September 2015 issuu 101 by Karen

Month: September 2015 Issue No: 101 Independent monthly community news and business directory for KT5 & KT6

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

Inside this issue: * How to help Hedgehogs * Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rugby * Recipes * Puzzles & Quizzes * Articles and Community pages * New Advertisers And more......

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Hello Readers

t has been stop and start as far as the weather goes for the last couple of months. A bit like the magazine!

Sometimes, preparing a new magazine layout for each month, I get worried that there have not been many new advertisers submitting their adverts. This time, there have been quite a few new advertisers, some are in this issue and some will be in the next issue. That’s not to say that there are still some trades and businesses that have not yet advertised!! I always welcome new adverts. And I do get calls occasionally from readers who are looking for a specific trade, service or business that has either never advertised, or has dropped their advert for whatever reason. Local advertising really works. I hope that you managed to have a holiday, whether away or a ‘staycation’, and that you had a chance to ‘reboot’ your batteries. Just a caution from the local Neighbourhood Police Teams. Given the good weather, more people are leaving doors and windows open, and there have been a number of burglaries in our area. So beware!!

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

020 8547 5757 020 8547 4654 020 8547 5560 020 85474630 020 8547 5196 0870 126 4019 0845 010 9000 08459 000 444 0870 850 6506 020 8547 6444 020 8541 1212 101 999 111

As usual, September sees the annual Surbiton Festival, this year called Surbo15. Various activities and entertainment will be available at many places during the two week duration, culminating with ‘Haturday’ on Saturday 26th September. There will be the street market, parade, bands and dance to support local charities. We might see you there! With Autumn approaching, we have a timely reminder to help one of our most endangered animals. Hedgehog numbers are declining year on year and we can all help by making our gardens a safer haven for them. Please read the article on page 24, and see how some of the help is easy and simple to do.

Best wishes,

Karen

Emergencies/Utilities: Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency Water Emergency BT Fault Line Virgin Media Crimestoppers Kingston Hospital NHS Direct (24/7) Childline Samaritans Age Concern Kingston Relate www.relatekh.org Domestic Violence Helpline www.victimsupport.org.uk Surbiton Safer Neighbourhood Team based at Millbank House surbitonhill.snt@met.police.uk

0800 111 999 0800 783 8866 0845 920 0800 0800 800 151 0845 142 0000 0800 555 111 020 8546 7711 0845 4647 0800 1111 0845 790 9090 0800 00 99 66 020 8549 3318 020 8547 3202

020 8721 2518 08457 484 950 0870 608 2608 0844 335 1802 A Berrylands Companion 0844 335 1801 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

Sit, relax and enjoy

ave you ever visited the Millennium Green? A pleasant open space, accessible from the Alexandra Recreation ground, which now has another spot to sit and relax, admire the view or rest after exploring the big open space. On your next visit, look out for a new seat, situated above the arena, towards the End Way, eastern side of the green, which has a plaque to commemorate the endeavours of the Tolworth Leisure Gardeners Society. This area was not always an open space for walkers. Early in the 20th century it became a large allotment site. During the First World War many of the plots were occupied by those working on the Home Front, and later by returning ex-service men. The Tolworth Allotment Holders Society was founded in 1918, which later became the Tolworth & District Leisure Gardeners Society. In the Second World War many people ‘dug for victory’ there, but in the 1960s and 1970s the site became less popular as fruit and vegetables, including imported varieties, became more accessible and affordable. Thus many allotment plots were left unoccupied and finally, in the 1990s, the allotments in the area now occupied by the Millenium Green were closed. The Council had hoped to use this area for housing, but so strong was the protest and so much evidence was uncovered showing that the land was dedicated for public recreational use, that the idea of housing was abandoned. Thus the Millennium Green was born, and the rest of the allotment site, which had been underused, took on a new lease of

Mary Taylor

life as gardening and ‘grow your own’ once again became more popular. In its heyday the allotment society had over a thousand members, but numbers gradually dwindled. However the big event of the year was always the annual produce show. Besides vegetables, fruit and flowers, there were sections for domestic skills, flower arranging, handicrafts, home-made wine and children’s sections. The Mayor of Kingston usually opened proceedings and many people attended, members and friends alike. A high standard of entries was always maintained and most of the judges were from professional bodies. Trophies were awarded for the best in each class and where possible these have now been returned to the donors, or their families. The day involved a great deal of organising by the show committee, which worked hard for months beforehand. However, in the last few years volunteers have not been forthcoming in sufficient numbers to run the show, nor to man the trading hut on the allotment site, which had supplied members, both allotment holders and gardeners, with a great variety of seeds, composts and other garden equipment, at very modest prices. Therefore the decision was taken in 2014 to close the society. It was agreed by the committee that the remaining funds be used to purchase a seat to be erected on the millennium green. It is hoped that this will give pleasure and relaxation to all who use it.

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Finance What you need to know about NS&I Premium Bonds By Ann Haldon Premium Bonds were first introduced in 1956 by Harold MacMillan as a way to reduce inflation, and they remain a popular savings choice today. It is estimated that over £50 billion is held in the Premium Bond ‘pot,’ making them the largest savings product in the UK. Not a ‘standard’ savings option, bonds pay no interest and never expire. They can make you a millionaire though, if you are lucky enough to win one of the two £1 million draws each month. How do they work? Bonds up to the value of £50,000 can now be bought following a recent rise in the maximum limit. At the other end of the scale you can purchase a single bond for £1, with all bonds being entered into a monthly prize draw. Premium Bond numbers are picked at random by ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment), and you can check whether you’re a winner via the NS&I website from the third day of each month. The government funds the prize money by calculating a rate of interest as if the bonds were ‘standard’ government bonds, rather than using money from the sale of new Premium Bonds. You can buy them from a post office, or directly from NS&I by phone or online. How much can you win? Winnings range from £25 to the

£1 million jackpot, with prizes also including a percentage of £25,000, £50,000 and £100,000 wins each month. Returns average the equivalent of around 1.3% according to Moneywise, who also state that the chance of winning from a single bond are approximately 1 in 26,000.� You can be lucky though – the Guardian recently reported a £1 million jackpot winner who held just £400 worth of bonds. For those wanting a reliable income from savings, however, other products would be more suitable if they are willing to forego instant access in favour of higher interest rates. If you bought Premium Bonds in the dim and distant past, it might be worthwhile looking on the NS&I website where there’s an ‘unclaimed prizes’ finder. Should you choose Premium Bonds over traditional savings accounts? The problem with Premium Bonds is that because you are not guaranteed a return on your money, the investment could reduce in value over time due to inflation. Other savings accounts, even though their interest rate may be low, offset this issue a little. If you are a higher rate tax payer, you may find investing in Premium Bonds useful if you have exhausted other tax-free options. People often buy bonds after inheriting money, or when they need to ‘store’ a lump sum temporarily – a deposit on a

property or an inheritance, for example. So in general terms, Premium Bonds should probably not be the first choice for savings – the main attraction for many is the potential chance of a big win. Government’s wishes for Premium Bonds Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriet Baldwin, explained the government’s goals regarding Premium Bonds, “Our long-term plan is all about supporting savers and boosting working people’s financial security at all stages of life..... That’s why we have increased the amount people can invest in premium bonds for the second time in two years.” Although not suitable for savers looking for a guaranteed regular income, Premium Bonds offer a way to boost a nest egg. They hold a special place in the nation’s heart – along with ERNIE of course. �http://www.moneywise.co.uk/ banking-saving/savings-accountsisas/premium-bonds-what-youneed-to-know http://www.theguardian.com/ money/2015/may/30/premiumbonds-safe-savings-waste-time http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ finance/personalfinance/ savings/11245455/How-to-claimforgotten-Premium-Bonds-andthe-last-known-locations-of-thelost-100k-winners.html http://www.nsandi.com/ernie http://www.nsandi.com/do-i-haveany-unclaimed-prizes

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CATHERINE BAYLISS

VIOLIN & PIANO TUITION

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Taxation advice and guidance to local businesses Taxation advice and sole traders and guidance to for more than local businesses 15 years. and sole traders for more than 15 years. To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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x Accounts and Taxation Accounts and Taxation x Assessment Self Assessment Tax Self Tax Returns Returns CIS and Payroll x Returns CIS and Payroll VAT x VAT Returns Tax Planning and Advice x Tax Planning and Advice Book Keeping Services

x Book Keeping Services Contact Mark Baker Contact Mark Baker 020 3044 2747 020 3044 2747 07909 703463 07909 703463 Email: markbaker@mbaccountancy.co.uk Email: markbaker@mbaccountancy.co.uk email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

New facilities and new membership options at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club

Described by Roy Staniland

ood news! We can now offer our Members even more choices! During July we added three more sets of floodlights to our hard courts. We now have no less than six floodlit courts for evening tennis, plus two more under cover in the Dome from October to the end of March. In recent years evening tennis has become more and more popular at Surbiton. Our six floodlit courts, plus our two covered courts in The Dome from early October, will each have two evening sessions – 6.30pm to 8pm and 8pm to 9.30pm, and all are bookable in advance, either in the Club Office or by telephone on 0208 399 1594. Ours is large club, established in 1881, No other club like ours can offer its Members so many different facilities all the year round. We have nine hard courts in total, three of them laid in synthetic clay, and in the summer our eleven superb grass courts give Members even more choice. With a massive total of twenty tennis courts, we are well-equipped for the usual rush of summer enthusiasm! Also, we need plenty of court capacity for our extensive coaching programmes, which are operated by our twelve professional coaches. But it’s not just tennis that we offer our Members! For instance, our spacious Fitness Suite is very popular all the year round. We have some of the latest equipment, from cardiovascular aids to resistance machines and free weights. Close by is our Studio, where we run regular classes for Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Indoor Cycling. Squash is also very important at the Club. We have four excellent state-of-the-art courts, all heated and air-conditioned. And on Saturday evenings there’s a special Squash Club Night, where you can meet new friends and find new opponents. This starts at 5.30pm every week. There’s also a Beginners’ Squash Evening on Sundays from 5pm to 6pm, and for those of all standards who are keen to improve, our Squash Coach can be contacted through the Club.

Our many social activities include regular Quiz Nights. There’s always something going on at the Club – the choice is yours! And whatever your chosen activity, you can happily relax afterwards in the Clubhouse Bar with coffee or other drinks. Other innovations at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club are several new classes of membership, all of them Member-friendly. Recently we’ve introduced Off Peak Full Membership. This gives access to all the Club’s facilities on weekdays only and up to 5pm, and it gives a substantial saving of more than £100 from the standard Full Membership. Another new option is Off Peak Gym Membership, which applies to weekdays only and up to 5pm. This offers remarkable value – the use of our splendid Fitness Suite at Off Peak times for only £112 for three months or £360 for a full year. At just £30 a month* it’s a real bargain. Our extensive Junior Membership also benefits from very generous terms. Notes for your Diary. Our Shop Sale runs from the 1st to the 5th of September, with great bargains in top brands of rackets, clothes and shoes. Open to non-Members! Another date. Sunday 6th September will be a Family Day, with the Club Finals to watch. With BBQs and teas. Why don’t you pop in and see us? All non-Members will be very welcome! Best wishes Roy Roy Staniland is Director of Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands,KT5 8JT 0208 399 1594 www.Surbiton.org *Terms and Conditions apply

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is a mobile engineering service that can manage all of your vehicle needs. With over 20 years’ experience at Surbiton Hill Garage, we are passionate about continuing to provide a quality service in the local area, direct to your door. We have a professional team of fully qualified technicians, using the latest diagnostic and repair equipment. We use an off-site workshop for servicing and repairs and can provide a pick up and drop off service. Our commitment is to provide a friendly, trustworthy service for total peace of mind.

