Village voice march 15

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V Malden’s

illage oice

KT3’s ONLY FREE independent community magazine and business guide

WWW.NMVV.CO.UK

March 15 issue 113


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Dear Readers

Welcome to the March edition of the ‘Village Voice’. Thanks for all the submissions this month. Robin Gill continues his historical articles with the third instalment of ‘The love of our town leads us’ - a fascinating insight into some of the bombings sustained in New Malden during the Second World War. Poignant reading indeed. Don’t forget that British Summer Time (hooray, can’t wait, please make it a good one!) starts at the end of the month so remember to move clocks forward or risk of being late or missing out on the Sunday morning! Official advice is that ‘when local standard time is about to reach 2015, 1AM on Sunday, March 29, clocks are turned forward 1 hour to 2AM local daylight time instead’. Do any of us actually stay up to perform this ceremony?? I’m a Saturday night before I go to bed girl! So one hour less sleep for daughter no2 on Brownie pack holiday. I wonder if Brown Owl will give them a lie in. Other notable dates for March are of course St Davids Day on the 1st, St Patricks Day on the 17th and woe betide you forget Mother’s Day on the 15th I wonder if we will be treated to another batch of slightly blackened Welsh Cakes from the Welshman of the house on the 1st… I hope you enjoy a good read and also see what our local businesses 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 smart phone/ tablet or PC. Until April, best wishes

Jenny

We also publish Worcester Park Life covering the KT4 postcode

Jenny Stuart, Editor & publisher P.S. Please remember to mention the Village Voice when replying to adverts, and get in touch by 18th March if you’d like your business, Club or event to feature in the April edition(s). Contact jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk 020 8336 2915 www.maldenmedia.co.uk Malden Media Limited

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Next copy deadlines: 18th March for Aprils’ editions 17th April for May

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Competition If you’ve recently been into “Suttles of Malden” (the stationery shop in the High Street opposite Tudor Williams, in case you need telling!) then you may have noticed their unique “I LOVE New Malden” range. There are mugs, mouse mats, coasters and notebooks to name but a few – all reasonably priced and a brilliant way to show your lurve for our super suburb! So, in partnership with the team at Suttles, I’m delighted to announce our fabulous NEW photography competition. Start snapping your seasonal pictures of New Malden for our 2016 calendar. Categories will be judged in 11 and under, under 18 and over 18s. The 12 winners will all be credited on the calendar – what an honour! Profits from all sales will go to the

New Malden Christmas Lights Fund. I’d also love to use some of the winning pictures on the front covers of our 2016 magazines. Pre-orders will be available at a discounted rate – think surprise Christmas present for a loved one, neighbour or the ideal ‘Secret Santa’ gift for local colleagues (as well as all those unfortunate friends and family who’ve moved out of the area!) Or, just pop into Suttles from late November (tbc) to pick up your copy. As this is a New Malden calendar, we do only want seasonal pictures (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) of the “village” or New Malden people out and about! Although… there may be a special allowance for the best picture taken at a recognisable international venue or alongside an A-list celebrity…. but only if you’re holding a copy of the Village Voice or an item from the “I heart NM” range! Well done to the Gomes and

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Churchouse girls and friends (below) for braving the cold and chips (poor things!) to help us launch this. So no matter how experienced (or old!) a photographer you are, get out there and capture the essence of the area, and the month. More information about how to enter will be released later in the year.

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New Malden History The love of our town leads us (3) by Robin Gill

16th August 1940 is a date that should always remain in the minds of those who were living in New Malden at that time. Herbert Knapp had spent a normal day at his office in London. There had been several trips to the basement for the employees when the air raid sirens (known as Wailing Winnies) had sounded but there had been no actual raids. Path of destruction It was the usual slow journey home from Waterloo by train, with frequent stops along the way, but the British commuter knew how to take all this in their stride. This day was different however. The train pulled into Raynes Park station, and stood still for a few minutes, gradually the passengers opened the doors to discover what the holdup was, to find the atmosphere thick with dust. One of the station staff called out “All Change” as the

train would not be proceeding further down the line towards New Malden. Mr Knapp had to make the rest of his way on foot. He found West Barnes Lane was a mass of broken pylons from the trolley bus routes mixed up with toppled lampposts and telegraph poles and strands of wire some still sparking from the overhead cables. Additional to this, the road was covered with craters made by bombs from a raid. There was an explosion followed by screams as a delayed action bomb went off, or a controlled detonation took place. The raid had destroyed the signal box at West Barnes crossing where the signalman took evasive action by throwing himself to the floor which probably saved his life. Fortunately for Mr Knapp, the bombs had not fallen on his home in Hollington Crescent, although other areas including the railway station had been badly hit. This was the first time in the war a station had been damaged, and London Transport (trolleybuses) also suffered their first incidents from enemy action. Mr Knapp asked for the Borough flag to be flown on every 16th August from the Council Offices as a reminder of the raid. As we are no longer a borough,

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the Union Flag is flown from the flagpole by the war memorial.

House Of Commons caught fire, and the MPs were found not to have sufficient volunteers to protect it. In Malden the local ARP service conducted fire watching in two hour shifts and advised residents on the best way of exiting their houses from the upstairs if the property was damaged.

Fire blitz For the next few weeks the sirens sounded practically every day, sometimes five or six times. Firstly the up and down wailing telling that a raid was about to happen, and then later, the one note signalling Stop blubbering and eat your lunch the all-clear, and for the next three Another new institution was the Civic months , night time was spent Cafe which later became known as in the Anderson shelter in the the British Restaurant. Opened in June garden. Often Knapp found his way 1941 at St John’s Institute in Malden to and from London delayed by Road, decked out with serving counters, Firebomb Fritz leaflet unexploded bombs on the line, and tables and chairs and with the kitchen in the evenings a red glow was clearly visible in the remodelled, it was possible for the WVS (Womens direction of London as incendiary bombs rained down Voluntary Service) and others to serve around 75 on the capital. The burning of London hastened the midday meals for those who were finding their formation of Street Fire Parties, men and later women ration books being stretched to the limit. To quote who looked out for these bombs which ignited and one avid fan “The queue was long, but the food was burnt on impact. Equipped with a bucket of sand or good, typically sausage and mash, followed by a suet water and a stirrup pump these small bombs when pudding and custard.” Of course with about 2000 of unexploded, could be safely disposed of when spotted. these restaurants around the country, the standard of By the beginning of 1941, all factories and large the food must have varied, and you do hear stories of buildings were required by law to provide firewatchers, some menus including whale meat etc. and this proved embarrassing when in May 1941 the

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Another innovation was the “Holidays At Home” introduced by the Ministry of Information. During the war it was practically impossible for ordinary families to travel overseas for holidays, and just as impractical for them to holiday at the coast. Even if the beach wasn’t covered with barbed wire there was the ever present threat of invasion, or secret military manoeuvres. So people were asked to holiday in their local area. Local landowners were requested to open up their land as much as possible for walkers and ramblers. Petrol was rationed, and the train service was at best unreliable and liable to be used for military purposes. So Malden Council was encouraged to put on entertainments for the public in halls and parks. A stage and dressing rooms were installed for open air theatre productions in Beverley Park. There were regular “Victory Parades” (albeit a trifle premature) with the newly crowned Victory Queen parading around the field in a horse drawn chariot. Band concerts were regularly held in the park, and of course if people were going to listen to the band they needed somewhere to sit, and what could be more traditional than a deckchair. Probably the only benefit of imminent invasion was there were plenty available especially from seaside resorts. So Malden borrowed

400 chairs from Worthing, these chairs were stored in Manor Park pavilion, then a wooden building, and the home of the National Fire Service, which was a bit ironic, as in May 1945 fire broke out and the building and deckchairs were destroyed. Renewed attacks In February 1941 there was a noticeable increase in enemy bomb attacks called by Mr Knapp the “Little Blitz” fortunately casualties were not as severe as those from August-November 1940, but mention should be of the Rev John Pendlebury (169 Malden Road) the curate of Christ Church. As well as his religious duties he carried out the office of Air Raid Warden making sure everyone was safe inside the public shelters, and organising singsongs to keep their spirits up. He died caught in a blast at home after ensuring his wife and family had got to a place of safety. Mr Knapp also relates the sad story of Arthur Cook. Mr Cook had also noticed the increase in bombing and as he and his wife had never had an Anderson Shelter, arranged with Knapp to see the Borough Engineer about installing one. Mr Cook of 64 Bodley Road never turned up for his appointment with the engineer as the day before, his house received a direct hit, and Cook and his wife were killed.

