Maldens Village Voice June 2019 by jenny stuart

Malden’s

illage oice

KT3’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide May ‘19 Issue 163

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Welcome to YOUR Village Voice from jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk

May We’ve just enjoyed the most fabulous Easter weekend and I managed to persuade the girls during the holidays to get those garden spring cleaning jobs done that we usually leave until the morning our guests arrive. As our patios have very poor drainage cleaning the winter muck off them really is a 3 person job - one pressure washing, and the other 2 trying to sweep filthy water off the patches of clean that slowly appear. If anyone out there can offer advice to make the job easier and quicker please, please. drop me a line. Is it really time to buy a water vacuum? Isn’t it fantastic that so many shops do actually still close on Easter Sunday giving their staff a welldeserved day off (and in the baking sunshine this year!) It did mean that we had to have mint sauce instead of mint jelly with our roast lamb... yet another first world problem… I had a nostalgic chat with a lovely delivery driver over the weekend about the days that 24 our shopping was unimaginable. When did pubs start

& Since ‘05

staying open all day? Remember when they closed at 2.30pm for the afternoon break (I was working in one, not visiting (!) and the break was most welcome when you were doing an ‘all dayer’.) And banks. My chatty driver was forced to open an account when he started with a new company because they’d had security issues and were no longer keeping cash on site. How did you open an account back without taking time off work, and more importantly when could you actually visit the bank to take your money out? Thank goodness (he said) for the good old TSB who had extended opening hours one night a week - although with the help of my good friend Google I have just learnt that it is widely accepted that the first cash machine was put into use by Barclays Bank in its Enfield Town branch in North London, on 27 June 1967 - so maybe times weren’t so tough! :-) I hope you enjoy a good read please make sure you see what our local businesses and advertisers have to offer. If you’ve any feedback on how they’re doing, or have any ideas for future editions, news or views to share then please get in touch. Remember, we deliver to most homes every second month so if you’re not able to pick up a magazine on the months it’s not delivered to you, you can read it on your phone, tablet or PC. There are a limited number of copies available from Waitrose, New Malden library, Tudor Williams and the Malden Centre. 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.

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

Jenny Deadline for our June editions 21st May Deadline for our July editions 21st June

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 series of unfortunate events by Robin Gill Accidents will happen, but some are planned, some on the spur of the moment. If an inquest was needed it would normally be held in the nearest available location following any sudden or unexplained death. In the early years Malden did not have official council or public premises other than public houses, which explains why the first inquest held in New Malden was held at the Railway Tavern (now The Glasshouse) on Tuesday 11th July 1865. The inquest was into the death of Lionel Louis Felton aged 23, who was born in Richmond but had come to New Malden with his parents in the early 1860s. Lydia, his mother had found him dead the previous morning in his bedroom, with a bell rope around his neck which was attached to his bed. A “full enquiry” was held and a verdict of “temporary insanity” was returned. An unhappy Christmas Samuel Jones was truly a man of the sea. He was even born at sea, and liked nothing better than a tot of rum every once in a while. Samuel had been a labourer for most of his working life, and now in his sixties was inclined to suffer from rheumatism, and had been given some lotion a few months earlier for relief by Dr Child from his aches and pains. On Christmas Eve 1884 he brought home a bottle of rum, and placed it close to the bottle of lotion on the mantelpiece above the fireplace at the house Samuel and his wife Ann lived in at 2 Lime Villas on the Kingston Road close to the junction with Cleveland Road (now Kingston Lodge). On Christmas Day, Samuel got up around 7.30am, and after getting dressed, decided he would like a glass of his favourite tipple. Getting down the bottle he poured some into a glass and took a drink. He immediately realised he had used the wrong bottle, and shouted to his wife that he had drank the lotion. Grabbing the bottle, he headed out of the door, followed by his wife in order to reach the doctor’s surgery which fortunately was nearby (now the offices of Pearson Maddin solicitors). Dr Child asked him how much he had taken, and was told about 10 drachms (about 35 ml). The doctor immediately gave Samuel emetics to help bring up the poison, but they had no effect, so he had to lay him on the floor, and apply a stomach pump. After about an hour of treatment Samuel was allowed home, and he went straight to lie on his bed. A neighbour from Cleveland Road, Jasper Brooks tried to keep him awake, but Samuel soon became delirious, and died at about 12.45 that morning.

An inquest was held at the Norbiton Park Hotel (now The Fountain) on 30th December when the elected foreman was Thomas Montague who ran a grocery store in the Market Place (High Street). Chaired by the coroner Mr Braxton-Hicks the court heard Dr Child state that the lotion contained belladonna and aconite (both highly poisonous) and although an antidote had been given, the aconite was too strong a toxin. The view was that as Samuel had gone downstairs while it was still twilight, he must have mistaken one bottle for another. The verdict was returned “death from misadventure”. A determined suicide Emma Hamilton who was described as tall and good looking, had arrived in New Malden in May 1897, and taken up residence in a large house in Lime Grove called The Laburnums where she had recently been joined by her sister Lucy. On Thursday 22nd July she jumped in front of a moving goods train at New Malden Station, and was killed instantly. It was only at the inquiry held in Kingston a week later that the whole sorry story came out. Emma who was 31 years old had been born just outside Newton Abbot, and had travelled to London to work. She obtained a job working as a servant in the home of Thomas Moss a draughtsman and engraver in Islington, but must have fallen on hard times. Her circumstances when she met Walter Bernard Hamilton were entirely different. In March 1884 Bernard had reached his 21st birthday and had inherited £100,000 (equivalent today £7 million), the same day he met Emma who was working as a prostitute in the area of the new Empire Theatre in Leicester Square. He was so attracted to her, that he decided to reclaim and marry her, and this he did in Geneva Switzerland, probably because such a union would have been frowned on

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in London. The marriage did not last, and Emma was in hospital in 1891 (I am not sure whether this was a physical or mental illness), and by 1896 there was a petition for divorce, which became absolute in May 1897 resulting in Emma’s removal to New Malden. Bernard wrote to Emma announcing that he was to remarry. His new wife was to be Ellen Adele Day, another person who had been through a divorce, her first husband being described as “an incorrigible womaniser”. Ellen was the daughter of a fashionable London dentist, and like Bernard had ambitions to be a well known author. Bernard’s letter told Emma not to misbehave, or he would cut her “allowance” (alimony) which was £200 per annum, to 28 shillings (£1.40) a week. Unbeknown to most people in New Malden, Emma had already made two attempts to take her own life, by taking poison (on 11th), and attempting to hang herself (on 12th), and had Dr George Cowen, a local doctor in daily attendance. She seemed in better spirits that Thursday afternoon, when she and her sister decided to travel by train to Kingston. “By mistake” they found themselves on the up platform at the station, turning to go back to the other platform Lucy (her sister) saw Emma jump in front of an incoming goods train travelling at 15mph. The driver (Charles Pheby) blew his whistle and brought the train to a halt, but by then it was too late, Emma was knocked into the gap between the rails, and had been killed instantly. Her body was taken to the waiting room, and Mr Alfred Chalkley the stationmaster contacted the local doctor Dr Davison, who officially confirmed the death. Under the supervision of the police, Emma was placed in an ambulance and taken to Kingston Mortuary. Evidence was given from friends that Emma felt the whole world was against her with the sole exception of her ex-husband who, in a note she left, she absolved of any blame of what had happened to her. The verdict given at the end of the inquest was “Suicide while temporarily insane”

She was buried in Kingston Cemetery in large oak coffin with massive brass handles, and attended by a few friends. She left effects of £65 in her will. Bernard did not waste time, marrying within a month, but the marriage was an unhappy one, and he squandered all his money on women and drink. I am indebted to the contributors of rootschat for their help in unravelling this story.

