JULY-AUG 2019 ISSUE 140

Month: July/August 2019 Issue No: 140 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

Hello Summer!

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Hello Readers

A

s this is the Summer edition, it is a ‘bumper issue’ with more articles all relevant for Summer.

The next edition of A Berrylands Companion will be for September, so start preparing your Autumn and Winter promotions for the deadline of 8th August.

We had been promised a fantastic Summer with weather to match!! As I write this, it has been raining all night and it has been forecast for a month’s rain in just one day!! Good for the garden, not much else.

Each year we wait for our local fox to bring his cubs for a visit, and he has not disappointed us. He brought two little cubs, but one is so much braver than the other! It comes down the

garden with its Dad, whilst the other one dashes into the brambles at the back. Occasionally, they come out to play on the lawn and we are enthralled.

We have also been doing the BBC Springwatch Garden Survey. The variety of birds that visit the garden is amazing! Who’d have guessed for a surburban garden?

I hope that you have a wonderful Summer, and will be back in the Autumn.

Best wishes, Karen

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 Police Emergency Services Non Emergency NHS Transport: National Rail Enquiries Public Transport Traveline Gatwick Airport Heathrow Airport

020 8547 5757 020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 8547 4630 020 8547 5196 0870 126 4019 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 020 8541 1212 101 999 111 08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 0844 335 1801

Emergencies/Utilities: 0800 111 999 Gas Emergency 0800 783 8866 Electricity Emergency 0845 920 0800 Water Emergency 0800 800 151 BT Fault Line 0845 142 0000 Virgin Media 0800 555 111 Crimestoppers 020 8546 7711 Kingston Hospital 0800 1111 Childline 116 123 Samaritans 0800 00 99 66 Age Concern Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202 Domestic Violence Helpline www.victimsupport.org.uk 020 8721 2518 Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at Millbank House 020 8721 2518 Surbiton Local Police contact: surbitonhill.snt@met.police.uk Edward Davey MP Surbiton Office, 020 8288 2736 21 Berrylands Road KT5 8QX

A Berrylands Companion

18 Kingsdowne Road, Surbiton, KT6 6JZ 020 8274 0096 karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk www.berrylands-companion.co.uk Please mention A Berrylands Companion when responding to adverts

3

was, and virtually invisible.”

She looked up at the man.

“Do you have any kids or pets?”

“No,” he said, finally getting his breath back, “it’s just me on my own.”

“That’s promising then,” Debbie said, “I always advise folks to never leave these things unattended.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be happy to just tap a small hole in it?” Debbie said.

“We’ve got a toffee hammer knocking about.”

Penny Falls

“We’ve got another one, Sandra,” Debbie called to her colleague in the kiosk at the beach amusement arcade.

“Another what?” Sandra raised her eyebrows. “Oh, another one of them.”

Both women watched as a man in flip-flops and a long raincoat wove carefully between the arcade machines towards them. He was flushed and grunting, clearly straining with the heavy load he was concealing beneath his coat.

As he reached them, with one final effort the man opened his coat and heaved his burden onto the kiosk counter.

“Can you help me with this?” he said, gasping for breath.

“I didn’t want anyone else to see it.”

“Of course, you’ve come to the right place,” Debbie said, inspecting his precious belonging with a critical eye.

“How long have you had it on the go?”

“Nearly eighteen months,” he said proudly.

“Credit where credit’s due,”

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Debbie said, “I don’t think I’ve seen one as big as this.”

“I’ve had to carry it all the way from the car park,” he said, glad to have finally met someone who understood. “It kept slipping out of my hands.”

We found a glass eye in one once

“You can’t be too careful with a big one like that,” Debbie said.

“Am I right in thinking that now you’ve got it stuck?”

“I’ve tried tipping it upside down and shaking it,” he said, “but nothing shifts it.”

Debbie gingerly turned it around to look at it in a better light. “I can’t see any obvious obstructions,” she said. “Can you, Sandra?”

“No, but sometimes they’re sneaky,” Sandra said, putting on her spectacles. “Do you remember that one that had a Fox’s Glacier Mint in it?”

Debbie nodded. “Rock solid it

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

“I’d rather not if you don’t mind,” he said sheepishly. “It has sentimental value.”

“In that case there’s only one thing to do,” Debbie said decisively. “Sandra, we need your special pokey stick, the big bucket and a squirt of washing-up liquid.”

Sandra was already brandishing a long-handled wooden spoon.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” the man asked anxiously.

“When the time comes, I’m going to ask you to turn it upside down and shake it vigorously,” Debbie said with authority. “Do you think you can do that for me?”

“I can try,” the man said, rolling up his coat sleeves.

“Let’s do it.”

“We’ll get every two-pence piece out of this whisky bottle, ducky, just you wait and see,” Debbie said as Sandra handed her the bottle of washing-up liquid.

“You’ll be shovelling them into the penny falls before you know it.”

By Jackie Brewster

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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budget operator, as they may be added extras.

Combine airport hotel and parking If you are travelling early in the morning or from an airport a long way from home, you may need to stay in an airport hotel the night before. If so, you can save money by combining the accommodation costs with car parking for the duration of your holiday.

Quick and Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Summer Holiday Summer holidays provide muchneeded rest and relaxation in the middle of our often-busy year, and may even be considered essential to our health and wellbeing. They do not need to cost the earth, but how can you save money without detracting from the enjoyment of this precious time away?

Here are a few tips to free up some extra spending money for this year’s holiday, or cash to put towards your getaway next year.

Negotiate on price It is possible to negotiate down your holiday price, particularly if it’s last minute. Tour and hotel operators are likely to be open to negotiation if it means they can fill the last few places on a tour, or the remaining empty airline seats.

Choose your travel times carefully The times you travel can directly influence price so if you are able to fly during the night, for example, you may be able to

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save some money. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are said to be less popular for travelling when compared with Fridays and over the weekend, so if you can go midweek it might be worth it.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are said to be less popular/ less cost for travelling Do you need to fly direct?

If you don’t need to fly directly to your ultimate destination, taking an indirect flight can save you money, particularly in the case of long-haul journeys. It does cost you more in time, however, so this may not appeal to everyone.

Avoid the added flight extras Flight extras such as extra legroom, on-board meal, and additional luggage allowances, add a considerable sum to your ‘cheap’ flight if you’re not careful.

Some airlines include these elements in the advertised price but beware if you are using a

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Travel while you sleep Travelling while you sleep is a great way to make savings on the cost of your holiday.

Whether you are starting your journey by train, coach or cross-channel ferry, overnight travel using these methods can be considerably cheaper than booking a hotel for the night.

Independent excursions The cost of excursions can be eye-watering, especially for a family, so try organising your own days out to save money. You may be able to buy admission tickets to attractions and events before you go on holiday, and by booking transport locally you will have a truly authentic experience.

Going to different places and enjoying new experiences are life-affirming, and can be more affordable than you think. Save money on your summer holiday by driving down prices across the board, whether that is for an allinclusive package deal or an independently created journey of a lifetime.

By Ann Haldon

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

HIDATO

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Some numbers are already given.

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7

Your work situation If you’ve not yet secured work, a graduate account that offers the longest interest-free period is likely to be the best option.

Your personal circumstances will dictate this, however.

New graduate? Manage your finances like a pro

Obtaining a university degree is a fantastic achievement, and not only in academic terms. It’s also a huge challenge to deal with money as a student, so if you’ve emerged relatively unscathed financially, again, many congratulations.

Entering the world of work, however, means you’ll now need to change financial focus and think about income tax, pension contributions and student loan repayments.

With this in mind here are a few aspects of graduate finance you might want to consider as you transition into the world of work.

Graduate bank accounts and student overdrafts Graduate bank accounts allow you to pay off your student overdraft over a period of time.

Typically, you’ll be offered a 0% interest overdraft facility that reduces each year for up to three years from the date you graduate, although individual offerings may vary.

Additional benefits of graduate bank accounts commonly include: • Cash back on regular bills or general spending.

• Interest on credit balances.

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• Cash incentives if you change banks.

Considerations when choosing a graduate bank account Credit rating Your credit rating and general financial position will be checked prior to opening or changing your account. It’s worth knowing that it can be as detrimental to have no credit rating as a bad rating – this is because the bank has no knowledge of any previous financial behaviours.

Overdraft terms It’s important to be aware of the terms and conditions of your overdraft facility. Make sure you understand the rate by which the overdraft amount they offer will reduce each year so you can budget, plan ahead, and avoid having to pay off costly debt.

When the graduate term ends When the two or three year graduate term comes to an end, you’re likely to be switched to a ‘standard’ current account with its associated interest and fees.

If you haven’t been able to pay off your student overdraft during this time, the additional monthly interest can significantly impact your finances.

Which graduate account?

Here are just a few of the graduate accounts currently available, to give you an idea of what might be on offer: • Barclays Higher Education Account: up to £3,000 interest-free overdraft in the first year following graduation; cash back offers.

• NatWest Graduate Account (existing customers): up to £2,000 interest-free overdraft in the first year after graduation; Tastecard 2 for 1 meal offer.

• HSBC Graduate Account: up to £1,500 interest-free overdraft in the first year following graduation and up to £1,000 in the second year.

Paying off a student overdraft and managing your money well as a university graduate can set you up for life. Whether it feels like a steep learning curve or you’ve already adopted some good financial habits, your future self will definitely thank you.

Barclays Higher Education Account www.barclays.co.uk/currentaccounts/higher-education-account NatWest Graduate Account personal.natwest.com/personal/ current-accounts/existingcustomers/graduate-account.html HSBC Graduate Account www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/ products/graduate moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/students/ just-graduated-what-happens-now moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/students/ graduate-bank-accounts

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By Ann Haldon

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If you feel you can give Busby & Teddy the loving home they so desperately deserve please contact Rosemary on 01737 350307

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

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How to bathe your cat and reduce their stress levels

Unlike our canine friends, cats don’t usually like being in the water and find it traumatic to be bathed. This causes severe stress if you’re not sure how to wash your cat, and the process becomes memorable for the wrong reasons.

You can bathe your cat only when it’s really needed – it doesn’t have to be a regular event. So here are a few tips to help you make this fairly infrequent but important form of pet care easier for both you and your cat.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

• Use a non-slip mat in your bath or sink.

• Use warm water, not hot.

• Don’t fill the water too high – just up to their belly is fine.

• Lather your cat, preferably from tail to head, avoiding their eyes and ears.

• Carefully rinse off the shampoo with a gentle shower head or carefully with a jug of warm water.

• Wrap them in a soft, warm towel and dry them gently rather than using a noisy hairdryer.

• Be patient and aware that they’re stressed.

• Gently offer reassurance as you bathe and dry them.

Cats are very clean animals and generally perform an extensive and thorough selfcleaning ritual on a daily basis, which means you don’t have to bathe them as often as you might with a dog.

With a little know-how and care, your feline friend will soon be clean, dry, and ready to go to sleep on your knee. www.petplan.co.uk/blog/bathing-a-cat

By Ann Haldon

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

9

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Children and Young People’s Services Our team of expert paediatric consultants offer a surgery service for children from three years old. We also provide a consultation only service for children in out-patients from birth.

We provide a range of services including: • Allergy testing • Cardiology • Dermatology • Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) • Gastroenterology • Gynaecology • Imaging and scans • Physiotherapy • Respiratory • Sports injury/medicine • Thoracics (chest wall deformity) • Urology

Whether self-funding or insured, we can take care of your health care needs info@spirestanthonys.com 020 8185 7830 Search ‘Spire St Anthonys’

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Finance Options Available

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anaesthetic and painkillers may help. If you feel unwell or your skin swells badly or blisters, seek medical help.

UV light damages eyes too.

Even on cooler sunny days, adults and children should wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection plus the CE Mark and European Standard EN 1836:2005.

Staying Safe and Well on Holiday Here are tips for avoiding injury and illness on holiday (and information about what’s happening with EHIC cards and Brexit).

Take a first aid kit and your prescription Take a first aid kit and include antihistamines, sunburn treatment, insect repellent, insect bite treatment and your usual medications, plus condoms and any contraceptives you may need.