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Pilotless planes 1944 saw the arrival of the V1s (Doodlebugs) and Knapp had a close encounter with one on 3rd July which landed in Hollington Crescent and Motspur Park. The roof of No 20 was blown off, the ceilings smashed as were the windows and front door. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and Knapp guarded the damaged house with the Home Guard until it could be secured. He commented that most of the Anderson Shelters nearby had their roofs blown off, whilst the indoor Morrison shelter (where his wife was sheltering) “gave excellent cover”. I am grateful for Anthony Williams for the following account “It glided down Hollington Crescent, knocking off a brick from one of our neighbour’s chimney stack. I well recall a shadow as it passed our house at bedroom height. It continued to glide across Chilmark Gardens and crashed in the garden of one of the houses in another part of Hollington Crescent”. The photograph accompanying this article shows the extent of the damage caused. Fortunately, the following month saw the last of the V1s, and the V2 Rockets fell short of Malden, so the residents started to turn their attention to life after the war. Some argued for a Civic Cinema owned and run by the Borough, others wanted a public hall for dances with the proceeds going to disabled soldiers or families

Bomb damage caused by V1 of those killed. Time shows that neither of these wishes were fulfilled. On VE night a torchlight procession was lead by Mr Knapp through the town and included the local services and bands, ending at a bonfire that had been built near the bus stop in Kingston Road, onto which the torches were thrown. Strangely enough this site, which is now Balgowan Close, was the projected spot for a cinema in the 1950s. Again something in Malden that might have been, but never was. Remember you can read previous editions of the Village Voice, and Robin’s articles, online. www.maldenmedia.co.uk

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recent ‘All in One’ borough survey.

News

SO, WHAT DID YOU TELL US ABOUT

10,000 people took part in the

All in One was the largest consultation ever conducted by Kingston Council – with almost 10,000 people sharing their views and aspirations for the Borough.

NEW MALDEN ?

recent ‘All in One’ borough survey.

SO, WHAT DID YOU TELL US ABOUT

We will shortly be sharing the results of the survey with all those who live, visit and work in the Borough.

Find out at your local exhibition and meet The Leader of the Council to discuss your priorities and aspirations for the future.

NEW MALDEN ?

Find out what others in your neighbourhood said at your local exhibition and meet The Leader of the Council to discuss your priorities and aspirations for the future. MALDEN CENTRE Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015 Meet The Leader: 7 March (1pm - 2.30pm) ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (Robin Hood Lane) Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015 Meet The Leader: 7 March (3.30pm - 5pm) DICKERAGE SPORTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE (Dickerage Lane) Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015 Meet The Leader: 14 March (10am - 11.30am)

MALDEN CENTRE

Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 7 March (1pm - 2.30pm)

Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 7 March (3.30pm - 5pm)

DICKERAGE SPORTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE

Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 14 March (10am - 11.30am)

OLD MALDEN LIBRARY

Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 14 March (1pm - 2.30pm)

MALDEN CENTRE

Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 7 March (1pm - 2.30pm)

Exhibition 2 - 7 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 7 March (3.30pm - 5pm)

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (Robin Hood Lane)

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Find out at your local exhibition and meet The Leader of the Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015 Meet The Leader: 14 March (3.30pm - 5pm) NEW MALDEN LIBRARY Council to discuss your priorities and aspirations for the future.

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Join in the conversation online and find out more at

www.kingston.gov.uk/consultations Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015 Meet The Leader: 14 March (10am - 11.30am) DICKERAGE SPORTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE (Dickerage Lane)

surveyfeedbackposter_JC_Decaux.indd 2

OLD MALDEN LIBRARY

Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 14 March (1pm - 2.30pm)

NEW MALDEN LIBRARY

Exhibition 9 - 14 March 2015

Meet The Leader: 14 March (3.30pm - 5pm)

13/01/2015 17:10

Join in the conversation online and find out more at

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Events Q: How many people can be squeezed into Christ Church, New Malden on a Friday night? A: About 650! (well, if there’s the will, determination and energy to create one of the biggest and best fundraisers that New Malden has ever known! Yes, you did read that correctly! On Friday January 30th, Christ Church (thanks to the generous cooperation of the Rev Stephen Kuhrt) opened its doors to over 650 “keen quizzers”, looking forward to taking part in the much talked about and long anticipated “Celebrity Post-Quizmas’. And, much anticipated it was…for, as the name suggests, this innovative event had originally been planned for the run up to Christmas 2014. But, it soon became clear that due to the inevitable nativity plays, parties, family commitments and seasonal “diary clashes”, December needed to be avoided at all costs. So, after a brief brainstorm among the merry band of “Quizmas” volunteers it was soon decided that there was a weekend right at the end of the long, gloomy (and for many, dry!) month of January, just crying out for a night of fantastic fundraising. And so, Celebrity Post-Christmas was born….. Originally the brainchild of local mum and highly experienced fundraiser, Heidi Gomes, the concept of “Quizmas” had been almost a year in the making. Thanks to some amazing contacts in the world of TV and light entertainment, over 60, bespoke questions were recorded and played out on big screens during the evening, making it a truly unique event! With “celebs” ranging from Daniel Radcliiffe and Keira Knightly, to Ant and Dec, Dermot O’Leary, Phillip Schofield and Will-i-am, the line up of stars who’d agreed to lend their support was pretty stellar (even the Mayor of London popped up with his own typically obscure Olympic question. Who knew that table tennis was also once known as Whiff Whaff! But the stars weren’t just on the screen....the night was kicked off with a funny yet poignant welcome from Radio 4’s Justin Webb, talking about the wonderful support his family had received from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF (one of the two charities benefiting from the event, along with the Lunchbowl Network) since the diagnosis of his

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son, Sam with type 1 diabetes.And team Quizmas was utterly delighted when New Malden-based (and award winning comedian), Dom Holland agreed to host the entire night, entertaining the crowds for over three hours with his quick and witty banter whilst holding everyone’s attention (even the 100+ children who were playing along, sat on the platform behind him!) The night simply couldn’t have happened without him, so a huge thanks goes out to Dom for being such an amazing host! www.dominicholland.co.uk) But, as you might imagine, the thank yous don’t stop there! In order to make as much money as possible for the two charities Heidi and her team spent months contacting and cajoling local businesses and suppliers to support the event - everything from donations of ingredients for the 500+ portions of chilli served on the night, to decorations, raffle & auction prizes, match-funding from Barclays and TIME! Professional caterers, Nicki and Grant Brown – and their team of “teenagers” were also amazing and worked tirelessly to ensure all the guests were kept well fed and watered. Heidi Gomes says, “Well, what a night! As ever, New Malden did it again and I’m just so incredibly proud of our friends (and friends of friends!) in our wonderful community who came out on a cold, wet January night to support Quizmas. I’m still reeling from our staggering fundraising total of almost £18,000!!

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The Dent Professor

“Lunchbowl is a small charity, run purely by volunteers both here and in Nairobi and every penny we raise really does go directly to help feed the orphans in the Kiberia Slum. It costs just 33p to provide a nutritious meal. And, the JDRF is also a charity close to many of our hearts here in New Malden, with several children in our local primary and secondary schools who are affected by Type 1 Diabetes and understand the vital importance of finding a cure. “Your support means so much to these charities and I thank you all once again for your fabulous generosity. Looking forward to seeing you all again in January 2016!!”

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Singing! New Malden New Voices is a newly established choir founded by Rachel Harris Lindop, a professional singer and vocal coach. The choir is open to all those who have (or think they might have) an enthusiasm for singing with others, regardless of any previous choral experience or ability to read music. Free from scores or sheet music, participants are able to focus on exploring and enjoying what they are singing. Whilst she trained primarily in classical music, Rachel takes the choir through a broad range of repertoire from folk, classical, musical theatre, jazz and popular music. Her goal is to build an harmonious choir, both musically and socially. Rachel trained at the Royal College of Music and has worked as a singing teacher and performer for over 20 years. Her inspiration for starting the choir came 4 years ago when she was running music groups for babies, toddlers and their parents. In the sessions, parents were encouraged to engage fully with singing as a way to pass on their love of music to their children. Many of the parents said how much they were enjoying singing and would love to sing in a choir themselves. This began the process which led to NMNV. Rachel says: The first rehearsal, only a few weeks ago, was a real treat for me as the 24 singers gathered to let out their first unison voice. Most of the participants had never sung in a choir before and certainly no-one was expecting what happened next. It was such an immediately bold and musical sound. Men are very welcome too! Other feedback on the first session from participants: I have to say it was a very special evening. Around 24 people with little and no experience of choirs showed up willing to have a go. Rachel Harris Lindop did a great job of making people feel comfortable and safe. So we all had a good laugh, plus we sounded pretty good too, even if I

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do say so myself! Such an enjoyable....hour? Was that all it was?! Great sense of 'togetherness' with a sea of new faces; quite unique! It was great. Really enjoyed myself. Have been singing the songs all morning! Come and join the merry throng! We meet on Thursday nights 8 - 9pm, Methodist Church, New Malden High Street. If you would like more information, please contact Rachel at rachellindop@gmail.com

