Vvoice jan 18

V

Malden’s

illage oice

KT3’s ONLY FREE Independent Community Magazine and Business Guide January ‘18 Issue 147

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020 8605 1300 www.gracemiller.co.uk info@gracemiller.co.uk

New year, new chapter Are you ready to start yours?

If you’re thinking of selling or letting and would like some expert advice on current market conditions, call us today.

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January Contents History by Robin Gill 6 New Malden Matters 14 View from the City 18 Sudokus 20 Recipe Chorizo And Prawn Paella 22 7 reasons why your New Year’s health & fitness resolutions fail & what you can do about it 26 Gardening - Gardener’s Resolve 28 Clubs 30 2 Kings Boxing Club 34 Wordwheel 35 Codeword 36 Cooking with Elida 37 Kid’s play 38 Parkin’ some thoughts 40 A Photographer Dreams 42 Solutions 44 Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch 45

Published by Malden Media Ltd Editor Jenny Stuart jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk 020 8336 2915 www.maldenmedia.co.uk 36 Rosebery Avenue KT3 4JS Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the editor. All advertisements are commercial and not indicative of any endorsement by the editor who accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine.

All in-house artwork and editorial presented in this magazine remains the copyright of Malden Media Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored on any retieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical. recording, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission from the Publisher.

Welcome to Your Village Voice 2017 saw Brian and I both celebrating a ‘special birthday’.

Keeping the massive inflatable pub (complete with huge inflatable chimneys, beams and fireplace) that arrived in our garden as the party venue a secret for six months was a challenge to say the least- but we just about managed it and watching the astonishment on our guests faces was so exciting. I do love a surprise. And on my birthday I was taken aback by the thought and care that the family put into decorating the house with sunflowers and my birthday breakfast. In 2018 I’m going to encourage family Stuart go out of our way to be especially thoughtful to each other, friends, family and people we don’t know.

As Princess Diana is quoted with saying... Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. Well said!

Remember that the Village Voice is YOUR magazine so if you are helping to organise an event in 2018 and would like some FREE publicity then please do email details. Likewise if you are part of an organisation that could benefit from attracting new local members next year then why not send in an article.

In order to deliver the magazine to most of the KT3 postcode, we split the distribution over a two month period. So if you have had this edition delivered you probably won’t get the January one. There are a limited number of copies available from Waitrose, New Malden library, Tudor Willams and the Malden Centre but don’t forget that it is also published online - you can get the link from our website.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year

Jenny Jenny Stuart, Editor & publisher P.S. Please remember to mention the Village Voice when replying to adverts, and get in touch by 17th of January if you’d like your business, Club or event to feature in the February edition, and 17th February for March.

Also publishing Worcester Park Life

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Follow us on Facebook New Malden’s Village Voice Please remember to mention the Village Voice when youPark speak and Worcester Lifeto our advertisers

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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New Malden History Fountain of information (part two)

by Robin Gill The area around the Norbiton Park Hotel in 1878 was very different to when it was built ten years earlier, and mostly unrecognisable to the area today. The first houses in Burlington Road (Wakefield Terrace) were not built till that year, the sign can still be seen on the wall of the picture framers. Vernham House (now Fountain House: the home of Pearson Hards solicitors) was still to be built, as was the Congregational Church (now URC). The opening of the police station was 13 years away.

It was into this environment that John Radford took over the Hotel. Originally from Devon, he had gained experience working as a waiter in the London Tavern in Bishopsgate, and then The Crown Hotel Aylesbury.

His first wife died in 1876, and he had subsequently remarried, bringing his new wife Emma with him. They were only a small family (no children), but they still needed help in running the hotel, advertising for staff in the Evening Standard, who arrived in the form of William Parsons from Surbiton.

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a marquee being provided, together with coke fires to protect those “trigger fingers”.

The Hotel was used as the headquarters for the Liberal Party during the General Election of 1880. The constituency of Mid Surrey of which New Malden was part, stretched from Battersea in the north to Epsom in the south. A grand meeting held at the hotel in March 1880 went into uproar, when it was suggested by a Tory invader that the sitting Conservative MPs were going a good job and should be re-elected. In the election the following month… they were.

afternoon. Other taverns in the area including the Railway (now The Glasshouse) also held shooting matches for either gold or silver trophies. Charging the public 5 shillings to watch, (around £25 today), not surprisingly, threats and intimidation were used to try to gain entry, and on occasions the police were called.

The cup shot for at the Norbiton Park Hotel, would have been worth about £8,000 and to gain possession members had to win the weekly competition three times. Membership cost 2 guineas (circa £200 today).

These shoots became so popular that a Friday contest had to be added, and come rain or wind, the competitors were there. The cup was finally won on Easter Monday by Mr J Robbins from Wimbledon for the third time, entitling him to keep it. One of the subsequent contests was for a pig weighing 75 stone (476 kilos!). I wonder how the winner, a Mr Prince, transported the animal home.

The pigeon shooting matches became a permanent feature after the Wimbledon Gun Club secured the use of the large meadow adjoining the hotel in May 1880. Subsequently, this became today’s pub garden and carpark. Mr Radford supplied lunch to the shooters, and an “excellent dinner” in the evening. Paid admission by the general public would allow them to watch the matches which took place every Thursday

Bargain hunt The hotel was even the venue for the sale of house contents from nearby properties being built in Malden Road (now High Street), where the new owners had either died, or fallen on hard times. Sales took place at the hotel, because at that time auctions for house contents could not be held on the premises. This was

Building plots in Kingston, Montem, Raby, Penrith, Westbury, Sandal, and Rodney Roads together with the Mount Pleasant estate, continued to be auctioned at the Hotel as Malden became less country, and more residential.

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in addition to the properties themselves in Kingston, and Raby Roads, Lime Grove, and the newly built houses in Burlington Road, and land in Penrith Road.

Also being sold was land in Elm Grove and Northcote Road. This formerly was pasture land, and had many fruit bearing trees as part of the plots. All used to be part of Norbiton Common Farm, which stretched both sides of the railway line towards Kingston.

Oddfellows The Loyal Duke Of Cambridge Lodge of Oddfellows, which had been founded in 1870, held their meetings at the Hotel. In fact, John Radford acted as vice chairman on a number of occasions, as well as hosting the meetings. By 1881 they had 78 members (all men of course) and prided themselves that in their first ten years they had only had one death.! Strangely enough, at the 1882 anniversary dinner, the toast to “The Trade Of New Malden” was responded to by Edward Lock the former landlord of the hotel, who after his bankruptcy, had become a successful fishmonger in the Market Place.

The numbers of members gradually increased, and by 1885 they had over 100 (still all men).

The Hotel still had some disreputable characters as customers. One such was Benjamin Nash who lived with his widowed mother in Waterloo Place a rundown part of Malden close to the railway station. He was prosecuted for being drunk, quarrelsome, and disorderly, turning up at the Norbiton Park Hotel already intoxicated and ordering beer. When Mr Radford declined to serve him, he was subject to a torrent of abuse, and Nash refused to leave when asked. He was ejected, and continued to use bad language from the street. He was fined £1 12s 6d (£1.62½p or one month’s hard labour as he was a repeat offender. A similar culprit was Frederick Tucker of Wandsworth who was fined 5 shillings (25 pence).