A copy of your prescription may be necessary in emergencies or in countries with differing regulations.

Beware heatstroke, sunburn and prolonged sun exposure Stay hydrated, keep your head covered and skin covered, and rest in the shade when the sun’s at its hottest.

Early heatstroke symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, appetite loss, excessive sweating, pale clammy skin, cramps, fast breathing or pulse, a temperature of 37C or above and intense thirst.

Think someone has heatstroke? Lay them down in the shade, raise their feet, remove unnecessary

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clothing and give them cold drinks. If they’re no better after 30 minutes or they have a temperature of 40°C or above and seem confused or lose consciousness, call the emergency services.

In-date EHIC cards will be valid until 31st October

Sunburn and prolonged sun exposure are linked to skin cancer. Keep children under 6 months out of strong sunlight completely.

Choose sunscreen with a UVA rating of at least 4 stars and a UVB rating (SPF) of at least 30 (50+ for children). Apply it liberally 30 minutes before going out and just before going out, and then every two hours—and straight after you leave the water, even if it’s ‘water-resistant’. Don’t use expired sunscreen (or in-date sunscreen that’s been allowed to get hot or sit in direct sunlight).

Treat sunburn quickly with plenty of cold water, then aftersun or calamine lotion.

An antiseptic cream with local

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Going to Europe? Apply for an EHIC card An EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) provides medically necessary healthcare, either free or at reduced cost, during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. The Government says in-date EHIC cards will be valid until 31st October. Afterwards, they warn that leaving the EU without a deal is likely to change your healthcare access in the EU and advise that you buy travel insurance to access healthcare if you’re planning to travel on or after 31st October 2019.

Going off the beaten track?

Wear and/or take appropriate clothing and footwear and a charged mobile phone.

Also let someone know where you’re going and check beaches are safe for swimming.

Visit www.fitfortravel. nhs.uk at least 8 weeks before departure for specific precautions for your destination, including vaccination and malaria information.

You’re all set for a healthy holiday. Have fun!

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

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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13

Holiday Reads Books to while away the summer evenings with The Library of Lost and Found – Phaedra Patrick Librarian Martha Storm finds a book containing a dedication from her grandmother. But the dedication is dated several years after her grandmother supposedly died. The book sets Martha out on a quest that will rock her safe, predictable life and remind her of who she really is. A hugely enjoyable, warm hug of a book.

Internment – Samira Ahmed Set ‘15 minutes into the future’, Internment tells the story of 17-year-old Layla, who is sent to a MuslimAmerican internment camp in the middle of the Californian desert. Similar to the real JapaneseAmerican internment camps of World War II, this camp is a dangerous place to stand out. Layla’s parents want her to keep her head down and not attract the attention of the vicious camp director.

But Layla is prepared to risk her life for her freedom. A powerful page-turner about

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the price of turning a blind eye to bigotry.

A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World – C. A. Fletcher Griz is growing up in a postapocalyptic world where mass-infertility has decimated the human population. His community is tiny and life is difficult. When a stranger steals the family’s dog, Griz sets out to get her back, on a journey that will take him from his tiny island on the Outer Hebrides across Scotland and Northern England. Perfect for fans of The Road and Station’s Eleven.

Stone Mothers – Erin Kelly Marianne is back in her home village, and desperate to keep a secret hidden that could destroy the life she’s built over the last 30 years.

A secret that ties her to her childhood sweetheart, Jesse, as well as the MP responsible for shutting down the local asylum. This chilling psychological tale is a slowburner but well worth sticking with.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

The Dollmaker – Nina Allan Andrew and Bramber start writing to each other because of their shared interest in dolls. As their friendship grows, Andrew decides to visit Bramber at the institution she calls home. Andrew and Bramber’s story is interspersed with tales written by another doll-lover, Ewa Chaplin, which Andrew reads on his journey. A beautiful, strange, multi-layered book you’ll want to keep reading long after the sun has gone down.

Outlander – Diana Gabaldon If your idea of the perfect holiday is spending several days on a sun lounger with a good book, then the Outlander series could be just what you’re looking for. On a trip to the Scottish Highlands, Claire Randall steps through a circle of stones and finds herself transported from 1946 to 1743, where she’s taken prisoner by Scottish outlaws.

The hit TV show is now into its fourth season and the books are even better.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26.

The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

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1

1 11

2

24

24 5

10 11

20

2

2 21

3 4

1

19

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L E L I R F 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: 10 4 letters: 10 5 letters: 4 6 letters: 2 SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLE

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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

Avoid disappointment, please call to BOOK Early

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11

1

25

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10

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24

17

6

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4

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d be inspire with

Slimming World

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15

Risotto Stuffed Peppers Packed with a tasty vegetable rice filling, these stuffed peppers make a great meatfree supper. Serve with a mixed leaf salad.

Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes | Serves 6

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil

1 red onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 150g risotto rice (see tip)

1 courgette, coarsely grated 1 litre hot vegetable stock 3 ripe tomatoes

2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley or mint

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

50g Parmesan cheese, finely grated

TIP

6 green peppers

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Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring, for a further few minutes. Stir in the rice and courgette and cook for 1 minute.

Add a ladleful of the hot stock and simmer, stirring until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Repeat until nearly all the stock has been used up and the rice is almost tender. This should take about 20 minutes.

Cut a slice from the top and bottom of each tomato and finely chop the rest. Stir the chopped tomatoes into the risotto with the parsley or mint and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the cheese.

Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan/gas mark 3. Cut a thin slice from the base of each pepper so they stand upright. Slice off the top of each pepper and pull out and discard the stalk and seeds.

Spoon the risotto into the peppers and place them in a greased ovenproof dish. Top each pepper with a tomato slice and pour over the rest of the stock. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Use a short-grain risotto rice such as Arborio for this recipe – it’s sold in most supermarkets or Italian delis.

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C.D Jennings & Sons C.D Surbiton’ Jennings & Sons Surbiton’s s High High Class Class Surbiton’s High Class Traditional Family Butchers Traditional Traditional Family Family Butchers Butchers Meat of of the Highest Quality Meat Highest Meat of the Highest Quality Quality from the the Finest Finest Sources Sources from from the Finest Sources

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Opening Opening Hours Hours Tuesday to Thursday 8.00 am – – 5.30 pm Friday 8.00 am – – 6.00 pm Saturday 7.00 am – – 4.00 pm Sunday & Monday - Closed Visit our our shop shop at at 146 146 Ewell Ewell Road, Road, Visit Surbiton, KT6 KT6 6HE 6HE (Opposite (Opposite Surbiton, Sainsbury’s Local) or or call call us us to to place Sainsbury’ s Local) an order order on on 020 020 8399 8399 4870 4870 an

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

For more information view our website www.cdjenningsandsons.com email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 17

Summer Berry Sponge Puddings Smothered with warm berry compote, these delicious lemony sponge puddings will go down a treat after a Sunday roast. Serve with a dollop of crème fraiche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes | Makes 4

Ingredients

115g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 225g caster sugar Zest of 1 lemon

2 medium eggs, beaten

125g self-raising flour, sifted 1 tbsp milk

300g mixed summer berries such as redcurrants, blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants

TIP

2 tsp arrowroot blended with 1 tbsp cold water

Thoroughly grease four 175ml pudding basins with butter. Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas mark 5.

Place the butter and 115g of the sugar in a bowl and beat together until pale and creamy. Beat in the lemon zest then gradually beat in the eggs, adding 1 tbsp of the flour if the mixture starts to curdle. Fold in the rest of the flour with the milk to give a soft dropping consistency.

Divide the mixture between the pudding basins and cover each with a square of pleated buttered foil, scrunching it tightly around the sides of each basin. Transfer to a large roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basins. Bake for 3545 minutes or until risen and firm to the touch.

Meanwhile, place the berries in a pan with the remaining sugar and 2tbsp water. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes until the fruit has softened. Stir in the blended arrowroot and simmer, stirring all the time, for another 4-5 minutes until thickened.

Turn the hot puddings out onto serving plates and spoon over the warm fruit compote. Serve immediately.

You can replace the fresh berries with the same amount of frozen mixed berries, if liked.

18 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

2 Next held: 7th April, 5th May, 2nd June, 7th July, 4th August

Next Held:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Choose from a choice of five starters, five main courses and at least eight desserts, with coffee and complimentary amuse bouche for just £20 per person, all prepared by our brigade of award winning Chefs, using the freshest ingredients.

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

19

Making your home a screen-free zone You’ve hidden all your precious ornaments, shifted sharpcornered items of furniture out of the way and stocked up on nutritious snacks. Is it an earthquake warning? A tornado alert? No, just a visit from the grandkids.

While it’s likely they will arrive with a full set of gadgets including (but not limited to) tablets, mobiles and computer game consoles, like most grandparents you would probably prefer to encourage a little eyeto-eye contact and discussion, rather than simply watch your grandchildren stare at a screen all day.

A recent survey of 2,000 families carried out by CensusWide found that children currently spend an average of 23 hours per week using smartphones and similar tech gadgets: that’s twice as much time as they spend talking with parents and other family members face-to-face. So here are some great, non-messy, old-school ideas that might

20

encourage them to turn their backs on technology, even if it’s only for an hour or so.

It’s not that easy to tempt children away from their technical gizmos Mess-free masterpieces Many house-proud grandparents will shudder at the thought of letting their grandkids loose with a set of poster paints and a brush. This clever idea involves squeezing large blobs of poster paint onto a card sealed inside a ziplock bag. In this way, children can create a rainbow design, using their fingers to swirl the paint through the clear plastic bag, and without actually touching the wet stuff themselves. Dry the painted card with a hairdryer for speed and send your wannabe Damien Hirst home clutching his or her abstract masterpiece.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Brilliant bathroom games Make Bubble Snakes by cutting the bottom off a plastic bottle, pulling a clean sock onto the cut end and securing it with an elastic band. Create a bubble mix by combining water, food colouring and dishwasher liquid on a saucer and mixing it well. Now dip the sock in the soap mix and get the child to blow into the bottle from the drinking end – it should produce a glorious, snake-like stream of bubbles.

Alternatively, half-fill the bath and make your own version of the hook-a-duck game by fastening tape loops around the necks of some toy bath ducks and letting the grandkids take turns at catching them (if you can’t find a suitable hook, try a long-handled wooden spoon instead).

Fun on the web (and not the world wide one) Use a door that’s seldom opened (a cupboard door is ideal) to create a spider’s web out of masking tape, keeping the sticky side of the tape facing the room. Now cut up some newspaper into equal sizes (big enough to turn into small balls) and give each child 8 to 10 pieces each.

Ask the children to write their names on the pieces of paper then scrunch them up into tight balls. The winner is the one who gets the most paper balls to stick to the ‘web’.

With a little forward planning and careful supervision, your grandkids will learn that playtime with grandma and grandad can be every bit as exciting as watching the latest cartoons or playing video games.

By Kate McLelland

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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

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21

away from the plants.

Woodlice Woodlice are rarely responsible for causing damage and are rather like vultures, moving in to clear up debris created by other pests. I say leave them be.

Prolific Pests Bugs and beasties thrive in warmer weather, so how should these common problems be dealt with?

Aphids Aphids such as greenfly and blackfly suck sap from plants and can transmit viruses, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

You can use a strong jet of water to blast aphids off plants, but be thorough or they will soon be back! Alternatively, spray with a suitable insecticide – I prefer a more environmentally friendly soap-based insecticide.

Biological controls such as native two-spot ladybirds and their larvae can also be introduced – see www.pippagreenwood.com/ products/protect-your-crops for more information.

Aphids breed rapidly, so regular control is necessary.

Caterpillars Caterpillars can do a lot of damage to plants and vegetable hearts.

One of the best methods is to pick the pests off and either squash them or place them on the bird table. Caterpillars are easier to spot at dusk or very early in the morning.

You can buy a mixture of nematodes to spray onto your plants and kill the caterpillars without harming humans or pets.