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• Free quotes • Free quotes • Fully NPTC qualifie • Fully NPTC qualified Kingscote KT3 •RoadTree reductions / cr Poplar Grove KT3 High Street KT3 • Tree reductions / crown thins A beautifully presented two double bedroom house Rarely available in “THE GROVES” area, a detached A selection of newly refurbished one, two and three ultural queries. • justTree felling in a popular, quiet location a short walk from the • bedroom Treetwofelling five bathroom family house with two bedroom flats in central New Malden. Ideal for first station and High Street and with a delightful SOUTH separate receptions, conservatory, utility room, time buyers or investors. Prices range from Stump removal facing garden. Available• end March. £1400.00pcm • Stump garage and west facingremoval garden. £1,100,000 freehold £305,000 to £415,000 all with new/long leases. • Hedgeworks • Hedgeworks 11 HIGH STREET, MALDENstaff KT3 are 4DQ R.J. Treemail@grovesresidential.com Services qualified NEW & professional dedicated TEL: 020 8949 0094 • Tree surveys & repo • Tree surveys & reports www.grovesresidential.com to the highest levels of service in every instance. ns

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View from the City

by Justin Urquhart Stewart

The politics of business I know I am supposed to be writing about this week - but last week I had some great fun in being invited to the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference with over 1,000 people attending. Now with an election in the not too distant future, I suppose it was no surprise that a queue of politicians all turned up to get their views heard. Of the main characters, it was noticeable that the one man who did not make an appearance was the Labour leader, although Chuka Ummuna, the shadow secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, frankly gave a far better talk than his less than inspirational leader. What I did find encouraging though was a broad consensus across the parties over the main business policies. This is important as the last thing we would want to see is partisan behaviour where with a new administration they just decide to tear up the progress made as being ‘not invented here’. Now that doesn’t mean that the progress made to date has been enough, but it has been a start at least. The British Business Bank and some of the export trade initiatives are both to be welcomed, but sadly in my view all rather still too modest and rather late. What I would rather see is a far greater reform of taxation, especially around property taxes and national insurance. After all Tolley’s Tax Guide, the accountants’ version of 50 Shades of Grey, has grown from some 7,000 pages in 1979 to over 15,000 pages today. Just how complicated can we make it? The answer is very. Time for some radical common sense to cut it back.

the environment for such seedlings. Personally I don’t believe in state funding and intervention, but what they can do is remove much of the bureaucracy, simplify and reform the tax system as well as embrace the innovations of the new funding mechanisms.

The UK has been poorly served by much of its corporate financing with the evolution of investment banks into dangerous leviathans, although currently more cowed, and some short term private equity and vulture capital operations which demand high returns and high fees for their money - or you lose your business. I do find it astonishing that in an era of such low inflation and interest rates the 20% returns are still expected as the norm from many of these houses. There are of course some far better white knights as well as some rapacious black knights, as well as others who seem closer to financial warlocks claiming to have discovered financial alchemy. The opportunities for responsible, regulated and advised crowd funding I think are very significant but they need to be brought in from the wilderness of the weird to the mainstream of commercial appreciation. Justin Urquhart Stewart is one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators on television, radio and in the press. Originally trained as a lawyer he has observed the retail market industry for 20 years whilst at Barclays Stockbrokers and developed a unique understanding of the market’s roles and benefits for the private investor Do you need an extra pair of hands? Then let me help you! Cleaning Ironing Gardening De-cluttering or any other projects

Call Anna on: With over 550,000 new businesses established 07970 33206 throughout the UK last year, this really is a Or leave me a message: fundamental change in our economy. What the 020 8336 1435 politicians have to realise is that they have to foster 20 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers


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Schools A nature lesson at the school flowerbeds turned up more than Coombe Hill Juniors’ Class 3CT bargained for. On a cold January morning, part hidden in the first winter snow, the class discovered a mysterious parcel. Curious, they unwrapped the bundle to find some rusty keys, an ancient coin and this mysterious note…

“Pupils have plenty of access to role models from the worlds of sport and the music, but writing doesn’t always seems as glamorous,” continues Mr Clutterbuck. “I want our pupils to be as excited by the opportunities that writing provides and be inspired by the people they will meet during the week,” he adds.

This literary enterprise is the idea of Headteacher Mr Mark Clutterbuck, who along with his staff, is helping the children develop this school-wide story, and has put together a packed schedule of events for Coombe Hill Juniors’ first Writers’ Week on 16-20 March. “I love the fact that I don’t know where the story will go,” says Mr Clutterbuck. “So far only two classes have written their part of the story. 3CT took their responsibilities as the first keepers of the story really seriously and Class 6P have taken the story in a new and exciting way. I am also asking different people including visitors to our Writers’ Week - to contribute different ingredients which I will be giving to certain classes as we go along.” During the week poetry, humorous writing, reporting and storytelling will be on the agenda, showcased in a series of interactive workshops and talks from visiting authors. “It would be unfair to single out one person that I am most excited about coming to the school for the event,” says Mr Clutterbuck. “I’ve heard poet and writer, Valerie Bloom give a talk and found her inspirational. I love storytelling so I am looking forward to learning from the stories of Helen East but there are so many exciting visitors - and it is always great to learn about someone new, like children’s sci-fi author Josh Raven, whose work I have only just discovered. “People have been so generous with their time journalists, a curator at the Imperial War Museum as well as local writers. David Alric, for example, donated 60 copies of his book to the school so that as many pupils as possible could read them before they met him. On the day we handed them out, I had pupils walking around school at lunch time with the books out in front of them reading them! It was fantastic.”

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Mr and Mrs 1. What colour are Mr. Blobby’s spots? 2. On the TV show Mrs. Brown’s boys, what is Mrs. Brown’s first name? 3. In the world of TV, which job has been held by Mr. Starling, Mr. Llewelyn, Mrs. McClusky, Mr. Humphries, Mrs. Keele, Mr. McNab, Mr. Robson and Mrs. Bassinger? 4. Which movie character has a pet cat called Mr. Bigglesworth? 5. The abbreviation Mrs. was originally a contraction of which longer word? 6. On a children’s TV show first broadcast in 1965, what was operated by Mr. Rusty? 7. Which literary character was found at a London railway station by Mr. and Mrs. Brown? 8. In the Beatrix Potter novel The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, what type of animal was the title character? 9. What did Mrs. Cobbitt sell on the TV show Trumpton? 10. Which two dwarfs from Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs can become Mr. Men from Roger Hargreaves’ series of books by putting “Mr.” in front of their names?

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New Malden Matters

by Frances Marsh The New Malden (Beverley Ward) Residents’ Association has now been in existence for over five years. The main thrust of the Association is, as always, the thorny issue of planning, but we are here for other aspects of life in New Malden and we do hope that these are not all negative aspects, but positive ones as well. One of the most positive is that we are liaising not only with the Council on matters concerning our residents, but we are forming working relationships with our local Councillors, with professional groups such as Architects, with the Community of New Malden Businesses, with the Groves Residents’ Association - as concerned as we are on the eventual shape of our town centre - as well as one of the leading representatives of the Korean population. In addition, we have now formed a Working Group, The New Malden Future Group, comprising members from across the board and working on the Cocks Crescent development. These contacts and working relationships prove that the more contact we have with other organizations, the better our chances of making our voice heard. Developers have, over the past few months, asked to meet with us prior to their planning applications and that does mean more chance for us to ensure residents can have an informed opinion on proposed developments and that their opinions are heard by both Developers, Councillors and Planning Officers. At the present time we have two developments that are in the stages of public consultation; one that has been declined for planning permission and the Cocks Crescent site. In addition, there are two proposed developments in Kingston Road

for students, one of which has now been given the green light to proceed, for around 300 students. This all begs the question, which has been raised by many residents, what about the infrastructure that will be needed to cope with all the additional dwellings. Schools, doctors’ surgeries, sewerage etc. Parking is going to be a very big problem as Developers are no longer required to provide a parking place for every dwelling. The new dwellings are, without exception at the present time, flats in tower blocks and we wonder whether these will be purchased to be lived in by the owners or to be let out to tenants? At the end of February, we met with Ian Price, Neighbourhood Traffic Engineer, regarding a proposed parking survey for a Controlled Parking Zone in New Malden. This was originally to be issued in December/January – then February – and now we understand it could be March. We were informed that the Council requires a 40% response from residents to the Questionnaire before taking the next step. Rubbish collection is all set to change in 2016 with a scheme that will, so we are told, enable more rubbish to be recycled, save us money and help the environment as lorries will not have to make so many stop/starts. So – 2015 looks to be a busy time and we could do with some help. Volunteers are always welcome and The New Malden (Beverley Ward) Residents’ Association are looking for more Committee Members – so if you have some time and would like to be part of an active (and friendly) group, please let us know. Please look at our website for updates on what we are doing and our contact details: www.newmaldenresidents.org.uk or e-mail us at newmaldenresidents@gmail.com The Groves Residents’ Association can be contacted at: grovesassociation@btinternet.com

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

27


The better life Ever Green Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk

Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget that I grew up in a city. The only planting I did back then was with hyacinth bulbs at school, apart from the time I knocked over Mum’s cactus and repotted it upsidedown - it didn’t thrive. can sometimes upset the neighbours.