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Community V.C. Memorial Plaques Update on the for the 3 New Malden V.C. recipients and civilians of the Old Borough of Malden and Coombe. Following the recent funding campaign, a sum of just under £6,000 was raised. This enabled four plaques to be commissioned and erected facing the New Malden War memorial on a wall ‘made available’ by Waitrose/ John Lewis Partnership, who also has allowed the earth bed beneath (long used as an ash tray and can or bottle dump) to be planted out as a memorial garden, to supplement the planting around the four trees in front of the war memorial. A short commemoration service and plaque unveiling was held on Sunday 31st March, this being the 75th anniversary of the sacrifice made by bomber pilot Cyril Joe Barton V.C. in 1944. Humphrey Firman V.C. and Ian Bazalgette V.C. were also remembered, along with the many unsung and un-named civilians living within the borders of the Old Borough of Malden and Coombe, who have also lost their lives in serving the Borough and their Country. Maldens and Coombe Heritage Society, which has long championed the need for the VCs to be recognised in a prominent position in the town, by producing their book “We knew you were coming” (£5-non-profit making and available to order via their website) and their securing of three commemorative pictures of the three recipients in The Watchman, expressed their sincere gratitude to all the parties that had been instrumental in achieving the aim. Waitrose and Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine (previously Racal Decca) had made donations of £1,200 (and the wall!) and £1,500 respectively. The Heritage Society donated £500, Scamps Golfing Society and The Wreckers Golfing Society donated £320 and £200, The Rotary Club of New Malden donated £300, which means that approximately £2,000 was donated by members of the Community in donations ranging from £10 to £100. Every pound donated, by whomever and whether specifically named or not, was and remains warmly welcomed and most gratefully received.

The service was attended by members of the family of Cyril Barton V.C. and Ian “Will” Bazalgette V.C., by the RAF (Squadron Leader Simon Reade, from RAF Northolt, was the presiding officer), by the Sea Cadets, Air Cadets from three local squadrons, by Scouts, Guides and the Girls’ Brigade, pupils from Rokeby School (which “Will” attended)

together with representatives from the local Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance services. The community also attended with the assembly numbering close to 200. Following the sounding of the Last Post, executed faultlessly by Sean Dibble, trumpeter and an instructor with the Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide Band, two minutes of contemplative silence was strictly and respectfully observed by all present, after which wreaths were laid beneath each plaque. The Community as a whole should feel justifiably proud of its coming together in this way to recognise the gallantry of three and the service and sacrifice of many. However, as The Maldens and Coombe Heritage Society stressed during the ceremony, the Community should also look to their local war memorials and the hundreds of names thereon, remembered by some, forgotten by many and ignored by thousands. Each name is someone who gave their life so that we can live the way we do today and to whom we should be forever grateful. The Heritage Society would like you to bear this in mind whenever you pass a war memorial. The telling of the stories does not end with the unveiling of the plaques, far from it, and should you to know more, The Maldens and Coombe Heritage Society will happily provide an illustrated evening or weekend talk for any groups, clubs or societies and it is hoped that the younger members of the Community who attended, whether uniformed or not, will continue the remembrance for years to come. Julian McCarthy (Maldens and Coombe Heritage Society The Society openly welcomes new members and meets each month at 7pm on a Wednesday evening at the Baptists’ Church Community Hall, Kingston Road. For further details, please write to the Secretary, MACHS c/o 120 Chestnut Grove, New Malden, KT3 3JT or make contact via their website maldensandcoombeheritagesociety.weebly.com

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Events Gunpower, Treason and Plot at Christ Church! BY Stephen Kuhrt, Vicar of Christ Church Thursday 13th June at 8.00 pm The Kings Witch is the debut novel of Tracy Borman – the accomplished historian and broadcaster, resident of New Malden and member of Christ Church. It is the first book of a trilogy and tells the story of Frances Gorges, a young woman in the court of James I (160325) who finds herself embroiled within both the king’s obsession with finding witches and the plots of his embittered Catholic subjects. Surrounded by danger, particularly the twisted scheming of the king’s chief minister Robert Cecil, Frances appears to find someone she can trust in the handsome young courtier Tom Wintour. Or can she? With its endless tension and intrigue, The Kings Witch, has already won rave reviews. Some have even commented that such is its tension that anyone with a heart condition should warned against reading it. But now out in paperback, the novel is a must read for everyone else!

Thursday 13th June is the date on which the much awaited second novel in the trilogy is published – The Devil’s Slave – continuing the story of Frances Gorges. Equally compelling, The Devil’s Slave is further evidence that one of our nation’s finest historians is also a brilliant novelist. We are delighted that Tracy will be speaking that evening on both books at Christ Church. Admission is from 8.00 pm and is free but there will be a retiring collection afterwards for Christ Church School.

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Healthcare New Victoria Hospital completes extensive £30m redevelopment The Mayor of Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr Thay Thayalan and David Marshall, Chief Executive, New Victoria Hospital, Kingston upon Thames, open the doors to Hospital’s brand new reception and outpatient suite on 8th April The Mayor of Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr Thay Thayalan and David Marshall, Chief Executive of New Victoria Hospital, Kingston upon Thames, opened the doors to the Hospital’s brand new reception and outpatient suite on 8th April. They greeted the first patients to the new facility. This marks the completion of the Hospital’s extensive £30m redevelopment. The new entrance and reception leads into a modern, fit-for-purpose outpatient facility with increased capacity. This includes twelve consulting rooms, a cardiac diagnostic room, five treatment rooms including for colposcopy, audiology and phlebotomy.

