wplife march 12

Worcester Park Life

free March 12 No 46

KT4’s independent community magazine

inside...

Breath Easy The Worcester Parkers Scout Charity Auction Worcester Park History Voice for Wildlife, Recipe, puzzles, Clubs, What’s on listings, Gardening, Finance and much more...

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Saturday 10th March 2012

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r

Editor’s letter March already and the months are flying by with a series of projects. Top of the list for me is getting together with neighbours and planning our Jubilee street party, hot on the heels of the great event we held last year for the Royal wedding. It’s expected that a record number of people will take part in street parties across the capital. And the councils covering WPark has agreed to waive the road closure fee and reduce bureaucracy. There is some paperwork to complete and you do still need permission so if you haven’t already started the ball rolling then maybe it’s something also for your to-do-list in March.

Don’t forget that British Summer Time (hooray, can’t wait!) starts on 24th March so remember to move clocks forward or risk of being late, or missing out on the Sunday morning!

Just a reminder that you’ll generally receive a copy of Worcester Park Life every second month. So keep hold of your copy until the next one arrives.

Remember you can also read the magazine online – have a look at our updated website next time you’re logged in.You can now also take part in competitions from our site www.wplife.co.uk. Anyway, we have lots of great advertisers so please have a good look at what they are offering. We are committed to supporting local businesses and keeping hold of the shops locally so why not try to visit it as often as you can!

This month we have some great advertisers’ offers.

Shannon Corner Service Centre 15% off voucher p6 Glitz’n’Glam £3 threading offer p9 Craftwerk Carpentry - 10% discount p13 Centrals - free tea or coffee p17 Mr Ink 10% off ink refills p18 The Real Butchers 10% off p49 If you’d like your business to feature here next month just give me a call on 020 8336 2915.

Finally, please remember to support Worcester Park Life and mention to advertisers where you got their details from.

Best wishes Jenny Stuart Editor & publisher

The next edition will be available in the Libraries, Waitrose, and other outlets from 4th April 2012 Next copy deadline: 17th March Published by Malden Media Limited 36 Rosebery Avenue, KT3 4JS

Articles

7 History 10 Ruth Jemmett 14 Spring tree safety check 16 Breathe Easy Merton & Sutton 20 View from the City

by Justin Urquhart Stewart 24 The Worcester Parkers 26 Recipe Glazed Salmon Skewers with Sesame Noodles 32 Love Worcester Park This Easter 35 On the grapevine 36 Spotlight on Mark Henderson 38 Safer Neighbourhoods 41 Charity Auction 42 Voice for wildlfe 52 Gardening Growing Peppers

Local Information 44 Clubs 40 Toddler groups 50 What’s On 51 Free ads 54 Business Index

Puzzles

18 Quick Quiz 31 Number Cruncher

E: jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

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New Malden’s Village Voice and Worcester Park Life

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TSD Bespoke Building HPV A4L 20/09/2011 14:34 Page 1

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Worcester Park History David Rymill continues his series about the history of the Cheam Common schools at the top of Central Road. This month: A school at war Last month in the second instalment of our series about the Cheam Common schools, we reached 1939, when the Infants’ School was preparing for the outbreak of the Second World War. Entries in the log book over the following weeks continue the story: 30 Oct: “All members of the Staff are now doing work in various homes of the children. Work begins at 9.30 till 12; and from 2 till 3 pm.”

20 Nov: “Top class children are in school today as is also a group in another classroom. One trench being ready in case of necessity.”

23 Nov: “The two Top Classes are working in school, also a small group, as from today, two trenches being available in case of emergency. The Teachers working in school are Miss Elphick, Mrs Buckley and Mrs Eadie. The rest of the staff are still working in homes near school.”

28 Nov: “School started today on half time – the older children in the morning and the younger ones in the afternoon – times being 8.55 to 12 noon, 12.30 to 2.30.

The afternoon time is so as to enable me to have the younger children away from the Juniors as much as possible.”

15 Dec: “The Junior School moved to their own building today. School begins on Monday on full times i.e. 8.50 to 11.45 am; and 1.15 to 2.45 pm.”

A year later, the threat of air raids had become reality.

On 27 August 1940 only thirty children came to school after a long raid the previous evening. Daytime raids disrupted lessons on over 50 days between September and December. On 16 September alone there were four alerts, covering 9.55 am-10.40, 10.55-11.35, 12.1012.45 and 2.10-6 pm. On 17 October the Headmistress recorded, “Time tables, as near as possible to the original, have been made out by the Staff. Essential lessons, lost in the morning through ‘Alerts’ will be taken in the second half of the session in place of Handwork.”

After January 1941, raids became much less frequent, until the onslaught of V1 ‘buzz-bombs’ in the summer of 1944. Once again, the log book gives an indication of the difficulties facing the school: 22 June: “‘Alert’ has been on for the greater part of the day so the few children who have been to school have been in the shelters or working quite near.”

29 June: “Children (only 20 in school) working in the open near the shelters as the sirens are repeatedly sounding.”

30 June: “Alert sounded 8.55 – Clear 9.30 – Alert 9.35 – Clear 1.15 – Alert 1.23 – Clear 2.30. Dinners have had to be served in shelters and the children have spent most of their time there.”

3 July: “All day spent in shelters. Only 10 children in school.”

10 July: “Only 5 children in school. Evacuation lists being filled in.”

11 July: “Miss Elphick left this morning with children for Evacuation. She is to stay one month. Mrs Buckley left as Escort for a party going for Evacuation.”

14 Aug: “School re-opened today. Numbers are very small: 10. Miss Elphick and Mrs Bowles are continuing with Evacuation duties in Lancashire.”

Katherine Pollock, who entered the Infants’ school in 1942, recalls learning tables in the shelters in 1944: “They were very dark with little slatted forms. There was not an awful lot we could be taught down there, but at least we could chant tables, and those of course are in my head for life.”

On 29 and 31 August there were nine alerts in total.

Thereafter no further alerts are listed in the log book, and by 29 September attendance had reached over 130.

More problems arose in October, when the Infants’ u premises were taken over by building operatives, and

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most of the classes moved to the Junior building only to find that the heating failed there shortly afterwards.

1945 brought more welcome news: 20 June: “Mrs Buckley has gone to Cardiff… to bring back home children who were evacuated a year ago.”

25 June: “Mrs Lethbridge and Miss Hughes will be absent for 3 days – ‘doing return of Evacuees duty’ – from Oldham.”

26 June: “A consignment of sweets was received from

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the Mayor of Sutton and Cheam – these having been sent from Melbourne – Australia – for blitzed areas. Each child was given a packet of these sweets.”

Fuel shortages were still a problem after the war: on 23 Jan 1946 the school dinners failed to arrive from the canteen at St. Katherine’s, London Road, North Cheam (roughly opposite St Cecilia’s). Miss Harper “went to see why, and found the Van could not run owing to being short of Petrol. I gave the man a coupon for 2 gallons and paid for it. Dinners arrived at 1.25 pm.” In May, the old British Restaurant in Central Road (behind 23-31) was taken over as a school canteen. The school itself was short of fuel in March 1947, and closed for eight days, the children only attending for milk and dinners.

On 19 December, Miss Harper retired, after 18 years’ service which had seen immense change in the school and community which it served.

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This month’s illustration shows a happy scene of maypole dancing in c.1935.

Did you attend the Cheam Common Schools during the war, or in the post-war years? I’d be pleased to receive further memories which could be included in a future article. David Rymill david.rymill@hants.gov.uk WPL

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Bingo wings and other things Does the thought of exercise bring on a cold sweat?

Local writer Ruth Jemmett shares her thoughts A comedian once said “I do my exercises every morning. Up down, up down! And then I open the other eyelid!” How many of us can identify with that joke? After the excesses of Christmas and halfhearted promises of joining a health club, most of us are not so much ‘New Year - New Body’ as ‘Look Out - Here Comes Blobby!”

The word EXERCISE can bring feelings of terror to the strongest of mortals, and yet keeping trim and healthy doesn’t always have to involve over-exertion and starvation diets. Unless we have a specific medical condition, the simple truth is that sensible eating and regular moderate exercise will keep most of us away from the doctor’s surgery. Within reason, even elderly or disabled people can do gentle stretchings and calorie counting. Indeed, the axiom ‘the more you do the more you can do’ applies to most people. Of course it makes sense to check your suitability for serious exercising with a medical professional if you have any doubts about it.

The reason that most of us blanch at the mere thought of doing physical exercise is usually rooted in ghastly memories of school days. The mention of hockey makes my heart sink as I recall spending seemingly endless hours as a goalie on a freezing hockey pitch. Our sports mistress, whose voice wouldn’t have been out of place on a military parade ground (and, who, come to think of it, sported a somewhat military looking moustache) seemed to be under the illusion that because I was tall I would stop goals getting in. How wrong she was. All I had to show for most games was the disgust of my team for being such a wimp, and a severe case of frostbite! My attempts in the gymnasium were almost equally disastrous. My only real accomplishment there was my ability for skimming up long thick ropes and writing my name on the gym ceiling when Mrs Moustache wasn’t looking. Unfortunately, that particular talent of mine has never been called upon during my entire adult existence. There doesn’t seem to be much need for a rope-climbing pensioner in Worcester Park as far as I know! On reflection, there have been many times in my life when I have had a sudden urge to run away from everything and join a circus. How a Big Top troupe would have appreciated my unusual gift!