For reformed townies like us the Better Life remains a work-in-progress. Much like our garden, there’s always something to be done. Each month brings its own pleasures and responsibilities, keeping us connected to the seasons and the cycle of the year. Now that I have a firm grasp of crop rotation - albeit on a small scale due to the size of our garden - it’s mainly a case of following instructions. It’s a lot like learning the piano though: you have to keep at it and the early starts 

a little forking, applying some patience and finally ending up with good quality, nutrient-rich material for the soil. Anne is really the one with green fingers, while I’m more of an enthusiast. I was, after all, the one who filled the world’s smallest conservatory with 16 sweet pepper plants, each of which reached

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

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

                                                                        28 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

 


a height of over 2ft 6ins (I measured them). Even our friends grew tired of filled peppers that year. Growing some of your own veg, whatever your level of confidence or ability, is surely one of life’s great joys. You can get from plot to plate with no food miles, no additives and no packaging. It’s really not difficult to have a go. Spuds can be grown in a hessian bag filled with soil, beans can be sprouted on a windowsill and all some herbs like marjoram or peppermint need is boundaries. A more dynamic and diverse habitat encourages wildlife, especially pollinators such as butterflies, bees and wasps (yep, they have a part to play too). Again, lack of space is no excuse. We created a mini meadow that covered less than five square feet. The first year we bought seed impregnated paper and now we use yellow rattle to keep the grass down so that the wild flowers can flourish. Beyond the garden, we foraged seasonal wild garlic, apples, chickweed, nettle leaves, dandelion leaves and the ever-popular blackberries (where the freezer comes in handy). Moving forward and because we live near the sea - I’ve signed us up for a coastal foraging day. I happen to know

that there are tasty sea vegetables out there somewhere, as well as plenty of seaweed. It’s another opportunity to go green further afield. Anyway, that’s it for a while. I hope our little adventures have entertained you and hopefully inspired you to seek out your Better Life. Must dash, as Anne wants to teach me how to knit!

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Baking Hot cross buns Home-made hot cross buns are easy to make so why not give them a go? Serve warm from the oven, split and spread with orange flavoured butter for the ultimate Easter treat! Makes 12 500g strong white plain flour, plus extra for dusting ½ tsp salt 2 tsp ground mixed spice 55g caster sugar 1 x 7g sachet easy blend or fast action dried yeast 300ml milk 55g butter, cubed 1 large egg 150g dried mixed fruit FOR THE CROSSES AND GLAZE 3 tbsp plain flour 1-2 tbsp warmed golden syrup or honey 1 Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt, mixed spice, sugar and dried yeast. Make a well in the middle. 2 Bring the milk almost to the boil in a small pan then stir in the butter until melted. Leave the liquid to cool until it’s just hand hot. Pour the liquid into the well with the beaten egg and mix with a round- bladed knife to make a soft and slightly sticky dough. 3 Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. 4 Place the dough in a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover with oiled cling film. Leave the bowl in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size. 5 Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the dried fruit. Divide and shape the dough into 12 even-sized buns and place on a large greased baking sheet, leaving about 2cm space around each bun. 6 Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place until the buns have risen by at least half again and are almost touching each other. This will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Preheat the oven to 220C, 200C fan, Gas Mark 7. 7 For the crosses, place the flour in a bowl and gradually add enough cold water (about 2 tbsp) to 34

make a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small plain nozzle and pipe crosses on each of the buns. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until risen and golden brown. Leave on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooking rack. Brush with the warmed golden syrup or honey while the buns are still warm.

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Books Open Links by Dom Holland

Local Perrier Award Winning Comedian Dominic Holland on his latest novel and what why all the proceeds are going to the Anthony Nolan Trust The famous playwright, Neil Simon in his brilliant autobiography explains the review that has been most helpful to him in his career. “Neil Simon did not have a good idea for a play this year, but he wrote one anyway.” I think this happens too often with novelists as well. A frequent question I am asked is why I have only written four novels and my answer is simple. To date I have only come up with four stories that are really worth telling. All of my novels are adult comic fairy-tales; books which I hope will make my readers feel happy and particularly so, my latest novel, Open Links. But why? Well, because its’ a good story I hope but also because all proceeds from OPEN LINKS are going to Anthony Nolan. So it’s a feel-good book which could also save someone’s life. Anthony Nolan is a charity that I have long supported. But my ‘support’ didn’t really amount to very much. As well as a small direct debit each month, I would attend their gala ball on Park Lane each year in my capacity of being a ‘celebrity’ (free tickets although I have always paid) - and at the slap up meal, I would be thanked and clapped just for attending, something which I have always found excruciating.

Frankly, there are too many very worthy charities but Anthony Nolan has always chimed with me because their results are very tangible. Each year they give up to 1400 people the chance to overcome a life threatening cancer and every year, some 700 people survive an illness who without Anthony Nolan would have died. And they appeal to me further because leukaemia and other blood disorders are completely indiscriminate and not based on any lifestyle choices. Just bad luck I suppose and later today it could be me diagnosed? Or my wife, my son, my mum… and if this were to happen, then our ultimate port of call would be Antony Nolan in the hope that someone somewhere had provided a tissue sample and might be a bone marrow match. Anthony Nolan cannot process all of the people willing to register their tissue type. They don’t have the funds to do so. So quite simply, the more funds they can raise, the more samples they can process on to their register and the more lives that they can save. This is an exciting prospect for me. I thoroughly enjoyed writing Open Links and I’m delighted that people might have fun reading it and in to the bargain, help a great charity to continue its extraordinary lifesaving work.

So for a while I have had it in mind that I would like to do something a bit more worthy for the charity, something more than eating a nice meal. I was about to start writing Open Links and because I needed a character to have an illness, it made sense that I might choose a blood cancer. And whilst writing the novel, it occurred to me that I could donate the book to Antony Nolan. 36 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers


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What’s On Give blood

Book an appointment by calling 0300 123 23 23 St James’s Church Hall, Bodley Road, New Malden KT3 5QE 11th March 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm A.F.C Wimbledon Football Club, Jack Goodchild Way, 422A Kingston Road KT1 3PB 2nd April 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm St Philip, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park KT4 8LG 16 April 2 to 4.30pm 5.30 to 8pm

Music in New Malden

3 o’clock, 2nd Sunday in the month New Malden Methodist Church, High Street KT3 4BY an hour of music followed by tea and cake All concerts and programmes are subject to confirmation. Check the website for latest news. https://sites.google.com/site/musicinnewmalden/ March 8th A Beethoven Concert Emily Robinson – cello Jane Booth – clarinet John Irving – fortepiano Trio Op.11, Cello Sonata Op.5

Nonsuch Park

Nonsuch Park is a link to Tudor England. The Palace that once stood here was a hugely expensive symbol of Henry VIII’s power. The Friends of Nonsuch offer guidance to a 7 feet model which has been created from contemporary documentation, paintings and an excavation of the Palace site in 1959. The model is on display in the Stable Wing of the much later Nonsuch Mansion in the heart of Nonsuch Park. The model is open from 11 am until 3 pm every Sunday in November and December; admission £2.50; cars via Cheam Gate. For further information please visit the website at www.friendsofnonsuch.co.uk

The Rose Theatre

Sat 28 Feb – Sat 21 Mar Rose Productions present ROMEO + JULIET Romeo and Juliet is the explosive story of an intense passion between the son and daughter of sworn enemies. Risking everything to be together, their tragedy is played out in a divided city where lives are ruled by secrets and fear. Celebrated for her remarkable story-telling and inventive adaptations of all-time classics, director Sally Cookson once again collaborates with composer Benji Bower to bring their unique approach to the most beautiful and passionate of Shakespeare’s plays. Sun 22 Mar, 7.30pm FASCINATING AIDA: CHARM

