Malden's Village Voice March 2019 by jenny stuart

Malden’s

illage oice

KT3’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide March ‘19 Issue 161

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Welcome to YOUR Village Voice March

from jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

At the end of January, I was part of an amazing team who put on a quiz night as a fundraiser for the Lunchbowl Network, which feeds and educates desperate and often vulnerable children from the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. The unique aspect of this quiz? Questions were recorded on video by 64 amazing celebrities, from the worlds of film, TV, music to name but a few. Our wonderful host, comedian Dom Holland was introduced by Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh and even Spider-man was there – one of 400 quizzers who came for a sit-down meal, enjoyed lots of laughter and all helped us raise an incredible £15,000 for the charity!! We had lots of really generous sponsors and almost 50 helpers gave up their time to help us pull off such an amazing total. This charity is run entirely by volunteers, which means that 97.5p out of every £ we raise goes to help.

& Since ‘05

I hope you enjoy the magazine this month, please use our advertisers and keep hold of it until you get the next one. So we can deliver the magazine to most of the KT3 postcode, we split the distribution over a two month period. If you have had this edition delivered you probably won’t get the April one. There are a limited number of copies available from Waitrose, New Malden library, Tudor Williams and the Malden Centre but don’t forget that it is also published online - you can get the link from our website. The copy dates for the next couple of editions are below. If you’d like to advertise or have a local story to tell, please call or email. Until next time, best wishes,

Since ‘08

Published by Malden Media Ltd Editor Jenny Stuart jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk 020 8336 2915 www.maldenmedia.co.uk 36 Rosebery Avenue KT3 4JS

This month, a few of us are going to Nairobi to see the latest project that Lunchbowl has taken on – a Primary School – and also revisit our kindergarten and Saturday feeding programme. Excitement is tinged with apprehension, but this will, for sure, increase the drive to fundraise and volunteer for Lunchbowl and other charities closer to home. If you’re in a position to, and don’t already, then why not take the leap and find a good cause or voluntary organisation that you can get involved with. If you do, let me know!

Jenny Deadline for our April editions 21st March Deadline for our May editions 21st April

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 Ltd. 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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New Malden History A Cigar Smoking Easter Egg by Robin Gill Fred Emney Snr was “born into the theatre” in 1865, his uncle Arthur Williams was one of the best comic actors in Victorian and Edwardian theatre, creating the parts of Sir Mincing Lane, and Sir Whiffle Whaffle amongst the 1000 roles he played during his career. Williams encouraged his nephew into the acting profession, and Emney made his debut at the Court Theatre Liverpool in 1885 with his uncle in a touring production. Frederick Arthur Round Emney was born on 12th February 1900 at Woolton Liverpool the birth announced in the Stage and Era newspapers of “A fine boy”. After pantomime season in Liverpool, his father was the other end of the country playing in “For The King” a historical drama, at Boscombe Grand taking the part of Rupert Vane. This play was touring the provinces, so it was uncertain when he would see his wife and new baby. As soon as Fred had finished in the tour, he began at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane in the “Marsac Of Gascony”, so it looked as though his young family would have to move to London to be with him. Fred Emney (Snr) had already accepted a booking for the pantomime season at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane London for Christmas 1900. Two sisters Doris and Blanche also had been born in Liverpool in 1896 and 1898.

in particular “A Sister To Assist Er” became a national favourite, and was performed countless times up and down the country. Equally popular were “The Arrival Of A Rival” and “An Old Lady Crossing A Stile” played with supreme comedic effect. Emney (snr) had played at the Royal County Theatre Kingston in the summer of 1898 in the part of the Earl of Rintoul in The Little Minister by JM Barrie, and again in October 1916 in the part of Mr Gilder in “Within The Law”, so knew the area well. Malden becomes home Arrived in New Malden 1905 at 2 Sidney Villas large house on the Coombe Road near to the railway station. Moved to Burlington Villa (66) Acacia Grove in 1907. This was a large (9 roomed) house with an extensive garden. It was one of the oldest properties in New Malden being built by John King in the 1860s (see We Two Kings). It was named Burlington as John’s wife Jane originally came from that town in Yorkshire. (now Bridlington). It may be possible that Burlington Road was later named for a similar reason. The couple had two children John b1850, and Grace who was born in 1843. Grace married James Oliver Woollacott on 12th August 1863. He was the son of one of the founders of the Baptist Church in New Malden (Rev John Christopher Woollacott). Unfortunately, the marriage did not last long as Grace died on 21st October 1876 aged only 33. Jane died in 1871, and John remarried this time to a widow called Alice Robertson, coincidently also from Bridlington. She brought with her, her three children Mary, George and James. George and James followed their stepfather into the iron business.

By 1901 the family of five had settled into Camberwell in London, and doing pretty well as the household included two live in servants. Fred embarked on another tour, this time with “Two Little Drummer Boys” a major production which involved the transportation Gardeners world of nearly two tons of scenery from one venue to the When Fred (snr) was not on tour, he developed next. The cast included a dozen boys with drums, fifes, enthusiasm for his garden at Malden. His friends in the and bugles. Emney found himself much in demand theatre, started to called him Farmer Emney because to supply the humour in musical comedies finding of his passion for the land. But he managed to create success in “La Mascotte”, Madame Favart, and “The a show garden in this village near London, designed Yashmak”. He started branching out into melodrama by himself, showing a love of colour and lawns. He and romantic leads. His next move was towards developed a bowling green smooth and weed less, Christmas seasons in pantomimes and developing flanked by great banks of roses. Initially, working by his act for music halls. Appearing alongside Little himself, later employing two full-time gardeners. It Tich, Harry Tate, George Graves, and George Robey, was a wonderful family life in Acacia Grove especially these also became friends of the family. One sketch 6 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

when Fred (snr) was at home, and Fred (jnr) always went to watch his father perform if it were local. Visitors to the house included those performers already mentioned and others such as Charles Austin, Cyril Maude, and Fred’s (Jnr) godfather GP Huntley. Fred’s (jnr) first education was at St Cuthberts in Sandal Road run by Florence Merryweather. He then attended school at Cranleigh Surrey from 1908, where by his own admission skipped most classes to practice on his first love the piano. He left in 1915, not telling anyone he was off but determined to make a career on the stage. His first performance was as a hotel page “in “Romance”, but Fred aged 15 was still a growing lad, and when he outgrew his costume the company decided it was cheaper to hire a new actor than buy Fred a new suit. In his second show “The Best Of Luck” in 1916 he portrayed a monocle-wearing ‘silly ass’, a role that he was to play with great success for the remainder of his career. The wrong slippers Tragedy struck the family in January 1917. Fred (snr) was playing one of the principal parts in the

pantomime Cinderella at the London Opera House. During the performance Fred slipped and fell injuring his spine. He still carried on and finished the performance and in fact completed the act for the next few nights. But the pain was worse, and despite two operations he succumbed to his injuries. Dr Cran of New Malden officially gave the cause of death as a heart attack after an inquest, when Fred died on 7th January. The funeral and burial took place at St Johns Old Malden on January 12th with Fred (jnr) the principal mourner. The large number of wreaths that were sent, meant that a second hearse had to be hired to carry them. Fred felt the loss of his father deeply, and decided to do his bit in the war effort, firstly in the Life Guards where he was discovered to be too young for recruitment, and secondly in the Royal Flying Corps where he found the training physically too much. Despite that, he headed to America where the film industry was taking off. By chance, he met Charlie Chaplin, an old friend of his father, in Los Angeles and was told to turn up at the studio the next day for an audition. He did, but was promptly beaten up

