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KINGSWOOD VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION R e g i s t e r e d T H E
C h a r i t y
V I L L A G E
L A N E ,
H A L L ,
K I N G S W O O D
N o .
2 7 5 1 8 7
WAT E R H O U S E K T 2 0
6 E B
Chairman
Bob Gunn Kingsdene, Furze Hill, Kingswood KT20 6EP Tel: 07504 060758 Email: bob@gunn.org Secretary Michael Hannah 1 Lilley Drive, Kingswood KT20 6JA Tel: 01737 830893 Email: mehannah@tiscali.co.uk Treasurer Roger Dring Garden End, Motts Hill Lane, Tadworth KT20 5BE Tel: 01737 813719 Email: rpdring@greenbee.net Committee Members: Rosemary Akerman Tel: 01737 830257 Sally Fish Tel: 01737 832176 James Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Penny Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Peter Wormald Tel: 01737 832866 KADDS Judy Par nall Tel: 01737 830888 Hall Bookings Penny Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Email: pen.chatfield@btinter net.com (Strictly between 5pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday only) Hall Manager Simon Peacock Mobile: 07376 164050 Life President KADDS Lady Janet Hill The Village Voice Editor Richard Milbour n 3 Mount Hill, Mogador, Tadworth Surrey KT20 7HZ Tel: 01737 222307 Email: richard.milbour n@car nah.co.uk The print run for The Village Voice is 1,500 copies and it is delivered free to all households and businesses in Kingswood. The Village Voice is published four times a year: March/September/September/December with copy dates of 31st January, 30th April, 31st July and 31st October. Statements and opinions in The Village Voice, unless expressly written, are not necessarily those of the Kingswood Village Community Association. Material in The Village Voice may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the Editor.
DECEMBER 2018
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2018 Page 3 KVCA Contacts
Page 36 Ann Dobson’s Recipes
Page 6 Your Chairman’s Notes
Page 38 Local Business
Page 8 War and the Bell-ringers of St
Page 41 Neighbourhood Watch
Andrew’s
Page 42 Local Company News
Page 12 Profile - Antony Hawker
Page 44 Your Local Charities -
Page 14 Memory Lane - Mike Hannah
Kingswood Village Hall Trust
Page 17 News From KADDS
Page 46 Kingswood Lawn Tennis Club
Page 18 Obituary - Ros Mill
Page 48 Desert Island Discs - Lindsay
Page 20 Writers’ Corner
Cole
Page 22 Travel/Probus
Page 51 Flower Arrangement Group
Page 25 Kingswood Residents
Page 52 The Church in Kingswood
Association
Page 54 Sarah Lott - Help! Christmas is
Page 27 Thirteen Society
Leaking!
Page 28 Sarah’s Garden Jottings
Page 57 NSPCC
Page 30 Profile - Michael Armstrong
Page 58 Travel - Train to Machu Picchu
Page 33 Photograph
Page 60 Charities - Charity Action List
Page 35 Kingswood Village WI
Kingswood Cars Private hire car service Kingswoodcars@hotmail.com 01737 652365 07391130925
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DECEMBER 2018
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KINGSWOOD VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Y O U R
C H A I R M A N ’ S
C
N O T E S
ongratulations! Together we have shown that Kingswood is indeed a coherent community. We have convinced the Boundary Commission to redraw their proposals for the new Ward boundaries for Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. All of Kingswood (although not Lower Kingswood, more’s the pity) is now in the same Ward and is linked with Chipstead and Woodmanster ne. I am pleased with the way that so many Kingswood residents responded to the combined urgings of the KVCA, the KRA and our local councillors to bring about this change of heart. Since that campaign, very sadly one of our local councillors, Ros Mill, has died. Ros was a very effective councillor and was devoted to her Kingswood constituency. Despite being seriously ill, Ros took an active part in the Ward boundary campaign, typifying even at that late stage her desire to do what was best for Kingswood. We will miss her sorely. Our thoughts are with John and her family as they come to terms with her death. You can read more about Ros in this edition of Village Voice. On a happier note, you have one more chance to hear the Kingswood Big Band Legends. Although the band has now moved elsewhere for their weekly rehearsals, they have agreed to retur n for a final concert in Kingswood Village Hall on Monday after noon 17th December. If you have seen and heard them before, I know you will want to be there. If you haven’t caught them before, then you really should! They are brilliant! Details are opposite. Why not make a Kingswood week of it and hear the Big Band on Monday 17th and then the festive KADDS Christmas Crackers on either Thursday 20th or Friday 21st? More good news, especially for the KVCA and KADDS, is that we have found a new Treasurer. Antony Hawker will be taking over this important role from Roger Dring from the beginning of 2019 and you can read more about Antony in the Profile on page 12. Roger will be retiring from the KVCA Committee at the AGM in April after 5 years of sterling service and you will hear more about him in the March edition. I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy and safe Christmas festive period. And may 2019 be a year that brings cohesion, co-operation and understanding both here in our village and throughout the world. I Bob Gunn, Chairman KVCA
DECEMBER 2018
The Kingswood Village Community Association present your last chance to hear
THE KINGSWOOD BIG BAND LEGENDS Featuring Barry Forgie, Ronnie Hughes, Bill Geldard and friends with vocalist Chris Scott playing just for you at
THE KINGSWOOD VILLAGE HALL Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood KT20 6EB
Monday 17 December 2018 at 2pm Tickets £15 from Kingswood Village Store, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood or online from Ticket Source www.ticketsource.co.uk/KADDS Watch their fabulous TV performance on /HQ *RRGPDQ¶V %LJ %DQG %RQDQ]D at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02f20b6
Then buy your tickets to see and hear them live in the very same hall!
DECEMBER 2018
WA R
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B E L L - R I N G E R S
O F
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St Andrew’s Bells.
WAR AND THE BELL-RINGERS OF ST ANDREW’S With commemorations of the Centenary of WWI coming to an end, it seemed appropriate to touch on one aspect of the war on the home front which must have been particularly noticeable to the inhabitants of Kingswood. For four years, the bells of St. Andrew’s Church had, with just one exception, stood silent as a result of the introduction, on 8th August 1914, of the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA), under which the ringing of church bells had been prohibited.
DECEMBER 2018
O
n 20th November 1917, near the northern French town of Cambrai, the largest ever British tank force smashed its way through the Hindenburg Line, until then thought to be impregnable. Large gains of ground were made rapidly and with relatively few casualties. The Allied press greeted this initial success with great enthusiasm and to mark the occasion church bells were allowed for the first time since the outbreak of the war to ring throughout the country. However, the celebratory mood was soon dampened as the Germans brought up some reserves to the front line and in a counter-attack ten days later quickly regained the lost ground. The bells did not ring again until 11th November 1918, when the Armistice was
WA R
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T H E
B E L L - R I N G E R S
finally signed. In the December Parish Magazine, the Vicar of Kingswood, the Rev. Arthur Wethered, wrote: As our bells rang out on the great thanksgiving Sunday, many of us have thought of the heavy sacrifice made by those who were our ringers at the outbreak of war. Francis Perry has given his life and Albert Whittington and Frank Wells have each lost a leg. Francis Perry, a Private in the 9th Company, Machine Gun Corps, was born on 3rd August 1889, the son of Francis and Ellen Perry. In 1891, the family lived at 2, Babylon Cottages, in Lower Kingswood. Francis, the father, had originally come from Somerset and was working as a carter. By 1911 Francis and Ellen Perry and their seven children had moved to 5, Warren Cottages, in Kingswood. Francis senior was employed as a foreman on a farm and his son, Francis, aged 21 by then and still living at home, was working as an under-gardener. In view of their address, one could speculate that they were both employed on the Warren estate. On 15th August 1914, Francis Junior married Ethel Brown at Christ Church, in Epsom. He enlisted in Guildford in July 1915. In March 1918, according to the Parish Magazine, Francis returned to the front line after a prolonged period of illness. He is very sorry to have been away for so long, because machine-gun work requires much practice and skill, and he is keen on promotion. But for his absence he would be holding a higher rank. Then in May 1918 came the following news in the Parish Magazine: Francis Perry was badly wounded on March 27th and it was found necessary to amputate both legs. He dictated a very brave and beautiful letter home, saying that he had gone through the worst and telling
O F
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A N D R E W ’ S
St Andrew’s c.1905.
his loved ones to keep a brave heart. It was hoped that he was recovering, but he sank and died on April 4th, cheerful and smiling to the last. The matron of the General Hospital at Rouen writes that they ‘loved him, he was so brave and cheerful and had a smile for all!’ He joined up in July 1915 and had been in France about a year. He was a keen and efficient machine-gunner. He was 29 at the time of his death and was buried in Ste Marie Cemetery, in Le Havre. Frank Wells was born in Kingswood on 19th May 1886. He was the son of Frederick and Mary Ann Wells. The family lived in one of the cottages in Stoats Nest and his father was a gamekeeper on the Warren estate. Frank was the third of five children. By the time of the 1911 Census he was a boarder with George Collins, a farm bailiff in C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 0
DECEMBER 2018
WA R
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B E L L - R I N G E R S
O F
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A N D R E W ’ S
British tank smashing its way through the Hindenburg Line. C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 9
Buckland Road, Lower Kingswood, and was working as a shepherd. He enlisted on 10th December 1915 and served in the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, with whom he saw action in France and Belgium. He was discharged on 29th May 1918 as a result of wounds. We know from the Parish Magazine that he had had a leg amputated. He died of unknown causes at Croydon General Hospital on 21st April 1919, aged 32, and is buried in a War Grave in St. Andrew’s Churchyard. The Albert Whittington mentioned by the Rev. Wethered was probably Albert Henry Whittington, born in Petworth in 1880. His father, Frederick, was an agricultural labourer who by 1891 had moved from Sussex with his family to find employment in Chipstead. In 1901 Albert was working as a garden labourer at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, in Gatton. In 1908 he married Elizabeth Mary Jane Wells in Putney, where they were both living at the time. They had a daughter, Elsie, born in 1913. They moved to 4, Memory Cottages, in Burgh Heath, where they remained until Albert’s death in 1933 at the age of 53. Albert was already in his mid-thirties when war broke out and it is not known when he enlisted and into which unit. With so many bell-ringers at the front,
DECEMBER 2018
Frank Wells’ grave.
bells on 11th November 1918 were not particularly well rung. Older ringers, former ringers and just about anyone willing to lend a hand got involved. At the time of writing, it is planned for bells all over the country, including St. Andrew’s, to be rung at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday 11th November 2018, not only to mark the 100th anniversary of the day when after four years of fighting the guns finally fell silent, but also to honour the memory of the 1,400 bell-ringers killed during the war. I Pia Chamberlain PS: Peter Taylor (01737 551920) would very much like to hear from you should you feel like giving bell-ringing a go. It would be a shame if after all these years the bells of St. Andrew’s were to fall silent, this time, for lack of support!