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OFFENSIVE Following a sold-out 2013 tour, three Olivier Award nominations and over 10 million YouTube hits for Cheap Flights (their infamous anthem to budget air travel), Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pulman continue to celebrate over 30 years of Fascinating Aïda with their terrific new show Charm Offensive. Expect topical new songs hot off the press, plus some outrageous old favourites, as Fascinating Aïda continue to grow old disgracefully! Fri 27 Mar, 8pm ONE MAN BREAKING BAD Sixty Episodes. One Show. Yo! Join us on a rip roaring ride through the greatest television show ever made. LA actor Miles Allen smacks the senses with his supercharged, crazily accurate renditions of all the iconic characters, including Walter White, Jesse, Saul, Skyler, Hank, Walt Junior, Mike and Gus Fring. Sun 29 Mar, 7.30pm Comedy Store March Every famous comic has graced The Comedy Store’s stage at some point in the last 30 years and their critically acclaimed shows remain the place to see the stars of tomorrow today. Tue 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr, 7.30pm Mat: 2.30pm Thu & Sat Mischief Theatre Company Presents PETER PAN GOES WRONG The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society set out to present J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does, as the accident prone thesps embark on a thrilling adventure to Neverland, with hilariously disastrous results. Terrific fun for all ages, don’t miss this hysterical new laugh out loud comedy. Wed 8 – Thu 9 Apr THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN The international hit show with bubble art, magic, science and LOTS of fun. Louis Pearl is the world’s leading Bubbleologist and has been delighting family audiences with his unique show for nearly 30 years. Fabulously entertaining, he explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. Fri 10 – Sat 11 Apr Showstopper Productions presents THE FANTASTICAL STORY FACTORY A musical adventure which will have you exploring magical kingdoms, meeting wonderful characters and singing along by the end. YOU decide where the story is set, what happens next and who the characters are. You can even join in if you want to! An improvised musical adventure for kids of all ages - and adults who act like kids! Everything is made up on the spot entirely from audience suggestions. If your children could create their very own dream musical – what would it be? Tue 14 – Sat 25 Apr Rose Productions, Headlong and Sheffield Theatres present THE ABSENCE OF WAR It’s now or never for George Jones. The charismatic leader of the Labour Party needs to get out of opposition and into Number Ten.

A vigorous new production of David Hare’s funny, stinging political drama on a timely national tour during the buildup to the 2015 General Election. Tue 28 Apr – Sat 2 May Children’s Touring Partnership presents THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS Based on the bestselling novel by John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a heart-wrenching tale of an unlikely friendship between two innocent boys. Set during World War II, the story is seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and devastating consequences. Bruno’s friendship with Shmuel takes him from innocence to revelation, revealing the poetic irony that through a child’s eye everyone can appear the same. CAFÉ EVENTS RHYME TIME Mondays weekly, 11.15am, Bring the little ones down for a free morning of rhyming, singing and laughter in the Café at the Rose, and that’s just the parents. SWING DANCE 2pm – 5pm Last Sunday of the month JAZZ FIRST TUESDAYS 1.15pm– 2pm Lunchtime live jazz presented by Kingston University

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Around Britain Saints 1. Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk - King Edmund of East Anglia was supposedly captured, tortured and killed by Danish invaders in 870, and buried in the Saxon town of Beodricesworth. After Edmund’s canonisation, the town became known as Sancte Eadmundes Byrig in the 1000s, and ultimately Bury St Edmunds. 2. Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr - The word merthyr is related to the English ‘martyr’, and hence Merthyr Tydfil is named after the local St Tydfil, who was murdered by a band of pagan assassins in the Merthyr area in 480AD. 3. St Albans - St Albans is named after the first known Christian martyr, Alban, who was executed in the town sometime around the 3rd century AD. According to St Bede, Alban was a pagan who converted to Christianity after allowing a cleric fleeing from persecution to shelter at his home. 4. St Andrews, Fife - The remains of St Andrew were brought to the town now bearing his name sometime in the mid 700s, and he was chosen as the patron saint of Scotland around 200 years later. Andrew is also one of the patron saints of Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Greece. 5. St Bees, Cumbria - St Bees in Cumbria takes its name from St Bega, a 7th century Irish saint who fled across the Irish Sea on the eve of her marriage to a Viking prince of Norway. In England, Bega founded St. Bees’ Monastery, where she served as abbess until her death. © Taken from The British Isles: A Trivia Gazetteer by Paul Anthony Jones

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Clubs Mondayss

To feature in this section email info@nmvv.co.uk

New Malden Rotary Club Where: Malden Golf Club,Traps Lane,When: Monday evenings at 6:15 for 6:45pm Contact: Barry Collins on 07740 257 255 Monday Netball Club When: Mondays 8.30pm Contact: Katie Leason 07910 256107 English Conversation / Lessons For Koreans Where: Christ Church Centre, Coombe Road When: Mondays & Tues, 10.00 am - 12.00 noonAll welcome: contact Chris Coke 020 8942 7388. St James Players Where: St James Bodley Road When: Mondays 8pm.

Tuesdays

Arthritis Care New Malden Branch Arthritis Care Kingston and District Meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the evening atAlfriston House Berrylands Road Surbiton Contact : Jocelyn King for further information on 0208 942 6745. The New Malden Ladies Badminton Club When: Tuesday at the Malden Centre from 20.30 till 22.00 We are a mixed ability club looking for new members. Please ring Lynda on 8949 2673 or just pop in. NHS Retirement Fellowship- Local Branch Are you retired or about to retire from the NHS? Why not join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10am -12 at Christ Church Hall, Christ Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. We have speakers, activities, coffee & chat.Other outings & activities are also arranged during the month. For further details please contact Lorna on 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 For more details contact Lily on 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. We do have a few vacancies and new member are always welcome.Contact the secretary on 020 8942 1926 for information. Malden Bridge Club When: Tuesday evenings 7.30 to 10.30pm Where: Graham Spicer Institute, by entrance to Waitrose car park.

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Contact: John 020 8942 7560 for details. New - ACT FOR JUSTICE. Where: New Malden Baptist church; Westbury Road. KT3 5BE. When: The first Tuesday of every month, 8 - 9.30pm. This new group aims to combat human trafficking. We’ll discuss issues of forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, raise awareness and fundraise. Contact ellykeevil@hotmail.com

Wednesdays

Malden & Coombe Social Club For The Blind When: Alternate Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm Contact; Mike Ball 02089420819 Volunteer drivers/helpers VERY welcome Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe The Legion meets every second Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm at the Grafton Club. Any interested parties in joining please contact Samantha Bantonk on 07984-341459.

Thursdays

Every THURSDAY 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. Malden Camera Club Where: New Malden Library, Kingston Road When: Thursday evenings throughout the year at 7.45pm Contact: www.maldencameraclub.org.uk Malden Centre Orchestra Where: Malden Centre, Blagdon Road When: 10.00-12.00noon, every Thursday (term time only)Contact: Conductor David Benke on 02087868517. Tolworth Badminton Club Where: Play at Tolworth Recreation Centre When: Club night Thursday evenings 7.30-9.30 Standard: Intermediate/advanced level Contact: tolworthbadmintonclub.co.uk,ring Pat on 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. Contact Christine on 07966661015. Kingston Association for The Blind Lunch Club at The Mefas Hall, rear of Malden Centre, Cocks Crescent, New Malden - for people with a severe sight loss - for a sandwich lunch on the last

Thursday of every month 12.30 to 2.30 pm. The cost is £3 per person and friends or family are welcome. For further details telephone Kerry at K.A.B. 020 8605 0060. 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 Thursday from 7.30 p.m. prompt. Host system so partners always available. £5 table money. Parking available outside the hall. Also buses and trains from very close by. Contact Rosemary Vase 0208 5468719 or Pauline Finn 0208 549 3270 or just turn up Malden And Coombe Flower Decoration Society At St.James Church Hall Bodley Road WHEN the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm. Why not come along to these evenings and dazzle your family and friends with your expertise! Visitors £5 If you would like more details please ring Brenda Faulkner on 0208 337 4492. Malden Wanderers Badminton Club Where:- 22, Cambridge Avenue, KT3 4LE When - 20.30 p.m - 22.00 p.m. We are a friendly club looking for new members. Please contact - Bobby 07946 532 846. New Malden Women’s Institute (WI). Where: Shiraz Mirza Hall, Manor Park Hall, Malden Road, New Malden, KT3 6AV. 2nd Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm Barbara 0208 546 1495 or twocavs@ googlemail.com Kingston Debating Society Don’t just shout at the TV! Come and join us for an evening of civilised debate with friendly like-minded people. We shall be meeting until before Christmas to debate the following motions: Nov 6 Britain should have stayed out of World War I. Nov 13 Unlike America, there is no ‘British Dream’. Nov 20 Further devolution will endanger the Union. Nov 27 Scientist and engineers could govern Britain better than arts graduates. Dec 4 Cyclists should be taxed. Have your first visit free. After that it’s £2 a visit, or £20 for full membership (sixteen sessions a year). We meet at the Kingston Methodist Church Hall , Avenue Road, KT2 5DD, off Fairfield South, Kingston. Come at 7.45 for private business, and then 8.00 for the debate. Hope to see you there!

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Fridays

Friday Morning Running A mixed group, consisting mainly, but not restricted to, mothers with children in school, meet each Friday morning at 9:50 am in the Pembroke Lodge car park TW10 5HX, for a run of between 3 and 4 miles in Richmond Park. This is a social group of runners with no pressure on ability. New runners are more than welcome (everybody has to start somewhere) and time will be taken to accommodate them. Don’t feel inhibited, come and try us! If you need any further infocall Bob on 07936 240937. RSPB Epsom and Ewell Local group. We meet the 2nd Friday of every month at 7.30, apart from July and August, at All Saints Church Hall Fulford Road, West Ewell with guest speakers who illustrate their enthusiasm on a variety of natural history subjects. 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 We meet every Friday at 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. Coach outings are organised during the Summer months. If you would like to join us please contact Sheila on 0208 949 5118 for further information.

