – by visiting www.kingstonletstalk. co.uk/transform-kingston My view I like these plans.

Even at this early stage, they are facing up to the Borough’s financial realities, but with a determination that our community’s leisure and cultural services can still be improved.

And they are super-ambitious for Kingston, to be an environmental exemplar.

For they are also linked to our Borough’s enhanced drive to become a climate-friendly, net zero community: the proposed “poo to power” project, which could see the Hogsmill sewage works providing renewable heat energy for the regenerated Cambridge Road Estate and Kingston Hospital, has the capacity to provide the heat energy for all these plans, including the new Leisure Centre.

If we all come together to work on this, Kingston can have a greener, more vibrant future and celebrate our heritage too.

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QUIZ SOLUTIONS

CODEWORD SOLUTION

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

WORDSEARCH ANSWER Hug your kids at home, belt them in the car. Author unknown 3 Letters ALE AVE EEL EVE LEA LEE SEA SEE

VAS 4 Letters ALEE ALES EASE EAVE EELS ELSE EVES

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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 11 29 2 35 41 5 29 15 15 35 47 11 31 14 10 13

Home & Garden All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Epsom Roofing Honeybee Roofing KB Design Kevin Robinson & Sons Leverett Electricals Richey Brickwork R.J.Tree Services Will Lord William Stallion Electricals House & Interiors Gardening Home Products

33 37 33 41 33 9 48 8 22

Rest & Relaxation Cine Sanctuary Happy Place Reflexology King George Bowls Club Kingston Photography Club Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Festival Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Beauty Health

7 16 12

Children and Education Kingston Grammar School Parenting Kids’ Page

25 25 25

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Cats Protection Society Pet Care

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Solicitors Lewis & Dick

23 19 17 21 34

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare Community Motors K&P Tyres Wheelfreedom

7 6

Accountant M&B Accountancy Services Ltd Finance

27 31 28 30 26

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Prithi Recipe Baking Seasonal Foods

19 4 3 44 31 36 42 36 43 38/39

Articles & Editorials Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Sir Edward Davey, M.P Apps Kingston Talking Newspaper Kingston Sculpture Trail Staycation: Cathedral Cities Community Page What’s On/Local Events

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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 £54 a month your advert can feature here for a year!

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

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

Our qualified & professional staff are dedicated to the highest levels of service in every instance.

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Tree Reductions / Crown Thins Tree Surveys & Reports £10 million insurance liability cover Diploma qualified NPTC licensed Office: 020 8399 0103 Mobile: 07980 903881 info@rjtrees.co.uk LOOK FOR THE RED TREE!

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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COMING SOON 2 PADEL TENNIS COURTS

FIRST CLASS TENNIS, SQUASH & FITNESS JOIN THE CLUB SURBITON.ORG 020 8399 1594

BERRYLANDS, SURBITON, SURREY, KT5 8JT 48

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