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I come from a theatrical dynasty, and consequently spent the first twenty years of my life doing ballet and tap-dancing, thus ensuring my fitness in my youth.. However, like most women, after a period of going out to work, marriage and domesticity beckoned. For the next few years exercise consisted of bending over baby, and juggling saucepans, intertwined with stripping wallpaper or digging gardens.

As time moved on I decided that my body wasn’t a temple any more.

Indeed it was starting to look like a listed (or listing) building, very much in need of shoring up. At that point I joined an exercise class that was run by an incredibly thin man, who the class secretly christened Mr Twiglet. His decidedly puny looking frame wasn’t exactly a source of inspiration to a class of menopausal women in need of bodily transformations. On the plus side, Mr T, seemed to know his business, and over several months we learnt safe ways to increase our strength and stamina and how

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to monitor our pulse rates. One particular bonus of the course was that we had to go jogging past the local fire station, which meant that we all forgot our hot flushes for a moment as hunky firemen whistled at us!

Since that time I have toyed with a variety of things to keep me fit. My book shelves are filled with tomes on aerobics, yoga and pilates. I’m not saying that I read them very often, but they are handy to stack up and stand on when I am reaching for books with such titles as ‘How To Make A Yummy Chocolate Cake’ or ‘You Too Can Fry The Perfect Chip’.

As I write this, a sadly neglected hula-hoop stares grumpily at me from the corner of the room. It reminds me that my ‘love-handles’ are now large enough to cope with carrying a small truck. My latest craze is exercising with small weights. I leap around the house brandishing them, crying “Push the weights to the sky! Bingo wings goodbye!”.

Unfortunately my bingo wings haven’t been listening. I am thinking of tying them up prettily in pink ribbons and hope that everyone will think I am making a fashion statement.

So how is it that I have kept my size 12 figure - albeit with size 14 bingo wings? Well, tending a 120 foot garden helps - as does being married to a husband who last used the vacuum in 1968 - and that was because he was looking for his contact lens. Joking apart, I dance regularly at ‘Glitters’, the popular dance club at Bourne Hall in Ewell Village*.

Ballroom and Latin dancing is a fantastic way to keep fit and make friends. It can also have added perks. Recently, whilst

out shopping with a fellow dancer for dance shoes, we bumped into Anton du Becke of Strictly Come Dancing fame, who was more than happy to give us a quick waltz around the shop!

Add the aforesaid exercise to the fact that I love fruit and vegetables, and it is easy to see why (apart from the bingo wings …..) I don’t pile on the pounds.

We are constantly told that younger people are not as fit as the oldies due to their love of spending every spare moment hunched over their computers. In this year of the Olympic Games, perhaps now is an opportune moment for parents to try and drag their children off to the nearest playing field (if it hasn’t been sold off to developers) so that they can get their sporting muscles moving.

Would-be athletes of any age don’t need special equipment to get started. Swimming is an excellent way of keeping fit, as the water offers resistance to flabby muscles. Even doing household chores with extra vigour can burn off calories. (A sure-fire way of getting my husband to do exercise is to show him the vacuum-cleaner. He runs for the hills!)

Of course, if you DO want some equipment to work with, I know where there is an unused hula-hoop going cheap!

Ruth Jemmett (Copyright 7.2.12) Member of The Society of Authors *For details of Glitters, see Clubs section at rear of magazine. WPL

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Spring tree safety check As Spring arrives and trees begin to come into leaf and flower it is a good time to do a general health check including the removal of dead limbs and inspection of limbs that are prone to breakage.

Dead timber is very much a part of the life cycle of trees whereby insects, fungi and other decomposers break down the fibrous mass to be reused in the garden as a nutrient supply. In a garden context though dead limbs can be a major safety hazard for buildings and people so a thorough inspection is recommended.

By waiting for spring it is much easier to identify the

limbs when they fail to sprout leaves or flowers, often the presence of decay fruiting bodies also suggest decay and dieback. The best method is to methodically scan the tree in sections following branches from the trunk outwards looking for the signs of dead sections.

Dead limbs are quite brittle and can snap out easily, they can break away and remain caught by other branches in the canopy as “hangers”.

Pruning out deadwood can be done at any time of the year, it is best done with a clean sharp lopper or saw.

The limb should be cut back towards healthy wood ideally where a growth point exists where new growth can develop. Where a whole limb needs to be removed the cut should be done to leave a stub just outside the branch collar next to the trunk.

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that creates a “wild” bio diverse habitat. If the pile is left with good lengths of wood the contrasts in humidity and shade will create a range of habitats for fungi and insects to thrive in. Drilling holes into larger pieces of timber also aids certain burrowing insects to take up residence.

In terms of inspecting a tree for healthy limbs prone to failure it often requires an arborist to help you identify them. At R J Tree Services we do this survey free on every quote, for most trees you should not have to pay for a basic survey. The factors that make limbs prone to failure are:1. Older trees with wide canopy forms.

2. Trees where limbs have been previously damaged and have decreased strength at the points where occlusion should seal the wounds.

3. Branches with large foliage cover creating a large “sail” area to the wind.

4. Included bark at the junction of key branches. This can create transverse splits along the top of the branch that often cannot be spotted from ground level.

5. Branches that rub against each other creating “canker” wounds that are points of weakness.

A wide range of tree surgery options are available to reduce the likelihood of such fractures depending on the tree type and form.

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Breathe Easy Merton & Sutton Breathe Easy Merton & Sutton is part of a national network of voluntary support groups organised through the British Lung Foundation.

Many people suffer breathing problems, the most common of which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, (COPD) which is used as an umbrella term for a number of conditions, but primarily it is Emphysema and Obstructive Bronchitis. COPD is the result of long-term damage to the airways, which has caused them to become narrower and thus making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs.

It is an acknowledged fact that many people when diagnosed with chronic lung disease, can, and do, feel isolated and alone. This is where the Breathe easy Group is able to offer a ‘supporting lifeline’. People can learn and understand more about their condition from meeting fellow sufferers and from speakers at group meetings, than from their GP’s or hospital doctor’s.

The Merton and Sutton Group covers an area which includes Merton, Mitcham. Wimbledon, Hackbridge, Carshalton, Wallington, Sutton and Worcester park. The group meets every month to share information, knowledge and experiences, thus helping many members to attain a better quality of life. We hold meetings with varied speakers along with social events throughout the year, which all help to provide the friendship and support so vital in helping one to live their life to the full.

Our group works in close collaboration with the Airways Clinic at St. Helier Hospital; their specialist respiratory nurses occasionally attend our meetings to talk about current and new medications, procedures, and breathing aids. This information being particularly useful to people who do not actually attend the Hospital/Clinic, but also helps allay the “fear of the unknown” when admitted to hospital.

From time to time we have speakers from the Police, the Fire Service, and Local Authority funded groups that provide valuable information on security, safety, health, fitness, and facilities that are available to us within our area.

Our organising committee consult the group and plan a series of day trips to various places of interest and a five day holiday in early summer, and a five day turkey and tinsel in late November.

A mid-day lunch is also arranged at a local pub or chippy a week following each meeting.

Last year our days out included Brighton, Eastbourne, Canterbury, The New forest, Southsea and the Isle of Wight, and Poole. Our summer holiday was to Western Super-Mare and the turkey and tinsel at Bournemouth. All

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outings are tailored to our needs as we organise our own coach.

Our group raised almost £2000 for the British Lung Foundation last year, and we hope to beat that figure this year.

So if you have lung condition come along and join us; bring along the family and friends, all our welcome.

We meet on the 3rd. Thursday of every month at St. Bedes Conference Centre, St. Anthony’s hospital London Road. North Cheam. SM3 9DW. Meeting runs from 2-4pm.

For more information please contact George on 0208 647 7530. WPL

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  

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    

  

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

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Parent and child Play Days • Soft play area, as well as childrens’ television, and baby changing facilities.

• Children must be supervised at all times by an adult.

• Secure outdoor seating area.

• Coffees, cakes & pastries and other bar food available.

Come and enjoy a Free cup of tea or coffee!

Please present this voucher to our staff to receive your FREE cup of tea or coffee.

This offer is available between 9am and 3pm on Weekdays, and is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Only one voucher per person, on the same day.

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169 Central Road, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 8DR Mon- Thurs: 9am - 11pm Saturday: 10am - 12.30am

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1. Which two letters of the alphabet have a “tittle” when written in lower case, but not when written in upper case?