Saturdays

Saturday Dementia Club Age Concern Kingston 2nd Saturday of the month 11am and

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2pm in New Malden for people living with dementia, their family and carers, Call 020 8942 8256 and ask for Jyoti or saturdayclub@ageconcernkingston.org “Learn to sew and knit! Develop your creative skills and share them with others! The Sew-and-Sews, a club for all ages, starts Saturday September 6th, 10.30 am to 12 pm in the Lower Church Hall, St James Church, Bodley Road, New Malden, KT3 5QE. We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday. Entry is free-a small charge may be made to cover expenses. Please ring Yunghee Koh on 07533 386918 for more details and before you come along for the first time. Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult. Entrance to the hall is off Malden Road car park.”

General

Emanuel Rugby Where: Shannon Corner, KT3 4PU When: 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 Graham Spicer Snooker Room Availible for hire during the day and evenings. Contact Secretary for availibility on 020 8942 2157. Malden Bowling Club Where: Lime Grove, New Malden Tel: John on 020 8949 4315. 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. Tel 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 8947 3564. Surbition Bowls Club Alexandra Rec, Tolworth. Open days Sat/Sun 20/21 April from 2.30pm . Roll ups Tuesday evenings from 5:50pm. Small friendly mixed club (35 players.) New members very welcome. David 020 8224 2385. From The Ground Up local affordable organic box scheme - Kingston’s own - fresh organic veg, fruit, bread, cheese and preserves at exceptional price. Collection every Saturday from Kingston or Surbiton. fgu@ttkingston.org for details 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. Contact Chris Osmond 020 8330 6698 Malden Manor Bowls Club, Manor Park, Malden Road. New members will be made very welcome. Roll ups, league matches, internal and external competitions; we offer bowling for all levels of interest and ability. Our open day this year will be on 16 May. For further details contact Men’s Secretary Gerald 020 8949 4623 or Ladies’ Secretary Malden Manor Bowls Club Where: Manor Park, Malden Road.

153 High Street New Malden KT3 4BH

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43


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An independent preparatory An independent independentpreparatory preparatory An school for boys and girls schoolfor for boys and andgirls girls school aged 3boys to 11 years. aged3 3toto11 11 years. years. aged

“The pupils’ overall success is a result of highly teaching,isan “The pupils’effective overall success a outstanding result ult curriculum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the of highly effective teaching, an outstanding tan Independent Schools Inspectorate report pupils’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” curriculum and wide extra-curricular experience, as well as the r e pupils’ own excellent attitudes to learning.” Independent Schools Inspectorate report arn

“The pupils’ overall success is a result of highly Tel: 020 8942 0754an outstanding effective teaching, Email: info@thestudyschool.co.uk www.thestudyschool.co.uk Tel: 020 8942 Website: 0754 Email: www.thestudyschool.co.uk estu curriculum 5 7info@thestudyschool.co.uk T h e t f o r d R o a d , and N eWebsite: w M a wide l d e n K T 3 extra-curricular 5DP 5 7experience, T h e t f oT r d R o a d , N e as w M awell l d e n K Tas 3 5 D the P pupils’3 independent preparatory chool for boysexcellent and girls attitudes to learning.” own Schools Inspectorate report aged 3Independent to 11 years.

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45


Kids Play

There’s lots going on for pre-schoolers

Monday 10am to 11.30am Tots In Tow St John’s Church, Kingston Road Contact Debbie McCarthy 07887 724139 1.15 pm 3.15pm. St James Tiddlers Group We welcome all parents and toddlers, plus big sisters and brothers when they’re on holidays. St James Church Hall, Bodley Rd Contact Angie: 020 8942 2093 9.15 - 11.15 Stay and Play (0-18 months) - New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Bumps and Babies under 1 NCT coffee morning, fortnightly Mondays. 10am to 11.30am. The Watchman Pub, New Malden. All welcome. NCT members and nonmembers. For more information and to confirm the next meeting date please contact newmaldennctcoffee@gmail. com Tuesday 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 Wednesday 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 Thursday 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 Friday 9.30am to 11.30am Christ Church Parent and Toddler Group Christ Church, Coombe Road Contact Susie Gregerson 020 8241 9423. 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-Friday Parent and Toddler Play Sessions Dickerage Lane Adventure Playground Dickerage Lane, Daniel Slocombe 020 8942 1707, Saturday 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.VVoice

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KT3 0-5 yrs Softplay £2.95 per hour, £1.50 2nd hour

SIBLING DISCOUNT AVAILABLE Open Monday - Friday 9.30am-5pm, all year round BOUNCY CASTLE, BALL POOL, RIDE ON TOYS AND LOTS MORE CAFE WITH CHILDREN’S HEALTHY LUNCH BOXES The Pavilion, Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Park Marina Avenue, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE Plenty of free parking

Tel: 07721021290 www.rascalsoftplay.co.uk

AVAILABLE FOR PARTY HIRE

“The Ultimate Class for Mums and Babies” The Times

This power walking class, with a mix of cardio, strengthening & toning exercises is proving to be the answer to shifting postnatal weight & re-toning your body after giving birth! • Burns fat, improves posture & strengthens , N O IT core muscles • A one hour social class with SURB LDEN, A M time to chat to other Mums • For all levels NEW STON G IN K of fitness • Suitable for all buggies/pushchairs • It’s fun & your baby or toddler comes too!

Visit www.buggyfit.com www.mumsinshape.co.uk or email: anna@mumsinshape.co.uk

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What’s On in March Meet The Brewer Head Brewer at Fullers • John Keeling Thursday 19th March • 7.30pm Beer Tasting and Nibbles £10.00 per head • Pre-booking essential All funds raised from this evening will be donated to charity

Winemakers Dinner Winemaker from Chateau Lestrille • Estelle Roumage Tuesday 31st March • 7.30pm Meet our favourite winemaker from Bordeaux Four course dinner with wines Learn the art and science of winemaking £40.00 per person • Pre-booking essential

We will be showing all games in the tournament in the bar

Monday 9th March

GlassHouse Wine Appreciation Society

Sunday 15th March

Mother’s Day

Monday 23rd March

GlassHouse Digestive Club

Build your wine knowledge in a relaxed atmosphere - this month we will be visiting Tuscany. PrePre-booking essential Book now to stay in your Mum’s good books! Join our conversation club for dinner from 7.30pm PrePre-booking essential

Thursday 26th March

The Mack Big Band

Every Tuesday

Piano Lounge

Our favourite 17 piece big band live from 7.30pm Fernando de Paula playing piano Every Tuesday from 8pm to 11pm

Every Saturday

Brunch, Lunch and Dine

Every Sunday

Sunday Roasts

New Brunch Menu - available from 11.00am to 4.00pm Weekend Specials Menu - dishes from £9.95 £13.50 for our fabulous roast dinner with all the traditional trimmings

The Glasshouse Quiz Voucher for £50.00 for food and drink to the winning teams Every Sunday from 7.30pm   

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Hobbies Why cards are still king when you want to play By Kate McLellan Fancy a game of Strip Jack Naked? Or maybe Black Maria? What about a quick hand of Snip Snap Snorum? If these activities sound strange you may be relieved to discover that they are all card games whose rules are now lost in the mists of time, along with other eccentric titles such as Nap, Piquet, Bezique, Pip-pip and Euchre. It’s probably no surprise to find that some games have fallen out of fashion over the centuries. What is surprising is that card games have managed to survive at all in this age of virtual gaming. Enter ‘card games’ into an internet search and you’ll find online versions of traditional games such as Rummy, Hearts, Solitaire, Blackjack, Bridge and Poker: all holding their own against phenomenally popular arcade-style games such as Tetris and Candy Crush. The fact that card games have survived into the 21st century speaks volumes about the enduring power of playing cards to fascinate and entertain us. It’s now widely believed that they were invented in China: some of the earliest references to card playing by the Chinese nobility date as far back as the 9th century. Because they were light and easy to transport, traders carried decks of cards abroad and so the fashion rapidly spread to Egypt, Persia and India. Card games eventually reached Europe in the 15th century. During this period the Italians invented the Tarot deck, which saw an additional set of trump cards added to the standard deck. These were used as ordinary playing cards until the 18th century, when they also began to be used for fortune-telling. The earliest cards were painstakingly made by hand and were therefore expensive to create. Up to the 15th century these hand-painted decks were exclusively used by the aristocracy, but the innovation of woodblock printing made their manufacture much less expensive

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and playing cards quickly became available to all social classes. The Georgians and Victorians were keen card players and favourite games included Whist, Ecarte, Faro and Loo. In the early 20th century games such as Pontoon, Gin Rummy, Canasta and Contract Bridge became popular but the interest in card games began to fade in the second half of that century as television and other distractions tempted people to abandon their social gaming habits. It’s good to know that in spite of computers and the internet (or perhaps because of them) card gaming is once more growing in popularity, but in addition to online gaming, people are also coming together to play socially. As well as old favourites such as Poker and Bridge, there’s a huge interest in collectible card games, where players use specially designed sets of playing cards and trade their cards during a game. You can find a list of local clubs at www.orcsnest.com/ clubs.htm and www.ukgmn.co.uk or alternatively ask at your local library. Many pubs now host informal groups playing card games such as Cribbage or Poker, so it’s worth asking the landlord of your local pub if they have card playing evenings. If you can’t find a local group that meets your needs, you could consider setting up your own club. A pub or local café may be the ideal place to get together, but do check with the owner to see if they have any objections before setting up a meeting. This is particularly important if you want to play for money, as the premises may not be licensed for gambling. You can find additional players by posting on social networking sites or putting up leaflets in libraries or community centres. Playing in public is a great way to attract attention and interest, so take along some flyers with information about how to join the club if you have arranged to play in an open space.