Call 020 3816 0441 email info@walshvm.com or visit walshvm.com @walsh_vm

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› SERVICING & REPAIRS

› MOT’S -

COLLECTIONS & DELIVERY

› HEALTH CHECKS -

LEVELS, LIGHTS, TYRES & PRESSURE CHECKS

› DIAGNOSTICS › ACCIDENT REPAIRS › AIR CONDITIONING › VEHICLE SALES & PURCHASING

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

ALAN SURSHAM (MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN)

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

Your local MOT TESTER AND SERVICE REPAIRER

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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)

There’s Life in the “Old-Cog” Yet. Iain Betson suggests rock-oil* still rolls. I’m not convinced electric cars are all they are made out to be. I don’t believe the hype about “zero emissions” - that an electric car is somehow non-damaging to the environment because there’s no CO2 emitted. Well, unless it’s charged up with fairy-dust, where’s the electricity coming from? Over 75% of the UK’s electricity is fossil fuel generated. In essence, electric cars push their emissions down the energy generation chain and add to the load on the grid too. Then there’s the problem of limited range. Batteries are the Achilles heel of the electric car. Consider your phone as an example. Ten years ago, Nokia’s 6310 would go about a week between charges. But today’s smartphones need a top-up pretty much daily. Battery technology has lagged

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behind electronics, and will continue to do so. Of course, burning oil has issues. We all know that, but consider the amount of energy stored in the petrol tank of an average saloon. It’s simply huge. That’s why the internal combustion engine has lasted so long and, with continuous development, will continue. Within 5 years of the government introducing road tax based on CO2 emissions, manufacturers had introduced engines that produced the same, or sometimes more, power yet produced less CO2. In fact, per vehicle, income from road tax has dropped each year as a result. Here’s another pointer to the efficiency of modern engines. Bentley’s L series engine has been produced since 1959. In that time, it has been continuously developed, to the point that the current version will run on the emissions of the original. Like it or not, the internal combustion engine will still keep us rolling for a while yet. *The word petroleum comes from the Latin petra, meaning ‘rock’ and oleum, meaning ‘oil’.

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

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Lovely Lawns by Pippa Greenwood

Almost every garden has a lawn, and even if you have no aspirations to turn yours into a smart bowling green style creation of smooth perfection, there is a lot you can do to keep the typical UK back garden lawn in good condition. With a bit of work, it will be looking healthy and green over the next year too so, rather than waiting until the spring, you should get to work now with some autumn lawn care. If there are any large weeds present in small lawns, you are probably best off just removing them by hand, perhaps using a sturdy old kitchen knife – perfect for removing dandelions, small clumps of daisies and other weeds which are so easily missed by the mower. You should also take a look at the level of moss in the lawn. When it is green and luxuriant, I have to confess to rather liking moss – it can look quite attractive and certainly feels pleasant underfoot, but once it dies out the lawn will look really awful,

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as it will be gappy and bare. On the whole, moss in lawns is encouraged by compaction, poor drainage of the soil and lawn surface and by excessive shading, perhaps by nearby trees or herbaceous plants in adjacent borders which have been allowed to get too big or flop over. It is certainly worth doing anything you can to alleviate these problems, and for shading you should consider pruning back shrubs which overhang the lawn or having nearby trees professionally crown thinned or lifted, so that more light gets through to the lawn. Herbaceous plants are often easily dealt with using a few bamboo canes and some string to create a barrier and ease them up and away from the grass. Compaction is a relatively easy problem to deal with, and in small areas where the problem is not too bad, you can use a normal garden fork. Drive this into the lawn every 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 in) and ease it back and forth slightly, so that the holes created

by the tines of the fork are enlarged slightly. By spiking the area in this way you will have created some drainage channels, which will also improve aeration. On very heavy sites or if compaction is bad, you are much better off using a special hollow tine aerator. These are available to buy as attachments for some lawnmowers, or you can buy or hire a dedicated machine or piece of equipment. Each time it is driven into the ground, a hollow tine aerator will remove cylinders of turf and the soil beneath, thus producing a better effect than the simple method of using a garden fork. Once you have created these longerterm drainage channels, you should then brush a sandy top dressing mixture into all the holes. Use a mixture of sieved garden soil and horticultural sand, perhaps mixed with a small quantity of sieved leaf mould. Once in the holes, the top dressing ensures that they are kept open to allow better drainage and aeration over a much longer period of time.

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It may also be necessary to kill off the moss if it is really out of control, and for this you can use a proprietary moss killer. This must be applied exactly according to the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions and you should make sure that the moss is killed off completely before you attempt to rake it out. Raking out can be combined with what is known as scarifying, which means that you use a spring tined rake and very aggressively rake the surface of the lawn, so that dead moss, thatch (the accumulated bits of dead grass and other

lawn debris) and any other surface debris are removed. Once done, you will find that the lawn looks a lot worse than it did when you started (it can be almost scary!), as it will look thinner and more moth-eaten. However, scarifying helps to ensure that the grasses receive plenty of air and allows for better re-growth; have faith, the situation will improve. If you have any areas that are completely bare, then once you have improved the texture of the soil and checked that there are no drainage problems, you can re-seed or over-seed the area using a suitable grass-seed

mixture. To ensure that the seeds germinate and grow relatively quickly, pin a piece of horticultural fleece or Enviromesh over the newly sown area. This will not only help to keep it a bit warmer, but will also prevent birds from stealing the grass seed. Visit Pippaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website www. pippagreenwood.com for vegetable plants, Nemaslug, mesh and fleece, Speed Hoes, Speed Weeders, SoftTie, popup crop covers, copper tape and lots more besides.

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Beer of the Month September – does it still count as late summer, or is it autumn yet? It’s a half full-half empty question, really; but the blackberries should be well ripened, early apples are ready for picking, and the field boundaries are pocked with big white puffballs. To me, that’s autumn.

Autumn means rich food: the blast of cordite is sounding the pheasant’s death-knell, the stubble-fed pigeons are at their best, and the goose is ready from Michaelmas onward (why wait for Christmas?). And rich food calls for rich beer. Two, both from traditional English family breweries, spring instantly to mind. Hook Norton Old Hooky (4.6% abv) has a richness and complexity that make it a great choice as an accompaniment to game. A deep copper colour, it has a biscuity aroma of quite startling intensity. This richness, though, is balanced by a fruity roundness and a tang reminiscent of old-fashioned marmalade; and the aftertaste, at first almost buttery, is similarly balanced by a bitter smack of hop. Stronger than Old Hooky at 5.7% abv, and perhaps one to savour after a long bracing walk, is the rich, warming Badger Poacher’s Choice from Hall & Woodhouse. A deep reddish-brown in colour its aroma is both sweet and sharp, because the flavourings are liquorice and damson. And they work! The flavour is an alloy of luscious fruitiness and pear-drop acidity. There’s more balancing fruit and acidity in a lingering finish that’s short on traditional hop bitterness. So: rich and warming yet at the same time piquant and tangy – in short, a madeira of a beer. By Ted Bruning

Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA 40th Anniversary On Saturday 11th July the Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA branch celebrated their 40th anniversary at Woodies in New Malden. The branch was first formed on the 10th of July in 1975 with its first meeting in the Victoria (the one that’s still open), in Surbiton. In the past 40 years that the branch has been active the membership has steadily grown to over a thousand members, coming from the surrounding areas stretching from New Malden to Weybridge and down to the far side of Leatherhead.

afternoons proceedings, besides drinking the beers, brewers John Keeling from Fuller’s and Duncan Sambrook from Sambrook’s breweries attended with samples of some off their own bottled beers which were most appreciated.

In the early days beer festivals were held at Sandown racecourse, and then a joint Surrey festival at Dorking, ands when that folded Woking festival appeared. By then it was suggested that the branch organise their own beer festival, and they did, and sixteen years later it is still running, now on a weekend in May.

Pictured is branch chairman Dave Oram in the company of Duncan Sambrook with his award surrounded by branch members.

During the afternoon a presentation was made to Duncan for his Sambrook’s Wandle Ale for winning a joint bronze award in the bitter category in the Champion Beer Of Britain competition.

The Saturday afternoon at Woodies was well attended, taking place on the refurbished patio, with members from across the branch, and also members from Surrey Hants Boarders, West London, West Middlesex and Sutton. To supplement the

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Are you over 50, live in the borough of Kingston, and _________________________________________________ want to lose weight, get fit, and improve your physical mentalPark, wellbeing? Nordic walking: and Richmond Tues 8th Sept 10.30am

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Nordic walking: Richmond Park, Tues 8th Sept 10.30am To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096 karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Aquacise: Kingfisher Leisure Centre,email: Kingston, Wed 9th Sept,12.30pm

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Back to School It doesn’t matter what your age, September always signifies back to school. New uniforms have been bought, exercise books have been packed, and the summer is well and truly over. It’s time to knuckle down and get on with reading your set texts for the term. We’ve picked out a selection of the best books about school. You’ll be straight back into the classroom before the bell has rung. Looking for Alaska - John Green Fitting in at a new school is never easy, but Miles Halter’s life is transformed the day he starts at Culver Creek Boarding School and meets the eponymous Alaska Young. She’s beautiful and smart and funny and incredibly sexy, thinks Miles. He’s a smitten kitten but she is more than just a little bit complicated and confused. First comes love and then comes tragedy - and we’d expect nothing less from the author of the blockbusting ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, John Green. How will Miles cope with life on a rollercoaster ride? It’s a really funny book and like your first love, will stay in your heart for a long time. Goodbye, Mr Chips - James Hilton As the students move through the years and eventually leave school, there are some masters and mistresses who live out their days in the same establishment; the school becoming as much a part of their lives as their own family. Mr Chipping or ‘Mr Chips’ teaches classics at Brookfield School and is something of an institution. The kids think classics and Latin are antiquated subjects, and that their master has perhaps ‘had his chips’, but he perseveres as a staunch believer in discipline and education. Time does move Mr Chips on though, as he falls in love with the young and challenging Katherine and worries about the world that lies beyond Brookfield as times change and life continues.

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I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You - Ally Carter The Gallagher Academy sets itself apart as being for ‘exceptional women’ and the high achievers among us. It’s actually a school for future spies. Here the young ladies learn combat and martial arts, code-deciphering and even have the odd bit of tuition in chemical warfare. Cammie is one such highly-intelligent student who’s being primed for a life in espionage. However, she can’t escape the fact that she’s also just a girl who’s got a bit of a crush on a boy. How does she go about concealing her identity from the one person she might be falling in love with? It could be a case of mission: impossible. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel Spark Most people would say that they have one teacher who really sticks in their mind and who had a significant impact on their future. Unconventional and unorthodox schoolmistress Miss Brodie nurtures the highachieving ‘Brodie set’ and has a great influence over her girls, through her charm and her guile. She fills her lessons with personal accounts of her love life, her politics and her unique slant on life and the future of the Brodie set. Miss Jean Brodie has become an iconic literary figure and has been brought to life both on the stage and in film, by Dame Maggie Smith no less. It’s a back to school must.

Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli Another unusual and left-of-centre teenage girl now, in the form of ‘Stargirl Caraway’. She arrives like a little sprinkling of sunshine at Mica High, strumming her ukulele and taking care of her pet rat. Leo Borlock falls head over heels for her and for a while it looks as though everyone at the school has a soft spot for Stargirl. But, teenagers are fickle, and as soon as you’re up they’ll bring you crashing back down to earth again. The one thing that might save Stargirl is the one thing that could also destroy her: Leo thinks she needs to blend in. Can you make someone be ‘normal’? Can you pretend to be something you’re not? This enchanting book celebrates our quirks and eccentricities and should be read by everyone- whether their ‘freak flag’ is flying, or it’s hidden. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger Holden Caulfield is cheesed off. The original personification of teenage angst, he narrates a couple of days in his life after being expelled from his stuffy prep school, and generations of adults take him into their stilladolescent hearts. The fact that, to this day, it remains on banned book lists should give you some indication of the power of this antiestablishment novel. Teenagers tend to either revere Caulfield, or absolutely detest him and can’t see what his problem is. Either way, it makes for controversial reading, and a great escape from the ‘olds’ who’ll just get on your case.

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Calling all cat-lovers!

ello! I’m Mr Monty. I’m five, and I live with my friends Elaine and Graham in a cosy cottage in KT5. Somewhere near you, probably. Elaine and Graham run a special in-house care service for homeloving cats like me. When a cat’s human friends have to be away, Elaine or Graham can visit the house and attend to the cat’s every need. They call this ‘Mr Monty’s Fuss and Feed.’