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P R O F I L E
ANTONY HAWKER
B
orn in Sutton, and after leaving full time education, Antony started working for a local accounting practice in Sutton. In the early days of training, apart from exams, he was exposed to a wide range of clients both in size and business sector. Sadly circumstances meant that by the time he reached the age of 18 both his parents had died and with no siblings he was left to navigate life on his own. Forty years ago, as technology was developing, he instigated the task of computerising all of the services his practice offered. This involved identifying suitable computer hardware and software, its installation and then employing and training appropriate staff. He continued this work developing the system further and enhancing automation. Soon to become involved with a German kitchen manufacturer, he was tasked by them to make visits to their kitchen dealers through the United Kingdom to assist them to become more profitable, many of those dealers subsequently becoming his clients. With the manufacturer, he worked on a project to develop a computer-costing program, which he successfully completed and introduced to kitchen dealers both in the UK and in Europe. It was not long into his career in the1980s that Antony met Fiona, soon to become his wife, and together they established their own independent business, Antony departing with
DECEMBER 2018
agreement from his then employer and working hard to build up their own business. The business has grown from strength to strength and he now has an office in Purley with 30 staff handling some 250 clients, helping and servicing their needs from personal tax returns, to preparation of management and statutory accounts and business management consulting. Antony still enjoys taking on special projects himself and recently led a shareholder group based in the North East of England in selling their shares in a water-bottling factory. Some of his client base has now been with him for over 40 years and has given him opportunities to travel the world from Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro to Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. His favourite city outside Europe is
ANTONY
Hong Kong, a true 24/7 bustling city that he yearns to revisit. Nearer to home Venice is top of his list in Europe, having visited several times. Away from work and travelling he moved to Kingswood from Tadworth 15 years ago His family, Fiona along with their two children are well involved with local charities and scouting activities. This takes up much of their spare time. Whilst they are out scouting he enjoys a bit of gardening, growing and cooking homegrown fruit and vegetables (when the climate allows). This year they had a bumper crop of apples. As a family they enjoy walking and last year spent their holidays in Wales, not only climbing Snowdon but also Sugar Loaf Mountain in South Wales – “ had to really “ he said. On the cooking front he is particularly praised for his home made chicken curry.
HAWKER
Antony has not only been involved with local charity work for many years, but is also a Church Warden of the Good Shepherd Tadworth, and heavily involved with fundraising. Together, with the family, they get involved in various activities including the annual Panto and Jumble Sale. For the past few years he has also been a trustee of TWOAT, which he finds rewarding, helping to arrange their social events and raising small amounts of money that help make a big difference in projects around the world. KVCA are delighted that Antony has agreed to accept the challenge of become the new Treasurer and look forward to welcoming him to the committee and the tasks ahead! I Sally Fish
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DECEMBER 2018
M E M O R Y
L A N E
SUNBURY TO STANMORE
A
problem with memory is that it has two parts – what we really remember, and what we have acquired, from parental stories and, of course, the family photo album. I don’t suppose it much matters whether it’s real or acquired or, as they said about dime fiction in the Wild West, if the truth has become legend, print the legend! My legend begins on an amazingly appropriate date for this edition, as I was born on the 11th November 1940, in an air raid, at Sunbury on Thames – just a hamlet then. No-one has an excuse for forgetting my birthday! My mother used to say that the bombs made her get on with it! My first vivid memory, a picture in my head, is of being rushed inside, looking up and seeing the big wings with the big black crosses. Our garden backed on to what are now the Thames Water reservoirs, which became a target for the Luftwaffe, to the extent that Mother and I were “evacuated” to Cornwall for 6 months. I say “evacuated” with tongue in cheek – my Mother was a dressmaker at a London salon before the war, and we went to stay with one of her clients at a splendid mansion near St Ives. They were an influential family – the Penzance express was stopped at a wayside halt in the pitch dark where Gregory was waiting with the Rolls! I do remember carefully locking our bedroom door, climbing on the chest of drawers to reach the window, then getting my foot stuck in a drawer, to great confusion and consternation and use of a ladder by Gregory! Returned home to “Cedars Cottage”, long gone, I used to play cowboys and
DECEMBER 2018
The Armstrong Siddeley - in Cornwall of course!
Indians in the grounds of “the big house” where my most dastardly act was to lasso Jack Lindsay, secretary of the Woolwich Building Society, and nearly throttle him. He told this story with much delight whenever our families met after the war! Entertainment was the wireless; I can’t pretend to remember “ITMA”, but I do remember us all sitting round and listening. “Archie Andrews” comes to mind, but I think that must have been later! We used to share the sweet ration after Sunday lunch, a halfpound box, we got four sweets each! Books were all from before the war,1930s Rupert Bear annuals, and grown up classics like “Treasure Island” and “Robinson Crusoe”. Treats like “Biggles” and Arthur Ransome came much later. In 1947,after the great freeze, we moved to Stanmore, last station on the Bakerloo Line, from rural idyll to suburb, but with the great advantage of other children to play with. In those days we all “played out”, British Bulldog, French cricket, bicycle speedway, while daylight lasted. Nobody worried about such things! We had a splendid pre-war Armstrong Siddeley, with large round headlamps and running boards, in which we made the annual 12-hour pilgrimage to Cornwall. I seem to remember that the great hazard was the swing bridge
M E M O R Y
L A N E
Me being evacuated!
Cornwall again - bit older!
on the Exeter bye-pass – if it was open for shipping, enormous delay ensued! The M6 of its time! The greatest disaster that could occur was to arrive too late for the evening meal, served at 7.00 sharp and over by 7.30 most like!! Highlights of my new “urban” surroundings were “Saturday morning pictures”(6d) at the Ritz, Edgware, and the new ice cream parlour on the corner - pocket money just covered these delights! Sweets came off the ration and were briefly available before the shops all sold out! The little preparatory school I went to had three big rooms for all the classes, I think the Head may have had three final years in his big room – or maybe only two! In 1950 there was the momentous arrival of “The Eagle”, followed by “The Girl” for my sister. The parents so approved of these comics that they had them delivered with the papers! (But I still bought Wizard and Hotspur on the quiet). Also delivered daily was the bread (horse drawn) and the milk (electric float with walking driver). Sainsbury’s had multiple
counters, and Mac Fisheries had fresh fish without the ammonia smell which seems required today. When I passed the 11+, I was given some money by the parents who said I could buy whatever I liked. Really, I said? Yes, they said. Dear reader, I bought a Diana air pistol and a sheath knife!! Moving on to the great event in 1953, the only member of the Stanmore and Edgware families with a television was Aunty Ethel, so quite a few of us squashed into her front room to peer at the black and white 9inch screen surrounded by acres of veneer! I remember being very cold and very bored and eventually hungry, as the Coronation rolled on. Not as cold of course as the crowds who stood in the rain! A good place to stop these memories I think, perhaps I have jogged a few similar thoughts in my readers, particularly if you happen to be male and born in 1940!! Mike Hannah
EST. 2004
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K A D D S
A CRY FOR HELP
K
ADDS would love to hear from you. We are seeking volunteers to support us with our future productions and help us with all aspects of putting on a show. Do you or your friends have design skills to help with posters and programs? Or maybe you would like to tread the boards and join us on the stage in our numerous productions throughout the year. We are always looking for new talent and we are all very friendly, approachable and welcoming. We need help backstage, with make up, costumes, props and scenery, and front of house at each performance. Please contact me so that I can give you more information, and I hope, add you to our team.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 21 - 23rd February 2019 BEYOND A JOKE, a wonderful farce written by Derek Benfield and directed by Georgie Lucas. Enjoy a fun-filled evening with a play that is not only very funny but a thriller at the same time. Tickets priced at ÂŁ10 for adults and ÂŁ5 for children will be available in the new year from Kingswood Village Store, Waterhouse Lane or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/KADDS CAROLS AT THE CAFE Join us for our sixth year in the Waterhouse Cafe on 8th December at 11am. A lovely start to the festive season. CRACKERS Thursday 20th and Friday 21st December A Kingswood tradition enjoyed with a glass of wine and mince pie. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I Jennifer Alger 0749 206 1064
DECEMBER 2018
O B I T U A R Y
ROS MILL
A
s many of you will now be aware our senior Ward Councillor, Ros Mill, passed away on the 6th September. Ros contracted breast cancer some
two and a half years ago, however, after treatment, made a full recovery. Earlier this year in July, she began to suffer attacks of back pain and loss of appetite and returned to Royal Marsen Hospital. Unfortunately, the cancer had reappeared as a secondary cancer in her liver. After contracting a further virulent infection she was transferred to the Critical Care Unit of the Marsden’s Chelsea branch where she died some three and a half weeks after admission to the Hospital from a combination of the infection and liver cancer. Ros, togther with her husband John, moved to Kingswood in late 1986 some six weeks before
“Ros’ unique contribution was the fact that
the birth of their son, George. Harry was born
she did not engage in any form of sycophantic
some two and a half years later and Ros began
behaviour. It was always the issues and never the
her participation in local community activities
personalities that governed her opinions, a tenet
which was to last for the rest of her life. She
that we could benefit from. I can well remember
became a keen member of the Kingswood
many times during Leaders meetings when all of
Mother & Toddler Group, making lifelong friends,
the Executive would be debating a particular
Both George and Harry attended Aberdour
matter and in the midst of the hubbub, sitting at
School where subsequently Ros joined the staff,
the end of the room in her usual seat, Ros would
becoming the Marketing Director, a position that
wait quietly and patiently, listening to us all. At
she held until her death. For some dozen years or
what she considered to be the right time, she
so she also served on the Committee of the
would raise her hand to catch my attention. We
Kingswood branch of the NSPCC.
would then listen to her as in measured tones she
But it will probably be for her council work
would get right to the heart of the problem and
that she will be best remembered. First elected to
deliver her own brand of common sense and
the council in 2007, she served as a member of
wisdom. Her point of view would be unbiased,
the Council Executive for a continuous period of
independent and never one to curry favour. Ros
eight years during her eleven years’ of service. In
had one reason for being on the Council and that
his tribute given at the meeting of the Reigate
was to serve her residents.”
and Banstead Council following her death,
We take this opportunity to send our
Councillor Vic Broad , past Leader of the council
condolences to her husband John and to her
said of Ros:
sons at this most difficult time.
