Kingswood Village Voice September 2020 by Carnah Events Ltd

ISSUE 154 â&#x20AC;¢ SEPTEMBER 2020

FEATURING

BUSINESS HEROES OF KINGSWOOD

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KVCA

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Registered Charity No. 275187 THE VILLAGE HALL, WATERHOUSE LANE, KINGSWOOD KT20 6EB

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 Antony Hawker The Holt, Alcocks Lane, Kingswood KT20 6BB Tel: 01737 358097 Email: KVCA@Palmerston.co.uk Committee Members: Lindsay Cole Tel: 01737 201199 Sally Fish Tel: 01737 832176 James Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Penny Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Sarah Wilson Tel: 01737 833370 Peter Wormald Tel: 01737 832866 KADDS Judy Parnall Tel: 01737 830888 Hall Bookings Penny Chatfield Tel: 01737 353248 Strictly between 5pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday only) Email: pen.chatfield@btinternet.com Hall Manager Simon Peacock Mobile: 07376 164050 Life President KADDS Lady Janet Hill The Village Voice Editorial Bob Gunn Tel: 07504 060758 Email: bob@gunn.org Advertising Juliet Quartermain Tel: 07775 901719 Email: jqemail@icloud.com qÜÉ= éêáåí= êìå= Ñçê= qÜÉ= sáää~ÖÉ= sçáÅÉ= áë= NIRMM= ÅçéáÉë= ~åÇ= áí= áë= ÇÉäáîÉêÉÇ ÑêÉÉ= íç= ~ää= ÜçìëÉÜçäÇë= ~åÇ= ÄìëáåÉëëÉë= áå= háåÖëïççÇK= qÜÉ= sáää~ÖÉ= sçáÅÉ áë= éìÄäáëÜÉÇ= Ñçìê= íáãÉë= ~= óÉ~êW= j~êÅÜLgìåÉLpÉéíÉãÄÉêLaÉÅÉãÄÉê= ïáíÜ Åçéó= Ç~íÉë= çÑ= PNëí= g~åì~êóI= PMíÜ= ^éêáäI= PNëí= gìäó= ~åÇ= PNëí= lÅíçÄÉêK 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. To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2020

CONTENTS pbmqbj_bo=OMOM 3

KVCA Contacts

Anne Dobson’s Recipes

Your Chairman’s Notes

Sarah’s Garden Jottings

Kingswood In Lockdown -

Kingswood & The Environment

Business Heroes of Kingswood

Kingswood Village WI

Appreciation - Ken Astell

Inspired Villages

News From KADDS

NSPCC

Local History

Kingswood Lawn Tennis Club

Food Bank Scheme

The Church in Kingswood

Flower Arrangement Group

Thirteen Society

Councillors’ Column

Sarah Lott Story

Writers’ Corner

Advertisement Index

Kingswood Residents Association

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

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K I N G S W O O D V I L L A G E C O M M U N I T Y A S S O C I AT I O N

YOUR CHAIRMAN’S NOTES riting this at the very end

stressed that his decision has nothing to do with Village

of July it is impossible to

Voice itself, nor his relations with the KVCA, but has

know whether, by the

been driven by his need to focus his business activities

time you read it in September, we

elsewhere. Richard has helped us to improve the quality

will still be on a path to some type

and breadth of content of our magazine, and has

of ‘normality’, or will be gearing up

always accommodated our ideas and changes with a

our emergency measures again for a second wave of

blend of goodwill and sage advice. We will miss his input

the virus. Either way, I can reassure you we will be ready.

and his expertise. I haven’t been able to find a single

The KVCA with the KRA have agreed to keep the

person to replace Richard as Editor, but I am very

Kingswood Safety Net structure in place, ready to be re-

pleased that we have found two people who, between

activated if a second wave does hit us. And many of the

them, will be able to do so. Juliet Quartermain, a

Local Area or WhatsApp Groups that were set up early

Kingswood resident and Kingswood Safety Net

in the lockdown remain active and will be able to help

volunteer, has agreed to take over the advertising role –

quickly if there is a need. On the other hand, if we are

finding, securing and liaising with advertisers who offer

able to continue steps towards reactivating previously

useful services to our readers and who provide

‘normal’ activities, you’ll be pleased to know that the

necessary income for the KVCA. Kate Skinner, who is

KVCA has been taking steps towards the safe re-

based in Horsham, will take over the assembly of the

opening of the Village Hall.

magazine content, proof-reading corrections and liaison with the printers. Juliet, Kate and I are determined to

At the Village Hall we have installed sanitizer stations and paper towel dispensers, instituted a one-way system

maintain the high standards which Richard has reached

and special cleaning protocols, suspended all catering

with Village Voice. Your KVCA Committee – Mike Hannah, Antony

activities, limited numbers in each of the rooms and set up a Covid isolation room just in case someone at the

Hawker, Lindsay Cole, Sally Fish, James & Penny

Hall does start showing symptoms. Most importantly we

Chatfield, Sarah Wilson and Peter Wormald – continue to

have undertaken a Hall Covid Risk Assessment, so that

do sterling work, largely behind the scenes. In a normal

we can assure our users that the Hall is as safe as

year we would have held our AGM in April and you

possible for them to run their sessions, and have

would have been able to applaud them in person and

required each of our users to complete a Risk

re-elect them for another year’s service. Or even offer to

Assessment for their activity in the Hall, using guidance

joins us! As the April AGM had to be cancelled we have

from their national association where appropriate. We

decided to hold a ‘business-only’ AGM at the Village Hall

have had a few very small activities in the Hall in July,

on 26 November at 7.30pm, at which the Committee, all

which have also served as test events, and there will be

of whom are KVCA Trustees, will transact the necessary

more during August. We are hoping therefore that from

business. It will be open for Kingswood residents to

the beginning of September many of our regular users

attend, but, under current guidelines, the numbers will

will be able to safely re-start their weekly and monthly

need to be limited. For that reason, if you would like to

activities, although some will be with reduced numbers. I

attend you will need to contact me (see page 3) no

really hope that everything aligns so that we will be able

later than 19 November to register for the meeting.

to welcome you back, safely, to the Hall this autumn. There are also changes afoot for Village Voice. With

These definitely are different times! I do hope that you, your families and friends continue to stay safe and

considerable regret Richard Milbourn has told us that

that we can help you whichever way things turn out.

this edition will have to be his last as Editor. He has

Bob Gunn, Chairman KVCA

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN

BUSINESS HEROES OF KINGSWOOD The local businesses which serve our needs in Kingswood have all been greatly affected by the Covid-19 lockdown. Many have had no option but to close in line with government legislation, although that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve been idle! Those who were allowed to stay open have turned themselves inside out to meet the stringent new safety requirements and to meet Kingswood’s increased and altered needs. We are using this special article to celebrate their efforts and to let each of them tell us a little about how they have gone about adapting to this new world.

he Covid-19 lockdown and the restricted re-opening period which has followed it have brought home to all of us the real value of having shops and businesses capable of meeting our needs very close at hand. Minimising cost, for so long the mantra of the big supermarkets and bulk retailers, suddenly wasn’t the most important factor after all. It was much more important to know that we had Kingswood Village Store within walking distance for most of us and capable of supplying a considerable range of food and household essentials. It wasn’t at all easy for Kartik & Sonal Shah to meet the sudden increase in demand, especially with their two young sons confined at home with their schools shut. But they did it, and linked up with the Kingswood Safety Net to organise home deliveries to those households who were isolating. Kingswood Wines added basic groceries to the very important drinks we certainly needed and proprietor Kuda worked tirelessly to find additional supplies. Waterhouse Café quickly extended their food range, especially with fresh food and vegetables. We love their fresh-baked bread! Maggie Brown’s Waterhouse Café and No 12 Restaurant teams re-invented themselves to provide their delicious meals as take-aways and added home delivery. At the other end of our high street the New Khyber, led by Mo Rahman, also ramped up their take-away and delivery service to meet our increased demand for the spicy delights they produce. And these were just the front-line, more visible

SEPTEMBER 2020

Kingswood traders. Less obvious but just as important for some were our local electricians, including Garden Lightcraft, beauticians especially Sleeping Beauty and, for those in the midst of house moving or rental, our trio of village estate agents – Richard Saunders, Kennedys and Fine & Country. Money worries hit many during the crisis and financial advice has been on offer from Arash Shababi at A&A Accounting and from Antony Hawker at Palmerston Accountants. Read what all of them have done to make sure that they can keep Kingswood going during the lockdown and how they are continuing to adapt their services now. Also how your village tennis club has used their enforced shutdown to install a bar and re-open as an even more attractive venue for sport and relaxation. Kingswood resident Liam Tomkins has this view: “In retrospect, in 2015, not a single person got the right answer to ‘Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?’ What a strange few months. My wife and daughters took to delivering from the Kingswood Stores to local residents in need, as did I. Which is where I really found the very big heart that is in Kingswood. People rallied to help. Our little village shops stepped up a gear. Found suppliers of fresh fruit and veg of great quality, sourced all manner of essentials and organised deliveries, some aided by Kingswood residents. I changed my buying habits, I started using the village butcher in nearby Walton, where the meat I might add is much better than the supermarkets and we ordered many delicious

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN pizzas from Waterhouse Café and of course bought what we needed from Kingswood stores. I think the village stood fast in the face of this virus.” There is a lot of talk now about Building Back Better, so that in future we can be fitter, healthier, more equitable and do much less damage to the environment we live in. I really hope that Building Back Better for us in Kingswood includes being more supportive of our local village businesses. They have stood by us these last few months. Let’s stand by them for years to come. They need our continued custom to survive, not just our custom when the next crisis erupts and we realise that we need them again. If we don’t continue to use them now, when we could go elsewhere and save a pound or two, they might not be here next time. Bob Gunn