This is a splendid service, because cats like to feel comfortable and secure in their usual cherished environment. I know I do! Whether the house is going to be empty for the day or for several weeks, ‘Fuss and Feed’ is friendly and reliable

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

and highly flexible to meet the needs of the individual cat. If at-home cat care would suit your cat and you, why not ring Elaine on 07963 722 330 for a chat and give it a try? ‘Fuss and Feed’ doesn’t cost the earth – from just £8 for a single tenminute home visit. And I know your cat would be more than grateful! Or take a look at our website: mrmontysfussandfeed. co.uk

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Girls, Give It A Try!

ith the Men’s Rugby World Cup approaching, and Rugby Sevens entering the Olympics in Rio next year, our beloved game played with an oval shaped ball will feature prominently in the press and on TV for the next year or so. However, it’s not just a game for big hairy men! GIRLS PLAY RUGBY TOO. If you live in Surrey, attend university nearby or maybe work here then Surrey RFU is dedicated to helping girls (and women) to play.

Is that ‘why’ I hear you ask ? Well it’s a fantastic game and not as dangerous as perceived. Girls tend to play in a more attractive and less aggressive way, more skilful running and passing and less grunt and impact. But crucially it is a sport for all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. It’s about fitness with a purpose but mostly it’s about fun and friendship. 18

To help girls to make the most out of the experience there are lots of dedicated and helpful coaches who also teach discipline and team work, respect and new skills. Surrey is the leading County in girls’ rugby and is looking for new players aged 9 -18 (and above) to join in what we regard as the best sport in the world. Should you be interested then please go to www.surreyrugby.com or contact the Surrey Rugby office direct on secretary@ surreyrugby.com and you will find details of local clubs that deliver girls’ rugby, or to inform you when and where we are holding a Pitch-Up-&Play. A Pitch Up and Play is held most months at a Surrey Club and does what it says on the tin. You pitch up and you play, whatever your experience you will be made to feel welcome most importantly you will be coached at your level. So why not give it a go, be part of the rugby family, meet new friends. (At all of our clubs there is also generally a great social environment for parents too)

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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

karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

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KINGSTON, SURBITON AND THAMES DITTON T: 0208 224 3971 E: kingston.surbiton@monkeymusic.co.uk

Virgin Active, Kingston on Mondays St Nicholas Church Hall, Thames Ditton on Weds Surbiton Hill Methodist Church Hall on Thursdays St Luke's Church, Kingston on Thursdays YMCA Surbiton on Fridays St John's Parish Hall, Surbiton/Kingston on Saturdays

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

“The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

This power walking class, with a mix of cardio, strengthening & toning exercises is proving to be the answer to shifting postnatal weight & re-toning your body after giving birth! • Burns fat, improves posture & strengthens , ITON core muscles • A one hour social class with SURB LDEN, A M time to chat to other Mums • For all levels NEW STON KING of fitness • Suitable for all buggies/pushchairs • It’s fun & your baby or toddler comes too!

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Short Story The Knight in Carpet Slippers “I was walking into my bedroom,” Violet Pinsom said, “and I felt something frightful whizz past me.” Just as the sun was setting, she’d knocked on Graham’s front door in a state of agitation. “Small, like a spider?” Graham asked nervously, surprised to find himself five minutes later cowering with her on her upstairs landing. He’d always hoped that one day he’d be given the chance to be his neighbour Violet’s knight in shining armour. He thought he might be alright with a spider, but a mouse would be a problem. He saw himself more as the sort of knight who swept his cape over puddles, not the slaying dragons type. “No,” Violet said, “it was flying.” Graham was hugely relieved. “It was probably a daddy-longlegs Mrs Pinsom. It’s that time of year. Or maybe it was a moth?” Violet shivered. “Oh dear, I’m not keen on moths, they give me the heebie-jeebies.” “It won’t harm you, I assure you,” Graham said, pulling himself up to his full height. Catching moths with a glass and a large envelope was his speciality. “I’ll have it out of your hair in no time”. At that moment a black shape swept over his head. Graham ducked and stifled a cry.

“There it is!” Violet cried. “Shoo moth, shoo.” If it was a moth, thought Graham, it was the biggest he’d seen. The creature flew a lap of the bedroom and then shot back along the landing with a snap of wings. At that moment, he knew it was not a moth at all. Violet clutched Graham’s arm, which he found reassuring, because his knees had gone a little weak. “I don’t want to alarm you Mrs Pinsom,” Graham said, himself in a state of alarm, “but you have a bat in your house.” Violet made a little shrieking noise at the back of her throat, which Graham sympathised with. “The little fellow won’t harm you,” he said. “In fact he’s probably more scared than you.” Though Graham thought he was probably the most terrified of them all. “But I can’t sleep with a bat flying about,” she said. “Can you catch it Graham?” Graham had no idea how to catch a bat, and feared that attempting to catch it would make it angry. He had no idea what an angry bat was capable of. “Why not leave the bedroom window open?” Graham said, with all the authority he could muster. “He’ll find his way out eventually. That’s the best way

to deal with bats.” “Will you sit with me in the lounge until the coast is clear?” Violet pleaded. Graham’s heart leaped. He could think of nothing he would like more than to sit in a lounge with Violet Pinsom. As he followed her downstairs he sensed something alight on the window pane. It was the bat. He’d never seen one up close. It had a funny little face with an upturned nose and a furry body. It didn’t seem so frightening now that it wasn’t flying. With a trembling hand he reached out and lifted the window latch. The bat calmly flew out to freedom. “Shall I pop the kettle on?” Violet called from the kitchen. “Maybe you could go back up every thirty minutes to see if it’s gone?” “That would be lovely, Mrs Pinsom.” Graham gently closed the window. He suspected he would be an awful lot braver in half an hour’s time. by Jackie Brewster

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Sassy Stirrers Summer Holiday Children’s Cooking Workshops, Thames Ditton

Ballet in Surbiton Royal Academy of Dance Examinations

Age 4-12 years. 26th August 10.30am—3.00pm Plenty-ofpiping cooking class Lots of piping ..& not only sweet decorating! You’ll pipe your own savoury lunch treat, make choux pastry, practice lots of piping skills using fancy nozzles, make and pipe your own muffins plus lots of party games. 27th August 10.30am—3.00pm Summer fun fair cooking class We are setting the kitchen up as a fun fair with an icecream bar, healthy fun fair treats and will be playing a few fun fair games with prizes! Learn how easy it is to make your own popsicles & fizz! Lunch is included.

Price £35.00 per place

Please ring Susan for further information on 07789 792676 or email info@sassystirrers.com to book your place. You can also book online at www.sassystirrers.com

St Andrew’s & St Mark’s Junior School Surbiton

Classical Ballet and Jazz Autumn Term begins Saturday 19th September 2015 Winter Workshop on 12th & 13th December For more information contact: 020 8390 1953 020 8398 2463 / 6140 EMail: balletinsurbiton@aol.com

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

£45 full day £24 half day BOOK YOUR ‘SHOW ROUND’ TODAY! Easy Parking Independent & family run Children's Day Nursery Flexible! in Tolworth Rise North open all year round.

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

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

Tolworth@PlaytimeDayNurseries.co.uk

0208 399 1951

WE ARE ALSO RECRUITING! Visit www.PlaytimeDayNurseries.co.uk for details

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

HELP THE HEDGEHOG! Hedgehogs are in serious decline and could be extinct in urban areas by 2025. They need our help to protect the species so please do what you can to save them. Thank you.

A GUIDE TO HELPING HEDGEHOGS: (information courtesy of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and other sources) 1. Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets in your garden. Not only can they harm hedgehogs but they also damage their food chain. Use organic alternatives. Broken up egg shells can be put around the base of plants to discourage slugs and snails. 2. Make sure hedgehogs have easy access to your garden – cut a 4-5 inch hole in the bottom of a fence panel or in your back gate, or dig a small hole underneath your fence so they can get through to your neighbours garden. Hedgehogs will travel several miles in a night to forage so talk to your neighbours and agree where you can dig or cut a hole and pass on this information to them. If possible allow a corner of your garden to go wild as this will provide protection and encourage natural sources of food. 3. Encourage hedgehogs into your garden but NEVER take one from the wild as it could be a nursing mother and your actions could be condemning the babies to death. Do NOT try to take a hedgehog as a pet, they are wild animals and will not adapt to captivity. 4. If you own a dog please be careful as they have been known to mistake a hedgehog for a ball and can cause serious damage. Cats however tend to ignore hedgehogs. Hedgehog fleas are breed specific and cannot transfer to you or your pets. 5. If you want to put food out NEVER feed bread and milk as this can kill a hedgehog. Feed only cat/ dog food in jelly, NOT gravy as this is too salty and choose the poultry or meat based flavours NOT fish. You can also feed unsweetened muesli moistened with water or you can buy specialist dry hedgehog food mix which can be left out all winter and this could be the difference between a hedgehog making it through to spring or not. 6. Provide a shallow dish of fresh water, especially if you are feeding a dry food mix but make sure it is not too deep. If you have a pond make sure it is covered or has a gently sloping side or some kind of step so that any hedgehog that falls in can get out again. They are good swimmers but can easily

drown if they have no means of escape. A piece of netting secured to the side of the pond could be a lifesaver. 7. Make or buy a hedgehog house. This can either be used for hibernation, or for a mother hog to give birth or you could use it as a feeding station as many of them are designed with tunnels to help make them fox and cat proof. 8. Be extra careful to check your garden before using a strimmer as they can cause horrific injuries that almost always result in death because maggots will very quickly infect the wound. Also be careful with garden netting, make sure it starts 22-30cm off the ground so hedgehogs can get underneath, the same with football type goal nets. Cover open grates or drains so that hedgehogs can’t fall in. 9. Check bonfires before lighting them and if possible relocate them just before lighting to check that you do not have a hedgehog (or a family pet) sleeping in it. 10. Dispose of litter responsibly. Crush the end of cans before you put them in the bin/recycling box and cut plastic beer can multipack yokes to break the circles as hedgehogs can get their heads trapped in them and will starve to death. 11. If you see a sick or injured hedgehog, abandoned babies, one that appears to be ‘drunk’, or is excessively scratching or any hedgehog that is out in the daylight please call me as soon as possible as time is of the essence. If you see any small hedgehogs in October through to February please try to text me a photograph so I can decide if it is large enough to hibernate or if it needs to be taken into foster care. 12. Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t ‘feel’ right then it probably isn’t. If you are in any doubt call me as you might just save a life! Natasha Webb – Hedgehog Helper – 07867 808969 – Or find me on Facebook via ‘The Snufflehog Report’

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•Extensions BERRYLANDS BERRYLANDS •Conversions Property Maintenance Ltd •All types of Paving

Property Maintenance Ltd

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

iPainting and Decorating and Tiling Local builders with over 30 years experience. *iPlastering Conversions * All types of Paving Many local customers with excellent references, iHousehold Maintenance and Repairs Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Many local customers with excellent020 references, 8390 7549 iBathrooms Fitted and Refurbished viewings by appointment 603a885 Check out 07702 our Check Trade ratings. ders with over 30 years experience. iCarpentry and Plumbing Check out our Check a Trade ratings. iFlat Packs and Small Jobs 71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8LR berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk

customers with excellent references,

WWW.CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

Tel: 020 8399 6276 No KT5 obligation8LR quotations. References available. 71 Chiltern Drive ,Surbiton, Surrey, All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 07941 374 32

Tel: 020 8399 6276 Mob: 07941 374 324 Marcus &by Sarah Baines viewings appointment Check out our new website: www.berrylandsbuilders.co.uk 020 8390 7549 07702 603a885 k out our Check Trade ratings. berrylands-property@blueyonder.co.uk Physics

WW.CHECKATRADE .COM,Surbiton, /BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE hiltern Drive Surrey, KT5 8LR Mob:Amplitude 07941 374 324 Atom No obligation quotations. References available. Bouyancy All work guaranteed and fully insured. Em: bbuildco.@yahoo.co.uk Electron

proof 3 Dec 10-HP.indd 9

Energy Entropy Hawking Impedance Isotope Laws Length Lever Mass Momentum Newton Optics Pascal

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Home & Interiors A Stitch In Time While The Sun Shines By Katherine Sorrell home. As Marianne Suhr, historic buildings surveyor and co-author of Old House Handbook, says: ‘It really is a stitch in time. All buildings can very quickly decline if they are not maintained properly. What starts as a missing roof tile can lead to water ingress, then dry rot, death watch beetle and even structural collapse.’