DECEMBER 2018
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W R I T E R S ’
C O R N E R
To mark 100 years since the end of World War 1 – called at the time, with hope, ‘the war to end all wars’ – James Chatfield has written
WHEN THE CHINOOK FLIES! In statued relief in a Liverpool square a captain is bent double. Over his shoulder a body he is hauling back from No Man’s Land. On so many canvas bloody beds has he cut, sewn and healed? As he in a rose-fringed grave now joins those he could not save. An orchid pinned to the sackcloth hanging from his waist. My dysentery-drained father pauses by a railway line, yet to be used. What does he see beyond the tangled margin of a Sumatran jungle? As he in a malarial dream exists and survives for one more day. Through the mist of a French field running to dew, black notes hover. An organist accompanies a chanted psalm in a shadowy church. Is it only betraying shots he hears, somewhere not far below? As he in rescued safety takes off from a darkened land. In the Oxford Parks willow branches trail in the near still river. Silence creeps upon us while he sees something, somewhere else. Is it Vietcong he senses across the paddy-fields of Route 13? As shrieks, yells and gunfire return to him from a thunderous sky. In a London gallery in a photograph against a milky blue sky. What’s left of a desert boot, beside a body stiffening in pain. Is his hand feeling for a fingered touch through a ring of medics? As he in Helmand now with mind aghast and body mangled. And what is it they see? What do they feel? What do they hear? But we see, we feel, we hear. When the Chinook flies. James Chatfield
DECEMBER 2018
KADDS PRESENTS
BEYOND A JOKE A hilarious comedy by
DEREK BENFIELD
Directed by Georgie Lucas THURSDAY 21st ² SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2019 Kingswood Village Hall at 8pm Tickets: Adults £10 Children £5 Tickets will be available in the new year from Kingswood Village Store, Waterhouse Lane or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/KADDS
DECEMBER 2018
T R A V E L
MAMMA MIA - HERE WE GO AGAIN!
G
reece is having a moment again – thanks to a very popular film franchise involving many Abba songs! The real star of the film of course is the
location. What’s not to love about sunshine, crystal clear seas, fabulous food and very friendly people?
Exclusive Collection Junior Suite with a hot tub on
Following in the footsteps of Cher, I headed to
the balcony, overlooking the sea – bliss! There are
the Aegean at the beginning of September for a
several restaurants, two beaches and many
week of R & R. Well, a little further south in fact to
facilities, including 3 Escape Rooms!
Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands and
We managed to tear ourselves away and visit
birthplace of Zeus. Crete is deservedly very
Elounda and Spinalonga (the island which was
popular. There are many historical sites (most
famously a former leper colony, as written about
famously Knossos), beaches, coves, mountains,
by Victoria Hislop in The Island).
gorges and plenty of sunshine. We stayed at Out of the Blue Capsis Elite
Crete is a destination you could return to many times, so if the film has made you long for a
Resort, in Agia Pelagia. This is half an hour from
trip to Greece then this is a great place to start.
Heraklion, in the middle of the island, so a great
Nicky Banin of Symphony World Travel. Offices at
loction. The hotel is set on a peninsula, with the
Kingswood (10737 362626) and Fetcham (01372
village literally on the doorstep. We stayed in an
375361). www.symphonyworldtravel.com
K I N G S W O O D
P R O B U S
C L U B
THAMES CRUISE
O
ur summer outing was a very enjoyable Thames lunch cruise. Members and guests arrived in Windsor just in time for a glass of
champagne on the banks of the river before boarding our comfortable cruiser, Melody. Our boat motored upstream through tranquil countryside, past the grounds of Eton College and some lovely riverside homes while we enjoyed a
occasional outings, which include wives and
delicious three-course meal and excellent
guests. Retired professional and business men
company.
are welcomed. If you have recently retired or
Kingswood Probus Club meets for lunch on
moved to the area and are interested in joining
the first Thursday of each month with guest
we’d be pleased to hear from you. To find out
speakers during the winter months. We organise
more, please contact Geoff Dobson, email
pub walks on the second Thursday and
gjdobsonltd@yahoo.co.uk I Ann Dobson
DECEMBER 2018
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K R A
POWER TO THE PEOPLE? here have been
T
must be a resounding yes where the proposed
many times over the
scheme would set a precedent which might
years when either
very well be repeated elsewhere in Kingswood
the KRA or indeed
and could over time change the whole
groups of individual residents
character of the village. This proposal and
have sought to enlist the
others which will no doubt follow it, have the
support of others to object to some proposed
potential to impact on all of us and so it is in
change in central or local government regulation,
everyone’s interest to express their opinion.
or to specific planning proposals. The recent campaign to urge rejection of the original Boundary Commission proposal which
Of course even this strength of response does not guarantee the result being sought, but whether or not you expressed a view on this
would have split Kingswood half for electoral key issues like this will Lady in Onslow with some of her particular patients, atapplication, Clandon Park purposes is an example of where the weight of
continue to arise from time to time and I would
residents’ (and Councillors’) objections have
argue that it is definitely worth taking the
certainly been heard. The original abhorrent
trouble to comment when they do.
proposal has been abandoned and the
Even action by individual residents can
Boundary Commission’s revised
make a difference. The Council is ready even at
recommendation recognises that Kingswood is
weekends, to take immediate steps against
indeed a cohesive community. At the time of
developers who seek to fell protected trees or
writing, the final outcome has yet to be
to apply new TPOs where unprotected trees are
announced, but we are hopeful that the
at risk. Developers sometimes send in a tree
decision makers will accept the Commission’s
clearance team to fell every tree on a site so
revised recommendation.
that when they later apply for planning consent,
Inappropriate planning applications can also
they can claim that no trees are affected by
prompt strong reaction from residents. The
their scheme. The Council team can act
proposed redevelopment of Fairlawn in The
promptly to prevent this, but only of course if
Glade is such an example. This was a proposal
alerted to the threat. It is essential therefore for
to demolish a single house within the designated
residents to notify the Council immediately if
RASC (Residential Area of Special Character)
trees are at risk.
and build a block of flats involving a much more
We should therefore take the trouble to
intensive use of the site. Residents right across
voice our objections. Even if our arguments do
Kingswood were urged to object and well over
not always succeed, how galling would it be to
one hundred responded to the call. However whilst the Boundary Commission
see our village changed for the worse, perhaps
proposal obviously affected everyone, should
because we kept silent
residents be asked to comment on a planning
when we had the
application on a property which in most cases
opportunity to speak?
will be far removed from where they themselves
I Des Camblin
live? To my mind the answer to this question
(Chairman KRA)
DECEMBER 2018
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DECEMBER 2018
T H I R T E E N
S O C I E T Y
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
F
irst may I wish all of you a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. Writing
this in mid October while the weather has been so mild, Christmas seems far away, but it will soon be here. We began the season early in October with a quite fantastic lecture from Martin Pailthorpe, about filming in extreme and dramatic
situations. His enthusiasm was catching and the film clips he used were quite amazing both in quality and content. So many people spoke of their enjoyment that I have booked him again for next season, January 2020. Now that sounds a long time ahead but just a
year. For 2019 we can look forward to a January evening with Tchaikovsky and the Nutcracker. Our speaker is Nigel Bates, Music Administrator of the Royal Ballet and who lectures worldwide. February sees the return of Bertie Pearce, a magician and NADFAS lecturer talking about Punch and Judy and its origins. Bertie combines wit, magic and education very successfully. Our final speaker is travel lecturer Paul Whittle. His subject is the River Kwai and the “Death Railway” built by Allied POW’s. Paul has been to Kingswood before, the last time effortlessly standing in when we had a late cancellation. If you are not a member please feel free to join us at any or all of the forthcoming talks. Our full subscription is £16 but individual meetings are charged at £5. Our full programme is on the Village website:KingswoodVillage.org and you will find us under the subheading clubs with a link to the current programme. Contact Adele Hawkins (tel 355653) our Membership Secretary. I Frances Rosbotham, Programme Secretary
DECEMBER 2018
S A R A H ’ S
G A R D E N
J O T T I N G S
WINTER IS HERE
A
s I write this we have had our first frost and the beginning of a cold spell, so it really feels as if winter is here. Most gardeners will now be enjoying a well earned rest and enjoying the view of their garden from inside the house. Please do venture out to feed the birds who may well have now exhausted the stock of seeds and berries and are finding it harder to get through the soil to find insects and worms. Also very important is to provide some fresh water and if it is frosty to ensure it is not frozen over during the day. There are few tasks to do at this time of year but you might be ordering seeds for next year’s vegetables – the last summer was so hot and dry that my runner beans never took off and I only had a few very stringy beans in October. Next year, rather than runner beans, I will be trying climbing French beans as they like heat and do much better in the dry conditions. If you don’t already grow rhubarb it is worth trying, as it is the most reliable plant in the vegetable garden. You can usually still find rhubarb crowns in winter and they can be planted as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Looking at the photos from last year I can recommend a few plants which survive any weather and look attractive in the snow and frost. Winter heathers are well worth growing – either in the ground or in pots. Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’ is
DECEMBER 2018
Winter heather.
Skimmia japonica.
Iris foetidissima.
W I N T E R
a very good winter shrub, with glossy green leaves and bright red berries, which interestingly are not eaten by the birds and can be used for Christmas decorations when the holly berries have all been eaten! Epimedium grandiflorum is also a tough plant with beautiful red leaves all winter and then graceful flowers in March. Finally, an unusual, but really easy to grow Iris, Iris Foetidissima. It has evergreen strap-like leaves and wonderful orange seedpods from autumn to spring which shine out from the borders. If you have gardener friends and relations here are a few ideas for presents for “real’ gardeners. • Plant vouchers – never buy plants unless you actually know what they want! • Gardening gloves – rubber palms with knitted backs and lined with fleece are perfect • Gardening trousers – absolutely
I S
H E R E
Epimedium grandiflorum.
essential for winter gardening with padded knees and seat, they are waterproof and windproof and have lots of pockets for your tools and phone. • Back door clogs – you will wonder how you ever managed without them! • Gardener’s hand cream – a lovely scented barrier cream is always welcome. Happy Christmas and good gardening in 2019! I Dr Sarah Wilson
DECEMBER 2018
P R O F I L E
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG Michael has worked in Kingswood Village for 4 years. He is a business partner at Lisa Davies Promotions in Waterhouse Lane which promotes a large roster of music clients and is launching his own album on 23rd November. The last five or so years have been a whirlwind for Michael, who took a big gamble by giving up running his family business to pursue his music career at the ripe old age of aged 40! He met Lisa Davies in 2011 at her house in the village, when one of her band members suggested inviting him to come and try out with the covers band she was playing with at the time, as they were looking for a lead singer. From the moment he started singing, Lisa knew he had something special. He's a great singer and a very talented multi-instrumentalist. When he one day produced a CD containing some of his own songs, Lisa offered to help him record and release an EP and test the water so to speak across the music industry. They chose the public footpaths running through the magnificent fields surrounding Kingswood (pictured below), to film the video for his forthcoming album, entitled #LookingForTheWorld, which will be released on 23rd November...in time for Christmas.