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE STORE

he world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). You may be aware that since the lockdown CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Dave Ford Tree Care Contact us for a free quotation T: 01306 611 661 E: info@davefordtreecare.co.uk W: www.davefordtreecare.co.uk

Tree surgery with a heart l Felling l Pruning l Planting l Stump Grinding l Hedgerow Management l Emergency Work To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

was imposed in late March, we have taken a series of precautionary steps like increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures for our store, installing screens at counters, restricting numbers of customers in the shop at the same time and strongly recommending wearing masks in the shop as per government guidelines. We have also made temporary amendments in Post Office hours since March. We appreciate your understanding that, as a customer, your experience may look different. We would personally like to reach out to thank all our customers for their understanding. All our staff, paperboys and girls have gone above and beyond providing the same services you always expect and in some cases even delivering groceries to residents. We also want to thank the Kingswood Safety Net and all the volunteers who kindly helped us out delivering groceries to those households that were having to isolate and this ran through April and May. You all are truly amazing! Next we would like to thank our Customers. Your loyalty means the world to us. You have been patient, understanding and thoughtful during this whole process. We thank you for choosing to shop ‘Small Business’ when we know sometimes it can be easier to just get it all done in one trip to a ‘Big Box Store’. We hope you continue to shop at Small Businesses as they need you now more than ever. We are privileged to serve you and look forward to continuing to help service all of you in the years to come! Sonal & Kartik Shah

KINGSWOOD WINES

he uncertain times we find ourselves in as a community and country has brought us a few challenges too. When it began we thought “a few weeks and it all will be back to normal”, but we have now learnt that was not quite right. So now

SEPTEMBER 2020

we’ve started adapting as and when the changes come. Looking at the silver lining, we managed to stretch out our hands in an effort to reach those who were not been able to come out or those at a greater risk and so we introduced a home delivery service. This is now a service we offer permanently. Basics that were bizarrely becoming scarce like tissue rolls, eggs, flour, pasta etc. we started stocking as and when we could find them, so we could help those that could not find them or get to the supermarket quickly enough. We listened to those with special requests for their favourite wine, ale, beer or spirit and as a result we now stock a wider range than before. We have been brought closer in all we have done for each other during the difficult times, something that we hope will be carried in our hearts and minds going forward. The safety of our customers, community and staff remains a priority and so we are keeping the social and safe distancing measures in place for the foreseeable future . This comes with an appeal to all those that visit Kingswood Wines to adhere to the guidelines at the time. If we all do our bit together we can fight this virus and we can continue safely serving you. Thank you for the support always and we hope to continue seeing you. Kuda Madzivanyika and the team at Kingswood Wines CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN fortunate to have Anu, Assistant Manager, who stepped up and did an amazing job. We’ve started selling fruit, vegetables, other essentials and of course toilet rolls! The Chef from our sister company No.12 started making bread, sausage rolls, cakes and amazing doughnuts. Both businesses worked as a team and came up with many ideas. During lockdown many of you have used our Takeaway Service and enjoyed amongst other dishes our fresh pizzas. Now we are excited for the future and what new experiences our Waterhouse family will bring. I cannot believe that my life has been made so much richer by a little café in a small village in Surrey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart … Maggie Brown

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

WATERHOUSE CAFE

ne sunny May morning nine years ago Michele and myself opened the doors of the Waterhouse Café and stood back terrified! Little did we know the amazing journey it would take us on. Kingswood Village opened their arms and gave us a welcome we could only have dreamt of. When our family decided to open the café we wanted it to feel like a home from home, whether it was builders, yummy mummy’s with children or teenagers, everyone could come in, get great food, have a chat with our staff, read a book or simply watch the world go by. With the help of Manageress Michele, my right hand and dear friend, we’ve trained our staff to value all our customers. Their priority is to treat them as they would wish to be treated themselves. Now to Covid-19 and Lockdown. I know how much lots of us have suffered. Both Michele and I have had a family member who caught this life changing illness. Many of our staff were unable to work but we were

SEPTEMBER 2020

NUMBER 12

t No.12 our ethos has always been to offer our customers a great dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Put

Hannah and Molly ready to welcome you.

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN simply: the highest quality, fresh ingredients expertly cooked and friendly, attentive service. During lockdown we had to rapidly adapt, and quickly realised we had to offer our customers the same experience in a different way. We recognised Kingswood needed a quality Takeaway Service and No.12@Home could provide that. We also worked alongside the Waterhouse Café to give people a taste of No.12 through the homemade breads, cakes, pastries and sauces that are on sale there daily. It has become so popular with Kingswood residents that when we re-opened in July we decided to continue our No.12@Home service whilst offering our customers the same exceptional experience when dining with us in the restaurant. The safety of our customers and staff is paramount and we have closely followed guidelines to ensure we adhere to government regulations. This includes a Track and Trace form and carefully managed booking times to maintain social distancing. All our staff have been trained in cleaning, hygiene and sanitisation and are equipped with PPE. Whilst we have had to limit seating in the main restaurant we now have the fantastic addition of our terrace, perfect for al fresco dining. Being based in Kingswood we are lucky to be part of a close community and are so grateful for the continued support that community has shown us. We have always and will continue to offer a highly personalised service, which we feel is key to our success and we pride ourselves on building up close relationships with all our local customers. We want everyone who walks through our door to receive a warm welcome. Natasha and the No 12 Team

THE NEW KYBER

he Covid-19 lockdown in Britain came just after I returned from a trip to visit family overseas. On 23 March I emailed Bob Gunn to say “I am back from Bangladesh. It's looking not too good here. I can see that all restaurants and almost all other businesses are effectively closed due to the coronavirus. I would like if you could pass the message to everyone that The New Khyber is open for takeaway and delivery as normal.” Of course we had to make changes so that we could prepare our food safely and so that we could take orders and hand over food without putting either our customers or our staff at risk. Many of our customers chose to have their orders delivered by us to their homes, especially those who had to isolate but who still wanted to taste our delicious spicy foods! So that was how we operated from late March until mid-July when we were finally able to welcome customers back to eat in the restaurant again. We took advantage of that time to redecorate the restaurant and we hope you will see the difference when you next come to eat with us at The New Khyber. I do hope that we will see you soon. But if you don’t yet feel that you want to come out to eat, don’t forget you can order the same delicious food and we will deliver it to your door. Mo Rahman and the team at The New Khyber

To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

MARCH 2020

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN enjoying their gardens, they’ve seen how they would like to improve them. Garden Lightcraft is based in Kingswood and has an enviable reputation in the design, installation and maintenance of bespoke garden lighting systems, outdoor kitchens, and vehicle charging facilities. Much of the beautiful garden lighting people see around Kingswood, was installed by us or is maintained by us. We have exacting standards and procedures and our systems are designed to be fault free for many years. Liam Tomkins - Managing Director

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

GARDEN LIGHTCRAFT

t Garden Lightcraft lockdown was a concern initially, but we had installations booked. Due to the outdoor nature of our work, most clients said “just get on with it!” We already had surgical masks etc, that we wear when installing lighting in the eaves of houses, due to insulation and dust. These we wore if we had to enter any houses to connect power. We have always advertised that for any electrical emergency, garden or indoors, we will always get to a Kingswood resident on the same day. We did have a few calls where clients were elderly or had health issues and suffered power faults. We followed governing body guidelines plus common sense. I am pleased to say we sorted out a wheelchair client whose bathroom lights packed up. His wife moved him to the lounge. We gloved and masked up, got the lights sorted and cleaned everywhere we had been. Our problem now is that for 3 months we had very few new inquiries. We are hoping that as people have spent such a long spell

SEPTEMBER 2020

SLEEPING BEAUTY

ll the team at Sleeping Beauty Salon would like to say a special thank you to our clients who supported the Salon whilst we were temporarily closed due to lockdown. Although closed for treatments we were still selling skincare products and online gift vouchers which has kept the salon going, so thank you. Whilst closed, we were busy preparing for our reopening with new safety, hygiene and distancing measures in place, including a 'Fogging Machine' which sprays a fine mist throughout the salon and kills 99.9% of all bacteria and viruses. We’ve also updated our window display with our bright and beautiful flower arch and window posters thanking all key workers, to try and brighten everyone’s day as they pass by. Training has been conducted to ensure all team members care for our clients in a safe, hygienic, caring and professional manner. We were very excited to reopen our doors on 13th July with a limited treatment

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN

menu. We really missed doing what we do best. It has been lovely welcoming all of our clients back, and also meeting with new clients. We look forward to seeing those who are currently still isolating; we are ready for you when you are. We are waiting on government guidelines as to when we can offer all treatments on the face. We would like to wish all of the businesses in Kingswood Village good luck and best wishes over the next few months as we start to return to the 'new normal.' Tamara Attfield and the team at Sleeping Beauty SAUNDERS

nquestionably a jewel in the Surrey Downs crown, Kingswood Village is treasured by those who live here and revered and coveted by many who aspire to. Just a few hundred homes over a square mile of leafy, private lanes surround the village at its heart. The first time I introduced residents to their new Kingswood home was over 40 years ago and fortunately

for me, my sales and lettings teams share my passion for doing so to this day. We’ve seen many challenges over those years but none quite so dreadful as Covid-19. However, this challenge has served only to strengthen the community spirit of Kingswood Village and as a result, its desirability as a place to live. Its village and residents’ associations have become even more an invaluable resource of information and support. Our local shops, café and restaurants have stepped up, adapting and even increasing their offerings to their community, whilst keeping the safety of all as their priority. Relative to the heroic efforts of others I’ve mentioned, our response to Covid-19 has been easier to deliver. Naturally, we’ve made the necessary changes to the way in which we operate to protect the safety of our clients and staff members, and we have worked hard to maintain the highest standard of service to our clients and the community in general. I am particularly proud of my staff who have remained professional in the face of the unprecedented vacuum of lockdown and the almost-overwhelming resurgence that ensued. Our passion remains undinted. Finally I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our clients, as their patience and understanding over these past few months has been tremendous. Richard Saunders FNAEA MARLA