Maintaining the fabric of your house – especially if it’s an older property – is, let’s face it, a bit of a chore. But keep on top of it, especially when the weather is good, and you will reap the rewards, says Katherine Sorrell You know the saying about fixing the roof while the sun shines? Well, keeping a regular eye on your property and repairing it when necessary – especially before the onset of winter – is an insurance policy against major problems. Not only will it make life easier in the long run, but it will save money and should also help to maintain the value of your

Where to start? Get to know your home. Find out what is it made from and how is it built. Are there any particular areas that might give cause for concern? Make a list, and work out how to tackle each area, ensuring you have the necessary equipment and skills – or, if not, call in an expert. Roofs Twice a year, use binoculars to check the condition of your roof and chimney. Look out for general damage, split leadwork, loose mortar, missing, slipped or broken tiles or slates and anything else suspicious. From inside your loft, check for stains and other evidence of leaks, and examine supporting timbers for signs of deterioration. Brush moss growth off roofs

regularly, or else fit copper growth inhibitors. Always be very careful when attempting roof repairs yourself. It is often a better idea to commission a professional to do the work. Rainwater goods Problems with gutters and downpipes cause damp patches – but are often easily remedied. Wait for heavy rain and walk around the outside of your house, observing where the water is going – is it travelling off the roof and into the gutters, down the downpipes and into the drains? If not, what has gone wrong? Perhaps leaves, moss or other debris have blocked your rainwater goods, perhaps a joint has come apart, or maybe water is gathering in one area. Metal can be welded or patched if necessary, while it is often easier simply to replace damaged plastic sections. If there is sagging, you may need to add extra supporting brackets to create a good slope. Prevention is better than cure, however, so clear gutters, downpipes and gullies regularly, especially after the leaves have fallen in the autumn, and keep an eye out for birds building nests. Redecorate metal rainwater goods when necessary, so they do not corrode. Walls Damp in walls might be caused by the ground level outside being higher than inside. If it is a simple case of build-up, dig back to the correct level. Should problems persist, digging down further and laying a gravel path will create a breathing space for the wall. If exterior render has ‘blown’ due to hairline cracks allowing moisture behind it,

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carefully remove the loose, hollow or cracked section, leave the wall behind to dry out and re-render appropriately. Keep an eye on mortar– if it has weathered to the same depth as the joint width, or is very loose, it’s time to re-point, matching existing pointing in material and finish. As for a crack in a wall, everyone’s biggest fear, it may not be as scary as you think. Cracks can be caused by many things, most of them nothing to worry about. When you first spot a crack, mark the end of it with a pencil or take a photo and note the date, so you can keep a track on where it is going and how fast. The Building Research Establishment suggests that cracks that measure less than 5mm wide, and do not grow any larger, will generally not affect structural integrity and can simply be redecorated. If you have any concerns, contact a structural engineer for a

professional assessment. Doors and windows Is there flaking paint on timber doors and windows? Wait for the wood to dry out, then redecorate as soon as possible. If there is rot, fill carefully or else cut out the whole section out and replace like for like. You can overhaul sash windows relatively easily, by re-aligning, replacing cords and adjusting the weights; you can even add brushes so they are soundproof and don’t rattle. Metal windows can rust, in which case they should be cleaned and, if necessary, repaired and resquared. Try planing and/or sanding sticking wooden doors and windows, and check that locks and hinges are doing their job properly. Oil them every now and then to keep them in tip top condition.

Leverett Electrical Ltd

Qualified electrician

Part P registered. All work certified. No job too small. All work considered Quality at the heart of our work

• • • • •

Installation & maintenance Rewires Security lighting Fire alarms Central heating wiring

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

To advertise Karen: 1 020 8274 0096 QPcalladvert

IMAGES - Opposite: Bay windows installed in a period property, by The Sash Window Workshop, tel 01344 868668; www.sashwindow.com. Above:Front door painted in Card Room Green exterior eggshell, £58 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball, tel 01202 876141; www. farrow-ball.com.

Leverett ROBINSON& SON Electrical Ltd PROFESSIONAL Qualifi ed electrician PAINTERS Part P registered. All work certified. & DECORATORS Est 35 YEARS

No job too small. All work considered INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Quality at the of our work PRIVATE & heart RESIDENTIAL

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• Installation & maintenance High Quality • WORK Rewires AT LOCAL RATES • Experienced Security lighting professional Tradesman • Fire alarms FOR FREE ESTIMATE •CALL Central heating wiring

Stuart Leverett 020 8399 9803 OffiRECOMMENDATIONS ce: 020 8390 0617 Mobile: 07710 123 628 AVAILABLE contact@leverettelectrical.co.uk Email: A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS EMail: robinsonandson@talktalk.net www.leverettelectrical.co.uk

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

Mini Cryptic Crossword 1

6 7 8 10

14 15

16 19

20 21

22 23

17. Monarch’s measuring stick? (5) 18. Sing out of ascending change

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

Ken Burgess

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

and move to music (5) 20. Neat way to make a poker stake (4)

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Across 1. Mad twins an earl may hold (6) 6. Beer-soaked limb, say (6) 7. Star almost sounding solemn (6) 8. Repeat in the chorus (4) 10. Raise a glass to grilled bread! (5) 13. Non-clerical poem (3) 14. Now about to possess (3) 15. Ready for collection (3) 16. First time before split fashion (5) 19. Expire with a twisted notion (4) 21. Horatio’s wrestling hold (6) 22. Silent move to join the military (6) 23. Madden with anger to a point (6) Down 1. Gusset I sent out (5) 2. Sail back after a false name (5) 3. Provide relief inside, take a seat (4) 4. Determination to do the puzzle once more (7) 5. Small fruit to inter, it’s said (5) 9. Recently holding currency unit (4) 11. Recital about a newspaper item (7) 12. Note changes pitch (4) 15. Verse strangely cut off (5)

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email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Top Tech for University The tools and tech that will make your beloved’s uni life better

University is a time for studying, socialising and watching cult movies, and gadgets play a crucial part in all of those activities. So what technology should your teen or twentysomething be packing? A laptop or a tablet is essential, and now that Windows 10 is available there are stacks of great laptops at rock-bottom prices. Most of the market is concentrated in the sub-£300 price range, but if you can afford to spend a little bit more you’ll be rewarded with better screens, more storage and smoother processors - all of which come in handy for both work and play. Don’t forget about a printer, too, but make sure you look into the cost of cartridges: many firms use the Gillette model, where the razor is given away at a loss and the money is made on the blades. Inkjet printers are notorious for this, so a printer that costs £30 might cost twice as much to run as a printer costing just a little bit more. Your child will need software too. Microsoft Office is the standard, although some specialist courses may require specialist software such as statistical analysis software. If it’s Office, though, the Office 365 for University deal is superb value for money:

It’s £59.99 for a four-year subscription that covers 2 PCs, Macs or tablets, including iPads and Android devices. It also offers 1TB of online storage. If you don’t go for Office, it’s still worth looking at Microsoft’s free OneNote program, which is available for PCs and Macs, iPads, iPhones and Android and which is a truly superb note-taking application. Apps can be great for non-uni things too: we love Paprika for storing recipes, Readly for magazines and Spotify or Apple Music for tunes. A few low-tech devices are smart buys too. A simple carbon monoxide detector can be a genuine life-saver, especially in rented accommodation where landlords don’t always carry out the checks and maintenance they should. A Leatherman multi-tool or one of its many imitators is great too, offering pliers, wire cutters, files, screwdrivers, bottle openers and can openers in a single device. One important issue for students is internet access. If it’s available in their flat or halls of residence, great, but if it isn’t you might be better off with mobile broadband rather than messing around with the hassle of fixed-line broadband connections with their minimum contracts. Three’s MiFi device

is a little box that connects to the phone network and offers a wireless connection for phones, tablets and computers. Prices start at £10.87 per month and the devices work anywhere with 4G data coverage, which means most big towns and cities. Another wireless item to consider is a wireless speaker. The best ones use Bluetooth to connect to computers, phones or tablets, and if you avoid the very low end of the market you can get surprisingly good sound for surprisingly little money. Decent wireless speakers start at around £200, although it’s possible to spend much more. Unless you’re feeling flush and your child’s really into music, though, there’s no real need to do that. Last but not least, there’s the smartphone. In the unlikely event that your child doesn’t already have one, a decent Android phone such as the Motorola Moto G costs less than £150. It’s easy to program your own number into the speed dial and create a wallpaper that says CALL YOUR MOTHER. Images left to right: Microsoft Office 365 for University; Leatherman Charge multitool; Unbranded MiFi wireless adapter for 4G/3G phones; TDK wireless speakers

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Windows • Doors • Conservatories Orangeries • Garage Doors • Roofline

Add a New Dimension to Your Home

Our Conservatories, Orangeries and Bi-Folding Doors will completely change the way you enjoy your home.

7 Grand Parade, Ewell Road, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7BE www.warmlite.co.uk Tel: 020 8399 3377 To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Time To Re-evaluate Your Working Life? by Kate McLelland “I don’t want to give up work when I’m older. I just won’t be able to keep working in the same way.” Factory worker James McArdle’s words will probably resonate with many employees over fifty who are concerned by the prospect of a delayed retirement age. James, aged 55, is currently employed at a meat processing plant near Basingstoke, a job he has held since the age of twenty-five. However, while he still enjoys the camaraderie of factory work he finds he is less able to cope with the long shifts. The state pension age for men is currently 65 and the pensionable age for women is increasing each year: in fact, the government aims to establish a state pension age of 66 for both sexes by the year 2020. These pension changes affect us at a time when age-related issues such as diminishing eyesight, hearing loss, reduced mobility and a less-than-perfect memory can potentially affect our job performance. But while performance is undoubtedly a key factor when it comes to the employability of older workers, motivation is just as important. What if these workers simply

don’t have the will to continue working in the same way, at the same pace? So what are the options if you decide to change jobs in late middle age, or perhaps opt to work part-time? 1) Asking your employer if you can work part-time Although you can ask your employer if they would be willing to let you work fewer hours, there is no legal obligation for them to grant your wish. If the employer says ‘No’ and can demonstrate that your request has been carefully considered, then there’s little you can do.

The Age and Employment Network (www.taen.org.uk) has published an excellent free guide for older jobseekers which is available under the ‘Resources’ section of their website. If you don’t have access to the internet you can call TAEN on 0300 247 2000 (call charges cost up to 9p per minute on a landline but considerably more on a mobile phone).

2) Looking for a new full or part-time job

Your local Jobcentre Plus will also be able to provide information on finding work, self-employment and training. However if you’ve given up work voluntarily there may be a risk that benefits (including Jobseekers’ Allowance) will be delayed. If you’re unsure about whether you have a good enough case to quit your job and apply for benefits as you search for a new position, you can call the Acas Helpline on 0300 123 1100 (charges as above apply).

If you haven’t changed jobs in a while, you will discover that recruitment methods have changed considerably in recent years. Most jobs are posted online and the communication related to your job search (sending covering letters and CVs, and receiving invitations to attend interviews) is mainly conducted via email.

“At my age, change is going to happen: it’s all about being prepared.”

The good news is that if your employer agrees to let you work part-time, you will still be entitled to the same rights and protections as an employee in full-time work.