M
ichael Armstrong was born in South London in November 1973. His parents were not in the slightest bit musical, although they did listen to music frequently. Michael remembers car journeys singing along and harmonising with his brother to The Beatles Greatest Hits. He knew from a very early age that he wanted to express himself through music and song. At around the age of 11 he began to seriously tackle learning the guitar and as soon as he was able to play 3 chords he had written his first song. Once he had mastered the guitar he taught himself to play the piano during Games lessons at school stating ‘I just couldn’t hack Rugby, not in the cold wet weather’. Luckily his lack of interest and ability in the sport was confirmed by his teachers who were happy to leave him tinkering away in the music room.
DECEMBER 2018
At the age of 15 he entered a song writing competition on BBC’s Pebble Mill At One, coming in second place to a 16 year old Mancunian called Gary Barlow. Take that! By 18, he had his own band and performed his original material across the country eventually playing several nights at The Shepherds Bush Empire in London. By the age of 23, having toured incessantly, Michael became disillusioned
with the music business and joined his father at the family construction company. For 15 years they grew the company to huge success and Michael lived a happy and fruitful life with his wife and three children. In 2011 a string of events suddenly sent Michael on a new but familiar path. His father’s health led him to retirement and Michael’s own health scare led him to assess his situation. Some might call it a mid-life crisis! Coupled with the failing UK economy and a chance encounter with music biz guru Lisa Davies, Michael felt the world of showbiz beckoning him again. He had also amassed some 200 songs that had never been released. Seeing his talent, and amazed by his music, Lisa became Michael’s manager and set about raising his profile across the business. After receiving great reactions to an EP, Michael set about recording his debut album ‘Michael Armstrong’ which was eventually released on 29th June 2015. It was met with resounding success, championed by the late Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2 and gaining airplay across the globe. The album featured guitar giants Albert Lee (2 x Grammy Award Winner), Elliott Randall (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers) and Phil Palmer (Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams) and was produced by Keith Bessey (10cc, Cliff Richard, The Ramones). As a result of the album’s success, Michael has since been interviewed and has performed on just about every radio station in the land several times over. He has additionally gained major airplay across the globe including the UK’s BBC Radio 2, and mainstream stations all over Europe, USA, Australia and South
America, where his single ‘The Radio Years’ was a Top 10 hit. This has further led to numerous appearances on national TV such as ITV’s Lorraine, Sky News, BBC News, ITN plus he is a regular on Vintage TV. A dedicated touring artist, Michael has performed with some of the biggest names in the business. He has spent over two years ‘on the road’ headlining his own shows as well as appearing as a special guest on major tours with Leo Sayer, Vonda Shepard, T’Pau, Beverley Craven, Dean Friedman & The Hollies’ Peter Howarth. He has also collaborated and worked alongside massive global stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, Glenn Fry, Chris de Burgh, Russell Watson, Hank Marvin, Michael Ball and countless others. In 2016 Michael released the official 60th Anniversary commemorative single for Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club and performed it on stage at the venue during a very special celebratory party which included many associated local and national dignitaries. That same year he was invited to open the Great British Radio Reunion with his anthem ‘The Radio Years’ and was selected by his local authority to perform and present an award at their Annual Local Heroes Awards Ceremony in conjunction with BBC radio. Since completing his latest album earlier this year, Michael has spent time in Los Angeles writing new material with US singer-songwriter Ben Folds, and back home in the UK collaborating again with producer Warren Bennett. Watch this space…. www.michaelarmstrongmusic.co.uk wwww.facebook.com/MichaelArmstrongMusic
DECEMBER 2018 31
Christmas ZRXOGQ¶W EH &KULVWPDV without KADDS Festive e entertainment
Christm mas Cracke ers!
Thursday day 20th & Friday 21sst December at 7.30pm in Kingswood Village Hall KT20 6EB Tickets on sale from 1st December at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/KADDS or from Kingswood Village Store, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood Adults £8 Children £4
DECEMBER 2018
K I N G S W O O D
P H O T O G R A P H
KINGSWOOD THROUGH THE SEASONS
Above: These photos taken by Carole Beaman capture the beautiful autumn leaves in Kingswood. If you have an interesting photograph of Kingswood, please email richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk by 20th January in time for the March edition.
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DECEMBER 2018
K I N G S W O O D
V I L L A G E
W I
WIGS AND GOWNS
E
ven in the WI things do not always run according to plan. In August we were all looking forward to a lovely and relaxing afternoon of harp music. Not so, as even harpists get sick! Quick thinking and useful connections saw us listening to a very interesting talk by Peter Thompson called, Wigs and Gowns. He was a mine of information about barristers. How they have to work their way up through the hierarchy in chambers; how they get work, doled out by the very powerful clerks of chambers. It came as a surprise to hear that, until the law changed in 1974, women did not often do jury service as they did not generally own property. Since 1974 women have been called to serve on juries on equal terms with men. The age range of jurors has progressed from18 – 65 to, since January 2017, 18 – 75. This seems quite strange as magistrates are required to step down at age 70. Until the 17th century gowns of any colour were worn by barristers. Then, in 1685 as an act of mourning on the death of Charles II, black robes were worn. These won general approval and have been worn ever since. Charles II’s liking for wigs also filtered down to the legal profession. They liked the look, designed their own and they are worn to this day –
DECEMBER 2018
getting ever more battered looking as the barrister rises through the ranks. A final brief note on payment. Barristers were paid in guineas, a 20 guinea fee working out at: £20 for the barrister and £1 for his clerk! Eminently fair? Tea and cake In September we held our summer tea in the Village Hall. Except for a few announcements it was a purely social occasion. Much talking, many cups of tea and plenty of cake. Just as it should be. Mary Forlenza was our October speaker and her topic was, Women. What could be better? Compared to previous generations women today, especially young women, are forging ahead in all fields. What Ms Forlenza wanted to tell us is that today’s women are standing on the shoulders of giants. She named several women, not obvious ones from history books like queens or prime ministers, but women who by their passion for a subject or a cause, made a difference, mostly in the 20th century, some a few decades earlier. Erin Pizzey, founder of the Chiswick Women’s Centre for battered and abused women, long before anyone else thought of doing something like that. Marie Stopes, author of Married Love, who opened the first birth control clinic in England. Anne Frank, the Jewish teenager, hidden with her family from the occupying German forces in Amsterdam during World
K I N G S W O O D
War II. Anne spoke to the hearts of the world, writing in her diary exactly as a teenager would, in spite of the terrifying times. Coco Chanel, a woman of great style, who gave the world signature looks of simplicity and supreme elegance. Rosa Parks, looking for respect and fairness and the right to sit down on a bus on a first come, first served basis. A campaigner for equal rights who lay in state in Washington when she died in 2005. Helen Suzman, a lone voice in the South African parliament of the later 20th century, whose mantra was education, education, education. This, for all women but especially for black women, the mothers of the next generation. I have missed out a few but wish to end with a name not known in England as it is in Canada,
V I L L AG E
W I
one that could not be more apposite - Adelaide Hoodless, founder of the WI. At the dawn of the 20th century she realised that by standing together, sharing knowledge and skills, women were a powerful force, at home, in the community and, eventually, in the world. There is no more space but much more to tell about Surrey WI’s Autumn Federation meeting at Dorking. Well attended by 100’s of members to hear invited speakers and be challenged to do our bit in a challenging world. Should you wish to be a part of this splendid organisation, join us on the first Thursday of the month in the Kingswood Village Hall at 14.00.You are most welcome. I Nettie Cooper, Press Officer
DECEMBER 2018
A N N
D O B S O N ’ S
R E C I P E S
A TASTE OF WINTER
O
utside there may be chill winds and dismal drizzle, dark evenings and dreary days but winter brings its compensations. In fine weather frost turns grass into sparkling crystal spikes and puddles into ice rinks, glittering in the bright sunshine. In the kitchen the oven is on, the room is warm and the air is full of the comforting aroma of baking. Crisp tartlets filled with blue cheese and sweet potato are full of flavour and colour and make a tasty light lunch or starter, served with a few watercress leaves. A sprinkling of chopped walnuts on top add a bitter contrast with the sweet potato. All the family will enjoy this easy no-cook chocolate crunch cake, which could be served for afternoon tea or as an indulgent pud. I Ann Dobson BLUE CHEESE AND SWEET POTATO TARTLETS for 6 1 large sweet potato (about 350g) Tablespoon olive oil 320g pack puff pastry 150g creamy blue cheese (eg St Agur) 20g walnuts, chopped Heat the oven to 200C/gas 6. Peel the sweet potatoes and chop into smallish chunks, about a centimetre square. Coat with the oil and spread onto a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Cool. Roll out the pastry and, using a small saucer about 10cm diameter, cut into six rounds. Mark a narrow outer rim round each and prick all over the centre with a fork. Line a baking sheet with parchment and place the pastry circles on top. Spread the blue cheese evenly onto the centre of each tartlet, leaving the rim round the edge. Cover with the roasted sweet potato and scatter with chopped walnuts. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crisp and brown. Serve warm or cold.
CHOCOLATE CRUNCH CAKE for 6-8 250g butter 30g caster sugar 65g golden syrup 40g cocoa 400g digestive biscuits, crushed Âź pint whipping cream Line 2 sandwich tins with cling film. Melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, syrup and cocoa and heat but do not allow to boil. Add the crushed crumbs, mix well and press into the tins. Chill in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Turn out of the tins. Place one cake onto a plate, whip the cream and spread this over. Now, using a sharp knife, cut the second cake into 6-8 sections and arrange these on top of the cream filling to serve.
DECEMBER 2018
YOUR LOCAL LEGAL
EXPERTS QUALITYSOLICITORS
COPLEY CLARK FOR YOU Whether you are moving home, making a Will, facing a dispute or dealing with a family matter you can feel comfortable knowing that you are getting expert help from local professionals who care.
FOR YOUR BUSINESS We can provide legal support and practical advice for all aspects of your business from employment law, buying or selling a business, disputes to managing your business.