2. Which month of the year features in the NATO phonetic alphabet?

3. Which Dutch airline is known by three consecutive letters of the alphabet?

4. Which European country's version of Scrabble is the only version where the letter "z" is worth just one point?

5. What is the total number of raised and levelled dots used in braille to represent a single letter of the alphabet?

6. What is the first letter of the Greek alphabet to have a name in English that doesn't end in "a"?

7. What is the only letter in the alphabet that has more than one syllable when spoken?

8. A circumflex is a symbol used to mark a long vowel in a number of languages, including French and Welsh. This symbol takes the form of an upside down version of which letter of the English alphabet?

9. On a standard UK keyboard, the key with a colon and semi-colon is immediately to the right of a key that features which letter of the alphabet?

10. Which two rivers in Britain have names that sound like letters that are next to each other in the alphabet?

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1. i and j (a “tittle” is the dot on these) 2. November 3. KLM 4. Poland’s 5. Six 6. Epsilon (following alpha, beta, gamma and delta) 7. W 8. V 9. L 10. The Exe and the Wye

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View from the city

Can we learn a lesson from the Americans?

Justin Urquhart Stewart shares his thoughts

Following my comments about the missing financial infrastructure in the UK, I was recently comparing the US banking and financial structures with our own. Now, of course, their banking system has neither been angelic in its behaviour, nor unblemished in its history of probity.

After all, in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash and during a nationwide commercial bank failure and the Great Depression, two members of Congress put their names on what is known today as the Glass Steagall Act. This act separated investment and commercial banking activities. At the time, ‘improper banking activity’ - considered to be overzealous commercial bank involvement in stock market investment - was deemed the main culprit of the financial crash - any of that seem familiar?

In fact it stayed in place until being repealed in 1999

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in order to liberate the banks to develop financially engineered products, which would diminish the risk in the entire system. We can probably lay the blame for this at the feet of Alan Greenspan, who told President Clinton that the banks had agreed that ‘they would act more responsibly’ - his words. Heavens, what would have happened if they had acted irresponsibly?

However, it has not just been the major banks. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was the Savings and Loans scandal when the US equivalents of the UK building societies – “Thrifts” - went through a disastrous period following ludicrous lending by badly managed organisations when out of a total of 3234 Thrifts, around 750 went bust along with their customers’ savings, costing the Government some $88bn. Following this, many of these smaller operations were absorbed into larger financial organisations. However, just because banks are large and strong, doesn’t necessarily mean they are good - as recent events have so perfectly illustrated.

In the US, what they refer to as ‘Community banks’ can include a range of savings and loans companies and mutuals, but all focused on providing local services to local residents and especially local businesses. There are at present over 7000 of them in the US which on a per capita basis, would mean that we should have an equivalent number of 1350 such banks in the UK. Although we have a range of some 47 building societies and a number of smaller mutual loans companies, we

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

actually have a relatively small number of banks in the UK designed to serve domestic customers (I exclude all those City of London based offices of overseas banks).

More recently we have seen some new entrants in the form of Virgin and Metro, and of course we should not ignore the growing presence of the supermarkets in this area. However, what we have not had is a presence of local banks for local funding. Most of the financial services from the building societies and savings companies, as well as the supermarkets, are all aimed at the private consumer and not for the small business.

This is a key area which is missing.

Now, we could wait for free enterprise to set up such services, or wait for the existing players to expand into this area, but I fear that time is not going to be of any help here. If there was a position for regional investment facilities to be provided then surely this is it? Rather than being funded out of Government debt, let alone the deficit, far better it be funded by way of guarantee or Government tax incentivised investment fund. Some imagination needed here and some courage not just to take action but to be seen to be taking action to counter the negative waves of news washing over us from most outlets. The entrepreneurial spirit is there but it desperately needs the fuel to fire it up, especially as so many are leaving state employment and need to be triggered into having the confidence of ‘doing it for themselves’. WPL

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Local clubs What do the words The Women’s Institute conjure up for you?

Is it blue rinses in pinnies, wielding wooden spoons and gossiping over bubbling cauldrons of ubiquitous jam?... …Or maybe its semi naked ladies of indeterminate ages posing for vaguely risqué calendars?

Ladies…there is an alternative middle ground offering fun, entertainment, friendship and variety, so if you would like to add more of these elements to your life then read on and discover more about the WORCESTER PARKERS. The group first formed in 2010 and has gone from

strength to strength over the past 18 months attracting members from all age ranges and walks of life, all with a common goal of sharing interests and enjoying new experiences.

The itinerary for our monthly meetings has been full and varied, ranging from educational evenings where we learnt all about Homeopathy, Graphology, and Women’s Poetry; more practical evenings where we were inspired by demonstrations of Gardening for Flower Arranger’s, Creating Stained Glass, and Cooking with Chocolate; and thoroughly entertained by talks on Great Lovers, Millinery and the ‘adventures’ of a WI Speaker.

We have also had the opportunity to attend taster sessions and try our hands at Flower arranging, Pottery, and, for the more foolhardy, Belly dancing.

In addition to our monthly meetings we also have many thriving sub groups; For any bookworms out there our lively book club reads a variety of books and meets once a month to discuss them …not always too seriously…I hasten to add!

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Bake-Off, talks on subjects as diverse as Genealogy and Wardrobe coordination, and our Annual Summer Garden Party.

Pretty much something for everyone we think! So if this has piqued your interest, please come along, meet us all and see for yourself.

WE MEET ON THE 3RD Monday of every month at Christ Church with St Philips, St Philips Hall, Ruskin Drive,Worcester Park, at 7.45pm.

For more information check out our website www.worcesterparkers.moonfruit.com Your first meeting is absolutely free of charge so you have absolutely nothing to lose, and possibly heaps to gain!

We’re looking forward to meeting YOU! WPL The theatre group has enjoyed trips to shows like Jekyll & Hyde, Buddy, and the Sound of Music, and also the Ballet.

‘Ladies that Lunch’ enjoy meeting up once a month to share a pub lunch and a chance to socialise together, and on a few occasions over the summer some members got together to visit the gardens locally taking part in the National Garden Scheme.

There are also plans afoot to create new craft, wine tasting and gardening groups in the near future.

We have a packed calendar scheduled for 2012, which include events to reflect the upcoming Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics, along with a fundraising

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We have been advertising in Worcester Park Life for a number of months now. It's a great, affordable way of advertising for small businesses and reaches the residents of the local area. Jenny has made the whole process so easy for us and we will certainy keep advertising in this magazine for many months to come! Due to the success of Worcester Park Life, we are now considering advertising in The Village Voice. Emerald Plastering

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Glazed Salmon Skewers with Sesame Noodles This is a great way to jazz up salmon – with a Japanese teriyaki sauce glaze served with sesame flavoured noodles. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading on the strips of salmon to prevent them from burning under the hot grill.

4 x salmon fillets, skinned 6 tbsp teriyaki sauce 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 250g packet medium egg noodles 2 tsp sesame seed oil 1 tsp grated root ginger 6 salad onions, trimmed and thinly slices 40g radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 tbsp sesame seeds 30ml honey, warmedpepper 4 tbsp soured cream Boiled potatoes, to serve Fresh chopped parsley, to garnish

Slice each salmon fillet widthways into 2 strips and place the strips in a shallow dish. Mix together the teriyaki sauce and garlic and pour over the salmon.

Cover and leave to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat the grill to medium. Thread the strips of salmon onto 8 wooden skewers. Grill the salmon skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side until just cooked through.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain well. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large non-stick frying pan and add the ginger, spring onions, radishes and sesame seeds. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes then Add the noodles and toss well to mix.

Just before serving, brush the salmon skewers with the warmed honey and grill for a further minutes. Divide the sesame noodles between four serving bowls and top with the salmon skewers. WPL

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020 8330 7557 - Sales 020 8330 7887 - Lettings www.brownsresidential.co.uk

March

Property Supplement

27

Worcester l New Malden l Cheam Worcester Park l Stoneleigh l in Ewell Advertise Park Life for less than ÂŁ1 a day

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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DEAR READERS March jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

Sales - 020 8330 7557 Lettings - 020 8330 7887 www.brownsresidential.co.uk

Worcester Park £699,950

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l Detached Family Home

l Two Bath/Shower Rooms

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l Garage & Off Street Parking

Worcester Park l Stoneleigh l Ewell l New Malden l Cheam Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

WORCESTER PARK LIFE

To view our full selection of properties scan this QR code with your smart phone

www.ourkt4.com jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

North Cheam £465,000

Stoneleigh £525,000 l Detached Family Home

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Worcester Park £399,950

Worcester Park £349,950

l Detached Family Home

l Family Bathroom

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l Three Bedrooms

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l Three Bedrooms

29 l Conservatory

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l Two Receptions

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l Modern Kitchen

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Worcester Park l Stoneleigh l Ewell l New Malden l Cheam To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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New Malden £2,250 pcm

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Four Page colour supplements in Worcester Park Life, New Malden’s Village Voice and Ewell & Stoneleigh Connection.