To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

KENNEDYS’

hen Bob Gunn asked me to contribute to this special feature, I reflected on how we responded to this unprecedented situation. From mid March the world changed very quickly. I closed our Walton and Kingswood offices on 21st March, 3 days before the official lockdown. We moved quickly to divert phones and ensure every member of both sales and lettings teams had laptops and everything they needed. We had on-going sales to attend to/protect, 37 properties available and vendors to look after. Our lettings team were busy with day to day management duties whilst dealing with the fall out of lockdown. I must thank my entire team for the way they adjusted and dealt with it all. The key was communication – with existing clients, landlords and tenants, previous vendors, applicants and even the wider community. So, plenty of one to one phone calls, blanket emailing and weekly videos. The team at Kennedys soon got use to my Covid motto of “information, communication, resolution”. We were able to generate “off market” sales, lost only a few deals due to Covid, and were better placed to operate when finally able to reopen our Walton office at the end of May. We had to keep the Kingswood office closed due to government guidelines and the communal space there. I will keep you posted on that. The increased community spirit and social responsibility around Kingswood has been heart warming to see. As the main sponsor of Kingswood Lawn Tennis Club, I’m delighted to see membership rise, and the

SEPTEMBER 2020

new bar open. Pay it a visit; outside exercise and great socializing, all on your door step! The market has shown genuine resilience since lockdown, so if you’re considering a move, I would be delighted to meet you, offer a free valuation and answer any questions about handling viewings in line with guidelines, and offering virtual tours. Stay well, stay safe and stay in touch. Peter Kennedy; founder and senior partner of Kennedys` IPA

FINE & COUNTRY

illage life is never dull, my father used to say. He was right. Growing up in Oxshott Village was instrumental in my understanding of Village life. Community spirit, sense of belonging, support for fellow residents and all things local. So, no surprise I now work in Kingswood. Village life remains at my very core. My father passed away last year. I wonder what he’d have thought of lockdown. For me it was a learning curve. New technology we’d never heard of, families wanting to relocate to Kingswood as city life became undesirable. Plus understanding what our clients wanted from us - their local estate agent. Closing the office was essential, so we had to communicate with clients and change everything overnight. We quickly designed the guide on page 18 - it was sent to all our clients and we asked whether they would give it a go. A make or break moment! The reply was a resounding yes please and thanks for trying. Larger estate CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Please mention KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE when responding to adverts

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE STORE & Post Office Store opens 7 days a week providing essential services for the community. We offer you: Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ Ɣ

full banking services (incl. Coutts) Postal services Click and collect services Free personal and business banking Cash withdrawals and change Cheque deposits Moneygram Postal orders Euro & US dollar on demand (other currencies to order) Ɣ Travel Money Card Ɣ Phone top-up Ɣ Bill payments (Council Tax, British Gas etc) <ŝŶŐƐǁŽŽĚ sŝůůĂŐĞ ^ƚŽƌĞ ŚĂƐ ĨƌĞƐŚ ĨƌƵŝƚ ĂŶĚ ǀĞŐĞƚĂďůĞƐ͕ Ă ͚ĨƌĞƐŚůǇ ďĂŬĞĚ͛ ďĂŬĞƌǇ͕ ŚŽƚ food, Costa coffee, a grocery for daily essentials, frozen foods, wines, beers and spirits. We have a wide range of gluten-free, sugar-free and vegan products including ciders, wines, biscuits, cakes and fresh products. Look out for special promotions on various products. We offer a dry-cleaning service which is proving popular. We provide a newspaper and groceries home delivery service in and around Kingswood. Box office for KVCA and KADDS events and collection point for Food Bank Pop in and experience our friendly service!!

Kartik and Sonal Shah Kingswood Village Store, 6, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood, KT20 6EB 01737 362989 Post office opening hours Monday ʹ Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 12:30pm (Temporary hours changed due to Covid-19 situation) Shop opening hours are Monday ʹ Friday 6am to 6pm, Saturday 7am to 5pm, Sunday 7am to 12pm.

To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Lockdown Viewings 4 safe and simple steps to viewing properties

1 We start a WhatsApp video call with you.

We invite the home-owner onto the call.

We then exit the call and they show you around.

We speak again after your viewing for your thoughts.

agents weren’t communicating like this bigger companies clearly had problems whilst we could divert calls to our mobiles and work remotely immediately. Communication is at the heart of everything we do, business and society. We did what we could as your local estate agent - albeit from our kitchen tables. We were chuffed that so many clients wanted us to continue via WhatsApp videos and to hear our map had been so useful. Four months have passed. Our office is open, with necessary changes in place. We’re here to serve our local community and hope to offer you advice now and for decades to come. We don’t believe you’ll get the same service and commitment from agencies outside Kingswood. We very much hope you’ll support us as your local estate agent and we promise you this, it won’t ever be dull. Ben Shaw, Head of Office

A & A ACCOUNTING

s a Kingswood resident for over 30 years I have never seen the sense of community that recent events have brought upon us. Local businesses are doing their best to

SEPTEMBER 2020

support their community even though most of us had forgotten them and been drawn to the bigger boys. The local newsagent helped many of us with much needed supplies; the cafe and Indian take away came up with new delivery concepts and new product ranges to help us all get through. This gave us some form of normality in surreal times. Of course, they wanted to survive and keep their business alive but the primary feeling I got from them was their spirit to help others. Many of our more elderly and vulnerable residents could not face queuing in the larger stores for their basic needs. The Kingswood community came together to look out for each other. I myself felt this need as I delivered necessities to some of my neighbours. Of course, sadly there are businesses that had no choice but to shut, but they too are part of the community and must not be forgotten. As things get back to normal it’s important for us all to keep supporting our community. None of us wish to see boarded up shops and services. Remember without them there would be no community and as we hit the winter months it’s even more important that this community stays strong so that each and every one of us will be in a position to help others if needed to. If anyone has either personal or business financial concerns, especially as a consequence of the lockdown, I would be happy to talk to them and to offer expert financial advice. There is no obligation, so just give me a call on 020 3129 9628 or 07973 758283 and we can chat through your situation. Arash Shababi FCA

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KINGSWOOD IN LOCKDOWN KINGSWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB

T PALMERSTON ACCOUNTANTS

almerston Limited is a local firm of Chartered Certified Accountants. We have been operating for 35 years and more, delivering excellent services to local clients â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both large and small. The last few months have presented challenges for us as a business, and we are proud to have been able to continue to deliver a seamless service to our clients. We have kept pace with the rapidly changing communication and information sharing landscape, and this allowed us to continue to receive and deliver information with our clients uninterrupted. Our staff have worked to maintain contact with each other and with our clients and we can say that we have been able to advise and guide our clients through these uncertain times; whether advising around staff restructuring, the furlough scheme, processing furlough claims, or deferring tax payments for businesses and individuals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all our clients have been able to contact us and receive ongoing support to enable them to have a clear picture of their future and options available to them. Even areas such as Inheritance Tax and estate planning have continued to be delivered, and our probate department has successfully ensured that executors have met their fiduciary duties and have efficiently obtained grants of probate during these extraordinary times. We are here to support, whether at home or at work. Antony Hawker, MD

he Club started to issue advice to its members about washing of hands at the beginning of March this year, and events moved rapidly thereafter. The Club closed on 26th March, not to re-open until 13th May. Many members enjoyed their break in this lovely locality; others had their lives turned upside down in ways that only they know. But we have been amazingly lucky overall, so far as I can tell. Now that we are pretty much back to normal, the Club is enjoying unprecedented levels of play. And membership is very strong. I do sense that we are now seen in a wide catchment area as a modern, forward-looking Club, with excellent facilities, including now a bar, and an enthusiastic committee. It is extraordinary that we could now fill on many occasions more than the five courts we have, and we have not even returned to club matches yet. But there is a danger in being overambitious.

The new bar.

There have been of course problems. Uncertainty over official guidance as the country emerges from the lockdown is one, not least complying with official requirements that enable rapid track and trace to happen in case the Club became involved in a Covid risk situation. Pressure on the committee is another, as we improve the offering to members. And we are not out of the Covid woods yet by any means. Covid has at the very least left a psychological mark on everybody, which manifests itself in unpredictable ways. So, fingers crossed for the future. Robin Hollington, Chairman

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SEPTEMBER 2020

LOCKDOWN

LOCKDOWN ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WORLD Village Voice Distributor Eric Glendenning and his wife Sylvia were ‘trapped’ in Western Australia when the world started locking down earlier this year. They eventually returned home to Kingswood in May. Here are some of Eric’s views on the lockdown in two different countries and hemispheres.