Some caterpillars produce quantities of fine webbing to bind leaves or other plant parts together to create shelters. It is hard to get a pesticide or nematodes mix to reach them, so hand-picking or squashing is often best.

For susceptible vegetables such as calabrese, broccoli and other brassicas, stop the adults laying their eggs with horticultural fleece, netting or very fine Micromesh, either as pull-out tunnels or sheets of material cut to shape and pegged down. These keep a wide range of pests, including caterpillars,

Earwigs Earwigs cause damage to petals or leaves, particularly on the flowers of plants such as clematis and dahlias. They can be controlled with contact insecticides but many prefer to trap the earwigs. One of the best ways to do this is with an inverted flowerpot – stuffed loosely with hay, straw or similar material – on top of a bamboo cane, and positioned amongst susceptible plants.

The earwigs climb in and the pots can be emptied regularly.

Mildew Powdery mildew coats plant leaves, stems, buds and petals with a white flowery deposit, and can prevent fruits from swelling normally or cause leaves to distort or fall early.

Prompt action is essential and suitable fungicides are available.

Keep the damage to a minimum in the first instance by ensuring that the plants are kept well-watered – plants which are dry around the roots seem particularly prone to mildew attack. In addition, try to ensure a good flow of air around the plants, as stagnant, moist air seems to have a similar effect and can make matters worse very quickly.

Careful pruning or weeding often solves the problem.

By Pippa Greenwood

Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for advice, natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, gardening tools and more. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.

22

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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crush the plants.

Arches and arbours are available in a range of materials, with wood and metal being the most popular, both of which I find fit in with my gardening style. In these materials you can transform them with wood stains or paints to a bright blue, rich red or any colour you fancy!

Add Some Vertical Interest Whatever the size or shape of your garden, it will benefit from having some height added to it – and what better way to do this than with an arch or arbour? And, of course, any vertical structure you install in your garden makes for a new planting opportunity too…

Position an arbour to overlook a good view or attractive part of the garden and you instantly create a fabulous place to sit and relax.

An arch or an arbour can divide your garden into one or more rooms, a trick that makes your garden seem larger and more interesting.

Chosen carefully, arches and arbours are good looking and a feature in their own right, and if you clothe them with climbers you are adding to their appeal.

Plus, those climbers with the added ingredient of scent, like some of the rambling or

climbing roses, or honeysuckle or jasmine, can totally transform the whole garden with their wafting perfume.

Any vertical structure you install in your garden makes for a new planting opportunity The area around an arbour in a sunny spot with fairly freedraining soil can be planted with lavenders, so you can enjoy both the way it looks and the perfume and aromatic leaves after a stressful day.

In sunny positions, plant thymes or camomile as a lawn on the approach to your archway or arbour; a fantastic aroma will be released when your feet gently

An arch or an arbour can be constructed from scratch, but there is a wide range of ready-made arbours and kits for both arches and arbours available. If you choose wood, do ensure that it is a wood which is either naturally going to resist decay – western red cedar or a hardwood such as oak would be my preference, followed by Douglas fir or larch. Alternatively you can choose a softwood which has been tanalised or pressure-treated with a wood preservative, which will usually be somewhat cheaper.

By choosing a wooden arch, perhaps with a rounded top and trellis up the sides, you ensure a really good planting space, and this more rustic look fits well in an informal garden. Many wooden arches are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

To find out what’s available, visit several local garden centres or take a look at mail-order products from the numerous arch and arbour websites, which make window shopping even easier!

By Pippa Greenwood

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, ladybirds and other great natural pest controls, stylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

24

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25

potentially save you the fivefigure sum it costs to move to a bigger house). In short, an exterior home-from-home can be used for anything from outdoor dining to practising meditation, and will enhance the overall look of your garden, too.

Garden buildings: Take the inside out

A well-designed outdoor structure, whether for work or relaxation, can make a wonderful addition to a garden.

The humble garden shed is the last word in practicality, indispensable for storing everything from half-used pots of paint to lawn feed and balls of string. But why be satisfied with just a shed, when other types of garden building can be much more glamorous – and equally useful? From pavilions to pods, summerhouses to shepherd’s huts, all sorts of outdoor structures are possible, provided

you have space for one in your garden.

Most garden buildings are considered ‘permitted development’ They take many forms, from quirkily decorative to all-singing, all-dancing, year-round rooms – an open-sided gazebo, for example, might simply be a shady space in which to relax on a hot, sunny day, while an insulated, secure room could be an invaluable home office (and

If you are considering adding a garden building of some kind, the best place to start is by assessing your outside space and considering how much square footage is available. It is important to leave a reasonable amount of garden to enjoy (and so as not to devalue your home). What do you need the structure for?

If it is simply a cosy nook in which to put your feet up with a glass of wine after a day in the garden, a small, circular gazebo with a diameter of two or three metres may suffice, while a craft room, for example, would need to be more spacious, and a home office might be much larger still.

Whatever you decide on, whether off the shelf, customised or entirely bespoke, is limited only by your imagination and your budget – and sometimes by whether you’ll be granted planning permission.

Most garden buildings are considered ‘permitted development’, but it’s vital to check with your local authority.

If the structure is going to be larger than 15 square metres,

How much will it cost? A small, DIY timber summerhouse should cost less

than £1,000 – but you can easily spend a five-figure sum on a garden building, depending how large and lavish you go (David Cameron’s shepherd’s hut is said to have cost around £25,000). It really makes a difference whether the structure is conventional timber frame or high-performance structural insulated panels, while finishes such as cedar cladding and plastered walls all add up. For a fully functioning, year-round garden room, £10,000 to £20,000 is a very rough guide; but do check whether your quoted price includes gaining the necessary permissions, groundworks, connecting utilities, delivery and installation.

26

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

or used for sleeping in, then it will have to pass building regulations, too. Bear in mind that, unless you have been granted planning permission to do so, you can’t put an outbuilding in your front garden, nor can it be higher than 2.5m if it’s within two metres of a boundary. You’ll also want to think about how close you want the room to be to your house, whether the ground is sloping, where there are trees or other potential obstructions, how the sun falls at certain times of the day, and which way you want the windows and door to face.

Next, go into detail about function. Do you want heating, lighting, plug sockets and maybe a kitchenette or bathroom? If so, unless you’re

opting for solar or wind power, consider how you will connect utilities.

Insulation is vital (think walls, floors and roof if the space is going to be used beyond the summer months), and so is good security. If anything valuable is going to be stored in the space, glass windows (perhaps even double glazed) are better than plastic, and a sturdy door with a proper lock will be necessary. Some may prefer rustic simplicity, perhaps a yurt with solar lighting and a sheepskin rug, or a thatched rotunda with a deck chair and weather vane, but others may

opt for full-on opulence, which may take the form of underfloor heating, floor-to-ceiling bifold doors, an entertainment system, cinema set-up, ensuite bathroom, a green roof or a hot tub. Comfort and luxury are no longer limited to indoors – just step outside and see.

By Katherine Sorrell

Image Top Left: Summerhouse painted in House White No 2012 Exterior Eggshell, £69 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball: 01202 876141; www.farrow-ball.com. Image Above: Multi-purpose Garden Igloo, £849, Cuckooland, 01305 231231; www.cuckooland.com.

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if you can keep it clear and tidy most of the time. If you are running out of room, you could consider adding a small worktop to one side of your existing desk, as an L-shaped workspace is particularly ergonomic.

ON THE WALLS Remove as much as possible from the surface of your desk, and make the most of the height of your room, by introducing wall-mounted storage. Pin boards, peg board, magnetic boards and hanging racks are all useful and good-looking. You might even consider wiring one or two adjustable lamps into the wall above your desk – another way to save a bit of work space.

Make your home office work harder for you

Make working from home less of a chore with our top tips for designing a room that’s both functional and attractive.

SORT OUT YOUR STORAGE The old adage that you can never have too much storage is especially true in an office, where efficient organisation is key.

While a combination of shelving, files and boxes works well for most people, why not seek out unique pieces to introduce a sense of character? Although chain stores and specialist shops sell office furniture at a range of prices, consider hunting around junk shops, second-hand furniture stores and salvage yards for interesting alternatives, such as old school lockers, distressed wall cupboards, huge wicker baskets or old factory trolleys. Bear in mind that some

28

stored items will need to be within easy reach, while those that are used less frequently can be stored on high shelves or in deep cupboards, and not necessarily in the same room.

If your office is an awkward shape, a converted loft or under the stairs, for example, consider built-in storage in order to maximise the space.

THE BEST DESK Size does matter when it comes to choosing a desk. Even in a small room, desk area will probably be more useful than floor space, so choose the biggest one possible – you will never regret having plenty of room on which to spread out. A desk with drawers or cubby holes is doubly practical, though lovers of a minimal look may wish to consider a glass desk: perfect

BE COLOUR CONFIDENT Neutral offices are the norm, but at home you’re not at risk of offending anyone else, so why not paint the room in a bold colour that makes you happy? Alternatively, there’s nothing to stop you covering a feature wall, or even the whole room, with patterned wallpaper.

ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY? A comfortable chair is an essential for any working area, and if you are likely to spend hours in it then an adjustable office chair on castors is the best choice. If yours is boring or ugly, it might be possible to re-cover and/or paint it; at worst, you could hang a length of fabric over the back and add an attractive cushion.

SEE THE LIGHT Good lighting is vital to avoid eye strain when working at home. Lots of natural light is ideal, but glare from direct sunshine is not – experiment

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with the position of your desk and, if necessary, use a blind for shading. For working on dim days and in the evenings, fit overhead lighting that doesn’t cast any shadows over your working area – track lighting, inset ceiling spots and wall lamps are all options. Desk lamps should, ideally, be adjustable.

DETAILS MATTER Do you have enough plug sockets in the right places? If necessary, ask an electrician to add to what’s there in order to minimise messy and inconvenient cabling. About three inches above the work surface is good, plus some hidden lower down and out of sight. Sort the rest of the cables

out with ties and clips (running them up table legs is a good idea, where possible) and, while you’re at it, consider labelling plugs so you know exactly which is which.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET PERSONAL There’s no need to be bland.

It’s your office, so make it personal. Add a pretty rug, a cushion, interesting desk accessories, a selection of plants, some colourful prints on the wall or a selection of framed photographs. Scent is important, as well – make the whole room fragrant with a vase of flowers, scented candle or reed diffuser, and this will be a room where you’ll enjoy spending time.

By Katherine Sorrell

Image Top Left: Batik desk by Cattelan Italia, £1,902, Chaplins: 020 8421 1779; chaplins.co.uk.

Image Above: Olly adjustable table lamp, £67.20, Där Lighting: 01295 672 200; darlighting.co.uk.

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29

Anyone for Tennis?

With Wimbledon Fortnight upon us, taking place from 1st-14th July, here are some fascinating facts about the prestigious tennis tournament, starting with its history.

The first Wimbledon Championship: “The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, propose to hold a lawn tennis meeting, open to all amateurs, on Monday July 9th and following days,” said the advertisement in The Field on 9th June 1877. What it really meant, of course, was “open to all male amateurs.”

22 men paid a £1 1 shilling entrance free and turned up, as required, with their own rackets and “shoes without heels.” A temporary three-plank stand seated 30 people, but the final was watched by a 200-strong crowd, who saw Spencer Gore become the first Wimbledon Champion, winning a silver cup and 12 guineas.

Ironically, Gore only entered to raise money to buy a horsedrawn roller, believing “that

anyone who has really played well at cricket, [real] tennis, or even rackets, will ever seriously give his attention to lawn tennis, beyond showing himself to be a promising player, is extremely doubtful; for in all probability the monotony of the game would choke him off before he had time to excel in it.”

The first Ladies’ Championship: The Ladies’ Singles Championship was introduced in 1884, along with Men’s Doubles. 13 entrants paid half the entrance fee of the men and competed for a silver flower basket (no guineas for them). Maud Watson beat her sister Lilian to become the first female Champion, and went on to win in 1885 too.