Henry Brooks of Worcester Park who broke the shutter on the front door trying to gain entry, was pursued by Radford and a policeman in a fly. He was prosecuted and fined 24 shillings (£1.20 pence) or 14 days imprisonment.

Cricket and cross country The hostelry also became the home of Malden’s cricket team. Founded around 1880 as New Malden Victoria,

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the club changed its name to the New Malden Cricket Club at the end of the 1882 season “to the satisfaction of local inhabitants”. Arthur Woodroffe, whose family lived at Charnwood, a large house which stood on land now occupied by shops in the High Street topped both the batting and bowling averages. The club only survived until 1885 thanks to the generosity of its vice president Edwin Farley who helped provide a tent for changing and catering facilities. There was a lack of players, and sometimes a team was fielded with just six or seven men. There was also the problem of a permanent home ground, which meant fixtures could not easily be arranged. This team became Malden Wanderers in 1886, and continued to hold their annual dinners at the hotel.

It was also the headquarters of the Malden Harriers in their first incarnation. When founded in 1884, they were originally based at the Royal Oak, as their races ran through the Coombe neighbourhood. They transferred their allegiance to the Norbiton Park Hotel, when their runs took them out into the Old Malden area, and they enjoyed High Teas with smoking concerts in the evening. The races were very popular, with many hundreds of spectators assembling at the hotel to witness the start and finish.

Keeping up appearances The hotel took steps to improve its appearance. The old wooden trough which had stood against the front wall of the property for the use of cattle and horses to drink was replaced with a new stone one.

There was a pub sign erected showing its name, and the fence surrounding the building was removed where it jutted out into the highway. The guide post which had stood at the junction was removed, and a new gas lamp fitted on its own island with raised kerbs in the road directly outside. This new lamp would also act as the guide post, with direction plates showing where the various roads led. The old lamp was removed, and placed opposite the Trinity Church (now part of Waitrose). But above all, what do you need in premises where the prime product was liquid? Previously, passers by had been subject to the sight of drinkers relieving themselves in the nearest hedge etc, so the council asked Mr Radford to provide a proper convenience.

It was not all beer auctions, and shooting. In August 1883 Mr Radford took it upon himself to provide tea for 200 children and their friends who were on a day’s outing from Colliers Rents Sunday School in Southwark. They had all come down on the train, and walked to the grounds of Malden College (now Welbeck and St James’s Closes), where they played games and took part in races, returning home to London in the evening tired but happy.

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wishes you a

Happy New Year!

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New Malden Matters Gambling - and addiction Gambling - we all gamble at some point in our lives, not necessarily with money. We gamble with our health; we gamble with our choice of partners; childrens’ education; choice of job or career; everyday decisions. Some of us gamble with money. Most of us at some point in our lives put a bet on a horse (Grand National - Derby) Dogs; Football Teams (remember the Pools); Bingo the Lottery etc. and for most of us it is a bit of fun or excitement and that is where it stops.

Unfortunately for some of us, it becomes an addiction.

And as with most addictions, there is a cost to be paid.

The opportunities for gambling now are much greater than they were back in the day. In many towns and cities, there is a growing concentration of Betting Shops and these can be sited in some of the most deprived areas. In an article published in The Guardian in November 2017, it cites Bradford’s city centre now has 11 Betting Shops in a 250 radius, with four Betting Shops next to one another. In an absolutely startling statistic, it states that the city itself is home to a total of 62 betting shops, and it is the sixth most profitable local authority area for the betting industry outside London.

There is no planning legislation that limits the number of Betting Shops in a given area. In the same article, it states: “since the beginning of 2017, the Planning Inspectorate in England, which acts as the independent adjudicator for planning appeals, has considered five appeals by bookmakers against planning decisions, and in all five the local authority’s decision to refuse planning permission was overturned - citing the lack of conclusive evidence that social harm can be caused by betting shops.”

The icing on the cake, so to speak, as far as bookmakers are concerned, are the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, not only very addictive, but allowing customers to stake up to £100 every 20 seconds. FOBTs have sometimes been called the “crack cocaine of gambling” due to the speed and apparently addictive nature of the games they offer, such as roulette. There are now about 35,000 of these terminals. Statistics from GambleAware show that “233,000 FOBT users lost more than £1,000 in one sitting last year, while 650 people lost more than £5,000, with one person losing £13,778, but bookmakers have “played down links to problem gambling.” Bookmakers are allowed four FOBT’s per

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Betting Shop, hence the increase in applications for these establishments.

Newham, which can be described as a deprived area, has a total of 84 betting shops, with 12 situated in one street.

New Malden is nowhere near this level, but we do have 8 in and around the High Street, and most, if not all of these would have FOBTs. A report by the Gambling Commission estimates that over 16’s thought to be problem gamblers had grown by a third in three years to 430,000. An addiction to gambling not only affects the individual concerned, but can, and does, have wider implications. Gamblers can lose their jobs, the family home, their families and it seems that not only do local authorities have very little power in the number of betting shops in their town centres, but central Government seem to be unwilling to take this matter into hand to limit the proliferation of betting establishments and the damage that they can cause.

The gambling industry’s profit in 2016 was £13.8bn, including £1.8bn on FOBTs. In stark contrast, Councils, including Kingston Council, are having to cut services, which means that “there will not be as much money to service appeals and go against corporate betting industry giants.” This is a tragedy in the making, and it is mainly the less well off that are paying.

Frances Marsh, Secretary New Malden Residents’ Association

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View from the City How long do your New Year Resolutions last?

Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-founder and Head of Business Development 7IM Apparently 2017’s most popular New Year Resolutions were heavily centred on diets and exercise, which comes as no surprise after your recent surfeit of chocolate, turkey, pigs-in-blankets and mince pies (although not necessarily in the same dish). Also on the people’s list of to-dos was to read more try to learn to do something new (e.g. learn a language).

What I’m keen to know though is whether any of these worthy declarations to ‘do better’ were focused on your finances. Research run previously has shown that just 27% of Britons did just that – which actually seems higher than I thought might be the case. Germany was similar to the UK with 30%, again that’s not bad.

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However, it’s not so favourable when you know that 50% of the French and an estimated 69% of Turks committed to a financial goal.

Meanwhile, even if you have bothered to make any commitment to change, only 3% of us Brits will actually keep a resolution for the full 12 months. The vast majority don’t even last the month as good intentions go to hell on or before ‘Fail Friday’ (the third Friday in January). So, we’ve drawn up seven suggestions to help you if you’re currently in that 97%: 1. Deadlines and diaries From filing your online tax self-assessments before 31 January, to getting your latest ISA set up by 5 April, to insurance renewal dates, the list could go on and on.

So please get some dates in the diary to give yourself plenty of time to get organised before the days themselves loom.

2. Spruce up the paperwork approach From any vintage share certificates to long-lost childhood bank accounts, there could easily be a small savings pot or two that has lain unattended or completely overlooked. Now’s precisely the time to see if you can consolidate a few finances – you may save a bit on some provider fees!

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6. Review your pension Successive governments have reduced the lifetime and annual tax allowances for pensions and the Tories tinkered with them again in 2017, albeit away from the headlines of the Budget. Do you know what you can put away while avoiding a hefty tax bill in later life?