From left to right: Jacqui Smith, outpatient manager, New Victoria Hospital; Mayor of Kingston; David Marshall, Chief Executive and Staff Nurse Sue Bullimore, New Victoria Hospital (Sue has worked at the hospital for 34 years)

The Mayor of Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr Thay Thayalan, said “Congratulations to New Victoria Hospital for completion of this impressive redevelopment, which provides top class facilities for patients and staff alike. It is particularly timely as the Hospital marks its 60th anniversary.” David Marshall, Chief Executive, New Victoria Hospital, said “We are so excited that the building work is finally finished and we can reveal our new main entrance, which sits alongside Coombe Lane West. For the first time people can see the Hospital from the road. In addition to the entrance and reception, we have gained a redeveloped outpatient department with more space. Our patients will continue to receive the quality of care we have always provided, but this will now be in a five star environment. Our staff have continued to work in difficult circumstances during all the building work and now they will be able to do their jobs in a more comfortable environment in purpose built facilities. “The Hospital has been here for 60 years. My vision is to develop the Hospital for another 60 years. It’s recognised as a leading provider of safe, robust health services, and has an excellent reputation. The redevelopment will further enhance our position in the local community.”

Jacqui Smith, outpatient manager, New Victoria Hospital

A plaque to commemorate the new outpatient suite will be unveiled by HRH Princess Alexandra on Saturday 11 May. The redevelopment completes the construction of The Victoria Foundation Wing, which opened in 2016. This houses four state of the art theatres, a new fourteen bed day surgery unit and a new CT scanner with cardiac diagnostic facility.

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New Malden Matters Creating Communities On 2nd April, New Malden Residents’ Association hosted a public meeting on the theme of creating communities, attended by about 75 people including five local councillors. Mia Patterson from Princess Alice Hospice https://www.pah.org.uk/ began the presentations by outlining the many roles their 1400 volunteers play, from fundraising in their 47 shops – essential when only 23% of their funding comes from the NHS- to the compassionate neighbour scheme, where volunteers undertake weekly visits to a frail or lonely neighbour. Tulloch Kempe of Staywell (previously Age Concern) in New Malden spoke about Connected Kingston, the local name for social prescribing. It has long been recognised that 20% of GP consultations are for issues which medicine can’t really address, such as loneliness or low mood, but many GPs don’t know who to refer the patient to. Connected Kingston https://www.connectedkingston.uk/ trains social prescribers, who can provide information on a range of local organisations such as exercise classes or self-help groups which may be able to help, and also where necessary can encourage the person to attend. People can also self-refer, by using the website. Social prescribing is not a new idea but it has now become much more important as part of the new Long Term Plan for the NHS. Primary care networks of GP practices, covering 30-50,000 people, will be created this summer and each network will employ a social prescriber; a certified training programme has been set up, and also a membership organisation. In fact, research has found that the referral interview is often beneficial in itself, as it gives people the opportunity to talk through what is troubling them. The enthusiastic adoption of social prescribing by influential GPs (including the national clinical lead, Dr Michael Dixon) should help this new way of working to take root in the health service, but it is at heart an initiative driven by the voluntary sector and in my view as these activities expand they will need additional funding. Julie Pickering, a well-regarded local councillor from 2012 to 2018, then spoke about her ambitions for Love Kingston www.lovekingston.org.uk to establish a Foundation Fund to support local charities; it currently has £100K, whereas Surrey’s fund, set up five years ago, now has £20m. Something to emulate! Love

Kingston Director Miranda Jaggers encouraged us to sign up for dragon boat racing or Ride London, but there are many other ways to support Love Kingston. Andrew Connolly then discussed the Kingston Pound (kingstonpond.org), which helps to ‘recycle our money’ locally. One beneficial side effect of using cash is that it encourages interaction; another is that children develop a better sense that money doesn’t grow on trees, whereas electronic transactions can seem abstract and encourage overspending. Kingston Pound is a Community Interest Company so grows slowly; the magazine ‘Salmon’, available in hard copy and electronically, was created to generate additional advertising income. Paper pounds were available to purchase at the meeting (the £1 has a picture of our famous slightly wonky Fountain lamp standard), or an app is downloadable from the website. The number of businesses which take them is small but growing- for example the honey stall at the farmers’ market and the Italian café near the Malden Centre. A discussion about the local economy inevitably led to a question about plans for our much-loved Tudor Williams. Any new development will hopefully retain retail on the ground floor; the council has a strong policy on retail so is likely to insist on this. Aesthetically, it would be good to see the sculpture on the building retained in some way, to mark its history. We also had a wide-ranging discussion about volunteering, such as additional support for volunteers for whom English is not their first language; Tulloch considered that Connected Kingston will be a resource for volunteering opportunities. And we addressed the need for affordable venues for local residents trying to set up social groups- something to be considered when Cocks Crescent is redeveloped. John Lewis has a community hub, and it was suggested that a call for premises could be made on Nextdoor. A further suggestion was that cafes or pubs may have rooms available during the day which they may make available if people buy some food or drink. So a thought-provoking evening, which we hope will strengthen our community. Liz Meerabeau New Malden Residents’ Association www.newmaldenresidents.org.uk

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Community A more sustainable me by Ali Warner The one where I say ‘Hi’ and try to stop using throw away coffee cups I don’t remember a lot from my English Literature degree. I always found the romantic poets a bit meh, daffodils didn’t it for me, but modernists like TS Elliot, I had time for. Strong coffee was his thing, he measured out his life in coffee spoons, I measure out mine, or my mornings at least, with three industrial strength mugs of the stuff before the sun goes over the yard arm. When I’m out and about it’s coffee not tea that’s my beverage of choice and I’m not alone. You only have to look down our High Street to see that reflected in the cafes that are surviving in times when Amazon Prime is punching other small retailers where it hurts. On average each of us spends £303 on coffee a year, we’ll buy three on the move and drink 10 cups of instant. (I’m guessing this research didn’t also factor in those sneaky cappuccinos that get you through foolish choices like bringing your 12-year-olds with you on a mad trolley dash around Wait-rose.) So here’s where I come over all Barbara - yep the one in the GoodLife who made crackers out of newspaper and won rear of the year. In fact it’s the point of this article because at the end of all of those stats about people doing this and that are people like me. And I want to change that - to be a more sustainable me - and perhaps encourage you to be a more sustainable you. For while coffee grounds can be composted or turned into biofuels fuels by clever people to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the disposal cups that coffee comes in are hitting landfill, and the number is staggering - 16 billion disposable coffee cups are

thrown away each year, 2.5 billion in the UK alone. To be fair to the coffee chains more are doing their bit to promote behaviour change. Pret offers a discount and Waitrose’s decision to stop using disposal cups in store is set to save 52 million cups a year. In a recent move Starbucks announced it’s putting the funds from 5p it asks consumers to give on a voluntary basis if they use disposal cups towards R&D; to promote High Street recycling and to up-skill the three mills the UK that can recycle the cups we throw away. But whilst that is bigger stuff - what about the stuff that’s down to you and me? Investing in a keepable cup is a great place start and there’s a whack to choose from. Some are flasks, some are bamboo, some were disposable coffee cups in a previous life. And there are even some available to buy not on Prime but from independent retailers on our very own New Malden high street. Of course there is a chance you’ll forget it. That’s where pragmatism can play at part. My friend Rowena made a pact with her mate, that if they didn’t have their keepable cups they just didn’t buy a drink. Tough love, that one, but I’m guessing it makes you double check your bag in the same way we check we have our smartphones. Whatever the option, the feel good factor of not adding more waste to the planet will earn you at least some brownie points with the next gen, and if not them, you’re bound to get a smile from that old fella, David, with the penguins. Illustrations: Jessie D’Urso

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Puzzle Time answers on page 44

fairly easy

not so easy

Pictograms 2 words RONSON TWAIN RUFFALO

6 words SMALL THING THAT CAN ESCAPE NOTICE

2 words

EE E 1P 20

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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 Questions, Questions 1. Each edition of the long-running BBC radio show Listen With Mother would begin with which question? 2. In 1994, who did David Dimbleby take over from as host of the TV show Question Time? 3. What is the first question asked in the lyrics of the song Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade?

7. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” is a question asked by the title character in which William Shakespeare play? 8. What question did Lonnie Donegan ask as the title of his 1959 hit single, with the word “Spearmint” being replaced from its original title as the BBC would not play songs that mentioned trademarks?

4. If This Is The Answer, What Is The Question is a regular round on which TV panel show?

9. On the children’s TV show Crackerjack, what were contestants given to hold every time they got a question wrong on the game called Double Or Drop?

5. Prime Minister’s Questions takes place on which day of the week?

10. The title of which 1980s film is a question to which Judge Doom is the answer?

6. What three-word question followed the title character’s name to give the full title of the first TV show to feature Scooby Doo? To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Folk Law by Jonathan Throp “What’s it all about, Alfie?” sang Cilla Black in the 1960’s If my name were Alfie (which it isn’t but oh that it were) I suspect that many of my clients would be asking the same question when it comes to residential conveyancing or, more prosaically, the buying and selling of flats and houses. What on earth does the solicitor acting for you actually do? Or to borrow from and paraphrase Monty Python’s Life of Brian “what have solicitors ever done for us?” Well, in this article I hope to show that in fact we do quite a lot for our clients. It is an oft repeated refrain that moving house is one of the top most stressful experiences people go through in their lives (to which I would add supporting Charlton Athletic, but that’s for another article). Why does it take so long? Why is there so much paperwork? Why are there so many questions to be answered? Why can’t it be like buying a loaf of bread? Why does it take so long? I am forever being told that the conveyancing procedure should be far quicker and certain. This is fine when talking solely about process but ignores the reality that people are at the heart of all transactions. And people are funny creatures. Even in the simplest situation where there is one buyer and one seller each party can have diametrically opposed views as to how quickly or how slowly completion is to be achieved. In recent months I have dealt with one matter where my clients didn’t want to complete for six months and their seller wanted the deal done in six weeks. I have also been instructed to go as slowly as possible on a sale to ensure my clients moved at the right time to get into the catchment area for a local school. In my view people and not systems should be at the forefront of the service that we as solicitors provide. Huge sums of money are spent on technology in order to streamline and make the system more efficient but if the people are forgotten it is a wasted expense. The best property solicitors I have known were rarely the best technical lawyers. The former are those that understand people; that can connect and communicate with them on their own level and on their own terms. Over the years my firm has acted for the widest range of clients from first time buyers to members of the House of Lords and all have received a service tailored to their needs. None of these were remotely interested in having the complexities of the benefit and burden of restrictive covenants being explained to them at great

length and in minute detail. All they wanted to know is “can I object to my neighbour’s proposed extension?”. Why is there so much paperwork and why can’t it be like buying a loaf of bread? The legal framework within which property is bought and sold is complex with wants and needs having to be balanced with obligations and requirements. A seller may take the view that he just wants to get rid of his house and can’t understand why he has to provide so much information to the buyer. But the buyer who is probably paying several hundred thousand pounds for the property will want to be satisfied that what he is getting is what he thought he was buying. This necessitates the solicitor carrying out rigorous searches and enquiries and then relaying the full picture to his client. The client may well be happy to accept that a new branch of the A3 is going to be ploughed through the back garden but he needs to know in advance. The buyer may also be getting a mortgage and the solicitor also owes a duty of care to the lender to ensure that there is nothing in the deal which might prejudice the decision to lend. Consequently the conveyancing process is far removed from buying the proverbial loaf of bread. Solicitors take no joy or profit in delaying a transaction. We are not barriers to the deal going through and want it to happen for our clients as much as anybody involved. Despite what politicians and some involved in the property industry would have you believe the process cannot be reduced to a tick box mentality. There are many large factory firms often paying referral fees to estate agents in return for the agents passing them clients. Often remote from the locality such firms work on a “pile ‘em high” principle which is the very antithesis of the personal service that firms like Pearson Hards seek to provide. In addition local knowledge of the area where clients are buying and selling can be invaluable. Buying and selling property is for most people an intensely personal experience and I believe that local solicitors with their emphasis on the personal service are best placed to deliver what their clients expect and deserve. Jonathan Throp is a partner at Pearson Hards with over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial property transactions.

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...and your business Pearson Hards LLP If you are looking for a solicitor, you are probably at one of those important stages in your life. Here at Pearson Hards, our clients know that as they reach those big stepping stones in their lives, they can rely on our expertise. They know that we’ll take care of the finer detail, and use our knowledge to guide them in the right direction, whilst all the time looking out for their best interests.

Commercial Property Company Commercial Dispute Resolution Employment

020 8949 9500 info@pearsonhards.co.uk

Pearson Hards Solicitors LLP Fountain House 2 Kingston Road New Malden Surrey KT3 3LR 25 To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

Malden Wanderers Club News Stags stalwart unearths last season’s staggering eight week drought by James Kuhrt The excitement builds as cricket clubs up and down the country find themselves on the cusp of the cricket season, with pre season games well under way. Following a successful Cricket Force day with volunteers giving up their Saturday morning, Malden Wanderers looks finally prepared for an irresistible summer of cricket – one that more broadly encompasses the World Cup and the Ashes! A suitable balance between what is on offer for batting and bowling is very much down to the preparation of the pitch. Andrew Goulding, who has been a groundsman at Malden Wanderers since December 1985, revealed the pressure that comes with a job where umpires examine the pitch you have prepared ahead of every match. You only have to recollect last summer’s sizzling temperatures to be aware of the challenges that groundsmen can often face. Last season, Cambridge Avenue went without rain for 8 consecutive weeks, resulting in Andrew having to sacrifice the outfield to ensure his time was spent watering the pitch where the main action happens. The weight of responsibility is heavy enough as it is with pitches having to be worked on well in advance ten days before each respective game. Despite the lack of rainfall and what this meant for the outfield, it was still judged second best in the league. Nevertheless, several thousand pounds has been spent on reseeding the outfield this spring – something deemed necessary since Stags’ first team will now be playing in a higher division this season. Many test match players have graced the field at Malden Wanderers down the years. Their names are as follows: Russell Endean, Barry Richards, Mike Proctor, Graham Roope, Geoff Arnold, Younis Ahmed, Micky Stewart, Alec Stewart Ian Ward. The First XI were without their captain and other key members of the team for the first pre season game against Old Ruts, which they won. Stags’ opponents posted a healthy score of 210 off 40 Overs which, in reality, would have been