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and sent packing by a security guard who refused to believe the 20-stone Englishman. Fifty years later he bumped into Chaplin in a London restaurant and reminded him of the appointment. “Good heavens,” Chaplin replied. “You’re late.” Pinky And Perky’s Sidekick After 11 years in vaudeville in the USA, Emney returned to Britain and became an established figure on the stage and cinema. He became one of a trio of comedians at the Gaiety Theatre from 1935-38 In all, he featured in more than 30 films, usually playing a pompous, posh, cigar-smoking aristocrat. During the 1950s, he had his own prime-time BBC television show, Emney Enterprises, which featured sketches and piano pieces often composed by him. He also had a short spell as straight man to puppets Pinky and Perky. In later years he was in demand for cameos in films such as The Italian Job, Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines and Oliver. He never forgot his links to Cranleigh. On one occasion a group of players from the school Rugby Club (Old Boys) decided to head to the West End one Saturday night to watch Emney’s one-man show. “They took a box and, at request time, loudly demanded the School song. Emney, much moved,

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duly obliged, accompanied fortissimo from the box. Picture the expressions on the remainder of the audience as Cranleines Gaudeamus echoed round the theatre, a strange song in a strange tongue, bellowed by a fat man in his underpants, tears streaming down his face …” Emney was also a regular visitor to the School where he often left a note in the Tuck Shop, along with some money, for the “fattest boy in the place” to treat himself and his friends. When he died on Christmas Day in 1980, The Times referred to “his vastness of size and girth”, adding: “There was no thin man inside him struggling to escape from his gargantuan frame, for he was obviously delighted with what he was. He was a highly original exponent of an old comic tradition.” Sadly, the house in Acacia Grove was demolished about 60 years ago, and replaced by the forty properties that make up Maple Court. Illustrations 1) Fred Emney Senior 2) Fred Emney Junior 3 ) Burlington Villa Acacia Grove home of the Emney family.

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Appeal New Malden men listed on British Normandy Memorial to be erected in France The idea for a British D-Day/Normandy Memorial, recording the names of all those serving in British units who died in Normandy, June-August 1944 - the first step in ending the Second World War in Europe, originated among Normandy Veterans who’ve long felt that Britain should have a national memorial to match those of its main wartime allies, the United States and Canada. It was championed by George Batts, the former National Secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association. Mr Batts, who’s now aged 93, was among the first British troops to land on ‘Gold Beach’ on 6 June 1944. “I saw many of my mates die on that beach,” Mr Batts said, “and it has never seemed right to me that Britain does not have a memorial in Normandy which records the names of all those Brits and comrades from other nations who lost their lives fighting to rid Europe of tyranny.” Now, seventy-five years after D-Day, the dream of veterans like George Batts is poised to become a reality. Backed by a grant of £20 million from the government’s LIBOR fund, the Normandy Memorial Trust has been developing its plans for the past three years. Fifty acres of land have been purchased in the village of Ver-sur-Mer on a hillside overlooking ‘Gold Beach’ and the Mulberry Harbour and British architect Liam O’Connor – creator among other things of the Bomber Command Memorial in London – has finalised his designs for the memorial [picture]. The ‘Roll of Honour’ of the names of 22,440 men (and two women) of the British Armed Forces from more than thirty different nations who died in the D-Day landings and the subsequent Battle of Normandy has been compiled by the trust’s researchers and will be inscribed on the memorial. At least eight men were from New Malden. Private James Hooker, aged 21, son of Thomas and Clarinda Hooker of Coombe Garden, was in the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was killed on 16 August near Le Plessis as his battalion moved to link up with the 49th Division. The inscription the family asked to be placed on his headstone in Banneville reads: ‘In loving memory of Jim. Silent thoughts and memories keep you forever near’

Others listed on the memorial fought in the wider campaign in support of the Battle of Normandy, not just the main land battlefield area that tourists typically visit, whom many wouldn’t consider part of the battle. But they definitely contributed. Flight Sergeant George

Jameson aged 31, of 49 Squadron, son of Arthur and Eliza Jameson of New Malden, was the Bomb Aimer in Lancaster ND684. On the night of 18/19 July 1944 his squadron took off from Fiskerton, Lincolnshire to attack the important railway junction at Revigny, in north-eastern France as part of the RAF’s role to hold up German reinforcements to the Normandy battlefield. But there was heavy German activity that night. His aircraft was hit by a night fighter at around 1.30am and crashed near Granges-sur-Aube, killing all on board. The site of the Normandy memorial will be formally inaugurated as part of the 75th anniversary commemorations of D-Day on 6th June this year. A Foundation Stone will be laid and the “D-Day Sculpture” commissioned by the trust from British sculptor David Williams-Ellis will be unveiled. But additional funds are needed and the trust has launched its “22,442 Sacrifice for Freedom” campaign to raise the £9 million needed to complete the memorial project. Lord Peter Ricketts, the former British Ambassador to France who chairs the trust’s board of trustees, said: “The launch of the trust’s public appeal is an opportunity for as many people as possible to show their support and help us to build a fitting tribute to the young soldiers, sailors and airmen who did not hesitate when they were asked to fight for Europe’s freedoms.” Among those who’ve campaigned most passionately for the memorial is Normandy Veteran Harry Billinge, aged 93. Last summer he embarked on a one-man fundraising initiative in the centre of his local town, St Austell in Cornwall. He singlehandedly raised more than £5,000.00. “This memorial means more to me than any other charity project I’ve ever been involved with. Please support it,” Mr Billinge said. To find out more and donate to the “22,442 Sacrifice for Freedom” campaign please visit ww.normandymemorialtrust.org or send a cheque payable to ’Normandy Memorial Trust’ to - The Secretary, The Normandy Memorial Trust, 56 Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AJ

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News Traffic safety petition With four school sites, three of which are primary schools, within the groves area of New Malden, a growing number of parents have expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of driving on pavements. On a nearly daily basis local parents are witnessing cars driving up onto the pavement and putting lives at risk, especially for small children often out of site for these drivers. We, a small group of Christ Church NM School parents have raised these concerns with our local councillors and the leader of the council, and asked them to act swiftly to address this dangerous driving and to re-consider a one way system. Unfortunately, there has been little progress. The council have suggested bollards and behaviour change, but we do not believe that bollards will work (these are regularly taken out by drivers) or behaviour changing approaches, as drivers in rush hour and school run times cause these issues and the risks and potential effect of pavement driving are too high.

pedestrians, as well as cyclists, from increasing traffic, congestion, and dangerous driving. It has been difficult to show the councillors how important this issue is to local parents and residents as public meetings are hard to get large numbers of people to attend. So we have started an online petition in order to evidence the concern and would appreciate your support in the form of a vote. If you would like to register your vote, please use this link https://bit.ly/2F33gI6 Please ensure you stipulate that you are from the borough of Kingston Upon Thames to make your vote count, as ‘Surrey’ or ‘London’ will not be included.

The Groves area (Lime Grove, Poplar Grove, Chestnut Grove and surround streets) has very narrow roads and the junctions are often small without great visibility. Parking is difficult and taking out spaces to create passing zones will exacerbate this issue. A one-way system had been piloted on Mount Road and part of Chestnut Grove which was successful in reducing dangerous driving and blockages, and is now a permanent fixture. We wish the Council to reconsider a one way system to other parts of the Groves area to protect all

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Recipe Potato and Broccoli Gratin This hearty vegetable gratin makes a great side dish for a Sunday roast, or a very satisfying vegetarian supper served with crusty bread and a mixed green salad.

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Ingredients 750g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks Salt and freshly ground black pepper 225g broccoli florets 1 tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, peeled and cut into thin wedges 25g butter 25g plain flour 300ml milk 150g mature Cheddar, grated 2 tsp Dijon mustard

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Preheat the oven to 200C, fan 180F, gas mark 6. Boil the potatoes in a large pan of lightly salted water for 8-10 minutes until almost tender, adding the broccoli to the pan for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Drain well and place in a large shallow ovenproof dish. Heat the oil in a large pan over a high heat and fry the onion for 3-4 minutes until just softened. Scatter the onion over the potatoes and broccoli. Melt the butter in the pan, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute until foaming. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the milk. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring all the time. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes, still stirring, until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Stir in the half the cheese and the mustard and simmer for a further minute. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the dish and scatter over the rest of the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve garnished with the basil leaves.