3. Compute the cashflow In my latte pension video (just search for it on YouTube), we highlight how a small amount saved regularly over a good period of time can compound to quite the considerable sum. The beginning of the year is a great time to dig out a bank statement and count up all those direct debits. You could find you have a whole alphabet of subscriptions from Amazon Prime to Zumba classes that could now be cancelled.

7. Have a plan I still can’t get my head around why people don’t plan their finances. Recent 7IM research showed that seven in ten of us don’t even talk about money. Staying silent about something that so many have had no formal education on for me just doesn’t make sense. So please start a conversation with the family and better still with a professional.

4. Careful on the credit cards The Bank of England’s increased interest base rates didn’t necessarily benefit your bank balances, but they probably hit the credit card charges. The next increase may not happen until August 2018, but some of these charges are already extortionate. And don’t get me started on store cards… Pay them off – even if you have to get a bank loan to do so – and you could save.

Picking just one of these seven could see you better off. And just think how much better you’ll feel doing this as that credit card bill for Christmas lands on the mat!

5. Should you switch suppliers?

Price comparison sites compile so many of the best options for your household across a whole host of fees from energy bills through to mortgage providers. So it’s worth a few minutes to see how much you could easily save.

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Sudokus fairly easy

Pictograms 3 words

DONALD R JUDD T

5 words

AS PLANK PLANK

3 words

not so easy

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WE’LL HUMP ANYTHING Packing • Storage Local POET TOE OPT/ National 3 Letters POLE TOP PET LEI / International 4 Letters TILE PIE LET TOIL LEPT PIT LIE You have two minutes to find all the words of 020 8336 1956 5 Letters LITE POI LIP three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns PILOT LOPE POL LIT info@humpitremovals.co.uk are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a 6 Letters PELT POT LOP normal everyday word.

POLITE PIKE TIE LOT www.humpitremovals.co.uk 3 letters: 19 4 letters: 10 5 letters: 1 6 letters: 1 OIL PLOT TIP 20 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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Uni

Recipe Chorizo And Prawn Paella This one-pan supper can be on the dinner table in less than one hour. Serve with a crisp green salad and some crusty bread for a delicious and filling midweek meal.

Serves 4 Ready in 50 minutes

1tbsp olive oil 250g chorizo sausage, diced 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 4 celery stalks, chopped 225g paella rice Few strands of saffron 850ml PUT Y O U hot R chicken G A R DorEvegetable N M A stock INTENANCE IN THE frozen), H A N D200g S Oraw F king S O prawns M E O(thawed N E WifH O R peeled E A L Lwith Y CARES' tails left on Salt and freshly ground black pepper - Tree surgery 1 tspoff paprika - One Tidy - Stump Grinding - Garden Maintenance 1 Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan and fry theWeeding - Strimming and - Decking and Lawns aside. Add the onion, garlic and celery to the pan and chorizo sausage for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently fry gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring, until softened.

Garden clearance - Hedge Trimming until browned.

Remove with a- slotted spoon and set Path and Patio Washing - Landscaping 2 Stir in the rice and saffron strands and cook for 1 minute, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is almost tender and nearly all the liquid has been absorbed, stirring frequently.

3 Add the chorizo and prawns to the pan and cook for a further 5-6 minutes, until the prawns are cooked ‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 through ypressgardenservices.co.uk 7787and pink. Season to taste with salt and freshly HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ ground ww.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 727black 272 pepper and serve in warmed bowls sprinkled with the paprika.

- One off Tidy - Garden Maintenance TIP - Decking and Lawns Add some diced red or yellow pepper and a handful of - Hedge Trimming chopped fresh parsley for extra colour and flavour.

- Landscaping - Tree surgery - Stump Grinding - Strimming & Weeding Plumbing & Heating Engineer - Garden clearance ALL PLUMBING SERVICES - Path & Patio Washing

Andy Reeve

IN THE INTENANCE GARDEN MA ARES' 'PUT YOUR O REALLY C MEONE WH O S F O S D N HA - Tree surgery g - One off Tidy - Stump Grindin nance Weeding - Garden Mainte - Strimming and ns Law and ce - Decking - Garden clearan g shing Wa o - Hedge Trimmin Pati - Path and - Landscaping

Contact us on: Tel: 020 8330 7787 or 07958 727 272 info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk

22

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

No call out charges • Over 30 years in the trade

Mob : 07973 733649 / Tel : 020 8393 0180 andyreeve.plumber@virginmedia.com www.andyreeve.webs.com

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info@cypressga

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Tel: 020 8330 7787 272 Mobile: 07958 727

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25

Health 7 reasons why your New Year’s health & fitness resolutions fail & what you can do about it.

Chances are, by the time you have started reading this article, your New Year’s health and fitness resolutions have already hit the buffers. If you want to know why we all fail so early with our best intentions and what we can do to increase our chances of success, then read on: 1.You set unrealistic goals – Telling yourself that you are going to ‘lose a stone in weight’ before the spring’ sounds great but what you probably haven’t taken into account is the dedication and sacrifice that such a goal requires. As your progress starts to stall, then this goal gets parked up for another year.

To overcome this issue, you should set Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Based (SMART) goals. A smarter version of the above goal would be to ‘lose 1-2lbs of weight a week over the next 12 weeks. This goal is Specific (1-2lbs of weight), Achievable (inline with healthy weight loss guidelines), Realistic (weight loss of 1-2lbs a week is a sensible rate of weight loss) and Time Based (12 weeks).

2. You don’t have a plan – Just saying that we are going to ‘lose some weight’ or ‘get fitter in 2018’ without a plan will result in inaction and ultimately failure. Write out your week either on a paper calendar or set up an online Google Calendar that you can access from your phone. Block out existing commitments such as work, commuting time etc and identify the gaps where you could either prepare healthier meals and/or do some exercise.

If you are looking to eat healthier, then one approach is to place an online Supermarket delivery of healthier food choices for the whole week ahead and don’t buy in any junk. If it’s exercise that you are looking at committing to, then identify the gaps where exercise can be incorporated into everyday life, such as getting off the tube or bus one stop early and walking the rest of the journey or exercising in a local park at lunchtime Block exercise time out in your diary and treat it the same as any other diarised event in your week.

26

as each day you are making better food and activity choices than the day before, then you are heading in the right direction to achieving your goals.

4. You have no one to be accountable to – When you receive knockbacks along the way, then ensure that you have recruited someone to be accountable to. Recruit friends and/or family for support and motivation or join online forums for a wider support network that are accessible 24/7 for you to share your challenges with.

5. You don’t enjoy the change - Choosing a diet plan or exercise regime that you simply don’t enjoy will most likely result in failure. You are far better off making diet and exercise choices that you are more likely to stick with. If you cannot see yourself incorporating your chosen diet or exercise plan into your everyday life for the months and years to come, then chances are you will fail after a few weeks and revert to old unhealthier habits.

6. You don’t take into account the bumps in the road – Your commitment to a healthier way of life will be littered with potential obstacles. Right at the start you should write down all of the reasons why historically you have failed with implementing change, as well as what challenges you can forecast in the future may derail your efforts. If you write down the likely obstacles in advance then you will be better prepared to deal with them when they appear.