QualitySolicitors Cop Co pley Clark
Changing the way you see lawyers. 0800 9752816 info@copleyclark.co.uk www.qualitysolicitors.com/copleyclark Branches: 36 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1BS Curzon House, 24 High Street, Banstead SM7 2LJ
L O C A L
B U S I N E S S
TUTORS & TYPING FOR DYSLEXIA
L
ocal company Juunipa was established to provide tutoring and touch-typing tuition for children with dyslexia. Each tutor is hand selected, reference checked, DBS certified and Dyslexia Aware, to help children with their examination preparation, school curriculum and homework or to purely cement their learning foundation of word and number structure, vocabulary, reading and spelling. As a neurobiological disorder where the brain is simply wired a little differently, Dyslexia isn’t something that will go away. However, learning can become easier with the right understanding, strategies and lesson delivery. Juunipa’s tutors teach visually, focusing on creative learning and going back to basics, ensuring children have a strong learning foundation, using various proven strategies in the privacy of their own home. The company also offers unique 1:1 touchtyping tuition, helping with the dilemma of poor spelling, messy and/or slow handwriting. Once typing becomes intuitive, it removes the constraints of weak handwriting, allowing children to become more expressive and focus on the actual learning. Founding member Julie’s sons are both severely dyslexic. “It was heart-breaking” she explained “to see my bright, articulate and intelligent children almost trapped in their confusion of misinterpreting word sounds and instructions. Working so hard to write a story or taking notes in class and then unable to decipher and actually read what they had written!” Julie also found it challenging to secure
38 DECEMBER 2018
the right school, dyslexia testing and assistance for her children, finding the process complicated, with fragmented information often located in multiple websites and documents. Helping other parents and children have an easier experience, is a topic very dear to Juunipa, who also offer Parental Navigation sessions. The sessions offer a clear, honest and realistic insight into the required actions and processes to help secure the right support for children. “I’m certainly not an expert by any means, but I have lived and breathed my children’s education and would hate for my experience not to help others. If someone had provided me with this level of information, it would have made a massive difference to our journey, saving both time and emotion!” Juunipa is hosting an evening at The Kingswood Village Hall on Tuesday 08 January 2019 to walk parents through dyslexia watch points, share lessons learned, highlight good reference sources and importantly how parents can navigate their way through securing dyslexia testing and support at school. The talk is complimentary and open to all on Tuesday 08 January 2019 at the Kingswood Village Hall, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood KT20 6EB starting at 7.30pm. Parking at both the Hall and Waterhouse Lane is available. Full details of the talk and Juunipa’s services can be found on the company website: www.juunipa.co.uk or via email julie@juunipa.co.uk
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N E I G H B O U R H O O D
W A T C H
CCTV Mike Fox is Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Surrey Neighbourhood Watch Association and represents Reigate & Banstead on the Surrey Committee. He lives locally in Tadworth and has offered to submit occasional articles of interest with respect to Neighbourhood Watch.
D
uring the last 6 months there have been a number of occasions when I have been sent photographs or video footage of anti-social or criminal activity in progress. I am expecting that the situation of criminals being filmed in the act is likely to increase with the proliferation of smart doorbells. These can use motion sensors to detect and film suspicious behaviour, passing the video data onto secure remote storage devices and phoning the owner’s mobile to report and even show some sort of activity taking place in the vicinity of their property. Two recent incidents of thieves being caught on camera took place during attempted and actual car thefts. Footage was taken of a man actually pushing a car out of a driveway at 2am so that it could be started further away from the owner’s property. The law with respect to CCTV is such that property owners can set up equipment incorporating cameras to protect the environs of their own property. However, care has to be taken that cameras are not positioned so that they cover significant areas
outside the property and they should not intrude on any neighbour’s privacy. Once an image has been created the copyright belongs to the person who owns and set up the equipment and they are certainly entitled to pass that material to the police if they so wish. The extent to which they can also share such images with their immediate neighbours or the wider community via social media is more problematic although the criminals themselves can have no serious complaint about their privacy if the filming took place on private property. It would be advisable to check the situation with the police, particularly before resorting to social media, as they may have some concerns about influencing potential witnesses and causing problems for innocent people who happen to resemble the apparent wrongdoer. Reports of crimes in your area at WWW.Police.UK I Mike Fox
DECEMBER 2018
L O C A L
C O M P A N Y
N E W S
COMMUNITY CALLING
W
hen we step back and look at what makes us tick, we notice these traits in ourselves and others. Some people crave pace and a sense of adventure; others want to stretch the length of time only to feel it go by more slowly. What we covet is community connection. As a local law firm, we naturally meet people every day given the scope of our work. We help people buy and sell homes, protect their assets through Wills and Trusts, support executors and families after a loved one has passed, give families sound guidance to lean on through difficult relationship breakdowns, protect people’s rights at work, and we give specialist legal advice for those living with a mental illness or who have lost or diminished mental capacity. The nature of our service requires trust and reliance, and so there’s this special thread that ties us together in a solicitor-client relationship. We also problem-solve together. We talk about sensitive issues with people who are often our neighbours, our friends, friends of friends, people we see on the high street or who we smile at in the grocery store. We sit down and have tea with people who, like us, are part of the Sutton and Banstead communities in Surrey. It is this community that we’re part of that we love to support, and who in turn support us.
DECEMBER 2018
When we lost one of our own – former QualitySolicitors Copley Clark partner David Pennar Jones – to cancer almost two years ago, the community rallied with us to raise an impressive £15,000 for Cancer Research UK. We want to thank everyone for their support and we hope to do more good this year. We’re a local business, we’re your local legal experts, and we’re locals too. We care about the same causes you care about and are doing more to give back. This year we’re going to continue our fundraising for Royal Marsden Hospital, Age Concern Banstead and St Raphael’s Hospice. We are also going to continue our partnership with Dementia Friends as a dementia-friendly firm. If you’re interested in supporting any of the work we’re doing or you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with expert legal advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Being part of a community is something special and we want to continue to embed our roots here. Thanks for being part of this journey with us! Copley Clark, Curzon House, 24 High Street, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2LJ. Tel: 01737 362 131. Email: info@copleyclark. co.uk
Furze Hill Lodge Care Home Set in the attractive Surrey Village of Kingswood and supported by friendly, FDULQJ VWDÎ? )XU]H +LOO /RGJH LV WKH XOWLPDWH LQ OX[XULRXV UHVLGHQWLDO FDUH 7KH KRPHO\ HQYLURQPHQW HQFRXUDJHV UHVLGHQWV WR HPEUDFH WKHLU LQGHSHQGHQFH 7KH WKUHH VWRUH\ KRPH SURYLGHV UHVLGHQWLDO DQG UHVSLWH FDUH IRU XS WR UHVLGHQWV $ FKRLFH RI EHGURRPV DUH DYDLODEOH PRVW KDYH HQ VXLWH facilities and views over the landscaped grounds INSPECTED BY CQC A warm welcome awaits you - so why not drop in IRU D FRÎ? HH DQG D FKDW RXU GRRU LV DOZD\V RSHQ
OVERALL RATING
‘GOOD‘
FURZE HILL LODGE Care Home )XU]H +LOO .LQJVZRRG 7DGZRUWK 6XUUH\ .7 (3 Tel: 01737 742731 Email: furzehill@mmcg.co.uk
For more information, visit us online at www.mmcgcarehomes.co.uk
Y O U R
L O C A L
C H A R I T I E S
THE KINGSWOOD VILLAGE HALL TRUST In this edition we feature a local charity that differs from almost all others in one particular respect. Rather than seeking to raise money to support a worthy cause, it is seeking to give money away! But only for very particular organisations and needs. Jill Gunn, one of the Trustees, explains. o you need a small grant for your Club or Group? The Kingswood Village Hall Trust (KVHT) exists to help local clubs and organisations in Kingswood and Lower Kingswood with grants to buy items to assist with their activities. KVHT was set up in 1964 with capital of £3,400 being the proceeds of the sale of land in Brighton Road, Lower Kingswood. This land Lower Kingswood Village Hall. had been purchased with £500 raised by villagers in 1936 to build a Village Hall. so if any group in Kingswood has a need for However the Parish of Kingswood decided to some financial assistance, just write a letter to build the present Church Hall in Lower the Hon. Secretary of the Trust, Gill Utting, 16 Kingswood, which was opened in 1938. There Smithy Lane, Lower was therefore no need for another hall. The Kingswood, KT20 6TT or original fund of £500, plus accrued interest, email to was invested by the Charity Commissioners kenutting26@gmail.com. Or and a scheme set up in 1964 for five Trustees contact Jill Gunn email to administer the income from these funds for Jill@gunn.org to find out the general benefit of the residents of Lower more. I Jill Gunn Kingswood and Kingswood. Ron Searle is the Chair of the Trust and the other Trustees are Do you enjoy art? Gill Utting, Alison Knibbs, Diana Parfitt and Jill Are you a good organiser? Gunn. Do you get on well with people? In the past the Trust has given, for example, The Friends of the Children’s Trust are seeking someone with these qualities to help them to run a grant to the Kingswood Terriers football club their annual Art Exhibition (painting, sculpture, to buy footballs and kit for the boys; the Old photography) at Tadworth Court. The Exhibition has Pheasantry to convert an attic room into an run successfully for over 20 years, but now needs arts and craft facility; the Kingswood Bowls an Exhibition Director to lead the work for it to Club to buy fertiliser and other essentials; the continue in future. It is the Friends’ biggest annual Kingswood Village Community Association to fundraiser, typically generating between £2,500 and replace the security lighting in the Village Hall £5,000 to fund items and activities sorely needed car park; Kingswood Ladies Football Team for by The Children’s Trust at Tadworth Court. If you equipment; a contribution towards the would like to discuss what is involved please provision of a defibrillator outside the Church contact Bob Gunn bob@gunn.org . Hall in Lower Kingswood. We are always keen to receive applications,
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We meet on the first T Thursday of the month at 2.00 p.m. at Kingswood Village H Hall, Waterhouse Lane, Kingsw wood KT20 6EB We have interesting speakers on a wide range of subjjects, theatre outings, lunches and afternoon teas. Please join us - new members are always welcom me Further information telephone Primrose 01737 8310 023 or Marion 01737 360970