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Worcester l Stoneleigh l Ewell l New Malden l Cheam Please remember to mentionPark Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

Number Cruncher 1

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1. Ounces in 11 stone (4) 2. Five squared (2) 3. 12 Across plus 21 Across plus 23 Down (3) 4. 3 Down plus 19 Down minus one seventh of 23 Across (3) 5. 2 Down multiplied by three (2) 6. 20 Down multiplied by five (4) 9. 23 cubed minus 1066 (5) 10. 9 Down multiplied by four (5) 11. 9 Down minus 26 (5) 15. 69 squared minus 29 (4) 17. 13 Across multiplied by 22 Down (4) 19. 22 Down multiplied by two (3) 20. One fifteenth of 25 Across (3) 22. 21 Across plus 2 Down minus one (2) 23. One sixth of 15 Across (2) To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Love Worcester Park This Easter For Christians, Easter is a very special time to celebrate how much God loves the world and everyone in it.

“God loves you enough to die for you!” is the strapline for an exciting community project at Easter 2012 by the church family at Worcester Park Baptist Church in The Avenue, opposite the station. Lucy Wright, Associate Minister of the church, explains.

“We wanted to show and share God’s love with folk in the local community in a very practical way and partner with others. So we came up with the idea of restoring the open space at the end of The Avenue which had become a bit of an eyesore.

The Council laid a new path in February and they are also arranging for all the debris on the land to be cleared and for the grassed area which had been damaged by recent civil contract works to be topsoiled and seeded.

Our part of the project will be cutting back the trees and restoring the flower beds near the traffic lights.

We will be planting evergreen and colourful shrubs – and daffodils of course, which we hope will take and be will be in flower for Easter. Then we hope to be able to enjoy using the site during the Easter weekend celebrations.

Hundreds of people pass by the site every day to and from the station and high street. We want to share with each one of them that God loves them. We hope and pray that each time they see and use the site, they will remember that God thinks they are VIPs – loved, unique and precious to him.”

Councillor Ken Smith, Chair of Maldens & Coombe Neighbourhood Committee, said “We welcome this community initiative which can make a tremendous difference to the local environment.

This is a great example of local enthusiasm and drive being targeted to make a significant difference to the experience of the whole community. The Council is pleased to work with any local organisations who would like to make a positive contribution to life in our Neighbourhood.”

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For details of Worcester Park Baptist Church’s Easter celebrations, visit www.wpbc.org.uk or phone 020 8337 1050. They include – Holiday Bible Club,Tuesday 10th – Friday 13th April, 10001230 – for children ages 4 (at full time school) to 11 (school years reception to year 6). Fantastic, fun-filled mornings of crafts, games, singing, drama and Bible stories! Advance booking needed, please, by phoning Brian or Pam on 020 8395 7196 WPL

Call us on: 020 8942 4137

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

‘Helping children achieve their personal best’

An independent preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 years.

Please arrange a visit to see us in action and come and join us why for our Morning on Saturday seePlease for yourself weOpen are all so proud of our school

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On the grapevine Aret Kapetanovic @ The Vin Bin on some January treats and mixing wine tasting with speed dating!

When the ‘Wine World’ refers to ‘Rockstar’ winemakers, they’re referring to young winemakers who are making they’re mark, and have quickly shown their mastery of the craft of winemaking. I am, however, in the process of putting together my own ‘Rockstar’ winemakers hall of fame, consisting of real Celebrities and some actual Rock stars! It’s still in the early stages, but when I started researching (I’m a geek I know!), I came across some interesting names. Of course many celebrities have their own personal vineyards, such as American actors Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and our very own David and Victoria Beckham, but I was curious to see who among the worlds many stars, has actually brought their wine to market and came up with some interesting results!

I’m going to start with the Celebrity wine that I have in fact already tried. I’m not sure if you are aware, but Sir Cliff Richards has his own commercial winery in Portugal. Adega do Cantor or Winery of the Singer, is situated at Guia, a few kilometers northwest of Albufeira in the middle of the Algarve. The winery produces the Singers Vida and Onda Nova ranges. The vineyards website assures that when in Portugal, Sir Cliff is very much involved in the production of the wine, and is ‘often seen getting his hands dirty in the vineyard (nice to know), or indeed his feet dirty in the winery (slightly less appetizing!). But what is the wine like?

The Onda Nova Verdehlo 2010, was my favourite and the only one I’m going to mention (make of that what

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you will!). It’s fresh and green and uncommercial and has in fact won Gold medals at prestigious wine awards in Portugal. However, I worry that I’m put-off by the wines in general because they are associated with Sir Cliff himself! Is that horribly unfair? The wines already have a real uphill struggle just to recover from his seriously underwhelming advertising skills. Back in 2006, somewhat unfairly, he was tricked into describing his own wine on chef Gordon Ramsay’s TV programme. Chef Ramsay gave Sir Cliff two wines to taste blindfold. The first he described as “amazing”, to which Mr Ramsay said: “Of course, it’s a £400 bottle.” Of the second wine, his own Vida Nova, Sir Cliff said: “That’s rubbish. I wouldn’t pay for that, it’s tainted, it’s insipid. It tastes like vinaigrette. I’d never buy that.” A triumphant Mr Ramsay revealed that the singer had just rubbished his own wine!

I’ve decided not to include him in my ‘Rockstar’ list.

I’m extremely ashamed to say that so far, the rest of my list is all hearsay and favouritism, and includes Sting (sexy), Actor Sam Neill (mysterious), Director Francis Ford Coppola (brilliant), and Actress Carole Bouquet (Bond Girl), along with a surprising array of Sportsmen and Artists. I haven’t tried any of these wines yet and I’ll keep you posted, but I’m intrigued and I’m discovering something worrying about myself. I used to think that I’d be unbiased and wouldn’t buy into the whole Celebrity thing, but after coming up with this list, who am I kidding, if Johnny Depp starts making wine, lets face it, I’m probably going to buy it! WPL

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Spotlight on.. Mark Henderson – Megabyte Computers Local businessman Mark Henderson grew up in Worcester Park, having moved here at the age of 5. Although he has moved to Carshalton, he still spends most of his time in Worcester Park, either working or helping as a leader in the 10th Mid-Surrey Boys’ Brigade Company in Ruskin Drive.

His favourite pastime is watching live sport, especially ice hockey as he is a Guildford Flames Season Ticket holder.

When was Megabytes setup and how did you get involved?

Megabyte Computers was setup over 20 years ago selling Video games from home, however it very quickly became clear that there was a local market for them. The shop was then opened shortly after. After a few years the guys noticed the market was slowly changing from

games consoles to Personal Computers and they changed the business to meet this new market. I got involved about 15 years ago. Having spent almost all my pocket money in there for several years when I asked to do work experience they almost felt they had to say yes. Shortly after that I started working here on Saturdays and School holidays. I have been here ever since. In 2011 the lease was up for renewal on our old premises.

We knew there was still a market for new PC and PC/laptop repairs in Worcester Park so we want to stay local. We then made the choice to move over to Windsor Road, with us all (John, Brad and myself) as equal partners.

What do you love about it?

I love dealing with the public. We quite often get people bringing in their computer in a state of panicked because they believe they have lost all their data. It is great when we can reassure them that all their pictures, music and documents are safe. But we can’t work miracles so always make sure you have a backup copy of all your important files.

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What is your favourite local shop? Why? I love my food so I have to say Chubbies. The guys are always very welcoming and the food is great. If you fancy a hot lunch they do some great lunchtime deals.

What is great about Worcester Park and what would you change?

What I like best about Worcester Park is the amount of youth work that goes on. I think there is at least one youth group meeting on every week night and on most nights there are two or three. All of these are run by local volunteers. It says a lot about the area that people give up so much of their free time. What I would change is what every local trader would change. The road works. It amazes even me how much they can affect business.

What is your all time favourite song? Title/artist My iPod is full of Happy Hardcore but these days I think it can be more important what your favourite App is. Mine has to be Angry Birds.You have to admire how such a simple game has taken the world by storm and that no matter how long you have been playing it you will still go back to it and play it over and over.

If you didn’t work here, where would you like to work and why?

As well as Megabytes, I own an IT support and consultancy company that assists small and medium sized businesses who want big business solutions but without the cost of having a member of staff on-site full-time. So I would be working solely on this.

Best thing that’s happened to you recently?

As mentioned I love ice hockey and Digital Resolutions (my other company) sponsors one of the Guildford Flames’ players, Scott Greenfield. This is his first season in the senior squad and he scored his first goal a few weeks ago. It might not sound like much but he had 2000 people cheering extra loudly in recognition of it. Plus my company got a few extra mentions, which is always good publicity.

Favourite one liner or silliest thing you’ve heard?

Once when we asked a customer who supplied their broadband he replied “My Mum”. I know he won’t mind me mentioning it as even he laughed about it and said that is one to tell other people, so I am!

Your future goal?