Empty streets of Perth.

e arrived home on 6th May after a very good Qatar Airways flight from Perth. We have been busy over the last few weeks, not only catching up on the garden but on mountains of paperwork which is always a facing when we get back from our annual trips to Perth. Having settled down into lockdown mode here in the UK, it quickly became obvious that there really seemed very little difference to the situation when we were trying to observe the same restrictions in our apartment in Perth. Both Governments approached the

SEPTEMBER 2020

lockdown regulations in a similar fashion. Maybe there was a little more clarity in Perth but we need to keep in view that that the size of the problem over here in the UK was huge by comparison when one considers that the population of Western Australia is only about 2.75 million and, by anyone’s standards, it is pretty remote!. Having said this, there was one very clear and noticeable difference which was the attitude towards Border Control. Western Australia declared a state of emergency on 15 March and, having established beyond doubt that the main source of infection in KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

LOCKDOWN

Cottesloe Beach deserted.

W.A was from people entering the country from visiting cruise ships, it was not “rocket science” to conclude that more effective control would be achieved if the State borders were tightly controlled. Therefore on 24 March state borders were closed to control anyone entering the State from abroad or even from another Australian State. It was also very significant when it was announced that even Australian citizens returning from abroad were required to be isolated for two weeks either in a hotel or on an offshore island before they were allowed to return to their homes. There were no such controls in place when we arrived back at Heathrow last month, when we walked straight through Customs without any physical checks and very little practical advice, except that we should go home and advise someone if we developed any symptoms within the first 7 days. It was very much our own decision therefore to self-isolate at home for the first 14 days.

On a personal level, I must say that neither of us felt too uncomfortable at the prospect of being stranded in Perth, mainly because we were comfortably placed over there in our own apartment and in fact our family over here were united in their encouragement that it would be far safer if we were to stay on over in Perth until things “calmed down a little in the UK”. Eric Glendenning

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Eric with Sylvia.

SEPTEMBER 2020

A P P R E C I AT I O N

KEN ASTELL 1928-2020 A Kingswood resident for 45 years and one of the founding members of the KVCA and KADDS, Ken passed away in March this year with symptoms of Covid-19 but also other underlying health issues. This appreciation of Ken’s life has been put together by his widow Erica and Lady Janet Hill.

en with his wife Erica moved to Kingswood in August 1975 and that Christmas two charming gentlemen, Stan Pearce and Mervyn Francis, approached Erica to ask for her involvement with the early Kingswood Kapers. Soon both Ken and Erica became part of the KADDS community and Ken became a member of both the KADDS and KVCA committees. Ken was born in 1928 and started working life as a dancer on the West End Stage. He appeared in a The young dancer. number of Sid Fields musicals and then as a principle dancer in High Button Shoes with Audrey Hepburn and Sid James. On a tour of that hit he met Erica who was also a dancer. When they announced they wanted to get married Ken was advised by Erica’s father to get a ‘proper’ job. This led Ken to start working for Marks & Spencer where he had a very long and successful career culminating as Manager of their huge Bromley store until his retirement in 1985. Seedling and Plant sale. After Ken and Erica moved to Kingswood,

SEPTEMBER 2020

Ken played an important role in the fledgling KVCA saving the Village Hall. Using his West End experience he also directed some very successful musicals, with Pip Retirement from M&S 1985. Burley as musical director and Erica as the choreographer. These included ‘Half a Sixpence’ in 1990 and ‘Underneath the Arches’ in 1993, the latter having special significance for Ken and Erica as their daughter Deborah had appeared in the West End version. Ken’s Kingswood activities were by no means limited to matters related to the Village Hall however. He was a keen golfer and long-standing member of Kingswood Golf Club, he helped Ralph Hart to run the Kingswood Bridge Club and he had many good friends throughout Still dancing! the village. And he and Erica still danced together! We send out sincere condolences to Erica and Deborah. It is very sad to learn of the passing of another member of the Kingswood community who forty years ago did so much to make the Village Hall the beating heart of village life as it is today.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

NEWS FROM KADDS

OSCAR WILDE ON ZOOM

ith all the restrictions in place, we have had to limit our aspirations to be grand thespians at KADDS and to rely on watching some of the many broadcast and streamed productions from the National Theatre, BBC and further afield. But eventually our performing urges have got the better for us! We spent a fun evening all on Zoom (of course) reading the Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest. We swapped parts in different acts and everyone threw themselves into it with a lot of fun and enthusiasm. And inevitably everyone joined in with Lady Bracknell’s declaration of “A Handbag”. This was a bit of an experiment, but was so successful and we all enjoyed it so much that we picked the date for the next one before ending the call. With great joy we read that the government have changed the guidelines and that we can start rehearsals again. So we are going full steam ahead and are preparing our next play, delayed

from May. We are really hoping that we will be able to stage “Old Actors Never Die… They Simply Lose the Plot”, a farce by Lynn Brittney in October. Lesley Crowther-Smith will be directing and we have a great cast eager to start treading the boards again. The audience will be different and the capacity reduced. Laura is currently pouring over the regulations to work out how we can best organise it to keep everyone safe. The advantage of the loose chairs is that we will be able to seat people in household groups but it may mean that we will have to ask you to book in advance rather than being able to get tickets on the door. We have also decided that in order to get as many of you in as possible we will put on an extra performance on the Wednesday evening. If you are missing live theatre and have never been to a KADDS performance, please do come along. It should be a great fun evening! Judy Parnall 01737 830888 kaddskingswood@ gmail.com

UPPER ROOM ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, KINGSWOOD AVAILABLE FOR HIRE IDEAL FOR MEETINGS and SMALL GATHERINGS of up to 25 people TEA/COFFEE MAKING FACILITIES £10 an hour or £25 for a MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING No Disabled Access Contact: 01737 813496 or anne.bennett@btinternet.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

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Presents

OLD ACTORS NEVER DIE͙ THEY SIMPLY LOSE THE PLOT A Farce by Lynn Brittney

Directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith 8pm 28-31 October 2020 Kingswood Village Hall Tickets: Adults £10 & Children £5 Tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/KADDS and Kingswood Village Store, Waterhouse Lane

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SEPTEMBER 2020

LOCAL HISTORY

AN AERONAUTICAL PIONEER

In my previous article I mentioned in passing that the brother of Anyta Field, the nurse who perished in the sinking of HMHS Amsterdam in 1944, was a remarkable character in his own right. This is an account of his life and achievements by Pia Chamberlain.

harles Brian Field was born in Epsom on 30th December

1905. He was the second son of Charles Roland and Ethel Alice Stiles Field. Whereas his elder brother, James Donald, followed in

Brian Field’s Hawker Tomtit.

Brian Field.

in flight.

his father’s footsteps and joined the long-

In his workshop, surrounded by components of

established family firm of property auctioneers in Southwark, Brian’s interest took him in a very

all types, Brian Field would be engaged in

different direction. By 1928, the family had moved

rebuilding former RAF planes. Among these were

to Kingswood Knoll, in Lower Kingswood. The

the two Supermarine S.5s with which Britain had

property, which had been a working farm in the

taken first and second place in the 1927 Schneider

past, still had some outbuildings which were

Trophy race in Venice. Indeed, it was one of Brian

ideally suited to accommodate Brian’s pioneering

Field’s ambitions to regain the World Air Speed

work on aircraft engines. From there, together

Record. Things did not always go smoothly for him,

with an associate, he ran his company, Field Aircraft Construction. He also offered flying

though. The Scotsman of 6th February 1933,

services and owned first an Avro 504 biplane and

among a number of national newspapers,

later a Hawker Tomtit, which he kept on site in a

reported the following: Two airmen were injured

large hangar.

when their machine crashed into a telegraph pole and nose-dived into a field near Canterbury

The adjoining fields were turned into an airstrip, from where he would take off and fly

yesterday. Brian Field was one of the airmen. Both

low over the houses of Lower Kingswood. One of

men were taken to Canterbury Hospital after

his commercial flying activities was aerial

suffering minor injuries.

advertising, which involved towing a banner

In 1938 Brian Field was instrumental in the

behind an aircraft. This operation demanded a

creation of a scout troop in Lower Kingswood

great degree of skill from the pilot, who not only

and used to invite the youngsters to Kingswood

had to pick up the banner with a grapple hook

Knoll, where they were allowed to sit on the

and drop it again before landing, but had to take

wings of his plane while he was revving up the

the drag effect of the banner into account whilst

engine to what must have been their obvious

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

LOCAL HISTORY

Mile Master II.

Phillips and Powis factory, Woodley.

delight. With the outbreak of war, his services as an experienced test pilot were much in demand and in 1943 he joined Phillips and Powis, the aircraft manufacturers based at the Woodley airfield, in Kingswood Knoll fields.

Reading. At around lunchtime on Thursday 26th August 1943 he left Woodley in a Master II DM239, accompanied by Maurice Cullimore, a

causes of the accident. Apparently Field never flew with a seat-type

fitter-assembler in the factory, to complete some

parachute, but instead sat on a cushion. He had

tests on the aircraft.

declared in the past that in any event he probably

During a dive the aircraft broke up and

would not have the guts to bail out in an

Cullimore was thrown out of the plane. Although

emergency. Had he followed normal procedure in

injured, he managed to deploy his parachute and

this instance, he might have survived the crash like

landed safely. Field, on the other hand, remained

his passenger. Who knows?

trapped and crashed to the ground near

Brian Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral took place in Bournemouth

Maidenhead. The burnt out remains of the

on 31st August, near to Ringwood, where he was

aircraft were later found by the local police.

living by then. There were numerous floral

The Miles Master II, manufactured by Phillips

tributes, notably from the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dispensary for

and Powis, was a two-seat monoplane advanced

Sick Animals, whose work he had supported. Also

trainer with which Brian Field would have been

present were representatives from various scout

very familiar. DM239, which had been used by

units, where Brian Field had been a scoutmaster.