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n the Club’s article in the last issue, we reported the success of the Men’s 1st team in gaining promotion to Division 1 of the Dorking & Leatherhead League. Well, winning isn’t everything but it certainly beats losing. So we are pleased to report that our numerous teams have distinguished themselves across the board this season. Hefin Bowen, Men’s Captain, Gillian Wyatt, Ladies’ Captain, and Valentin our club coach report: Wilson Sunday Surrey League The Wilson summer league saw over forty players competing across nine teams – six men’s, two ladies’ and one mixed team. This is a record number of teams representing Kingswood during a season. The Men’s 1st team had a core of four players and were undefeated through four matches, gaining a third consecutive promotion, to Division 4 (of 27 divisions). The Men’s 2nd team, captained by Trevor Fannin had a very strong season winning Division 10East and being promoted two leagues. Neil and James Beaven went undefeated through the entire season. The Men’s 3rd team, captained by Grant Harris, narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 14East. The club introduced new Men’s 4th and 5th teams for the Summer season. Peter Wyatt ran the fourth team which finished fifth in Division 18West. Steve Edwards ran the 5th team in Division 25West. The Ladies’ 1st team led by Ladies’ Captain Gillian Wyatt enjoyed a successful
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summer season, posting two wins and a draw from five matches and finishing third in Division 11East (of 20 divisions). The new Ladies’ 2nd team was run by Jane Chalkley to great success. Starting in Division 19East they were undefeated through four matches and earned promotion. The Mixed Doubles team finished third in Division 5East (of 10 divisions), narrowly missing the top position for the second season running. This team was led by Holly Young, with a wide pool of players representing the club. The Men’s midweek doubles team run by Trevor finished runners up in Division 2. Mid-Week Dorking League – Men’s Doubles The 1st team entered in Division 2. Neil Parsons kindly continued to look after the running of the team. The aim was to enable a wider range of players to play outside of the club’s first team. The league was very hard fought and the team missed out on the top spot by a single point, but gained promotion to the 1st Division for the 1st time. The club entered a second team for this first time during the summer. Placed in Division 5 and led by Steve Edwards the team finished in third place on 13 points, only 3 points behind the league winners. A big thank you to Steve for running multiple teams during the season. Chaucer League The mixed vets team run by Lesley Gale finished top of the table in a very competitive league. Social mixed vets Thanks to Brenda Wormald for organising
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these popular matches with a meal afterwards, enabling some members to play in an inter-club match for the first time. Juniors Our U16 Girls, Amelie and Elena Hartley, won the Surrey Div 2C Our U14 Boys and Girls finished 5th in their league. Elena Hartley reached the semifinal in one of the best junior tournaments in Surrey called Road to Wimbledon after winning two tough matches against stronger players. This is a really heartening story and is reflected in the growing support for club tennis in an ever-increasing variety of sessions throughout the week, including the now well-established sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as well as the more traditional slots on Tuesday mornings and Saturday and Sunday mornings. We also see vets tennis as a growth area. Valentin continues to be a real inspiration with his coaching of both individuals and a variety of adult groups, as well as leading a group of the men to a tennis camp in Majorca this autumn. And this is apart from his coaching of scores of kids, which makes us one of the top clubs for juniors in the county. As one former Junior Organiser has recently observed, “How great is it to see all the kids playing now, it just makes me want to punch the air when I see them all there.” Nigel Catlow is ably supporting Valentin on the coaching side and gaining in qualifications and experience. And several juniors are gaining working experience and Duke of Edinburgh Award points by participating in coaching: a real cottage industry. But let’s not overlook the majority of members, the bedrock of the club, who just want to play social tennis on nice courts in
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congenial surroundings and on occasions that suit them. They are the ones who have supported the club over the years, through thick and thin, and give the club its precious friendly atmosphere. I would mention two such members whom we have sadly lost in the last year. First, Leslie Illing who died aged 97 earlier this year – Leslie was Chairman for decades and oversaw the building of the current clubhouse. And more recently, John Viccari, multi-talented sportsman (he played rugby for his regiment), committee member and engaging personality, who died aged 93. Both served in the armed forces in WW2, Leslie in the RAF and John in the army. And both these modest gentlemen were playing tennis at the club well into their eighties. Thanks as always to all members and our sponsors local estate agents Kennedy’s – and if you fancy joining us, please do. By the way, we don’t just play tennis! Some of the many social events this autumn were: a fabulous Bollywood Night Out organized by Brenda and Peter Wormald and Nikki Gulati; a Quiz Night led by Nigel and Janet Catlow; and a Halloween party organised again by Amanda Wormald. We look forward to a Table Tennis Doubles Tournament and a Black Tie Christmas Dinner in the lead-up to Christmas. And please support the traditional social tennis on Boxing Day morning with mulled wine and mince pies – a good excuse to get out of the house for a well-earned break and some fresh air. Robin Hollington, Chairman Kingswood Lawn Tennis Club, The Glade, Kingswood, KT20 6JJ. Please visit our website www.kingswoodltc.com or follow us on facebook www.facebook.com /kingswoodlawntennisclub
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LINDSAY COLE For this edition we asked Lindsay Cole to prepare to be cast away on a desert island. Lindsay has lived in Kingswood since 1990 and is married to Rupert, with two children Jeremy and Lucy. Lindsay is an active member of our community, especially the Parish of Kingswood where she has been actively involved since the 1990s.
M
usic has always
lucky enough to catch something, the bell on his
played a large
neck ringing while his claws dug in! My father
part in my life. I
bought a Vagabond sailing dinghy, a very stable
grew up in
boat of wood, in which my brother and I spent
Ewell where my parents ran
many hours tacking and running up and down our
Lynton Preparatory School.
strip of the Thames. My brother - four years older
My mother had lived in the
- always helmed while I, from the age of four,
house from the age of four, and she and her sister
would crew leaning precariously out of the side. I
opened as a school just after the war. My father, a
was given a rowing dinghy for my eighth birthday,
very proficient pianist and wonderful baritone,
and my brother and I would race each other up
took the bulk of the music lessons, teaching
the river or meet friends who lived along our
singing and generally encouraging the young ear
stretch of water, swapping in and out of boats
to love the classics, introducing them to the likes
midstream. The magical beauty of Debussy’s
of Holst’s The Planets, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Clair de Lune – my second selection - reminds of
by Dukas, and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. He
those halcyon days on the water.
often used to drive me and some of his pupils to
I started the violin at Rosebery Grammar
the Royal Festival Hall for children’s Saturday
School where my teacher, Miss Masters, a very
morning concerts, which was where some of us
elderly lady in skirts to the floor and bent low from
saw a live orchestra performing for the first time. I
years of violin playing, used to arrive at our house
remember very clearly hearing my first choice of
in her old Morris Minor. She had removed all but
Camille Saint-Saens’s Carnival of the Animals
the driver’s seat to accommodate her music, and
at one of these concerts, and I have always loved
her chaotic collection of violins and violas. Her
his humorous and witty use of different
own seat was still in its original, factory-fresh
instruments to bring a whole menagerie of
plastic! I loved the violin and listened incessantly
animals to life, from the bombastic elephant to the
to the violin concertos of Mendelssohn and
serene swan.
Tchaikovsky, but would have to choose Max
Summer weekends when I was a child were spent at a riverside cottage in Shepperton on the
Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 as my third record. I had the happiest time at Rosebery Grammar
Thames where, if we were not in boats, we fished
and adored every aspect of school. The staff were
and swam. Boson, the orange cat from the
superb and I enjoyed tennis and netball, as well
chandlery two doors down, would relish our
as singing, the violin and the flute in equal
fishing and would leap on the back of anyone
measure. The end of the school year was the time
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when the whole school piled into the Main Hall to
ago and our love of all things choral began. I
the wonderful majesty of Elgar’s Nimrod – my
continue to sing in the Parish Choir which sings
fourth choice – being played by our superb Head
now at both churches in turn once a month. John
of Music, Miss Barker, the only time the lid of the
Stainer’s Crucifixion is my sixth choice as it
piano was ajar! In huge contrast, we left the Hall
brings back very happy memories of Friday
to her playing Cliff Richard’s We’re all going on a
evenings at St Andrew’s choir practice with my
Summer Holiday.
young children where Audrey Bowyer and I, as the
For me, my two children’s school years involved tearing about the country delivering them
only altos, used to battle through together! France – I love France. My parents’ first
to hockey and tennis matches, ballet and music
venture abroad came when I was four, and my
lessons of all varieties. Their marvellous piano
father drove us down to Denia in Southern Spain
teacher, Sylvia Richards, taught them the art of
in our white Humber SuperSnipe, our route and
performance from the moment they first sat on
hotels having been organised by the RAC. We
her piano stool. They were encouraged to enter
journeyed nearly every year after that either to
the dreaded Sutton Music Festival annually, where
Spain or France for three weeks every summer,
the adjudicators did not hold back on their
sometimes towing speed boats to enjoy water
criticism. Nothing can be more wonderful than a
skiing on the calm waters of the Med. We would
house filled with music, sometimes literally from
also create enormous traffic jams as the trailer
dawn to dusk, with both children playing the
jack-knifed between the gates of ancient walled
piano, as well as Jeremy learning the violin and
French cities! We continue to go en famille to
Lucy the flute. At City of London Freemen’s
France each year, to enjoy the colours and scents
School, as music scholars, they both played in
of Provence, or the wines and deliciousness of
concerts at the end of each term in the superb,
Burgundy, and have been lucky that the children
then brand new, Ferndale Theatre. From this
and friends still want to join us on these trips.
period I would like to select Brahms’s
Lucy, studying French and Italian at Durham,
Intermezzo in A major, my fifth choice, which
spent her third year abroad split between the two
both children played and for me, is full of soul and
countries. It was a wonderful year for me, as for
romance – a piece to bring tears to the hardest
the first six months she was in northern France in
heart.