The man who held a 111 year record: William Renshaw won the Men’s Singles title seven times in the 1880s – six of them in consecutive years. He didn’t defend his title in 1887 and was beaten in the last eight in 1888, but came back to win his seventh title the following year; a record unbroken until Pete Sampras won a seventh Championship in 2000.

He also competed with his twin brother Ernest in the Doubles. They dominated the game and inspired a massive

30 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

public interest in tennis and the Championship.

Today…

BBGs (Ball Boys and Girls): Approximately 250 BBGs, with an average age of fifteen, take to the court every year, having trained since February. Girls weren’t allowed until 1977, and it took another three years for mixed teams to appear.

The balls: Slazenger has been the Official Supplier of tennis balls to the Championships since 1902. Yellow balls were used for first time in 1986. 53,000 are used during the Championships and used balls are sold, at £2.50 per can of three, in aid of the Wimbledon Foundation.

Anyone for tea? During the Championships, spectators eat their way through 166,055 portions of strawberries and cream and 76,603 ice creams, while quaffing 303,277 glasses of Pimm’s, 21,917 bottles of champagne, 117,507 pints of draught beer and lager, and 307,277 cups of tea and coffee.

Watch the birdie: Rufus, a Harris Hawk, provides a yearround deterrent to local pigeons and flies the grounds for an hour each morning, before the gates open, during the Championships.

By Alison Runham

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

I

A week of fabulous tennis - and much more!

n the first week of June many of the stars of international tennis came once again to Surbiton to compete for the prestigious Surbiton Trophy, and once again we were thrilled by their professional skills.

the world. Here in Surbiton the Trophy has grown into a Community Event, with free entry to local families for the first weekend and coaching for over 2000 local school children.

So each year we welcome local residents of all ages and interests to the Club, and we have built a strong bond with the community.

See you at next year’s Trophy! Best wishes!

Roy We look forward to the Trophy each year, because it’s special. It’s one of the very few grass court tournaments left, and we are indeed fortunate to have enough highstandard courts, and all the necessary backup resources of the Club, to stage both a men’s and a women’s tournament at the same time.

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

This year the Main Draw for the Trophy featured 48 men and 42 ladies, in addition to the 28 players contesting the qualifying rounds and the 32 entries for the doubles events.

We look forward to the Trophy each year; it’s part of our tradition as one of the first three tennis clubs in Britain . We were founded in 1881 and we still occupy the same spacious grounds in Surbiton. Our Honours Board, inscribed with so many legendary names of tennis history, reflects this tradition and our important place in the world of tennis.

But the Trophy is more than a world-class tennis tournament with entries from all over

Photos by Dan Link:

Top left: Dan Evans, Men’s Surbiton Trophy Winner 2019, Lower right: Alison Riske, Ladies Surbiton Trophy Winner 2019

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T-shirts. Fabric pens are even cheaper (and less messy).

Try eBay for kits, T-shirts and other items to dye, such as cotton bags or pillow cases.

Bulk buy with other parents to save money.

Budget Friendly Family Fun Have fun with the kids this summer, without breaking the bank.

Kids Pass Kids Pass gives you 40% off cinema tickets and money off a range of restaurants and days out. You can even get discounts on holidays with Haven, Butlins, Eurocamp and other companies. The pass costs around £40 a year, but a month’s trial costs just £1.

Think small Check whether your local amateur dramatics society is performing any plays suitable for families. Smaller venues are a lot cheaper than well-known theatres and young children really won’t care if an actor is an award-winning thespian or Mark from the corner shop. Older kids could even join the drama youth group. Don’t discount larger theatres altogether, however, as some offer discounts during the summer holidays. Children can attend a host of London shows for free during August’s Kids Week, as long as they’re accompanied

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by a paying adult – see www. officiallondontheatre.com/kidsweek.

Keep an eye on social media for cheap days out Party time Clubbing together with other parents can help to keep costs down. Having a kids’ party at a soft-play centre, theme park, pottery barn or other activity centre often costs less per head than buying the activity and food separately for each child. Use PayPal’s Money Pools to collect the money from everyone.

DIY A trip to a pottery workshop usually costs upwards of £10 a child, but if you buy the paints and pots online you can get that down to around £3 or £4 per child. Likewise, a home tie dye kit costs less than £15, which gives you enough dye for around ten children’s

Cheap days out Keep an eye on social media and www.familiesonline. co.uk for cheap days out.

Libraries and councils sometimes organise holiday activities, such as storytelling and crafts. Country fairs often have lots on for kids and entrance is often free for under-16s as long as they’re accompanied by a paying adult. (Tickets are usually cheaper if they’re bought in advance.) For less than £15 for one adult and four children, you could enjoy a day out with aerobatics displays, ferret racing, motocross displays, puppet shows and more.

Just remember to pack a cool bag with a picnic and ice pops, otherwise you’ll spend a small fortune on hotdogs, chips and ice-cream.

Cashback Cashback sites such as Quidco and Topcashback give you money back every time you buy something online from one of their retail partners. They also offer discounts. When we checked, Quidco was advertising a fourteen-day Walt Disney pass for the price of seven days, and money off various flights. If you register your credit and debit cards with Quidco, you can also earn money when you shop on the high street, whether you’re buying kids’ clothes or treating the family to lunch out.

By Kate Duggan

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h TecTi p

If you’re trying to get your kids to turn off their mobile devices, Apple and Google have introduced vastly improved parental control features for iOS and Android respectively. If your devices have the appropriate versions of iOS and Android these features can make a big difference.

Apple’s version is called Screen Time, and it’s already installed in any device running iOS 12 – you’ll find it in Settings. Google’s Family Link is a free download from the Google Play Store.

Both systems enable you to: limit screen time for your kids; set an automatic ‘bedtime’ when everything shuts down; and block specific apps. On Apple devices you can limit specific kinds of apps too, so you might set one limit for games and a longer limit for creative apps such as art and design apps.

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CJM Plumbing and Heating that feed on the rabbit.

The sheer speed of fly strike means you need to be alert, and check twice a day that your rabbit is clean. It’s also advisable to disinfect the hutch at least weekly, and not to overfeed them. If your rabbit lives outside, you can also protect them from fly strike to some extent by fixing mosquito netting around their hutch.

Healthy Summer Rabbits

Although rabbits are generally viewed as lower-profile pets when compared with cats and dogs, they have specific needs and require lots of care and attention to make sure they thrive. With this in mind, the heat of summer introduces the risk of your rabbit suffering two particularly nasty and potentially fatal diseases.

Fly strike Fly strike is a serious condition that affects rabbits in the warmer months. Flies lay their eggs close to your rabbit’s back end, and within a couple of hours the eggs hatch into maggots

Myxomatosis Myxomatosis is usually fatal for rabbits, and is caused by fly, flea, tick, or mosquito bites.

It can also be carried between rabbits on infected bedding and straw. Myxomatosis is a highly infectious virus that causes the mucous membranes around the eyes to swell, but there is a vaccine that typically lasts for 12 months.

The vaccine doesn’t remove the risk of this awful disease entirely, but if your vaccinated rabbit is infected by the virus it can increase its chances of survival if treatment is also administered as an emergency. www.vet4life.co.uk/flystrike www.kingsteigntonvetgroup.co.uk/blog/summerrisks-to-rabbits.shtml

By Ann Haldon

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The slender arms are space saving, but there’s enough depth in the seat to snuggle comfortably. Slim Jim love seat in Powder Green Clever Linen, from £1,045, Loaf.

Is this green the new black?

‘Neo mint’ is set to take over the worlds of fashion and interiors in 2020, say trend forecasters, aligning the world of nature and technology at the dawn of a new decade.

Inspired by the iconic 746 British phone, this contemporary model maintains the bold curves of the original in a striking range of colours. Swedish Green telephone, £50, Wild & Wolf.

Elegant yet playful, the design of this lamp was inspired by illustrations and characters from Norwegian children’s literature. Muuto Mhy pendant in Mint by Norway Says, £155, Rume.

The thoughtful design of Rollo is complemented by a durable, powder-coated stainless steel finish. Rollo Push Bin 50L, in Mint, £59, MADE.COM.

Made from 100% polypropylene, these carpets combine luxury and practicality, and come with a lifetime stain warranty.

Soft Touch Saxony carpet In Mint, £44.99 per sq m, Carpetright.

These highly decorative ceramic tiles are inspired by ancient pottery, rugs and tapestries. Winchester Residence Chateaux in Ormeaux Blue on Mint, £280.25 per sq m, Original Style.

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With sleek, straight lines, this spacious bath is made from Lucite, which has a luxurious warm feel and is extremely hard wearing. Strait back-to-wall bath, £1,595, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

Soft colours and simple lines make this tea set a pretty addition to a kitchen shelf. Maxwell & Williams Tint teacup and saucer in Mint, £9.95, Creative

How To Decorate With Neo Mint

A durable, luxurious and silky fibre, alpaca wool is known for its warmth and hypoallergenic qualities.

Pure alpaca throw in soft mint green, £149.95, Annabel James.

• Pale shades of green work beautifully with soft pink or dove grey – a great combination for a restful bedroom, for example.

If, on the other hand, you prefer more drama, add a jolt of colour in the form of fuchsia, orange or acidic yellow.

• Keep things calm and fresh by using mint as a backdrop on walls or floors, whether painted or papered. On wooden floors, why not add a feelgood, fresh green rug or two?

• Include some natural textures for a delightful contrast. Pale wood goes beautifully, as do stone, marble and rattan.

• This green works particularly nicely on glossy wall tiles. Bear it in mind when renovating a bathroom or a kitchen.

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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Group lots of small plants together, contrasting their shapes, colours and textures, to create an impact. Potted plants, from £6, Ikea.

These patterned ceramic pots are modelled on the outer leaves of an artichoke and finished with an aqua glaze. Artichoke pots, £8 and £15, Garden Trading.

Botanical Beauty

Whether you prefer small succulents or a giant monstera, use plants and foliage to add a natural touch to your home.

This faded image of flowers and leaves is printed on paper with a linen backing to give it a crumpled vintage look.

Kyoto wall hanging, £130, Abode Living.

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These hand-blown glass minigreenhouses will nurture nature’s smallest plants through their first stages of life.

Small £28.50, large £38, Abode Living.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Surround yourself with seasonal British foraged grasses and seeded foliage. Nostalgia botanical wallpaper, £75 per roll, Woodchip and Magnolia.

Add a touch of nature to your home with a lifelike faux plant – no need to water.

Lene Bjerre Flora artificial succulent, £65, Sweetpea & Willow.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Bring Nature Indoors

Let the plants provide the decorative accents in your living room. Isla two-seat sofa In Oat Smart Linen, £1,790, Sofa.com.

Incredibly realistic, these faux Silver Saltmarsh stems look beautiful simply placed in bottles or grouped together in a vase. £9, LillianDaph.

Printed on high-quality white paper with a slender black frame, this set of two anatomical plant prints will add a touch of botanical style. £175, Cox & Cox.

• Shades of green are very on-trend and provide a lovely background for displays of plants. They are easy to live with and combine wonderfully with whites and off-whites, as well as natural materials such as timber, stone and linen.

• Botanical-themed wallpaper and fabrics can be beautiful but quite overwhelming. If you prefer to keep the look relatively subtle, choose smallscale or delicate prints in shades of green and neutrals for background interest.

• To make an impact with a display of real botanicals, choose large plants and position in strategic places, as you would a sculpture.

Alternatively, place collections of smaller plants together in rows or groups, allowing for contrasts in shapes, colour and texture. Don’t forget to pop trailing plants on a high shelf to create a ‘living wall’ effect. Coordinate pots or planters for a sense of overall cohesion.

• Enhance your walls with botanical works of art. Traditional school-style posters are very on trend right now, as are anatomical botanical drawings, eighteenth century-style paintings (used as bold, whole-wall murals) and graphic modern prints.

Metal Design

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

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motor-’home’, last made in Europe in 1979, with its push-up roof, twee curtains and no loo, just leaves me completely cold (probably literally if I had the misfortune to spend a night in one).