RAF No 17 (Pilot) Advanced Training Unit, had just

Brian Field was only 38 when he died. Numerous

undergone a repair with a reported rough-

tributes were paid to his memory. He was described

running engine, but was declared in good flying

as very kind and helpful, and one who encouraged

condition before take-off. At an inquest, which

many young people to become interested in

opened on 28th August, Cullimore described how

aviation. A great character with little time for

they were at 11,000 ft when they went into a

formalities and officialdom and a person of great

dive, towards the end of which the noise of the

integrity, were some of the other comments from

engine became abnormal, followed by two terrific

his contemporaries. Above all he

bumps, at which point he was thrown out of the

had made his mark as a skilled

aircraft. In his opinion, Field did not show any

and clever engineer. In him Britain

signs of a blackout while at the controls of the

had lost one of the aviation

aircraft. The coroner recorded a verdict of

pioneers of the Thirties.

misadventure there being no evidence as to the

Pia Chamberlain

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FOOD BANK SCHEME

SUPER POWERS OF OUR COMMUNITY

A Food Bank collection point.

Generous donations.

ince writing our last article in May the Kingswood

need. The reliance on food banks for many residents is

Safety Net Food Bank Scheme has certainly made

expected to increase, therefore, your donations are as

a name for itself with the hoards of essential

important as ever. UK food banks saw an 89% increase

welfare items we collect and deliver weekly. We now

in need in April 2020 compared to April 2019 and the

have 17 donation points around Kingswood, our local

demand is predicted to continue. Our Kingswood weekly collections are now

stores continue to support us operating as Food Bank drop off donation points, financial donation schemes

dropped to our local Food Bank distribution centre

and generally joining in with the focus to support this

Epsom and Ewell. since the Reigate and Banstead

worthy cause. Neighbouring village local businesses

Council’s makeshift ‘Harlequin Theatre sorting bank’

heard about our scheme and wanted to extend their

ceased to operate in July. Epsom and Ewell report a

support – we now collect fresh produce and essentials

further increase in demand for help especially since the

from Hartleys Tadworth, plus The Co-op Walton On The

start of the long summer holidays, making 118

Hill promotes our scheme preparing customers financial

deliveries and feeding 311 people in our area during

donations ‘food bank shopping lists’ and staff donations.

the last week of July. Working with Epsom & Ewell’s volunteers

I would like to say a huge thank you to all our residents who continue to support this project, none

delivering the food bank parcels has reinforced my

of this would have been made possible without your

passion to continue our scheme with support from

astounding generosity and kindness. The determination

our team of hard working volunteers. I have met

from our super volunteering team who each week

families and individuals who pre-COVID were self

collect the generous residents’ donations amazes me.

sufficient and now for various reasons find

Local businesses and organisations including

themselves reliant on food banks, friends and families

Kingswood Village Store & Post Office, Kingswood

to get by day to day – a far cry from their previous

Wines, Waterhouse Cafe, Hartleys Tadworth and the

way of life.

Co-op Walton on the Hill have all been under immense

It has been an unforgettable experience to drive

pressure during this pandemic but still find time and

this scheme and watch our community pull together,

energy to support.

putting their own strains of the pandemic aside to

An email I recently received from Reigate and

help support the Food Banks.

Banstead Council thanked our Community for the

Please continue to help. Every little

outstanding support that we have given them and the

contribution makes a difference!

wider community over the last few months. With our

For further information contact

help since March 2020 food banks across the borough

07534 410295 or email

have given out over 4,000 food parcels to residents in

Maxine.swan@mail.com.

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

Opening Hours: Weds - Sat 9.30 – 17.30 | Mon & Tue – Click & Collect | Weekday time slots available

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT GROUP

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

Kingswood, Tadworth and Walton Flower Arrangement Group. Usually in the Village Hall, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood every second Tuesday in the month. ome things never change, flowers for all occasions! In the Lockdown due to the global pandemic, flowers have been used as symbols of hope. The National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS ) asked its members to make ‘Rings of Hope’ to hang on their front doors, to show support for the NHS and key workers. Civic flowerbeds have been planted by creating rainbows with flowers and the letters NHS clearly seen in green shrubs. The Danish Flower Auction faced its biggest crash in more than 100 years. This prompted the creation of the striking aerial view drone image of the globally used hashtag LetHopeBloom with the use of buckets of flowers on the ground. Millions of unsold flowers were repurposed into gifts and handouts donated to worthy causes. g~åÉ=eçääáåÖíçå Some supermarkets gave

SEPTEMBER 2020

bouquets of flowers to NHS workers who came in store. All being well, we have a wonderful programme of Demonstrators lined up for the autumn, so do join us. Make this Christmas memorable by making your own Christmas Wreath for your front door. Join us at our Christmas Wreath Making Workshop in Kingswood Village Hall on Saturday 28th November between 1pm and 5pm. All materials will be provided, along with some expert help from some of our members. All welcome. Tickets at £30 on sale from Tuesday 8th September, available by sending an email to: KTWflowergroup@surreynafas.org.uk We hope you enjoyed the Flower Group Quiz in the July edition of the Village Voice. We have set you another flower quiz on page 44 and answers on page 48. Keep well and keep safe, and hopefully see you soon. For more information contact either Chris Harris (833726) or Jane `Üêáë=e~êêáë Hollington (354208). KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

NEW

Khyber Indian Restaurant & Takeaway Fully Licensed & Fully Air Conditioned

FREE HOME DELIVERY (T&C Apply)

01737 352 813 / 01737 361 408 Order online www.newkhyber.co.uk Open 7 days aweek: 5.30pm to 11.00pm 2 Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood, Surrey, KT20 6EB

COUNCILLORS’ COLUMN

CONTINUED VIGILANCE REQUIRED

n the summer edition of the Village Voice we thanked residents for the way that you have supported a range of initiatives to help others

in need during the lockdown - some of which were initiated by the Borough and County Councils - and thanked you for your understanding as we needed to prioritise some services and temporarily suspend others, such as the garden refuse collection. Thank you again for iíçoW=qáã=^êÅÜÉêI=páãçå=m~êå~ää=~åÇ=`~êçäáåÉ=kÉ~ãÉK

your understanding and help. Please do continue to keep in contact with

some 200 miles of designated public footpaths

your neighbours and help those who are

and rights of way in the Borough that are there

vulnerable - we’re not out of the metaphorical

for us to use to get out and about, and to

woods yet and, as we see that local measures are

improve our health and wellbeing.

needed in various parts of the country, we need

As we tidy up our gardens, please do trim

to recognise that continued vigilance and care are

hedges that might otherwise grow over

essential if we are to avoid problems here.

footpaths - but please do be mindful of nesting

As the Government has started to lift the

birds.

lockdown so the Borough Council has been active

The wildflowers which were seeded in the

in encouraging and helping businesses to re-open,

median of some sections of the A217 are looking

providing information on how to re-open safely,

really good, but the rubbish strewn in other parts

advice on where to obtain signage and protective

is disheartening. We will get this addressed.

equipment, and installing signs and notices in the

Litter is clearly a problem in other parts of our

streets to encourage customers and remind them

community too and you might like to get

of the need for social distancing.

involved yourself. Keep Britain Tidy planned a

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor have visited all

‘Spring Clean’ initiative which had to be cancelled

the shops in the major high streets within the

for obvious reasons - it has now resurfaced as

borough, and local councillors have hand delivered

‘The Great British September Clean’, to run from

leaflets thanking the shopkeepers for being there

the 11th to the 27th September -

for the community.

www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-

Parks and public toilets are reopening too once again with appropriate signage and guidance to the public about how to use these facilities safely. As lockdown has eased so Council staff, for

our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean Working together we will bring Kingswood out of lockdown as a community united in care. Our best wishes to you all.

Simon Parnall, Caroline Neame, Tim Archer and Jeff

example the Planning and Planning Enforcement

Harris. Contacts:

officers, have been able to resume physical visits.

cllr.parnall@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 01737 830888

If you see things that aren’t as you expect them

cllr.neame@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 07767 782473

to be, please do get in touch with us.

cllr.archer@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 07854 175053

Jeff Harris, our County Councillor, reminded us in the last edition of the Village Voice of the

SEPTEMBER 2020

jeffrey.harris@surreycc.gov.uk 07865 143983 www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

10-11 Shelve v rs Hill, Tadworth, KT20 5PU 01737 814406 tadworth@stonem anfunerals.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER 2020

WRITERS’ CORNER

HOME DELIVERIES

rive around Kingswood, at a social distance of course, and you will see, from dawn to dusk, deliveries being made. White vans, some not so white and some definitely grey, some new and some a bit battered, are all over the place. They cruise the roads with their drivers looking anxiously up and down for unnumbered houses; one of the many charms of Kingswood. Let’s issue them with the Kingswood street map from Fine and Country and put them out of their misery. One of the best outcomes of the present health crisis, and there can’t be many, that have kept us going. And have you noticed how the deliveries were once deposited at the end of the drive, then somewhere in the middle and gradually