Choose a firm, waxy-fleshed potato such as Charlotte or Desiree for this dish, or try sweet potatoes instead. Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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New Malden Matters Smile! It may be better than we think A couple of Sundays ago my wife and I had to make a last minute visit to Aldi in the afternoon to get extra vegetables – not my ideal choice of how to spend time on a weekend afternoon but you know how things go ……. Anyway, said supermarket wasn’t too busy, we found what we needed and headed for home. “Simples!” as the meerkats say. However, that was when the fun really started. Getting out of the carpark into St John’s Road tortuous, despite considerate motorists in the Homebase / Aldi area adopting the “zipper principle”, but the tail back from the junction with Kingston Road where those wanting to pull out, either left or right are seldom even acknowledged let alone shown courtesy was grim. This relatively simple exercise took slightly over a quarter of an hour late on a quiet Sunday afternoon. This rammed home to me the potential nightmare scenarios that could follow the impending Fairview Homes development of the Homebase site. One thing is certain for the future, regardless what the final result of the eventual planning application is, this junction will need a comprehensive reconfiguration and traffic light control.

– Norbiton which is home to the development site and Beverley which is immediately adjacent and contains the only current exit road. A form of “consultation” meeting was held on Thursday 24th January to sound out local feelings and desires. To date the developer has indicated some changes: minor reduction to the scheme’s size (down to under 300 dwellings); “affordable” percentage of development 35% as an opening gambit (my italics), of which 2/3rds (= ca 24% of the total) at social rent; possible maximum of 7 storeys, highest buildings to rear of site; more attractive building materials; balconies for all; shrubbery to the front of the site to shield foremost buildings. In addition parking provision for 45% of the dwellings has been mentioned with overspill to be in part managed by sharing the Aldi / Matalan carpark – however, to date there appears to have been no discussion with either store! Of the parking provided on site 20% would have electric charging points with provision for the rest to be upgraded.

Thinking back to the initial exhibition last October the pure enormity of the scheme (circa 320 homes) drew plenty of criticism because of its immediately obvious impacts on so many aspects of daily life in its immediate area. I mean of course the basic lack of doctors, dentists, schools, etc. and the influx of several hundred people and their children, plus cars. Now I don’t want to over labour this last item but, even if the social infrastructure issues are adequately addressed, there is a trend amongst planners to glibbly assume that the under provision of parking will automatically result in residents abandoning their love affair with the CAR. Well I wish them good luck with that pious hope – for me the jury is still out! Anyway, the initial palpably negative reaction at the first presentation possibly gave the developer food for thought and things had gone fairly quiet. In the subsequent months, there’s been discussion between local residents and some common interests have been identified between the two local Wards most affected

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The problems of access have been aired already and it has been pointed out that one point of access doesn’t seem adequate. Local residents have suggested that an alternative exit into Dickerage Lane could ease matters but at this stage that doesn’t seem to be popular with the Road Traffic council officers; they have to consider the roads narrowness, juxtaposition to the school and the single track bridge over the railwaylines. In addition any alternative exit would likely have to be sited on land not currently controlled by the developer. Fairview Homes seem to have recognised that the road going forward is likely to be quite bumpy what ever they eventually apply for – they hope to get an approval late this year. Their planned start date has been put back to early 2020 with construction expected to run into 2023. General public consultation should take place in March but no date is yet fixed. So there is now considerably more detail available than in October but not many tangible crumbs of comfort for the local community. At the risk of making a sweeping assumption, I believe that a majority of local residents understand that this site will have to be developed. The question is how much pressure can be reasonably applied to the developer to limit its

density. Our area needs homes but not a depressing overly dense estate. On a positive note, we should take seriously the developer’s point that in simple terms the additional volume of cars this development will introduce into the Kingston Road traffic equation will be less than that generated by the existing Homebase shoppertraffic which it will replace. Trevor Heap www.newmaldenresidents.org.uk newmaldenresidents@gmail.com

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Visit our website: www.1stcallglazing.co.uk 80 Westway, Raynes Park SW20 9LS

FREE

ESTIMATES

The Complete Professional Flooring Specialists Domestic & Commercial ■ In-House Fully Trained Fitters ■ Major Stockists and Suppliers ■ Free Parking ■ Free Estimates ■

ES F TI RE M E AT ES

Registered to carry out ■ insurance Work

CLEARANCE REMNANTS CASH AND CARRY All Pieces 2M Or Less At £5.00 Piece

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To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915 Email Quotations: simplyfloors@aol.com

Puzzle Time answers on page 44

not so easy

fairly easy

Pictograms

WORDWHEEL

4 words BACK

SIDE SIDE

TARGET Excellent: 48 or more words Good: 39 words Fair: 30 words

2 words R I INDEX G

3 words

REVO 20

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

L S

E X

O O N

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I P

Codeword Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

Quick Quiz The Weather 1. What type of weather condition is defined by the Met Office “as moderate or heavy falling snow with winds speeds of 30 miles per hour or more and a reasonably extensive snow cover reducing visibility to 200 metres or less”? 2. “Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away” is the opening line of the theme song to which TV show? 3. What determines whether a particular type of weather phenomenon is called a hurricane, a cyclone and a typhoon?... a) its wind speed; b) its location; or c) the time of year it forms? 4. In which 1993 film is the main character a weatherman called Phil Connors? 5. Which two of Santa’s reindeer have names that are derived from words meaning “thunder” and “lightning”?

6. Derived from Greek terms meaning “the study of things high in the air”, what word refers to the study of the weather? 7. Which 1985 film’s title is also the name of an electrical weather phenomenon named after the patron saint of sailors? 8. According to the lyrics of the only hit single by The Weather Girls, it starts “raining men” at just about what time? 9. Used in weather stations, what is an anemometer used to measure? 10. In April 1986, what extreme weather condition led to the deaths of 92 people in Bangladesh?

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

Finance Cash ISAs – still worth it?

As we come to the end of the financial year, you may be wondering if it’s still worthwhile opening a cash ISA, and whether this tax-free savings account offers the significant benefits it once did. Gone are the days when banks and building societies battled to offer the best deal for ISA savers. Given the low savings interest rates of recent years, the high rates offered on some current accounts, and the introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance, why would you want to open a cash ISA at all? There are a few reasons to consider giving cash ISAs another chance. First of all, however, let’s look briefly at the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) to find out what it is and the impact it’s having on savers in the UK. What is the Personal Savings Allowance? The Personal Savings Allowance was introduced by the government in 2016 and allows you to earn £1,000 of savings interest tax-free. If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer the limit is £500, with additional rate taxpayers being ineligible for this tax-free allowance. You’d need a healthy savings pot to breach your PSA limit but of course that’s not impossible. Also, where previously an ISA was the only savings product offering tax-free interest, you can now use a number of different accounts, some of which offer much higher interest rates than an ISA. But the key here is that if you are likely to go over your PSA, cash ISA interest doesn’t count towards that limit, so you can earn it tax-free and still have your full £1,000 (or £500) PSA allowance. Potential for increased earnings and a change in tax bracket Whether you’re earning an average or relatively low wage at present, the potential exists for you to increase your earnings and change tax brackets in the future. The Personal Savings Allowance is halved to £500 for

higher rate taxpayers, and you may find the threshold isn’t as ‘out of reach’ in years to come as it currently seems. Add to this the likelihood of a rise in savings interest rates in the future and you’ll receive more interest on your savings, again effectively moving you closer to the limit of the Personal Savings Allowance. Saving flexibility Cash ISAs offer considerable flexibility, with some providers allowing you to withdraw money and pay it back during the same tax year without losing any of your ISA allowance. This allowance, currently £20,000 (tax year 2019/20),¹ can also be spread across a cash ISA and a stocks and shares ISA in the same tax year. The value of compound interest is also an important issue when considering the benefits of opening an ISA. If you don’t need ready access to your savings, you could amalgamate the balances of the cash ISAs you hold into a single fixed interest rate ISA account offering higher rates. Compound interest can accrue to a considerable sum over time, but don’t forget to keep the balance of your account within the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) limit in order to be safe – this is currently £85,000.² Potential to leave your ISA savings to your partner on death In April 2015, the government introduced new rules whereby the balance of an ISA on death can be inherited by a spouse or civil partner tax-free. In practice, they would able to use your ISA allowance (to the value of your ISA balance) as well as their own for the tax year in which you die. This ability to inherit ISA savings tax-free is a significant benefit not available with other savings accounts. Your Personal Savings Allowance cannot be inherited alongside this one-off ISA allowance, however.