more than enough had it not been for Alex Butler continuing from where he left off last season. However, Stags will know that the runs will need to be shared around more if they are to overcome stronger opposition. Alex Butler finished on 145 not out, with Stags seven wickets down by the end, sending out an individual message that he is hungry to continue scoring runs in outrageous abundance – including friendly matches, he scored 821 in total last summer. Many of the Stag community have bought into the fascination surrounding the introduction of a Malden Wanderers Fantasy League, courtesy of Stags players Kevin Boudville and Andy Campbell. The process of setting this up involved linking the stats of individual players at Malden Wanderers, which can be found on Play Cricket, to each player’s name and as a result each player is given a price from anywhere between three and seven million based on their statistics from the past two seasons. While this provides an extra incentive for each player to perform, the game involves selecting eleven players to form a team, working within a 55 million budget. Everyone who wishes to enter pays £5, with the hope of winning the league and claiming £100. All of the teams at Malden Wanderers look raring to go this season. Those vying for places in the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s have been hard at work. The numbers of girls signing up to play cricket this season has risen – time during the winter was well utilised with work not only being done in the nets but also on competitive fielding drills. In other news, three children are taking part in the Young Cricket Leaders programme which involves a groundsman course, umpiring course, first side, a five hour coaching course and 20 hours of volunteering and fundraising. The new shed, dedicated to Ieuan, has reached its completion, and is looking magnificent – it will prove extremely useful for this season and many to come. Many thanks to those who helped set it up.

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Clubs Mondays

Christ Church Community Cafe (In the Lounge) Monday and Tuesday at 10:30 to 12 for Refreshments and Chat. Trained Listeners available. All Welcome! Katie Kuhrt 07449333123

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 Weekly Peer Support for parents with mental health conditions. Crafty Mondays 9.30-12noon Hatha Yoga 1.30-2.30 53-55 Canbury Park Rd. KT2 6LQ Tel: 02085463258

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

club@kingstonfencing.co.uk kingstonfencing.co.uk

Early Morning Running Group Hill training on The Hamptons, covering 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 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com.

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 Katie Kuhrt 07449333123 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

trafficking. We’ll discuss issues of forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, raise awareness and fundraise. ellykeevil@hotmail.com

Wednesdays

Malden & Coombe Social Club For The Blind Alternate Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm Mike Ball 020 8942 0819 Volunteer drivers/ helpers VERY welcome 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

Post-natal Coffee Morning. 10-11.30am last Thursday of the month. 53-55 Canbury Park Rd KT2 6LQ Tel: 02085463258 Chair Yoga 10.45am-11.45am at Avenue Hall (West Wimbledon Society), 70 Richmond Road, West Wimbledon, SW20 0PQ. Join Jackie (Jackie JJC Yoga) for accessible yoga in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Either sitting on a chair or using the chair as a prop, everyone can enjoy the benefits of yoga. No equipment or experience needed. £5.00 per class.

Malden Bridge Club When: Tuesday jackiejjcyoga.com/chair-yoga 07940 evenings 7.30-10.30pm Graham 575628; email: jackie.jjc.yoga@ Spicer Institute, by entrance to Fencing Club, every Tuesday from Waitrose car park. John 020 8942 7560 gmail.com or just drop in. 7:00 to 9:30 pm at Coombe Boys’ KINGSTON U3A SINGERS! 10.30 School, College Gardens, New Malden Act For Justice New Malden Baptist - 12.30, Glenmore House, 6 The church; Westbury Road. KT3 5BE. first KT3 6NU. Children & adults, beginners Crescent, Surbiton KT6 4BN. We Tuesday of every month, 8 - 9.30pm. & experienced fencers are all enjoy singing many different styles This group aims to combat human welcomed. Equipment is provided. 28 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers Brenda Denby, 0208 398 6054 brendadenby@live.co.uk.

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 7.30-7.45am. 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 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

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by. Rosemary Vase 0208 5468719 or Pauline Finn 0208 549 3270 or just turn up

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 Church, Avenue Road, off Fairfield South, KT1 2UJkingston debating.org.uk 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, 11th May 2019, at Kingston Museum, Silk Painting Cherry Blossoms, Stitch Saturday (adults),11.00am – 1.00pm, Young Embroiderers, (ages 5-17), 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Friday, 24th May 2019 - a talk by - Joan and John Fisher ‘Tent Makers of Cairo’ Moveable Palaces-Spaces and Places for Decoration 7.30pm, St Marks C of E Church Hall, Surbiton (nonmembers very welcome) Check website for contact & details: www.kingstonanddistrictbranch.co.uk

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What’s On Bereavement Café

In partnership with the Princess Alice Hospice, New Malden Methodist Church will be hosting a Bereavement Café. This will run on the second Tuesday of every month from 2.30pm to 4pm, beginning in April, and will be held in the Church’s coffee bar. A Bereavement Café is a comfortable and welcoming place, where guests can meet with others who have been through their own loss, and who can understand something of what you’re going through. Being able to talk about your experience and be listened to is so important, and that’s what a Bereavement Café offers. This is not a counselling service, but is a place for you to talk and be heard. All are welcome to drop into the Bereavement Café, enjoy a tea or coffee, and join in the conversation, whether or not you see yourself as having a faith. The Café is here for anybody who feels it could be helpful for them. 14th May and 11th June. Agatha Christie’s play “Spider’s Web” is being performed by St James’s Players from Wednesday 8- Saturday 11 May at 7.45pm in St James’s church hall, Bodley Road, New Malden KT3 5QE. Written as a

Malden Fortnight

The 2019 Malden Fortnight celebrations start on Saturday 6th July with the annual parade at 2p.m. This year’s theme is “Screen Heroes” and we hope to get another record turnout from Schools, Clubs, Societies and Institutions all showing their usual flair and imagination and fancy dress depicting any number of Heroes that have appeared on our cinema and television screens over many years. Entry is free and the application forms are available on the Malden Fortnight website. On the following Saturday 13th July the Craft Fair will be taking place with up to 90 stalls on display along the High Street - again, the application form is on the website. Places are being taken up already and early action is recommended. We will be asking all organisers to make contact with us with details of the events that are being planned so that your information can be printed in the Fortnight Diary leaflet which is circulated to 25,000 houses and business in the KT3 postal area. Our Committee wish you every success with your efforts and look forward to another successful year. Tony Gooding Chairman, Malden Fortnight Committee

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Sacred Heart RC Primary School Burlington Road, New Malden, KT3 4ND

Summer Fair

Saturday 22nd June, 12-3pm Join us for an afternoon of Jungle Fun including fairground rides, plenty of games, a gourmet BBQ and bar, and more... All welcome!