7. You delay your start – There is little points in saying ‘I will start after the kids go back to school’ or after some other significant event. The only day to start is today, as you are more likely to be able to control what is in front of you right now. When tomorrow arrives is will present a completely different set of challenges; deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

Now that you know why you are likely to fail and what you can do to mitigate the likelihood of failure, start right now, with setting yourself some goals, write a plan and have the belief in yourself that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve.

Happy New Year!

Pete Bodley-Scott Personal Trainer www.strongbody.coach pete@strongbody.coach

3. You don’t believe in yourself – Stop comparing yourself to your ‘leaner’ or ‘fitter’ friends and family members. The only person you need to compare yourself with is yesterday’s version of yourself. As long Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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PETE@STRONGBODY.COACH / 07973 310 216 /orWWW.STRONGBODY.COACH To advertise email jenny@maldenmedia.co.uk call 020 8336 2915

27

Gardening Gardener’s Resolve…

Pippa Greenwood

Happy New Year! Now that 2018 is here, what are you going to resolve to do (or not do!) in the year ahead?

I could write a book about what I need to do in the garden, but like those non-garden resolutions, I’ve long since realised that it is best to stick to things you’ve got at least some chance of achieving! So I’ll probably not say I’ll re-turf the lawn or create the much wished for wildlife-friendly pond…I’ve been planning both of these for years with no sign of progress!

Re-cycle pots I’m sure that there is virtually no need to buy another plastic plant pot...and I’m sure that landfill sites would breathe a sigh of relief if we could all stick to this resolution: save all the pots you get when you buy new plants, and any plug-style trays that house bedding plants. Rinse them out and let them dry off, and next time you need a pot there will already be one there, free of charge as well as saving you a trip to the local garden centre. Pots stored away from sunlight will last much longer as they will be protected from the harmful rays of the sun which make many types of plastic disintegrate.

easier to compost kitchen waste by putting a container in the kitchen for vegetable peelings, apple cores and so forth. Empty it regularly and there won’t be problems with smells. The amount of extra compost you’ll generate will be well worthwhile. Many local councils offer a really good deal on basic plastic composters.

Use that space!

If you have a cold frame, porch, conservatory or greenhouse, put it to use! Far too many of these potentially great gardening structures are left abandoned for much of the year, perhaps just being graced with a handful of tomatoes for the summer months. Any sort

Cover it up!

Make a resolution to dry off and cover up garden furniture once the summer is over. Left out there throughout the worst of the weather, pretty well all furniture will take a serious battering – from rain, cold, ice and, in some cases, even fungi! Shop around for furniture covers that won’t break the bank or, better still, store the furniture in a shed or garage if you have one.

Stored properly, it will last much longer and you’ll save yourself a fortune.

Grow your own This needn’t mean total self-sufficiency for twelve months of the year, but aim to grow more of your own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. It might mean buying yourself a couple of tomato plants for the first time, or creating a small herb planter, or it could be larger scale and more complex plans if you’re already big on growyour-own...but increase what you do! Don’t forget that if you’d like UK-grown vegetable plants accompanied by my weekly advice and tips emails, you will find a great choice of some of my favourite varieties at www. pippagreenwood.com/grow-your-own.

Compost more It is easy to put things that should be composted in the waste bin, but once you get in the swing of it composting will soon become second nature. Make it

28

Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

of protected growing area has the ability to increase what you can grow and when you can grow it. So raise your own summer flowers in it, force some bulbs in it in the winter or make off-season sowings of salad crops… make it work, but whatever you do, don’t use it as the family rubbish dump!

Mulch more Make use of any organic matter that is bulky – mulch with it. Whether it is well-rotted manure, garden compost, leaf mould, or the used compost from a seasonal bedding display or growing bag, make it into mulch! Applied a couple of inches or more deep over the soil surface, a mulch like this will improve the soil’s ability to conserve moisture (saving you both watering time and water) and may also help to keep weeds at bay.

A win-win situation.

Pause before you buy When you’re looking through the seed, plant and bulb catalogues, browsing online or wandering around a garden centre, pause before you buy. I know I’m not alone in having eyes that are much bigger than my plot! It is very easy to order more seeds than you’ll ever be able to sow and plants that you’ll never be able to squeeze into your garden.

Seasonal saver Make sure you recycle your Christmas tree. Real trees can be recycled at locations up and down the country – many garden centres and councils offer the service.

The trees will be shredded and added to other green materials to make a great soil conditioner and planting mix.

I asked some of my well-known gardening friends on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time for their New Years’ Resolutions:

twine, hand tools, gloves, propagator lids and flower pots filling my sheds. I’m sure I can throw half of it away, then give everything its special place. It’s silly to waste precious time looking for these things, when it would be better spent sowing, weeding and planting.’

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening things: ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ (where you receive your chosen garden-ready vegetable plants in the spring accompanied by weekly advice and tips from Pippa) plus gardening tools, raised bed kits, Grower Frames, signed books and more!

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Eric Robson, our Chairman on the show: ‘I’ve joked about it lots in the past but I’m definitely – and I mean definitely – going to found the Ground Elder Appreciation Society. Great ground cover plant, wonderful as an alternative to spinach and the variegated version should have an Award of Garden Merit. ’ Bunny Guinness, garden designer and Chelsea gold medallist: ‘To reap all I sow. My pigs have had rather too good a diet this year - copious quince, grapes, apples and even peaches! It is quite difficult to find time to eat or store it all, but at least they were extremely appreciative reciprocates!’

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29

Clubs

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

Mondays

New Malden Rotary Club Malden Golf Club,Traps Lane Monday evenings 6.15 for 6.45pm

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

Thursdays

Early Morning Running Group Speed work on tarmacked areas, totaling 6-8 miles. Mixed ability Monday Netball Club group. No fee. Meet: The gates of Sir Mondays 8.30pm Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Marina Katie Leason 07910 256107 Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. (Three English Conversation / Lessons minutes walk from Motspur Park Christ Church Centre, Coombe Road. station). Time: 6.00am at the gates.

Mon & Tues, 10am - 12noon Chris Finish 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 Coke 020 8942 7388 Secretary 020 8942 1926 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com.

St James Players Malden Bridge Club When: Tuesday New Malden Quilters Association If you enjoy acting do come or help evenings 7.30-10.30pm Graham is a not-for-profit group which backstage. Mon and Weds 8pm Spicer Institute, by entrance to meets on the first Thursday evening St James Church Hall, Bodley Road Waitrose car park. of each month at St John The New Malden.

John 020 8942 7560 Divine, Kingston Road, New Malden Mem Sec: linda@dunnz.net Act For Justice New Malden Baptist from 7.30 – 9.30.pm Refreshments church; Westbury Road. KT3 5BE. first are provided during the evening.

Tuesday of every month, 8 - 9.30pm. We enjoy a variety of speakers, Tuesdays This group aims to combat human Tuesdays workshops, meetings, friendship trafficking. We’ll discuss issues of Early Morning Running Group and welcome anyone interested in forced labour, sexual exploitation and Quilting and its associated crafts.

Hill training on The Hamptons, domestic servitude, raise awareness £6 entry for guests. covering 6-8 miles. Mixed ability and fundraise. group. No fee. Meet: The gates of Sir We are lucky to have a number of ellykeevil@hotmail.com Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Marina talented members who are willing Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. (Three to share their knowledge and minutes walk from Motspur Park expertise with us. A warm welcome Wednesdays station). Time: 6.00am at the gates. is extended to all visitors, especially Malden & Coombe Social Club For beginners.