Amiens, so I could leave home and be there in
I joined St Andrew’s Church when we moved
about two and a half hours, one time picking up
to Kingswood in 1990, six weeks before I gave
the wrong passport and only noticing I was in
birth to Jeremy, and have been very involved with
France on Jeremy’s passport once I was there!
the Parish since helping to run Junior Church
The second half of the year was spent in
when the children were quite small. I became
gorgeous Siena, in an apartment located on a
PCC Secretary in 1999, organised the church
rickety, steep stone street just off the main piazza
flowers, and then also took on the role of Parish
with its striped cathedral. My seventh choice is
Administrator about 15 years ago. At that stage,
Renee Baton’s Passacaille, a wonderfully fluid
the telephone was the normal method of
and mellifluous flute piece with its rises and falls
communication, and I would spend hours talking
that Lucy used to play while the cat bit her ankles
to parishioners. With the advent of email, the
in protest at the high notes.
telephone is dead and the personal relationship with the parish has changed somewhat. The children and I joined the choir about twenty years
Jeremy is now organist at Wells Cathedral, a glorious building set in a beautiful little city, where C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 5 4
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would not get me a part at the Globe, so I would
he lives in the oldest medieval street in the
enjoy improving my knowledge of these and
country. When he was eleven, Frank Foxen asked
reciting the parts of the handful of plays I know
Jeremy if he would accompany the Nine Lessons
well in the hope of making my debut upon my
and Carols on the organ, as the visiting organist
return.
was ill. Since then, he has never looked back and
Daily, I visit my mother in her nursing home at
I have had the enormous pleasure of all the music
Rosebery Manor where we struggle with the
that I have heard from his organ scholar days at
Times2 Crossword and its Quick Cryptic
St Mary’s Ewell, Hereford Cathedral and Trinity
followed by the similar two in the Daily
College Cambridge where I had the joy of being
Telegraph. We both take great delight in solving
able to hear all the chapel services webcast
these neatly and in good time (which is not an
online, sung by its superb choir under the
everyday occurrence). For my book selection,
direction of Stephen Layton. The wonderful organ
therefore, I would be thrilled to have an infinite
music continues from Wells and recitals here and
crossword book to keep my skills up to par.
there so my final selection is Vierne’s Carillon de
I enjoy my own company so I think I would be
Westminster, a fantasia on the Westminster
fine on my own on the desert island as long as
chimes - absolutely magnificent.
there are no spiders, butterflies or dragonflies to
I would certainly relish the chance to have
contend with. My luxury item would have to be
the time to read and absorb the Bible, which is
my beautiful black cat, Gobbolina, although
ready waiting for me on the desert island. The
without the delights of coffee cake to eat, I am
stories and verses I know well would be of great
not sure she would be too happy to come with
solace. My knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays
me! Lindsay Cole
DECEMBER 2018
KINGSWOOD, TADWORTH AND WALTON FLOWER ARRANGEMENT GROUP Held in the Village Hall Waterhouse Lane Kingswood every second Tuesday in the month ur year continues well. We have enjoyed excellent demonstrations, which have been interesting, imaginative and very informative. The raffle winners of the demonstrators’ arrangements have been delighted with their prizes. Our ‘in house’ competitions have continued but we still don’t have enough participants. I think we may have to change some of the categories to interest more members. Our summer lunch, held in August, was very well attended and a healthy sum was added to our funds. As we have said before if you are a newcomer to the Kingswood, Walton and Tadworth area and are looking for opportunities to meet people and participate in local activities or maybe someone who has lived locally for years and would like to try something new, please give a thought to your local flower club. If anyone has difficulties in transport to meetings please let me know. Many of you may already know that I am moving from Kingswood after fifty happy years. Although I’m very sad to leave, I am looking forward to my new Leatherhead home, just round the corner from my daughter! My email address stays the same janethill5@outlook.com I have therefore decided to retire from the committee, which will mean a few changes. Chris Harris and Jane Hollington will be sharing Chairman and Secretary. We are also co-opting Djina Dann. The rest of the committee remain the same and all will be confirmed at the AGM. I Janet Hill and the Flower Club Committee Janethill5@outlook.com (please note new email) Tel: 01737 832424.
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Meetings start promptly at 7.45 pm in the Village Hall, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood. 2018 Tuesday December 11th Meeting with Christmas Tea. Starts at 2.00pm Christmas Demonstration Lucinda Knapman Competition: Christmas table decoration 2019 January No meeting.
Tuesday Feb 12th at 2.00pm ‘Coco’ Kathy Stangaard (no competition)
Tuesday April 9th AGM Commences 2.00pm Followed by the speaker Competition Posy of Spring Flowers.
Tuesday March 12th at 2.00pm Less is More Claire Bryant Competition Posy of Spring Flowers
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POSADA - THE TRAVELLING NATIVITY
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he tradition of having figures of Mary, Joseph and a donkey travelling from home to home during Advent is becoming popular in the United Kingdom. The tradition originated in Mexico where it is known as Posada. Posada is a Spanish word which means 'inn' and is also the title for a Mexican Advent celebration in which two young people, dressed as Mary and Joseph, travelled from house to house in their village to proclaim the imminent arrival of Jesus and request that the Holy Family be given a room. On Christmas Eve they would re-enact a community play and bring figures of Mary and Joseph to be placed in a crib at church.
The idea has been updated so that nativity figures travel round the parish from place to place, staying at a different house every night, and finally taking their place in the church crib at the Crib Service, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. Mary and Joseph's journey through the parish reminds us that we need to make room for Jesus in our lives, homes and communities. In the Parish of Kingswood we too will have the Posada this year. Look out for that picture in the homes of those who have participated. It will also be the image on our Christmas Card so you’ll be able to find out the details of all our services coming up for the festive season and I look forward to welcoming you at one or all of them. I Rev’d Chris Colton, Priest in charge, Parish of Kingswood
Friends of Surrey
NSPCC Christmas Hat Dog Walk 2018 Wednesday 12 December at 10am meet in the car park at The Sportsman, Mogador Road Lower Kingswood, KT20 7ES
Tickets £10 to include a mulled wine or coffee/tea and mince pies and a little surprise!
Come and join us! email: friendssurreynspcc@hotmail.com Registered Charity no 216401/SC037717 EVERY CHILDHOOD IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
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HELP! CHRISTMAS IS LEAKING!
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t was the morning of Christmas Eve and Ruth had been lying in bed with her eyes firmly shut, trying to make the most of her last few minutes of peace. She lifted Sam’s sleep-heavy arm away from her and crawled out of the toasty warm bed. On the bedside table was the ‘To Do List’ she’d written the night before. Ruth ignored it and went down to make tea. At the top of the stairs her bare foot came down onto a puddle of water and a very soggy carpet. Ruth was still half asleep and not sure what to make of this. Why would the carpet be wet? Had one of her children spilled a glass of water? Or worse? She called out to Sam. “Darling, there’s a puddle of water at the top of the stairs!” Sam grunted sleepily from the bedroom while Ruth explored a little further. It quickly became clear that water was falling with a persistent drip through the light fixtures above. Ruth called out with significantly more urgency. “Sam, there’s water coming through the ceiling!” This time there was a very impressive reaction. A naked Sam leapt to his feet and flew towards Ruth. “Bucket!” was the only word that he yelled as he pulled the loft hatch open. “Bucket!” Ruth didn’t much like
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his tone but ran downstairs towards the garage and the indisputably required bucket. As she went into the living room, the scale of this Christmas disaster was revealed. Water was also seeping down the wall at the back of the storage unit, trickling onto a large pile of beautifully wrapped presents. Ruth frantically tried to move the presents to a drier area. “Bucket!” was the ongoing cry from upstairs, a little fainter this time as Sam was now in the loft. Ruth hoped that he’d taken a moment to put on a pair of trousers. There were lots of wooden rafters up there and it was full of potential splinter hazards… “I’m coming! I’m being as fast as I can. They’re in the garage.” “Towels!” “I’m downstairs… I’m getting a bucket! The towels are upstairs! I’m not bloody Wonderwoman!” Ruth yelled from the garage, confident that Sam couldn’t hear her from there. She found two buckets behind the freezer and raced upstairs. She also grabbed an old and very grubby looking mop that had definitely seen better days and clearly had a resident spider. Ben, Daniel and Sarah were out of their rooms and trying to help. Daniel had taken towels from the airing cupboard and was trying to mop up the water from the bathroom floor. Unfortunately, out of all the possible towels, he’d chosen the brand new
H E L P !
fluffy white ones with their price tags still attached. Ben emptied out the bathroom bin all over the carpet and was holding it under the light fitting. Fortunately he was astute enough to shout at Sarah who was just about to turn on the light switch. Sam had always been quite good at DIY and Ruth admired him for his practicality. This Christmas her admiration was immense. Her ‘handy’ husband managed to turn the water off and repair the loose joint on the pipe before it completely burst apart. Disaster was averted without the need for a plumber. As the day wore on, they evaluated the damage and tried to salvage as much as they could. Sarah used the hairdryer to ‘blow dry’ the presents and only a few had to be replaced with
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a last minute dash to the shops. The following day, they were ready for their Christmas guests. The carpets and walls were stained and a few strips of wallpaper were peeling off. The light fittings were hanging off the ceilings and buzzed precariously if switched on. However, lamps, candles and twinkling tree lights made the living room look beautiful. Christmas dinner was delicious and all the family enjoyed their slightly damp presents. Surprisingly, not even Sam’s mother commented on the pervading smell, evocative of a wet dog after a long and adventurous walk. The Memory Book Company Website: www.thememorybook.co.uk Email: sarah@thememorybook.co.uk Tel: 01372 373844 Twitter: @thememorybook Facebook: The Memory Book
STONEMAN FUNERAL SERVICES An independent family business providing a comprehensive personal service
Prepayment funeral plans available 11 SHELVERS HILL, TADWORTH Tel: 01737 814406 Head Office and Funeral Home DORAN COURT, REIGATE ROAD, REDHILL Tel: 01737 763456 Memorial Office: 49 Bell Street, Reigate Tel: 01737 243164
DECEMBER 2018
N S P C C
MERRY XMAS FROM KINGSWOOD NSPCC Christmas Shopping Coffee Morning Monday 3rd December 10.30am to 12.30pm Kingswood Village Hall £5 entrance to include refreshments Why not come along and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea and a little something to eat as you browse the various stalls to start your Christmas gift shopping. Parking available in Kingswood Arms car park. Annual Quiz Night Saturday 2nd February 2019 7.30pm Kingswood Village Hall £20 per head to include a fish and chip supper. Bring your own drinks. Tables of 8. Book early to avoid disappointment, tables go fast! To book a table or for more details contact Gill – gill.talpade@gmail.com Annual Kingswood Tennis Day Monday 29th April 2019 Matches will be played at three local courts, semis and finals at Kingswood Tennis Club. £25 per player to include a two course lunch and afternoon tea. Please contact Jane –
janehollington@btinternet.com for more details or to reserve a place. Blossom Ball Saturday 11th May 2019 7pm for 7.30pm till Midnight RAC Pall Mall. Tables of 10. Join us for a Champagne reception and 3 course meal in the wonderful surroundings of the RAC. To book a table or for further information please contact Lori – lori.nspcc@btinternet.com
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and a huge thank you to all our supporters for your help in raising funds for the NSPCC/Childline.
Letter from Santa A quick reminder that Santa’s mailroom is now open. Our popular letter from Santa allows you to create a bespoke letter personalised with a child’s name, age, hobbies and more. Add a little magic to your family’s Christmas with a Letter from Santa. Visit www.letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk today! EVERY CHILDHOOD IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR. NSPCC HELPLINE 0800 800 500 help@NSPCC.org.uk Childline 0800 1111
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TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU n the dining car we were invited to choose
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our table, then deposited our jackets on the spare seats and proceeded to the observation car passing the bar on the way. “Welcome, my name is Jimmy and I will be
your barman today. If you would like to make yourselves comfortable I will bring your welcome drinks.� Our fellow passengers were from Lima, having a brief holiday in Cusco and doing part of the Inca trail the next day. We chatted on the observation platform sipping our iced tea and
that we would be joined by more passengers
nibbling on dried corn and bean snacks.
on our return journey.