50th Anniversary

Street briefings at The Cut, opp the Train station Fri 3rd May, 12-1pm, Thur 23rd May, 4-5pm Community contact sessions at CI Tower SNT base Wed 8th May,3-4pm, Fri 17th May, 5-7pm Friday 31st May,12-1pm

Andy Reeve

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School will be holding our 50th Anniversary Open Evening for Past Pupils & Parents on Friday 21st June from 7-9pm. Welcome drink, nibbles and cash bar will be provided. Please email the school at CC50@corpuschristi.rbksch.org to inform us if you would like to attend and to help us with numbers. All are welcome!

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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.

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Clubs Rotary Club Of New Malden Summer Celebratory Concert.

Good progress is being made with the organisation of this event. All four schools, Richard Challoner our hosts, Holy Cross, Coombe Boys’ and Coombe Girls’ are all excited at the prospect of showcasing their work and their talented pupils. The concert doors will open at 6.30 for a 7 pm start. Tickets, priced at £10, will be available from 1st June through ‘Eventbrite’ (on line). Look out for the advertising posters and fliers next month, courtesy of Suttles of New Malden, and please do support this first time venture. There will be a paying bar in the interval at the event. Events such as this need funds so we are seeking sponsorship from local businesses who, for their generosity will be featured in the programme, and advertising space is also available. The Rotary Club is a charity, supporting global and local causes. Once we have cleared our costs on an event such as the Summer Concert, all proceeds will be invested in the four schools taking part and other local charities.

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

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please contact our Secretary on 07946526783 or Barry Collins 0774025725 High Street Hanging Baskets Last year the appeal for funds produced insufficient income to pay for the Summer Hanging Baskets and they didn’t appear. This year thanks to a generous donation from Devine Homes who are developing the Fountain site together with a Council grant the full cost has been covered and the hanging baskets will appear during the next month. The Christmas Lights were erected in the usual way in November 2018. Whilst they were up, Kier, the Council’s contractor, changed their requirements and insisted that the High Street was closed for them to be taken down. To close the High Street and take down the lights would cost £6,500 and presumably a similar amount to erect them again in November. The Rotary Club of New Malden has been organising the lights for the past ten years or so, obtaining a grant from the Council and collecting from local businesses but collecting nothing like the £11,000 needed. We have tried unsuccessfully to find alternative solutions and so at the moment to have lights on at Christmas, we have to have them in place all year. Club Duties. This time of the year for Rotary in general ie from Clubs to District and World wide is very busy due to all the planning for the forthcoming new year. (Rotary new year begins on 1st July.) At Club level assemblies are planned to discuss details of the programmes for the year for each committee which will decide the size of budget we will need to finance the programme. In particular we have to decide to what level we aim to support our charity events and then decide how we will go about it. In our Club the President elect has the responsibility to decide who will head each committee and which members will assist the committee chairperson. All will be finalised at the Club Annual General meeting this month. David Powers - Club correspondent.

DAVID MOSELEY

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

Queens Road KT3 A beautifully presented three double bedroom period house, a through reception and a good sized kitchen/diner which leads out to a pretty garden. The property retains many original features and has been extended. EPC rating D. £550,000 Freehold

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Join us on: To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

Gardening Make it Minimal by Pippa Greenwood For some, the ideal view from their back door is a flower-filled cottage-style garden brimming with colourful perfumed plants and flowers, buzzing with bees and with not a straight line in sight. But there is an increasing interest in a more minimalist style, where plants are grown in a much more designed situation, with straight lines aplenty but far fewer plants and yet each plant having a much greater individual impact. If you hanker after a minimalist garden, here are some suggestions for achieving the effect you want. One of the key design elements to a minimalist garden is simplicity. Decide on the plants you like that will suit your garden, and then keep the different types you use as low as possible. The biggest impact will be achieved if you use just a few, for example concentrating on ornamental grasses. Another key to the minimalist look is clever use of straight lines, ideally with a few right angles thrown in. Edges need to be sharply defined, perhaps using sleepers or other timber, or even angled metal. Make sure that planting does not interfere with the lines created by border edging, so keep plants well back. The colours on which you concentrate need to fit in with your personal preferences and the surroundings, but to increase that minimalist style try to restrict the number of colours used and the whole effect will be calmer and simpler. Any existing features that cannot be removed (perhaps a shed or fence) can either be recoloured or painted to fit in with the new scheme, or their current colour will have to be included with what you’re using for landscaping and planting. A stunning minimalist effect can be achieved by using a single type of plant and a single type of container – for example, conifers of varying sizes look great in

terracotta containers. The only variation here is in the size of the conifer: all colours, textures and plants are the same. It is easy to achieve by buying several different sizes of the same type of conifer and then keeping them clipped regularly so that they remain of differing sizes. Alternatively, if you can only get one size, trim them lightly to achieve the desired look, but remember most conifers won’t withstand hard pruning and are inclined to show their brown inner foliage if cut back too hard. Green, in the form of foliage, helps to add a feeling of tranquillity to a minimalist garden so make sure you include it, perhaps as neatly clipped box hedging or as a few bay lollipops in angular containers. Any containers need to be as plain as possible, a single colour ideally, and straight-sided angular styles add to the minimalist slant too. An evenly spaced trio of pots, each with a single central plant, provides a perfect choice of container planting and will also bring movement to the garden as the breeze sways the foliage. If you like topiary this can be a great choice but stick to simple tightly clipped spheres or ‘lollipops’, cubes or at most spirals; there is no space for a peacock, rabbit, bear or other fantastically sculptured creature if you’re going minimalist! Plants with simple or angular shapes such as iris, alliums, conifers, clipped box, canna or palms are an excellent choice, but take a look at what is available locally and opt for any of your personal (but simple) favourites.

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- Decking and Lawns - Hedge Trimming - Landscaping

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Grass alternatives such as gravel may feature highly. Gravel certainly makes for less maintenance than the classic grass, but make sure it stays weed-free and easy-care by installing a weed-membrane (rather like woven, plastic hessian) onto the soil before putting down the gravel. Thoroughly weed the area then firm ‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 and compact well before putting the fabricinfo@cypressgardenservices.co.uk down and HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ you this will ensure gravel without unwanted green

www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 - One off Tidy - Garden Maintenance - Decking and Lawns - Hedge Trimming A minimalist garden need not be just for admiring: - Landscaping make it so that you can sit out there and soak up the - Tree surgery calm feeling it gives you too. Choose simple, classically - Stump Grinding styled garden furniture with as few colours and textures as possible and the furniture won’t detract - Strimming & Weeding from the minimalist environment and look that you’ve - Garden clearance achieved – so just sit back and enjoy. - Path & Patio Washing shoots. Don’t be tempted to economise and use plastic sheeting as it won’t allow rain to penetrate, and after heavy rain you’ll end up with a flood plain!