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If you move abroad If you decide to move abroad, the rules state you cannot save into an ISA once the tax year in which you move has ended, unless you’re an employee of the Crown and you’ve moved for work purposes. This is because you’re no longer a UK resident for tax purposes, and you’re also prevented from transferring the account(s) to a new provider. There’s no need to close the account, however – you can use it again if you return to the UK. Consider a cash ISA as part of your savings mix Clearly, saving into an account other than a cash ISA offers benefits, but it’s not a good idea to totally discount them when interest rates are low. Cash ISAs can offer a safe haven for your savings in the long-term and can be passed down to your family tax-free. Rather than relying solely on your Personal Savings Allowance, which could always be altered if there’s a change in government, give some consideration to a cash ISA as a part of your savings plan.

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 may prove to be an important savings product for the future you, but don’t forget to shop around for the best rates.

WINDOW REPAIRS TO DOUBLE GLAZING DON'T REPLACE!!

REPAIR!

BROKEN OR DAMAGED?

GOOD AS NEW • • Free estimates No call out charge TEL 0208 6471422

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All Types of Locks Misted Sealed Units Handles for Windows or Doors Window Hinges and Stays Patio Door Wheels and Tracks

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Supporting life’s journeys Supporting life’s jourBespoke care and heartfelt support in your own home As your local award-winning homecare provider, we’re committed to enabling you to live safely and confidently in your own home. Daily homecare will provide you with a visiting caring companion to assist with everyday tasks and personal care. Live-in homecare is a wonderful alternative to residential care. You’ll receive full-time one-to-one care in your own home.

Call our dedicated team to explore your options:

“I feel so so lucky that Trinity came into my life. At the time, I really didn’t want carers, however, all my fears and worries were quickly dispensed due to the real care from Trinity staff... I count myself very lucky”

Daily homecare client, Surrey

Central House, 1-15 Central Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8EG

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0208 108 4564

www.trinityhomecare.co.uk

Open Evening: Thursday 21st March Between 5pm-7pm An independent preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 years. “The pupil’s overall success is a result of highly effective teaching, an outstanding curriculum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the pupils’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” Independent Schools Inspectorate report

Tel: 020 8942 0754 info@thestudyschool.co.uk www.thestudyschool.co.uk

57 Thetford Road New Malden KT3 5DP

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Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Hints about ending careers (6) 4. Is Hanks cast as lead here? (8) 9. Reintroduced friend, in fact (6) 10. A man back in a loch’s ruined (8) 12. Tell a hawker to leave a fight (5-3) 13. Defaced taxi driven away (6) 15. Fashion a new dome (4) 16. Drink wine to get comfort (7) 20. Thoughtful communist relatives (7) 21. An idol diminished if negative (4) 25. Stylish girl embraced by coy outsiders (6)

1. Is remote control annoying? (8) 2. Girl tricked, we hear, by a snake (8)

26. Nomad shaken by a little rebuke (8)

3. Old tool Leo hit another way (6)

28. Supposedly popular Conservative having a gas (2,6)

5. A goddess lies repeatedly (4)

29. A man took a tumble – ouch! (6)

7. Capone wasn’t honest with partners (6)

30. Teenager going out for a drink (5,3) 31. Stay to become nice and warm (6) 26

Down

6. Composer butchers composition! (8)

8. Places south of a small estate (6) 11. Country drive taken by developer is cut short (7)

14. Show beginning before commercial break broadcasts (7) 17. Warped nineties physicist (8) 18. Hero indisposed during wild chase (8) 19. Why a note changed in transit (2,3,3) 22. Airhead hearing monarch in pain (6) 23. Rodent story – article out to unnerve! (6) 24. Make a space traveller out first (4,2) 27. Weird-sounding lake (4)

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Fundraising In at the deep end! Local mum is named as an official Ambassador for the Cancer Research UK & Marie Curie Swimathon 2019. For the past few years, The Malden Centre (where local mum, Sue Wilson works as Adult Education Manager) has played host to the national “Swimathon” initiative. But, in April 2018, Sue decided to take the plunge herself and joined fellow colleagues from New Malden’s leading leisure centre by taking part in a relay team. Almost a year later, Sue’s now really diving into the challenge and on March 30th, will be taking on the solo 5km swim (200 lengths!), raising money for Marie Curie and Cancer Research. The event organisers were so impressed by Sue’s story and her personal, fitness journey, they invited her to become one of just 10 Swimathon Ambassadors. And, as part of her official Training Day, Sue even meet and interviewed Swimathon president and legendary Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew! Sue explains; “I’ve always had a love of the water but haven’t really done any serious swimming over the recent years – just messing around in the water with my kids. “So, when I was asked to join my colleagues on a Malden Centre Team Swimathon entry, it was with some apprehension I said yes! It’s hard enough getting into your ‘cossie’ in front of your work colleagues – but when you are at least 20 years older and more than a few pounds heavier than everyone, it is more of challenge!

Jo Beadle’s Curtains & Blinds 07838102895 joanna.m.beadle@gmail.com Quality handmade soft furnishings

“However, four of us successfully completed the team swim and immediately afterwards I promised myself I would complete the 5k on my own next time – and so began my year of training. “I’m delighted (and surprised!) to say that I’m now swimming 3-5 times a week (sometimes at the Malden Centre, sometimes at local outdoor pools!), 40-80 lengths each time with a regular 100+ swim. Gradually building up to the mammoth 200 lengths. “I’ve lost over 2 stone in weight and feel fitter and healthier than I’ve felt in a long time. I started the year only able to swim 20 lengths in one go and I was so excited when I wrapped up 2018 with a 135-length swim during the Christmas holidays! “This is a very personal journey for me as I’ve never completed such a physical challenge before, I wanted to be an Ambassador to tell people that you don’t need to be a pro to attempt something like this – anyone can have a go whatever your fitness and whatever distance you choose – just get in the water and start swimming! “I know many readers of The Village Voice also enjoy swimming, so do feel free to join in. There are other (shorter!) distances to have a go at and kids can join in too - or you can enter as a team. Use code SWIM19SUE to get a 50% discount off your entry fee!! Or you just come down on the day and cheer me on!! Here’s the link if you’d like to sponsor me – thank you!! www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sue-wilson48 More info about Swimathon 2019 can be found here: swimathon.org

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

Clubs Mondays

New Malden Rotary Club Malden Golf Club,Traps Lane Monday evenings 6.15 for 7pm Secretary 07946526783 Barry Collins 07740 257 255

English Conversation Group meeting during term-time from 10.00 to 12.00. Chris & Elspeth Coke; telephone 0208-942-7388 mobile 07903618159

St James Players If you enjoy acting do come or help backstage. Mon and Weds 8pm St James Church Hall, Bodley Road New Malden. linda@dunnz.net

Tuesdays

Kingston and District Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance meet on the last Tuesday every month except July and August, and December when we hold a Xmas Lunch. In addition to our main interest of keeping in touch with local and national issues affecting pensioners, we arrange a variety of speakers to entertain us on lighter subjects, such as 24th April, Round the World on a reclining bicycle, 29 May a Quiz and 26th June slide show on Central America. Venue: Marion House, Girl Guides Hut, Tadworth Avenue, New Malden KT3 DJ, from 2pm to 4.15pm. Mrs

Arthritis Care New Malden Branch Arthritis Care Kingston and District Meetings 3rd Tuesday of the month 7.30pm in the evening at Alfriston House Berrylands Road Surbiton Jocelyn King 0208 942 6745

The New Malden Ladies Badminton Club When: Tuesday at the Malden Centre from 20.30 till 10pm We are a mixed ability club looking for new members. Lynda 020 8949 2673 or just pop in.