It’s the vehicular equivalent of a 1960s seaside B & B. You know the type? Run by a dragon of a landlady.

I’d Miss My Home Comforts

Summer’s here, meaning more caravans and camper vans are on our roads.

To give the manufacturers their due, I have noticed that each season’s new models get more luxurious, some probably better appointed than their owner’s home. Air conditioning is common, entertainment systems rival the best in home-cinema, Wi-Fi and all mod-con kitchens are included. Given an arm twist I could, possibly, ‘rough it’ in a modern caravan. Well, for a night at most.

But the VW T2 Combi-van sub-culture leaves me baffled. This love of a minimalist vintage

38 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

“Boiler goes off at eight. The bathroom’s down the corridor. The front door is locked at ten and no overnight guests either.”

Admittedly, they do have certain cool, hipster charm. Some are beautifully restored, I grant you, and to a higher standard and specification than when it came off the production line. But surely that appeal has to evaporate when you are caught short and trudging to the campsite facilities on a rainy British summer’s night?

I guess the cool-hipster campers will say I am missing something.

I know, I am: air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a modcon kitchen, a loo…

By Iain Betson

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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

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12/06/2019 00:35:38

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:

Office - 020 8397 8654 Garage - 07784 716 567 (For instant attention) Anecdotal evidence, from a garage-owning colleague, shows that many second-owner luxury cars that come in for an electrical fault are often exhibiting serious issues with the other electronic systems. Faulty AC is one thing, faulty ABS quite another.

But What If It Goes Wrong?

Broadly, I am in favour of driver-assisting safety aids, such as collision avoidance systems.

I don’t hold with diehards who say it takes away some of the skill of driving, promotes an over-reliance on technology and thus responsibility for a driver’s actions. After all, if you take this argument to its conclusion, a brake light is a driver aid, is it not?

Aviation technology has reached a point where aircraft electronic systems could well do a better job than the pilot, but airlines still have a couple up front, just in case.

But my caution in the reliance of these systems comes from the question of how well they will continue to perform on second- and third-hand cars.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

It’s accepted that parts will wear-out on any mechanical-electronic device. However, should brake pads wear and lose their effectiveness, a driver will still apply them. But, for example, a faulty collision avoidance system may not apply the brakes at all, whilst the driver makes no attempt to brake manually.

Car safety technology is great and makes a big contribution to accident avoidance, but just like the airline pilot, a driver still needs to be there, just in case.

By Iain Betson

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

41

Safe in the Sun

Our top tips for keeping children safe on holiday.

Stop slips There are few things more pleasant than relaxing with a cool drink on a hot day beside a swimming pool. Bliss.

Unfortunately, however much you tell your children not to run by the pool, they never seem to learn. While non-slip shoes won’t make your child any less likely to ignore your warnings, they could help to prevent a nasty fall. Slipfree® shoes can be used in and out of the water, and are also handy for protecting feet from hot pebbles on the beach. They’re quick-drying, breathable and comfortable. (My son would wear his 24/7 given the chance.) Available in a range of designs and sizes, Slipfree® shoes are priced at £14.95 at www.iloveslipfree.co.uk.

Sun safety If your child hates having sunscreen re-applied, you

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might want to invest in a longsleeved, long-legged sun suit like this one by Frugi, which has a UPF of 50+. You’ll still need to use sunscreen on exposed areas. M&S Kids Sun Smart Sun Spray is SPF50, suitable for sensitive skin and helps to moisturise skin while it protects. Let your child choose their own sun hat, as they’re more likely to wear it without protesting. It may not be quite as tasteful as the one you’d have chosen, but hey, you’re on holiday.

Check the fire alarm when you arrive at your holiday home.

Holiday homes Planning to rent a holiday home this summer? Set a reminder on your phone to check the fire alarm when you get there.

According to new research

by VeriSmart, up to 40% of

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

rental properties don’t have a working smoke alarm, despite it being a legal requirement. If the property has a gas fire, gas cooker, coal fire or wood burning stove, it should also have a carbon monoxide detector.

Depending on the age of your child, you may need to check whether there’s a stair gate and safety latches before you go. If there isn’t, consider investing in a travel stair gate such as the Lindam Flexiguard, which folds up small and is easy to attach without screws.

Stranger danger See www.nspcc.org.uk for advice on talking to your child about strangers and hazards. The site also has advice on online safety, what to check if your child is taking part in a club, and more.

A child identity wristband is a good idea for younger children. Write your name and phone number on the wristband in case your child gets lost. (Search Amazon for ‘ID wristband’.)

Stay hydrated You’ll need to make sure your child stays hydrated while you’re out and about.

If you don’t want to spend a small fortune on bottled drinks (or waste all that plastic), a reusable water bottle is essential. The ones at Getting Personal can be personalised with your child’s name. Who knows, it might even encourage them not to lose it. One can hope.

By Kate Duggan

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Mini Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Food in unopened bags (7) 7. Subject cracking, I see (5) 8. Ace store managed by old lady (7) 9. A poet held back before (5) 11. Grand dish (turned dish) (5) 12. Partial hole’s a hole to leave? (3,2) 14. Keep hateful beginner out (5) 16. Deal cut by king added to once more (7) 18. Dog nuzzling lead that’s indigo (5) 19. Paperwork from folders, perhaps (7) Down 1. Drifter upset about potty (5) 2. A band with some tunes (3) 3. Machine left on produced heat (5) 4. Standard foot (foot in footwear) (5) 5. Free drinks to uncork and save (4,3) 6. Forget about the odds of cars being undertaken (5) 10. A writer back on air is a god! (7)

15. Animal with one 12. Two consonants Indian language (5) are available (5) 13. Forbidden cheers - 17. An extremely attractive head girl a critical sound! (5) (3) 14. Much is written about a tongue (5)

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14/01/2017 22:24

The Roaming Empire Technology for wherever the path may take you

One of the great things about technology is that it can help you when you’re far from civilisation. It can track your hike, provide the tools you need when you’re far from home or just give your phone a boost so you can listen to music while you explore the great outdoors.

Smartwatches aren’t just for runners and cyclists: there are hiking-specific ones too. Look for features such as a barometer (for pressure, to help predict weather changes), altimeter (for altitude) and compass (for directions). Some even have thermometers you can use to help plan what you’re going to wear.

As with all technology, hiking-ready smartwatches differ wildly in price and can be expensive: Garmin’s Fenix 5 is packed with features but it’ll also set you back £449.99. If you’re a serious hiker that’s a worthwhile investment, but if you’re more of a weekend stroller a more modest, more affordable watch that uses your phone for GPS might be a better idea. TomTom’s useful Spark 3, which can track your vitals and record your travels, is currently £110.

For extreme outdoor enthusiasts who think nothing of clambering up the odd terrifying tower, an action camera is a must: it’ll record what you do for those all-important YouTube or Facebook shares later. The GoPro Hero range is the favourite here, but the cameras can be pricey; for example the Hero7 Waterproof model is currently £329. If you’d rather start with something a lot more basic, you can pick up a no-name action camera for as little as £25. Of course you get what you pay for, so you won’t get the features, add-ons or ruggedness of a more expensive

44

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

device, but they’re a cheap and cheerful way to get surprisingly good video when you’re out and about.

Don’t forget about lower-tech gadgets too, such as the legendary Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife (£24); with corkscrew, scissors, saw and bottle opener as well as knife blades it’s a perfect multi-tool for all kinds of travel. If you need even more bits, Leatherman’s range of multi-tools has you covered: the £149 Surge may seem expensive but it manages to cram an entire tool chest – screwdrivers, pliers and multiple blades – into an incredibly small space. Simpler and cheaper models are available too.

If you’re using electronic gadgets, sooner or later you’ll encounter the same old problem: battery life. You can’t exactly plug in your phone charger when you’re halfway up a mountain, but what you can do is plug it into a portable battery pack and charge it from that. Battery packs have become much more powerful, portable and affordable in recent years, and it’s possible to get a really good one for very little money. For example, Anker’s PowerCore II Slim can charge a high-end smartphone two or three times from a single charge, and it’s small enough for even the most basic backpack. It’s cheap, too: £25.99. If you need even more power for a longer trip, the 20100 version has double the battery power and currently costs £33 – although it’s a bit heavier at 349g compared to the cheaper unit’s 213g.

Images: top left clockwise - Garmin Fenix 5 smartwatch, Leatherman surge multi-tool, Anker Powercore II Slim battery pack, GoPro Hero 7 action camera.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

May’s weather May was a reasonable month weather wise with temperatures going above 20°C on 13 days (maximum in Berrylands was 25.5°C), and just one slight frost.

The best weather was unfortunately outside the bank holiday weekends in the later part of the month. Rain was well below the seasonal average at just 23mm but we enjoyed 231 hours of sunshine. Last year May saw the start of the very long hot summer, a pattern that so far doesn't seem to be repeating itself this year.

Astronomy in July/August July sees Saturn return to the evening sky. It is the second largest planet in the Solar System and a small telescope will show the famous rings. It is low down in the sky this year but can still be seen if your horizon is not obstructed. If you are struggling to find Saturn look due south on 11 August at 10:30pm and it will be to the left of the moon.

August is a great month to try and spot some shooting stars while enjoying the warm evenings. The Perseid meteor shower reaches a maximum on 13 August and meteors (affectionately called shooting stars) associated with the shower can be visible each night from 23 July to 20 August.

From London the radiant (origin) of the meteor shower will be 36° above the north-eastern horizon at midnight on 13 August and (weather permitting) around 47 shooting stars should be visible per hour.

All of the shooting stars will appear to be travelling outward from the radiant point. The best place to look is slightly away from this point where reasonably long trails should be visable.

WORDWHEEL

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET Excellent: 15 or more words Good: 10 words Fair: 8 words

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We are a local, family- run heating and plumbing business that looks at things differently. We understand that when customers invite us into their homes, we’re in a privileged position and we owe it to them to carry out a flawless job every time.

We always use high-quality materials, ensuring our work will last, we don’t charge a call out fee and our quotes are free as well. For further details about our services and rates, please call our office or send us a quick email and we will answer any questions you may have.

Shaun Overy – Director

CALL NOW 020 3302 1537 info@sosheatingandplumbing.com www.sosheatingandplumbing.com

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Problem Solvers This month, we’re focusing on tried and tested problem solvers to see you through the summer, from frizz-fighting serums to space-saving multi-taskers.

When luggage space is at a premium, multi-tasking products are a godsend, particularly when they don’t count towards your paltry hand luggage liquid allowance. I’m a big fan of PÜR’s 4 in 1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation (£29). As well as giving great, lightweight coverage and a shine-free finish, it helps to nourish skin with ingredients such as lactic acid and shea butter. It also has an SPF of 15. While that’s not enough for warmer weather, it’s handy for cooler days. Choose from 11 shades at /purcosmetics.co.uk.

Hair looking a bit ‘meh’?

Try treating it to Alteya Organics’ Rose Otto Invigorating Shampoo and Conditioner (£14.20 each). They’re formulated to help strengthen hair, reduce frizz and increase shine. You can forget ingredients lists of unpronounceable chemical compounds, these products are packed with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, seabuckthorn

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extract, hazelnut extract, ylang-ylang and, of course, roses grown on Alteya’s farm. (The familyrun Bulgarian company has been growing organic roses for over a century.)

See www.lovelula.com.

If, like me, your hair turns into a frizzy mess at the merest hint of humidity, try Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum (www. paul-mitchell.co.uk). Apply it after conditioning, while your hair is still wet. It speeds up drying time and helps to lock out moisture, so your hair stays smooth, shiny and frizz-free all day. It works wonders on straight, wavy or curly hair and does its job whether you blow dry your hair or leave it to dry naturally. The full size bottle is £21.95, but you only need a small amount, so the 25ml travel sized version (£6.70) should last for at least a couple of weeks.