For the moment, James McArdle is happy to continue at the factory where he works but he is currently learning IT skills so he will be prepared to re-enter the job market, and he advises others to do the same. As he explains:

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LEWIS DICK

solicitors

Need a DIVORCE, SEPARATION OR HELP WITH CONTACT speak to Carol Stevens-Stratten Need to MOVE HOUSE OR GET HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS speak to Jonathan Owens Need to MAKE A WILL OR POWER OF ATTORNEY OR ADMINISTER AN ESTATE speak to James Winfield

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL LAW FIRM, AND PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE For more information or a no obligation quote

Call: 020 8393 0055

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

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

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

Our Promise: When you intrust us with your loved one, they become our loved one and are cared for as our own and more priceless than a diamond! We aim to alleviate the burden on the bereaved. We are committed to making all of the necessary funeral arrangements. Please contact us for a consultation........

Tel: 020 8390 6213

12 9

46 19

47 44 49

www.lambertfunerals.co.uk To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

31 30

24 27

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

ÂŠpuzzlepress.co.uk

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

Email: surbiton@timeforyou.co.uk

To Karen: 020 8274 email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk Please mention the0096 magazine when contacting Advertisers 34advertise call

39 39

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

● Filters

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m: 07905 533 738 Office: 020 3302 1537 e: info@sosheatingandplumbing.com

Call Sheree today to book your Ovenclean appointment on

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01932 706223 www.ovenclean.com CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

19 8

10 19

14 19

18 15

13 25

3 13

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

3 2

18 19

24 19

1 12

15 3

9 6

10 15

24 10

18 12

20 19

15 15

11 23

12 15

23 2

19 24

8 6

11 15

26 15

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

WORDWHEEL

JAMES ANTHONY DECORATORS

Specialising in quality interior & exterior decorations

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

07939 333 324 020 8399 9735

jamesanthony36@gmail.com

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

S B

I E

www.jamesanthonydecorators.co.uk

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

ELECTRICIAN

info@jamesanthonydecorators.co.uk

Why not send in your events for Autumn? Schools, Churches, & Charity events for Christmas should be submitted to karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

RELIABLE & PROMPT SERVICE FREE VERBAL ESTIMATE 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE CERTIFIED NO JOB TOO SMALL

SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLE

24 HOUR ANSWER PLEASE RING: £11.95

020 8974 2711 MOB: 07929 786 895

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

020 8399 0030/3904

285 Ewell Road, Surbiton

www.prithicuisine.co.uk

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ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS. GAS APPLIANCE SERVICING AND REPAIRS, LANDLORD AND SAFETY CERTIFICATES

William Stallion

150 Elmbridge Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9HF

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

NO JOB TOO SMALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES CALL CHRIS MOULD

Phone 07922 246673

E Mail chris@cjmplumbingandheating.co.uk

Tel: 07828 796 702

willstallion@googlemail.com

DOMESTIC INSTALLER

APPROVED CONTRACTOR

CJM Plumbing and Heating

Word Ladder

Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

L E A F

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

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

WWW .CHECKATRADE.COM/BERRYLANDSPROPERTYMAINTENANCE

T W I G

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

No obligation quotations. References available. All work guaranteed and fully insured.

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

SURBITON & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING IN 1955

urbiton & District Historical Society was founded 60 years ago and one of the celebrations this year was the Members’ Social held on Tuesday 4th August 2015. We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of the Royal Borough, Mr Roy Arora with his wife Manisha, the Mayoress together with around 70 members and visitors. There were many items of memorabilia around the hall from past years including posters advertising the lectures, programmes, Outings Books, all kept by various committee members. Tim Harrison, who is the Editor of The Good Life publication in Surbiton, and John Kelly, both members of the Society, put together a “Summer Quiz” with 70 photographs of Surbiton. Some were taken at the turn of the century and some showed that particular area now. They turned it into a competition with one side of the hall competing against the other with the correct answer. They were an extremely good double act and a great deal of fun ensued. The second speaker was Penny Gillam who gave a chronological history of her home city of Nottingham, covering from 868AD to the present time, a real tour de force. The Society was founded originally by four lecturers from the then Kingston Polytechnic, now Kingston University, as they felt that a Royal Borough should have a dedicated Society to promote the town. The changes to Surbiton from 1955 have been enormous. At that time Surbiton was a Borough in its own right with a Mayor, nine Aldermen and 27

Councillors based at the Town Hall in Ewell Road, next to Surbiton Library. However, in the May that the Society was formed Surbiton became an electoral district and in May 1955 the seat was won for the Conservatives by Nigel Fisher. The photographs that Tim Harrison and John Kelly put on display showed how much change there has been in places such as Victoria and Claremont R o a d s . Woolworths, that was so well used in 1955, gone into history, the Odeon that had queues outside for all its programmes, now only remembered in photographs. When remembrances of the past are shown to any audience, most have happy memories of their childhoods and these photos were a great reminder of the 55 years we have all lived through. Surbiton & District Historical Society meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Surbiton Library Hall. The meetings start at 7.45pm but members and visitors usually start arriving about 7.15pm as tea, coffee and biscuits are served beforehand. We always welcome visitors so please contact me if you have any queries. Marilyn Jennings (Hon.Secretary) 020 8399 4473 email: lenandmarilyn@virginmedia.com

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ST R N NO YLE AN EW W S & GE AV C OF AI OL LA OU BL RS E

For a beautiful new kitchen...

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Centenary Celebrations: the WI turns 100 1915 First WI meeting venue As the Women’s Institute (WI) celebrates the centenary of that first UK WI meeting, we look at its history and its role today.

A Slow StArt

As the twentieth century began, few AOS (Agricultural Organisation Society) branches welcomed women, and although WIs had begun in Canada and spread to other countries, they hadn’t made it to the UK - until the arrival of Madge Watt, co-founder of British Columbia’s first WI. Madge’s speech about the vital contribution women could make to the war effort through working the land to grow food persuaded the AOS to appoint her to start UK WIs, where women could them share knowledge about agriculture and home industries – and initially focus on increasing food production to counter WW1 shortages. The first UK WI meeting was on 16th September 1915 in Llanfair PG, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) was formed in October 1917. After WW1, the WI urged members to stand for election at local and parliamentary level. In 1921 WI member Mrs Margaret Winteringham became the first English born female MP. By 1924, when Jerusalem was adopted as the WI song, there were 3,223 WIs.

world wAr two to diAmond Jubilee

The WI’s chair, Lady Denman, became Director of the Women’s Land Army. The WI’s Preservation Centres were vital, canning produce and making jam, turning over 5,300 tons of potential waste into food, while the NWFI’s 1941 report on evacuees, Town Children through Country Eyes, stimulated a debate that ultimately resulted in the post-war family allowances. In 1945, the WI founded Denman College. The fifties saw the WI spread its wings, organising a music festival and designing a working family’s house for the Ideal home Exhibition. In 1965 representatives from 8,700 WIs celebrated the WI’s Golden Jubilee at a Buckingham Palace garden party, and the rule prohibiting WIs in places with populations over 4,000 was abolished. The sixties ended with performances of The Brilliant and the Dark, an NFWIcommissioned musical following women’s lives through history. In 1974 the number of WIs reached an all-time high of 9,309, just in time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in 1975. At that year’s AGM, the NFWI pledged itself to ‘the principle of equality of opportunity and of legal status for men and women.’

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk A thoroughly modern inStitution

In the 1980s, the WI launched a substantial campaign to raise its profile, culminating in the Life and Leisure Exhibition in 1984, opened by the Queen, and it showed a growing awareness of current technology and issues as the 1990s began. Perhaps what most overturned its ‘jam and Jerusalem image’ was the response of many members to the Prime Minister’s address at their Triennial General Meeting in 2000. Feeling his speech was becoming a party political broadcast, they rewarded him with a slow handclap. However, the WI is just as committed to preserving traditional skills as it is to addressing the issues of the day, as demonstrated by their Craft Spectacular exhibition in 2000. Today, the WI is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK, with 212,000 members. It still strives to provide women with educational opportunities and campaigns on issues that concern members and their communities, from equal pay and better midwifery to climate change and the plight of the honey bee. So happy 100th birthday, WI – and thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

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M.DUFFELL

Interior / Exterior Decorating Fully Insured References For Free Quotations & Advice

Family business established 25 years

Call:

020 8390 0383 07989 035 725 properly - margins, line spacing, and the correct font if they specify it. Do they want to see three chapters or just one? Submissions by post or electronically?

Submissions Submitting your novel to an agent or a publisher can feel like sending your child into an enchanted forest. You know it could have a happy ending, but there are also dangers lurking in the shadows. What can you do to minimise the likelihood of a rejection, apart from writing brilliant prose? Use a reference guide, such as the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook (try the public library) or a web search to ensure your genre is a good fit and that you meet all the requirements. Format your manuscript

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Don’t try to be clever by emailing material when they’ve said not to, or by using coloured paper to ‘make a statement’. It won’t win you any prizes, or an audience. And putting chocolate in the envelope, as I once did, can end very badly. Basically, let your work speak for itself. Response times vary. Three months used to be standard, but increasingly the lead-time is closer to four - and beyond. It can be quicker for email submissions, but often writers are only contacted if the agent or publisher is interested. The shortest response time I ever had was 10 minutes, by email, to say they were no longer open to unagented submissions. The longest time, from an American publisher, was 1 year, 3 months and 16 days. Sadly, it was a ‘no’.

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

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Health Sitting Comfortably? It Could Be Killing You. By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

Even if you exercise regularly, too much sitting could significantly shorten your life. With employment and entertainment becoming ever more sedentary, sitting down for hours is the norm for many of us. But in the last decade, research has increasingly proved that prolonged sitting is a health risk in itself, regardless of how much or how little exercise we do, and can cause irreversible damage. Disturbing rEsEarch A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2008 estimated that for every hour we sit watching TV after the age of 25, our life expectancy decreases by 21.8 minutes, while a 2012 study in the Lancet estimated that inactivity causes 9% of premature deaths. So how does sitting shorten life expectancy? Recent studies showed a 147% increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events (incidents causing heart muscle damage) and a 112% increase in diabetes risk amongst those spending longest sitting,

compared to those who sat least. Inactivity is known to increase breast and colon cancer risk too - and unsurprisingly, obesity. James Levine, Director of the Mayo Clinic-Arizona State University Obesity Solutions Initiative, has said he believes sitting is more dangerous than smoking. “We are sitting ourselves to death.” We know prolonged inactivity results in decreased bone density, and evidence now shows it reduces the action of enzymes that maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some experts have suggested the effects of prolonged sitting may partially resemble those of zero gravity, causing the accelerated ageing, bone and muscle loss that occurs in astronauts. Unfortunately, exercise sessions aren’t a “cure for too much sitting,” explains Professor Marc Hamilton, from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Men’s Health. “The average person could never do enough to counteract the effect of hours and hours of chair time.” tackling thE ProblEm A moderately active lifestyle which includes housework, walking or gardening is ideal. Take regular active breaks from seated activities like reading and watching TV: mop the floor, take a quick walk, or do a few minutes of ‘step’ (an exercise step isn’t required. Stairs will

do). You could also consider: • Reducing your sitting time by standing on public transport, walking or biking to the station, or getting off the bus earlier. • Standing or walking while on the phone. • A standing desk, a desk that converts between sitting and standing, or a unit that converts your normal desk to a standing one. • A treadmill desk (or attach a bracket or stand to your treadmill). • Sitting on a yoga ball; your core muscles will be used constantly to retain balance. • Walking or organising a sporting activity at lunchtime. • Active Sitting. It won’t replace standing or walking, but makes sitting healthier. Try raising your heels up and down; contracting your stomach muscles; raising and lower your lower leg from knee height or whole leg from hip height; swivelling your office chair using just your hips; tensing, stretching and bending your arms; rolling your shoulders. • Using the Pomodoro Technique, described here: http://pomodorotechnique. com/. This time management technique inserts regular breaks – that’s the time to get active. So next time you’re about to start something, stop. Does it have to be done sitting down? If not, then don’t sit! Bear in mind, though, that constant standing isn’t ideal either. Experts recommend aiming for a 50/50 split between sitting and activity.