The obvious really. I would love to grow both businesses so that they become known as THE companies to come to if you have any computer issues, be it for home or business. Whilst maintaining the welcoming and friendly approach with our customers that you don’t get with the “big boys”. football team and hope to take part in many more new adventures like that. Most importantly I would like to help build a more safer, respectful environment for my kids to grow up in. WPL

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Safer Neighbourhoods by PCSO Gary Weaving Digital Switchover If like many you are a little unsure about what will be happening in April with the digital switchover and are thinking that you might enlist someone’s help, you will find the following advice invaluable.

Police are urging residents to refuse entry to any doorstep callers claiming to be digital switchover TV engineers unless they have arranged for an authorised engineer to visit their home.

Older and disabled residents who need assistance with their TV on the switchover can contact a BBC run scheme called the ‘Digital Switchover Help Scheme’ to make an appointment for an engineer to visit. Engineer appointments will always be confirmed in writing and engineers will never ‘cold call’ homes.

Legitimate installers are security checked and the name of the installer will be confirmed with you before visiting. All representatives carry identification, which should be checked before they are allowed inside.

Passwords can be arranged in advance.

PC Duncan Harris, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Unit, said digital TV engineers who call without an appointment should be treated as suspicious. “They should be refused entry to your home and reported to police immediately on 999,” he said. Twelve million viewers will be affected by the change, which will take place in two phases on 4th and 18th April. For further details on the switchover visit: www.digitaluk.co.uk If you would like to know if you are eligible for extra help please visit: www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900 Personal Theft After two recent incidents of dipping in Central Road, I thought it advisable to include a few tips on keeping your personal possessions safe whilst out and about.

First and foremost, Be aware and keep your possessions safe Never leave your bags or other valuables unattended in public places.

Be discreet with your belongings; displaying expensive jewellery or electronic devices, like mobile phones or cameras, could attract unwanted attention.

Don’t make your mobile phone a moving target Don’t tempt mobile phone thieves, be aware when making a call

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In this area thieves tend to operate in busy stores including charity shops and on the street. Cash points are also often a target, in fact anywhere where your attention may be drawn elsewhere. Recently, the thieves have been working in pairs, employing clever distraction tactics.

Ladies, if you wear your handbag over your shoulder, you could try wearing it under your coat and/or to the front of your body, making sure that the zip or fastener is always closed. Never leave your bag in or hanging from a shopping trolley.

Always be alert when using a cash point, again, make sure your bag is in front of you, closed and attached to your person. Be aware of those around you and of course always shield your transaction from prying eyes. If you are taking refreshment in a café or restaurant, never leave your bag on the floor or under your chair. Keep it close to you where you can see it.

All of the above tips will not guarantee the safety of all your possessions, but it WILL make you and your personal belongings a far more difficult and unattractive target.

Take care. WPL

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Fundraising Auction Our local Scouts Group The 4th Worcester Park Scouts Group is the largest Scout Group in the area and has been established for over 75 years.

Their membership numbers are around 100 adults and 200 young people. They have 8 youth sections for all ages from 6 to 18 and our adult members who spend many hours a week with us doing as much or as little as they have time helping and running the youth sections, fundraising, group management, maintenance and activity instructors.

As a group they organise local activities and events that are aimed to the local community and raise money to support the group.

They are running a Grand Auction on Saturday 10th of March at 2:30, at their headquarters, this is one of the many events they do and it is an opportunity to have

some fun, and maybe find that little thing you have been looking for!

For more information on the group and the events please visit: www.4wp.org.uk WPL

4th Worcester Park Scouts

AUCTION Saturday 10th March Viewing 1:30pm - Auction 2:30pm At 4th Worcester Park Scouts Group HQ, Braemar Road, KT4 8SW BRING LOTS DOWN FOR AUCTION BETWEEN 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM 41 FEES: 20p catalogue listing fee We only retain 1/3 of the selling price up to a maximum of ÂŁ10 Admission / Catalogue 50p We do not accept any clothing, TVs or Gas Appliances Reg. Charity NO.303853 - www.4wp.org.uk To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Voice for wildlife

What does ‘March’ conjure up for you? How about the ‘mad March hare’? Local wildlife lover Carol Williams explains...

Hares are related to rabbits and pikas. Their ancestors were on earth during the last 25 million years of the dinosaur age, so their lineage is ancient. Hares are not rodents but lagomorphs. They have a secondary pair of incisors in the upper jaw - rodents do not.

The evolution of lagomorphs went hand in hand with that of grasses and flowering plants - the vast prairies of Asia during the Oligocene and Miocene periods provided wonderful habitat for grass loving creatures. All grazing animals have fermentation chambers in their guts to break down the cellulose in grasses. Anyone who has ever chewed grass will know that humans are not adapted to digest it! ( We, of course, use cooking to turn the indigestible into the edible...)

Hares are in decline in England, though they were once a common sight in pastures and ploughed fields.The only

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British mammal that has suffered a larger decline than the brown hare in the last 100 years is the water vole.

Hares require an open habitat - farmland, mountain grassland, wild flower meadows and sometimes broadleaf forest. Changes in farming practices are partly responsible for the decline in hare numbers, including the use of weedkillers in hay and cornfields, which reduce the range of plants available to them.

There are many things that landowners can do to aid hare recovery and many of these are grantaided. Such actions include breaking up monculture crops, cutting fields from the centre outwards, leaving a 6 metre uncultivated edge and allowing cereal stubble to remain over Winter.

(These measures will have enormous benefits for smaller wildlife also).

In March and April hares leap about and chase each other, though they actually breed at any time of year, not just in Spring. The young are called leverets and there are normally only 2 or 3, which are left hidden in a small scooped out pits (forms) in long grass, separately, not in a group, where they lie low. Leverets are highly strung and so, when orphaned, hard to hand rear.

Anyone finding leverets alone in a field and apparently abandoned, should not interfere unless they are clearly

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in danger. The mother visits her offspring at dawn and dusk - during the day they remain alone, lying low.

Courtship involves ‘boxing’ - females who are unreceptive, repelling amorous males, or ‘testing’ their determination..! Hares are shy animals except in Spring so not likely to be seen much during daylight hours.

It is thought that they were introduced here from continental Europe by the Romans. They are the fastest land mammal in the Uk and have been known to reach speeds of up to 45 mph. They rely on speed to escape predators, although the only dangers they really face in England nowadays are roads, urban development, farming practices and cruel sports, none of wich can be outrun....

With thanks to the Hare Preservation Trust whose website provided some of the information for this article. Anybody interested in helping to halt the decline of hares in this country, please donate to this Trust which is 100% run by volunteers- www.harepreservation-trust.co.uk. WPL

Hares at Play

The birds are gone to bed, the cows are still, And sheep lie panting on each old mole-hill; And underneath the willow’s gray-green bough, Like toil a-resting, lies the fallow plough.

The timid hares throw daylight fears away On the lane’s road to dust and dance and play, Then dabble in the grain by nought deterred To lick the dew-fall from the barley’s beard; Then out they sturt again and round the hill Like happy thoughts dance, squat, and loiter still, Till milking maidens in the early morn Jingle their yokes and sturt them in the corn; Through well-known beaten paths each nimbling hare Sturts quick as fear, and seeks its hidden lair.

John Clare (1793-1864) WPL

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Clubs

If your club isn’t featured, email details to clubs@wplife.co.uk Monday

Do you enjoy listening to show tunes, big band music, jazz, light classics etc?

Come along to an evening of live music played by top artistes. .

We meet on the second Monday of each month at our Banstead venue BANSTEAD ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB Church Institute Hall, High Street, Banstead SM7 2NN 12th March – Andrew Varley, 16th April – Ian Griffin Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start.(Visitors £7) Visitors & new members are always welcome to our concerts. Further details from 020 8330 5795, or visit www.bansteadorganclub.co.uk WORCESTER PARKERS WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meet on the 3rd Monday of every month 7.45pm to 9.45pm at Christchurch with St Philip Church Hall in Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. For more information contact Giselle Belcher 0208 404 6713.

Tuesday

The WORCESTER PARK DRAMATIC SOCIETY is a local amateur drama group of long standing. We stage two major productions a year at the Adrian Mann Theatre in Ewell, in April and November. We meet every Tuesday and most Fridays at 8.15 pm in the Elmcroft Community Centre in North Cheam, on the Sainsbury’s site. Apart from play readings, rehearsals and set construction, we have quiz nights and various social events. We also arrange group outings to amateur and professional theatre productions. We welcome new members to help us stage future productions, anyone willing to act or work backstage. The latter includes stage management, set construction, sound and lighting.

If interested, please contact our membership secretary, Joyce Cranfield, on 020 8337 3317.

Wednesday

Keep Fit Stay Fit every Wednesday 10.15-11.15am at Christ Church with St Philip, Ruskin Road. Come along and give it a try ! For more information please call Jo Hamilton on 020 8786 3444.