Visit www.pippagreenwood.com for advice, natural pest controls, stylish cloches, pretty plant supports, gardening tools and more. Or book Pippa for a gardening talk at your club.

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Malden Lime Grove Bowling Club Lime Grove, New Malden • Founded 1904

OPEN DAY

Saturday 11th May 11am-4pm Why not come along to our friendly bowls club and give bowling a try? Our members look forward to meeting you. All ages and abilities welcome All you need is a pair of flat shoes (or trainers) and a sense of fun! Refreshments provided, no obligation, no fee, just a fun afternoon for all the family!

John: 0208 949 4315 or Sue: 0208 395 6778 To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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 9.30am to 11.30am Sparkles United Reformed Church, 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 020 8336 1561

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

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, Norbiton Children’s Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage Road, 0208 942 2559 10.30-11am Story Time for age 2.5+ at New Malden Library

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,

Tuesday-Fridays

Parent and Toddler Play Sessions Dickerage Lane Adventure Playground Dickerage Lane, Daniel Slocombe 020 8942 1707,

Unit 2 Chancerygate Business Centre Red Lion Road, Surbiton KT6 7RA

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Where children become everything they can be Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

NEW MALDEN 0208 540 7791 newmalden@stagecoach.co.uk

CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK 0208 773 4242 cheam@stagecoach.co.uk

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

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

Parkin’ some thoughts Making sense of it all

Sometimes in life you just have to accept things don’t make sense. Our Brexit “strategy”, Donald Trump’s insistence on spending the GDP of a small African nation on building his wall and dental hygienists who insist on trying to engage you in conversation whilst simultaneously filling your mouth with a selection of cleaning utensils are but a few examples of things that can’t be explained by logical thought. Parkinson’s too is not a logical beast. The only thing that’s predictable about it is its unpredictability. Symptoms change, often from day to day, and what you found yourself able to do a few weeks previously may suddenly become a challenge greater than trying to identify the “celebrity” in an episode of “Pointless Celebrities” or “Celebrity” Big Brother. Take mobility for example. Until recently I’d found running to be a far more effective means of propulsion than walking. It’s something to do with the messages being sent to the brain as well as the forward momentum which makes moving at speed easier than the slower and more deliberate act of putting one foot in front of the other at walking pace. However, even running has become trickier of late and more often than not, the wiring between my legs and brain short circuits leaving my pins rooted to the spot whilst the rest of my body continues forwards in search of an alternative venue. In fact, moving around at all has, at times, become more difficult than trying to hold a prayer meeting at a Metallica concert. With these increasing restrictions upon my mobility in mind, it was with some concern that I embarked with the Hazell clan upon our first ski trip in 6 years over the recent Easter holidays. My expectations were low and were not encouraged by our journey to the airport. The first attempt concluded a mere five minutes into the journey with our taxi driver ploughing into the back of a stationary vehicle. This gave rise to an airbag in the face, a full-on set of Parky stress shakes and some surprisingly choice language from my eldest child. When we reached Gatwick, the plane was inevitably parked at a gate closer to Swansea than Crawley and so I had to avail myself of wheel chaired assistance and endure the bemused questioning of its navigator who couldn’t reconcile the slow moving, stick wielding passenger in his charge with someone about to holiday on the slopes. At that stage, I could see his point. But Parkinson’s is anything but understandable and as I was to discover, skiing works with rather than against

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Specialising in Quality Shoe Repairs Key Cutting Polish and Sundries a number of its symptoms. For example, goods no-one can leather make walking around in ski boots appear graceful so my peculiar gait didn’t attract attention from other skiers School Bags displaying similarly curious walking patterns. Also, there’s a fair bit of shuffling involved in this type of holiday, 153 High Street whether in lift queues or on flatter terrain. Shuffling is a New Malden skill in which I am a black belt. Above all though, KT3 4BHthere is no requirement to put one foot in front of another which whilst a theoretically simple task, is not one I can perform with any degree of confidence. The consequent relief of finally being able to move about fluidly for the first time in what seems like forever, albeit with a plank on each foot, was unexpectedly emotional. OK. I’ll admit, balance and control were slight issues, but our instructor only had to rescue me from disappearing backwards over the edge of a precipice on two occasions, so I’ll put that down as a win.

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Parkinson’s and its symptoms really don’t make sense. I have now skied down the longest black run in Europe but at times find it difficult, if not impossible, to walk the shortest of distances. In fact, the worst injury I received during the week was not on the slopes but on my return to Gatwick where without warning my limbs disengaged with my brain causing me to fall more heavily than at any time during the holiday. That’s the thing about this disease. Just when you think you’ve made some progress it trips you up and gives you a good kicking on the way down. I suppose all of this just a reminder that I can’t have a set plan as to how life is going to be. The more I expect, the more disappointed I am when those expectations aren’t met. In fact, maybe you don’t always have to have a plan. Maybe it doesn’t matter if some things in life don’t make sense. Perhaps it’s just best to breathe deeply, let go and see what happens. In fact, just like my approach to skiing...

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NEW MALDEN

Classes every SATURDAY morning 10:00-12pm (Juniors and Adults) Graham Spicer Institute 5 Dukes Avenue, KT3 4HL First TWO Lessons FREE Families and beginners of all abilities welcome All classes are taught by male and female instructors What do Students Gain? • Self-respect and for others • Improved co-ordination and flexibility • Develop confidence & self-esteem • Self-control and discipline • Practical self-defence

To enrol your free sessions, please contact Vince & Alice: 07472 827847 www.hogantkdnewmalden.com To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

A Photographer Dreams... May by Hugh Griffiths www.creativelight.org.uk

I think that I will try to remember this month as being peaceful – almost bucolic in its calm and carefree way of life. So, this picture, which I took (as you may have guessed) on the Wey Navigations) is a perfect reminder of golden late spring days and a happy walk with a good companion along the canals. There is so much to see and to experience along the waterway and as always, it is a surprise to see proper countryside, with real farms and real animals (and real piles of stuff to try to avoid!) so close to home and to the roaring traffic of the A3. But there it is, these cows were standing around, contemplating whatever cows contemplate about, before one of them decided that she was thirsty. She wandered into the canal and was followed by three of her friends (do cows have friends or are they all just acquaintances – there’s some academic research worth doing) who joined her in cooling their feet and drinking the water. Or maybe they were just wondering why they happened to be getting wet legs. This photo is helped by the fact that the cow nearest us is peering around towards us, as if to ask us why we are there. Asking if we have the right to take her picture without her permission (yes, we do)? She’s not quite looking directly at us, which is a small composition problem, but I reckon that it’s adequate for this shot. If the cows were all facing the opposite direction, ignoring us, then there is likely to be a sense of detachment from the image, of it not being as ‘grabby’ as I would like. As a general principle, that holds true for any picture with animals or people in: eye contact always makes the picture more interesting and keeps your attention better.