SEPTEMBER 2020

have now made their way up to the front door? Like the London to Glasgow overnight train in “Night Mail” by W. H. Auden (bringing letters for the rich, letters for the poor, the shop at the corner, the girl next door) everything is delivered overnight and at such speed. So that is why they are called “couriers” after the French for running and why we have the word “corridor”, a covered running place connecting rooms in grand houses, so that the messengers, the couriers, could run up and down, without having to open doors or get wet, to give their messages and make their deliveries. But what has really stood out over the last months is our local shops and restaurants and the great efforts they have made with their deliveries. Essential provisions from the Kingswood Village Stores, luscious dinners from Number 12, take-outs from the Waterhouse Cafe, wines (and lots of it, personal thanks here) from Kingwood Wines, curries from the Khyber Tandoori, dinner deliveries from Dine with George and weekly grocery orders from Fresh Connect from the Well House Inn at Mugswell. And this reminded me of the image I have of my mother, in the Fifties, on a Thursday morning sitting in the hall (that’s where the phone was) ringing Hudsons, the Grocers in Ross Parade Wallington, with her weekly grocery order, and it arriving on Saturday morning and sometimes with a bag of broken biscuits. It takes times like these to realise that some of the old ways may be making a welcome return. James Chatfield KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

CANNON GARDENS B E A U T I F U L D R I V E WA Y S 078855787879

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SEPTEMBER 2020

K I N G S WO O D R E S I D E N T S A S S O C I AT I O N

UPDATE ON IVG RETIREMENT VILLAGE

s I write this, it is nearly 6 months since the Corvid-19 lockdown in March, and I am sure many of us are delighted to see the restrictive protection measures easing now with the re-opening of shops, pubs, restaurants, parks and more importantly, the opportunity to meet with friends and family again after a long separation for some. We are reassured that the numbers of cases are reducing weekly, however, we would advise residents not to put themselves at unnecessary risk. The national drive to extend free flu vaccines to over 50’s, commencing in September should help relieve the pressure on the NHS over the winter months and provide more capacity to deal with any upturn in Corvid-19 cases. The Kingswood Safety Net (KSN) has been a focus for both the KRA and KVCA since March, albeit that the demand for volunteer services has reduced substantially over the past weeks. Having set up the volunteer service, which has run very effectively for the past months, it remains in place to re-engage for any future local lockdown that may occur. I would like to thank all volunteers for their willingness to support local residents in need through the KSN initiative. Whilst the KRA AGM has been postponed until March 2021, the KRA felt that it was important keep residents informed of intentions of IVG for the Retirement Village, which was granted Planning Approval in April. To this end we hosted via Zoom a ‘virtual’ Presentation by IVG. We were pleased with the high level of interest in attending the Presentation, and so we recorded the Presentation and uploaded it to

SEPTEMBER 2020

the Kingswood Village website for all residents to view. We recommend that residents watch this and if you have any further comments regarding the development please email us at kingswoodviewsonlng@gmail.com In the Presentation IVG covered their approach to the Retirement Village. They discussed their programme, advising their intension to commence enabling works in August 2020, with Phase 1 conversion and refurbishment of the Grade II listed L&G House starting in March 2021. They provided a very detailed explanation, through plans and mood images of the content of the development including; L&G House with 1/2 bed units, new 2/3 storey apartments, new 2/3 bed villas, conversion of St Monica’s House to residential, the health & wellness centre, the restaurants, bars, theatre and shops and finally the landscaping, which will enhance the site with significant tree planting and numerous focus planting areas like courtyards. As previously mentioned, IVG has agreed to protect “in perpetuity” the L&G open space land through a Covenant and have now provided the KRA with a copy of the proposed legal document for review and acceptance. This open space land offers access to all Kingswood residents for recreation, dog walking etc, both throughout construction and when the development is complete. On behalf of Kingswood residents, the KRA will continue to liaise with IVG throughout the construction period so, if you wish to raise any matter, please contact us. Valerie Evans, KRA Chair

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ANN DOBSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECIPES

A TASTE OF AUTUMN

s summer slides towards autumn and leaves are tinged with faint golden light there is a new chill to the early morning air and beads of overnight dew twinkle on the grass. Bright dahlias light up front gardens and hedgerows gleam with ripening berries. Birdsong has quietened apart from the chatter of the occasional robin and nature seems to be slowing down towards its winter sleep. The weather can be changeable with Indian summer warmth one day and squally showers the next. The pale colour of fennel soup is as delicate as its gentle flavour of aniseed and it makes a flavoursome starter or light lunch. These sweet bitesized tartlets are an excuse to indulge with a morning cup of coffee and make a small amount of fruit go a long way.

FENNEL SOUP FOR 4

LITTLE FRUIT TARTLETS - MAKES 12

1 leek 1 fennel bulb (save some fronds for decoration) 1 small potato 2 sticks of celery 1.5 pints of water or stock Chop all the vegetables. Heat a little oil in a large pan and fry the vegetables gently for a few minutes. Add the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for about 30 minutes until all the vegetables are tender. Blitz and serve, adding a fennel frond to each bowl. Good with cheesey scones.

200g shortcrust pastry 5-6 teaspoons full fat Greek yoghurt 5-6 teaspoons lemon curd 36 blueberries Heat the oven to 180/gas mark 4. Roll out the pastry as thinly as you can and use a 6 cm pastry cutter to cut into 12 rounds. Use these to line a bun tin. Prick the bases all over and then bake for around 15 minutes until just golden. Cool. In the meantime, stir the yoghurt into the lemon curd and mix well. Fill each tartlet with a little of the mixture and top each with 3 blueberries to serve. Raspberries would taste good too.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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SEPTEMBER 2020

SARAH’S GARDEN JOTTINGS

SUMMER’S END AND PLANNING NEXT YEAR

Trachelospermum jasminoides.

Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’.

s you read this in September we will be

be over six feet tall and flower continuously until well

almost at the end of this strange summer

into September. It needs a bit of fertilizer in May and

and in a good position to review how your

something to climb up with a bit of help from you by

garden stood up to the weather and the lockdown! Like many people, I have spent a lot of time

tying it in June. The third is a honeysuckle – Lonicera

tending and observing my garden and have been

pericyclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’ – usually evergreen

amazed at the size and scale of most plants, which I

and grows well over a wall or up a tree and has

can only blame on the weather, as I haven’t done

scented yellow flowers in July and red berries in

anything different except maybe cut back the

autumn which are loved by birds. It will flourish in a

perennials and removed more weeds than usual !

shady place as it is originally a woodland plant.

As usual in late summer it’s well worth thinking

Now for some shrubs – shrubs are very influenced

about some new plants for your garden – buy now

by ‘garden designer fashion’ and this often doesn’t

and plant while the ground is still warm and there will

take into account the pruning, watering and feeding

be some rain. I have chosen some absolutely bomb

regime they require to look their best. Hardy fuchsia

proof shrubs, climbers and perennials for you to try in

are really good value – lots of leaf colours and flower

your garden. They will grow anywhere, don’t need

colours and shapes with Fuchsia ‘magellanica’ and ‘Mrs

any special pruning and are easy to find in garden

Popple’ widely available and almost indestructible.

centre or on-line.

They come into flower late in summer and need very

Here are three climbers for your garden – the first

little care except cutting back to the ground in

is Trachelospermum jasminoides, an evergreen climber

February – they put up new stems with lots of

with lovely scented, white flowers in summer and will

flowers over the summer. Don’t confuse the hardy

“self-cling” making it idea for covering a wall, and it

fuchsia with the fuchsia used for house plants or

will also survive in a large planter. In winter it will still

hanging baskets, they will not survive in your garden.

have its bright green shiny leaves. No pruning or

Two evergreen shrubs with low maintenance regimes

feeding is necessary. My second choice is a Clematis

are the myrtle - Myrtus communis and Abelia x

called ‘Etoile Violette’. If you are confused by the rules

grandiflora. Both have small leaves, interesting scented

of Clematis pruning this one is easy – cut the whole

flowers and need very little pruning. They will grow

plant back in February to 12 inches and by June it will

very well in hot, dry situations.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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SARAH’S GARDEN JOTTINGS

Hardy Fushsia.

Finally, three late summer perennials - all these are

bÅÜáå~ÅÉ~=~åÇ=bÅÜáåçéëK

first so don’t just turn up. For Autumn colour make a

purple, loved by bees and will last years. Echinacea

visit to Wakehurst Place, Sheffield Park or Winkworth

purpura are tall, pink daisies or cone flowers, Echinops

Arboretum. You may be tempted to buy a new tree

ritro are the globe thistles and Liatris spicata is a tall

for your garden. If you are interested in quizzes, then look out for a

plume-like plant which multiplies well and suddenly appears in August lasting for a month at least. Do try

proposed Gardening Quiz Evening at Kingswood

these in your late summer border. Just a reminder

Village Hall – think about setting

that if you plant a new shrub or climber you will need

up a team – the questions will be

to keep it watered until it has developed a good root

multiple choice so you can always

system, and this may take up to two years.

guess the answer and you may

In September there are lots of gardens open, including RHS Wisley. You may need to book a ticket

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well be a winner! Happy Gardening! Sarah

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT

CREATING A WILDLIFE GARDEN

Getting started on the pond.

The butyl liner goes in.

grew up in London, and it is nearly 20 years ago that I found myself living in leafy Kingswood. I could hardly believe the privilege of my position in having such a large garden and decided, with the support of my husband, to set about making it ‘wildlife friendly’. My interest was heightened having recently been a ‘mature student’ in higher education with an environmental theme. It had been a learning curve and as we all know one thing often leads to another! On a visit to the Hampton Court Show, I found a striking demonstration garden designed by a local landscaper which exhibited all the features for attracting wildlife. I arranged for him to visit us, alongside other contractors. We chose the show garden designer and quickly got

engaged in debate on attitudes to working alongside nature. While we kept many of the trees, hedges and plants that were on our plot we had to make painful choices about removing some. We have a woodland area and planted younger trees there to create an understory. The presence of mature trees on our land had its own responsibilities. It was useful to have a level of understanding about woodland management when in contact with the Tree Protection officer. The creation of a large pond so engaged our fascination that we later created a second, even larger one. I wanted to provide diversity in ecosystems for various creatures great and small. A key concept I had learned was ‘interconnectedness’ and, sure enough, each step we took made us realise the

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

KINGSWOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The pond completed.