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 Royal British Legion, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 AL. We have speakers, activities, coffee & chat. Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. Lorna 020 8337 4121

Half Shares We are a group of widows who meet together on the 1st Tuesday of every month. We have a speaker and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Come and join us at 1.45-3.15pm at Christ Church Centre, Coombe Rd Lily 020 8949 1431 The New Malden Investment Club Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Grafton Club, Grafton Road, New Malden. Secretary 020 8942 1926

Malden Bridge Club When: Tuesday evenings 7.30-10.30pm Graham Spicer Institute, by entrance to Fencing Club, every Tuesday from Waitrose car park. John 020 8942 7560 7:00 to 9:30 pm at Coombe Boys’ School, College Gardens, New Malden Act For Justice New Malden Baptist KT3 6NU. Children & adults, beginners church; Westbury Road. KT3 5BE. first Tuesday of every month, 8 - 9.30pm. & experienced fencers are all This group aims to combat human welcomed. Equipment is provided. trafficking. We’ll discuss issues of club@kingstonfencing.co.uk forced labour, sexual exploitation and kingstonfencing.co.uk domestic servitude, raise awareness Early Morning Running Group and fundraise. Hill training on The Hamptons, ellykeevil@hotmail.com covering 6-8 miles. Mixed ability group. No fee. Meet: The gates of Sir Wednesdays Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Marina Malden & Coombe Social Club For Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. (Three The Blind Alternate Wednesdays minutes walk from Motspur Park 2pm to 4pm Mike Ball 020 8942 0819 station). Time: 6.00am at the gates. Volunteer drivers/helpers VERY Finish 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 welcome 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com. Brenda Denby, 0208 398 6054 brendadenby@live.co.uk.

Talking Of Trains In Surbiton Talks at the Surbiton Library Hall each Wed evening throughout the winter months. 1st meeting free, cost £50pa www.talkingof trains.co.uk

Colouring Club A soothing and enjoyable pastime for adults with no skills needed. 10-11am at Cafe Galio. Royal British Legion, Malden and Coombe Branch meetings are held at the Grafton Club on the second Wed of the month at 2.30pm. New members welcome. Jan Feist: janfeist@hotmail.com

Thursdays

KINGSTON U3A SINGERS! 10.30 - 12.30, Glenmore House, 6 The Crescent, Surbiton KT6 4BN. We enjoy singing many different styles of music. There is no formal audition but we are looking for the ability to sing in tune, a willingness to practice at home between rehearsals and, above all, an enthusiasm for making music. A quarterly charge is levied to cover choir expenses. Please ring Helga Randall 020 8397 8712 or Roger Dench on 07759 020433. Early Morning Running Group Speed work on tarmacked areas, totaling 6-8 miles. Mixed ability group. No fee. Meet: The gates of Sir Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Marina Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. (Three minutes walk from Motspur Park station). Time: 6.00am at the gates. Finish 7.307.45am. Olwen 07941 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com. St. John’s Hall is open between 2.00 and 4.00pm for Tea And Chat. If you are on your own please feel free to drop in for a free cup of tea and some company. 411 Malden Road (between Worcester Park station and The Plough). 213 Bus stops nearby. New Malden Women’s Institute Shiraz Miraz Hall Manor Park Hall Malden Road New Malden KT3

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6AV 2nd Thursday of each month except August at 7.30pm. 0208 9490694 or monicaddrake@yahoo.co.uk

Malden Camera Club New Malden Library, Kingston Road Thurs evenings throughout the year at 7.45pm www.maldencameraclub.org.uk

Malden Centre Orchestra Malden Centre, Blagdon Road, 10am-12noon every Thursday (term time only). Come and enjoy great symphonic music in a friendly group of players under the leading of an experience conductor. newmaldenorchestra.weebly.com Contact: pbuttaboni@yahoo.co.uk Tolworth Badminton Club Tolworth Recreation Centre Thursday evenings 7.30-9.30 Intermediate/advanced level tolworthbadmintonclub.co.uk Pat 0208 395 9175 or just turn up

Malden Emergency First Aid Society (Mefas) Members meet each Thursday evening at 7.30pm

for First Aid training. New members required. Everyone welcome. Hall available for hire. Christine 07966661015

Kingston Association for The Blind Lunch Club is held on the last Thursday of every month from 12.30 to 2.30pm at The Mefas Hall, Next to the Malden Centre, Cocks Crescent, New Malden. This is for people living with sight loss and their carers. A Sandwich lunch is provided at the cost of £3 per person. 020 8605 0060 or kingstonassoc@ btconnect.com

Come and join our friendly local bridge club at the Shiraz Mirza hall (behind Norbiton station). We play 24 hands of duplicate bridge - with electronic scoring - every Thurs from 7.30pm.Host system so partners always available. £5 table money. Parking available outside the hall. Also buses and trains from very close by.

Malden And Coombe Flower Decoration Society St.James Church Hall Bodley Road 3rd Thurs of the month 7.30pm. Why not come along to these evenings and dazzle your family and friends with your expertise! Visitors £6 Alison Honor 020 8949 8036

Malden Wanderers Badminton Club 22, Cambridge Avenue, KT3 4LE When - 8.30-10pm We are a friendly club looking for new members. Bobby 07946 532 846 New Malden Women’s Institute Shiraz Mirza Hall, Manor Park Hall, Malden Road, New Malden, KT3 6AV. 2nd Thurs of each month at 7.30pm Barbara 0208 546 1495 or twocavs@ googlemail.com

Kingston Debating Society An evening of lively intelligent debate, where you get to have your say. Thurs7.45pm 10 March Kingston Methodist Rosemary Vase 0208 5468719 or Pauline Church, Avenue Road, off Fairfield South, KT1 2UJkingston debating. Finn 0208 549 3270 or just turn up org.uk

Thinking of moving Happy Easter from all this Spring? at Groves Residential Independent Family Run Firm - NAEA and ARLA Regulated

Coombe Gardens KT3 A two double bedroom semi-detached house with off street parking, a good size rear garden and scope to extend (STPP). Located in the heart of New Malden. EPC D £565,000 Freehold

Dukes Avenue KT3 A good size semi-detached four bedroom two bathroom property with off street parking and south facing garden, located in a prime position, close to New Malden High Street and station £1850 pcm

TEL: 020 8949 0094

Albany Road KT3 A charming period home set in this popular cul de sac within a short walk of the High Street and station. Three bedrooms, kitchen/breakfast room and large rear garden. EPC rating D £655,000 Freehold

11 HIGH STREET, NEW MALDEN KT3 4DQ

mail@grovesresidential.com

www.grovesresidential.com

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

New Malden Youth Choir for children 7-15 years old 6.15-7.15 every Thursday in term time at New Malden Methodist Church Contact Jane on 07775654854

Fridays

Craft Group We meet at New Malden Baptist Church on the 1st Friday of the month from 7.30pm - 10pm to knit, crochet, sew, papercraft, bead. Fiona on 0208 949 8269 or ron_fibb@tiscali.co.uk.

RSPB Epsom & Ewell Local group 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. 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. rspb.org.uk/ groups/epsom.

Over 60’s club St. James Church Hall. Bodley Road, New Malden from 1pm to 2:30 pm (Doors open at 12:30) We have musical entertainment, a raffle and refreshments. Sheila 0208 949 5118

Saturdays

Saturday Dementia Club staywell Services 2nd Saturday of the month 11am to 2pm in New Malden for people living with dementia, their family and carers, Call 020 8942 8256 and ask for

Cathy or Marion email saturdayclub@staywellservices.org Learn to sew and knit! Do you want to learn to sew or knit, improve your skills or just meet other knitters and sewers to work and chat? Join the Sew and Sews on the second and fourth Saturdays at 10.30 a.m. at St. James’ Bodley Road. Everyone welcome. 50p for refreshments.