Thursday

NHS RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP Are you retired or about to retire from the NHS? Why not join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10am -12 at Christ Church Hall, Christchurch Rd, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. We have speakers, activities, coffee & a chat. Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. For more details please contact Lorna on 020 83374121.

East Surrey Family History Society For those who are interested in finding out how to investigate their family history the Sutton Branch of the East Surrey Family History Society holds meetings on the first Thursday of the month at St Nicholas Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane. Most months we have a professional speaker.

Further details of all our branch meetings, can be found at Our award winning website www.esfhs.org.uk See www.esfhs.org.uk for more information about the society and future meetings.

60+ SOCIAL MIXED SINGLE GROUP We meet in a local pub every Thursday where we discuss outings for the weekends such as meal out, walking, theatre trips, cinemas and many

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other things. If you would like to join us please ring Maureen: 07761278661.

Friday

QUEST was set up in 1987 to provide a meeting place for people with physical disabilities between the ages of 20 - 60.

However, once a member there is no age cut off. The aim of the club is to provide a welcoming, caring atmosphere for the members and allow the carers to have a regular break.

Everyone pays an annual subscription. and we all pay £2.50 for our lunch, which is cooked on the premises.

We have various social activities and every second month we have a speaker, outings can be arranged if enough people wish to go. The venue is St. Philip Hall, Christchurch with St. Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. We meet the 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month from 12.45 to 4p.m Contact June Day, Club Secretary, on 02083301220 RSPB EPSOM AND EWELL LOCAL GROUP We meet the 2nd Friday of every month at 7.30, apart from July and August, at All Saints Church Hall Fulford Road, West Ewell with guest speakers who illustrate their enthusiasm on a variety of natural history subjects. Our speakers are of a high quality and we welcome anyone who has an interest in this area. We also have several birding outings throughout the year which is arranged to suit all ages. There is a small charge for non-members of the RSPB. If you would like more information, please look at our website, www.rspb.org.uk/groups/epsom

General

AURIOL BOWLING CLUB was established in 1967, and plays on the 6-rink bowling green attached to the pavilion in Auriol Park, Salisbury Road, Worcester Park.

It is a mixed club of around 45 men and 25 women, who play outdoors from April to September, with a busy fixture list of league and friendly matches against other clubs, as well as internal club competitions.

For further information please contact the club Secretary, David Regan, on 020 8337 8919 (email:clubsecretary@ auriolbowlingclub.com), or visit the website at www.auriolbowlingclub.com.

Social Dancing with “ GLITTERS” At Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell Village 8.15 pm – 11.00 pm Entrance £8 Over 18’s All standards Bar & Free parking & Professional D J We may not have Brucie but we do have a glitter ball! Mar 16th Apr 6th, May 4th, June 1st, July 6th, Aug 3rd, Sept 7th & 21st, Oct 5th & 19th, Nov 2nd&16th Dec 21st. CALL 07903 314276

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To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Fun for under 5s There’s lots going on for pre-schoolers in Worcester Park (term time only)

Thursday

Epsom & Ewell Toy Library term time 9.30 to 12.30 at Riverview Children’s Centre, Riverview Primary School, West Ewell, which is just off of Ruxley Lane (at the ewell By Pass end).

0208 337 7310 Refreshments are available, so come along to play & have a cuppa and a chat! £3 to join/year, please bring 2 forms of ID

Friday

Monday

Worcester Park Baptist Church 9.30-11.30- a lively toddler group, where carers of any kind are welcome to attend and supervise their youngsters. Our age range is from young babies to 3-4 years. Sarah on 020 8393 7299 or email via the church’s website www.wpbc.org.uk Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group is a very welcoming and relaxed place to meet new friends for yourself and your toddlers. We are open to all Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Carers. We meet in the Church Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30 until 11.15am during term time

Tuesday

Toddling2Church, Christ Church with St Philip 2-3pm Parents, carers and pre-school children are all welcome to join us for songs with percussion instruments, a Bible story simply and sensitively told, a story-related craft activity and, of course, drinks and biscuits.

Wednesday

Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see Monday

Christ Church with St Philip Parent and Toddler Group 9.30 until 11.15am - see Monday St. Mary’s Parent and Toddler Group meets 10.00 11.30am in the Parish Centre. Families enjoy making new friends in a relaxed atmosphere, while their children play safely. Ladies from St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union serve refreshments during the morning for both adults and children. Feel free to pop in and check us out any Friday morning during term time; you can be sure of a warm welcome. For more information, please contact the Parish Office tel: 020 8337 4026

Saturday

Men behaving Dadly, Grace Church - every 3rd Saturday of the month, 9.30 to 11 am, at Green Lane Primary School.

For Dads and their pre-school children (0-4). The kids get to play with the toys, the Dads get a bacon roll and coffee, and Mums might possibly get a lie-in... £3 on the door. For more information & contact details, www.gracechurchworcesterpark.org Old Malden Library (Church Road, Worcester Park) Tuesdays, 10.30-11am, Rhyme time aimed at age 0-3 Tuesdays, 2.30-3pm, Story time aimed at age 3+ WPL

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          

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Tel: 07721021290 www.rascalsoftplay.co.uk

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s d o o F e n i F s d a He

A genuine family run butchers shop and r Authorised Stockist fo Real Meat Company meat and poultry. # Great selection of additive free sausages and burgers e # Pies, pasties, sausag rolls and much more op all handmade in the sh ion # Comprehensive select n of traditional and moder 31 March 12 choices

Heads Fine Foods w Malden, n Road, Ne ngstoWelfare 135 Ki High meat 208 942 058 Surrey KT3 3NX Tel:0 from The Real Butchers the shop.

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Company t0582 8942 Mea49 Real The020

dently therealbutchers@btconnect.com Since 1986, the indepen ny has pro mpa3NX 135 Kingstonow Road, New Meat CoKT3 al Malden, ned Re e to intensi vided a clear alternativ HIGH WELFARE, ADDITIVE FREE, High welfare meat. from Head Fine Foods MEAT, POULTRY AND EGGS. farming You won’t know how good it ise until you try it! enanc Our uniqu take on prov ace countability delivers pe d ac To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk an or call 020 8336 2915 49 mind and superb

What’s on Give blood www.blood.co.uk tel:0300 123 23 23 St James’s Church Hall, Malden Road, KT3 5QD Wednesday 7 March 2pm to 4.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm Wednesday 21 Mar 2pm to 4.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm

Sainsburys, London Road, North Cheam, SM3 9AA Monday 12 Mar 9:30am to 12.30pm 2pm to 4pm

AFC Wimbledon Football Club Jack Goodchild Way 422A Kingston Road KT1 3PB Thursday 22 March 2pm to 4.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm North Cheam Sports And Social, 658 London Road, North Cheam, SM3 9BY Wednesday 14 Mar 2pm to 4.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm Worcester Park St Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park, KT4 8LH Wednesday 04 Apr 2pm to 4.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm Friends Of Nonsuch All our events and openings take place in the Service Wing of Nonsuch Mansion (accessed via the Cheam Gate Entrance to Nonsuch Park on the Ewell Road (A232)) Nonsuch Palace Gallery will be open from -every Sunday 11am - 2pm Admission: Adults £2.50, Children (under 16) 50p, under-5s and Members free.

Music Appreciation Class On Monday afternoon these popular classes will continue This is a very friendly group for members and friends. The fee for the ten weeks is £40. All profits go to FON funds.

For further information please ring Joyce Shaw on 8642 2845 On Sunday 25 March at 6.30 pm, in St Mary’s Church at the top of The Avenue, the choir of St Mary’s will be joined by the choir of St Matthew’s Surbiton in singing the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, to mark Passion Sunday. More details from the Parish Office (8337 4026).

Seacombe Theatre Sutton 020 8770 6990 DANCE WITH GRACE Sun 04, Sun 11 J DANCE STUDIOS - COLOUR MY WORLD Sat 03 Sat 10th Martch - the Briefcase Blues Brothers - see the advert on page 3 OLIVER Produced by Sutton Theatre Company Tue 27, Wed 28, Thu 29, Fri 30, Sat 31 SOPHIE CAUSBROOK, MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Fri 23 Epsom Playhouse Thu 1 Mar Film Anonymous 7.30 pm Thu 1 Mar Brett Goldstein (Myers) 7.30 pm Fri 2 Mar Film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 7.30 pm Sat 3 Mar Fable and Fantasy 7.30pm £13 / £12 concessions / £5 under 16 Sun 4 Mar Scout and Guide Band 5.30pm Tue 6 Mar Tim Vine 8pm £17 Wed 8 Mar Helena Blackman Thursday 8 March 7.30pm Helena Blackman BBC How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria finalist celebrates classic animated movie music

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Friday 9 March 8pm The Rat Pack of Opera - Tenors Unlimited Top classical boy band Friday 16 March 7.45pm Rock n Roll Paradise Astonishingly good look and soundalikes perform classics from Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran, Roy Orbison, The Big Bopper and Elvis Thursday 29 March 7.30pm The Help (12a) Starring Emma Stone and Viola Davis Friday 30 March 7.30pm Pavao Quartet String Quartet formed at Royal Academy of Music Saturday 31 March 7.30pm Herman’s Hermits Top ‘60s band live on stage The Rose Theatre Box Office: 08444 821556 (bkg fee) www. rosetheatrekingston.org (bkg fee) Pretty Ugly Wed 7 Mar 3pm Tickets: £5.50 Katie was 15 years old when she made a New Year’s Resolution - to lose weight. The following years of anorexia, hospitalisation, recovery and relapse are all recounted candidly in her book, which inspired playwright, Geoff Lawson to write the play for Powerhouse Theatre Company.