At 10.30 precisely the train juddered into
On the mountain side David pointed out a
action and slowly started to move. The single
bivouac campsite clinging to the sheer rock
track passed through large metal gates which
face with room for 24 climbers and we were
were then closed and bolted after our exit.
just able to spot ant-like people scaling the
We were on our way. Initially the track ran
rock face. On the river side we passed a group
through a jungle of eucalyptus trees and final
of kayakers paddling away and waving. We
emerged in the open valley with shacks and
thought of them 10 minutes later when the river
vegetable plots on both sides and the
started to foam through the rocky rapids.
mountains rearing up behind. A muddy river
Eventually we returned to the dining car for
seemed to follow the track with us.
lunch and what a feast it was. Each course was
Occasionally we saw a red plastic bag
carefully explained to us outlining its local
ballooning from a wooden pole. This was the
provenance; presentation was excellent and the
sign that chicha, a drink fermented from maize,
taste delicious. We were sparing with the wine
was available for passers by. People wandering
as we knew we had an arduous walk at altitude
along beside the track waved, children racing
later.
the train waved, passing cyclists wobbling
Coffee and petit fours completed the meal;
along waved and of course we waved back. It
now we felt ready for anything Machu Picchu
was all quite surreal, on the train old fashioned
threw at us.
opulence, outside subsistence farming. We learned from David, our urbane Chef du
We chugged into Aguas Calientes on time, said goodbye to our two fellow passengers and
Train that this train service had been in
au revoir to David, Jimmy and our little waitress
operation since July 2017, took only 35
as the train would now sit in a siding until the
passengers and had a crew of 5. The previous
return journey at 7.30.
day friends of ours had travelled on the train
Onwards and upwards for the next part of
and there had been 25 passengers up and
our journey. The day was warm but thankfully
more on the way down, and we were assured
overcast so we left our jackets with the travel
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rep who guided us through the buzzing craft
angles as they fitted together like giant 3D
market to the bus which would take us up to
jigsaws, then we sat back and tried to etch the
the entrance of the site. Once again tickets,
site on our memories.
passports and entry passes were examined
The site closes at 5.30 and we decided to
and bottles of water handed over. The road
beat the rush and left at 5.00, returning over
climbed up and up twisting and turning all the
the narrow bridge, past the ticket office and
time, avoiding pothole and stray backpackers
back to the dusty square. We climbed wearily
until we stopped in an open square with jungle
onto the first available bus and headed down
on three sides. Lisette our guide to the site was
the hill. The chatter was more muted but the
waiting at the bus stop for us, and managed to
faces were happy and content.
lead us to the entrance avoiding and swerving past groups of exuberant backpackers. I thought it best to state the obvious before
Lisette led us back to the station after retrieving our jackets and checking that a driver would be waiting for us at Ollantaytambo to
Lisette got too carried away (overweight and
take us back to our hotel in Cusco. Another
under exercised) and said I was able to walk
farewell with kisses and hugs; she had looked
distances but was not good at steep climbs
after us so well and shared so much
having the previous day forgone the climb up to
information with us.
the Temple of the Sun at Ollantaytambo. She
At 7.00 on the dot David appeared and
smiled sweetly and reassured me that we
ushered us straight onto the train, no need for
would do the gentle walk and have plenty of
ticket or passport checks. It was pitch black by
stops to rest and refresh ourselves. We moved
this time and we just went straight to the dining
forward to the ticket office, presented our
car to be greeted like old friends by Jimmy and
passes, walked over a narrow bridge and then
the little waitress. We had six new dining
we were there.
companions but our table appeared to be
Before us, above us and below us the
reserved for us. Hot towels and refreshing iced
massive site of Machu Picchu, green terraces,
tea followed. We had definitely made the right
grey walls, open plazas and buildings of
decision regarding the train. We sat back and
temples, guard houses, store rooms and
allowed ourselves to be waited on, the meal
dwelling places. It did not, could not,
was delicious as before and this time enjoyed
disappoint. Lisette led us to a shady corner and
with white wine. There was the gentle chatter
gave us a brief history of the Incas. their
from the group of four further up the carriage
downfall following the arrival if the Spanish and
and in the background I recognised tracks from
the story of its discovery by Hiram Bingham.
my favourite Eric Clapton album; could this day
We saw photographs of the site covered in
get any better. For my husband it did when
jungle and wondered how anyone knew to
Pink Floyd came through the speakers.
search beneath the greenery. We wandered the
Surreal.
terraces, Lisette pointing out trapezoid
All too soon we were off the train and into
windows, cascading channels of water
our taxi for home, this time a proper car with
alongside a flight of stairs and the only round
semi-decent suspension. We settled in the
tower building of the Temple of the Sun. We
backseat and drifted off to sleep. What an
marvelled at the accuracy of the windows for
amazing day.
capturing the summer solstices and the carving
Part I was published in the SEPTEMBER 2018
of the rocks some containing as many as 32
edition. Kingswood Resident, name witheld.
DECEMBER 2018 59
C H A R I T I E S
CHARITY ACTION LIST Feeling charitable? Or just want to get involved in some interesting local activities? Or both! Here’s what’s coming up in the next 3 months. Monday 10 December 7.30pm Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, London SW1X 9BZ The Children’s Trust Candlelit Christmas Concert Join The Children’s Trust for an evening of glorious Christmas music hosted by BBC presenter Nicholas Owen with special guest Alistair McGowan. Hear the vibrant Amici Ensemble with special guest performances by Piers Adams (of Red Priest) on recorder and by soprano Anna Maria Rincon. Plus the Chichester University Orchestra and the Putney High School Choir. Tickets from £25 from www.cadoganhall.com/whats-on/ Tuesday 11 December 6.30pm at Christchurch URC, Walton St, Waltonon-the-Hill TWOAT ‘Sing Carols’ TWOAT (the Tadworth & Walton Overseas Aid Trust) invites you to join them and the Walton Primary School choir for a seasonal service and celebration. Further details from Mike Fox 01737 350452 or Mike.fox2@NTLWorld.com Saturday 15 December 7.30 pm All Saints Church, Battlebridge Lane, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3LH PATH Choir Christmas Concert A number of Kingswood singers are in the PATH Choir and would love you to join them for their concert of Christian songs and words for this special time of the year. Retiring collection.
DECEMBER 2018
Thursday 20 December starting at 7 pm Meet at the gates of St Peter’s Church, Walton TWOAT Street Carol Singing Fancy adding your voice to the TWOAT songsters who will be continuing the festive tradition of singing carols door-to-door – or at least street-to-street and pub-to-pub – around Walton. All voices welcome, however rusty or rarely used! Offers of mince pies and mulled wine guaranteed. Further details from Mike Fox 01737 350452 or Mike.fox2@NTLWorld.com Saturday 16 February 7.30pm at Tadworth Court Mansion, Tadworth St, Tadworth KT20 5RU Friends of the Children’s Trust ‘Tadworth Court Mansion – Three Centuries of History’ BBC presenter Nicholas Owen introduces an illustrated talk by Gregory Bratza, great grandson of one of the mansion’s owners. See inside the Grade 1 Listed mansion, hear the story of the mansion from its very beginnings and unravel the mystery of the unknown woman and the legend that accompanies her. Tickets are £10 from: Bob Gunn 07504 060758, or Gerry Murch 01737 812655, or friendsofthechildrenstrust@virginmedia.com C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6 6
Celebrating 30 years at Symphony world travel in Fetcham experts - trusted - without compromise
In an increasingly busy world we understand your holiday is a precious commodity. We offer honest, impartial, expert advice and go the extra mile to tailormake your perfect holiday. Without compromise.
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Tel:
01737 36 26 26
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Web: www.symphonyworldtravel.com
C H A R I T Y
AC T I O N
L I S T
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 6 4
Saturday 2 March 7.15pm at Christchurch URC Hall, Walton St, Walton TWOAT Annual Quiz Join the contest to become TWOAT Quiz Champions for 2019. Make up your own team (up to 8 members), or come by yourselves and we will match you up with team-mates.
Tickets are £10, which includes light refreshments for supper. Bring your own drinks. Tickets from Mike Fox 01737 350452 or Mike.fox2@NTLWorld.com If there is a local charity event in the period March, April, May, not otherwise covered in Village Voice, which you would like to bring to the attention of our readers, please send brief information to Bob Gunn before the next copy date.
A D V E R T I S E R S
I N D E X
A K Gulati and Co Solicitors
Page 45
Kingswood Cars
Page 4
Burge and Gunson
Page 63
Kingswood Golf and Country
Page 53
Capel Tree Surgeons
Page 50
Kingswood WI
Page 45
Copley Clark
Page 37
LT Electrical
Page 11
Dave Ford Tree Care
Page 26
Roxley Models
Page 23
David Legg Tree Surgeon
Page 26
S&D Paving
Page 39
Derek White and Sons
Page 36
SAS Roofing
Page 23
Drift Bridge Volkswagen
Page 2
Saunders Estate Agents
Page 24
Fine & Country Estate Ag’ts
Page 64
Stoneman Funeral Services
Page 55
Generation Windows
Page 19
Surrey Sharpeners
Page 13
Furze Hill Court
Page 43
Sutton High School
Page 5
George Dyankov
Page 27
Symphony World Travel
Page 62
Helping Hands
Page 33
Taurus Waste Recycling
Page 56
JP Electrical
Page 35
Total Security Systems
Page 40
Kennedys
Page 16
Please email richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk or post to:Richard Milbourn, 3 Mount Hill, Mogdor, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7HZ. Tel 01737 222307. Deadline for the March 2019 edition is as follows:Editorial deadline: 31st January 2019 Advertising deadline: 20th January 2019 A colour page only costs £133 Please mention the Village Voice when replying to our advertisers.
DECEMBER 2018
Seasons Greetings From All at Fine & Country Kingswood
Ready for change in the New Ye Year? The festive season is a prime time to promote your property as peo ople are looking for a change as the New Year approaches. With more spare time to search property por tals,, your home may be spotted by the perffeect buyer just in time for 2019. Contact us now ffo or a free valuation and marke ketingg advice fo for yyour p property p y over the Christmas holidays. y 4PIEWI GSRXEGX SV IQEMP FIR WLE[$½RIERHGSYRXV] S ] GSQ JS JSV QSVI MRJS JSVQEX EXMSR