General

Emanuel Rugby Shannon Corner, KT3 4PU Adults Tuesdays and Thursdays,7.30pm, Saturday 2-3pm. Children: Registration at the club is 1030am with training starting at 11am on Sundays

emanuelrugby.co.uk info@emanuelrugby.co.uk Fergus McCarthy 0845 8338974

Malden Lime Grove Bowling Club, New Malden Both new and experienced bowlers are welcome at our friendly club with coaching on hand to guide and advise. We bowl outside from late April to the end of September, but social events for members are run throughout the year. For enquiries ring Sue on 0208 395 6778 or John on 0208 949 4315 www.maldenlimegrovebowlingclub.com

Supreme Bowls Club

We welcome new bowlers of both sexes, all ages, and all abilities from late April to end of Sept. Come and try bowling for free. We are a friendly club with around 70

members on the Kings College Sports Ground close to Woodies pub at the junction of Thetford Road and Windsor Avenue, New Malden, KT3 5BF. Mick or Di on 020 8942 0294. supremebowling.org.uk.

West Wimbledon Society Table Tennis Club

Friendly social table tennis club in Raynes Park welcomes new members (sorry not complete beginners). 020 8874 1654. www.westwimbledonsociety.org. Surbition Bowls Club Alexandra Rec, Tolworth. Roll ups Tuesday evenings from 5,50pm. Small friendly mixed club (35 players.) David 020 8224 2385

Surbiton Croquet Club

Where: Alexandra Drive, Berrylands. Croquet is a game for all ages and abilities. All welcome at very friendly club, including (especially!) complete beginners. Free introductory croquet coaching sessions. Chris Osmond 020 8330 6698 Malden Manor Bowls Club, Manor Park, Malden Road. Men’s Secretary Gerald 020 8949 4623 or Ladies’ Secretary Maureen 020 8337 5472.

Kingston & District Branch Of The Embroiderers’ Guild Saturday, 9th March, at Kingston Museum: Stitch Sat.(adults),11.00am – 1.00pm, Kumihimo braid Young Embroiderers, (ages 5-17), 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Flowers & macramé Friday, 22nd March - a visit by Michele Carragher - ‘Costume Embroiderer for Film and Television’ - Game of Thrones & Elizabeth I – 7.30pm, St Marks C of E Church Hall, Surbiton (non-members very welcome) www.kingstonanddistrictbranch.co.uk

JUST GARDENS & LAWNS Your local complete garden and specialist lawn care service

CALL US NOW! 10% DISCOUNT FOR OVER 60’s Please call us for a free quote: TEL: 0800 043 2454 or Email: justlawnslondon@gmail.com www.justlawnslondon.co.uk

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Take control of your healthcare journey with Self Pay Choose when to go private, tailoring your healthcare to suit your needs. No insurer to deal with. No system to wait in. New Victoria Hospital offers a wide range of clear and affordable Self Pay packages across all treatments and services. With fixed prices thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no concern over escalating costs.

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Speak with us today Find out more Find us just off the A3 Call our dedicated Self Pay selfpay@newvictoria.co.uk 184 Coombe Lane West To advertise or call 020 8336 2915 KT2 7EG team on 020 8949 9090 email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk www.newvictoria.co.uk/selfpay Kingston

SHOUT

about your business in your local magazines in 2019 from just ÂŁ28 plus vat a month 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 itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple and effective... But then the best ideas always are.

Call jenny on 020 32

8336 2915 the Village Voice or go online www.maldenmedia.com Please remember to mention

when you speak to our advertisers

What’s On Appeal for Graphic Designer

The organisers of the New Malden Passion Play would be grateful for help with posters to publicise it. If you are a dab hand at graphic arts and have some time spare please contact the team at info@nmpassionplay. com – this will be a paid commission. You are warmly invited to The Space New Malden United Reformed Church

Free Wednesday Lunchtime Recitals.

Time:13.10-13.50 www.facebook.com/newmaldenurc March 6 Capital Horns a French Horn Quartet ( R.A.M.) March 20 Piano—Laura Serra (R.C.M.) April 3 Cello—Ekaterina Solomennik (R.C.M.) May 1 Meraki Duo: Flute and Guitar (R.A.M.) May 15 Chagall Piano Quartet. (R.C.M.) June 5 Piano—Louis Ng (R.C.M.) June 19 Violin—Carolina Blaskovic (R.C.M.) July 10 Suri Duo: Flute and Harp (R.A.M.) Come and hear musicians at the start of their career performing exciting Classical Concerts

Tree Surgery • Tree Felling Stump Grinding Tree Surveys and Reports Planting• Hedge Maintenance Fruit tree management Fully qualified Arborists £5 Million Liability Insurance Local Authority Approved Free Quotations and Advice

info@turnertreecare.co.uk

020 8393 3222

World Day Of Prayer 2019

World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. The women of Slovenia have prepared this years’ service. Come – Everything is Ready! Friday 1st March Afternoon 1:45pm Methodist Church ‘The Church on the High Street’ 49 High Street, New Malden, KT3 4BY Evening 8:00pm New Malden Baptist Church, 1a Westbury Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 5BE

Charity Quiz Nights At The Willow

Wed 27th March, 7.30pm start £5pp entry. In aid of Kingston Carers Network Mon 29th April, 7.30pm start £5pp entry. In aid of Kingston Hospital To reserve table, email ped@blueskyconnexions.co.uk

Beverley and Coombe Vale safer neighbourhood policing teams felt it would

be a great idea to do a joint community drop-in surgeries. The drop-in surgery is to provide our local community with an opportunity to meet the police, obtain crime prevention advice and to discuss any concerns they may have in their local neighbourhood. These will be held at New Malden Community Police Office, CI Tower, St George’s Square,KT3 4HG. Saturday 9th March Time 1:00pm – 3:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2019 Time 11:30 – 13:30pm Coombe Vale Team – Street Briefing Thursday 21st March Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm Wednesday 27th March Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm Held at the entrance of THE CUT opposite New Malden BR Station Beverley Team – Cuppa with your local Cops Thursday 21st March Time : 11:00am – 12:00pm Tuesday 26th March Time: 3pm – 4pm Location: The Place (Coffee Shop) 58, High Street, New Malden, KT3 4EZ

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

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Clubs Rotary Club Of New Malden Our overall Club membership has remained fairly static but, we have lost some dear friends and colleagues recently. At the same time it has been good to welcome new members to the Club – including a new Friend very likely to be a direct result of our article in the Village Voice. At a recent club meeting we were pleased to entertain friends who assisted us on our Christmas collections. Still on the subject of membership, the Club has agreed internally that we should reach out more into our local community, not only for possible members but to reestablish a proper understanding of what we do. The assumption that everyone who knows the Rotary name also understands our role can be easily disproved by just asking a few questions in our local High Street. We have to rectify that. The first meeting of our club was held on 13th May 1929 in the waiting room of one Len Gardiner (a dentist) at 94 Malden Road. The inaugural luncheon meeting was on 27th May and the Club was chartered on 31st May. The membership comprised business and professional male members only. Rotary rules worldwide have

please contact our Secretary on 07946526783 or Barry Collins 0774025725 changed over the years and of course Ladies are now very welcome and we now have seven ladies. Every one who belongs to a Rotary club is expected to take part at some level in their committee programme and not become a social member only. Consider also when one is a member you have a right to visit another club when away from home on business or holiday anywhere—worldwide unannounced. You would be expected to bring the customary greetings from your Club and President. The very first Rotary meeting took place in Chicago in1905 and was started by a solicitor named Paul Harris and three friends. It is believed that the first project undertaken was the building of a public toilet for the local community. Public toilets are not an issue in New Malden today BUT they are an essential for all communities. Today 2.3 billion people in the world do not have toilet facilities. This is just one of the International projects that Rotary world wide supports. If you have an interest in our club you can always find out much more by viewing us on line at www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=884.