Loving Linda Sun 11 Mar 7pm Featuring stand up comedy from the following superb comedians: Andy Hamilton (Old Harry’s Game, QI), Shappi Khorsandi (Shappi Talk), Mark Steel (Mark Steel’s In Town), Robin Ince (Infinite Monkey Cage) and Susan Calman (News Quiz). With live music from Sarah Jane Morris (The Communards). All Tickets £30 Time To Talk with Joely Richardson Mon 12 Mar 5:30pm Stephen Unwin chats with the award-winning film and television actress about her impressive career, and her return to the London stage as the leading lady in Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea. Tickets: £5 (£3 for concessions) Fascinating Aida Sun 18 Mar 7.30pm Three times Olivieraward nominated and now a global internet sensation, Fascinating Aïda are still Britain’s best comedy cabaret trio.

This brand new show will include several numbers hot off the press, plus a few old favourites including Cheap Flights (7 million plus hits on YouTube) as well as The Dogging Song, a fond homage to the joys of al fresco sex. Tickets £15-£19.50 The Winter’s Tale 7.30pm Tue 20, Thurs 22, Fri 23; 2pm Sat 24 Henry V 7.30pm Wed 21, Sat 24; 2pm Thurs 22 Propeller is an all-male Shakespeare company which seeks to find a more engaging way of expressing Shakespeare and to more completely explore the relationship between text and performance. Mixing a rigorous approach to the text with a modern physical aesthetic, they have been influenced by mask work, animation and classic and modern film and music from all ages. Tickets £8 - £25 Rich Hall Sun 25 Mar 7.30pm Rich Hall’s renowned grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and king of rapid-fire wit. Tickets £8 - £15 Comedy Store Saturday 31 March 7.30pm The Comedy Store continue their monthly residency presenting the best stand-up from around the globe on your doorstep. Tickets: £10-12 (£14 on the door) Kingston & Sutton Concert Band Showcase Sun 1 Apr 6pm Kingston and Sutton Music Services are joining together in an exciting concert showcasing their six Concert Bands.

All Tickets £5 - £8

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

The Crucible Fri 6 & Sat 7 Apr 7.30pm Fri 6 & Sat 7; 2pm Sat 7 Parallels between Salem’s infamous witch-hunt and 1950s McCarthyism have been studied in schools across the world. Rose Youth Theatre and Rose Plus Players combine forces to present a sumptuous and exciting version of this classic masterpiece.

Here Thu 19 Apr - Sat 12 May Rarely seen on stage, Here is a touching and brilliant razor-sharp comedy about a young couple facing the challenge of organising their new apartment and their new relationship.

Comedy Store Saturday 29 April 7.30pm The Comedy Store continue their monthly residency presenting the best stand-up from around the globe on your doorstep. Tickets: £10-12 (£14 on the door) Time To Talk with Michael Frayn Tue 1 May 5:30pm Playwright and novelist, Michael Frayn talks to Stephen Unwin about his career in both drama and prose fiction.

Tickets: £5 (£3 for concessions) Time To Talk with Jo Brand Wed 9 May 5:30pm Since leaving her job as a psychiatric nurse in 1987, Jo has built a large following across the UK resulting in a nomination for the Perrier Award in 1992. Jo Brand is the star and writer of Getting On, the BBC’s BAFTA award winning series, Jo Brand’s Hot Potatoes (BBC1) and the award-winning Through the Cakehole (Channel 4). Tickets: £5 (£3 for concessions) WPL

Free ads You can advertise items (under £150) here - they will also appear in our New Malden magazine The Village Voice.

Just email freeads@wplife.co.uk 17th March for our April editions.

Brand new, unused in packaging, John Lewis fold out camp bed, £50. New Malden area contact Yvonne 0795 1416274.

Large Holdall Samsonite. As new (paid £79) for £50 020 8949 4651 JOHN LEWIS CABIN BED & SLIDE UNDER DESK UNIT Very good condition, sturdy pine construction.

Takes a standard 190/90 cm mattress (not supplied) Already disassembled, easy reassembly, buyer collects. £85 Call 07501 430860 Thuka Maxi 10 midsleeper Princess Bed in VGC with accessories and memory foam mattress - see http:// is.gd/thukapics for details -- £150 ONO -- 07976 930146. WPL

FREE PUBLIC HEALTH AWARENESS EVENINGS DG Accountancy Services provide a friendly and professional service at an affordable price.

Based in Epsom and Worcester Park Services offered include: For the Sole Trader: • Tax Returns • Bookkeeping For Limited Companies: • Bookkeeping • Statutory Accounts • Corporation Tax Contact Darren on:

St Anthony’s Hospital, North Cheam, is hosting a spring series of 3 free lectures.

22nd March – Ovarian Cancer (Dr Susana Banerjee, Consultant Medical Oncologist)

26th April – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Dr Pritash Patel, Consultant Gastroenterologist)

24th May – Arthritis (Dr Oliver Duke, Consultant Rheumatologist) These Lectures will be from 7-8pm including some time for questions.

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To reserve a place please call: 020 8335 4556

T: 0203 371 7939 • M: 07877 974913 E: info@businesstaxaccountants.co.uk FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION • FIXED PRICE FEE SERVICE

See our website for a full list of services and price guide

www.businesstaxaccountants.co.uk

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

51

Growing Peppers

by Pippa Greenwood

Growing your own peppers is not much more involved than growing tomatoes, so why not give it a try? Pepper plants can be unbelievably pretty too, with fruits in a range of shapes and colour, generally on compact plants and preceded by small and very pretty white flowers. This is a plant with great ornamental as well as edible potential.

Both chilli and sweet - or bell - peppers can be grown in a greenhouse border, in a sunny spot in the garden in warmer parts of the country, or on a sunny, sheltered spot on the patio. The heavier, earlier crop will come if you grow the plants in a greenhouse or conservatory, but it is well worth growing them outside too.

Sweet peppers, especially the red ones, are very high in vitamin A and both red and green peppers are also very high in vitamin C. Chilli peppers also have a good supply of vitamins C and A and in addition, contain both beta-carotene and something called capsaicin which is believed to have a useful effect on blood cholesterol levels.

The seeds are readily obtainable from many catalogues or garden centres but make sure you take into account the level of heat that each type delivers. Most seed packets and catalogues do make it very clear.

Sow the seeds between now and early April. I use a multi-purpose or a seed compost, but for good germination you will need to provide a bit of extra warmth, ideally from a heated propagator positioned in a spot where it receives plenty of natural light. If you don’t have the time or facilities to raise your own from seed, you can always buy a few plants in a garden centre or send off for them. We offer two tasty varieties as part of my ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system (see www.pippagreenwood.com for details).

Keep the plants a tiny bit drier than you would a tomato plant and feed regularly with a high-potash liquid feed (most readily available as a ‘tomato food’).

This helps to keep the plants growing strongly and the potash will encourage plenty of flowers and so fruits to form.

If you are going for plants in pots, choose a planter that has good drainage and is 30cm (12in) or more in

52

diameter, adding broken pots for extra drainage. Once there is no danger of late frosts you can put them outside in a sheltered, sunny spot.

If you’re after the hottest possible heat from your chilli peppers, then you’ll find this comes from fruits that are totally ripe and from peppers that are grown in warmer conditions.

If you are growing sweet peppers in patio pots then you are likely to find that there are still some unripened fruits on the plants when temperatures start to fall at the end of summer and well into autumn. To increase the chances of these ripening and increasing to full size, move the pots to a warmer spot or, if possible, to a porch, conservatory or greenhouse where they’ll get extra warmth and also plenty of natural light.

If you want chillies that look particularly good on the patio there are plenty to choose from. ‘Black Pearl’ is a hot chilli pepper with a distinct blackish tinge to the mature leaves and fruits that are black early on and mature darkest red. For classic chillis with bright red, finger shaped fruits try ‘Thai Dragon’.

Visit www.pippagreenwood.com to make veg growing easy.

You’ll receive garden ready veg plants PLUS every week Pippa emails you hints, tips and advice about your chosen veg.

From just £39 for up to 66 garden-ready plants, 6 packets of seed and the weekly emails. WPL

Andy Reeve

Plumbing & Heating Engineer ALL PLUMBING SERVICES from tap washers, toilets & garden taps through to installation of Central Heating Systems, Kitchens & Bathrooms.