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Long Ditton Yoga Friendly yoga classes for all levels - beginners welcome. Would you like to:

be fitter? be more flexible? reduce your stress levels?

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

6:45 - 8:15 pm 9.30 - 11.00 am 6:45 - 8:15 pm

& & &

8:30 - 10:00 pm 11:15 - 12:45 pm 8:30 - 10:00 pm

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

You lookin’ at this advert? It could be your advert, and over 8,500 readers could be looking at it each month!

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

For less than a cappuccino a day, you could advertise your business with A Berrylands Companion.

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.

It’s easy to arrange your advertising Just call Karen on: 020 8274 0096 or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Will contact you immediately if any other defects are spotted so there will be no unpleasant surprises. Free pick up and drop off within a five mile radius of Surbiton. Repair and service prices start from £10.00. Please see website for further prices and details.

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

Simples!

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

17 43

Advertorial

Food For Thought

hen visiting restaurants, have you ever wondered how to their recipes at home. Langleysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Head chef shares some top tips for great looking and tasting plates. Creating a Visual Statement

2.Infused Oils Be inventive, abandon your usual infused oils and experiment with a drizzle of tarragon or fennel and lemon oil to jazz up any salad, soup or fish dish in one easy step the dish will be bursting with flavour. Mix any of these oils with aioli/mayonnaise and you have a range of unusual dips to serve in a flash. 3. Equipment- what restaurants really have in their kitchens

Method: 1. Paint a wide stroke of squid ink sauce with a thick pastry brush (bought online or at any Korean shop ) 2. Assemble fresh rocket , cooked vegetables and fish cakes* as shown in the picture. 3. Spoon the aioli/ mayo onto the fish cake(s). Pipe dots of aioli/ mayo and saffron sauce*

Commercial equipment that has revolutionised restaurant cooking is now available for the home. Sous Vide equipment creates the most delicately cooked and flavoured fish and meat dishes. 5 star cooking guaranteed. Foodies aiming high- the favourite tool of top chefs is the The Thermomix- it weighs, mixes, chops, kneads, blends, steams all in one go. This gadget has literally transformed the way restaurants cook maybe give it a go? If this page may have inspired any of you food lovers, have a go at one of Langleysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most popular dish. Braised Beef shin, Parnsip Cream and Pickled Pearl Onions

4.. Topping with red amaranth or micro radish , you will have transformed a simple fish cake dish into a mini work of art The saffron sauce comes from the reduction of cooking cauliflower in saffron and organic cooking stock Tricks of the trade- Flavour 1.Micro Herbs Need to liven up a salad, bowel of soup or a bland fish dish, this is the way forward. Grown on you window sill, micro radish packs an amazing peppery punch and with its lurid pick stems gives incredible interest to any plate.

For the ingredients and method log onto www.langleysrestaurant.co.uk and click on the March BLOG page. Langleys' staff would love to know how you get along and if there are any dishes you would like our chefs to try out. Please get in touchinfo@langleysrestaurant.co.uk

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0208 390 7564

Beautifully Renovated Private Room

Are you looking for a Beautiful Private Room for a Special Event? Wedding Receptions Private Parties Tailored Menus Christenings Canape Parties Late Licence Live Music

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

www.langleysrestaurant.co.uk

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

The Joys of September! says Alan Jennings

f all the months, I think that maybe September has the most going for it, especially in the meat department. There’s plenty to interest those who are keen on good food, with many new tastes to be sampled.

for roasting, and we can cut the joint to your preferred size. For slow cooking we would recommend shoulder meat, which can be diced for stews and casseroles. And we make our own venison sausages which are renowned for their texture and taste.

And often in September there’s still some summer to be enjoyed. Here in the South-East we can often have some really fine weather late on, which tempts us to BBQs and outdoor eating. So maybe there will be some nice relaxed open-air cuisine still to come, and we can look forward to all those succulent joints of pork and lamb, and our prime steaks, sizzling happily on the BBQ in front of your guests.

Venison has its own special qualities. The meat is naturally lean, low in cholesterol and is a good source of iron and vitamins. In past centuries venison was strictly reserved for the Royals and the nobility, but nowadays it’s there for us all to savour if we wish. If you haven’t tried venison, you will have the opportunity from this month on!

But the big news towards the end of September is that the new season’s wild venison is on its way. It’s something really different to delight your family and friends. We can offer you a truly royal feast, because all our venison comes from Balmoral in Royal Deeside, where our suppliers enjoy the exclusive rights to the venison on the Estate. The quality of the meat is unsurpassed, coming from animals that have ranged freely on the rugged uplands of the Cairngorms. There’s a range of cuts for you to enjoy. Loin of venison can be a roasting joint, or it can be cut into fillets for grilling. The haunch is also excellent 46

September is also the month when some of the game birds begin to reach us. Partridges will soon be ready, followed next month by pheasants. And guinea fowl will be with us, too, a valuable resource for the cook who’s looking for something different. So September’s always an exciting time for me. But we could still do with some good BBQ weather, couldn’t we? Best wishes Alan C D Jennings and Sons Traditional Quality Butchers since 1962 146 Ewell Road Surbiton KT6 6HE 020 8399 4870

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

Serving Surbiton Since 1962 .

Proud Suppliers of:

Scotch Beef Scotch Highland & Romney Salt Marsh Lamb Free Range & Gloucester Old Spot Pork Free Range Chickens & Ducks Balmoral & Royal Deeside Venison Kelly Bronze Free Range Turkeys Own Make Sausages, Burgers & Kebabs

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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

Potato Tortilla with Marinated Olives Serves 4

Ready in 45 minutes, plus marinating time

This Spanish baked omelette is great served warm as a speedy supper or is just as tasty served cold. Perfect for a late summer picnic served with a bowl of garlicky marinated olives. To marinate the olives, heat the oil, chilli and garlic in a small pan until just warmed through. Stir in the parsley, lemon zest and olives and season with freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cover and leave to marinate in a cool place for a few hours or overnight.

Ingredients: FOR THE MARINATED OLIVES

• 100ml olive oil • � red chilli pepper, deseeded and very finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley • 1 tsp lemon zest • 150g Kalamata olives • 150g large green olives

To make the tortilla, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Grease a 19cm x 23cm shallow cake tin. Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until almost tender. Drain well and arrange in 2-3 layers in the cake tin. Beat together the eggs and garlic in a bowl then add the dried mixed herbs and two thirds of the grated cheese. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and pour the mixture over the layered potatoes.

FOR THE TORTILLA

• 450g potatoes, peeled and thickly sliced • 6 large eggs • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • 10ml (2tsp) dried Italian mixed herbs • 50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated • Rocket leaves, to serve

Sprinkle over the rest of the cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool for 10 minutes then cut into wedges. Serve warm with rocket leaves and the marinated olives.

TIP

If serving the tortilla cold, allow to cool completely then cut into squares and wrap in greaseproof paper. It will keep in the fridge for 24 hours.

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Which are the Main Vaccines Available for my Cat? Vaccinations and boosters are part and parcel of owning any pet. Here are some of the diseases posing the greatest risk to your cat’s health. Cat Flu The existence of many different strains of flu means that it will never be completely wiped out, but a cat flu vaccine provides a degree of protection against this disease, which can spread rapidly between cats. Infectious Enteritis A widespread virus, Feline Infectious Enteritis can be fatal. It is

PETS

a severe infection of the gut caused by the feline parvovirus, which can be picked up from infected animals and equipment, including bedding and food dishes. Feline Leukaemia Feline Leukaemia is transmitted via saliva, and can be deadly if not overcome by the cat’s own immune system. The vaccine offers some protection for outdoor cats. Indoor cats may not need it due to their low exposure to risk. Feline Chlamydia Cats between the ages of five weeks and nine months are said to be at particular risk of Feline Chlamydia, a disease characterised by conjunctivitis and sneezing. The vaccine does

HOME WANTED! Squeak

not protect against the infection, but helps to reduce its effects. Which vaccines should you give your cat? This depends on several factors: • Its age and general health • Reactions to any previous vaccinations • Its risk of exposure to disease An initial course of vaccines may be given to kittens as young as seven weeks old, with regular annual boosters needed throughout life in order to maintain immunity. http://www.rspca.org.uk/ adviceandwelfare/pets/general/ vaccinating http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pethealth-advice/kittens-and-cats/ health#vaccinations

By Ann Haldon

Aspen Veterinary Surgery

Your pet matters to us

My name is Squeak , I am a pretty, friendly, little tabby, female. I am much happier and more settled now, having been very anxious and scared when I first came into care. I love a fuss and a lap to sit on. It is hard to believe that I am the same cat. I am told I have nice tabby markings and one of the longest tails my carers have ever seen! I am looking for my new forever home & am happy to share it with children and I am used to a small dog. If you feel that you could give Squeak a much deserved forever loving home please call ROSEMARY on 01737 350307 Epsom Ewell & District Branch http://www.epsom.cats.org.uk If you cannot adopt a cat but would still like to help us please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Epsom-Cats-Protection

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

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

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

020 8399 6437

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Beauty Shades of Autumn by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk This issue we’re looking at makeup, including the key trends for autumn/winter. As your tan fades, you may find that you want slightly more foundation. ’Contouring’ is the art of using different shades to add definition to your face. Lighter tones highlight areas and make them stand out slightly, while darker tones add shadow and depth. If you’ve been thinking of trying contouring, but are worried that it will take hours, or make you look a bit fake, read on for our cheat’s guide… Start with an overall base that’s the same tone as your natural skin, before adding slightly darker shades under your cheekbones and along your jawline. Use a lighter shade on top of the cheekbones, under the eyes and between your eyebrows. And don’t forget to blend well! If you’re still not convinced, try searching online for video tutorials. MAC has some great ones on its website, for example. When it comes to the product itself, a cream tends to give a fresher appearance. Iconic London’s Multi Use Cream Contour Palette, £32.99, is a good choice, as it has several easy-to-apply shades in one kit, which also double-up as eyeshadows.

If you don’t fancy contouring, but do want to add a touch of colour to your cheeks, Colorescience Pressed Mineral Cheek Colore, £28, is a good choice. Available in five shades, including a natural looking coral, it’s easy to apply, blends well and lasts for ages. Colorescience is available www.beauty-product-online.co.uk

from

Want to master the perfect autumnal smokey eye? Neal’s Yard Remedies tells us how*: • Apply a tawny brown shadow over the entire eyelid and up into the socket line using a medium eyeshadow brush. Apply to the

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lower lash line with a small eyeshadow brush. • Using a medium brush, apply a dark hazelnut shade to the outer corner of the lid and blend into the crease of the socket line. Blend the colours using soft back and forth strokes. Apply dark brown mascara. • Press a dark chocolate eyeliner into the eyelash roots, moving along the upper lash line. Go over this with a precise line, staying close to the lashes. Draw eyeliner along the lower lash line from the outer to the inner corner.

key looks for this season is ‘polished’. Think sophisticated, ‘grown-up’ make-up. The Lip Trio is perfect for this, as it gives you perfectly defined lips, with just a hint of gloss. Victoriana looks set to become another one of this season’s key looks. Forget soft romantic frills though; this is Victoriana with an edge. Think dark, gothic eroticism. If you don’t fancy going the whole shebang, you can dip your toe (or fingertip) in the water with a dark red or purple nail varnish. We like Vamp by HJ Manicure, which is £9.50 and doesn’t contain the strong chemicals often found in nail polishes, such as formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. * Taken, with permission, from Neal’s Yard Remedies’ new Beauty Book.

Statement lips don’t have to be red. We love Bobbi Brown’s new Lip Trio in Twilight Glow, £39 – the perfect shade for autumn. One of the

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Cake and Bake Lemon Crumble Cheesecake Bars Tangy and creamy with a golden buttery crumble topping, these cheesecake bars make a delicious sweet treat. For a smoother cheesecake filling, use full-fat soft cheese instead of the ricotta.