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When you recruit new players, be clear about the range of card games you’ll be playing and email a set of rules for each game in advance (you will be able to find these on the internet). It’s also useful to keep the rules handy as you are playing, in order to avoid potential conflict if one of the participants normally plays by a slightly different set of rules. You may need to levy a small charge for refreshments, venue hire and admin costs but it’s advisable to keep the first session free of charge in order to attract more players. When booking future sessions, it’s better to set a regular meeting day and stick to it than simply to arrange sessions on an ad hoc basis. If you are joining – or starting – a club you’ll find it’s a good way to make new friends who share your passion. It’s also a great way to exercise your brain, as a good card player combines a strategic approach to the game with well-honed recall and observational skills.

So many different games … so many ways to play them. When you consider that all this potential can be found in just 52 pieces of printed paper, it’s no wonder that card games have retained their appeal over thousands 12:Westbury House Ad 16/6/12 13:35 Page 1 of years.

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WESTBURY HOUSE SCHOOL WESTBURY HOUSE SCHOOL H STBURY HOUSE SCHOOL H

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AN INDEPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 3 TO 11 YEARS

TheINDEPENDENT school offers high academic standards in aFOR safeBOYS and stimulating environment. AN PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND GIRLS AGED 3 TO 11 YEARS To book an appointment to view the school at work please telephone the school office on 020 8942 5885. hool offers standardsisinoutstanding. a safe and The stimulating moral, socialhigh and academic cultural development school is book an appointment the school work The school off ers high academic standards in a safe and stimulating environment. nnment. creatingToa happy family atmospheretoinview which each pupilatcan flourish. EPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS please telephone theOfsted school office onAND 020GIRLS 8942AGED 5885.3 TO 11 YEARS Report 2008 an appointment to view the school at work please telephone the school office on 020 8942 5885. To book hool offers high academic standards in a safe and stimulating OL

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ESTBURY HOUSE SCHOOL A LOVE OF LEARNING IS FOR LIFE moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. The school is Acreating LOVEa happy OF LEARNING FOR in family atmosphere inISwhich eachLIFE pupil can flourish. A LOVE OF LEARNING IS FOR LIFE

onment. To book an appointment to view the school at work please telephone theOfsted school office on 020 8942 5885. Report 2008

A LOVE OF LEARNING IS FOR LIFE

Open Morning Christmas Fair SATURDAY, 29TH NOVEMBER • 12.00 - 3.00PM Saturday, 21st March Christmas Fair Pony rides • Raffles • Tombola • Crafts • And much more to enjoy 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m

SATURDAY, 29TH NOVEMBER • 12.00 - 3.00PM Lunches and spiced apple juice Pony rides • Raffles • Tombola • Crafts • And much more to enjoy and spiced apple SURREY, juice 80 WESTBURYLunches ROAD, NEW MALDEN, KT3 5AS Tel/Fax: 020 8942 5885 • E: info@westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk • W: www.westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk : 020 8942 5885SURREY / Fax: 020 8942 5885 KT3 5AS 80 WESTBURY ROAD, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, KT3 5AS E-mail: info@westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk www.westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk Tel/Fax: 8942 5885 • E: info@westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk W: www.westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk el:Website: 020 8942 5885 / Fax:020020 8942 5885 To advertise email jenny@nmvv.co.uk or call• 020 8336 2915 80 WESTBURY ROAD NEW MALDEN SURREY ROAD 80 WESTBURY KT3MALDEN 5AS NEW

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E-mail: info@westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk Website: www.westburyhouse.surrey.sch.uk

11/18/2012 12:01:49 AM

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Recipe Smoked Haddock Kedgeree Just a few ingredients are needed to make this simple rice dish but it’s full of flavour! It’s ideal for a quick and easy supper or filling weekend brunch served with crusty bread or warmed mini naan breads, if liked. Serves 4 Ready in 45 minutes 350g smoked haddock fillet 4 large eggs 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed ½ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp mild curry powder 300g easy-cook basmati rice 3tbsp fresh chopped coriander 1 Place the haddock in a large pan, cover with plenty of cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes until the fish

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just flakes. Boil the eggs in a small pan of water for 7-8 minutes. 2 Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and flake the flesh discarding any skin and bones. Strain the cooking liquid into a jug – you’ll need about 600ml so top up with water if needed. Run the boiled eggs under cold water until cool enough to handle. Remove the shells and cut into wedges. Set aside. 3 Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan and fry the onion and garlic over a medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in the spices and cook for 1 minute then add the basmati rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually pour in the reserved stock and bring to the boil. 4 Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally. Gently stir in the flaked haddock, eggs and coriander and heat through for 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately. Tip Add a large handful of baby spinach leaves or some lightly fried mushrooms just before the end of cooking to make this dish even more substantial.

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from tap washers, toilets & garden taps through to installation of Central Heating Systems, Kitchens & Bathrooms.

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Residential Sales • Lettings • Property Management

An experienced, local, family-owned agency, we offer customer service with the utmost care and integrity. Contact us today for friendly, honest advice, a free valuation and a competitive fee.

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Community Malden Care Scheme Malden Care Scheme is a thriving local charity designed to serve residents in Malden who may need a helping hand and have no-one to whom they can turn. It was formed nearly 40 years ago when local churches and the Rotary Club combined their efforts to create the service. It’s a simple scheme. Local people from the community provide time and assistance to people in need. The client phones a central number and is given the phone number of the day’s ‘Duty Officer.’ Duty officers take it in turns to stay at home one morning a month and answer their phone to clients; they then phone one of the volunteers. A volunteer tells the duty officer if they are available. There is no compulsion for any volunteer to undertake a job if it’s not possible for them. Volunteers with cars are very popular. Over the years volunteers have undertaken a huge variety of tasks. The most requested is to be escorted to health appointments and clients have expressed real appreciation of this service. Recent compliments include: Could not be bettered. The driver always makes sure I am taken to the right department in the hospital and ensures that the staff know I am there. Being blind I am dependent upon their good will

in this matter and I have only the highest praise and thanks for them. And The service could not have been better if undertaken by a private company. All credit to the volunteers who help. Will always recommend the service to others who may need help. A great service to the community. In recent years volunteers have driven a client to visit the grave of a beloved pet; visited a young man when he was admitted to Kingston hospital and had no friends or family nearby; referred someone who wanted a priest to visit them at home to the appropriate church; taken a man using a wheelchair, together with his young son, Christmas shopping; moved some light furniture round (though the client later changed their mind and wanted it back in the same position!). Although regular jobs can’t be accepted such as planned daily or weekly visits, there are always exceptions. This might include emergency help for a strictly limited period of time. For example, Malden Care undertook to drive someone who had had an accident and was temporarily incapacitated to visit her disabled child while waiting for a taxi card to be issued.