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Gardening Fabulous Fruit Trees by Pippa Greenwood If you have ever been put off the idea of growing your own tree fruit, such as apples, pears, plums or cherries, simply because your garden is on the small size, think again; it is not difficult to grow a fair quantity of fruit in even a tiny garden. There is no need for an orchard, acres of land or even a large garden, so just how do you manage it? Start by checking out the plant’s ‘rootstock’, which is the type of tree root that the variety you want has been grafted on to. The rootstock determines how big a tree will grow, and if you get one that has a dwarfing effect your tree will be much less inclined to become huge. Rootstocks ‘Pixey’ on plums, ‘M9’ on apples or ‘Quince A’ on pears should help to reduce the risk of a large tree developing. You could also use an apple or pear as a border edging. Each tree will spread to 150cm (5ft) or more and can be trained to form a horizontal barrier at about 45cm (18in) above the ground – they look fantastic when in flower, and then bear fruit along the horizontal ‘arms’. A pollinator tree nearby is needed to ensure good fruit set or choose the self-fertile ‘Concorde’ pear and you’ll still get a reasonable crop with just one tree. You can buy ready-trained step-overs from some garden centres and specialist fruit nurseries. Consider growing fruit trees in pots. There is no doubt that growing pretty well anything in a pot takes more effort from you, as the plant will be reliant on you for food and more moisture, but provided you use a good-sized pot – perhaps even a half-barrel – it can work well. It is best to use a loam-based John Innes No. 3 compost, but make sure there is plenty of drainage material at the base of the container – broken flower pots work well! Provided you make sure that no one variety gets out of hand and grows too vigorously, it is a useful idea in a smaller garden.

‘Family Trees’ are basically trees on to which two additional varieties of the same fruit have been grafted, meaning you can grow three varieties of apple or pear on just one tree. The varieties are selected by the nursery so that they all pollinate each other and so you should get a fair crop from an established tree.

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When space is limited, you can grow ‘Ballerina’ or ‘Minarettes’ trees. These are what I call ‘skyward’ apples, because they produce their fruits on short spurs which grow out of the vertical main stem, with the result that you end up with a tree measuring up to 2.4m (8ft) tall, but which is so columnar that you can plant them just 60-90cm (2-3ft) apart if you want more than one tree. This form of tree is available as many different varieties, including dessert apples, cooking apples, pears, plums, gages and damsons. They can be grown in patio pots or in open ground. Most fruit trees need a pollinator, or sometimes two, to ensure that the flowers on each variety are pollinated so that the fruit can form. If space is very limited and you can definitely only afford the space for one solitary tree, then you can still grow fruit: choose a variety that is described as ‘self-fertile’, meaning that the tree does not need a companion and can fertilise its own flowers. If you love apples, this might be a ‘Queen Cox’, ‘Greensleeves’ or ‘Red Devil’, or if pears are your passion, try the variety ‘Concorde’ or ‘Invincible’, for cherries try ‘Stella’ and for plums choose variety ‘Victoria’. If you do provide a pollinator you’re likely to get a heavier crop, but without you’ll still get a fair quantity of fruit.

If you have a fence or framework with a bit of planting space next to it, then you could also grow your fruit as an ‘espalier’, which means trained and pruned so that the tree lies pretty well flat against the fence with several parallel ‘arms’ that bear the fruit, or perhaps as a ‘fan’ where the branches are trained and pruned to produce a near flat fan shape against the surface – this works especially well for cherries, plums, damsons and even apricots. Why not grow a cordon or single-stemmed apple or pear over a simple arch? Better still, grow one variety up one side and another (a suitable pollinator) up the other – it’ll look stunning in the spring when in flower, and then again when it bears its tasty crop! At www.pippagreenwood.com you’ll find some great gardening items: ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ for vegetable plants and advice, Nemaslug and other natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.

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

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Kids Play There’s lots going on for pre-schoolers Mondays

10am to 11.30am Tots In Tow St John’s Church, Kingston Road Contact Dave on 02089425643 Bumps and Babies under 1 NCT coffee morning, Mondays. 10am to 11.30am. The Glasshouse Pub, New Malden. All welcome. NCT members and non-members. For more information and to confirm the next meeting date please contact Coordinator.Kingston@nct.org.uk

Saturdays

10-12noon Who let the dads out is at Norbiton Children’s Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage Lane, New Malden Runs the third Saturday of every month. 10am-12pm Stay and Play - Dads group - - first Saturday of every month New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Every second Saturday of the month, New Malden Library 10.30-11.00am. Free Saturday Rhyme Time for under 5s. Dads especially welcome. Join us for 30 minutes of rhymes, songs and instrument shaking! Men behaving Dadly is a group that meets on a Saturday morning once a month in the Christ Church lounge. Dads bring their young children to enjoy playing with the toys and relax together by eating bacon sandwiches and drinking coffee.

Tuesdays

10am to 11.45am St Joseph’s Toddler Group St Joseph’s R C Church, Montem Road 'PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE IN TH 9.30am to 11.30am Sparkles United Reformed Church, HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES Cavendish Hall, Cavendish Road Contact Peggy Cox 020 8949 3402 to visit. 9-11.30 Stay and Play New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road - Tree surgery - One off Tidy 020 8336 1561 - Stump Grinding

Wednesdays

10am to 11.30am Tots in Tow (see Monday) 10am and 11.45 ST Joseph’s Toddler Group (see Tuesday). 12.30pm - 3.pm Stay and Play (0 - 5 years) - New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561

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Thursdays

9.45 to 11.30am Methodist Church Parent and Toddler Group Methodist Church, High Street, Contact Julia Morton 020 8942 1288. 9.30am to 12.30pm 9.30 - 12 noon Childminders’ drop in including school holidays, ‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 Norbiton Children’s Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ Road, 0208 942 2559 10.30-11am Story Time for age 2.5+ www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 at New Malden Library

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Fridays

9.45am to 11.15am Tadpoles Parent and Toddler Group New Malden Baptist Church, Kingston Road 020 8942 6912 – not a drop in session so call first. 10.30-11.00am Rhyme Time for age 0-3 at New Malden Library 9-12.Toy Library New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Also at NMCC Breastfeeding Support Group - 10.00 - 12.00 - first week of the month Twins Support Group 10.00 - 12.00 - Second and fourth weeks of the month,

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Parkin’ some thoughts Doggedly Stubborn

by Nick Hazell

Giving up. It’s the easiest thing in the world. Anyone can do it. No particular effort is required unless you’re a chain-smoking alcoholic with an incurable drug problem. There have been times over the past few months where I’ve almost succumbed to my inner Charlie Brown, uttered an “Oh good, grief” or words to that effect and wondered what’s the point? Fortunately, I’m not allowed to wallow in self-pity, worrying about what the future might hold. Although supportive to a fault, Mrs H isn’t afraid to administer the sort of corrective hairdryer treatment that would make Sir Alex Ferguson blush and which brings me to my senses. It’s also fair to say I can be quite single minded and maybe a bit stubborn. There’s a bit of that trait in evidence throughout the corridors of Hazell Towers. Even that furry mutt, Dudley the Miniature Schnauzer, effects a style of obstinacy that infamously contributed to his receipt of the Canine equivalent of a U grade at puppy training school. Even now, if you ask him to do something he was already thinking of doing, the chances of him then actually doing it reduce to zero. Being stubborn can be a bad thing, certainly if you aspire to any award at Crufts other than loudest bark, but I suppose it just depends how you use it. As a corporate lawyer, a healthy dose of intransigence and a willingness to defend the indefensible was regularly called upon. The trick was not so much to actually be right, but rather to sound like you were. In my present circumstances and in the absence of any obvious solution to the matter in hand, it translates into a pigheaded unwillingness to accept certain facts and to carry on. Of course, it’s a bit harder now to do things which I used to take for granted. If I let that bother me, I’d never get out of bed, although the regular occurrence of vivid dreams that could form the basis of a Stephen King novel mean I’m not too bothered about spending much time there. You just have to keep going. Things might get better. Of course, they might not and it’s hard to wait around for something, like a cure that you know might not happen, but it’s even harder to accept that it never will.