Ingredients: THE BASE • 250g plain flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 140g butter, chilled and diced • 125g caster sugar • 1 medium egg, beaten THE FILLING • 750g ricotta cheese • 225g caster sugar • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • 3 medium eggs, beaten • 100ml soured cream • 1 tbsp cornflour • Fresh mint sprigs, to decorate

Makes 12 slices Ready in 1½ hours, plus chilling 52

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas Mark 4. Grease an 18cm x 28cm tray-bake tin and line the base with baking paper. 2. To make the base, sift together the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs then stir in the sugar. Reserve a third of the mixture and chill in the fridge. Stir the beaten egg into the rest of the mixture to make a crumbly dough. Spread into the base of the prepared tin and press down firmly in an even layer. 3. Bake the cheesecake base for 15-20 minutes, or until pale golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 160C/ Fan 140C/ Gas Mark 3. 4. To make the filling, beat the ricotta cheese, sugar and lemon juice and zest in a bowl until creamy then gradually beat in the eggs. Fold in the soured cream and cornflour and spread the mixture over the warm base. 5. Sprinkle the reserved fine crumble mixture over the top in an even layer. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until set and pale golden. Leave in the tin to cool completely then chill for 2-3 hours. Slice into 12 bars and serve decorated with fresh mint sprigs.

TIP

For an extra fruity flavour, scatter some fresh blueberries or raspberries over the cheesecake mixture before sprinkling with the crumble mixture.

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Every game shown live Purchase a meal deal to be entered into our prize draw Drinks promotion come and roll the dice See our website for more details and live fixtures WWW.THEDITTON.CO.UK

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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

And Another Thing... by Tom Hughes

I knew from Sarah’s desperate phone call that the situation was urgent. “Tom, has it arrived or not?” “Yes, the courier’s just been.” “Right, let’s just hope it fits. We have to be there for seven!” The Chairman’s annual dinner dance is the highlight of our social calendar (the other important dates being Christmas and my Mum coming for Sunday tea) so what to wear is a stress known only to the fairer sex. I on the other hand have no such conundrum, needing only to dust down my penguin suit (although sometimes the previous twelve months over-indulgence can result in a fight to the death with the trousers). So my problems were as nothing compared to Sarah’s. Rushing in from work, she ran upstairs to our bedroom, where on the bed lay her nemesis - the ball gown. I was half way up the stairs when an ear piercing scream froze me to the spot. “Tom!” I burst in to see my beloved

stuck inside an oversized meringue. “They’ve sent the wrong dress!” Immediately I went into damage limitation mode. “It’s not too bad. Here, can I pin it?”

about that black one?” Dragging the Apple of my Eye out onto the landing I said, “Word of advice, don’t ever apply to be a diplomat, will you?”

“Since when did you become a seamstress? It’s ok, I’ll just wear the black one. Thank goodness you never stuck it on eBay.”

As Hannah rolled her eyes I heard Sarah call from the bedroom. “Right that’s it. I’m not going, you can go on your own.”

My grimace gave it away. “... Tom?”

Disaster loomed. I had to think quick.

“If it’s any consolation, my feedback score is excellent.”

“Look, let’s see what Debi says.”

“Right well that’s it. I’m not going. I can’t go.”

Debi was Sarah’s best friend and my last hope. Hurriedly, I took some pictures.

“I’ll tell you what, let’s ask our daughter.”

“You could at least smile darling.”

I shouted Hannah, our sassy, fifteen year old fashionista. My eyes bored into her as I nodded furiously and said,

“Listen David Bailey, there isn’t time.”

“Doesn’t that dress look lovely on your Mum?” Hannah, glancing up momentarily from her smartphone, took one look at her Mother and said, “Have you not got anything else? What

With Sarah in the bathroom, I seized my chance as Debi’s messages pinged through. “Sorry hon, that dress is awful!” (delete) “Is there nothing else? What about that gorgeous black -” (delete). Beep! The taxi arrived. Bustling Sarah into the back of the cab, I

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handed over her phone. “Debi hasn’t replied, but I’m sure she loved it.” Outside the hotel, Sarah made a final adjustment to her dress as she looked me up and down. “Have those trousers shrunk or something?” “Let’s just go in shall we?” Shuffling into the lobby, we were greeted by a glitter ball on legs - The Chairman’s Wife. “Mrs Hughes, don’t you look... nice?” “There you go, she loves it”, I whispered through my fixed grin. “You’ve a lot to learn about women”, replied Sarah through gritted teeth. The night wore on. We danced

and drank our way through it. Eventually it was late enough to make our excuses and leavem so Sarah poured me into the taxi and we headed home. “Be honest. Do I really look nice?” “You look absolootelee deevine dahling (hic!) and I don’t care what Debi said.”

I noticed Sarah busy on my phone. “What are you doing?” “I’m just ordering myself a new LBD online. It’s a bargain, only £200. And isn’t PayPal so convenient?” “But you haven’t got a PayPal account.” “I know. But you have.”

“Why, what did she say? You said she didn’t reply. Tom?” Then, our chauffeur, a skinny young man with a pierced nose decided to weigh in with his two penneth. “Take no notice love, my wife has the exact same dress and it looks great on her. Mind you, hers isn’t white, it’s bla-”

And so, the wheels of married life turn endlessly onwards.... Follow Tom @groomsdaybook groomsdaybook.com

“Just here thank you!” Testily, I cut him dead. Sipping coffee in the kitchen,

Fruiterer & Greengrocer

155 Surbiton Hill Park, Berrylands, Surbiton Tel: 020 8399 5550 Mob: 07753 690 518Fax: 020 890 9231

Vegetables in Season

Fruits in Season Cherries, Strawberries Plums Raspberries Blackberries

We have the following available: Dairy products, milk, cream, yogurt, cheese and fresh bread daily

Beetroot, broad beans, carrots, cauliflower, courgettes, french beans, runner beans, lettuce, new potatoes, peas, peppers, radishes, spring onions, marrow watercress

We can supply any items for your special occasion - 24 hours notice required. Please contact us to discuss your requirements: Tel: 020 8399 5550

Daily delivery & 24 hr answering service. All types of restaurants, bars, cafes, schools, pubs, nursing homes and deli bars supplied.

Free Local Home Delivery Available

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

QUIZ SOLUTIONS

CODEWORD SOLUTION

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

WORDSEARCH ANSWER

WORDWHEEL ANSWER BESIDE

I am fascinated by quantum physics. will.i.am

HIDATO SOLUTION 5

Change one letter at a time (but not the position of (This there any is letter)one to makesolution, a new word - and move from themay word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, be others) using the exact number of rungs provided.

L E A F

CHILDREN’S PAGE Rugby World Cup: 1987: New Zealand 1991: Australia 1995: South Africa 1999: Australia 2003: England 2007: South Africa 2011: New Zealand

WORD Word LADDER ANSWER Ladder

lead bead beam seam swam swim swig

T W I G

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

      

Reflexology by Wendy

Relax, Rejuvinate and Rebalance your body

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   

Experience a feeling of total relaxation Experience a feeling of total relaxation and rejuvenation through reflexology. Experience a feeling of total relaxation and rejuvenation through reflexology. and rejuvenation through reflexology.

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 

A less invasive alternative to body massage. A less invasive alternative to body massage. A less invasive alternative to body massage.

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

               

Professional Surbiton based therapist. Professional Surbiton based therapist. Professional Surbiton based therapist.

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£45.00 initial consultation (60 mins appx) £45.00 initial consultation (60 (45 mins appx) £40.00 subsequent appointments mins appx) £45.00 initial consultation (60 (45 mins appx) £40.00 subsequent appointments mins appx) £40.00 subsequent appointments (45 mins appx)

   

      

            

10% off first 10% off first consultation, 10% off first consultation, onconsultation, production on production ofonthis advert. production of this advert. of this advert.

Wendy Malpas Reflexologist ITEC CThA 020 8241 9811 wendynmalpas1973@gmail.com

Are you interested in joining 100,000 adult volunteers who help support the Scouting movement in the UK? Berrylands Scout Group are newBeaver BeaverLeader Leader help our Beaver Colony, Berrylands Scout Group arelooking lookingfor for aa new to to help run run our Beaver Colony, down down at ouratHQ Stirling Walk. ourin HQ in Stirling Walk.

No experience needed; just a thirst to learn new skills, be involved in the Scouting movement and inspire children! The Beaver Colony is made up of kids between 6 – 8 years old. We meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 and already have a great set of volunteers but we are looking for a new Leader to take the colony forwards. Throughout the year you will have a chance to partake in district events including: camping, sports days, cooking competitions, zoo trips and run your own events for the Colony! If thisIfis something that could youplease please hesitate to contact our GSL this is something that couldbebeofofinterest interest to to you dodo notnot hesitate to contact our GSL james on: james_roach-mcgurn@live.co.uk or call: 07523 381 717

James on: james roach-mcgurn@live co uk or 07523 381717

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

What’s on in September:-

Urology Awareness Month; Childhood Cancer Month; Vascular Disease Month

May- December: Royal School of Needlework Whitework Exhibition at Hampton Court Palace on set days each month & pre-booking is essential. Tours 1.5 hrs, Tkts £16pp, groups welcome. tel: 020 3166 6941, visit: www.royal-needlework.org.uk

Events in August 23rd 30th 30-31st

Music at St Matthews Church, St Matthews Ave, Surbiton. 4.00pm, Concert & Recital. Free admission, retiring collection. Oliver Hancock, Organ Recital Evening of Clairvoyance with Riki Davies from 6.30 - 8pm The Scout Hall, Princes Ave, Tolworth. Admission £3 Nottinghill Carnival

Events in September:

Until 13th Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the Sea, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road. 10-17.50, Ad:£10, Ch & Concession: £4.50, Fam: £24. www.nhm.ac.uk Sensational Butterflies at Natural History Museum. Admission £5.90 Until 27th Buckingham Palace Summer Opening 1 - 30th Totally Thames on South Bank, celebrating 42 miles of the Thames, with more then 100 events 5th Pup Aid, Primose Hill. Free. To raise awareness of puppy farming, with Vet Marc Abrahams plus celebraties. Till Dusk. www.pupaid.org 5-6th Greenwich Vintage Fair on the Gardens at Cutty Sark Gardens, 11am, Free. 6th Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Annual Reunion in Battersea Park, 11-4.30. Free. Family & Canine fun. Money raised to help abandoned, lost and unwanted cats & dogs. www.battersea.org.uk 11th Safer Surbiton Supper, 7pm at Glenmore House, The Crescent, Surbiton. Ticket £30 pp. For information & menu email alison.mcwhinnie@gmail.com 11-13th London Flower Show Victoria Park. Tkts: Ad: £17.50, Seniors: £15, Family: £35 www.londonflowershow.co.uk 12th BBC Proms in the Park, Hyde Park Great River Race at River Thames, 21.6 mile course Docklands to Ham 13th Seething Trycyclingthon 14th Surbiton Arts Group: Lecture & slides Velequez by Leslie Pitcher. Meeting Mondays 8 - 10pm at Surbiton Library Annexe, Ewell Road. Visitors welcome. Info: Tel: 020 8397 1050 or email: asag2012@aol.com 15th SurboExpo Business Show at Glenmore House Claremont Road 18th Jeans for Genes Day 19th Surbiton Farmers’ Market 9-1pm. SurbEau: River Festival at Thames Sailing Club Great Gorilla Run through the City of London 19 & 20th London Open House Weekend 20th London Duothon Richmond Park, run - bike - run Surbo15 ‘River & Blues’ Festival of voice at Raven’s Ait. ZSL London Zoo Stampede from 9.30am. ZSL member: £29/ affiliated: £31/ Non Memb: £33 www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo 22nd BP Big Summer Screens 2015 at Trafalgar Square and Walthamstow Town Square. Starts 7.30pm, Free. www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens 24-28th Write on Kew. Adults: £15, Child: £7. www.kew.org 25th Macmillan Biggest Coffee Morning. Sign up for a free kit: coffee.macmillan.org.uk 26th Surbiton Festival: Market stalls along Victoria Road & side streets, displays, activities.Theme is ‘Hats’, so come along in whatever takes your fancy! Promotes local charities. Fircroft Centre Summer Fayre, 11.30am-2.30pm at Fircroft Centre 96 Ditton Road, Surbiton. Variety of stalls, bric-a-brac, tombola, face painting, good as new, refreshments, cakes & side shows. Entrance 50p adults, children free. 27th Celebrate Harvest Festival with Pearly Kings & Queens parade from Guildhall City of London, to St Mary-le-Bow Church. www.pearlysociety.co.uk Until 1st Nov: Plantastic at Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill. Adult £6.50, Child £3.50, Family £16.50. Times 10.30 - 17.30. www.horniman.ac.uk Until 17th Dec IT Buddy Sessions at Surbiton Library, Fortnightly, 10-12 Free Knitwits Knitting Group at Surbiton Library, every week, 11-12.30 Free Until 31st Dec Star Wars at Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Road, 9.30 - 5.30 M-F; 9-6 Sat & Sun. From £22 www.starwars.madametussauds.com/london/en

1-31 October: London Restaurant Festival. Fabulous foodie events and special menus.