According to The Sleep Council, 74 percent of people in the UK don’t get enough sleep. If you’re struggling to drop off at night, try Tisserand’s new Sleep Better Bath Salts

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

(£13.95), Bath Oil (£12.95) or Bath & Shower Wash (£11.95). They’re fragranced with jasmine, sandalwood and lavender essential oils to help promote a feeling of relaxation. While subtle, the scent is lovely and calming.

The bath oil is my personal favourite, as it leaves skin feeling softer. (Did I mention that I love a multi-tasker?)

Available from Boots and www.tisserand.com.

If you’re constantly reapplying hand lotion because your hands feel dry, it may be time to swap to a gentler, more natural handwash. Personally, I have to avoid any with sodium lauryl sulphate, as it makes my hands so dry and cracked they end up bleeding. I tend to use bars of soap instead, but also like vegetable oil-based liquid soaps, such as those by The Castilian Soap Company.

They’re available in a range of fragrances, including peppermint, lavender and rose geranium.

If your hands are super-sensitive, try the fragrance-free option. From £8 at www.lovelula.com.

By Kate Duggan

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

KING GEORGE FIELD INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Learn to Bowl, Free Coaching, All Ages & Abilities Welcome Bar . Restaurant Social Events Large Car Park FUNCTION ROOM FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Jubilee Way,.Chessington, KT9 1TR Tel: 020 8397 7025 www.kgfindoorbowlsclub.co.uk

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

h TecTi p

Travelling can take a real toll on your phone or tablet’s battery, and you can’t always be sure you’ll find a charger when you need one. That’s why we take a small portable battery pack on holiday, so we can recharge phones or the kids’ various gadgets. It has to be taken aboard in hand luggage: large batteries can’t go in the plane’s hold in case they explode or go on fire. Just remember to take the right adapters so that you can charge everything. A Kindle or an Android phone will have a different connector to an iPad or iPhone, but the connectors will all plug into the battery pack’s USB port. If you have lots of different devices it’s worth getting a single adaptor with multiple kinds of connector on the end.

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.

• 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

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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47

My partner’s lost in the past

Do you listen to Spotify while your partner still enjoys scratchy cassette recordings? Do you bristle each time he or she switches on the Yesterday channel, or counts out loose change instead of using a contactless card?

Age affects people in different ways and if you’re a forwardlooking person who is willing to embrace change, it can be frustrating when your partner seems happier living in the past.

If you can both laugh off your differences and set them aside, there’s no problem, but if your partner’s behaviour starts to affect your lifestyle as a couple, it could be a red flag for your relationship.

At 56, Stephen Adebusi-Jones is two years younger than his wife Mary, but she feels his attitude to life is typical of someone much older.

“Steve always wanted to hear the latest band, experiment with different foods and travel to new places,” says Mary. ”But all that stopped after he turned forty five.

These days he prefers to stay

48

in, listening to the same music he played when he was young.

He even moans when I suggest something different, like trying out a new recipe.”

Nostalgia can become a kind of safety blanket That’s a familiar story for Jamie Barber, who has lived with his partner Mimi for the past twentyfive years. “Mimi’s interest in Sixties nostalgia began when she started buying and selling vintage clothes and jewellery online,” Stephen explains. “She used to enjoy trawling charity shops and online auction sites for vintage buys, but now she just watches reruns of 1960s films and TV shows on YouTube.”

It can be hard to understand how a partner who was once positive, optimistic and adventurous could lose those qualities as they age. While it’s easy to accuse them of being ‘stuck in a rut’,

a psychiatrist may take a different view. If your partner is displaying symptoms such as low energy and general loss of pleasure in everyday life, it’s possible they are suffering from a condition called dysthymia. Also known as ‘Persistent Depressive Disorder’ and closely related to depression, this condition can last for years and, thanks to its undramatic symptoms, often goes undiagnosed.

A person with dysthymia might suffer from low self-esteem, show little interest in daily activities and seem irritable and ‘down’ much of the time.

Avoiding social activities, not getting minor tasks done and losing concentration are also signs of this condition. The good news is that it can be relieved by a combination of talking therapy and medication.

If you believe that your partner’s mental health is at risk, you should encourage them to contact a GP. Alternatively you could find help from Age UK, which runs a free counselling service throughout the UK. Call Age UK’s helpline on 0800 678 1602 to locate a counsellor near you, or visit their website at ageuk.org.uk.

Whoever came up with the wise old adage “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present!” seems to have understood the importance of looking forward, rather than living in the past.

If you can communicate that message to your partner, there’s a chance it could transform both your lives for the better.

By Kate McLelland

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The History of the Package Holiday Holidays that chartered weekly flights to a beach resort in Corsica. As a result, many consider him to be the inventor of the modern package holiday.

Today, we take global travel for granted but it was the birth of the package holiday that changed the concept of travel forever.

During the first half of the 19th century only the wealthy could afford to travel. Then in 1841, Thomas Cook organised a train excursion from Leicester to Loughborough. In 1872, he launched a round-the-world railway tour covering the USA, Japan, China, Singapore and India. It was the start of a company that would become a major player in the package holiday industry.

With the coming of commercial aircraft, and in a bid to make holidays more affordable, Thomas Cook was nationalised as part of British Railways in 1948. A year or so later, a Russian immigrant named Vladimir Raitz set up a travel company called Horizon

Possibly due to Horizon, in 1954 amendments were made to the Convention on International Civil Aviation that allowed for an increase in charter planes. However, there was a shortage of hotels. This changed in 1957 when British European Airways (BEA) launched a route to Valencia in Spain, coining the marketing phrase ‘Costa Blanca’.

With the creation of beach destinations came a surge in hotel construction, particularly in Italy and Spain where small fishing villages were turned into large resorts dominated by hotels and bars.

The first Thomas Cook holiday was in 1841 Travel became easier, opening the door to a host of small tour operators. Big corporations also started to see the financial benefits of the travel industry. Thomson Organisation was a Canadian media-based corporation that bought out several of the UK’s tour operators and airlines in 1965 and – now branded as TUI – remains a market leader today.

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

The 1970s and 1980s were boom decades for the package holiday. In 1970, the Boeing 737 was launched.

The very latest in air travel, the plane could carry more than 400 passengers and revolutionised commercial flight. Advances in aviation made faraway places increasingly accessible and holidays anywhere in the world affordable.

With the abolition of price regulations, travel companies were able to compete for the cheapest discounts. The 1990s heralded the arrival of small budget airlines that now began offering package holiday routes with the added ease of online booking. New technology also made reservations easier and travel agents began to pop up on every high street.

By 1994, the British public booked 27 million package holidays; compare this with the one million holidays that were taken by Brits during the entire 1950s.

Today, the humble package holiday is having to work hard to hold its place in the market. With online booking easier than ever, people are either finding the best deals direct for themselves or having a bespoke tour put together by a personal travel consultant.

But although our world is more accessible than ever, the future isn’t all bright.

Studies suggest that with global warming, by 2030 many of our favourite holiday destinations will simply be too hot to enjoy.

By Catherine Rose

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

49

Belle of the Beach Whether you’re planning a week in a luxury Caribbean villa or going camping in Cornwall, this little lot deserve a spot in your suitcase.

I’m a big fan of dry shampoos, particularly for camping, festivals and lazy weekends.

Philip Kingsley’s One More Day Dry Shampoo is a good choice.

It absorbs excess sebum, boosts volume and helps to prevent an itchy, irritated scalp. It’s a spray rather than a powder, so won’t leave you looking like you’ve been dusted with talc (unlike some other dry shampoos).

The travel-sized 50ml bottle is perfect for holidays, although the 200ml is a lot better value for money. It’s £9-£19.50, see www. philipkingsley.co.uk.

I’m very tempted by the new Como Viaggio Travel Styling Kits

by Alfa Italia. Each kit comprises a travel hairdryer, mini ceramic styling iron, two sectioning clips

50

and a bag for just £44.95. Travel hair-styling products tend to be a bit ‘meh’ when it comes to power, but this hairdryer is 1200w and the straighteners heat up to 190°C. Choose from dusky pink with a matching suede-effect case, or light blue or stone with a leather-look case, see www.alfaitaliapro.com.

A facial oil can help to tackle dry patches, boost hydration and soften skin. Personally, I prefer a 100% natural oil like Gorgias London’s Age Renewal Facial Oil, which I’ve been using at nighttime for a few weeks now.

It’s a 100% natural blend of seed and plant oils, including avocado, prickly pear, olive and argan. The blend is packed with nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids, omega 9 and antioxidants. My skin drinks it up and always feels softer and ‘happier’ the morning after using it. It costs £44.95 from www. gorgiaslondon.com.

I know I’m not the only one of my friendship group who slathers on face cream but

rarely uses body lotion.

If you’re also guilty of neglecting 80% of your skin, AL!VE’s Hydrating Spray Lotion could be the answer. It takes seconds to spray on and absorbs super-fast.

It also feels lovely and cool, so is perfect for freshening up on a hot day. Best of all, you can pick it up for just £5 from Sainsbury’s.

If, like me, your legs are less smooth alabaster and more pale mottled mess, fake tan can be your friend. Had a bad experience with bright orange streaks? Modern formulas are a huge improvement on their predecessors. Just exfoliate and moisturise well before you start. Bondi Sands’ Protect & Tan is a great introduction to self-tanning.

As the name implies, it helps to protect your skin from the sun and builds a gradual, natural-looking tan over a few days of use. It’s SPF 15 so not strong enough for sunbathing but perfect if you’re popping to the shops. It’s an oil, but not greasy, and it leaves skin feeling softer for hours afterwards.

It’s £12.99 at www.boots.com.

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By Kate Duggan

horses would become calm if a goat was placed in the stall beside them, so it was common for nineteenth century racing rivals to remove or ‘get’ the goat assigned to a potential winner, in order to unsettle the horse.

Over the moon?

What a load of tosh!

“He was yakking nineteen to the dozen, acting like he was the bee’s knees, but when I said he was talking a load of tosh he got the hump.”

Foreign visitors overhearing this conversation in a British pub could be forgiven for thinking they’d landed in a parallel universe, but if you’re a native Brit, you’ll have understood it as: “He was talking very quickly, behaving as though he was somebody special, but when I criticised what he was saying he became angry.”

Here in the UK we love our idioms: in fact, English is probably the most idiom-friendly language nation in the world.

The Oxford Dictionary defines an idiom as “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.”

Here are some great examples, together with their origins: A load of tosh Now taken to mean “a lot of nonsense”, the expression originally indicated success for

London’s ‘toshers’: individuals who used to scour the city’s sewers searching for anything of value. ‘Tosh’ was actually the treasure the searchers found, but the word became a negative term to describe the unfortunate toshers themselves.

Bob’s your uncle Believed to date from the Victorian era, “Bob’s your uncle” refers to something that is easily and smoothly achieved.

It is thought that the expression was a sarcastic response to the appointment of Arthur Balfour to a prominent position in government by his uncle, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil. ‘Bob’ was Prime Minister at the time.

All gone to pot This saying could refer to leftover scraps being boiled up for tomorrow’s soup, but it’s more likely we owe it to the practice of iron smelting, where damaged tools or weapons would be melted down in a crucible.

Gets my goat It was believed that nervous

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Talking nineteen to the dozen In the eighteenth century steam pumps were installed in Cornish tin and copper mines to clear the floodwater.

When working to their maximum capacity, these pumps were able to clear nineteen thousand gallons of water for every twelve bushels of coal used to fuel them. It must have been easy for the miners to make the imaginative leap between the rattling of the pumps at full steam and someone speaking rapidly.

Raining cats and dogs Witches were supposed to ride out during storms in the shape of cats, while the Norse storm god Odin was attended by dogs, so there could be a pagan origin for this unlikely saying. A less fanciful explanation emerges from the filthy streets of seventeenth century Britain, when a heavy rainstorm might occasionally flush dead animals out of the drains.

Given that most of these terms are archaic, outdated and obscure, it’s surprising that we continue to use them so enthusiastically today.

Idioms may continue to baffle students of English, but there’s no doubt they help to give our speech its unique character and vitality.

By Kate McClelland

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

51

How to get online on holiday We make sense of mobile data and dongles.