The more I meet other Parky people though, the more I have come to realise that a stubborn refusal to accept this buggeration of a disease is as common a feature of daily living as is uncontrollable drooling, frozen faces and faulty footwork. We’re a hardy bunch, slapped in the face by the wet fish of life, but determined to have it with chips and maybe some salad for the vitamins. Sitting here as I am at 4.30 in the morning having experienced a nightmare more frightening than one of Madonna’s pointy bras, I’ll admit to having moments of doubt. I’ve been let down by my body which, to the extent it resembles a temple, is one that is crumbling, most likely cursed and filled with unspeakable nastiness. However, whilst giving up may be easy, my pathological stubbornness and irrational optimism take me down a more navigable path of daily living that is nothing if not self-preserving. There’s little to be gained from over analysing the situation. As that blanket wielding philosopher and Chuck’s friend, Linus van Pelt once observed, “worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening. It just stops you from enjoying the good”.

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A Photographer Dreams... March by Hugh Griffiths www.creativelight.org.uk how harshly the merging is done: I chose to do it so that the image seems somewhat unnatural and, maybe, slightly uneasy. In truth, this style was in vogue among photographers a few years ago, but today we have, on the whole, reverted to preferring images that look more ‘real’. I do like it: just that John’s is better!

Back on my wander along the Wey Navigations … I took this photo towards the middle of March last year: it’s the lock keeper’s house at Walsham Lock. John – my companion on this photographic journey – has taken an absolutely wonderful picture of this scene in the winter. In fact, it was chosen as the best picture at our club’s annual exhibition a couple of years ago, and now hangs in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Kingston Guildhall. My picture is taken from about the same place – but has a very different feel to the one he took. John’s photograph is much more like it really was, with soft light, and the natural colours of snow, earth, bricks and trees. And, actually, I think it is one that I prefer to mine! However, that wasn’t an option for me – I really don’t like making copies of what other people have done and, in any case, I don’t think I could do as good a job as he did. That day, I had set my camera to take multiple pictures each time I pressed the button, each of which let a different amount of light in. (In technical terms, I chose to bracket the exposure with 3 shots, and a bracketing interval of ½ ev). Then I took these images and merged them in Adobe Lightroom so that they looked similar, but with different degrees of darkness in them. This is called a ‘High Definition Range’ picture. Basically, I had taken one image with a lot of detail in the dark areas, but very little in the light ones, one image which sort of averaged the level of detail out, and the third had lots more detail in the light areas but had almost none in the dark areas. The software is clever enough to look for all that detail and to bring it out in the composite picture. Hence it is showing a wider range of light and dark than any individual photo could. It also allows me to choose

Walking along the Wey Navigations again, earlier that same day in the middle of March, we came across this scene where a few canal barges were moored and, for some of them, being maintained or repaired. The view from where we were was quite attractive: from the other side, next to the boats, it became a lot more messy and complicated with lots of bits of boat and shed and second hand chairs strewn about. I am not a great fan of that potting-shed sticking up in the middle, but my Photoshop skills in getting rid of objects are not the best – so it has had to remain. What do you think? Is it a bit of an eyesore there? Or does it provide a point of focus for you as you look around the picture? As ever, the boats were colourful and vibrant. But, as it was only March, there wasn’t an awful lot of colour in the trees and bushes surrounding them. I thought of taking all the colour out, except for the barges and see what it looked like – here it is. The technique is fairly straightforward – simply select the area that you want to take all the colour from (and maybe that is easier by selecting the area to keep colour, and then just telling Photoshop to choose everything else), and then playing with the different colour sliders to take out the reds, greens etc etc. Is it a great picture – No. But is it one that I enjoy and can look at more than a few times – Yes. I like the way you are forced to look at the barges, but, because the rest of the photo is so much bigger, that you can’t ignore the woodland around.

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Back down in Lancing, at the beginning of March, the swans and other birds on the small lagoon near where I stay were getting quite feisty and determined to make sure that other birds didn’t try to get in their way. This is the start of their mating season and they (like our deer in Richmond Park in the autumn) always seem to be a bit insecure and irritable around now. Maybe understandably! These two were having a real argument while I was watching. The one on the left seemed to have been particularly irritating to the other and was being chased from pillar to post. And you know, it is always exciting to see dramatic events in the animal world; very often (and most of my pictures are like this) you catch them sitting or walking or such, with very little activity. In the international wildlife competitions (think of the Natural History Museum’s ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’) the winning entries all show the animals or birds actually doing something. It gives a whole lot more interest – but is much harder to capture. You’ve got to be at the right place at the

right time and have your camera ready to catch what might be only a fleeting moment of time. That’s one reason why those winning entries so often do not come from amateurs like you or me, but from photographers who can afford to spend a long time waiting for that moment to come. This picture is another ‘not a winner’ even though it does have that moment of anger and attack. It is sharp enough, and I have caught the whole of the leading swan, and (probably) all of the chaser. But it would have been far better if I had included more to the right – catching the end of the spray behind that chaser. To me, it looks a bit unfinished. What do you think? I have lots of pictures like this where I haven’t quite got the whole scene in. Maybe this year I will have more success. The Malden Camera Club meets on most Thursday evenings at the Library in Kingston Road. We are a friendly group and love our photography. Come along one evening. You will be very welcome!

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Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch Malden and Coombe Committee would like to thank all those Poppy Collectors who attended the buffet lunch at the Grafton club. It was a great turnout and enjoyed by all. But we still need more sellers to collect to make 2019 a bumper year for the RBL. If you are interested in helping for an hour or two please contact me at janfeist@hotmail.com and I can give you the information you need. You do not need to be a member of RBL nor have to be ex armed services. Hope to hear from some of you. It is my privilege this year to be taking over from Tina as Poppy Appeal organiser and hope that this year will be as successful as previous years. Whilst at the buffet, a collector mentioned the Malden and Coombe RBL Gold badge plaque photograph that was in January Village Voice and told me that his grandfather F. Jackson was there in gold lettering. Mr Jackson had been blinded in the First War and his grandson remembers spending a lot of time with him and seeing a braille watch that his granddad used. I was also able to introduce him to Tom MacKenzie, one of our longstanding members who knew Mr Jackson. If any readers have any memories of members please let me know. In September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany and it’s allies. There were many heroes and brave leaders in the British Armed forces throughout the period until 1945 and one of those was Orde Charles Wingate. He led a mission into the Jungles of Japanese –held territories during the Burma campaigns. He lead through radio communications, and guerrilla warfare but trained his troops ,who were nicknamed Chindits, to withstand terrible conditions, walking sometimes 40 miles a night, through monsoon sand mud with minimal rations. Mules carried supplies of food and artillery. The troops included The Ghurkas. Their task was to blow up the railways held by the

Japanese. There were many casualties, especially in the jungle where the injured solders were left to die or were captured and put through very tough conditions in prisoners of war camps. After four months in the jungle, the mission was partly completed but 1000 men were lost and over 600 never saw active duty again. The remainder, starving and weak, returned to allied posts, crossing the dangerous Irrawaddy river by rope and small dinghies. The men suffered pure hardship. Despite this, Wingate was adored by his troops and the Chindits became world heroes. His ideas have been adopted by Special forces units ever since. It is for those men and heroes like them that we sell poppies so that the Royal British Legion can help servicemen and will continue to do so. If you know of any ex service personnel in need , please ring 0808 802 8080. This number is also the membership number/Please quote Malden and Coombe 2089 if you wish to join us for £19 per year that is 36p a week.!!!

TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING

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