3rd 24-31st 31st

www.londonrestaurantfestival.com Staying Safe Event, 10am, St Mark’s Church Hall. Expert Personal Safety tips. alison.mcwhinnie@ gmail.com for more information and to book your place. Surbiton Arts Group 2015 Autumn Exhibition of our artists’ work. See details above. Closed Wed. Halloween

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What’s On/Local Events

1st Tuesday: NHS Retirement Club, 10-12pm at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. For information call Lorna: 020 8337 4121 Last Sunday of the month: Women on Wheels, meet outside Clas Ohlson Market Place 10.00. 020 8547 5865. E-mail: ccst@rbk.kingston.gov.uk St Marks Church:Weds mornings 10.00-11.30 Stay and Play for Toddlers and Carers at St Mark’s Church Hall, St Mark’s Hill. Friday Mornings Coffee and Cake corner 10-11.30am, drop in for coffee at St Andrew’s Church, Maple Road, no booking required for any of them. Tiny Tunes: Mon 10am & 10.50am at Surbiton Library Hall. Tues 10am & 10.50am at St Nicholas Parish Church, Summer Rd, Thames Ditton. All sessions 40 mins long, features music, dance, parachutes, bubbles & pom-poms. Age 3 months -5 years, pay as you go £5, siblings £2.50 www. tinytuneslive.com Kingston Pensioners’ Forum: Meets 2nd Monday each month at Reform Church, Eden Street 2pm. New members welcome. Talks, outings and tea and coffee. For more info: Pam Wilson Secretary, 020 8241 9913, www.kingstonpensionersforum@hotmail.co.uk 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 Philatelic Society: Meets 8-10pm on 1st Thurs & 3rd Fri, at Surbiton Library Hall, Ewell Road. Info: Brian Sole Tel: 01932 220 677 or email: brian.sole@btinternet.com Surbiton Floral Club: 1st Weds of the month at Raeburn Hall United Reform Church, Elgar Avenue. 7.30 for 7.45pm start. Floral demos, talks, workshops & outings. Tel: 020 8399 8193 Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom:Wednesdays. Learn Regency dancing at St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton, 8pm - 10.30pm. Cost £5 per eve. Contact Libby Curzon, 020 8391 1215. Email: curzone@hotmail.com Surbiton Club for the Blind 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. Oasis daytime group for over 60s at Emmanuel Church, Grand Avenue, Tolworth. Plenty of opportunity to chat, play games, do puzzles. Meetings, Weds 2nd & 16th include a 5 minute Bible-based talk. Meetings on Wednesdays fortnightly, at 2.30pm. Tel: 020 8390 6631. Open Door: Alternate Thursdays, 2.45 - 4.30pm, 3rd & 17th September. A friendship group aimed at seniors. Afternoon tea, chat and short talks from local organisations. Christ Church Lounge, King Charles Road, Surbiton. 020 8390 7215 Berrylands Women’s Club: Meets every Mon evening, 8pm at Elgar Hall, United Reform Church, Raeburn Avenue, . Talks, slides and outings. Contact: Joyce Johnson Tel: 020 8390 5817 Art Classes: Every Monday 10-12noon & 2-4pm, with Berrylands Artists at Berrylands Christian Centre, 41 King Charles Road, Surbiton, KT5 8PF. Info: 020 8644 0941 Chinese Brush Painting: Held once a month at Sunray Community Centre, Knollmead, Tolworth. 10-13.00pm Contact Gwen: 020 8398 7313. Beginners & intermediates welcome. Encore Singing Group: Mondays, 10am - 12.15pm in Berrylands. For info: gillyvor@hotmail.com The Kingston upon Thames Festival of the Performing Arts invites applications from perfprmers of all ages for the 82nd Competitive Festival: 6th Nov - 12th Dec 2015, (Pianoforte, Dance, Speech & Drama, Instrumental, South-Asian music, Vocal). Check the website for application deadline!! http://www.kingstonperformingarts.co.uk Scottish Country Dancing from September to June, Thursdays 7.30pm - 10.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall. Tuition from 7.30, we dance 12 Jig Reels & Strathspeys with tea

break at half way. 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

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk 59

COMMUNITY PAGE Surbiton & District Historical Society Tues 1st Sept: Dr Julie Wileman’s subject is “Surrey Murders”

Tues 6th Oct: In honour of one of our founder members, Tony Cawley, Mr David Hassard will present “From Bat Boat to Red Arrows - 100 Years of World Class Aircraft from Kingston upon Thames”

Tues 3rd Nov: The eminent historian, Dr David Stone, will give a lecture on “Esher in the 13th Century”. 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

HOOK ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Are you interested in gardening?

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

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

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

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27. Plant - sucking insects (5)

ddle!

Down:

COMMUNITY PAGE

1. Terminate gradually (5,3) 2. A Sultanate in northwestern Borneo (6) 3. Horologist (10) 4. Slightly open (4) 5. Engage somebody to enter the army (6) ugh of Kingston, 6. Represents or performs as if in a play (6) Come to our termsdedicated with (7) Join team! mprove your 8. physical 9. Shortened term for provocation (5) 13. Returning to political ofﬁ ce (10) ng? Looking for something new 15. Unusually great in size (7) and fulfilling? 16. After and before (8) Want toÊ sunrise gain great worksunset experience? 17. Strong and sharp (5) 18. Having little emotion or sensibility (6) Join our greatly valued team of volunteers to 20. Add to the very end (6) launch and help run our new Raleigh House The highest point; culminate (6) se to more 22. vigorous activity 24. Compass point (4) for people over 60. Saturday Activities Club Ê

Fiddle! a Fiddle’ courses

mber 2015

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

Lounge Helpers to Meet and Greet helpers, and Centre, Thurs 10th Sept 1.00 pm musicians.

C.D.Jennings, B&M Budget Store, Surbiton & Tolworth Libraries, Shan’s Pharmacy, The Ditton Pub, Tolworth Recreation Centre, The Lamb, MBE Surbiton, Londis Ewell Road

e borough of Kingston, and improve your physical ______________________ ellbeing? variety of 10.30am flexible roles are available from rk, Tues A 8th Sept Receptionist October to Activity Co-ordinators, SudokuCoffee Kingston, Wed 9th Sept,12.30pm

hessington, Fri 11th Sept 1.00pm

Call Nina on 020 8942 8256 or email ddle’ courses nina.steele@staywellservices.org.uk ______________________ er 2015 for more info.

yles/weight loss workshops

ShorthouseÊ more vigorous activity 42 8256Ê Full training given so no experience necessary. _________________ staywellservices.org.uk Reg. Charity no: 299988

Read it whilst you wait at: Aspen Vets, Berrylands Autocare Garage, Cornerhouse Dentist If you would like copies at your business please call me on: 020 8274 0096

es 8th Sept 10.30am

ton, Wed 9th Sept,12.30pm

e, Thurs 10th Sept 1.00 pm

a Fiddle’ courses Whilst all reasonable care is taken to ensure weight loss2015 workshops mber the accuracy of information included in A

Disclaimer ngton, Fri 11th Sept 1.00pm

Berrylands Companion , the publisher takes no responsibility foractivity the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers, or for ______________________ the loss arising from non-publication of any E Page 33-40.indd 36 advertisement.

_________________ se to more vigorous

thouseÊ 256Ê rk, Tues 8th Sept 10.30am wellservices.org.uk Any errors, omissions or offers are the

22/01/2010 00:22:03

the advertiser. All artwork is Kingston,resposibilty Wed 9thofSept,12.30pm

accepted on the condition that the advertiser has

obtained10th permission any pm copyright holder Centre, Thurs Septfrom 1.00

for its use by A Berrylands Companion. Whilst

everyFri care11th is taken when 1.00pm printing artwork, we hessington, Sept cannot guarantee an exact colour match due

to variations in print processes. Bookings are yles/weight loss workshops accepted only on this basis.

It is the advertiser’s responsibility to ______________________

submit any amendments to adverts by

ShorthouseÊthe deadline date of the 8th. To advertise any event, or community activity 42 8256Ê in the magazine, please call: Karen on 020 8274 0096 staywellservices.org.uk or email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

To advertise call Karen: 020 8274 0096

email: karen@berrylands-companion.co.uk

Index Please mention the magazine when contacting advertisers

Home & Garden All Your Garden Needs Berrylands Building Company Berrylands Property Maintenance Carpets4U Chris Mould Plumber Dream Doors (Kingston Kitchens) George Curren Electrical James Anthony KB Design Kevin Robinson Decorators Leverett Electricals M.Duffell Decorator Oven Cleaners Pro-Fit Windows Systems R.J.Tree Services Shaun Overy Heating & Plumbing Time4U Warmlite Will Lord William Stallion Electricals

Care & Health Corner House Dental Practice Chessington Hypnotherapy Clinic Fit as a Fiddle Classes Reflexology by Wendy Rest & Relaxation Anna Coe Emmanuel Church King George Field Bowls Club Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom Classes Rebel Waltz Cycle Solutions Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club Yoga Long Ditton

13 25 37 5 37 39 36 36 28 27 27 41 35 29 15 35 34 31 13 37 2 7

57 21 19 51 57 43 64 43

Children & Education Berrylands Scouts Girls’ Rugby Kingston Festival of Performing Arts Margaret Barnes Ballet School Monkey Music Playtime Day Nursery Rugby Tots Susan Higgins Piano & Violin Lessons

57 18 19 23 21 23 21 7

Office Suppliers MBE Etc

Funeral Services Lambert Funeral Directors

Web Site Design Fresh Web

Veterinary Aspen Veterinary Surgery Mr Monty’s Fuss & Feed Cats Protection League

49 17 49

Accountant M&B Accountancy Services Ltd

Car Maintenance Alan Sursham Berrylands Autocare K&P Tyres Walsh Vehicle Management

10 11 11 9

Food & Drink C.D.Jennings CF & MC Stears Greengrocer Langley’s Restaurant Prithi The Ditton Pub & Restaurant

47 55 44/45 36 53

Solicitors Lewis-Dick

Articles & Editorials Community Pages Kids Page What’s On & Local Events Pages Crossword Book Review Useful Telephone Numbers Gardening by Pippa Greenwood Recipe Baking Technology Help the Hedgehogs

60/61 20 58/59 28 16 3 12 48 52 30 24

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 From as little as £33 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

Magazine printed by Warwick Printing, Warwickshire

www.mbesurbiton.co.uk

e: info@mbesurbiton.co.uk

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THE S S A GR ! N I S I

for t into action ays e g to e m ti lw It is ay. There’s a summer tod oing on at Surbiton something gness Club Racket & Fit

Facilities include:

• 6 all weather, 3 artiﬁcial clay and 11 grass tennis courts • 4 heated / air conditioned squash courts • “Life Fitness” gym and studio • A comprehensive coaching programme for tennis and squash for all ages: junior - senior • Personal training in the gym • Bar and a great social event calendar • A club for all the family

NO CONTRACT | NO COMPARISON Berrylands, Surbiton, Surrey KT5 8JT

www.surbiton.org

T: 020 8399 1594 | E: info@surbiton.org