Finish 7.30-7.45am. Olwen 07941 The Blind Alternate Wednesdays 898896, olwenseear@gmail.com. farnboroughskid@gmail.com 2pm to 4pm Mike Ball 020 8942 0819 075785780726 Arthritis Care New Malden Branch Volunteer drivers/helpers VERY Arthritis Care Kingston and District welcome Meetings 3rd Tuesday of the month St. John’s Hall is open between Talking Of Trains In Surbiton 7.30pm in the evening at Alfriston 2.00 and 4.00pm for Tea And Chat. If Talks at the Surbiton Library Hall each you are on your own please feel free House Berrylands Road Surbiton Wed evening throughout the winter to drop in for a free cup of tea and Jocelyn King 0208 942 6745 The New Malden Ladies Badminton months. 1st meeting free, cost £50pa some company. 411 Malden Road www.talkingof trains.co.uk Club When: Tuesday at the Malden (between Worcester Park station Colouring Club Centre from 20.30 till 10pm We are and The Plough). 213 Bus stops A soothing and enjoyable pastime for nearby. a mixed ability club looking for new members. Lynda 020 8949 2673 or just adults with no skills needed. 10-11am The Malden and Coombe at Cafe Galio. pop in.

Townswomen’s Guild welcome Royal British Legion, Malden and NHS Retirement Fellowship Are new members. We meet at 10am Coombe Branch meetings are held you retired or about to retire from on the third Thursday of the month at the Grafton Club on the second the NHS? Why not join us on the 1st at the United Reformed Church Wed of the month at 2.30pm.

Tuesday of every month from 10am hall in New Malden. We are a New members welcome. Jan Feist: -12 at Christ Church Hall, Christ friendly group of women of all janfeist@hotmail.com Church Road, Surbiton, KT5 8JJ. We ages and backgrounds. We have have speakers, activities, coffee & interesting speakers from various chat.Other outings & activities are organisations; outings, clubs, bring also arranged during the month.

Barry Collins 07740 257 255

Lorna 020 8337 4121

30

Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

and buy sales and competitions.

We charge just £3 for your first visit which includes coffee and biscuits.

required. Everyone welcome.

Hall available for hire. Christine 07966661015

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

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 Alison Honor 020 8949 8036 www.maldencameraclub.org.uk the last Thursday of every month Malden Wanderers Badminton Malden Centre Orchestra 12.30 to 2.30 pm. £3 per person and Club 22, Cambridge Avenue, KT3 Malden Centre,R.J. Blagdon Road, friends or family are welcome.

KerryTree at 4LE When - 8.30-10pm We & areprofession R.J. Services qualified Tree Services qualified & professional staff are dedicated 10am-12noon every Thursday (term K.A.B. 020 8605 0060 a friendly club looking for new to the highest levels of service in every to and theenjoy highest service in every instance. time only). Come great levels Comeofand join our friendly local members. symphonic music in a friendly group bridge club at the Shiraz Mirza hall Bobby 07946 532 846 We happy to give advice – on all you of players under theare leading of an to give (behind Norbiton–station). playare New Malden Women’s Institute We happy advice on allWe your arboricultural queries. experience conductor.

24 hands of duplicate bridge - with Shiraz Mirza Hall, Manor Park Hall, newmaldenorchestra.weebly.com electronic scoring - every Thurs from Malden Road, New Malden, KT3 quotes • Free quotes Contact: pbuttaboni@yahoo.co.uk 7.30pm.Host system so partners 6AV. 2nd Thurs•of Free each month at re dedicated Tolworth Badminton Club always available. £5 table money.

7.30pm Barbara 0208 546 1495 or qualifie • Fully NPTC • Fully NPTC qualified Tolworth Recreation Centre Parking available outside the hall. twocavs@googlemail.com • Tree reductions / c • buses Treeand reductions / crown Thursday evenings 7.30-9.30 Also trains from very close thins Kingston Debating Society level by.

Rosemary Vase 0208 5468719 or An evening of lively intelligent ulturalIntermediate/advanced queries.

• Tree felling • Tree felling tolworthbadmintonclub.co.uk Pat Pauline Finn 0208 549 3270 or just debate, where you get to have • Stump removal • up Stump removal 0208 395 9175 or just turn up turn your say. Thurs7.45pm Malden Emergency First Aid 10 March Kingston Methodist • Hedgeworks • Hedgeworks Society (Mefas) Members meet R.J. Tree Services qualified & professional Church, Avenue Road, Fairfield staffoffare dedicated • Tree surveys & rep • Tree surveys & reports each Thursday evening at 7.30pm for First Aid training. New members to the highest levels of service in every instance. ns Deirdre Banks on 020 89494743

Malden Camera Club New Malden Library, Kingston Road Thurs evenings throughout the year at 7.45pm

ree!

We are happy to give advice – on all your arboricultural querie • Free quotes • Fully NPTC qualified R.J. Tree Services qualified & professional • Tree reductions / crown thins staff are dedicated to the highest levels of service in every instance.

• Tree felling Free Quotes • Stump removal Diploma qualified NPTC licensed • Hedgeworks Tree Reductions / Crown Thins • Tree surveys & reports Tree Felling Stump Removal Hedgeworks Tree Surveys & Reports £10 million insurance liability cover

Look out for the LookOffiout for the red tree! ce: 020 8399 0103

J.tree Servi ces, Berrylands, r.J.tree Services, Berrylands, Surbiton 020r.

8399 0103 07980 903 881 Surbiton 020 Mobile: 07980 903881 Visitallour website for information and video Visit our website for information and videos on aspects of our work info@rjtrees.co.uk LOOK FOR THE RED TREE!

www.rjtrees.co.uk

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R.J. Tree Services, Berrylands, Surbiton Visit our website for information and videos on all aspects of our work www.rjtrees.co.uk

3 07980 903 881 ects of our work

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

31

South, KT1 2UJ

kingstondebating.org.uk

New Malden Voices for all adults 8-9pm every Thursday in term time at New Malden Methodist Church.

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

Fridays

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

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!

Bob 07936 240937

RSPB Epsom & Ewell Local group 2nd Friday of every month at 7.30, apart from July and August, at All Saints Church Hall Fulford Road, West Ewell with guest speakers who illustrate their enthusiasm on a variety of natural history subjects.

We also have several birding outings throughout the year which is arranged to suit all ages. There is a small charge for non-members of the RSPB. rspb.org.uk/ groups/epsom.

Over 60’s club St. James Church Hall. Bodley Road, New Malden from 1pm to 2:30 pm (Doors open at 12:30) We have musical entertainment, a raffle and refreshments. Coach outings are organised during the Summer months.

Sheila 0208 949 5118

Saturdays

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

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

32

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

Malden Lime Grove Bowling Club, New Malden Both new and experienced bowlers are welcome at our friendly club with coaching on hand to guide and advise. We bowl outside from late April to the end of September, but social events for members are run throughout the year.

For enquiries ring Sue on 0208 395 6778 or John on 0208 949 4315 www.maldenlimegrovebowlingclub.com

Supreme Bowls Club

We welcome new bowlers of both sexes, all ages, and all abilities from late April to end of Sept. Come and try bowling for free. We are a friendly club with around 70 members on the Kings College Sports Ground close to Woodies pub at the junction of Thetford Road and Windsor Avenue, New Malden, KT3 5BF. Mick or Di on 020 8942 0294. supremebowling.org.uk.