Compost bins and rainwater tank.

effects on something or someone else. We included space for a decent size composting area, plus greenhouse, sheds, outhouses for the associated tools and so on. Composting is all about re-cycling and it gives me such pleasure to contemplate what goes on in the compost heaps! Organic materials are broken down by micro-organisms to make that lovely mulch we like to add to our flower beds. Conditions in the heap must be favourable for these tiny living organisms, i.e. the presence of air, water, suitable heat, variety of ingredients and frequent turning. After indulging in a rather expensive planting programme we had a summer with no rain, using more than our fair share from the water table. We ended up installing a very large rainwater collection tank, which connects to a watering pipe network. We were aware of the use of materials and how they were sourced for hard and soft landscaping. For example, the pond has a huge butyl liner which is claimed to be flexible, durable, U.V stable and non-toxic, while of course being a product of the oil industry. Large delivery lorries were in and out of our property. I much appreciated the patience and understanding of neighbours. I was reminded of my learning about Environmental Impact Assessment, and all the

factors which are taken into consideration with any project. There are many books, and of course legislation, on the subject. Any one of us can get in touch with the complexities when we face our daily decisions, such whether to walk, use the car or public transport for a journey. A balance of points will influence us notwithstanding any principles we claim, e.g. pressures of time, cost, and especially currently protecting our health. Our project seemed to go on in episodes over years and we realise we made a lifestyle choice. Stimulating conversations with folks from different backgrounds about the pros and cons of our actions continue. There have been many humorous moments. One day I was on the phone waxing lyrical about a beautiful deer standing close to our back window. Much laughter broke out when I began yelling on noticing the deer was eating my roses. It became apparent their grazing knew no bounds. I had set up a wildflower area which began well but stopped flourishing after a couple of years â&#x20AC;Ś another food source for those deer. After losing count of the number of chewed stalks on our plants we ended up making our own fencing so they could be kept to the woodland part of the garden. From those earlier times our journey of discovery continues. Shirley Clark

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SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE WI

THE COVID PERIOD

eldom have I sat with the cursor winking at me and had so little to say. Before starting I had already decided not to use any of the adjectives which have so often described this period of pandemic and lockdown. Even though true, frequency of use has made them hackneyed since that fateful day in March when our world changed. KVWI last met in the Village Hall on the 5th of March. It has been a sad loss for us all, especially for those of our number who live alone. All our members look forward to seeing their friends for a catch-up on personal news and to hear in the course of the meeting of news and campaigns from National and Surrey WI offices. A talk by an interesting

FLOWER GROUP QUIZ Answers on page 48. 1. A bovine mishap 2. A very proper flower (8) 3. Sounds like a herd of sheep (5) 4. Kept in a warehouse (5) 5. This saves you (5) 6. Sad sight at a dance (10) 7. You will drop this quickly (3,3,5) 8. Vulpine hand warmer (8) 9. Juggled spittle (6) 10. Hard working girl (4,6) 11. Avalanche (8) 12. Turn A into E to get bike riders (8) 13. Delectable Bill (5,7) 14. Kentish campanologists like these (10.5) 15. Country of car drivers (9) 16. Sugary pulse (5,3) 17. Followed by Kings (4,2,9) 18. I hear I'm on my way here almost (9) 19. Mythical beast chased by a ginger biscuit (10)

SEPTEMBER 2020

speaker and the opportunity to question them follows. Finally, more chat over tea and cake adds to the happy experience. Besides the usual phoning of special friends which goes on at all times, not just in emergencies, a few ladies have been allocated to each committee member who then, periodically, takes it upon herself to phone those on her list. Just to make sure all is well with them. Some of these conversations can take quite a while and are I think, no, I am sure, enjoyed by both parties. On the whole our members have been blessed and seem to have emerged relatively unscathed. Not entirely though, one of our number who threw everything into supporting her husband as he underwent treatment for cancer, has lost her dear partner of many years. So very sad and she was so plucky and positive all through this difficult period. Our hearts go out to her. With regard to the future, the committee met for the first time since February in our presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden. A tentative decision was made to hold our first meeting in October, with the AGM scheduled for November. These will be held according to health guidelines in operation at the time, with respect to sanitising, distancing and permitted numbers. Or they may indeed not take place at all, if current regulations militate against their happening. Along with the rest of the world, KVWI travels hopefully but has also learned to live with uncertainty. Nettie Cooper

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SEPTEMBER 2020

INSPIRED VILLAGES

A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION Planning approval for the new retirement village on the Legal & General site is now confirmed and there will be significant implications for the village of Kingswood for many years to come, through the construction phase and when the retirement village is in operation. Inspired Villages have stated throughout the planning process that they want to engage and collaborate with Kingswood village and so we will be letting them have a regular column in Village Voice to set out their vision and the way they see this collaboration working. But rest assured, the KRA and the KVCA will still be keeping a close eye on the development and will be ready to talk firmly to them if problems arise! In this article CEO Jamie Bunce reflects on how Inspired Villages have responded to the lockdown in their other retirement villages and how they intend to approach collaboration in Kingswood.

benefits we will bring to you all.

t the time of writing this article, the country has been in lockdown for four months, and

The stylish and state-of-the-art communal facilities

even though measures are gradually easing,

at the scheme will be open to yourselves, not just the

we still seem to be some way away from a return to

residents. This means even if you do not live in the

some form of normality. I’ve found myself reflecting a

retirement community, you can dine in the restaurant,

lot on what the ‘new normal’ will look like, (especially

have a drink in the bar, and pop into the café when

while cycling, which is my way of getting my thoughts

you need a snack to refuel after a brisk walk around

in order and been my form of daily exercise) and hope

the 16 acres of parkland we will have landscaped and

very much it will mean a continuation of the

made accessible for all to enjoy. On top of that, there

collaborative, ‘we’re in this together’ spirit we have

will also be a membership scheme you can join to

seen highlighted during this time.

experience our planned wellness centre. This will have a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, yoga

It’s been remarkable seeing people come together to clap the NHS every Thursday during the peak of

studio, and spin studio. There’s a cinema room too for

the pandemic – the residents in our operational

film fans. To help us operate all of this, we will be

villages made a real event of it every week – and

creating 80 permanent jobs, which I hope will provide

going out of their way to help others. I’m so proud of

a welcome boost to the local economy. This spirit of employing locally and complementing

colleagues who have taken on tasks such as blood bank deliveries, helping with the building of the

existing businesses will also extend to the retail area

Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham, and doing food

we have planned for the scheme. We are keen to

deliveries and gardening for elderly neighbours in

make sure our offer adds to the wonderful experience

their spare time. And I’m of course proud of the way

you have and adds value to the area. Making sure Inspired Villages scheme at

the teams in our villages have gone above and beyond to support our residents during these

Kingswood fits in seamlessly alongside the existing

challenging times, with job descriptions often thrown

community, enhancing and supporting local

out the window and everyone chipping in to help out.

businesses is core to us. Whatever the ‘new normal’

Pulling together, because we know we are

looks like, we will be making sure embraces the spirit

stronger together is one of Inspired Villages’ core

of collaboration.

values. We want to build communities and friendships

Jamie Bunce, CEO Inspired Villages

and we are so excited that we have the opportunity to do that here in Kingswood. I am excited about the opportunity to create one of our communities in Kingswood and wanted to confirm some of the

NOVEMBER 2018

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

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SEPTEMBER 2020

NSPCC - EVERY CHILD IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

THANK YOU! A huge thank you to all who participated in our Challenge for Childline and all of you that purchased face masks. We raised the following, Challenge for Childline £1070 and face masks £1545.45. We are keeping the situation under review with regard to future events during the remainder of this year and following Government guidelines.

CHILDLINE COUNSELLING SESSIONS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

etween the 21/01/2020 to 25/03/2020, Childline has delivered 1,194 counselling sessions to children and young people who were concerned about the Coronavirus. The top 5 main concerns were Mental/Emotional Health, Family Relationships. Suicide, Online Bullying and Education problems and these accounted for 78 per cent of all counselling about Coronavirus. “I am scared about the Coronavirus. I get really anxious that my family and I might catch it as a lot of people have died from it already. I'm worried about my mum because she's pregnant and I'm scared something will happen to her and the baby. It's really scary because everyone FLOWER GROUP QUIZ is talking about it and people are sharing Answers to Flower Group Quiz on page 44. stories every day on social media. I don't know 1. Cowslips how to cope." (Boy, 12) 2. Primrose "I don't know what to do. I've been having 3. Flock suicidal thoughts. I can't meet up with anyone 4. Stock because of the Coronavirus and the situation at 5. Thyme home is getting worse because I argue with my 6. Wallflower siblings over the smallest things. I have nothing 7. Red Hot Poker to do at home and I feel trapped." (Girl, 12-15) 8. Foxglove All names and potentially identifying details 9. Salvia have been changed to protect the identity of 10. Busy Lizzie the child or young person. Quotes are created 11. Snow Drop from real helpline contacts but are not 12. Cyclamen necessarily direct quotes from the young 13. Sweet William person. 14. Canterbury Bells The NSPCC relies on around 90% of its income 15. Carnation from supporters. Please help us help 16. Sweet Pea vunerable children during the Covid pandemic. 17. Star of Bethlehem Find out how you can help at nspcc.org.uk 18. Amaryliss EVERY CHILDHOOD IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR 19. Snapdragon NSPCC HELPLINE 0800 800 500 HELP@NSPCC.ORG.UK CHILDLINE 0800 1111

SEPTEMBER 2020

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

SELLING & LETTING SUCCESSFULLY IN

KINGSWOOD SINCE 2004

If you are thinking of selling or letting please give me a call on 01737 817718, or email me, peter@kennedys-ipa.co.uk and we will make arrangements to see each other at a mutually convenient time.