I mentioned this photo last month – a small gosling, surrounded by daisies, and just lapping in all the attention she is getting. A truly ‘AWWWWW’ picture! The Arundel Wetland Centre near the south coast, is a lovely place to spend time, especially at this time of year, as there are all sorts of baby birds at different stages in their growth. The very tiny chicks are actively corralled by their parents, while the slightly older ones, like children everywhere, are running about and exploring, getting frightened, running back to Mum or Dad, having a sleep, just sitting … This one, was keeping a small distance from the parents, who made sure they could see it and be ready to protect it if any of those pesky humans seemed to be threatening their baby. Of course, we wouldn’t, but they aren’t to know that. It was so beautifully fluffy and sitting so perfectly in the middle of the daisies, that there was very little thinking that had to be done to get a nice picture. A bit of technical stuff (focus, depth of field) and there it was. Some people say that fine art doesn’t mean pretty pictures – and my visits last year to various exhibitions which included photographs, usually seemed to bear that out. What a shame – life is not always a challenge, and even if it is, we all need and want something to smile at and to make us feel a little bit happier. I hope that this picture does that for you! We love taking photos of ourselves on holiday – family times, relaxing times, enjoyable and memory-filled times. The keen amateur or professional photographer may sometimes say that these are just ’snaps’ with a derogatory attitude. Well, they’re not. They may not be the ultimate art print that will grace the walls of a thousand Ikea-themed apartments, but they are real, genuine, very worthwhile pictures that do and should fill albums of memories for us.

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And now for another chick story; but one that is rather different. I was at Claremont Gardens last May, and enjoying the warm weather, and looking at the birds on the lake and on the grassy sloped opposite the amphitheatre. I saw this little family – only a few metres away from me – and loved the interaction that was shown. At first the little chick was standing dutifully between its parents while they argued over whether they should go swimming or not (okay, I’m guessing here), but he is clearly not that excited in the increasingly heated domestic happening 10 centimetres above his head. And in any case, there are some interesting blades of grass just long the way. So, he decided to wander off – and the mum and dad don’t seem to realise it until he has almost disappeared from sight. I could practically hear the cry of “I told you he wanted to

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go. Now look what you’ve done” from the one on the right. I must have lost some concentration at that point in their argument, because my next photos have them, all three, happily swimming off across the lake. I was lucky to catch these shots: there is a fun story to tall, and it gives a picture of real goose behaviour – not as pretty as the one above, but interesting and (I think, anyway) funny. It is always worth looking out for animal actions that illustrate some aspect of their lives – whether this is caring for their young, falling in love, searching for food, fighting off an aggressor or whatever they do. These actions may be open to pretend interpretation (in truth I suspect that my story has almost no grounding in reality), but it makes it much more fun when you show them to your friends. We all like those ‘Caption Competitions’ where we have to add text balloons to people in photos; this is just an extension of that enjoyment. I had a hard time this month choosing my photos. Not because they are all so brilliant – I wish! But in the end, going for something peaceful, pretty and fun illustrates a lot of why I actually take pictures. I am not too committed to making images that would grace the exhibition halls of the Tate or the National Gallery (although I have entered two photos for the 2019 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition – this is the definition of hubris!), but really want to make pictures that you all enjoy. I hope you did. 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! Our website gives a lot more information … www.maldencameraclub.org.uk

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Counselling in Southwest London and Surrey

Feeling anxious? Depressed? Struggling to cope? We offer professional and affordable counselling in the New Malden area. X www.thefountaintherapytrust.com 0 info@thefountaintherapytrust.com [ 07505 840107

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

Solutions

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1. Are You Sitting Comfortably? 2. Peter Sissons 3. Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall? 4. Mock The Week 5. Wednesday 6. Where Are You? 7. Macbeth 8. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour On the Bedpost Overnight? 9. A cabbage 10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

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1. Full marks 2. The devil is in the detail 3. Easy money

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Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion are always interested in learning about the history of local heroes. I was walking past the Memorial in the High Street yesterday and was so happy to see the plants still flowering especially since they were planted in November! Thank you to our members who litter pick and pull up weeds, especially Linda ! The Union Flag was replaced by Kingston Council recently and our thanks go out to them. The Royal British Legion, through The Poppy appeal and local branch fund raising schemes, spend millions of pounds every year on maintaining and providing 6 care homes for long term nursing and personal care and dementia patients. These are in Somerset, Warwickshire, Norfolk ,North Yorkshire, East Sussex and Kent. We also have 4 break centres and adventure breaks for young people of service families in Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, Merseyside and Somerset. Centres such as Battleback Centre support those who need assistance after mental and/or physical trauma. Help is also offered to provide benefits, money and debt advise. Every penny donated and raised helps in these causes so thank you New Malden for your generosity in past years. I was lucky enough to visit a photographic exhibition on The Crimean War of 1854.As well as photos of Army camps and senior military officers ,there was a poignant photo of 3 amputees. Prince Harry was the guest audio speaker and compared current service personnel with limb loss to those in the photo. They had no Royal British Legion help for themselves nor their families. We know Prince Harry supports the Armed Services and their welfare as did his ancestor Queen Victoria, who invited Crimean War soldiers to Buckingham Palace. She also awarded the 1st Victoria Cross on 26th June 1857 to Naval Officer Buckley. The photo shows medals from left to right Crimean, VC and Turkish Crimean.

Whether 1854 or 2019 there will always be casualties of war. We are here to help them and will continue to do so. If you would like to support the RBL yourself, please become a member of Malden and Coombe RBL at the cost of £19 per year. Contact RBL on 0808 802808. or go to website www. britishlegion.org.uk …………. And please quote local branch Malden and Coombe when applying. Or myself at janfeist@hotmail.com 07900 482379 for information, relate to me your memories of WW2 in New Malden or any other queries, especially reporting a serviceman or woman who needs help, no matter how large or small the problem. Together we will make a difference.

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

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Constructing Your Future 46

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New Look Department Store

020 8942 2277

Tudor Williams Ltd, 53-59 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BU www.tudorwilliamsltd.co.uk

It is with great sadness that we have to announce our intention to close our New Malden store after 106 years of trading. Despite the tremendous effort by our New Malden management and staff and the extensive refurbishment, the store has unfortunately not seen the necessary improvement in sales. With ongoing rising costs, and the tough retail climate, it is with the greatest of reluctance we have concluded that we are unable to continue trading at the store. Neither our Dorking store nor our sister store, Elphicks of Farnham, which has recently undergone a major refurbishment, are affected by this decision and will continue to trade as normal.

Our Great ÂŁ1,000,000 Store Closing Sale, from FRIDAY, 17TH MAY with a final closure date of

SATURDAY 29TH JUNE

We would like to thank all those employees past and present, who made the business what it was. We would also like to extend our warm appreciation to our many customers who have supported us so loyally. To the present group of staff we extend our heart felt gratitude. John Morris Group Managing Director To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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