West Wimbledon Society Table Tennis Club

Friendly social table tennis club in Raynes Park welcomes new members (sorry not complete beginners).

020 8947 3564.

Surbition Bowls Club Alexandra Rec, Tolworth. Roll ups Tuesday evenings from 5,50pm. Small friendly mixed club (35 players.)

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

Surbiton Croquet Club

Where: Alexandra Drive, Berrylands. Croquet is a game for all ages and abilities. All welcome at very friendly club, including (especially!) complete beginners. Free introductory croquet coaching sessions.

Chris Osmond 020 8330 6698 Malden Manor Bowls Club, Manor Park, Malden Road.

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. Men’s Secretary Gerald 020 8949 4623 or Ladies Secretary 020 8394 0877.

Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers

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Join today and get your first three months half price!

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Unique pool with retractable Unique pool with retractable roof & sun terrace Unique pool withterrace retractable roof & sun roof and & sun terrace Sauna steam room Sauna and steam room steam room StateSauna of theand art gym and studios State of the art gym and studios State of thefitness art gym and studios Bespoke programmes Bespoke fitness programmes and weight-loss clinic Bespoke fitness programmes and weight-loss clinic weight-loss clinic advice Personaland trainers for specialist Personal trainers for specialist advice and motivation Personal trainers for specialist advice and motivation and motivation

Wide range of group exercise classes Wide range of group exercise classes for of mind andexercise body Wide range group for mind and body classes for health mind and body salon In-house & beauty In-house health & beauty salon In-house health & beauty Five outdoor tennis courts, 4 holesalon golf course Five outdoor tennis courts, 4 hole golf course & tennis 6 holecourts, putting4green Five outdoor hole & 6 hole putting green golf course & 6 hole green clinic Physiotherapy andputting rehabilitation Physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic Physiotherapy and rehabilitation Complimentary Towels clinic Complimentary Towels andComplimentary Molton Brown cosmetics and Molton Brown Towels cosmetics and Molton Brown cosmetics

Call our friendly team to book a tour today on 020 8337 7788 Call team to 8337 7788 Call our our friendly friendly team to book book a a tour tour today today on on 020 020 8337 7788 or email enquiries@theriverclub.co.uk Call our friendly team to book a tour today on 020 8337 7788 & conditions apply.

Bring this flyer into the Club for a free two day trial. Terms Terms & conditions apply.

Terms & conditions apply.

Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, KT4 7PX Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, KT4 7PX Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, KT4 7PX 16_11 A5 flyer -3 months half price - version2a.indd 2 16_11 A5 flyer -3 months half price - version2a.indd 2

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15/12/2016 10:18:33 15/12/2016 10:18:33 15/12/2016 10:18:33

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Clubs 2 Kings Boxing Club celebrates 3 years of outstanding success by turning locals into champions From school boy champions to unbeaten professionals, 2 Kings has trained them all in their 3 years as the local boxing club in New Malden As they celebrate their anniversary, Ben Young (head coach), Luke Moran, Billy Day and Mabs Luzolo continue to turn the lives of young people around through the sport of boxing and their record is incredibly impressive.

Local Tony “Macaroni” Ayinde won the Queensbury novice title and the regional title to become regional welterweight champion and Harry Karzis won the London Amateur Boxing Association title. However, the champions don’t stop there – local schoolboy Harvey Dossett, 14, won the school boy and National Novice championship despite breaking his thumb in the bout. Their dedication and commitment to the sport and to their local club, coupled with the expert coaching of Ben Young and his team, has ensured endless success for these local boys. Each week the coaches train local young men and women, some as young as 5 and up, to become disciplined, committed athletes who then go on to become national champions.

Sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

But perhaps the most remarkable of the club’s successes is that of Danny Darko; 2 Kings Boxing Club changed Daniel Egbunike’s life around. With the dedication and training of the coaches, and Danny’s grit and talent, he has gone from a life spent going in and out of prison to a professional boxer with a very promising career. He began by winning Queensbury Novice champion, then Novice National champion and became the National ABA champion. His glittering career then took off and he turned professional and now sports a fantastic 2-0 record, both won by knockout.

2 Kings Boxing Club is at the heart of the community and welcomes all new members and is constantly looking for sponsors, as it is a non-profit making organisation. Training takes place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with classes for juniors from 5-6.30pm and adult boxers from 6.30pm onwards. Come and train to be a champion! Call Ben for more information 07534 918 019

Juniors (8+) 5—6.30 pm Adults 6.30pm onwards Friendly club All levels of fitness and experience welcome

The home of champions California Road, New Malden Contact Ben Young 07534 918 019 Look us up on YouTube or scan QR code

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Pengilly

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.

Shoe RePaiRS

and Key Cutting

Specialising in Quality Shoe Repairs Key Cutting Polish and Sundries leather goods School Bags

TARGET Excellent: 56 or more words Good: 43 words Fair: 37 words

E

O N

A

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020 8336 2268

G S

R I

ORGANISE Care visits at home

Bluebird Care What we offer

Alternative

We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning and social visits.

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Socialise with US

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35

Codeword Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26.

The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

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

ES F TI RE M E AT ES

Registered to carry out ■ insurance Work

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

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Cooking with Elida www.elidafamilydinners.blogspot.co.uk The New Year is here and why not start it with a delicious meal that brings good luck and joy to everyone around the table! In Brazil it is very traditional to eat lentils on New Year’s Eve to bring fortune and wear white to bring peace! We usually eat ham with sides like jewelled rice, Russian salad, “farofa” (toasted ground cassava flour fried with lots of smoked bacon and garlic), “salpicão” (shredded chicken salad mixed with fruits and mayonnaise) and lentils of course!

For pudding it is a must to have cream caramel, nonbaked cheesecakes and lots of fresh fruits.

White Chocolate Cheesecake

This is a fantastic alternative to a baked cheesecake, melts in the mouth and it is so easy to make! My children absolutely love it and it has been a must on our New Year’s Eve dinner table! Just perfect!!!

Ingredients: 180g digestive biscuits 100 unsalted butter (melted) 400g strawberries (sliced - optional)

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200g Blueberries (optional) 200g bar white chocolate broken into small pieces (best quality you can get hold of ) 2 x 200g cream cheese (I use full-fat Philadelphia) 25g caster sugar 170ml double cream Method: Put the biscuits in a large plastic food bag and crush with a rolling pin until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the butter. Tip into a 20cm loose-based round cake tin. Using the back of a tea spoon, pack the mixture into a thin layer around the sides of the tin then press the remainder over the base.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave in short spurts.

Stir it frequently so the chocolate melts evenly. Beat the cream cheese in a separate bowl with the sugar and 2 tbsp of boiling water until smooth. Beat in the chocolate and 4tbsp of the cream. Spoon it into the tin and spread in an even layer.

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Whisk the remaining cream until just firm then spread it over the filling.

Scatter the fruit over the cream. Chill for at least 3 hours before removing from the tin.

Enjoy it!!!

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37

Kids Play

Tuesday-Fridays

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

There’s lots going on for pre-schoolers

fe

sing s

Saturdays

Mondays

10-12noon Who let the dads out is at Norbiton Children’s 10am to 11.30am Tots In Tow St John’s Church, Kingston Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage Lane, New Malden Road Contact Dave on 02089425643 Runs the third Saturday of every month.