Going online is a necessity for many travellers. It enables us to get accurate weather predictions, to check flight statuses and to find out about local tourist attractions. So how do you get connected when you’re far from home?

Many hotels, resorts and attractions promise free Wi-Fi, but in some cases the Wi-Fi is limited to a single device, and you’ll often find that the service is too slow to stream TV programmes. In some cases the Wi-Fi will block specific servers and websites.

You can get around the single-device limit if you have a smartphone with a Personal Hotspot feature. This creates a Wi-Fi network that other devices can connect to, but all the data runs through the phone. It won’t change any blocks on streaming – if you’re determined, you can get around them using Virtual Private Networking software – or speed up very slow internet connections, but it does mean the kids can connect their Kindle Fires or other devices when the weather isn’t brilliant.

Sometimes, the best way to go online is to use your phone’s data connection – 4G coverage in most big holiday destinations is very good. The main concern is the potential cost, with some tourists running up massive mobile phone bills during their holiday.

But mobile data needn’t be expensive. It might even be free. Each major operator has a list of countries where you don’t need to worry about big data bills, so for example Vodafone offers free roaming across 48 different countries on Pay As You Go and 77 countries on contracts

52

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

that include Global Roaming Plus.

Always check before you go: if your phone contract doesn’t include roaming you can usually buy a roaming add-on, such as a certain amount of data for a fixed fee. It’s usually much cheaper to buy a data bundle than to incur charges when you’re abroad, and if you need more you can buy another one via your provider’s app or website. But check coverage – you can’t use your phone if your destination has no signal.

If you want to connect laptops or other devices and your phone doesn’t have the virtual hotspot feature, another option is to invest in a data dongle. This can be a device that plugs into your laptop’s USB port to give it mobile data access, or it can be a dedicated device that creates a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. At the time of writing, Vodafone’s mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is £50 on Pay As You Go. That price includes 15GB of mobile data, which lasts for up to 90 days before expiring.

If you’re using public Wi-Fi networks, be very careful: it’s really easy to set up a convincinglooking but fake Wi-Fi hotspot to intercept people’s internet traffic. If you need to do secure things such as online banking, consider investing in an app such as Tunnelbear. It creates a secure, your-eyes-only tunnel between you and the site or service you’re using.

Images: top left clockwise - Personal Hotspot on an iPhone,Vodafone mobile wi-fi dongle, Vodafone roaming promo, Anker Powercore portable battery pack.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Maple Glazed Pork with Mediterranean Veg Kebabs

These chunky meat kebabs with a sweet sticky glaze are perfect for a barbeque or al fresco supper served with warmed flatbreads and salad.

Makes 8 Ingredients

750g lean pork fillet, cubed Juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp dried oregano

1 garlic clove, crushed

2 large red peppers, deseeded and cubed 2 courgettes, sliced

2 red onions, peeled and cubed 6 tbsp maple syrup

4 tbsp tomato ketchup

TIP

1 tbsp mild mustard

Place the cubed pork in a non-metallic container and add the lemon juice, half the oil and the dried oregano and garlic. Toss to coat then cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for 3-4 hours or overnight.

Thread the pork, pepper, courgettes and red onion onto 8 long metal skewers. Cook on a preheated barbeque or under a hot grill for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently, until the pork is cooked through and the vegetables are lightly charred.

Meanwhile, mix the remaining oil, maple syrup, ketchup and mustard together and brush all over the kebabs for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time, until glazed and sticky. Serve immediately.

Marinating the meat in lemon juice and oil will make it extra tender. Add some chopped chilli for a spicy touch or add 2 tbsp light soy sauce, if liked.

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53

Crème Caramels

Just a few cheap ingredients are needed to make this classic French dessert.

Served with fresh fruit it’s an impressive finale to a special meal.

Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes, plus overnight chilling | Makes 6

Ingredients

150g granulated sugar 4 medium eggs, plus 2 medium egg yolks 100g caster sugar

To make the caramel, place the granulated sugar in a medium heavy-based pan with 3 tbsp cold water. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved in the water to form a clear syrup. Increase the heat and bring the syrup to the boil, without stirring, until it turns a deep golden caramel colour. Swirl the pan occasionally to prevent hotspots forming and the caramel burning.

Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour the hot caramel into six individual ovenproof dishes (see TIP). Place the dishes in a roasting tin.

Preheat the oven to 140C/fan 170C/gas mark 3.

600ml whole milk

Whisk the eggs, yolks and caster sugar together in a large heatproof bowl.

Pour the milk into a clean pan and bring to simmering point, then whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract then strain the mixture into a large jug and divide between the dishes.

Orange slices, grapes and raspberries, to serve

To serve, run the tip of a knife round the edge of the set custard. Invert each one on to a small plate. Serve decorated with orange slices, grapes and raspberries.

TIP

1 tsp vanilla extract

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Pour enough boiling water into the roasting tin to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for 18-22 minutes until just set. Remove from the oven and leave to cool, then remove from the tin, cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

Use small metal pudding basins or ceramic ramekin dishes each with 150ml capacity.

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Save The Berrylands Bees!

by Claire, Year 7 Tiffin Girls

T

(with intro by Sir Edward Davey, M.P)

his month, as a change to my usual column, I wanted to cover a topic close to my heart – bees! With the help of a local young person – Claire.

First I must declare an interest - my mother-in-law has 10 hives, teaches bee-keeping and is the “swarm officer” for North Dorset!

But second, I want to underscore the importance of bees and other pollinators to our environment – globally and locally – and what we can do to help them in our community..

Already we are seeing great environmental action here in the Royal Borough. I write this having just been to an amazing event called WILD Kingston, organised by our local Citizens Zoo, where 800 local people heard about ideas for helping local wildlife – from bats to water voles - not least around the River Hogsmill and its blue-green corridor.

We heard what local people can do to help the hedgehog population recover – by creating a small hole in garden fences so hedgehogs can roam from garden to garden more easily. We heard about the new bug hotels being built round the Borough to help insects.

So my challenge is – what can we do for bees?

But instead of telling you myself, I have been provided with this excellent research by a Berrylands resident thank you Claire! Best Ed Claire writes:

There has been a devastating change over the past decade to the UK’s bee population with a decrease by one third. 13 of the UK’s bee species are now extinct and 35 under threat. Habitat loss, climate change and toxic pesticides are the main causes. The chilling reality is that honeybees are disappearing rapidly.

Why Are Bees Important To Our Society?

Bees are vitally important and under-appreciated. One in three mouthfuls of our food (and drink!) depends on bee pollination. Farm animals rely on natural grazing and, without bees, we would have to resort to more industrially produced foods leading to unhealthy diets and increased health risks. You would not even be able to wear cotton or linen. The human race is dependant on the survival of the bee population. We need to take action – now!

How Do We Help The Bees?

There are many things you can do to help bees, here are just a few:

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Help A Tired Bee If you see a bee that is just struggling on the ground, get a spoon and fill it with water and a pinch of sugar or juice.

Let it crawl on and drink. Once energised, it can go on to pollinate more plants! Remember not to feed honey to bees - it can transfer disease to them.

Make A Bee Hotel A fun arty-crafty project, especially for kids. There are hundreds of different types of bee, and bee hotels really help the solitary bees. There are many websites that will tell you how to make them.

Make A Community Bee Garden Keen gardeners, neighbours and communities can get planting together using bee-friendly plants such as lavender, hawthorns, bluebells, crocuses, rosemary etc.

Did you know that a bee can visit 200-300 flowers in one flight? You can get amazing herbs to go with your food and some beautiful plants. It would be helpful to plan your garden with a mix of plants to last the whole year as, contrary to popular belief, honey bees to do not hibernate.

Let The Grass Grow You may think it’s unattractive, but letting your grass grow is great for bees. They can take shelter and protection in the grass if they are tired.

Don’t Use Pesticides Pesticides harm bees, and while it’s tempting to spray, please don’t! If you do have to, use a contact based pesticide that dries quickly and only spray after dusk when bees are not flying.

Use Peat Free Compost Peat bogs are wildlife havens and shouldn’t be destroyed. Go peat-free to conserve these natural habitats.

Do Not Kill The Bees!

They are innocent creatures that are so important for flowers and our food. Also, the bee you kill may not have wanted to sting you! Only female bees sting, like mosquitos.

If you see a swarm - call a beekeeper not pest control.

They are just looking for a new home. The beekeeper will re-home them not kill them.

These are all quick and easy things that you can do in your own home and out and about; please help to keep the bees in Berrylands going, so we can keep our plants and wildlife growing!

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

55

QUIZ SOLUTIONS HIDATO SOLUTION

MINI CRYPTIC SOLUTION

Wordsearch Riddle: Listen with your heart, you will understand.

Pocahontas

Childrens’ Page Answers

3 Letters ELF ELL FER FIE FIR ILL IRE LEI

LIE REF 4 Letters FELL FILE FILL FIRE LIEF LIFE

LIRE 6 Letters RIFE FILLER RILE REFILL RILL 5 Letters FLIER FRILL LIFER RIFLE

Wordwheel

VARNISH

CODEWORD SOLUTION

Word Ladder Solution Here is one possible solution (others may exist) SOCK lock look loot soot shot SHOE

56

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What’s on in July & August:Events in July: 1-7th: 6th: 7th:

1-14th: 4th: 5-14th:

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Hollyfest at Hollyfield School, 4pm to grand finale fireworks Berrylands Summer Festival, Surbiton Lagoon, Stirling Walk, 12-4pm.

In aid of Berrylands Scout Group, games inflatable rides, food & drink stalls, comercial market stalls. Funds raised for Scout hall renovations.

Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Independence Day USA International Youth Arts Festival, Kingston. CONTACT: International Youth Arts Festival, Creative Youth, Suite 9, Second Floor, Millennium House, Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1BL. hello@iyafestival.org.uk Tel:(0)20 8549 2120.

6th: Pride in London Parade.

6-7th: Live Music in Kingston Market Place.

7th: Berrylands Summer Festival, organised by Berrylands Scout Group. Held at

Surbiton Lagoon on Stirling Walk, games, inflatable rides, food & drink

plus commercial market stalls.

7-28th: Regent Street, from Oxford St to Picadilly Circus Regent Street will be

traffic free on Sundays for festivals.

There is no separate edition of A Berrylands Companion magazine for August. The next deadline will be the 8th August for the September issue.

9-14th: Kew the Music 12, 13 14th: British Summer Time in Hyde Park

Great British Food Festival at Chiswick House Burlington Lane 13-14th: Kingston Regatta, along the riverside 16-28th: Floating Film Festival at St Katherine’s Dock 19-14th Sept: BBC Proms 19-21st Sept: Living & Remembering WWII at Kingston Museum (www.inkingston.

co.uk) 20-21st: Muller Anniversary Games at London Stadium

Kew Science Festival at Kew Gardens 20-29th Sept: Buckingham Palace has an exhibition of a display of Queen Victoria’s

dresses, to mark the 200th Anniversary of her birth, 20th June 1837. She

died aged 81years.

21st: Kingston Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge at Canbury Gardens, from 9.30am 22-29th Sept: Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

Events in August

1-31st: Kids Week, children 5-16 can go free to any of 43 participating shows in the

West End. http://www.kidsweek.co.uk 2-4th: Longines Global Champions Tour at Royal Hospital, Chelsea 4th: RideLondon, all day, beware of some road closures around Kingston.

8th: Deadline for submissions for the September edition of A Berrylands

Companion magazine 14-18th: Luna Kids Cinema at Hampton Court Palace 24-26th: Nottinghill Carnival 25-26th: Hampton Court Palace Food Festival 25-27th: Kingston Big Summer Market in the Ancient Market Place 26th: Late Summer Bank Holiday 1st September: Kingston Carnival. from 12 noon. In the Town Centre 8th: Deadline for submissions for October’s edition of A Berrylands Companion 12th: Kingston Tour Guides Annual Pageant, 6-7pm in the town centre 3-22nd: Kingston Heritage Fortnight, various venues. www.inkingston.co.uk 14th: Korean Festival, Town Centre, all day

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

57

What’s On/Local Events 1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, 10-12pm at Royal British Legion Hall, Hollyfield Road, KT5 9AL. For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, meet outside Clas Ohlson Market Place 10.00. 020 8547 5865.