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

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Tea Time 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. 1

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4 15

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FAKE IT TANNING AND BEAUTY

0208-336-0069 TREAT THAT SPECIAL LOVED ONE THIS MOTHERS DAY Shellac Manicure £25.00

Pamper Package Dermalogica Facial with Back , Neck & Shoulder Massage 60 minute Treatment Time £35.00

Gift Vouchers Available WWW.FAKEITTANNINGANDBEAUTY.CO.UK 11-13 COOMBE ROAD, NEW MALDEN KT34PX To advertise email jenny@nmvv.co.uk or call 020 8336 2915

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Finance Pensions Rules are Changing: What You Need to Know By Ann Haldon

If you’re confused by drawdown, annuity, tax wrappers and pots, you are definitely not alone. It sometimes feels like politicians are being deliberately obtuse - why don’t they use plain English when talking about pensions so we all know where we stand on this important issue? Although other choices are available, including property or stocks and shares, saving into a private pension does offer the following tax advantages: • The government pays tax relief on your payments • You’re not taxed on the money in your pension pot (up to certain limits) • At pension age you can withdraw a percentage of your pension as a tax-free lump sum But what about the State Pension – won’t that provide the income I need in retirement? State Pension rules are set to change from 2016 when a weekly flat rate will be introduced. These are some of the new rules, should you reach State Pension age on or after April 6th 2016: - The full pension amount will be a minimum of £148.40 per week (the actual amount to be decided upon in late 2015) • At least 10 qualifying years are needed to receive the new State Pension • The total number of qualifying years for eligibility has increased from 30 to 35 Auto enrolment Auto enrolment is new legislation that obliges employers to offer eligible employees a workplace pension. The new scheme, which was introduced in October 2012, is being rolled out to include all UK employers by February 2018. Currently, if you earn a minimum annual salary of £10,000, are aged between 22 years and the State Pension age, and work under a contract of employment in the UK, you are entitled to automatic enrolment on a workplace pension. New legislation regarding annuities Until recently, when you retired you had no other option but to use your pension fund to buy an annuity. Annuities

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provide you with a fixed income for life, and even though the legislation has now changed, this product may still offer the most stable income for you in retirement. The 2014 Budget saw changes to pension legislation. From 2015 you will not be forced to buy an annuity with your pension fund, but can use the money in other ways. As a general rule, people choose the ‘income drawdown’ option, an annuity, or a mixture of the two. What is income drawdown? Income drawdown is an alternative to buying an annuity. You buy stocks, shares and other investments and take a regular income by cashing them in over time, with 25% of each ‘drawdown’ being tax-free. If you are not risk averse and you have a larger pension pot of £100,000 or more, the rewards can be greater. Income drawdown is a complicated option with high fees and charges, and it will not be right for everybody, but there is a middle-ground that offers the security of an annuity with a little more flexibility. An investment-linked annuity There are two types of investment-linked annuity: • Unit-linked: these depend on the performance of stocks, shares and other investments • With-profits: these retain part of your return in highperforming years for use if investment performance declines Charges and fees for pension products can be high, and serve to reduce the overall value of your fund. That’s why you need the advice and guidance of a professional financial expert to cut through the jargon, clearly explain what you are buying, and tell you the true cost of the product.

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Gardening Facing North

by Pippa Greenwood The problem I am asked about most frequently is one that almost all of us have: “What do I do with a north-facing wall?” What everyone wants to know is what you can plant up it but more, what can you do to turn your luck around and increase the chances of your chosen plant not just surviving but also thriving. Getting the right plant for the spot is essential and I’ve listed some great north-facing wall climbers below. But first consider whether you need year round cover (and so something evergreen) or would accept a deciduous climber that will lose its leaves but keep a framework of stems, or if you could live with an herbaceous climber that will die back each year and return again in the spring.

Self-clinging climbers such as the climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy can look great and help to provide at least part of the interest you’re after for your north-facing wall, but even these often need a bit of a helping hand to get them started – train the stems on to the wall and protect from wind until they get properly attached.

Flowering may be reduced if the site is gloomy and so to maximise your climber’s flower power make sure that you apply sulphate of potash as this will increase flowering potential. Follow the instructions on the pack, and generally try to apply it to the root area in late summer and then again in spring.

Top plants for north-facing walls and fences - Akebia quinata. Pretty pale green foliage with vanilla perfumed purple-brown flowers in late spring. - Berberidopsis coralline. Prefers acidic soil, clusters of deep red flowers in early autumn. - Clematis. Many smaller flowered varieties such as white flowered, rampant C. montana do well. - Codonopsis convolvulacea. Pretty bell or saucer shaped violet coloured flowers in summer. - Humulus lupulus (the hop). The golden leafed ‘Aurea’ will perform quite well as long as the shade is not too intense or the site windy. - Hydrangea anomela petiolaris A deciduous climber with broad creamy white flowerheads. - Lathyrus latifolius. the everlasting pea. Small clusters of pinky purple flowers throughout the summer and in to early autumn - Lonicera x Americana. Classic honeysuckle flowers in yellow flushed red and with a gorgeous perfume during the summer. - Lonicera x tellamanniana. Bright yellowy orange honeysuckle flowers in late spring and summer. - Vitis coignetiae. Renowned for its fabulous autumn colour.

Make sure that the climber goes in at a good distance from the wall up which it is to grow. A minimum of about 45cm (18in) should mean that it can develop a good strong root system and this will help to keep it growing well.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system, biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots more besides.

If the wall is very shaded it may be worth reducing the shade if you can. Nearby wall-shrubs could be pruned back or overhanging trees crown lifted (the lower branches removed) or crown thinned (the crown’s density reduced). Walls may be a dark grey or brick colour but you can make the spot considerably more plant friendly if you change the colour of the wall before planting. A palecoloured masonry paint on the wall will cause light to be reflected back to the plant and make it more likely to thrive. Consider growing more than one climber to increase the season of interest and so the amount of time that the wall looks good.

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WORDWHEEL

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.

TARGET Excellent: 36 or more words Good: 28 words Fair: 25 words

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A Malden Man by Raj Randhawa The past few years have brought many changes in my life and one that has endured, is my new habit of nurturing and leveraging creativity in all aspects of my life. I’d always believed creativity was the domain of the graphic designers and creative directors of the world. But I’ve come to realise that for anyone, whatever their job, situation or pastime, creativity can have a revolutionising impact on their lives and is certainly not confined to certain individuals. Cultivating a creative mindset can be a powerful catalyst, to help in all aspects of our daily lives. A creative mind is one that takes in information from the world around it and makes connections with its own experiences and

knowledge, in order to create. This creation isn’t just the painting of an artwork or the writing of a story. It extends to how a mind sets to work on problem-solving, expressing ideas and feelings, innovating, cultivating inspiration from the everyday and ultimately, utilising that knowledge in a positive way to navigate the world. Creative ideas often come from unusual combinations called ’remote associations’ which are related ideas, but might seem unrelated at first glance. This is the essence of creative thinking. In order to encourage and nurture this way of seeing things, it’s a good idea to shake up your routine and expand your creative horizons by surrounding yourself with a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Outside of work, it’s helpful to seek variety in everything you do from the food you eat to where you hang out, the type of art you experience, the places you travel and the books you read. And you must

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vigilantly observe and pay close attention to the everyday world around you. This diversity, introduces all kinds of new stimuli, which opens you up to new possibilities, making you more likely to find unusual and more creative solutions in your daily life. The most creative people are always on the lookout for interesting things, even if they don’t initially see a connection to anything they might be working on. And they make notes of any interesting ideas, articles, images and especially their passing thoughts. To keep my mind fresh and topped up, I’ll sometimes jump on the train to Waterloo and take myself off to The Royal Festival Hall to see what exhibitions and events are going on. Or I’ll walk along the Thames to the Tate Modern to check out the video installations and art. It’s where I go to fill up my well, never quite knowing how or when I might call on whatever I might happen to experience there. When time is limited and I can’t get in to London, there’s plenty around New Malden to help broaden my horizons and keep me inspired. Here’s some of the local places I go to dust off the cobwebs: Go for a Wandle A short drive down the Kingston Road towards Merton you’ll find Merton Abbey Mills. Billed as London’s alternative market, it’s a great place to go for a wander down the Wandle river or have a cuppa something in one of the many restaurants and cafes there. The market is also

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full of arts and crafts with its own riverside pub as well as local restaurants and cafes. My favourite spot is the ’The Sound Lounge’, a welcoming cafe complete with an esoteric clientele, cool music, nice vibes and great coffee. They have a professional recording studio out back and they also hold regular performances and events. The park, deer? Created by Charles I as a deer park, and the largest of London’s Royal parks, there’s nothing quite like a long stroll in Richmond Park. I usually get away from the trails and tracks and head straight for the woods for some solitude and some secret tree-hugging action. Check out the Butterflys Wisely Gardens is a short drive down the A3 and it’s a stunning place to while away some time. With beautiful gardens to explore and a huge tropical glasshouse where you can marvel at a variety of butterflies, as they gracefully flutter their artwork-wings around you. We took the kids there recently and as my son had already visited with his school, he became our tour guide for the day, dazzling us with his knowledge of butterflies including his favourite, the stunning ’Blue Morpho’. The TeaBox I attend a monthly spoken word event in London where a bunch of writers get up and read out their work and I was pleasantly surprised to discover somewhere closer to home. ’The TeaBox’ is just up the road in Richmond and as well as offering one of London’s most extensive collections of looseleaf tea, they also hold regular Storytelling and PoetryJam events. Well, what are you waiting for? Don’t just sit there. Get up, get out and get on with shaking up what you let in to that little old head of yours.

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