1.15 pm 3.15pm. St James Tiddlers Group We welcome 10am-12pm Stay and Play - Dads group - - first Saturday of all parents and toddlers, plus big sisters and brothers every month New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington when they’re on holidays. St James Church Hall, Bodley Road 020 8336 1561.

Rd Contact Angie: 020 8942 2093 9.15 11.15 Stay and Play Every second Saturday of the month, New Malden Library (0-18 months) - New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington 10.30-11.00am. Free Saturday Rhyme Time for under 5s.

Road 020 8336 1561.

Dads especially welcome. Join us for 30 minutes of rhymes, Bumps and Babies under 1 NCT coffee morning, songs and instrument shaking! fortnightly Mondays. 10am to 11.30am. The Watchman Men behaving Dadly is a group that meets on a Saturday Pub, New Malden. All welcome. NCT members and nonmorning a month Church 'PUT Y O U Ronce GA R D EinNtheMChrist AIN T E Nlounge.

ANCE IN TH members. For more information and to confirm the next young children to enjoy playing with the meeting date please contact H A N DDads S Obring F Stheir OM EONE WHO REALLY CARES toys and relax together by eating bacon sandwiches and newmaldennctcoffee@gmail.com drinking coffee.

s ted

n

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outh

Tuesdays

10am to 11.45am St Joseph’s Toddler Group St Joseph’s R C Church, Montem Road 9.30am to 11.30am Sparkles United Reformed Church, Cavendish Hall, Cavendish Road Contact Peggy Cox 020 8949 3402 to visit. 9-11.30 Stay and Play New Malden Children’s Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561

- One off Tidy - Garden Maintenance - Decking and Lawns - Hedge Trimming - Landscaping

- Tree surgery - Stump Grinding - Strimming and Weeding - Garden clearance - Path and Patio Washing

Wednesdays

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

‘PUT YOUR GARDEN MAINTENANCE INTel: THE020 8330 7 info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES’ www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk Mobile: 07958 9.45 to 11.30am Methodist Church Parent and Toddler - One off Tidy Group Methodist Church, High Street, Contact Julia - Garden Maintenance Morton 020 8942 1288. 9.30am to 12.30pm 9.30 - 12 noon - Decking and Lawns Childminders’ drop in including school holidays, - Hedge Trimming Norbiton Children’s Centre, The Mount School, Dickerage Road, 0208 942 2559 10.30-11am Story Time for age 2.5+ - Landscaping at New Malden Library - Tree surgery - Stump Grinding Fridays - Strimming & Weeding 9.30am to 11.30am Christ Church Parent and Toddler - Garden clearance Group Christ Church, Coombe Road Contact Susie Gregerson 020 8241 9423. 9.45am to 11.15am Tadpoles - Path & Patio Washing

Thursdays

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Parent and Toddler Group New Malden Baptist Church, E IN THE AINTENANC CARES' Kingston Road 020 8942 6912 – not a drop in session so ' P U T Y O U R G A R DE EONN EMW HO REALLY SOM F O S D N A call first. 10.30-11.00am Rhyme Time for age 0-3 at New H Contact us on: - Tree surgery y Malden Library 9-12.Toy Library New Malden Children’s ding or 07958 727 272 - One off Tid mp Grin Tel: 020 8330 7787 Stu ce nan Weeding - Garden Mainte Centre, Burlington Road 020 8336 1561. Also at NMCC - Strimming and Lawns ce - Decking and - Garden clearan info@cypressgardenservices.co.uk g Breastfeeding Support Group - 10.00 - 12.00 - first week of shing Wa o - Hedge Trimmin Pati - Path and g www.cypressgardenservices.co.uk - Landscapin the month Twins Support Group - 10.00 - 12.00 - Second and fourth weeks of the month,

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info@cypressga

Tel: 020 8330 7787 272 Mobile: 07958 727

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

39

Parkin' some thoughts

by Nick Hazell

Hawaii Five o[h]!

Dr Arnall had a theory. Being a clever chap he expressed it as the equation, [W+(D-d)] x TQ/M x NA. In his calculations, (W) represented the weather, (D) debt, (d) monthly salary, (T) time since Christmas, (Q) time since failed quit attempt, (M) low motivational levels and (NA) the need to take action. In the employ of a travel operator, he was trying to find a way of establishing which day in January was the most chronically depressing of the year so it could better market its expensive offerings.

A cynical and I dare say well paid study, but he had a point. After the merry cheer and hearty celebrations of the festive period and the good cleansing intentions of the New Year’s resolutions, most people have at best fractured and at worst broken their healthy promises within the first week of the new month.

Even the most resolute hangers-on have leapt from the wagon, torn off their nicotine patches or eaten the contents of the fridge and their children’s selection box by the third week. Any residual dregs of festive goodwill, seasonal cheer and “family fun” have well and truly kicked the bucket by 24 January. Anyone mentioning the word “Charades” is likely to be bludgeoned on the spot. Then the credit card needs paying and what seemed like justifiably seasonal largesse at the time looks, with the benefit of hindsight and the sound of Wizzard fading into the background, like some sort of financial Hari Kari of Venezuelan proportions.

Dr Arnall then, was and probably still is, a smart arse but in its application to the Hazell household his formulaic representation of the post-Christmas apocalypse is missing a “+ ABB” which stands for “Anna’s Birthday Build-up”. This year she turns 13 on 24 January. An inauspicious day in Dr Arnall’s book, but in the tome of soon to be teenage existence, an important milestone and one which

40

meant the annual celebration summit talks and associated stress started in July of last year, somewhat earlier than is typical.

As usual, Anna opened negotiations with an outrageous proposal, both financially ruinous and gargantuan in scale. After a tense stand-off and without the intervention of UN peace keepers, a settlement was reached. With a nod to the incongruous and the faintly surreal, she decided on a Hawaiian, beach themed, BBQ party. However, despite the initial anxiety associated with her selecting the right event and an accompanying choice of outfit, taking into account the prospect of further expense, the need to grow a Magnum PI moustache in short order and the requirement to cook under an umbrella in an floral shirt which would bring tears to Gok Wan’s eyes, this late January cause to celebrate provides the perfect antidote to the learned Doctor’s theorem. Witnessing Anna’s excitement, pleasure and the simple enjoyment at the passing of another year in the company of her friends more than compensates for the January blues.

You see, sometimes in life there are things we can’t control. Earthquakes, floods, the mouth of Katie Hopkins and other natural disasters refuse to be harnessed, nor can we accurately determine in January whether (or not) the next year in our lives is going to be better, or worse than the one before. We can worry about “what might” be before seeing “what is”. We can rail against the injustices we perceive to have befallen our lives, but that’s not time or energy well spent.

Accepting life for what it is makes for a much better ride. As Sir Michael Jagger once said “you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might just get what you need”.

A sounder theory than that of the January blues.

More importantly though, February is just around the corner!