No call out charges • Over 25 years in the trade Mob : 07973 733649 / Tel : 020 8393 0180 andyreeve.plumber@virginmedia.com

Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

NO VAT Tel: 01737 850 870 www.crystalcleanovens.com

PRICES

OVENS✶COOKERS✶AGAS HOBS✶EXTRACTORS✶MICROWAVES BBQ’S✶FRIDGES✶FREEZERS DISHWASHERS Single Oven Double Oven Racks Hobs Extractor Grill Pans Microwaves

£36.00 £46.00 Each £2.00 From £15.00 From £15.00 Each £3.00 £18.00

Using NonCaustic, non-toxic products in your home

The Association of Approved Oven Cleaners www.ovencleaning.net

KING GEORGE FIELD INDOOR BOWLS CLUB

Learn to Bowl Free Coaching All Ages & Abilities Welcome Bar • Restaurant Social Events Large Car Park FUNCTION ROOM FOR ALL OCCASIONS Jubilee Way, Chessington KT9 1TR

Tel: 020 8397 7025

www.kgfindoorbowlsclub.co.uk

IT’S A DIRTY JOB WHY DO IT YOURSELF

When times are tough you have to shout about your business

EVEN LOUDER Be seen and heard by the your local market in the Village Voice and Worcester Park Life.

With competitive pricing, friendly efficient service and helpful advice it’s simple and effective 53 - but then the best ideas always are.

Call jenny on 020 8336 2915 or go online www.maldenmedia.com

To advertise email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Index of advertisers Call 020 8336 2915 to advertise www.wplife.co.uk Accountancy

Accountancy Services

Beauty & Health

51

Glitz’n’Glam Riverside Chirpractic Clinic New Victorian Hospital St Anthony’s Hospital

9 42 23 51

Home Instead

32

Care

Car hire, maintenance & repair

a3 Self Drive 15 Shannon Corner Service Centre 6

Charity

St Raphaels

Children

3

Rascals 48 Sunny Signers 48

Cleaning services

Bits and Bobs

31 Crystal Clean Ovens 53 Ovens2New 42

Computing

Food & Drink

Centrals Bar Lake Thomas Cakes Midas Touch The Real Butchers The Vin Bin

Home, gardening, decorating

Hotels

Roberts Driving School

38

Linley House School The Study School Tudor Bec College Westbury House

46 33 47 39

Kitchens, bathroom & plumbing

Education & classes

Antoinette 19

Andy Reeve Plumber Bathroom Refurbishment Dreamdoors Kitchens Smith & Byford Top Drawer kitchens

Opticians

R Woodfall

26

Cats at Home Green Lane Farm Boarding Worcester Bark

10 11 44

Pets services

Printing

AC Gardening 35 Carpets 4 U 13 Craftwerk Carpentry & decorating 43 Cypress (Garden Services 10 David John Painter and decorator 25 Elegant Curtains 16 Emerald Plastering 25 Interpave 21 Interalia Services Ltd 24 Robinson & Son painters & decorators 9 RJ Trees 14 Surrey Doors 21 Tollworth Fencing 2 TSD Building 5

Megabytes 36

Driving Schools

17 15 17 49 35

Fresh Printing 43 Mr Ink 18

Private Car Hire

Ladysafe 56

Property

Browns Residential Shopping Tudor Williams Unilet Sound & Vision

Sport and Leisure

55 12

Kids love to Dance 37 King George Indoor Bowls Club 53 Moves Fitness 39 Protegem 11 Splish Splash 37

Windows

Cheam Windows

51 20 40 34 45

We endeavour to keep the magazine as varied as we can with lots of editorial content. If you’d like to write an article for the magazine, whether it’s a memory, gripe, thank you, investigation, bit of advice, challenge, something you feel passionately about, or an article about the club that you belong to, please get in touch.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the editor. All advertisements are commercial and not indicative of any endorsement by the editor who accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine.

All in-house artwork and editorial presented in this magazine remains the copyright of Malden Media.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored on any retieval system, or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical. recording, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission from the Publisher.

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Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers

22

across th 60% off

Single was was £80 £80 now now £32 £32 Single Double was was £120 £120 now now £48 £48 Double King was was £140 £140 now now £56 £56 King PRICE SPRING HOMEWARES EVE PRICE SPRING EVE Superking was £160 £160HOMEWARES now £64 £64 Superking was now Elphicks, your your local local Department Department Store, Store, West West Stre Str Elphicks,

E 50% HALF PRICE SPRING HOMEWARES EVENT HALF HALF STARTS THURSDAY 8TH MARCH

Dorma Rosalina bedding.

Dorma Rosalina bedding.

Nimbus Duck feather feather and down Nimbus Duck and down Single includes includes 11 pcase, pcase, all all other other sizes sizes include include 22 pillowcases. pillowcases.

Single 10.5tog duvet duvet 10.5tog

Less than60% halfoff price

Single was £80 now £32 Single now Single rrp rrp £80was our £80 price £35£32 Single £80 our price £35 Double was £120 now £48 was £120 now DoubleDouble rrp £115 £115 our price £50£48 Double rrp our price £50 King was £140 now £56 King was £140 now £56 King rrp £140 our price £65 King rrp £140 our price £65 EVENT - STARTS THURSDAY 8TH MARCH Superking was £160 now £64 Superking was £160 now Superking rrp £175 £175 our price £75£64 Superking rrp our price £75 st Street, Farnham. Tel 01252 716222 www.elphicks.co.uk

half price items

the store Pillows Pillows Nimbus Duck feather feather and down down Nimbus Duck and Gourmet 12 piece 10.5tog duvet 10.5tog Half priceduvet spice rack

Less than half price Half price

So Soft Soft pillow pillow pair pair was was £32 £32 now now £16 £16 So Cotton Touch Touch pillow pillow was was £25 £25 now now £12.50 £12.50 Cotton Single rrp rrp £80 £80 our our price price £35 £35 Single Norfolk duck duck feather feather and and down pillow pillow

Norfolk Double rrp rrp £115 £115down our price price £50 £50 Double our was £30 £30 now now £15 £15 was King rrp £140 £140 our our price price £65 £65 King rrp ES EVENT - STARTS THURSDAY 8TH MARCH Norfolk white goose down pillow Norfolk white goose down pillow was £50.00 now £24.99 Superking rrp £175 £175 our price £75 Superking rrp our price £75 e, West Street, Farnham. Tel 01252 716222 www.elphicks.co.uk was £80 £80 now now £40 £40 was

Pillows Pillows Brushed stainless steel 6pce Gourmet 12 piece Zero Twist cotton towels Zero Twist cotton towels knife blockHalf with sharpening price spice rack steel Half price So Soft pillow pair was £32 now £16 £16 andpair hachoir So Soft pillow was £32 now

s.

Cotton Touch Touch pillow pillow was was £25 £25 now now £12.50 £12.50 Cotton Hand was was £14 now £6.50 £6.50 Hand £14 now Norfolk duck feather and down down pillow pillow Norfolk duck feather and Bath was was £26 now £13 Bath £26 now £13 was £30 now £15 was £30 now £15 Sheet was £40goose now £20 £20 Sheet was £40 now Norfolk white goose down pillow Norfolk white down pillow was £50.00 now £24.99 was £90.00 now £45.00 was £80 £80 now now £40 £40 December December March 2011 2011 2012 was March 2012

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Brushed stainless steel 6pce Zero Twist cotton towels Zero Twist cotton towels Chefmate Cuisine 4pce cream knife block with sharpening steel non stick cookware set Half price and hachoir

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Half price Half price Your Local Department Store Hand was was £14 £14 now now £6.50 £6.50 Hand Bath was was £26 £26 now now £13 £13 Bath Sheet was was £40 £40 now now £20 £20 Sheet

24 xx R&A R&A FARNHAM FARNHAM & & VILLAGES VILLAGES 24

£90.00now now £45.00 was was £120.00 £59.99 December March 2011 2011 2012 December March 2012 55

Meyer SelectCuisine stainless steelcream Chefmate 4pce 6 pcestick saucepan set non cookware set

Half price Half price

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Loose value £224.00 wasnow £120.00 now £59.99 £112.00 FARNHAM & VILLAGES R&A 2011 x 25 December March 2012

email jenny@wplife.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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High Streetsteel Meyer Select stainless

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

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Worcester Park area  

  Destination  Heathrow  Gatwick  Stanstead City Airport  Luton  London  Southampton 

 Car

 £40.00  £35.00  £105.00 £75.00  £95.00  £55.00  £135.00 

 Estate

 £45.00  £40.00  £125.00 £95.00  £105.00  £60.00  £145.00 

 

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 6 Seater   £50.00  £45.00  £145.00 £115.00  £125.00  £80.00  £180.00  

 7 Seater  £60.00  £55.00  £155.00 £125.00    £135.00  £90.00  £190.00 

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 

 

                   

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         Please remember to mention Worcester Park Life when you speak to our advertisers     

     