‘PROUD TO BE SPONSORS OF KINGSWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB’

T: 01737 817718 E: info@kennedys-ipa.co.uk www.kennedys-ipa.co.uk KINGSWOOD OFFICE: Paxton House Waterhouse Lane Kingswood Surrey KT20 6EJ WALTON OFFICE: 48 Walton Street Walton-on-the-Hill Surrey KT20 7RT

KINGSWOOD LAWN TENNIS CLUB

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

e are delighted to support the Village Voice in these challenging times and thank Richard Milbourn on his retirement from his role as its editor: Richard will be a hard act to follow. I would also like to pay tribute to Bob Gunn, who deserves a medal for the magnificent job he has done for the local community during the covid period. We almost need to apologise for the fact that, now that we have emerged from the Covid lock-down and have been able to return to relatively normal operation, the Club is in remarkably good shape and looking forward to what the future may bring. It seems that the majority of tennis players, having been deprived of tennis during the lock-down, are now flocking back with enhanced appreciation not only of the pleasures of playing tennis but also of all the other benefits of belonging to a club such as ours. We have a very full Tennis Programme of club group sessions. Our new bar has really helped to increase support for these sessions. For the first time in the life of this club, we are approaching the position where we have even started to think about either limiting membership or obtaining more courts, such is the pressure on court usage. Valentin is pretty well booked out for coaching and must be neglecting some of his caring-for-new-baby duties. And we have not even started playing club matches or holding club social events again yet. Hopefully, this is a short-term phenomenon and things will return to normal soon. That is not to say that it has all been

SEPTEMBER 2020

plain sailing. On the contrary, it has been a real challenge to keep up with all the changes in Covid regulations, emanating from central Government and the LTA. The clubhouse remains closed, because opening it safely up to now has been beyond our capacity since we have no paid staff. And, as the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities proliferate, the pressure on the committee increases. There have also, needless to say, been tensions amongst some club members, reflecting the tensions in society as a whole as people react in different ways to the pressures and frustrations. It is no longer the sleepy local tennis club run for the benefit of a few that some may remember but a vibrant hub in the local community. If you are considering joining, please do come and see what the Club has to offer in terms of facilities and friendly faces, or contact kltcmembership@gmail.com. To join or for more information, please go to our web-site at www.kingswoodltc.com, or visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/ kingswoodlawntennisclub. Go online to join. Valentin, the club coach, can be contacted on 07919 453206 or coaching.kingswoodltc @gmail.com. Robin Hollington, Chairman

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SEPTEMBER 2020

THE CHURCH IN KINGSWOOD

SUNDAY SERVICES GO ONLINE

he beginning of the outbreak of Coronavirus in this country started a whole set of protocols and measures for the church which had to be formally put into place regarding who would take over the many tasks and duties should someone fall ill and how we would cope with restrictions in the ongoing services. It already felt like things were ramping up. When the day came to close the churches, it hit me like a sledgehammer. It wasn’t that the paperwork wasn’t ready – it was – but the goalposts had moved and I had to be sure of the care and wellbeing of all our contacts, making sure they had all they needed and that they knew who they could ask for help. Hastily, I was thrown into the world of recordings and sound editing in order to produce a Sunday Service to go online at short notice. This was a steep learning curve. I’ve always been quite tech savvy but the shock of the lockdown and getting to grips with new software and technology was daunting. I must admit that the first few weeks were very stressful. Gradually, we settled into a pattern of an audio service accessed via our website each week and, eventually, I was able to continue Wisdom Stories at Tea Time for families via Zoom. Both Choir and Bible Study group were able to continue on Zoom as well. Creative ways of making up the lost income from church services and the various fundraising events that take place was not easy. However, one highlight was our Zoom Concert: a sort of variety show of various people’s contributions from young to old. Comedy monologues, various instrumental and vocal pieces, a

SEPTEMBER 2020

raucous song from Ron Searle and I did my bit with a Joyce Grenfell number too. The whole evening was a complete success and we raised almost £700. My plea now is for those who have been working from home to consider taking some holiday or annual leave if you haven’t already done so. Whether it be a trip away or just a complete break from work with days out from home, the stresses of isolation and the intensity of functioning alone will be taking it’s toll; there is no doubt about it. We all need to take care of our mental wellbeing and it’s clear that the effects of being based in one place, perhaps being confined with family, with no change of scenery or clear boundaries between when the work day begins or ends, can have a greatly detrimental effect on us personally. This is an issue for us all, young or old, living alone or with other people and the worst thing to do is to keep our worries and concerns to ourselves. They must be dealt with and the first step is to share. I too, have been working at home, and although there’s always been an element of maintaining a work-life balance in the way we clergy operate, lockdown has had no less an effect on me as it has you. Please do take care of this side of your life. Reach out to me, or someone else whom you trust to listen, to talk about how you are feeling. It’s okay not to be okay but seek help so that matters don’t get worse. With every blessing, Rev’d. Chris Colton, Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Kingswood KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

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THIRTEEN SOCIETY

NEW SEASON DELAYED UNTIL 2021

long with everyone else, I’ve waited, and

offer a bonus evening on December 14th. Perhaps

waited, to see how long it will be before

a bit hopeful but at least something to potentially

we can all meet again for our monthly

look forward to. If it’s no show for this year then

meetings. It seems to me that life is improving but that we are not yet ready to mix in large groups.

Pete Allen has December 13th 2021 in his diary. Speakers have had their full diaries made totally

Sadly we have therefore decided to cancel our

empty by this virus but without exception have

proposed extra meeting on September 26th

been extremely helpful. Perhaps they have used

intended to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our

the time to write new talks that will entertain us in

first meeting in July 1945, but hope to be able to

the coming years.

celebrate belatedly next year. We will also delay the start of our new season. We will now begin in January 2021 and extend by

We will publish a programme later in the year with dates and lecture details and I will also update you in the December issue of Village Voice.

a month to include an April talk. This will make for

Meanwhile the committee wishes

easier ‘maths’ as our usual membership fee of £18

you all continued good health and

will reduce to £12 for four meetings.

looks forward to seeing everyone

The speaker I had chosen for our

in the New Year.

Xmas/December meeting has agreed to be on

Frances Rosbotham, Programme

standby and, should circumstances allow, we will

Secretary

SEPTEMBER 2020

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SARAH LOTT STORY

AND THE VIOLIN SINGS...

new school year always brought fresh challenges. Ruth was used to new timetables, sports teams and clubs but she wasn’t ready for her daughter’s new passion. None of them were. Over the summer, Sarah had discovered music. She was given a toy Karaoke machine for her birthday and announced to everyone that ‘music was her life.’ The family had to live through her ‘Frozen’ phase and her ‘Up Town Funk’ phase before she moved on to her new musical inspiration. She was going to be the next Taylor Swift. Unfortunately Sarah’s enthusiasm didn’t quite match her vocal ability but Sam and Ruth didn’t want to discourage their daughter. However, her brothers were quick to compare her singing to ‘the noise that a drowning cat might make, while being threatened by a cat eating shark.’ Sarah’s school was trying to encourage pupils to take up a musical instrument and, on the third day of the new term, she came home with a tarnished second hand trumpet to try for a few days. After twenty-four hours of ‘Three Blind Mice’, the entire household was ready to surrender. The requests for lessons started in earnest, together with promises that she’d practice every day and try really hard. The night before the trumpet had to be returned, Sam and Ruth lay in bed and talked about arranging lessons for their daughter. She seemed to be genuinely in love with the instrument. Three days later, Sarah came home from school with an old battered clarinet. It was even better than the trumpet! The squeaks that came out of that instrument were truly earsplitting. Ben and Daniel pleaded with their sister not to play. Daniel even offered to give

SEPTEMBER 2020

her his secret stash of sweets but Sarah had fallen in love and that was that. “I just have to play… It’s brilliant. This is my instrument! Please Mummy, please Daddy… Can I have lessons? I’ll practice every day, I promise.” “But, Sarah, you wanted to play the trumpet last week!” “If I play the trumpet I’ll have to stand next to Danny Brown at band time and he smells… I love the clarinet; it’s the best instrument ever. I want to be a professional clarinetist and play in orchestras. Mrs Smith said that I had talent. She said that I play ‘Three Blind Mice’ really well.” “Does Mrs Smith know any other tunes?” Sam was trying not to laugh at this point. “Please… Please…” The following week, Sarah came home with a brown scratched violin. The endless and excruciating renditions of ‘Three Blind Mice’ were now truly unbearable. Even Mrs Everett from next door asked Ruth to close her windows. Sarah was ecstatic. She’d finally found the perfect instrument! Her best friend Anna wanted to play it too! She really really wanted lessons. The violin was much better than the clarinet. All the family could do was pray for Sarah to start singing again… Sarah Lott www.thememorybook.co.uk Telephone: 07957 598348 Email: sarah@thememorybook.co.uk It’s been a very strange time for everyone and I hope you are all well. I’m now offering minibiographies which don’t need face to face interviews. They are perfect if you want to capture your childhood memories or if you are about to have carers or move to residential care. I’m also holding on line workshops and coaching people who want to write their own life stories. Just get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE To advertise call 01737 222307

To advertise call 01737 222307 KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2020

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