E-mail: ccst@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Art Classes: Every Monday 10-12noon & 2-4pm, with Berrylands Artists at Berrylands Christian Centre, 41 King Charles Road, Surbiton, KT5 8PF. Info: 020 8644 0941 Broadway Sequence Dance Club: Meets every Monday from 8pm at The Raeburn Hall, Tolworth United Reform Church, Raeburn/Elgar Avenues. New sequences are taught, some knowledge of ballroom dancing required. Contact Brenda Deane for more info: 020 8390 0233. www.broadway sequencedance.co.uk Chinese Brush Painting: Held once a month at Sunray Community Centre, Knollmead, Tolworth. 10-13.00pm Contact Gwen: 020 8398 7313. Beginners & intermediates welcome.

Cornerston Church, Kingston KT26LF: every 3rd Wednesday of the month: a cream tea, open to all, at 2pm. Plenty of cake on offer plus a short bible talk. An international café, every Tuesday evening at 7pm for free English lessons, and at 7.30pm food, games & bible talk. Craft Morning 3rd Saturday every month 11am-1.00pm. Tel: 0208 549 0733. info@cornerstonechurchkingston.org Encore Singing Group: Berrylands. Mondays, 10am - 12noon, (school terms) @ Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, Ewell Road.For info: gillyvor@hotmail.com or call 020 8241 5513.

All welcome, contact or pop in.

Fircroft Listening Café: Every Friday, 2-4pm.

96 Ditton Road KT6 6RH. No appointment needed. Just turn up if you or someone you know is struggling to cope. Buses 71, 465, K1, K4.

58 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Free Healing Meditation Workshop for Stress & Anxiety: 08.00 Sundays at the Outdoor Gym in Alexandra Recreation Ground, June - August. For more information on what to bring & to sign up, go to: www.georgiemacs.com Kingston Camera Club: Camera enthusiasts welcome. Meet Mon eves, at St John’s Ambulance HQ, Athelstan Rd off Villiers Avenue. 7.30pm - 10pm with coffee break. New members welcome.

For more information visit: www. kingstoncameraclub.com Kingston Circle Dance Group: Kingston Quaker Centre, 14 Fairfield East, KT1 2PT, 2.30 - 4.30, first Saturday every month.

Social dancing, all welcome. Tel: 020 8399 8684 Kingston Jazz Society: meets alternate Tuesdays at the Druid’s Head pub, Kingston Market. We are a friendly group who listen to recorded jazz from all periods and would welcome new members. Contact Mike Crimmen (Sec) on 07795 574 776 or m.crimmen@btinternet.com Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Meets 2nd Monday each month at Reform Church, Eden Street, at 2pm. New members welcome. Talks, outings and tea and coffee. For more info: Contact Diane Double, Tel: 020 8397 5084, email: kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail.co.uk Kingston Philatelic Society: Meets 8-10pm on 1st Thurs & 3rd Fri, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road. Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet. com Kingston Speakeasy: Is there a topic you would like to introduce in a supportive atmosphere, with a facilitator to pace the discussion & keep it supportive? We meet on selected Thursday evenings at Kingston Quaker Centre. No charge. Contact Alick Munro on alick@munro.com or call 0208 892 9243 for date of next meeting.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

What’s On/Local Events Ladies Exercise Club: Friendly & fun ‘Keep Moving’ exercise/movement class for ladies 60+ at Berrylands Christian Centre, King Charles Road. Friday 10.15 - 11.15am plus refreshments. Come & try first, free first class. Then £5.50 pay as you come. Call Mary, 01483 284 716 or maryedwards@ uwclub.net

Mind in Kingston: Drop in and café at Alfriston Day Centre Berrylands Road, Thurs 6-9.30pm, Sat & Sun 2-5.30pm. Also at Welcome Centre 53-55 Canbury Park, Mon & Fri 6-9pm. All welcome, www.mindkingston. org.uk or 020 8255 3939 Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom:Wednesdays. Learn Regency dancing at St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, 8pm - 10.30pm. Cost £5 per eve.

See advert. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com Oasis daytime group for over 60s: at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. We meet 1st & 3rd Weds of the month: 1st & 15th May. With plenty of opportunity to chat, play games, do jigsaw puzzles and includes a 5 minute Bible-based talk followed by refreshments. Tel: 020 8390 6631 or 020 8395 2645 Open Door: Meetings held at BCC Hall King Charles Road. Alternate Thursdays, 2.15 - 4.00pm. Meetings on 2nd, 16th & 30th May. A friendship group aimed at seniors.

Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations.

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: On Thursdays 7.30pm - 10.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall. Tuition for half an hour from 7.30.

Membership £5 a year, Members £3/evening, non-members £4. Join our friendly, informal club for good fun and an easy way to excercise.

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

‘Sing on Purpose’ at the CornerHouse, Douglas Road, KT6 7SB. All welcome, £5 per session. Adults: Mondays 9.30 - 10.30am; Youth: Fridays 4.45 - 5.45pm. Contact: Steve or Pam 07763 081320 Surbiton Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Meets alternate Tues 2-4pm at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, Ewell Road. Social club with entertainment and tea. Transport available if necessary. For information: 0744 364 3716 . Volunteer drivers very welcome.

Surbiton Floral Club: 1st Weds of the month at Raeburn Hall United Reform Church, Elgar Avenue. 7.30 for 7.45pm start. Floral demos, talks, workshops & outings. Tel: 020 8399 8193 Talking of Trains in Surbiton: Programme of talks at Surbiton Library Hall, each Wednesday evening from 19th Sept, throughout winter months. First meeting free, fee for complete year is £50. Details on www.talkingoftrains.co.uk For further information contact: David Blackmore, 020 8391 1116.Em: dandp@blueyonder.co.uk Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues 10am & 10.50am at St Nicholas Parish Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton. All sessions 40 mins long, features music, dance, parachutes, bubbles & pom-poms. Age 3 months -5 years, pay as you go £5, siblings £2.50 www.tinytuneslive. com Tolworth United Reformed Church, Elgar Ave: PILOTS Mondays in term time 5.30 7pm, children’s activities, crafts, stories for 5 -11 year olds. Weekly cost £1.50, 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). Dance for Fun, Fitness & Friends, beginners always welcome, see advert. Contact: Brenda 020 8397 9649 or philip.steventon@btinternet.com

Please mention the magazine when contacting Advertisers

59

COMMUNITY PAGE

Surbiton & District Historical Society

Tues 2nd July: Mr Julian McCarthy will give an illustrated talk on ‘Secret Kingston’.

Tues 7th Aug: Members’ Evening, talks, quizz, raffle & finger buffet, extra fee of £2 requested.

Tues 3rd Sept: Ms Julie F Chandler will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Great Stink’ Tues 1st Oct: Regular speaker Mr Matthew Bowman will talk on ‘The Tale of Owen Tudor’ Meetings start time: 7.45pm at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road, Surbiton. Visitors welcome, Contribution of £2 appreciated For more details about meetings and the Society, call

The Secretary: 020 8399 4473 Email: lenandmarilyn@virginmedia.com

Kingston upon Thames Archaeological Society

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

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Sat 20th July: 50th Anniversary Conference, 9.30am - 4.00pm. Members £10 in advance, non members £12 in advance, £15 on the door.

Includes light buffet lunch, morning coffee & afternoon tea.

There is no meeting in August.

Sunday 12th Aug: Ian West will lead a walk around Ewell. Meet at St Mary’s Church at 2pm, need to book.

Meetings, unless otherwise stated, are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm for 8pm start, in the Surbiton Library Hall Ewell Road, KT6 6AG.

Visitors will be asked for £3 donation towards expenses. http://www.kingstonarchaeology.com/

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26. At the right time of year (2,6) 27. Plant - sucking insects (5)

Down:

COMMUNITY PAGE

1. Terminate gradually (5,3)

Surbiton District Bird Watching 2. A & Sultanate in northwestern Borneo Society (6) 3. Horologist (10)

July 16th: Members’ 4. Slightly open (4)Evening

5. Engage somebody to enter the army (6) August: No Meeting 6. Represents or performs as if in a play (6)

8. Come to terms with (7) Sept 17th: Ashley Grove: Wonderful Winter Shortened term for provocation (5) Wildlife9.

13. Returning to political office (10)

15. Unusually great in size Oct 15th: AGM: followed by(7) Guest Speaker 16. After sunrise and before sunset (8)

17. Strong and sharp (5) Outings:

18. Having little emotion or sensibility (6)

Sun Jun Knepp Estate, Sussex. Tel: 20. 30th: Add to the very end (6) 22. The highest point; culminate John Barkham 01372 458 739 (6) 24. Compass point (4)

Sun July 7th: Butterfly Walk, Epsom Common Contact Alison Gilry through Epsom Common Authority.

October Sudoku Tues Aug 6th: Bat Walk, Tel: Alison Fure: 020 8974 6670 Sun Aug 11th: Oare Marsh, Kent. Tel: John Barkham 01372 458 432 Please note that it is imperative to phone the leader to confirm participation, arrange time and meeting place and/or pre-arrange lifts.

Remember, you can pick up a copy of A Berrylands Companion magazine at the following: C.D.Jennings, B&M Budget Store, Surbiton & Tolworth Libraries, Shan’s Pharmacy, Tolworth Recreation Centre, The Lamb, MBE Surbiton, Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, Confidental Dentist Surgery, Collinsons Opticians,

SDBWS Publicity Annemarie Stiegler amristiegler@gmail.com

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

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Kingston upon Thames Society

Are you interested in gardening?

Did you know there is an association in Hook?

Our Association was founded over 50 years E Page 33-40.indd ago and is run36by 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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

The Society holds regular monthly meetings, open to non members for small fee £2, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.

From January to June, then 22/01/2010 00:22:03 September to November.

Held in the Judge Lecture Theatre, Tiffin Boys’ School, London Road, Kingston.

June 19th: Kieron Thoms gives an illustrated talk about the work his consultancy company, ‘Create Streets’, did for the Council, with a report on the future of the Malden Centre & Cocks Crescent site in New Malden.

No meetings in July and August.

Sept 18th: Andy Reid Design Director from Fairview Homes talks about proposals for redevelopment (330 flats) on the Home Base site, Kingston Road, New Malden.

For information contact: anthony_evans@yahoo.com

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

61

Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers Index Car Maintenance Home & Garden

23 27 37 5 33 2 35 25 29 29 37 63 21 23 45 23 35 22/24 26/28 34/36 13 15 11 12 47 45 47 31/64 7 45 32/42 10

All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) James Anthony KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals Metal Fabrications Pro-Fit Windows Systems R.J.Tree Services Richey Brickwork Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Will Lord William Stallion Electricals

41 38 40 39 43 38/41

Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare Community Motors K&P Tyres Walsh Vehicle Management Drive

17 19 15 18/54 16/53

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings Glenmore House Carvery Prithi Bake Recipe

25

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

9 9 9/33

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Cats Protection League Pet Care

Shan’s Pharmacy Slimming World Spires St Anthony’s Hospital

7 6/8

Accountancy Mark Baker Finance

Rest & Relaxation

60/61 58/59 43 3 55

Articles & Editorials Community Pages What’s On & Local Events Pages Crossword Useful Telephone Numbers Sir Edward Davey M.P

Gardening Home & Interiors Home Products Care & Health

Health

King George Field Bowls Club Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom Classes Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club

Children & Education Hook Aqua School Weather

Parenting Kids Page

Want To Advertise Your Business?

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

There are so many businesses, trades and services that are not represented in

A Berrylands Companion If your club or society is not listed on the Local Events, send in the details!! Why not send in your events for Christmas for the What’s On page. Clubs, Schools, Churches, & Charity events should be submitted to karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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

An email with your artwork will ensure it is featured.

So What is Stopping You? Call Now!

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

62

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

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To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

63

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