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41

A Photographer Dreams....

by Hugh Griffiths www.creativelight.org.uk photographers (some say) than others. And then there are the times when you welcome the chance to be indoors and spend time editing and polishing your masterpieces. January is a mix of both – with the weather occasionally being too grim for me to face (but

There are some times of year that are better for

42

- “there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes”). But it isn’t the blue skies and crisp frosty days alone that can make January a good time for getting out there with your camera, but you can look and find great pictures when the mist is around, or the skies are grey, giving an even light on the ground. The very bright days of summer don’t always lend themselves to good outdoor pictures – the sun can bleach colour away from the scene in front of you.

But on those bad days of January, when you can’t face going outside, you can still keep taking pictures. There are lots of opportunities in our homes that can result in beautiful images – images that we may well like to have on canvas and on the wall to remind us of colour and life. For example, these flowers – from one of our local supermarkets – could look really lovely on the wall in your lounge. And one benefit of photographing cut flowers is that you can organise them the way you want and there is no breeze indoors to make them move just as you click the shutter. It’s actually not that easy to take good photographs of flowers; snaps are easy but to make a picture that feels more than just a mass of colour takes time and thought. For this picture, I spent an hour or so with my camera and tripod and took a large number of photos. Rearranging the flowers, placing the camera in a different place … and then I had to edit them. I deleted most of the photos – too similar or out of focus, or just plain boring – and had a

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handful to edit. The most valuable editing tool is the one that allows you to crop a scene: in this one, I have chosen to have no single complete flower, but to have a number, all of a different colour. I wanted to give a story of colours and lowers pushing and shoving to the front, to give an explosion of colour. Having the centre flower behind the others works, in my view, because it gives a dynamism that is moving your gaze from right to left.

I have another image that had this flower more out in the open, and it really didn’t hold my interest. Is that just me? I don’t think so, but you should try it out yourselves to make your own minds up.

I went to the Tate Modern in January last year. Very enjoyable and quite challenging at the same time.

Like many of us, I suspect, I have a worry about much of modern art that it can be a bit meaningless and have little contact with the real day-to-day worlds that we live in. So, the challenge for me was to push that prejudice aside and look at the art works with a view to understanding them, enjoying them and learning from them. It was surprisingly refreshing and fun. Indeed there were a few paintings that seemed too pretentious for their own good, but by and large, I enjoyed the time.

As in most museums, you can take your camera and use it so long as you don’t use the flash. I saw this lady looking at the picture hanging on the wall in front of her, and took a quick snap. She happened, as I took it, to look away from the photo – just the same as taking pictures of flowers in the wind! But actually, that helps, in my opinion, as I had titled the picture “I don’t get it, either”, and her head looking away just seems to emphasise this. Was she looking for the label by the painting that explained it, talked about the artist? I don’t

know – maybe she was just looking at a friend. As a portrait of a moment in time, it works. The painting is set at the top third of the picture (one of those important, but not essential rules of composition) and the floor panels all lead your eye to the picture on the wall. The lady is in the centre – standard rules would have her slightly off-centre because this can make you focus more on her (off centre makes the picture slightly unbalanced and you have to work to feel comfortable with it. That can be helpful in many circumstances as it adds a tension that can help the picture stand out). I wanted her in the centre because I wanted the painting to have emphasis as well. I think that the painting itself, with its regular pattern, the lady in the centre and the floor panels all make it a very harmonious scene.

And finally, a photograph from the great outdoors. I was at the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisley in the middle of January and this cheeky fellow was sitting on the branch almost begging me to take a photo of him.

So, of course, I obliged. I do like robins: they are always so friendly (to us anyway) and seem eager to stick around where we are. And colourful too. I have focused on the robin in this photo, and made the background a blur. This is fairly easy with SLR cameras, while it is more difficult with compact or phone cameras. Doable – but not easy. And it is important that there is no significant distraction to the bird sitting there. He could get a bit lost if everything behind him was in sharp focus. By now, you will know the sort of compositional tricks I have used here: the robin is on the left third of the picture, and has room in front of him to move into. If I had got him close to the side and looking into it, there would be a sense of frustration and would be a bit claustrophobic.

The Malden Camera Club meets on most Thursday evenings at the Library in Kingston Road. We are a friendly group, and love our photography. Come along one evening. You will be very welcome!

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43

Solutions

CodeWord

Sudokus

Space Saving Crossword

Cloud Storage

Pictograms

1. Turn Up Trumps 2. Thick As Two Short Planks 3. All In All

Wordwheel ORGANISE

44

Many modern Macs and PCs come with solid state drives, which are quick but expensive, so computer firms tend to use ones with fairly small capacities. So a PC with a 1TB (1,000 gigabyte) hard disk might be a similar price to one with a solid state drive of 128GB or 256GB. If you’re short of space, options include cheap USBconnected external drives, or online storage. Free services such as Apple’s iCloud or Microsoft’s OneDrive give you 5GB of free storage and even large storage capacities aren’t too pricey: Apple’s iCloud offers 2TB of online storage for £6.99 per month - and like other cloud services, that storage can be shared among all your devices, so you can use it to share things between home and office or between your PC, phone and tablet.

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Organisations Royal British Legion Malden & Coombe Branch Happy New Year to you all from Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion. Let’s hope 2018 brings you all Peace, Health and Happiness.

We have received a summary of the Poppy appeal from our organiser Tina. During the 2 week period 49 helpers street collected 69 organisations took boxes, ncluding The Ahmadiyya Muslims Women Organisation, New Victoria hospital and many local shops, 28 schools, including Coombe Boys School who manned New Malden Station and 240 tins filled, counted and banked by helpers. Everyone who took part are volunteers, without whose help none of this could happen.

The total raised in New Malden alone is over a staggering £23,000.00 !!! So, thank you New Malden Residents. We hope to raise around £47 million throughout the Royal British in total this year.

Myself and 3 other Malden and Coombe RBL members were honoured to be invited to The Battle Back Centre in Telford, Shropshire, where we presented a cheque for £500 from money fundraised by the Branch over 2017. The Centre runs courses in sports for those servicemen and women currently serving or ex service who need assistance after injuries or mental trauma whilst serving. We watched a wheelchair basket ball game where competitors obviously enjoyed themselves and also listened to a soldier who received life threatening injuries who, with the help of Battle Back, is now able to live a full life teaching archery.

Every penny we raise will go towards helping these brave personnel and in this special year commemorating the end of WW1 we hope to raise many more hundreds of pounds in New Malden.

We finished 2017 with a RBL pub quiz held at The Grafton club,s o thanks to Jim and staff for helping us raise £200 on the night. Great fun was had by all!!

Our Christmas dinner was in the Watchman Pub and we all enjoyed ourselves.

If you would like to be part of this fun, please ring our local membership officer Roger on 07572390203 or myself Jan on 07900482379 or Head office for reports and membership 08088028080.

And thank you again for your support.

“AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” TO THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING

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Call or email to request a free information sheet There is no fee involved for the initial consultation Telephone: 07740 943137 Email: kimnotist@gmail.com Website: www.kimnotist.co.uk

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45

ABLE 2 BUILD & Sons ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORK

0800 566 8198 • 07889 255 097 www.able2build.co.uk • info@able2build.co.uk 46

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Offer available between

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47

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Carpets_A5 Carpets_A5 Carpets_A5Portrait.indd Portrait.indd Portrait.indd 111

21/09/2015 22/09/2016 Please remember to mention the Village Voice when you speak to our advertisers21/09/2015

12:24 12:24 17:38